#1 of 53 #1 thriller movie of 1991
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
1991 · Action, Sci-Fi
$517.8M worldwide · 23% of the chart's total
$205.9M US & Canada · 40% $311.9M elsewhere · 60%
Thriller box office · 1991
Thriller Box Office 1991: Highest-Grossing Thriller Movies
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) is the highest-grossing thriller movie released in 1991, with $517.8M worldwide, ahead of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) at $272.7M and JFK (1991) at $205.4M. 53 thriller films released in 1991 report a worldwide gross, $2.2B in all, 59% of it from the US & Canada. 6 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 24% on 1990, whose releases took $3B. By language, English leads with $2.2B across 52 thriller releases.
- 1991 releases with a gross
- 53
- combined worldwide
- $2.2B
- films crossed $100M
- 6
- vs 1990
- −24%
#1 of 53 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Thriller Hits of 1991?
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) leads with $517.8M, 23% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.4B, 60% of what all 53 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 1991, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 53. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1991.
- 1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)Jul 3, 1991 US and Canada: $205.9M Rest of the world: $311.9M Worldwide: $517.8M
Jul 3, 1991 · English · Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller $517.8M worldwide - 2 Feb 13, 1991 US and Canada: $130.7M Rest of the world: $142M Worldwide: $272.7M
- 3 Dec 20, 1991 US and Canada: $70.4M Rest of the world: $135M Worldwide: $205.4M
- 4 Nov 13, 1991 US and Canada: $79.1M Rest of the world: $103.2M Worldwide: $182.3M
- 5 Jan 13, 1991 US and Canada: $101.6M Rest of the world: $73.4M Worldwide: $175M
- 6
May 24, 1991 US and Canada: $77.9M Rest of the world: $74.5M Worldwide: $152.4M - 7
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)Dec 6, 1991 US and Canada: $74.9M Rest of the world: $22M Worldwide: $96.9M Dec 6, 1991 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $96.9M worldwide - 8
Jul 12, 1991 US and Canada: $43.2M Rest of the world: $40.3M Worldwide: $83.5M - 9
Dec 13, 1991 US and Canada: $59.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $59.5M - 10
Mar 8, 1991 US and Canada: $47.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $47.6M - 11
May 24, 1991 US and Canada: $45.4M Rest of the world: $113K Worldwide: $45.5M - 12
Apr 12, 1991 US and Canada: $39.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $39.7M - 13
Aug 23, 1991 US and Canada: $38M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38M - 14
The People Under the Stairs (1991)Nov 1, 1991 US and Canada: $24.2M Rest of the world: $7.1M Worldwide: $31.3M Nov 1, 1991 · English · Mystery, Thriller, Horror $31.3M worldwide - 15
Sep 27, 1991 US and Canada: $28.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.7M - 16
Oct 4, 1991 US and Canada: $21.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.8M - 17
May 10, 1991 US and Canada: $21.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.1M - 18
Aug 30, 1991 US and Canada: $15M Rest of the world: $5.6M Worldwide: $20.6M - 19
Jul 26, 1991 US and Canada: $20.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.2M - 20
Apr 19, 1991 US and Canada: $18.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.8M - 21
Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)Nov 1, 1991 US and Canada: $15.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.6M Nov 1, 1991 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $15.6M worldwide - 22
Apr 26, 1991 US and Canada: $15.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.4M - 23
Apr 26, 1991 US and Canada: $15.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.1M - 24
Jan 11, 1991 US and Canada: $14.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8M - 25
Apr 5, 1991 US and Canada: $12.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.5M - 26
Oct 11, 1991 US and Canada: $11.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.5M - 27
May 3, 1991 US and Canada: $11.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.3M - 28
Aug 2, 1991 US and Canada: $9.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.2M - 29
May 17, 1991 US and Canada: $9.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.2M - 30
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)Aug 23, 1991 US and Canada: $7.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.4M Aug 23, 1991 · English · Action, Drama, Thriller $7.4M worldwide - 31
Aug 23, 1991 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.4M - 32
Aug 21, 1991 US and Canada: $6.2M Rest of the world: $292 Worldwide: $6.2M - 33
Jan 18, 1991 US and Canada: $5.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.5M - 34
Mar 8, 1991 US and Canada: $5M Rest of the world: $633 Worldwide: $5M - 35
May 1, 1991 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7M - 36
Feb 1, 1991 US and Canada: $4.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.4M - 37
Oct 10, 1991 US and Canada: $3.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.1M - 38
Oct 9, 1991 US and Canada: $3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3M - 39
Sep 6, 1991 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.5M - 40
Jul 3, 1991 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 41
Apr 1, 1991 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M - 42
Sep 10, 1991 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M - 43
Nov 15, 1991 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M - 44
Dec 25, 1991 US and Canada: $829.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $829.6K - 45
May 13, 1991 US and Canada: $396.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $396.6K - 46
Nov 30, 1991 US and Canada: $384.8K Rest of the world: $2.1K Worldwide: $386.8K - 47
Mar 6, 1991 US and Canada: $259K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $259K - 48
Sep 27, 1991 US and Canada: $221.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $221.3K - 49
Sep 13, 1991 US and Canada: $133.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $133.6K - 50
Sep 13, 1991 US and Canada: $99.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $99.2K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1991?
Of the top 10, The Last Boy Scout (1991) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while JFK (1991) made 66% of its gross abroad. Across all 53 films, $1.3B (59%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $517.8M $205.9M US & Canada · 40% $311.9M elsewhere · 60%
- 2 The Silence of the Lambs (1991) $272.7M $130.7M US & Canada · 48% $142M elsewhere · 52%
- 3 JFK (1991) $205.4M $70.4M US & Canada · 34% $135M elsewhere · 66%
- 4 Cape Fear (1991) $182.3M $79.1M US & Canada · 43% $103.2M elsewhere · 57%
- 5 Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) $175M $101.6M US & Canada · 58% $73.4M elsewhere · 42%
- 6 Backdraft (1991) $152.4M $77.9M US & Canada · 51% $74.5M elsewhere · 49%
- 7 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) $96.9M $74.9M US & Canada · 77% $22M elsewhere · 23%
- 8 Point Break (1991) $83.5M $43.2M US & Canada · 52% $40.3M elsewhere · 48%
- 9 The Last Boy Scout (1991) $59.5M $59.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 New Jack City (1991) $47.6M $47.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1991 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
6 of 53 films crossed $100M and took $1.5B between them, 67% of the total. 26 films, 49% of the list, earned under $10M.
23% 44% 30%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 1 film, 2% of the list $517.8M · 23% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 5 films, 9% of the list $987.8M · 44% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 21 films, 40% of the list $669.3M · 30% of the gross
- Under $10M 26 films, 49% of the list $72.6M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1991 Earned the Most?
July releases took the most, $622.8M from 4 films, led by Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). September was the quietest month ($31.9M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) $195.2M Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
- February Feb The Silence of the Lambs (1991) $277.2M The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- March Mar New Jack City (1991) $52.9M New Jack City (1991)
- April Apr Out for Justice (1991) $102.7M Out for Justice (1991)
- May May Backdraft (1991) $244.4M Backdraft (1991)
- June Jun No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- July Jul Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $622.8M Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- August Aug Dead Again (1991) $87.8M Dead Again (1991)
- September Sep Deceived (1991) $31.9M Deceived (1991)
- October Oct Ricochet (1991) $39.4M Ricochet (1991)
- November Nov Cape Fear (1991) $230.6M Cape Fear (1991)
- December Dec JFK (1991) $362.6M JFK (1991)
Last 10 years
How Does 1991 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1990 earned the most: $3B from 63 films, led by Ghost (1990). 1991 took $2.2B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 32 films | 32 | $608M | – | 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 |
| 1991 53 films · −24% | 53 | $2.2B | −24% | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $517.8M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Thriller Movies Speak in 1991?
English-language thriller films took $2.2B across 52 films, 100% of the total, ahead of French-language thriller films ($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 1991: 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 53 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing thriller movie in 1991?
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) leads with $517.8M worldwide, $205.9M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Silence of the Lambs (1991) at $272.7M and JFK (1991) at $205.4M.
How much did thriller movies released in 1991 earn?
53 thriller films released in 1991 report a worldwide gross, $2.2B in all, or $42.4M per film on average. 1990 releases took $3B.
How many thriller movies released in 1991 made $1 billion?
None. 6 films crossed $100 million, led by Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) with $517.8M.
How is the 1991 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 1991. 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 1991 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.