#1 of 36 #1 movie of 1953
1953 · Adventure, Fantasy
$87.4M worldwide · 57% of the chart's total
$87.4M US & Canada · 100% $1.2K elsewhere · <1%
Box office · 1953
1953 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing Movies of 1953
Peter Pan (1953) is the highest-grossing movie released in 1953, with $87.4M worldwide, ahead of The Robe (1953) at $36M and House of Wax (1953) at $23.8M. 36 films released in 1953 report a worldwide gross, $153.5M in all, 96% of it from the US & Canada. That is 4 times the total of 1952, whose releases took $38.8M. By genre, Family leads with $92.6M across 3 releases.
- 1953 releases with a gross
- 36
- combined worldwide
- $153.5M
- Peter Pan (1953), the #1
- $87.4M
- vs 1952
- ×4
#1 of 36 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Hits of 1953?
Peter Pan (1953) leads with $87.4M, 57% of the total. The top 5 together took $152.4M, 99% of what all 36 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 1953, 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 1953.
- 1 Feb 5, 1953 US and Canada: $87.4M Rest of the world: $1.2K Worldwide: $87.4M
- 2 Sep 16, 1953 US and Canada: $36M Rest of the world: $10.9K Worldwide: $36M
- 3 Apr 25, 1953 US and Canada: $23.8M Rest of the world: $319 Worldwide: $23.8M
- 4 Nov 2, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M
- 5 Feb 25, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $257K
- 6
Oct 1, 1953 US and Canada: $29.5K Rest of the world: $132.9K Worldwide: $162.4K - 7
Aug 26, 1953 US and Canada: $116.4K Rest of the world: $32K Worldwide: $148.4K - 8
Sep 16, 1953 US and Canada: $130.6K Rest of the world: $5.1K Worldwide: $135.6K - 9
Jun 5, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $127.8K - 10
Aug 27, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $103.2K - 11
Nov 3, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $93.9K - 12
Aug 28, 1953 US and Canada: $36.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $36.4K - 13
Jul 1, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $25K - 14
Mar 26, 1953 US and Canada: $11.2K Rest of the world: $13.8K Worldwide: $25K - 15
Apr 15, 1953 US and Canada: $21.2K Rest of the world: $1.1K Worldwide: $22.3K - 16
Apr 23, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.4K - 17
Feb 20, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.8K - 18
Feb 1, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $16.4K - 19
Jul 26, 1953 US and Canada: $15.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.6K - 20
Aug 7, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15K - 21
Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century (1953)Jul 25, 1953 US and Canada: $14.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8K
Jul 25, 1953 · English · Sci-Fi, Animation $14.8K worldwide - 22
Feb 28, 1953 US and Canada: $14.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8K - 23
Aug 8, 1953 US and Canada: $14.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8K - 24
Feb 9, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.5K - 25
May 8, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.8K - 26
Apr 1, 1953 US and Canada: $10.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.2K - 27
Nov 4, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.2K - 28
Nov 13, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.2K - 29
Oct 30, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.4K - 30
Jun 2, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.4K - 31
Oct 14, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.1K - 32
Jan 15, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2K - 33
Oct 29, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5K - 34
Feb 28, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $372 - 35
May 27, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $270 - 36
Mar 4, 1953 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $56
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1953?
Of the top 10, House of Wax (1953) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Little Fugitive (1953) made 82% of its gross abroad. Across all 36 films, $147.6M (96%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Peter Pan (1953) $87.4M $87.4M US & Canada · 100% $1.2K elsewhere · <1%
- 2 The Robe (1953) $36M $36M US & Canada · 100% $10.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 3 House of Wax (1953) $23.8M $23.8M US & Canada · 100% $319 elsewhere · <1%
- 4 Father of Four (1953) $5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 5 Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday (1953) $257K No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 Little Fugitive (1953) $162.4K $29.5K US & Canada · 18% $132.9K elsewhere · 82%
- 7 I Vitelloni (1953) $148.4K $116.4K US & Canada · 78% $32K elsewhere · 22%
- 8 The Earrings of Madame de… (1953) $135.6K $130.6K US & Canada · 96% $5.1K elsewhere · 4%
- 9 The Return of Don Camillo (1953) $127.8K No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 Roman Holiday (1953) $103.2K No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 1953 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 36 films reached $100M. 33 films, 92% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $153.5M total.
96%
- $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, 8% of the list $147.2M · 96% of the gross
- Under $10M 33 films, 92% of the list $6.4M · 4% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1953 Earned the Most?
February releases took the most, $87.7M from 7 films, led by Peter Pan (1953). January was the quietest month ($2K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Bad and the Beautiful (1953) $2K The Bad and the Beautiful (1953)
- February Feb Peter Pan (1953) $87.7M Peter Pan (1953)
- March Mar Ugetsu (1953) $25K Ugetsu (1953)
- April Apr House of Wax (1953) $23.8M House of Wax (1953)
- May May Julius Caesar (1953) $11.1K Julius Caesar (1953)
- June Jun The Return of Don Camillo (1953) $135.2K The Return of Don Camillo (1953)
- July Jul Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) $55.3K Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
- August Aug I Vitelloni (1953) $317.8K I Vitelloni (1953)
- September Sep The Robe (1953) $36.1M The Robe (1953)
- October Oct Little Fugitive (1953) $178.3K Little Fugitive (1953)
- November Nov Father of Four (1953) $5.1M Father of Four (1953)
- December Dec No reported grosses – No reported grosses
Last 10 years
How Does 1953 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1953 earned the most: $153.5M from 36 films, led by Peter Pan (1953).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 15 films | 15 | $132K | – | 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 |
| 1952 31 films · +714% | 31 | $38.8M | +714% | The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) $36M |
| 1953 36 films · +296% | 36 | $153.5M | +296% | Peter Pan (1953) $87.4M |
Genres & languages
Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in 1953?
Family took $92.6M across 3 films, 60% of the total, ahead of Adventure ($87.5M) and Animation ($87.5M). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $147.7M across 24 films, 96% of the total, ahead of Danish-language films ($5M) and French-language films ($567.6K).
1953 Box Office by Genre
-
Family $92.6M3 films · #1 Peter Pan (1953) -
Adventure $87.5M4 films · #1 Peter Pan (1953) -
Animation $87.5M4 films · #1 Peter Pan (1953) -
Fantasy $87.4M2 films · #1 Peter Pan (1953) -
Musical $87.4M3 films · #1 Peter Pan (1953) -
Drama $36.8M18 films · #1 The Robe (1953) -
History $36M3 films · #1 The Robe (1953) -
Horror $23.8M2 films · #1 House of Wax (1953) -
Comedy $5.7M13 films · #1 Father of Four (1953) -
Romance $368.6K11 films · #1 The Earrings of Madame de… (1953)
1953 Box Office by Language
- English $147.7M24 films · #1 Peter Pan (1953)
-
Danish $5M1 film · #1 Father of Four (1953) -
French $567.6K6 films · #1 Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday (1953) -
Italian $148.4K1 film · #1 I Vitelloni (1953) -
Japanese $126.2K3 films · #1 Tokyo Story (1953) -
Swedish $14.5K1 film · #1 Summer with Monika (1953)
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 · $134B
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 1953: 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 36 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing movie in 1953?
Peter Pan (1953) leads with $87.4M worldwide, $87.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Robe (1953) at $36M and House of Wax (1953) at $23.8M.
How much did movies released in 1953 earn?
36 films released in 1953 report a worldwide gross, $153.5M in all, or $4.3M per film on average. 1952 releases took $38.8M.
How many movies released in 1953 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Peter Pan (1953), earned $87.4M.
How is the 1953 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 1953. 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 1953 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.