Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
English box office · October 1996

English Box Office, October 1996: Top-Grossing Releases

Sleepers (1996) is the highest-grossing English-language movie released in October 1996, with $165.6M worldwide, ahead of The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) at $89.5M and The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) at $38.6M. 25 English-language films released in October 1996 report a worldwide gross, $459M in all, 60% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 23% on September 1996, whose releases took $372.3M. By genre, Drama leads with $420.2M across 16 English releases.

October 1996 releases with a gross
25
combined worldwide
$459M
film crossed $100M
1
vs September 1996
+23%
Sleepers (1996) movie poster #1 of 25
#1 English-language movie of October 1996

Sleepers (1996)

1996 · Drama, Thriller

$165.6M worldwide · 36% of the chart's total

$53.3M US & Canada · 32% $112.3M elsewhere · 68%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest English Hits of October 1996?

Sleepers (1996) leads with $165.6M, 36% of the total. The top 5 together took $351.2M, 77% of what all 25 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Sleepers (1996) movie poster Number 1
    $165.6M Sleepers (1996)
    $53.3M US & Canada · 32% $112.3M elsewhere · 68%
  2. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) movie poster Number 2
    $89.5M The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
    $33.4M US & Canada · 37% $56M elsewhere · 63%
  3. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) movie poster Number 3
    $38.6M The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
    $38.6M US & Canada · 100% $554 elsewhere · <1%
  4. That Thing You Do! (1996) movie poster Number 4
    $34.6M That Thing You Do! (1996)
    $25.9M US & Canada · 75% $8.7M elsewhere · 25%
  5. D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) movie poster Number 5
    $23M D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996)
    $23M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every English Release of October 1996, 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 October 1996.

  1. 1 Sleepers (1996) movie poster
    Sleepers (1996) Oct 18, 1996 · Drama, Thriller $165.6M worldwide
    Oct 18, 1996 US and Canada: $53.3M Rest of the world: $112.3M Worldwide: $165.6M
  2. 2 The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) movie poster
    The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) Oct 11, 1996 · Action, Drama $89.5M worldwide
    Oct 11, 1996 US and Canada: $33.4M Rest of the world: $56M Worldwide: $89.5M
  3. 3 The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) movie poster
    The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) Oct 11, 1996 · Adventure, Drama $38.6M worldwide
    Oct 11, 1996 US and Canada: $38.6M Rest of the world: $554 Worldwide: $38.6M
  4. 4 That Thing You Do! (1996) movie poster
    That Thing You Do! (1996) Oct 4, 1996 · Drama, Comedy $34.6M worldwide
    Oct 4, 1996 US and Canada: $25.9M Rest of the world: $8.7M Worldwide: $34.6M
  5. 5 D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) movie poster
    D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) Oct 4, 1996 · Family, Action $23M worldwide
    Oct 4, 1996 US and Canada: $23M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $23M
  6. 6 The Chamber (1996) movie poster
    The Chamber (1996) Oct 11, 1996 · Drama, Thriller $22.5M worldwide
    Oct 11, 1996 US and Canada: $14.6M Rest of the world: $8M Worldwide: $22.5M
  7. 7 High School High (1996) movie poster
    High School High (1996) Oct 25, 1996 · Comedy, Romance $21.3M worldwide
    Oct 25, 1996 US and Canada: $21.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.3M
  8. 8 The Glimmer Man (1996) movie poster
    The Glimmer Man (1996) Oct 4, 1996 · Action, Drama $20.4M worldwide
    Oct 4, 1996 US and Canada: $20.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.4M
  9. 9 The Associate (1996) movie poster
    The Associate (1996) Oct 25, 1996 · Comedy $12.8M worldwide
    Oct 25, 1996 US and Canada: $12.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.8M
  10. 10 Michael Collins (1996) movie poster
    Michael Collins (1996) Oct 11, 1996 · Biography, Drama $11.1M worldwide
    Oct 11, 1996 US and Canada: $11.1M Rest of the world: $44K Worldwide: $11.1M
  11. 11 Get on the Bus (1996) movie poster
    Get on the Bus (1996) Oct 16, 1996 · Drama, History $5.8M worldwide
    Oct 16, 1996 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.8M
  12. 12 To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1996) movie poster
    To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1996) Oct 10, 1996 · Drama, Romance $4.2M worldwide
    Oct 10, 1996 US and Canada: $4.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.2M
  13. 13 Bound (1996) movie poster
    Bound (1996) Oct 4, 1996 · Drama, Thriller $3.8M worldwide
    Oct 4, 1996 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: $230 Worldwide: $3.8M
  14. 14 When We Were Kings (1996) movie poster
    When We Were Kings (1996) Oct 25, 1996 · History, Sport $2.8M worldwide
    Oct 25, 1996 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.8M
  15. 15 Looking for Richard (1996) movie poster
    Looking for Richard (1996) Oct 11, 1996 · Documentary $1.4M worldwide
    Oct 11, 1996 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M
  16. 16 Trees Lounge (1996) movie poster
    Trees Lounge (1996) Oct 11, 1996 · Drama, Comedy $749.7K worldwide
    Oct 11, 1996 US and Canada: $749.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $749.7K
  17. 17 Jude (1996) movie poster
    Jude (1996) Oct 18, 1996 · Drama, Romance $409.1K worldwide
    Oct 18, 1996 US and Canada: $409.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $409.1K
  18. 18 Different for Girls (1996) movie poster
    Different for Girls (1996) Oct 1, 1996 · Comedy $300.6K worldwide
    Oct 1, 1996 US and Canada: $300.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $300.6K
  19. 19 Wedding Bell Blues (1996) movie poster
    Wedding Bell Blues (1996) Oct 18, 1996 · Comedy, Romance $44.1K worldwide
    Oct 18, 1996 US and Canada: $44.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $44.1K
  20. 20 Mandela (1996) movie poster
    Mandela (1996) Oct 11, 1996 · Documentary, History $42.1K worldwide
    Oct 11, 1996 US and Canada: $42.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $42.1K
  21. 21 Man with a Plan (1996) movie poster
    Man with a Plan (1996) Oct 31, 1996 · Comedy $33.4K worldwide
    Oct 31, 1996 US and Canada: $33.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $33.4K
  22. 22 Gallivant (1996) movie poster
    Gallivant (1996) Oct 1, 1996 · Documentary $29.1K worldwide
    Oct 1, 1996 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.1K
  23. 23 Carla’s Song (1996) movie poster
    Carla’s Song (1996) Oct 30, 1996 · Romance, Drama $25.8K worldwide
    Oct 30, 1996 US and Canada: $25.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.8K
  24. 24 The Last Big Thing (1996) movie poster
    The Last Big Thing (1996) Oct 11, 1996 · Comedy, Drama $22.7K worldwide
    Oct 11, 1996 US and Canada: $22.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.7K
  25. 25 Bird of Prey (1996) movie poster
    Bird of Prey (1996) Oct 4, 1996 · Crime, Drama $3.7K worldwide
    Oct 4, 1996 US and Canada: $3.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.7K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in October 1996?

Of the top 10, D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Sleepers (1996) made 68% of its gross abroad. Across all 25 films, $273.9M (60%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 Sleepers (1996) $165.6M
    $53.3M US & Canada · 32% $112.3M elsewhere · 68%
  2. 2 The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) $89.5M
    $33.4M US & Canada · 37% $56M elsewhere · 63%
  3. 3 The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) $38.6M
    $38.6M US & Canada · 100% $554 elsewhere · <1%
  4. 4 That Thing You Do! (1996) $34.6M
    $25.9M US & Canada · 75% $8.7M elsewhere · 25%
  5. 5 D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) $23M
    $23M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  6. 6 The Chamber (1996) $22.5M
    $14.6M US & Canada · 65% $8M elsewhere · 35%
  7. 7 High School High (1996) $21.3M
    $21.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  8. 8 The Glimmer Man (1996) $20.4M
    $20.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  9. 9 The Associate (1996) $12.8M
    $12.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  10. 10 Michael Collins (1996) $11.1M
    $11.1M US & Canada · 100% $44K elsewhere · <1%
Gross bands

How Many October 1996 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

1 of 25 films crossed $100M and took $165.6M between them, 36% of the total. 15 films, 60% of the list, earned under $10M.

  • $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 1 film, 4% of the list $165.6M · 36% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 9 films, 36% of the list $273.8M · 60% of the gross
  • Under $10M 15 films, 60% of the list $19.6M · 4% of the gross
Earlier years

How Does October 1996 Compare With October in Earlier Years?

Of these 10 years, October 1994 earned the most: $647.3M from 19 films, led by Pulp Fiction (1994). October 1996 took $459M.

Month Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
October 1987 27 films 27 $146.4M – Like Father Like Son (1987) $34.4M
October 1988 23 films · +9% 23 $160.3M +9% Alien Nation (1988) $32.2M
October 1989 26 films · +193% 26 $470M +193% Look Who's Talking (1989) $297M
October 1990 22 films · −51% 22 $230.5M −51% Marked for Death (1990) $58M
October 1991 28 films · −21% 28 $182.1M −21% Curly Sue (1991) $33.7M
October 1992 18 films · +106% 18 $374.9M +106% Under Siege (1992) $156.6M
October 1993 27 films · +45% 27 $544.8M +45% Cool Runnings (1993) $154.9M
October 1994 19 films · +19% 19 $647.3M +19% Pulp Fiction (1994) $213.9M
October 1995 25 films · −34% 25 $430.2M −34% Get Shorty (1995) $115.1M
October 1996 25 films · +7% 25 $459M +7% Sleepers (1996) $165.6M
By genre

Which English Genres Earned the Most in October 1996?

Drama took $420.2M across 16 films, 92% of the total, ahead of Thriller ($351.5M) and Crime ($300.5M). A film counts once for each of its genres.

October 1996 English Box Office by Genre

  1. Drama $420.2M
    16 films · #1 Sleepers (1996)
  2. Thriller $351.5M
    7 films · #1 Sleepers (1996)
  3. Crime $300.5M
    6 films · #1 Sleepers (1996)
  4. Action $132.8M
    3 films · #1 The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
  5. Comedy $113.2M
    10 films · #1 That Thing You Do! (1996)
  6. Mystery $89.5M
    1 film · #1 The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
  7. 1 film · #1 The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
  8. Music $34.6M
    1 film · #1 That Thing You Do! (1996)
  9. 5 films · #1 High School High (1996)
  10. 1 film · #1 D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996)
FAQ

English Box Office October 1996: 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 25 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing English-language movie in October 1996?

Sleepers (1996) leads with $165.6M worldwide, $53.3M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) at $89.5M and The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) at $38.6M.

How much did English-language movies released in October 1996 earn?

25 English-language films released in October 1996 report a worldwide gross, $459M in all, or $18.4M per film on average. September 1996 releases took $372.3M.

How many English-language movies released in October 1996 made $1 billion?

None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Sleepers (1996) with $165.6M.

How much of the October 1996 English box office came from the US and Canada?

$273.9M of the $459M total, or 60%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 1 film of the 25 report no domestic figure.

How is the October 1996 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 October 1996. 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 October 1996 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.