#1 of 12 #1 French-language movie of 1996
1996 · Drama
$12.6M worldwide · 62% of the chart's total
$12.5M US & Canada · 99% $114.1K elsewhere · <1%
French box office · 1996
French Box Office 1996: Highest-Grossing French Movies
The Eighth Day (1996) is the highest-grossing French-language movie released in 1996, with $12.6M worldwide, ahead of Ridicule (1996) at $2M and When the Cat’s Away (1996) at $1.5M. 12 French-language films released in 1996 report a worldwide gross, $20.5M in all, 98% of it from the US & Canada. That is 3.6 times the total of 1995, whose releases took $5.6M. By genre, Drama leads with $17.5M across 7 French releases.
- 1996 releases with a gross
- 12
- combined worldwide
- $20.5M
- The Eighth Day (1996), the #1
- $12.6M
- vs 1995
- ×3.6
#1 of 12 Top 5
What Were the Biggest French Hits of 1996?
The Eighth Day (1996) leads with $12.6M, 62% of the total. The top 5 together took $18.8M, 92% of what all 12 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 French Release of 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 1996.
- 1 May 1, 1996 US and Canada: $12.5M Rest of the world: $114.1K Worldwide: $12.6M
- 2 Nov 22, 1996 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2M
- 3 Feb 17, 1996 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.5M
- 4 Oct 9, 1996 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M
- 5 Sep 10, 1996 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M
- 6
Dec 25, 1996 US and Canada: $1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1M - 7
Dec 25, 1996 US and Canada: $52K Rest of the world: $312.2K Worldwide: $364.1K - 8
Jun 5, 1996 US and Canada: $198.1K Rest of the world: $580 Worldwide: $198.7K - 9
May 17, 1996 US and Canada: $92.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $92.8K - 10
Jun 14, 1996 US and Canada: $25K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25K - 11
Feb 21, 1996 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5K - 12
May 15, 1996 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $378
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1996?
Of the top 10, Ridicule (1996) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Will It Snow for Christmas? (1996) made 86% of its gross abroad. Across all 12 films, $20.1M (98%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 The Eighth Day (1996) $12.6M $12.5M US & Canada · 99% $114.1K elsewhere · <1%
- 2 Ridicule (1996) $2M $2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 When the Cat’s Away (1996) $1.5M $1.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Microcosmos (1996) $1.4M $1.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Ponette (1996) $1.3M $1.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Thieves (1996) $1M $1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Will It Snow for Christmas? (1996) $364.1K $52K US & Canada · 14% $312.2K elsewhere · 86%
- 8 A Summer’s Tale (1996) $198.7K $198.1K US & Canada · 100% $580 elsewhere · <1%
- 9 Family Resemblances (1996) $92.8K $92.8K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 For Ever Mozart (1996) $25K $25K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1996 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 12 films reached $100M. 11 films, 92% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $20.5M total.
62% 38%
- $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 1 film, 8% of the list $12.6M · 62% of the gross
- Under $10M 11 films, 92% of the list $7.9M · 38% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1996 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $12.7M from 3 films, led by The Eighth Day (1996). June was the quietest month ($223.7K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb When the Cat’s Away (1996) $1.5M When the Cat’s Away (1996)
- March Mar No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- April Apr No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- May May The Eighth Day (1996) $12.7M The Eighth Day (1996)
- June Jun A Summer’s Tale (1996) $223.7K A Summer’s Tale (1996)
- July Jul No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- August Aug No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- September Sep Ponette (1996) $1.3M Ponette (1996)
- October Oct Microcosmos (1996) $1.4M Microcosmos (1996)
- November Nov Ridicule (1996) $2M Ridicule (1996)
- December Dec Thieves (1996) $1.4M Thieves (1996)
Last 10 years
How Does 1996 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1996 earned the most: $20.5M from 12 films, led by The Eighth Day (1996).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 11 films | 11 | $7.3M | – | Maurice (1987) $2.6M |
| 1988 8 films · +149% | 8 | $18.1M | +149% | Dead Ringers (1988) $8M |
| 1989 5 films · −6% | 5 | $17M | −6% | Family Business (1989) $12.2M |
| 1990 9 films · −19% | 9 | $13.7M | −19% | Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) $5.8M |
| 1991 9 films · −19% | 9 | $11.1M | −19% | La Femme Nikita (1991) $5M |
| 1992 10 films · +6% | 10 | $11.7M | +6% | Indochine (1992) $5.6M |
| 1993 5 films · −72% | 5 | $3.3M | −72% | Three Colors: Blue (1993) $1.6M |
| 1994 8 films · +141% | 8 | $8M | +141% | Three Colors: Red (1994) $3.6M |
| 1995 7 films · −29% | 7 | $5.6M | −29% | The City of Lost Children (1995) $1.8M |
| 1996 12 films · +264% | 12 | $20.5M | +264% | The Eighth Day (1996) $12.6M |
By genre
Which French Genres Earned the Most in 1996?
Drama took $17.5M across 7 films, 85% of the total, ahead of Comedy ($3.8M) and Romance ($3.2M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
1996 French Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $17.5M7 films · #1 The Eighth Day (1996) -
Comedy $3.8M7 films · #1 Ridicule (1996) -
Romance $3.2M4 films · #1 Ridicule (1996) -
History $2M1 film · #1 Ridicule (1996) -
Documentary $1.4M1 film · #1 Microcosmos (1996) -
Crime $1M2 films · #1 Thieves (1996) -
War $25K1 film · #1 For Ever Mozart (1996) -
Fantasy $3781 film · #1 Three Lives and Only One Death (1996) -
Mystery $3781 film · #1 Three Lives and Only One Death (1996)
Archive
French Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1931 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2012 leads with $937.3M, led by The Intouchables (2012).
2020s 7 years · $1.5B
2010s 10 years · $4.4B
- 2019 $333.6M #1 Sink or Swim (2019)
- 2018 $573.5M #1 Family Is Family (2018)
- 2017 $279.5M #1 Alibi.com (2017)
- 2016 $406.2M #1 Two Is a Family (2016)
- 2015 $237.2M #1 Serial Teachers 2 (2015)
- 2014 $390.6M #1 Superchondriac (2014)
- 2013 $339.5M #1 Serial Teachers (2013)
- 2012 $937.3M #1 The Intouchables (2012)
- 2011 $318.5M #1 Of Gods and Men (2011)
- 2010 $589.4M #1 Nothing to Declare (2010)
2000s 10 years · $3.5B
- 2009 $422.6M #1 Little Nicholas (2009)
- 2008 $586M #1 Welcome to the Sticks (2008)
- 2007 $439.2M #1 La Vie en Rose (2007)
- 2006 $292.3M #1 French Fried Vacations 3: Friends Forever (2006)
- 2005 $271.9M #1 The Chorus (2005)
- 2004 $379.9M #1 A Very Long Engagement (2004)
- 2003 $338.9M #1 Taxi 3 (2003)
- 2002 $334.8M #1 Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002)
- 2001 $358.1M #1 Amélie (2001)
- 2000 $102.4M #1 Taxi 2 (2000)
1990s 10 years · $113.6M
- 1999 $10.5M #1 Elvis Gratton 2: Miracle à Memphis (1999)
- 1998 $28M #1 The Big Hit (1998)
- 1997 $1.1M #1 Artemisia (1997)
- 1996 $20.5M #1 The Eighth Day (1996)
- 1995 $5.6M #1 The City of Lost Children (1995)
- 1994 $8M #1 Three Colors: Red (1994)
- 1993 $3.3M #1 Three Colors: Blue (1993)
- 1992 $11.7M #1 Indochine (1992)
- 1991 $11.1M #1 La Femme Nikita (1991)
- 1990 $13.7M #1 Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)
1980s 10 years · $128M
- 1989 $17M #1 Family Business (1989)
- 1988 $18.1M #1 Dead Ringers (1988)
- 1987 $7.3M #1 Maurice (1987)
- 1986 $31.6M #1 Disorder (1986)
- 1985 $11.8M #1 Brazil (1985)
- 1984 $2.8M #1 A Sunday in the Country (1984)
- 1983 $13.6M #1 Without a Trace (1983)
- 1982 $11.5M #1 The Beast Within (1982)
- 1981 $6.5M #1 The Boy Soldier (1981)
- 1980 $7.8M #1 La Cage aux Folles II (1980)
1970s 10 years · $40.3M
- 1979 $20.4M #1 La Cage aux Folles (1979)
- 1978 $26.4K #1 The Song of Roland (1978)
- 1977 $7.3M #1 Animal (1977)
- 1976 $271.7K #1 Mr. Klein (1976)
- 1975 $11.3M #1 The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (1975)
- 1974 $79K #1 Parade (1974)
- 1973 $50.6K #1 The Mother and the Whore (1973)
- 1972 $170K #1 The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
- 1971 $113.3K #1 Four Nights of a Dreamer (1971)
- 1970 $641.3K #1 Le Cercle Rouge (1970)
1960s 10 years · $17.5M
- 1969 $1.3M #1 Army of Shadows (1969)
- 1968 $47.8K #1 The Bride Wore Black (1968)
- 1967 $4.8M #1 Belle de Jour (1967)
- 1966 $564.1K #1 Masculine Feminine (1966)
- 1965 $269K #1 Pierrot le Fou (1965)
- 1964 $204.7K #1 The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
- 1963 $1.4M #1 Contempt (1963)
- 1962 $648K #1 Jules and Jim (1962)
- 1961 $6.9M #1 The Taste of Violence (1961)
- 1960 $1.3M #1 Breathless (1960)
1950s 9 years · $2.2M
- 1959 $471.7K #1 The 400 Blows (1959)
- 1958 $431.8K #1 Elevator to the Gallows (1958)
- 1957 $15.1K #1 He Who Must Die (1957)
- 1956 $71.1K #1 The Red Balloon (1956)
- 1955 $550.7K #1 Rififi (1955)
- 1954 $2.6K #1 Sabrina (1954)
- 1953 $567.6K #1 Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday (1953)
- 1952 $52.6K #1 Forbidden Games (1952)
- 1951 $57.8K #1 Diary of a Country Priest (1951)
1940s 6 years · $456.7K
FAQ
French Box Office 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 12 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing French-language movie in 1996?
The Eighth Day (1996) leads with $12.6M worldwide, $12.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Ridicule (1996) at $2M and When the Cat’s Away (1996) at $1.5M.
How much did French-language movies released in 1996 earn?
12 French-language films released in 1996 report a worldwide gross, $20.5M in all, or $1.7M per film on average. 1995 releases took $5.6M.
How many French-language movies released in 1996 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, The Eighth Day (1996), earned $12.6M.
How is the 1996 French 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 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 1996 French 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.