#1 of 63 #1 thriller movie of 1990
1990 · Drama, Mystery
$505.7M worldwide · 17% of the chart's total
$217.6M US & Canada · 43% $288.1M elsewhere · 57%
Thriller box office · 1990
Thriller Box Office 1990: Highest-Grossing Thriller Movies
Ghost (1990) is the highest-grossing thriller movie released in 1990, with $505.7M worldwide, ahead of Total Recall (1990) at $261.3M and Die Hard 2 (1990) at $240M. 63 thriller films released in 1990 report a worldwide gross, $3B in all, 61% of it from the US & Canada. 9 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 64% on 1989, whose releases took $1.8B. By language, English leads with $2.9B across 59 thriller releases.
- 1990 releases with a gross
- 63
- combined worldwide
- $3B
- films crossed $100M
- 9
- vs 1989
- +64%
#1 of 63 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Thriller Hits of 1990?
Ghost (1990) leads with $505.7M, 17% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.4B, 48% of what all 63 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 1990, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 63. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1990.
- 1 Jul 13, 1990 US and Canada: $217.6M Rest of the world: $288.1M Worldwide: $505.7M
- 2 Jun 1, 1990 US and Canada: $119.4M Rest of the world: $141.9M Worldwide: $261.3M
- 3 Jul 2, 1990 US and Canada: $117.5M Rest of the world: $122.5M Worldwide: $240M
- 4 Jul 27, 1990 US and Canada: $86.3M Rest of the world: $135M Worldwide: $221.3M
- 5 Dec 21, 1990 US and Canada: $91.5M Rest of the world: $110.5M Worldwide: $202M
- 6
The Hunt for Red October (1990)Mar 2, 1990 US and Canada: $122M Rest of the world: $78.5M Worldwide: $200.5M
Mar 2, 1990 · English · Action, Adventure, Thriller $200.5M worldwide - 7
Jun 15, 1990 US and Canada: $103.7M Rest of the world: $59M Worldwide: $162.7M - 8
Jun 8, 1990 US and Canada: $80.8M Rest of the world: $72.7M Worldwide: $153.5M - 9
Dec 25, 1990 US and Canada: $66.8M Rest of the world: $70.1M Worldwide: $136.9M - 10
Aug 10, 1990 US and Canada: $61.5M Rest of the world: $373 Worldwide: $61.5M - 11
Nov 30, 1990 US and Canada: $61.3M Rest of the world: $725 Worldwide: $61.3M - 12
Oct 5, 1990 US and Canada: $46M Rest of the world: $11.9M Worldwide: $58M - 13
Nov 21, 1990 US and Canada: $30.7M Rest of the world: $26.5M Worldwide: $57.1M - 14
Jul 18, 1990 US and Canada: $53.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $53.2M - 15
Aug 24, 1990 US and Canada: $33.9M Rest of the world: $15M Worldwide: $48.9M - 16
Feb 9, 1990 US and Canada: $47.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $47.4M - 17
Jun 22, 1990 US and Canada: $45.7M Rest of the world: $1.1K Worldwide: $45.7M - 18
Sep 28, 1990 US and Canada: $29.4M Rest of the world: $15.5M Worldwide: $44.9M - 19
Nov 9, 1990 US and Canada: $28.5M Rest of the world: $7.3M Worldwide: $35.8M - 20
Jan 12, 1990 US and Canada: $27.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27.7M - 21
Nov 2, 1990 US and Canada: $26.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.1M - 22
Jul 20, 1990 US and Canada: $25.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.1M - 23
Dec 21, 1990 US and Canada: $23M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $23M - 24
Apr 6, 1990 US and Canada: $22.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.4M - 25
Dec 7, 1990 US and Canada: $21.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.6M - 26
Apr 27, 1990 US and Canada: $17M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17M - 27
Sep 14, 1990 US and Canada: $16.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.9M - 28
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)May 4, 1990 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.3M May 4, 1990 · English · Thriller, Fantasy, Horror $16.3M worldwide - 29
Feb 16, 1990 US and Canada: $15.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.6M - 30
Aug 12, 1990 US and Canada: $14.6M Rest of the world: $25.4K Worldwide: $14.6M - 31
Mar 16, 1990 US and Canada: $14M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14M - 32
Dec 5, 1990 US and Canada: $13.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.4M - 33
Mar 9, 1990 US and Canada: $12.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.6M - 34
Sep 21, 1990 US and Canada: $10.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.9M - 35
Apr 20, 1990 US and Canada: $9.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.9M - 36
Mar 16, 1990 US and Canada: $8.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.2M - 37
Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)Jan 12, 1990 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.8M Jan 12, 1990 · English · Thriller, Horror $5.8M worldwide - 38
Sep 14, 1990 US and Canada: $5.7M Rest of the world: $782 Worldwide: $5.7M - 39
Feb 9, 1990 US and Canada: $5.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.6M - 40
Oct 5, 1990 US and Canada: $5.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.1M - 41
Mar 9, 1990 US and Canada: $5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5M - 42
Jan 26, 1990 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.3M - 43
Apr 20, 1990 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.3M - 44
Mar 23, 1990 US and Canada: $3.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.4M - 45
Oct 5, 1990 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.7M - 46
Mar 16, 1990 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.7M - 47
Aug 24, 1990 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.7M - 48
Sep 28, 1990 US and Canada: $2.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.6M - 49
Apr 6, 1990 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.5M - 50
Mar 9, 1990 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1990?
Of the top 10, Flatliners (1990) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Presumed Innocent (1990) made 61% of its gross abroad. Across all 63 films, $1.8B (61%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Ghost (1990) $505.7M $217.6M US & Canada · 43% $288.1M elsewhere · 57%
- 2 Total Recall (1990) $261.3M $119.4M US & Canada · 46% $141.9M elsewhere · 54%
- 3 Die Hard 2 (1990) $240M $117.5M US & Canada · 49% $122.5M elsewhere · 51%
- 4 Presumed Innocent (1990) $221.3M $86.3M US & Canada · 39% $135M elsewhere · 61%
- 5 Kindergarten Cop (1990) $202M $91.5M US & Canada · 45% $110.5M elsewhere · 55%
- 6 The Hunt for Red October (1990) $200.5M $122M US & Canada · 61% $78.5M elsewhere · 39%
- 7 Dick Tracy (1990) $162.7M $103.7M US & Canada · 64% $59M elsewhere · 36%
- 8 Another 48 Hrs. (1990) $153.5M $80.8M US & Canada · 53% $72.7M elsewhere · 47%
- 9 The Godfather: Part III (1990) $136.9M $66.8M US & Canada · 49% $70.1M elsewhere · 51%
- 10 Flatliners (1990) $61.5M $61.5M US & Canada · 100% $373 elsewhere · <1%
Gross bands
How Many 1990 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
9 of 63 films crossed $100M and took $2.1B between them, 70% of the total. 29 films, 46% of the list, earned under $10M.
17% 53% 27%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 1 film, 2% of the list $505.7M · 17% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 8 films, 13% of the list $1.6B · 53% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 25 films, 40% of the list $791.1M · 27% of the gross
- Under $10M 29 films, 46% of the list $87.5M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1990 Earned the Most?
July releases took the most, $1B from 5 films, led by Ghost (1990). May was the quietest month ($16.3M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Internal Affairs (1990) $41M Internal Affairs (1990)
- February Feb Hard to Kill (1990) $70.2M Hard to Kill (1990)
- March Mar The Hunt for Red October (1990) $252.4M The Hunt for Red October (1990)
- April Apr The First Power (1990) $56.2M The First Power (1990)
- May May Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) $16.3M Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)
- June Jun Total Recall (1990) $623.3M Total Recall (1990)
- July Jul Ghost (1990) $1B Ghost (1990)
- August Aug Flatliners (1990) $127.6M Flatliners (1990)
- September Sep Pacific Heights (1990) $84.6M Pacific Heights (1990)
- October Oct Marked for Death (1990) $67.1M Marked for Death (1990)
- November Nov Misery (1990) $181.7M Misery (1990)
- December Dec Kindergarten Cop (1990) $396.9M Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Last 10 years
How Does 1990 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1990 earned the most: $3B from 63 films, led by Ghost (1990).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 36 films | 36 | $397.1M | – | For Your Eyes Only (1981) $54.8M |
| 1982 32 films · +53% | 32 | $608M | +53% | First Blood (1982) $125.2M |
| 1983 30 films · +96% | 30 | $1.2B | +96% | Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $482.5M |
| 1984 33 films · −31% | 33 | $822.8M | −31% | Beverly Hills Cop (1984) $316.4M |
| 1985 45 films · +10% | 45 | $908.2M | +10% | Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) $300.4M |
| 1986 38 films · −37% | 38 | $571.7M | −37% | Aliens (1986) $131.1M |
| 1987 65 films · +190% | 65 | $1.7B | +190% | Fatal Attraction (1987) $320.1M |
| 1988 58 films · −40% | 58 | $995.3M | −40% | Rambo III (1988) $189M |
| 1989 51 films · +81% | 51 | $1.8B | +81% | Batman (1989) $411.6M |
| 1990 63 films · +64% | 63 | $3B | +64% | Ghost (1990) $505.7M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Thriller Movies Speak in 1990?
English-language thriller films took $2.9B across 59 films, 98% of the total, ahead of French-language thriller films ($158.2K).
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 1990: 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 63 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing thriller movie in 1990?
Ghost (1990) leads with $505.7M worldwide, $217.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Total Recall (1990) at $261.3M and Die Hard 2 (1990) at $240M.
How much did thriller movies released in 1990 earn?
63 thriller films released in 1990 report a worldwide gross, $3B in all, or $47M per film on average. 1989 releases took $1.8B.
How many thriller movies released in 1990 made $1 billion?
None. 9 films crossed $100 million, led by Ghost (1990) with $505.7M.
How is the 1990 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 1990. 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 1990 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.