#1 of 14 #1 thriller movie of 1978
1978 · Action, Adventure
$300.5M worldwide · 45% of the chart's total
$134.5M US & Canada · 45% $166M elsewhere · 55%
Thriller box office · 1978
Thriller Box Office 1978: Highest-Grossing Thriller Movies
Superman (1978) is the highest-grossing thriller movie released in 1978, with $300.5M worldwide, ahead of Jaws 2 (1978) at $187.9M and Halloween (1978) at $47.2M. 14 thriller films released in 1978 report a worldwide gross, $674.5M in all, 60% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is 4.2 times the total of 1977, whose releases took $161.1M. By language, English leads with $374M across 13 thriller releases.
- 1978 releases with a gross
- 14
- combined worldwide
- $674.5M
- films crossed $100M
- 2
- vs 1977
- ×4.2
#1 of 14 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Thriller Hits of 1978?
Superman (1978) leads with $300.5M, 45% of the total. The top 5 together took $615.5M, 91% of what all 14 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Thriller Release of 1978, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1978.
- 1 Dec 15, 1978 US and Canada: $134.5M Rest of the world: $166M Worldwide: $300.5M
- 2 Jun 16, 1978 US and Canada: $81.8M Rest of the world: $106.1M Worldwide: $187.9M
- 3 Oct 25, 1978 US and Canada: $47.2M Rest of the world: $13.3K Worldwide: $47.2M
- 4 Jul 14, 1978 US and Canada: $45M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $45M
- 5 Oct 6, 1978 US and Canada: $35M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $35M
- 6
Apr 28, 1978 US and Canada: $20.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.4M - 7
Aug 2, 1978 US and Canada: $20M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20M - 8
Oct 6, 1978 US and Canada: $13.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.1M - 9
Mar 10, 1978 US and Canada: $5.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.4M - 10
Nov 1, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.9K - 11
May 19, 1978 US and Canada: $8.1K Rest of the world: $264 Worldwide: $8.4K - 12
Jul 28, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3K - 13
Jun 2, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $402 - 14
Aug 3, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $321
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1978?
Of the top 10, Foul Play (1978) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Jaws 2 (1978) made 56% of its gross abroad. Across all 14 films, $402.3M (60%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Superman (1978) $300.5M $134.5M US & Canada · 45% $166M elsewhere · 55%
- 2 Jaws 2 (1978) $187.9M $81.8M US & Canada · 44% $106.1M elsewhere · 56%
- 3 Halloween (1978) $47.2M $47.2M US & Canada · 100% $13.3K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 Foul Play (1978) $45M $45M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Midnight Express (1978) $35M $35M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 F.I.S.T. (1978) $20.4M $20.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) $20M $20M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 The Big Fix (1978) $13.1M $13.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Gray Lady Down (1978) $5.4M $5.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Watership Down (1978) $21.9K No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 1978 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
2 of 14 films crossed $100M and took $488.4M between them, 72% of the total. 6 films, 43% of the list, earned under $10M.
72% 27%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 2 films, 14% of the list $488.4M · 72% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 6 films, 43% of the list $180.6M · 27% of the gross
- Under $10M 6 films, 43% of the list $5.5M · <1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1978 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $300.5M from 1 film, led by Superman (1978). May was the quietest month ($8.4K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar Gray Lady Down (1978) $5.4M Gray Lady Down (1978)
- April Apr F.I.S.T. (1978) $20.4M F.I.S.T. (1978)
- May May Despair (1978) $8.4K Despair (1978)
- June Jun Jaws 2 (1978) $187.9M Jaws 2 (1978)
- July Jul Foul Play (1978) $45M Foul Play (1978)
- August Aug Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) $20M Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)
- September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- October Oct Halloween (1978) $95.2M Halloween (1978)
- November Nov Watership Down (1978) $21.9K Watership Down (1978)
- December Dec Superman (1978) $300.5M Superman (1978)
Last 10 years
How Does 1978 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1978 earned the most: $674.5M from 14 films, led by Superman (1978).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 10 films | 10 | $24.3M | – | On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) $22.8M |
| 1970 5 films · +394% | 5 | $120.3M | +394% | Airport (1970) $100.5M |
| 1971 14 films · +18% | 14 | $141.7M | +18% | The French Connection (1971) $51.7M |
| 1972 8 films · +136% | 8 | $334.9M | +136% | The Godfather (1972) $250.3M |
| 1973 15 films · +52% | 15 | $509M | +52% | The Exorcist (1973) $430.9M |
| 1974 21 films · −31% | 21 | $352.9M | −31% | The Towering Inferno (1974) $116M |
| 1975 11 films · +67% | 11 | $589.1M | +67% | Jaws (1975) $477.9M |
| 1976 13 films · −66% | 13 | $200.3M | −66% | All the President's Men (1976) $70.6M |
| 1977 10 films · −20% | 10 | $161.1M | −20% | The Deep (1977) $47.3M |
| 1978 14 films · +319% | 14 | $674.5M | +319% | Superman (1978) $300.5M |
Archive
Thriller Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1920 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2015 leads with $12.8B, led by Jurassic World (2015).
2020s 7 years · $38.5B
- 2026 so far $2.6B #1 Project Hail Mary (2026)
- 2025 $7.7B #1 Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)
- 2024 $5.7B #1 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
- 2023 $7.9B #1 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- 2022 $7.1B #1 Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
- 2021 $5.5B #1 No Time to Die (2021)
- 2020 $2B #1 Bad Boys for Life (2020)
2010s 10 years · $93.9B
- 2019 $8.6B #1 Joker (2019)
- 2018 $10B #1 Venom (2018)
- 2017 $10.2B #1 The Fate of the Furious (2017)
- 2016 $7.6B #1 Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 2015 $12.8B #1 Jurassic World (2015)
- 2014 $8.5B #1 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
- 2013 $10.5B #1 Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 2012 $12B #1 The Avengers (2012)
- 2011 $5B #1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
- 2010 $8.6B #1 Inception (2010)
2000s 10 years · $67.5B
- 2009 $8.6B #1 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
- 2008 $8.5B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- 2007 $8.8B #1 Spider-Man 3 (2007)
- 2006 $7B #1 The Da Vinci Code (2006)
- 2005 $5.8B #1 War of the Worlds (2005)
- 2004 $6.7B #1 Spider-Man 2 (2004)
- 2003 $6.6B #1 The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
- 2002 $5.2B #1 Die Another Day (2002)
- 2001 $5.3B #1 Ocean's Eleven (2001)
- 2000 $5B #1 Mission: Impossible II (2000)
1990s 10 years · $36B
- 1999 $5.2B #1 The Sixth Sense (1999)
- 1998 $4.2B #1 Armageddon (1998)
- 1997 $5.1B #1 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
- 1996 $5B #1 Independence Day (1996)
- 1995 $3.9B #1 Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)
- 1994 $2.9B #1 True Lies (1994)
- 1993 $2.3B #1 The Fugitive (1993)
- 1992 $2.3B #1 Basic Instinct (1992)
- 1991 $2.2B #1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- 1990 $3B #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $9.2B
- 1989 $1.8B #1 Batman (1989)
- 1988 $995.3M #1 Rambo III (1988)
- 1987 $1.7B #1 Fatal Attraction (1987)
- 1986 $571.7M #1 Aliens (1986)
- 1985 $908.2M #1 Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
- 1984 $822.8M #1 Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
- 1983 $1.2B #1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 1982 $608M #1 First Blood (1982)
- 1981 $397.1M #1 For Your Eyes Only (1981)
- 1980 $291.5M #1 The Shining (1980)
1970s 10 years · $3.5B
- 1979 $452.1M #1 Moonraker (1979)
- 1978 $674.5M #1 Superman (1978)
- 1977 $161.1M #1 The Deep (1977)
- 1976 $200.3M #1 All the President's Men (1976)
- 1975 $589.1M #1 Jaws (1975)
- 1974 $352.9M #1 The Towering Inferno (1974)
- 1973 $509M #1 The Exorcist (1973)
- 1972 $334.9M #1 The Godfather (1972)
- 1971 $141.7M #1 The French Connection (1971)
- 1970 $120.3M #1 Airport (1970)
1960s 10 years · $273.6M
- 1969 $24.3M #1 On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
- 1968 $3.7M #1 Coogan’s Bluff (1968)
- 1967 $43.9M #1 You Only Live Twice (1967)
- 1966 $47.4K #1 Blow-Up (1966)
- 1965 $114.9M #1 Thunderball (1965)
- 1964 $34.5M #1 From Russia with Love (1964)
- 1963 $16.6M #1 Dr. No (1963)
- 1962 $2.9M #1 The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
- 1961 $69.7K #1 Yojimbo (1961)
- 1960 $32.7M #1 Psycho (1960)
1950s 10 years · $52.7M
- 1959 $215.4K #1 North by Northwest (1959)
- 1958 $10.7M #1 Vertigo (1958)
- 1957 $27.4K #1 The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
- 1956 $18.2K #1 The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
- 1955 $2.3M #1 Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
- 1954 $38.5M #1 Rear Window (1954)
- 1953 $46.2K #1 The Wages of Fear (1953)
- 1952 $26K #1 Sudden Fear (1952)
- 1951 $52K #1 Strangers on a Train (1951)
- 1950 $816.7K #1 Shadow on the Wall (1950)
1940s 10 years · $12.3M
- 1949 $1.5M #1 The Third Man (1949)
- 1948 $464.6K #1 The Fallen Idol (1948)
- 1947 $79K #1 Odd Man Out (1947)
- 1946 $10M #1 Cloak and Dagger (1946)
- 1945 $94.2K #1 Dead of Night (1945)
- 1944 $23.6K #1 Double Indemnity (1944)
- 1943 $37K #1 Le Corbeau (1943)
- 1942 $47.5K #1 Went the Day Well? (1942)
- 1941 $19 #1 Suspicion (1941)
- 1940 $114.1K #1 Rebecca (1940)
1930s 7 years · $195.5K
FAQ
Thriller Box Office 1978: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 14 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing thriller movie in 1978?
Superman (1978) leads with $300.5M worldwide, $134.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Jaws 2 (1978) at $187.9M and Halloween (1978) at $47.2M.
How much did thriller movies released in 1978 earn?
14 thriller films released in 1978 report a worldwide gross, $674.5M in all, or $48.2M per film on average. 1977 releases took $161.1M.
How many thriller movies released in 1978 made $1 billion?
None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Superman (1978) with $300.5M.
How is the 1978 thriller box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 1978. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.
How often is the 1978 thriller box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.