#1 of 79 #1 Japanese-language movie of 2018
2018 · Action, Drama
$78.8M worldwide · 12% of the chart's total
No US & Canada figure reported
Japanese box office · 2018
Japanese Box Office 2018: Highest-Grossing Japanese Movies
Code Blue: The Movie (2018) is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie released in 2018, with $78.8M worldwide, ahead of Shoplifters (2018) at $68M and The Cat Returns (2002) at $54.7M. 79 Japanese-language films released in 2018 report a worldwide gross, $667.3M in all, 2% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 37% on 2017, whose releases took $1.1B. By genre, Drama leads with $368.3M across 42 Japanese releases.
- 2018 releases with a gross
- 79
- combined worldwide
- $667.3M
- Code Blue: The Movie (2018), the #1
- $78.8M
- vs 2017
- −37%
#1 of 79 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Japanese Hits of 2018?
Code Blue: The Movie (2018) leads with $78.8M, 12% of the total. The top 5 together took $274.5M, 41% of what all 79 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 Japanese Release of 2018, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 79. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2018.
- 1 Jul 27, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $78.8M
- 2 Nov 23, 2018 US and Canada: $3.3M Rest of the world: $64.7M Worldwide: $68M
- 3 Apr 22, 2018 US and Canada: $563.7K Rest of the world: $54.1M Worldwide: $54.7M
- 4 Jan 19, 2018 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: $39.8M Worldwide: $42.2M
- 5 Aug 4, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $30.9M
- 6
Nov 30, 2018 US and Canada: $812.8K Rest of the world: $27.9M Worldwide: $28.8M - 7
Aug 24, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $26M - 8
Jul 3, 2018 US and Canada: $525.3K Rest of the world: $25.1M Worldwide: $25.7M - 9
Nov 24, 2018 US and Canada: $789.2K Rest of the world: $23M Worldwide: $23.7M - 10
Jan 27, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23.1M - 11
Sep 25, 2018 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: $15.3M Worldwide: $21M - 12
Natsume’s Book of Friends the Movie: Ephemeral Bond (2018) Sep 29, 2018 · Fantasy, Animation $17.5M worldwideSep 29, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.5M - 13
Crayon Shin-chan: Burst Serving! Kung Fu Boys ~Ramen Rebellion~ (2018) Apr 13, 2018 · Animation, Comedy $17.2M worldwideApr 13, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.2M - 14
Mar 17, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13.6M - 15
Jul 20, 2018 US and Canada: $89.3K Rest of the world: $13.3M Worldwide: $13.4M - 16
Dec 22, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6M - 17
Jun 1, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.5M - 18
May 4, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11M - 19
Sep 21, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.2M - 20
Oct 5, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10M - 21
Dec 28, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.7M - 22
Nov 30, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.1M - 23
Mar 10, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8M - 24
Nov 30, 2018 US and Canada: $259.2K Rest of the world: $5.9M Worldwide: $6.1M - 25
Mar 10, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.9M - 26
Aug 31, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.8M - 27
Jan 20, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.7M - 28
Apr 20, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.6M - 29
Dec 7, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M - 30
Aug 4, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.9M - 31
Jul 6, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.3M - 32
Apr 27, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.3M - 33
The Seven Deadly Sins: Prisoners of the Sky (2018) Aug 18, 2018 · Fantasy, Animation $3.9M worldwideAug 18, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.9M - 34
Aug 21, 2018 US and Canada: $406.5K Rest of the world: $3.5M Worldwide: $3.9M - 35
Jul 20, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.7M - 36
Apr 8, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.6M - 37
Jun 8, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.6M - 38
Oct 5, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.3M - 39
Aug 1, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7M - 40
Apr 6, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5M - 41
Mar 3, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M - 42
May 25, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M - 43
Jun 30, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.2M - 44
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin VI – Rise of the Red Comet (2018) May 5, 2018 · Animation, War $2.1M worldwideMay 5, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M - 45
Jan 6, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 46
Oct 19, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 47
Jun 8, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 48
Oct 5, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M - 49
Oct 5, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 50
May 3, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2018?
Of the top 10, Mary and The Witch's Flower (2018) earned the biggest share at home (6% in the US & Canada), while The Cat Returns (2002) made 99% of its gross abroad. Across all 79 films, $15.7M (2%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Code Blue: The Movie (2018) $78.8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 2 Shoplifters (2018) $68M $3.3M US & Canada · 5% $64.7M elsewhere · 95%
- 3 The Cat Returns (2002) $54.7M $563.7K US & Canada · 1% $54.1M elsewhere · 99%
- 4 Mary and The Witch's Flower (2018) $42.2M $2.4M US & Canada · 6% $39.8M elsewhere · 94%
- 5 Gintama 2: Rules are Made to Be Broken (2018) $30.9M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 Mirai (2018) $28.8M $812.8K US & Canada · 3% $27.9M elsewhere · 97%
- 7 Killing for the Prosecution (2018) $26M No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Fireworks (2018) $25.7M $525.3K US & Canada · 2% $25.1M elsewhere · 98%
- 9 Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us (2018) $23.7M $789.2K US & Canada · 3% $23M elsewhere · 97%
- 10 The Crimes That Bind (2018) $23.1M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2018 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 79 films reached $100M. 60 films, 76% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $667.3M total.
79% 21%
- $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 19 films, 24% of the list $529.8M · 79% of the gross
- Under $10M 60 films, 76% of the list $137.5M · 21% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2018 Earned the Most?
November releases took the most, $136.7M from 9 films, led by Shoplifters (2018). February was the quietest month ($1.3M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Mary and The Witch's Flower (2018) $73M Mary and The Witch's Flower (2018)
- February Feb Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II - Transgression (2018) $1.3M Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II - Transgression (2018)
- March Mar Chihayafuru: Part III (2018) $30.9M Chihayafuru: Part III (2018)
- April Apr The Cat Returns (2002) $87.9M The Cat Returns (2002)
- May May Laplace’s Witch (2018) $17.7M Laplace’s Witch (2018)
- June Jun 50 First Kisses (2018) $19.1M 50 First Kisses (2018)
- July Jul Code Blue: The Movie (2018) $126.9M Code Blue: The Movie (2018)
- August Aug Gintama 2: Rules are Made to Be Broken (2018) $78.4M Gintama 2: Rules are Made to Be Broken (2018)
- September Sep My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018) $49.3M My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018)
- October Oct Every Day a Good Day (2018) $19.7M Every Day a Good Day (2018)
- November Nov Shoplifters (2018) $136.7M Shoplifters (2018)
- December Dec Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever (2018) $26.3M Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever (2018)
Last 10 years
How Does 2018 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2017 earned the most: $1.1B from 102 films, led by Your Name. (2017). 2018 took $667.3M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 59 films | 59 | $903.9M | – | Ponyo (2009) $206.3M |
| 2010 69 films · +6% | 69 | $955.6M | +6% | Umizaru 3: The Last Message (2010) $98.7M |
| 2011 64 films · −12% | 64 | $844M | −12% | Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2011) $60.6M |
| 2012 69 films · +19% | 69 | $1B | +19% | Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012) $91.9M |
| 2013 67 films · −28% | 67 | $724M | −28% | The Wind Rises (2013) $137.1M |
| 2014 72 films · +4% | 72 | $749.8M | +4% | Stand by Me Doraemon (2014) $186.1M |
| 2015 72 films · −15% | 72 | $634.7M | −15% | Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015) $61.8M |
| 2016 64 films · +4% | 64 | $662.6M | +4% | Shin Godzilla (2016) $82.1M |
| 2017 102 films · +60% | 102 | $1.1B | +60% | Your Name. (2017) $405.3M |
| 2018 79 films · −37% | 79 | $667.3M | −37% | Code Blue: The Movie (2018) $78.8M |
By genre
Which Japanese Genres Earned the Most in 2018?
Drama took $368.3M across 42 films, 55% of the total, ahead of Fantasy ($295.1M) and Adventure ($282.6M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
2018 Japanese Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $368.3M42 films · #1 Code Blue: The Movie (2018) -
Fantasy $295.1M26 films · #1 The Cat Returns (2002) -
Adventure $282.6M19 films · #1 Code Blue: The Movie (2018) -
Animation $258.4M27 films · #1 The Cat Returns (2002) -
Comedy $196M24 films · #1 The Cat Returns (2002) -
Action $191.8M22 films · #1 Code Blue: The Movie (2018) -
Family $181.3M10 films · #1 The Cat Returns (2002) -
Crime $144.1M7 films · #1 Shoplifters (2018) -
Romance $127.9M14 films · #1 The Cat Returns (2002) -
Sci-Fi $103M17 films · #1 Gintama 2: Rules are Made to Be Broken (2018)
Archive
Japanese Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1936 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2023 leads with $1.6B, led by The Boy and the Heron (2023).
2020s 7 years · $6.4B
- 2026 so far $117.5M #1 Exit 8 (2026)
- 2025 $1.3B #1 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Infinity Castle (2025)
- 2024 $609.9M #1 HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle (2024)
- 2023 $1.6B #1 The Boy and the Heron (2023)
- 2022 $807.3M #1 One Piece Film: Red (2022)
- 2021 $1.2B #1 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021)
- 2020 $833.1M #1 Weathering with You (2020)
2010s 10 years · $8.1B
- 2019 $842.4M #1 Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2019)
- 2018 $667.3M #1 Code Blue: The Movie (2018)
- 2017 $1.1B #1 Your Name. (2017)
- 2016 $662.6M #1 Shin Godzilla (2016)
- 2015 $634.7M #1 Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015)
- 2014 $749.8M #1 Stand by Me Doraemon (2014)
- 2013 $724M #1 The Wind Rises (2013)
- 2012 $1B #1 Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012)
- 2011 $844M #1 Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2011)
- 2010 $955.6M #1 Umizaru 3: The Last Message (2010)
2000s 10 years · $3.8B
- 2009 $903.9M #1 Ponyo (2009)
- 2008 $529.3M #1 Suspect X (2008)
- 2007 $447.9M #1 Always: Sunset on Third Street 2 (2007)
- 2006 $567.9M #1 Tales from Earthsea (2006)
- 2005 $431.5M #1 Yamato (2005)
- 2004 $278.1M #1 Be with You (2004)
- 2003 $366.5M #1 Bayside Shakedown 2 (2003)
- 2002 $162.9M #1 The Cat Returns (2002)
- 2001 $109.4M #1 Pokémon 3: The Movie (2001)
- 2000 $16.3M #1 Godzilla 2000 (2000)
1990s 10 years · $242.4M
- 1999 $164.1M #1 Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back! (1999)
- 1998 $1.7M #1 Cube (1998)
- 1997 $40.9M #1 Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)
- 1996 $5.7M #1 Whisper of the Heart (1996)
- 1995 $1.5M #1 Pom Poko (1995)
- 1994 $169.4K #1 Sailor Moon S the Movie: Hearts in Ice (1994)
- 1993 $1.4M #1 Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)
- 1992 $10.2M #1 Once Upon a Crime... (1992)
- 1991 $1.2M #1 Only Yesterday (1991)
- 1990 $15.4M #1 The Witches (1990)
1980s 8 years · $115.3M
- 1989 $16.9M #1 Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
- 1988 $58.3M #1 My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
- 1987 $3.7M #1 Dead Heat (1987)
- 1985 $17.6M #1 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1985)
- 1983 $87 #1 Golgo 13: The Professional (1983)
- 1982 $14.1M #1 Diner (1982)
- 1981 $777.5K #1 Lonely Heart (1981)
- 1980 $4M #1 Kagemusha (1980)
1970s 8 years · $763.7K
- 1979 $439.5K #1 Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage (1979)
- 1977 $223.9K #1 House (1977)
- 1976 $569 #1 In the Realm of the Senses (1976)
- 1975 $426 #1 Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)
- 1974 $97.1K #1 Flower & Snake (1974)
- 1973 $637 #1 Belladonna of Sadness (1973)
- 1972 $585 #1 Ecstasy of the Angels (1972)
- 1970 $981 #1 Dodes’ka-den (1970)
1960s 10 years · $651K
- 1969 $231.3K #1 The Girl I Abandoned (1969)
- 1968 $1.2K #1 Nanami: The Inferno of First Love (1968)
- 1967 $15.5K #1 A Man Vanishes (1967)
- 1966 $35.9K #1 The Face of Another (1966)
- 1965 $628 #1 Resume of Love Affairs (1965)
- 1964 $1.2K #1 Onibaba (1964)
- 1963 $64.5K #1 High and Low (1963)
- 1962 $96.6K #1 Sanjuro (1962)
- 1961 $68.4K #1 Yojimbo (1961)
- 1960 $135.8K #1 When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)
1950s 9 years · $1.1M
- 1958 $75.7K #1 The Hidden Fortress (1958)
- 1957 $65.6K #1 Throne of Blood (1957)
- 1956 $46.7K #1 The Burmese Harp (1956)
- 1955 $62.4K #1 I Live in Fear (1955)
- 1954 $599K #1 Godzilla (1954)
- 1953 $126.2K #1 Tokyo Story (1953)
- 1952 $6.9K #1 The Life of Oharu (1952)
- 1951 $139.8K #1 Rashomon (1951)
- 1950 $332 #1 The Munekata Sisters (1950)
1940s 3 years · $863.9K
FAQ
Japanese Box Office 2018: 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 79 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie in 2018?
Code Blue: The Movie (2018) leads with $78.8M worldwide. Next come Shoplifters (2018) at $68M and The Cat Returns (2002) at $54.7M.
How much did Japanese-language movies released in 2018 earn?
79 Japanese-language films released in 2018 report a worldwide gross, $667.3M in all, or $8.4M per film on average. 2017 releases took $1.1B.
How many Japanese-language movies released in 2018 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Code Blue: The Movie (2018), earned $78.8M.
How is the 2018 Japanese 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 2018. 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 2018 Japanese 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.