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Thriller box office · 1980

Thriller Box Office 1980: Highest-Grossing Thriller Movies

The Shining (1980) is the highest-grossing thriller movie released in 1980, with $48M worldwide, ahead of Dressed to Kill (1980) at $31.9M and Flash Gordon (1980) at $27.2M. 21 thriller films released in 1980 report a worldwide gross, $291.5M in all, 99% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 36% on 1979, whose releases took $452.1M. By language, English leads with $249.5M across 17 thriller releases.

1980 releases with a gross
21
combined worldwide
$291.5M
The Shining (1980), the #1
$48M
vs 1979
−36%
The Shining (1980) movie poster #1 of 21
#1 thriller movie of 1980

The Shining (1980)

1980 · Thriller, Horror

$48M worldwide · 16% of the chart's total

$45.6M US & Canada · 95% $2.3M elsewhere · 5%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Thriller Hits of 1980?

The Shining (1980) leads with $48M, 16% of the total. The top 5 together took $151.2M, 52% of what all 21 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. The Shining (1980) movie poster Number 1
    $48M The Shining (1980)
    $45.6M US & Canada · 95% $2.3M elsewhere · 5%
  2. Dressed to Kill (1980) movie poster Number 2
    $31.9M Dressed to Kill (1980)
    $31.9M US & Canada · 100% $1.3K elsewhere · <1%
  3. Flash Gordon (1980) movie poster Number 3
    $27.2M Flash Gordon (1980)
    $27.1M US & Canada · 100% $78.6K elsewhere · <1%
  4. American Gigolo (1980) movie poster Number 4
    $22.7M American Gigolo (1980)
    $22.7M US & Canada · 100% $1.5K elsewhere · <1%
  5. The Fog (1980) movie poster Number 5
    $21.4M The Fog (1980)
    $21.4M US & Canada · 100% $48 elsewhere · <1%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Thriller Release of 1980, 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 1980.

  1. 1 The Shining (1980) movie poster
    The Shining (1980) May 23, 1980 · English · Thriller, Horror $48M worldwide
    May 23, 1980 US and Canada: $45.6M Rest of the world: $2.3M Worldwide: $48M
  2. 2 Dressed to Kill (1980) movie poster
    Dressed to Kill (1980) Jul 25, 1980 · English · Mystery, Thriller $31.9M worldwide
    Jul 25, 1980 US and Canada: $31.9M Rest of the world: $1.3K Worldwide: $31.9M
  3. 3 Flash Gordon (1980) movie poster
    Flash Gordon (1980) Dec 5, 1980 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $27.2M worldwide
    Dec 5, 1980 US and Canada: $27.1M Rest of the world: $78.6K Worldwide: $27.2M
  4. 4 American Gigolo (1980) movie poster
    American Gigolo (1980) Feb 1, 1980 · English · Drama, Mystery, Thriller $22.7M worldwide
    Feb 1, 1980 US and Canada: $22.7M Rest of the world: $1.5K Worldwide: $22.7M
  5. 5 The Fog (1980) movie poster
    The Fog (1980) Feb 8, 1980 · Thriller, Horror $21.4M worldwide
    Feb 8, 1980 US and Canada: $21.4M Rest of the world: $48 Worldwide: $21.4M
  6. 6 Altered States (1980) movie poster
    Altered States (1980) Dec 25, 1980 · English · Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror $19.9M worldwide
    Dec 25, 1980 US and Canada: $19.9M Rest of the world: $6 Worldwide: $19.9M
  7. 7 Cruising (1980) movie poster
    Cruising (1980) Feb 15, 1980 · English · Drama, Mystery, Thriller $19.8M worldwide
    Feb 15, 1980 US and Canada: $19.8M Rest of the world: $16.6K Worldwide: $19.8M
  8. 8 The Octagon (1980) movie poster
    The Octagon (1980) Aug 15, 1980 · English · Action, Drama, Thriller $19M worldwide
    Aug 15, 1980 US and Canada: $19M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19M
  9. 9 The Hunter (1980) movie poster
    The Hunter (1980) Aug 1, 1980 · Action, Biography, Drama $16.3M worldwide
    Aug 1, 1980 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.3M
  10. 10 Prom Night (1980) movie poster
    Prom Night (1980) Jul 18, 1980 · English · Thriller, Horror $14.8M worldwide
    Jul 18, 1980 US and Canada: $14.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8M
  11. 11 Saturn 3 (1980) movie poster
    Saturn 3 (1980) Feb 15, 1980 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller $9M worldwide
    Feb 15, 1980 US and Canada: $9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9M
  12. 12 The Formula (1980) movie poster
    The Formula (1980) Dec 19, 1980 · English · Thriller, Mystery, Crime $8.9M worldwide
    Dec 19, 1980 US and Canada: $8.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.9M
  13. 13 Mad Max (1980) movie poster
    Mad Max (1980) Feb 15, 1980 · English · Action, Adventure, Thriller $8.8M worldwide
    Feb 15, 1980 US and Canada: $8.8M Rest of the world: $24K Worldwide: $8.8M
  14. 14 The Stunt Man (1980) movie poster
    The Stunt Man (1980) Jun 27, 1980 · English · Action, Drama, Thriller $7.1M worldwide
    Jun 27, 1980 US and Canada: $7.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.1M
  15. 15 Motel Hell (1980) movie poster
    Motel Hell (1980) Oct 24, 1980 · English · Thriller, Horror, Comedy $6.3M worldwide
    Oct 24, 1980 US and Canada: $6.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.3M
  16. 16 Gloria (1980) movie poster
    Gloria (1980) Oct 1, 1980 · Drama, Thriller, Crime $4.1M worldwide
    Oct 1, 1980 US and Canada: $4.1M Rest of the world: $2.5K Worldwide: $4.1M
  17. 17 When Time Ran Out... (1980) movie poster
    When Time Ran Out... (1980) Mar 28, 1980 · English · Action, Adventure, Drama $3.8M worldwide
    Mar 28, 1980 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.8M
  18. 18 Windows (1980) movie poster
    Windows (1980) Jan 18, 1980 · English · Thriller, Horror, Drama $2.1M worldwide
    Jan 18, 1980 US and Canada: $2.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.1M
  19. 19 Haunted Tales (1980) movie poster
    Haunted Tales (1980) Apr 19, 1980 · Chinese · Horror, Thriller $228.5K worldwide
    Apr 19, 1980 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $228.5K
  20. 20 The Sea Wolves (1980) movie poster
    The Sea Wolves (1980) Jul 3, 1980 · English · War, Thriller, Action $220.2K worldwide
    Jul 3, 1980 US and Canada: $220.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $220.2K
  21. 21 Phobia (1980) movie poster
    Phobia (1980) Sep 9, 1980 · English · Thriller, Horror $59.2K worldwide
    Sep 9, 1980 US and Canada: $59.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $59.2K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in 1980?

Of the top 10, The Octagon (1980) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Shining (1980) made 5% of its gross abroad. Across all 21 films, $288.8M (99%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 The Shining (1980) $48M
    $45.6M US & Canada · 95% $2.3M elsewhere · 5%
  2. 2 Dressed to Kill (1980) $31.9M
    $31.9M US & Canada · 100% $1.3K elsewhere · <1%
  3. 3 Flash Gordon (1980) $27.2M
    $27.1M US & Canada · 100% $78.6K elsewhere · <1%
  4. 4 American Gigolo (1980) $22.7M
    $22.7M US & Canada · 100% $1.5K elsewhere · <1%
  5. 5 The Fog (1980) $21.4M
    $21.4M US & Canada · 100% $48 elsewhere · <1%
  6. 6 Altered States (1980) $19.9M
    $19.9M US & Canada · 100% $6 elsewhere · <1%
  7. 7 Cruising (1980) $19.8M
    $19.8M US & Canada · 100% $16.6K elsewhere · <1%
  8. 8 The Octagon (1980) $19M
    $19M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  9. 9 The Hunter (1980) $16.3M
    $16.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  10. 10 Prom Night (1980) $14.8M
    $14.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands

How Many 1980 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

None of the 21 films reached $100M. 11 films, 52% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $291.5M total.

  • $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 0 films, 0% of the list No films
  • $10M to $100M 10 films, 48% of the list $241M · 83% of the gross
  • Under $10M 11 films, 52% of the list $50.5M · 17% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 1980 Earned the Most?

February releases took the most, $81.8M from 5 films, led by American Gigolo (1980). September was the quietest month ($59.2K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan Windows (1980) $2.1M Windows (1980)
  2. February Feb American Gigolo (1980) $81.8M American Gigolo (1980)
  3. March Mar When Time Ran Out... (1980) $3.8M When Time Ran Out... (1980)
  4. April Apr Haunted Tales (1980) $228.5K Haunted Tales (1980)
  5. May May The Shining (1980) $48M The Shining (1980)
  6. June Jun The Stunt Man (1980) $7.1M The Stunt Man (1980)
  7. July Jul Dressed to Kill (1980) $46.9M Dressed to Kill (1980)
  8. August Aug The Octagon (1980) $35.2M The Octagon (1980)
  9. September Sep Phobia (1980) $59.2K Phobia (1980)
  10. October Oct Motel Hell (1980) $10.4M Motel Hell (1980)
  11. November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  12. December Dec Flash Gordon (1980) $55.9M Flash Gordon (1980)
Last 10 years

How Does 1980 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 1978 earned the most: $674.5M from 14 films, led by Superman (1978). 1980 took $291.5M.

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
1971 14 films 14 $141.7M – 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
1979 18 films · −33% 18 $452.1M −33% Moonraker (1979) $210.3M
1980 21 films · −36% 21 $291.5M −36% The Shining (1980) $48M
By language

Which Languages Do the Biggest Thriller Movies Speak in 1980?

English-language thriller films took $249.5M across 17 films, 86% of the total, ahead of Chinese-language thriller films ($228.5K).

1980 Thriller Box Office by Language

  1. English $249.5M
    17 films · #1 The Shining (1980)
  2. Chinese $228.5K
    1 film · #1 Haunted Tales (1980)
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
2010s 10 years · $93.9B
2000s 10 years · $67.5B
1990s 10 years · $36B
1980s 10 years · $9.2B
1970s 10 years · $3.5B
1960s 10 years · $273.6M
1950s 10 years · $52.7M
1940s 10 years · $12.3M
1930s 7 years · $195.5K
1920s 4 years · $156.3K
FAQ

Thriller Box Office 1980: 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 21 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing thriller movie in 1980?

The Shining (1980) leads with $48M worldwide, $45.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Dressed to Kill (1980) at $31.9M and Flash Gordon (1980) at $27.2M.

How much did thriller movies released in 1980 earn?

21 thriller films released in 1980 report a worldwide gross, $291.5M in all, or $13.9M per film on average. 1979 releases took $452.1M.

How many thriller movies released in 1980 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, The Shining (1980), earned $48M.

How much of the 1980 Thriller box office came from the US and Canada?

$288.8M of the $291.5M total, or 99%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 1 film of the 21 report no domestic figure.

How is the 1980 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 1980. 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 1980 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.