How much of the 1973 English box office came from the US and Canada?

$707.5M of the $928.9M total, or 76%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 20 films of the 36 report no domestic figure.

English box office · 1973

English Box Office 1973: Highest-Grossing English Movies

Q: What is the highest-grossing English-language movie in 1973?

The Exorcist (1973) leads with $430.9M worldwide, $233M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Sting (1973) at $156M and American Graffiti (1973) at $115M.

Q: How many English-language movies released in 1973 made $1 billion?

None. 3 films crossed $100 million, led by The Exorcist (1973) with $430.9M.

Q: How is the 1973 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 1973. 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.

Q: How often is the 1973 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.

The Exorcist (1973) is the highest-grossing English-language movie released in 1973, with $430.9M worldwide, ahead of The Sting (1973) at $156M and American Graffiti (1973) at $115M. 36 English-language films released in 1973 report a worldwide gross, $928.9M in all, 76% of it from the US & Canada. 3 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 152% on 1972, whose releases took $369.2M. By genre, Drama leads with $787.9M across 22 English releases.

1973 releases with a gross: 36
combined worldwide: $928.9M
films crossed $100M: 3
vs 1972: +152%

#1 of 36

#1 English-language movie of 1973

The Exorcist (1973)

1973 · Drama, Thriller

$430.9M worldwide · 46% of the chart's total

$233M US & Canada · 54% $197.9M elsewhere · 46%

Top 5

What Were the Biggest English Hits of 1973?

The Exorcist (1973) leads with $430.9M, 46% of the total. The top 5 together took $794.9M, 86% 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

$430.9M The Exorcist (1973)
$233M US & Canada · 54% $197.9M elsewhere · 46%
Number 2

$156M The Sting (1973)
$156M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Number 3

$115M American Graffiti (1973)
$115M US & Canada · 100% $6.7K elsewhere · <1%
Number 4

$53.3M Papillon (1973)
$53.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Number 5

$39.8M Magnum Force (1973)
$39.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every English Release of 1973, 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 1973.

1
The Exorcist (1973) Dec 26, 1973 · Drama, Thriller $430.9M worldwide

Dec 26, 1973 US and Canada: $233M Rest of the world: $197.9M Worldwide: $430.9M
2
The Sting (1973) Dec 25, 1973 · Drama, Comedy $156M worldwide

Dec 25, 1973 US and Canada: $156M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $156M
3
American Graffiti (1973) Aug 11, 1973 · Drama, Comedy $115M worldwide

Aug 11, 1973 US and Canada: $115M Rest of the world: $6.7K Worldwide: $115M
4
Papillon (1973) Dec 16, 1973 · Biography, Drama $53.3M worldwide

Dec 16, 1973 US and Canada: $53.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $53.3M
5
Magnum Force (1973) Dec 25, 1973 · Action, Mystery $39.8M worldwide

Dec 25, 1973 US and Canada: $39.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $39.8M
6
Live and Let Die (1973) Jun 27, 1973 · Action, Adventure $35.4M worldwide

Jun 27, 1973 US and Canada: $35.4M Rest of the world: $6.3K Worldwide: $35.4M
7
Serpico (1973) Dec 5, 1973 · Biography, Drama $29.9M worldwide

Dec 5, 1973 US and Canada: $29.8M Rest of the world: $57.9K Worldwide: $29.9M
8
The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973) Feb 14, 1973 · Comedy, Family $22.6M worldwide

Feb 14, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22.6M
9
Sleeper (1973) Dec 17, 1973 · Sci-Fi, Comedy $18.3M worldwide

Dec 17, 1973 US and Canada: $18.3M Rest of the world: $139 Worldwide: $18.3M
10
High Plains Drifter (1973) Aug 22, 1973 · Mystery, Western $15.7M worldwide

Aug 22, 1973 US and Canada: $15.7M Rest of the world: $6.5K Worldwide: $15.7M
11
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) Jun 15, 1973 · Action, Sci-Fi $8.8M worldwide

Jun 15, 1973 US and Canada: $8.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.8M
12
The Day of the Jackal (1973) Jul 30, 1973 · Drama, Thriller $2.3M worldwide

Jul 30, 1973 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.3M
13
Sisters (1973) Mar 26, 1973 · Mystery, Thriller $318.3K worldwide

Mar 26, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $318.3K
14
The Holy Mountain (1973) Nov 29, 1973 · Adventure, Drama $117.2K worldwide

Nov 29, 1973 US and Canada: $61K Rest of the world: $56.2K Worldwide: $117.2K
15
Don't Look Now (1973) Dec 9, 1973 · Drama, Thriller $116.1K worldwide

Dec 9, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $116.1K
16
Enter the Dragon (1973) Aug 19, 1973 · Action, Drama $115.8K worldwide

Aug 19, 1973 US and Canada: $25.3K Rest of the world: $90.5K Worldwide: $115.8K
17
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Aug 15, 1973 · Drama, Music $102K worldwide

Aug 15, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $102K
18
Ladies & Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones (1973) Dec 1, 1973 · Music $70.3K worldwide

Dec 1, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $70.3K
19
Badlands (1973) Oct 15, 1973 · Drama, Crime $54.4K worldwide

Oct 15, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $54.4K
20
The Long Goodbye (1973) Mar 7, 1973 · Drama, Mystery $24.2K worldwide

Mar 7, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.2K
21
Ganja & Hess (1973) Apr 20, 1973 · Drama, Horror $21.2K worldwide

Apr 20, 1973 US and Canada: $21.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.2K
22
Breezy (1973) Nov 18, 1973 · Drama, Romance $17.8K worldwide

Nov 18, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.8K
23
Wattstax (1973) Feb 4, 1973 · Music, Documentary $16.2K worldwide

Feb 4, 1973 US and Canada: $16K Rest of the world: $155 Worldwide: $16.2K
24
The Harder They Come (1973) Feb 8, 1973 · Drama, Crime $15.3K worldwide

Feb 8, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.3K
25
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) May 23, 1973 · Biography, Drama $8.5K worldwide

May 23, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.5K
26
Detroit 9000 (1973) Aug 1, 1973 · Action, Crime $3.2K worldwide

Aug 1, 1973 US and Canada: $3.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.2K
27
Westworld (1973) Nov 21, 1973 · Action, Sci-Fi $614 worldwide

Nov 21, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $614
28
The Last of Sheila (1973) Jun 14, 1973 · Drama, Crime $535 worldwide

Jun 14, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $535
29
The Last of Sheila Featurette (1973) 1973 · Documentary $535 worldwide

1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $535
30
Coffy (1973) May 1, 1973 · Action, Thriller $469 worldwide

May 1, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $469
31
O Lucky Man! (1973) Mar 25, 1973 · Music, Fantasy $332 worldwide

Mar 25, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $332
32
Scarecrow (1973) Apr 11, 1973 · Drama $295 worldwide

Apr 11, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $295
33
Soylent Green (1973) May 9, 1973 · Sci-Fi, Mystery $210 worldwide

May 9, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $210
34
Charley Varrick (1973) Sep 19, 1973 · Crime, Thriller $194 worldwide

Sep 19, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $194
35
We Can’t Go Home Again (1973) May 10, 1973 · Drama $64 worldwide

May 10, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64
36
Scorpio (1973) Apr 19, 1973 · Action, Drama $11 worldwide

Apr 19, 1973 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11

US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in 1973?

Of the top 10, The Sting (1973) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Exorcist (1973) made 46% of its gross abroad. Across all 36 films, $707.5M (76%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.

1 The Exorcist (1973) $430.9M
$233M US & Canada · 54% $197.9M elsewhere · 46%
2 The Sting (1973) $156M
$156M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
3 American Graffiti (1973) $115M
$115M US & Canada · 100% $6.7K elsewhere · <1%
4 Papillon (1973) $53.3M
$53.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
5 Magnum Force (1973) $39.8M
$39.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
6 Live and Let Die (1973) $35.4M
$35.4M US & Canada · 100% $6.3K elsewhere · <1%
7 Serpico (1973) $29.9M
$29.8M US & Canada · 100% $57.9K elsewhere · <1%
8 The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973) $22.6M
No US & Canada figure reported
9 Sleeper (1973) $18.3M
$18.3M US & Canada · 100% $139 elsewhere · <1%
10 High Plains Drifter (1973) $15.7M
$15.7M US & Canada · 100% $6.5K elsewhere · <1%

Gross bands

How Many 1973 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

3 of 36 films crossed $100M and took $701.9M between them, 76% of the total. 26 films, 72% of the list, earned under $10M.

76% 23%

$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 3 films, 8% of the list $701.9M · 76% of the gross
$10M to $100M 7 films, 19% of the list $214.9M · 23% of the gross
Under $10M 26 films, 72% of the list $12.1M · 1% of the gross

By release month

Which Month of 1973 Earned the Most?

December releases took the most, $728.3M from 8 films, led by The Exorcist (1973). September was the quietest month ($194). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

Last 10 years

How Does 1973 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 1973 earned the most: $928.9M from 36 films, led by The Exorcist (1973).

Year	Films	Worldwide	Change	Biggest film
1964 22 films	22	$241M	–	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
1972 23 films · +102%	23	$369.2M	+102%	The Godfather (1972) $250.3M
1973 36 films · +152%	36	$928.9M	+152%	The Exorcist (1973) $430.9M

By genre

Which English Genres Earned the Most in 1973?

Drama took $787.9M across 22 films, 85% of the total, ahead of Thriller ($508.9M) and Horror ($431.3M). A film counts once for each of its genres.

1973 English Box Office by Genre

Drama $787.9M
22 films · #1 The Exorcist (1973)
Thriller $508.9M
14 films · #1 The Exorcist (1973)
Horror $431.3M
4 films · #1 The Exorcist (1973)
Comedy $312M
6 films · #1 The Sting (1973)
Crime $281.4M
14 films · #1 The Sting (1973)
Action $84.1M
9 films · #1 Magnum Force (1973)
Biography $83.1M
3 films · #1 Papillon (1973)
Mystery $55.8M
6 films · #1 Magnum Force (1973)
Adventure $35.5M
2 films · #1 Live and Let Die (1973)
Sci-Fi $27.2M
4 films · #1 Sleeper (1973)

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

2000s 10 years · $170.2B

1990s 10 years · $84.5B

1980s 10 years · $33.4B

1970s 10 years · $9.6B

1960s 10 years · $1.4B

1950s 10 years · $770.2M

1940s 10 years · $662.1M

1930s 10 years · $217.4M

1920s 4 years · $718.5K

1910s 1 year · $160

1919 $160 #1 The Sentimental Bloke (1919)

FAQ

English Box Office 1973: 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 1973?

The Exorcist (1973) leads with $430.9M worldwide, $233M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Sting (1973) at $156M and American Graffiti (1973) at $115M.

How much did English-language movies released in 1973 earn?

36 English-language films released in 1973 report a worldwide gross, $928.9M in all, or $25.8M per film on average. 1972 releases took $369.2M.

How many English-language movies released in 1973 made $1 billion?

None. 3 films crossed $100 million, led by The Exorcist (1973) with $430.9M.

How is the 1973 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 1973. 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 1973 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.