#1 of 22 #1 movie of 1951
1951 · Drama
$2.3M worldwide · 48% of the chart's total
No US & Canada figure reported
Box office · 1951
1951 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing Movies of 1951
Ace in the Hole (1951) is the highest-grossing movie released in 1951, with $2.3M worldwide, ahead of The Girl on the Bridge (1951) at $1.7M and The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) at $140.7K. 22 films released in 1951 report a worldwide gross, $4.8M in all, 42% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 95% on 1950, whose releases took $97.2M. By genre, Drama leads with $4.5M across 16 releases.
- 1951 releases with a gross
- 22
- combined worldwide
- $4.8M
- Ace in the Hole (1951), the #1
- $2.3M
- vs 1950
- −95%
#1 of 22 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Hits of 1951?
Ace in the Hole (1951) leads with $2.3M, 48% of the total. The top 5 together took $4.4M, 92% of what all 22 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 1951, 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 1951.
- 1 Jun 14, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M
- 2 Dec 1, 1951 US and Canada: $1.7M Rest of the world: $302 Worldwide: $1.7M
- 3 Apr 1, 1951 US and Canada: $91.9K Rest of the world: $48.8K Worldwide: $140.7K
- 4 Dec 26, 1951 US and Canada: $46.8K Rest of the world: $93K Worldwide: $139.8K
- 5 Dec 25, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $101.5K
- 6
Sep 19, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $54.7K - 7
Sep 10, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $53.4K - 8
Jun 30, 1951 US and Canada: $26.6K Rest of the world: $25.4K Worldwide: $52K - 9
Feb 7, 1951 US and Canada: $47K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $47K - 10
Oct 15, 1951 US and Canada: $16.4K Rest of the world: $15.9K Worldwide: $32.2K - 11
Oct 15, 1951 US and Canada: $17.4K Rest of the world: $14.4K Worldwide: $31.8K - 12
Nov 27, 1951 US and Canada: $29K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29K - 13
Aug 14, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.2K - 14
Oct 1, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.6K - 15
Sep 8, 1951 US and Canada: $14.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8K - 16
Apr 27, 1951 US and Canada: $9.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.9K - 17
Aug 7, 1951 US and Canada: $8.7K Rest of the world: $215 Worldwide: $8.9K - 18
Sep 14, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2K - 19
Sep 20, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $852 - 20
Sep 20, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $651 - 21
Dec 17, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $435 - 22
Jul 17, 1951 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $236
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1951?
Of the top 10, Diary of a Country Priest (1951) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Rashomon (1951) made 67% of its gross abroad. Across all 22 films, $2M (42%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Ace in the Hole (1951) $2.3M No US & Canada figure reported
- 2 The Girl on the Bridge (1951) $1.7M $1.7M US & Canada · 100% $302 elsewhere · <1%
- 3 The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) $140.7K $91.9K US & Canada · 65% $48.8K elsewhere · 35%
- 4 Rashomon (1951) $139.8K $46.8K US & Canada · 33% $93K elsewhere · 67%
- 5 Quo Vadis (1951) $101.5K No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) $54.7K No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 The River (1951) $53.4K No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Strangers on a Train (1951) $52K $26.6K US & Canada · 51% $25.4K elsewhere · 49%
- 9 Diary of a Country Priest (1951) $47K $47K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) $32.2K $16.4K US & Canada · 51% $15.9K elsewhere · 49%
Gross bands
How Many 1951 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 22 films reached $100M. 22 films, 100% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $4.8M total.
100%
- $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 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- Under $10M 22 films, 100% of the list $4.8M · 100% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1951 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $2.4M from 2 films, led by Ace in the Hole (1951). July was the quietest month ($236). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb Diary of a Country Priest (1951) $47K Diary of a Country Priest (1951)
- March Mar No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- April Apr The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) $150.6K The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
- May May No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- June Jun Ace in the Hole (1951) $2.4M Ace in the Hole (1951)
- July Jul Show Boat (1951) $236 Show Boat (1951)
- August Aug A Place in the Sun (1951) $27.2K A Place in the Sun (1951)
- September Sep A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) $125.6K A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
- October Oct The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) $81.6K The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
- November Nov Othello (1951) $29K Othello (1951)
- December Dec The Girl on the Bridge (1951) $2M The Girl on the Bridge (1951)
Last 10 years
How Does 1951 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1942 earned the most: $268.3M from 14 films, led by Bambi (1942). 1951 took $4.8M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 14 films | 14 | $268.3M | – | 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 |
| 1947 20 films · −87% | 20 | $12.1M | −87% | It's a Wonderful Life (1947) $10.6M |
| 1948 22 films · −48% | 22 | $6.2M | −48% | The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) $5M |
| 1949 19 films · −71% | 19 | $1.8M | −71% | The Third Man (1949) $1.4M |
| 1950 22 films · +5288% | 22 | $97.2M | +5288% | Cinderella (1950) $96.4M |
| 1951 22 films · −95% | 22 | $4.8M | −95% | Ace in the Hole (1951) $2.3M |
Genres & languages
Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in 1951?
Drama took $4.5M across 16 films, 95% of the total, ahead of Romance ($2.1M) and Crime ($1.9M). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $4.4M across 15 films, 93% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language films ($139.8K) and French-language films ($57.8K).
1951 Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $4.5M16 films · #1 Ace in the Hole (1951) -
Romance $2.1M10 films · #1 The Girl on the Bridge (1951) -
Crime $1.9M4 films · #1 The Girl on the Bridge (1951) -
Fantasy $174.2K4 films · #1 The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) -
Mystery $171.6K2 films · #1 Rashomon (1951) -
Music $141K2 films · #1 The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) -
Biography $101.5K1 film · #1 Quo Vadis (1951) -
Comedy $56.4K4 films · #1 The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) -
Thriller $52K1 film · #1 Strangers on a Train (1951) -
Animation $16K2 films · #1 Lovelorn Leghorn (1951)
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 · $201.4B
- 2009 $27.2B #1 Avatar (2009)
- 2008 $23.9B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- 2007 $24.1B #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 1951: 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 22 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing movie in 1951?
Ace in the Hole (1951) leads with $2.3M worldwide. Next come The Girl on the Bridge (1951) at $1.7M and The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) at $140.7K.
How much did movies released in 1951 earn?
22 films released in 1951 report a worldwide gross, $4.8M in all, or $216.6K per film on average. 1950 releases took $97.2M.
How many movies released in 1951 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Ace in the Hole (1951), earned $2.3M.
How is the 1951 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 1951. 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 1951 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.