#1 of 36 #1 English-language movie of 1971
1971 · Action, Crime
$51.7M worldwide · 28% of the chart's total
$51.7M US & Canada · 100% $8.9K elsewhere · <1%
English box office · 1971
English Box Office 1971: Highest-Grossing English Movies
The French Connection (1971) is the highest-grossing English-language movie released in 1971, with $51.7M worldwide, ahead of Dirty Harry (1971) at $36M and The Last Picture Show (1971) at $29.1M. 36 English-language films released in 1971 report a worldwide gross, $182.9M in all, 99% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 47% on 1970, whose releases took $346.9M. By genre, Thriller leads with $129.3M across 12 English releases.
- 1971 releases with a gross
- 36
- combined worldwide
- $182.9M
- The French Connection (1971), the #1
- $51.7M
- vs 1970
- −47%
#1 of 36 Top 5
What Were the Biggest English Hits of 1971?
The French Connection (1971) leads with $51.7M, 28% of the total. The top 5 together took $156.2M, 85% of what all 36 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 English Release of 1971, 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 1971.
- 1 Oct 7, 1971 US and Canada: $51.7M Rest of the world: $8.9K Worldwide: $51.7M
- 2 Dec 23, 1971 US and Canada: $36M Rest of the world: $1.7K Worldwide: $36M
- 3 Oct 22, 1971 US and Canada: $29.1M Rest of the world: $13.7K Worldwide: $29.1M
- 4 Dec 20, 1971 US and Canada: $26.6M Rest of the world: $416.6K Worldwide: $27M
- 5 May 21, 1971 US and Canada: $12.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.3M
- 6
Nov 12, 1971 US and Canada: $10.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.6M - 7
Nov 3, 1971 US and Canada: $10.4M Rest of the world: $3.6K Worldwide: $10.4M - 8
Mar 11, 1971 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4M - 9
Mar 31, 1971 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $13.1K Worldwide: $1.1M - 10
Jun 30, 1971 US and Canada: $573.4K Rest of the world: $114.4K Worldwide: $687.7K - 11
Jul 29, 1971 US and Canada: $432.8K Rest of the world: $41.1K Worldwide: $473.9K - 12
Nov 3, 1971 US and Canada: $280.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $280.7K - 13
May 12, 1971 US and Canada: $50.4K Rest of the world: $218.9K Worldwide: $269.3K - 14
Apr 28, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $136.2K - 15
Mar 18, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $60.4K - 16
Jun 25, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $34.7K - 17
Jun 24, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $34.3K - 18
Jun 30, 1971 US and Canada: $33.7K Rest of the world: $321 Worldwide: $34K - 19
Oct 1, 1971 US and Canada: $31.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.4K - 20
Mar 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.1K - 21
Dec 20, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5K - 22
Jun 16, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.4K - 23
Aug 4, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7K - 24
Nov 13, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5K - 25
Dec 22, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3K - 26
Jul 16, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3K - 27
Jul 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9K - 28
Jan 24, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6K - 29
May 28, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1K - 30
Dec 13, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $844 - 31
Aug 27, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $823 - 32
Mar 11, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $308 - 33
Jul 7, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $115 - 34
Mar 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $47 - 35
Apr 7, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $34 - 36
Jul 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1971?
Of the top 10, Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) made 17% of its gross abroad. Across all 36 films, $181.7M (99%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 The French Connection (1971) $51.7M $51.7M US & Canada · 100% $8.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 2 Dirty Harry (1971) $36M $36M US & Canada · 100% $1.7K elsewhere · <1%
- 3 The Last Picture Show (1971) $29.1M $29.1M US & Canada · 100% $13.7K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 A Clockwork Orange (1971) $27M $26.6M US & Canada · 98% $416.6K elsewhere · 2%
- 5 Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) $12.3M $12.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Play Misty for Me (1971) $10.6M $10.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Fiddler on the Roof (1971) $10.4M $10.4M US & Canada · 100% $3.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 8 THX 1138 (1971) $2.4M $2.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 The Beguiled (1971) $1.1M $1.1M US & Canada · 99% $13.1K elsewhere · 1%
- 10 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) $687.7K $573.4K US & Canada · 83% $114.4K elsewhere · 17%
Gross bands
How Many 1971 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 36 films reached $100M. 29 films, 81% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $182.9M total.
97%
- $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 7 films, 19% of the list $177.2M · 97% of the gross
- Under $10M 29 films, 81% of the list $5.6M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1971 Earned the Most?
October releases took the most, $80.9M from 3 films, led by The French Connection (1971). January was the quietest month ($1.6K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Music Lovers (1971) $1.6K The Music Lovers (1971)
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar THX 1138 (1971) $3.6M THX 1138 (1971)
- April Apr Bananas (1971) $136.2K Bananas (1971)
- May May Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) $12.6M Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
- June Jun Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) $794.2K Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
- July Jul The Red Tent (1971) $478.2K The Red Tent (1971)
- August Aug Johnny Got His Gun (1971) $3.6K Johnny Got His Gun (1971)
- September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- October Oct The French Connection (1971) $80.9M The French Connection (1971)
- November Nov Play Misty for Me (1971) $21.3M Play Misty for Me (1971)
- December Dec Dirty Harry (1971) $63M Dirty Harry (1971)
Last 10 years
How Does 1971 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1970 earned the most: $346.9M from 26 films, led by The Aristocats (1970). 1971 took $182.9M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 20 films | 20 | $49.6M | – | Lawrence of Arabia (1962) $46M |
| 1963 16 films · +52% | 16 | $75.1M | +52% | It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) $46.3M |
| 1964 22 films · +221% | 22 | $241M | +221% | Mary Poppins (1964) $103.1M |
| 1965 15 films · −6% | 15 | $227.4M | −6% | Doctor Zhivago (1965) $112.1M |
| 1966 19 films · −88% | 19 | $28.1M | −88% | Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) $28M |
| 1967 22 films · +1120% | 22 | $342.7M | +1120% | The Jungle Book (1967) $205.8M |
| 1968 27 films · −57% | 27 | $147.2M | −57% | Funny Girl (1968) $52.2M |
| 1969 23 films · +66% | 23 | $244.6M | +66% | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) $102.3M |
| 1970 26 films · +42% | 26 | $346.9M | +42% | The Aristocats (1970) $191M |
| 1971 36 films · −47% | 36 | $182.9M | −47% | The French Connection (1971) $51.7M |
By genre
Which English Genres Earned the Most in 1971?
Thriller took $129.3M across 12 films, 71% of the total, ahead of Drama ($122.7M) and Crime ($117.3M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
1971 English Box Office by Genre
-
Thriller $129.3M12 films · #1 The French Connection (1971) -
Drama $122.7M24 films · #1 The French Connection (1971) -
Crime $117.3M7 films · #1 The French Connection (1971) -
Action $100.1M5 films · #1 The French Connection (1971) -
Sci-Fi $42.1M4 films · #1 A Clockwork Orange (1971) -
Family $11.1M3 films · #1 Fiddler on the Roof (1971) -
Musical $11.1M3 films · #1 Fiddler on the Roof (1971) -
Romance $10.4M5 films · #1 Fiddler on the Roof (1971) -
Horror $2.7M5 films · #1 THX 1138 (1971) -
Mystery $2.5M3 films · #1 THX 1138 (1971)
Archive
English Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1919 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $28.7B, led by Avengers: Endgame (2019).
2020s 7 years · $105.1B
2010s 10 years · $261B
- 2019 $28.7B #1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 2018 $28.3B #1 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 2017 $27.9B #1 Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
- 2016 $27.3B #1 Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 2015 $27.1B #1 Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
- 2014 $24.6B #1 Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)
- 2013 $26B #1 Frozen (2013)
- 2012 $26B #1 The Avengers (2012)
- 2011 $24.2B #1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
- 2010 $21B #1 Toy Story 3 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $170.2B
- 2009 $23B #1 Avatar (2009)
- 2008 $20B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- 2007 $20.4B #1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- 2006 $17.7B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- 2005 $16.6B #1 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- 2004 $15.9B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- 2003 $17.1B #1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- 2002 $13.9B #1 Spider-Man (2002)
- 2001 $13.4B #1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- 2000 $12.2B #1 Mission: Impossible II (2000)
1990s 10 years · $84.5B
- 1999 $12.9B #1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 1998 $10B #1 Armageddon (1998)
- 1997 $11.8B #1 Titanic (1997)
- 1996 $9.2B #1 Independence Day (1996)
- 1995 $8.9B #1 Toy Story (1995)
- 1994 $7.3B #1 The Lion King (1994)
- 1993 $6.3B #1 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
- 1992 $5.5B #1 The Bodyguard (1992)
- 1991 $5.9B #1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- 1990 $6.5B #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $33.4B
- 1989 $6B #1 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
- 1988 $4.3B #1 Rain Man (1988)
- 1987 $3.7B #1 Fatal Attraction (1987)
- 1986 $3.3B #1 Top Gun (1986)
- 1985 $3.5B #1 Back to the Future (1985)
- 1984 $3.4B #1 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
- 1983 $2.6B #1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 1982 $2.2B #1 Tootsie (1982)
- 1981 $2.1B #1 Superman II (1981)
- 1980 $2.3B #1 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
1970s 10 years · $9.6B
- 1979 $2B #1 Moonraker (1979)
- 1978 $1.5B #1 Grease (1978)
- 1977 $2.1B #1 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- 1976 $624.6M #1 A Star Is Born (1976)
- 1975 $955.1M #1 Jaws (1975)
- 1974 $694.9M #1 Blazing Saddles (1974)
- 1973 $928.9M #1 The Exorcist (1973)
- 1972 $369.2M #1 The Godfather (1972)
- 1971 $182.9M #1 The French Connection (1971)
- 1970 $346.9M #1 The Aristocats (1970)
1960s 10 years · $1.4B
- 1969 $244.6M #1 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- 1968 $147.2M #1 Funny Girl (1968)
- 1967 $342.7M #1 The Jungle Book (1967)
- 1966 $28.1M #1 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
- 1965 $227.4M #1 Doctor Zhivago (1965)
- 1964 $241M #1 Mary Poppins (1964)
- 1963 $75.1M #1 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
- 1962 $49.6M #1 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- 1961 $952.7K #1 Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
- 1960 $42.4M #1 Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
1950s 10 years · $770.2M
- 1959 $126.4M #1 Ben-Hur (1959)
- 1958 $5.1M #1 Touch of Evil (1958)
- 1957 $31.3M #1 The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
- 1956 $149.5M #1 The Ten Commandments (1956)
- 1955 $95.8M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $70.6M #1 Rear Window (1954)
- 1953 $150.9M #1 Peter Pan (1953)
- 1952 $38.6M #1 The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
- 1951 $4.4M #1 Ace in the Hole (1951)
- 1950 $97.5M #1 Cinderella (1950)
1940s 10 years · $662.1M
- 1949 $1.7M #1 The Third Man (1949)
- 1948 $707.7K #1 The Fallen Idol (1948)
- 1947 $1.4M #1 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
- 1946 $96.2M #1 Song of the South (1946)
- 1945 $22M #1 The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
- 1944 $117.4K #1 Henry V (1944)
- 1943 $6M #1 Casablanca (1943)
- 1942 $2M #1 Reunion in France (1942)
- 1941 $4.2M #1 Charley’s Aunt (1941)
- 1940 $527.8M #1 Gone with the Wind (1940)
1930s 10 years · $217.4M
- 1939 $26.3M #1 The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- 1938 $185.2M #1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938)
- 1937 $27.1K #1 Stage Door (1937)
- 1936 $4.6M #1 After the Thin Man (1936)
- 1935 $602.9K #1 Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
- 1934 $37.5K #1 It Happened One Night (1934)
- 1933 $588.1K #1 Baby Face (1933)
- 1932 $40K #1 The Old Dark House (1932)
- 1931 $299 #1 Transgression (1931)
- 1930 $1.2K #1 Madam Satan (1930)
1920s 4 years · $718.5K
1910s 1 year · $160
FAQ
English Box Office 1971: 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 36 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing English-language movie in 1971?
The French Connection (1971) leads with $51.7M worldwide, $51.7M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Dirty Harry (1971) at $36M and The Last Picture Show (1971) at $29.1M.
How much did English-language movies released in 1971 earn?
36 English-language films released in 1971 report a worldwide gross, $182.9M in all, or $5.1M per film on average. 1970 releases took $346.9M.
How many English-language movies released in 1971 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, The French Connection (1971), earned $51.7M.
How is the 1971 English 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 1971. 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, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.
How often is the 1971 English 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.