#1 of 23 #1 movie of 1946
1946 · Fantasy, Comedy
$37.5M worldwide · 41% of the chart's total
$37.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Box office · 1946
1946 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing Movies of 1946
Song of the South (1946) is the highest-grossing movie released in 1946, with $37.5M worldwide, ahead of The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) at $23.7M and Duel in the Sun (1946) at $20.4M. 23 films released in 1946 report a worldwide gross, $92.2M in all, 99% of it from the US & Canada. That is 4.2 times the total of 1945, whose releases took $22.1M. By genre, Drama leads with $54.6M across 15 releases.
- 1946 releases with a gross
- 23
- combined worldwide
- $92.2M
- Song of the South (1946), the #1
- $37.5M
- vs 1945
- ×4.2
#1 of 23 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Hits of 1946?
Song of the South (1946) leads with $37.5M, 41% of the total. The top 5 together took $91.6M, 99% of what all 23 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 Release of 1946, 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 1946.
- 1 Nov 12, 1946 US and Canada: $37.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $37.5M
- 2 Dec 25, 1946 US and Canada: $23.7M Rest of the world: $17.1K Worldwide: $23.7M
- 3 Dec 29, 1946 US and Canada: $20.4M Rest of the world: $20.6K Worldwide: $20.4M
- 4 Sep 5, 1946 US and Canada: $9.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.7M
- 5 Sep 25, 1946 US and Canada: $298.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $298.7K
- 6
Nov 1, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $231.3K - 7
Aug 24, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $119.4K - 8
Sep 6, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $117.1K - 9
Aug 28, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.2K - 10
Aug 31, 1946 US and Canada: $25.6K Rest of the world: $25.5K Worldwide: $51.1K - 11
Apr 27, 1946 US and Canada: $34.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $34.7K - 12
Jun 2, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.2K - 13
Oct 16, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $16.4K - 14
May 25, 1946 US and Canada: $14.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8K - 15
Mar 14, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6K - 16
Apr 10, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.4K - 17
Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyars’ Plot (1946)Feb 1, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7K
Feb 1, 1946 · Russian · History, Drama $1.7K worldwide - 18
Jan 18, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4K - 19
Sep 18, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $967 - 20
May 2, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $380 - 21
Dec 31, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $84 - 22
Dec 25, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24 - 23
Dec 19, 1946 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1946?
Of the top 10, Song of the South (1946) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Big Sleep (1946) made 50% of its gross abroad. Across all 23 films, $91.6M (99%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Song of the South (1946) $37.5M $37.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 2 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) $23.7M $23.7M US & Canada · 100% $17.1K elsewhere · <1%
- 3 Duel in the Sun (1946) $20.4M $20.4M US & Canada · 100% $20.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 Cloak and Dagger (1946) $9.7M $9.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Beauty and the Beast (1946) $298.7K $298.7K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 A Matter of Life and Death (1946) $231.3K No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 Brief Encounter (1946) $119.4K No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Notorious (1946) $117.1K No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 The Killers (1946) $58.2K No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 The Big Sleep (1946) $51.1K $25.6K US & Canada · 50% $25.5K elsewhere · 50%
Gross bands
How Many 1946 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 23 films reached $100M. 20 films, 87% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $92.2M total.
88% 12%
- $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 3 films, 13% of the list $81.6M · 88% of the gross
- Under $10M 20 films, 87% of the list $10.7M · 12% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1946 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $44.1M from 5 films, led by The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). January was the quietest month ($1.4K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Harvey Girls (1946) $1.4K The Harvey Girls (1946)
- February Feb Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyars’ Plot (1946) $1.7K Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyars’ Plot (1946)
- March Mar Gilda (1946) $6K Gilda (1946)
- April Apr Shoeshine (1946) $40.1K Shoeshine (1946)
- May May Hair-Raising Hare (1946) $15.1K Hair-Raising Hare (1946)
- June Jun Cluny Brown (1946) $17.2K Cluny Brown (1946)
- July Jul No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- August Aug Brief Encounter (1946) $228.7K Brief Encounter (1946)
- September Sep Cloak and Dagger (1946) $10.1M Cloak and Dagger (1946)
- October Oct My Darling Clementine (1946) $16.4K My Darling Clementine (1946)
- November Nov Song of the South (1946) $37.7M Song of the South (1946)
- December Dec The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) $44.1M The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Last 10 years
How Does 1946 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1940 earned the most: $525.9M from 15 films, led by Gone with the Wind (1940). 1946 took $92.2M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 7 films | 7 | $32.8K | – | Stage Door (1937) $8.8K |
| 1938 8 films · +564466% | 8 | $185.2M | +564466% | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938) $185.1M |
| 1939 14 films · −86% | 14 | $26.7M | −86% | The Wizard of Oz (1939) $25.6M |
| 1940 15 films · +1866% | 15 | $525.9M | +1866% | Gone with the Wind (1940) $402.4M |
| 1941 11 films · −100% | 11 | $1.9M | −100% | Citizen Kane (1941) $1.7M |
| 1942 14 films · +13995% | 14 | $268.3M | +13995% | Bambi (1942) $267.4M |
| 1943 8 films · −98% | 8 | $6.2M | −98% | Casablanca (1943) $4.7M |
| 1944 15 films · −98% | 15 | $132K | −98% | Henry V (1944) $62.6K |
| 1945 16 films · +16649% | 16 | $22.1M | +16649% | The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945) $21.3M |
| 1946 23 films · +317% | 23 | $92.2M | +317% | Song of the South (1946) $37.5M |
Genres & languages
Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in 1946?
Drama took $54.6M across 15 films, 59% of the total, ahead of Romance ($44.9M) and Fantasy ($38M). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $91.9M across 19 films, 100% of the total, ahead of French-language films ($298.7K) and Italian-language films ($35.6K).
1946 Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $54.6M15 films · #1 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) -
Romance $44.9M12 films · #1 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) -
Fantasy $38M3 films · #1 Song of the South (1946) -
Comedy $37.7M5 films · #1 Song of the South (1946) -
Animation $37.5M2 films · #1 Song of the South (1946) -
Musical $37.5M2 films · #1 Song of the South (1946) -
Family $37.5M1 film · #1 Song of the South (1946) -
War $33.6M4 films · #1 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) -
Western $20.4M3 films · #1 Duel in the Sun (1946) -
Thriller $10M8 films · #1 Cloak and Dagger (1946)
Archive
Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1918 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $37.1B, led by Avengers: Endgame (2019).
2020s 7 years · $134.1B
2010s 10 years · $325.6B
- 2019 $37.1B #1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 2018 $37.1B #1 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 2017 $36.6B #1 Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
- 2016 $34.2B #1 Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 2015 $34B #1 Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
- 2014 $30.1B #1 Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)
- 2013 $31.3B #1 Frozen (2013)
- 2012 $30.6B #1 The Avengers (2012)
- 2011 $28.1B #1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
- 2010 $26.5B #1 Toy Story 3 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $201.3B
- 2009 $27.2B #1 Avatar (2009)
- 2008 $23.9B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- 2007 $24B #1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- 2006 $21.2B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- 2005 $20.2B #1 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- 2004 $19.7B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- 2003 $19.2B #1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- 2002 $15.8B #1 Spider-Man (2002)
- 2001 $16B #1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- 2000 $14B #1 Mission: Impossible II (2000)
1990s 10 years · $91.9B
- 1999 $13.7B #1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 1998 $11.3B #1 Armageddon (1998)
- 1997 $12.7B #1 Titanic (1997)
- 1996 $9.9B #1 Independence Day (1996)
- 1995 $9.5B #1 Toy Story (1995)
- 1994 $8.5B #1 The Lion King (1994)
- 1993 $7.1B #1 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
- 1992 $6.3B #1 The Bodyguard (1992)
- 1991 $6.2B #1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- 1990 $6.7B #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $36B
- 1989 $6.1B #1 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
- 1988 $4.9B #1 Rain Man (1988)
- 1987 $4B #1 Fatal Attraction (1987)
- 1986 $3.7B #1 Top Gun (1986)
- 1985 $3.7B #1 Back to the Future (1985)
- 1984 $3.6B #1 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
- 1983 $2.8B #1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 1982 $2.5B #1 Tootsie (1982)
- 1981 $2.1B #1 Superman II (1981)
- 1980 $2.5B #1 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
1970s 10 years · $11.1B
- 1979 $2.2B #1 Moonraker (1979)
- 1978 $2B #1 Grease (1978)
- 1977 $2.2B #1 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- 1976 $784.1M #1 Rocky (1976)
- 1975 $1.1B #1 Jaws (1975)
- 1974 $803.9M #1 Blazing Saddles (1974)
- 1973 $989.4M #1 The Exorcist (1973)
- 1972 $371.4M #1 The Godfather (1972)
- 1971 $206M #1 The French Connection (1971)
- 1970 $450M #1 The Aristocats (1970)
1960s 10 years · $1.8B
- 1969 $247.4M #1 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- 1968 $144M #1 Funny Girl (1968)
- 1967 $441.4M #1 The Jungle Book (1967)
- 1966 $29.9M #1 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
- 1965 $387.9M #1 The Sound of Music (1965)
- 1964 $240.7M #1 Mary Poppins (1964)
- 1963 $138.3M #1 Cleopatra (1963)
- 1962 $52M #1 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- 1961 $12.9M #1 The Taste of Violence (1961)
- 1960 $94.9M #1 Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
1950s 10 years · $801.3M
- 1959 $127.1M #1 Ben-Hur (1959)
- 1958 $13.9M #1 Vertigo (1958)
- 1957 $32.7M #1 The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
- 1956 $162.1M #1 The Ten Commandments (1956)
- 1955 $96.9M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $74.4M #1 Rear Window (1954)
- 1953 $153.5M #1 Peter Pan (1953)
- 1952 $38.8M #1 The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
- 1951 $4.8M #1 Ace in the Hole (1951)
- 1950 $97.2M #1 Cinderella (1950)
1940s 10 years · $936.9M
- 1949 $1.8M #1 The Third Man (1949)
- 1948 $6.2M #1 The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
- 1947 $12.1M #1 It's a Wonderful Life (1947)
- 1946 $92.2M #1 Song of the South (1946)
- 1945 $22.1M #1 The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
- 1944 $132K #1 Henry V (1944)
- 1943 $6.2M #1 Casablanca (1943)
- 1942 $268.3M #1 Bambi (1942)
- 1941 $1.9M #1 Citizen Kane (1941)
- 1940 $525.9M #1 Gone with the Wind (1940)
1930s 10 years · $214M
- 1939 $26.7M #1 The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- 1938 $185.2M #1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938)
- 1937 $32.8K #1 Stage Door (1937)
- 1936 $1.5M #1 Born to Dance (1936)
- 1935 $105.9K #1 The 39 Steps (1935)
- 1934 $47.3K #1 It Happened One Night (1934)
- 1933 $164.8K #1 Duck Soup (1933)
- 1932 $51.1K #1 The Old Dark House (1932)
- 1931 $135.8K #1 Drácula (1931)
- 1930 $6.1K #1 The Blue Angel (1930)
1920s 9 years · $10M
- 1929 $89.2K #1 Pandora’s Box (1929)
- 1928 $41.6K #1 The Air Circus (1928)
- 1927 $245K #1 Sunrise (1927)
- 1926 $67.1K #1 Battleship Potemkin (1926)
- 1925 $87.5K #1 The Gold Rush (1925)
- 1924 $198.9K #1 The Epic of Everest (1924)
- 1923 $13.2K #1 A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate (1923)
- 1921 $9.2M #1 The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)
- 1920 $9.3K #1 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
1910s 2 years · $9.8K
FAQ
Box Office 1946: 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 23 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing movie in 1946?
Song of the South (1946) leads with $37.5M worldwide, $37.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) at $23.7M and Duel in the Sun (1946) at $20.4M.
How much did movies released in 1946 earn?
23 films released in 1946 report a worldwide gross, $92.2M in all, or $4M per film on average. 1945 releases took $22.1M.
How many movies released in 1946 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Song of the South (1946), earned $37.5M.
How is the 1946 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 1946. 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.
How often is the 1946 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.