Superman II (1981) is the highest-grossing movie released in 1981, with $216.4M worldwide, ahead of On Golden Pond (1981) at $119.3M and Arthur (1981) at $95.5M. 136 films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $2.1B in all, 95% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 15% on 1980, whose releases took $2.5B. By genre, Drama leads with $889.5M across 67 releases.

1981 releases with a gross

136

combined worldwide

$2.1B

films crossed $100M

2

vs 1980

−15%

#1 of 136

#1 movie of 1981

Superman II (1981)

1981 · Action, Adventure

$216.4M worldwide · 10% of the chart's total

$108.2M US & Canada · 50% $108.2M elsewhere · 50%