#1 of 34 #1 movie of 1956
1956 · History, Drama
$65.5M worldwide · 40% of the chart's total
$65.5M US & Canada · 100% $1.3K elsewhere · <1%
Box office · 1956
1956 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing Movies of 1956
The Ten Commandments (1956) is the highest-grossing movie released in 1956, with $65.5M worldwide, ahead of Around the World in 80 Days (1956) at $42M and Giant (1956) at $32.9M. 34 films released in 1956 report a worldwide gross, $162.1M in all, 100% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 67% on 1955, whose releases took $96.9M. By genre, Drama leads with $119.9M across 27 releases.
- 1956 releases with a gross
- 34
- combined worldwide
- $162.1M
- The Ten Commandments (1956), the #1
- $65.5M
- vs 1955
- +67%
#1 of 34 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Hits of 1956?
The Ten Commandments (1956) leads with $65.5M, 40% of the total. The top 5 together took $161.8M, almost all of what the 34 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 1956, 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 1956.
- 1 Oct 5, 1956 US and Canada: $65.5M Rest of the world: $1.3K Worldwide: $65.5M
- 2 Oct 17, 1956 US and Canada: $42M Rest of the world: $9.5K Worldwide: $42M
- 3 Nov 24, 1956 US and Canada: $32.9M Rest of the world: $1.2K Worldwide: $32.9M
- 4 Jun 29, 1956 US and Canada: $21.3M Rest of the world: $21.1K Worldwide: $21.3M
- 5 Jun 11, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $71.7K
- 6
Feb 20, 1956 US and Canada: $23.2K Rest of the world: $27.1K Worldwide: $50.3K - 7
May 3, 1956 US and Canada: $34.6K Rest of the world: $14.4K Worldwide: $49K - 8
Sep 1, 1956 US and Canada: $41.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $41.8K - 9
Jan 21, 1956 US and Canada: $20K Rest of the world: $13.7K Worldwide: $33.8K - 10
Aug 21, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.9K - 11
Aug 24, 1956 US and Canada: $15.6K Rest of the world: $566 Worldwide: $16.2K - 12
Mar 28, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.4K - 13
Dec 25, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.2K - 14
Jul 17, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13.4K - 15
Jun 1, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.2K - 16
Jul 3, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.5K - 17
May 31, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.3K - 18
Apr 19, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.7K - 19
Mar 18, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.5K - 20
Sep 12, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.6K - 21
Nov 21, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.4K - 22
Apr 30, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.2K - 23
Feb 5, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.7K - 24
May 1, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.7K - 25
May 29, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5K - 26
Feb 16, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1K - 27
May 26, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1K - 28
Jun 1, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $798 - 29
Sep 17, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $426 - 30
Sep 21, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $384 - 31
Jun 6, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $380 - 32
Mar 21, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $365 - 33
Jun 27, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $353 - 34
Dec 29, 1956 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $51
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1956?
Of the top 10, On the Bowery (1956) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Ladykillers (1956) made 54% of its gross abroad. Across all 34 films, $161.8M (100%) came from the US & Canada. 2 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 The Ten Commandments (1956) $65.5M $65.5M US & Canada · 100% $1.3K elsewhere · <1%
- 2 Around the World in 80 Days (1956) $42M $42M US & Canada · 100% $9.5K elsewhere · <1%
- 3 Giant (1956) $32.9M $32.9M US & Canada · 100% $1.2K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 The King and I (1956) $21.3M $21.3M US & Canada · 100% $21.1K elsewhere · <1%
- 5 Seventh Heaven (1956) $71.7K No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 The Ladykillers (1956) $50.3K $23.2K US & Canada · 46% $27.1K elsewhere · 54%
- 7 The Red Balloon (1956) $49K $34.6K US & Canada · 71% $14.4K elsewhere · 29%
- 8 On the Bowery (1956) $41.8K $41.8K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 The Burmese Harp (1956) $33.8K $20K US & Canada · 59% $13.7K elsewhere · 41%
- 10 War and Peace (1956) $24.9K No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 1956 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 34 films reached $100M. 30 films, 88% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $162.1M 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 4 films, 12% of the list $161.7M · 100% of the gross
- Under $10M 30 films, 88% of the list $403.6K · <1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1956 Earned the Most?
October releases took the most, $107.5M from 2 films, led by The Ten Commandments (1956). April was the quietest month ($11.9K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Burmese Harp (1956) $33.8K The Burmese Harp (1956)
- February Feb The Ladykillers (1956) $55.1K The Ladykillers (1956)
- March Mar The Conqueror (1956) $23.3K The Conqueror (1956)
- April Apr While the City Sleeps (1956) $11.9K While the City Sleeps (1956)
- May May The Red Balloon (1956) $64.5K The Red Balloon (1956)
- June Jun The King and I (1956) $21.4M The King and I (1956)
- July Jul High Society (1956) $22.9K High Society (1956)
- August Aug War and Peace (1956) $41K War and Peace (1956)
- September Sep On the Bowery (1956) $48.2K On the Bowery (1956)
- October Oct The Ten Commandments (1956) $107.5M The Ten Commandments (1956)
- November Nov Giant (1956) $32.9M Giant (1956)
- December Dec Written on the Wind (1956) $14.2K Written on the Wind (1956)
Last 10 years
How Does 1956 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1956 earned the most: $162.1M from 34 films, led by The Ten Commandments (1956).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 20 films | 20 | $12.1M | – | 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 |
| 1954 41 films · −52% | 41 | $74.4M | −52% | Rear Window (1954) $37.9M |
| 1955 34 films · +30% | 34 | $96.9M | +30% | Lady and the Tramp (1955) $93.9M |
| 1956 34 films · +67% | 34 | $162.1M | +67% | The Ten Commandments (1956) $65.5M |
Genres & languages
Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in 1956?
Drama took $119.9M across 27 films, 74% of the total, ahead of History ($65.5M) and Romance ($63.5M). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $140.6M across 24 films, 87% of the total, ahead of Swedish-language films ($71.7K) and French-language films ($71.1K).
1956 Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $119.9M27 films · #1 The Ten Commandments (1956) -
History $65.5M3 films · #1 The Ten Commandments (1956) -
Romance $63.5M13 films · #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956) -
Comedy $42.2M8 films · #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956) -
Family $42.1M2 films · #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956) -
Adventure $42M7 films · #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956) -
Western $32.9M4 films · #1 Giant (1956) -
Musical $21.3M2 films · #1 The King and I (1956) -
Biography $21.3M2 films · #1 The King and I (1956) -
Crime $76.3K4 films · #1 The Ladykillers (1956)
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 1956: 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 34 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing movie in 1956?
The Ten Commandments (1956) leads with $65.5M worldwide, $65.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Around the World in 80 Days (1956) at $42M and Giant (1956) at $32.9M.
How much did movies released in 1956 earn?
34 films released in 1956 report a worldwide gross, $162.1M in all, or $4.8M per film on average. 1955 releases took $96.9M.
How many movies released in 1956 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, The Ten Commandments (1956), earned $65.5M.
How is the 1956 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 1956. 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 1956 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.