Skip to content
What's After the Movie?

Jump to
What's After the Movie?
Box office · December 1993

December 1993 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing December Releases

Schindler's List (1993) is the highest-grossing movie released in December 1993, with $322.2M worldwide, ahead of Philadelphia (1993) at $206.7M and The Pelican Brief (1993) at $195.3M. 28 films released in December 1993 report a worldwide gross, $1.2B in all, 55% of it from the US & Canada. 4 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 41% on November 1993, whose releases took $874.5M. By genre, Drama leads with $986.5M across 17 releases.

December 1993 releases with a gross
28
combined worldwide
$1.2B
films crossed $100M
4
vs November 1993
+41%
Schindler's List (1993) movie poster #1 of 28
#1 movie of December 1993

Schindler's List (1993)

1993 · Biography, Drama

$322.2M worldwide · 26% of the chart's total

$96.9M US & Canada · 30% $225.3M elsewhere · 70%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Hits of December 1993?

Schindler's List (1993) leads with $322.2M, 26% of the total. The top 5 together took $912.5M, 74% of what all 28 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Schindler's List (1993) movie poster Number 1
    $322.2M Schindler's List (1993)
    $96.9M US & Canada · 30% $225.3M elsewhere · 70%
  2. Philadelphia (1993) movie poster Number 2
    $206.7M Philadelphia (1993)
    $77.4M US & Canada · 37% $129.2M elsewhere · 63%
  3. The Pelican Brief (1993) movie poster Number 3
    $195.3M The Pelican Brief (1993)
    $100.8M US & Canada · 52% $94.5M elsewhere · 48%
  4. Beethoven’s 2nd (1993) movie poster Number 4
    $118.2M Beethoven’s 2nd (1993)
    $53.4M US & Canada · 45% $64.8M elsewhere · 55%
  5. Grumpy Old Men (1993) movie poster Number 5
    $70.2M Grumpy Old Men (1993)
    $70.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Release of December 1993, 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 December 1993.

  1. 1 Schindler's List (1993) movie poster
    Schindler's List (1993) Dec 15, 1993 · English · Biography, Drama $322.2M worldwide
    Dec 15, 1993 US and Canada: $96.9M Rest of the world: $225.3M Worldwide: $322.2M
  2. 2 Philadelphia (1993) movie poster
    Philadelphia (1993) Dec 23, 1993 · English · Drama $206.7M worldwide
    Dec 23, 1993 US and Canada: $77.4M Rest of the world: $129.2M Worldwide: $206.7M
  3. 3 The Pelican Brief (1993) movie poster
    The Pelican Brief (1993) Dec 17, 1993 · English · Drama, Mystery $195.3M worldwide
    Dec 17, 1993 US and Canada: $100.8M Rest of the world: $94.5M Worldwide: $195.3M
  4. 4 Beethoven’s 2nd (1993) movie poster
    Beethoven’s 2nd (1993) Dec 14, 1993 · English · Comedy, Family $118.2M worldwide
    Dec 14, 1993 US and Canada: $53.4M Rest of the world: $64.8M Worldwide: $118.2M
  5. 5 Grumpy Old Men (1993) movie poster
    Grumpy Old Men (1993) Dec 25, 1993 · English · Drama, Comedy $70.2M worldwide
    Dec 25, 1993 US and Canada: $70.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $70.2M
  6. 6 In the Name of the Father (1993) movie poster
    In the Name of the Father (1993) Dec 29, 1993 · English · Biography, Drama $65.8M worldwide
    Dec 29, 1993 US and Canada: $25.1M Rest of the world: $40.7M Worldwide: $65.8M
  7. 7 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) movie poster
    Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) Dec 10, 1993 · English · Comedy, Music $57.3M worldwide
    Dec 10, 1993 US and Canada: $57.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $57.3M
  8. 8 Tombstone (1993) movie poster
    Tombstone (1993) Dec 25, 1993 · English · Action, Biography $56.5M worldwide
    Dec 25, 1993 US and Canada: $56.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $56.5M
  9. 9 Wayne's World 2 (1993) movie poster
    Wayne's World 2 (1993) Dec 10, 1993 · English · Comedy, Music $48.2M worldwide
    Dec 10, 1993 US and Canada: $48.2M Rest of the world: $214 Worldwide: $48.2M
  10. 10 Shadowlands (1993) movie poster
    Shadowlands (1993) Dec 25, 1993 · English · Romance, Drama $25.8M worldwide
    Dec 25, 1993 US and Canada: $25.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.8M
  11. 11 Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) movie poster
    Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) Dec 10, 1993 · English · Drama, History $18.6M worldwide
    Dec 10, 1993 US and Canada: $18.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.6M
  12. 12 Thumbelina (1993) movie poster
    Thumbelina (1993) Dec 16, 1993 · English · Fantasy, Animation $11.4M worldwide
    Dec 16, 1993 US and Canada: $11.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.4M
  13. 13 Six Degrees of Separation (1993) movie poster
    Six Degrees of Separation (1993) Dec 8, 1993 · English · Drama, Mystery $6.4M worldwide
    Dec 8, 1993 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.4M
  14. 14 Heaven & Earth (1993) movie poster
    Heaven & Earth (1993) Dec 25, 1993 · English · War, History $5.9M worldwide
    Dec 25, 1993 US and Canada: $5.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.9M
  15. 15 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) movie poster
    Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) Dec 25, 1993 · English · Action, Adventure $5.9M worldwide
    Dec 25, 1993 US and Canada: $5.6M Rest of the world: $227.9K Worldwide: $5.9M
  16. 16 Ghost in the Machine (1993) movie poster
    Ghost in the Machine (1993) Dec 20, 1993 · English · Horror, Thriller $5.1M worldwide
    Dec 20, 1993 US and Canada: $5.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.1M
  17. 17 Little Buddha (1993) movie poster
    Little Buddha (1993) Dec 1, 1993 · English · Drama, History $4.9M worldwide
    Dec 1, 1993 US and Canada: $4.9M Rest of the world: $27.3K Worldwide: $4.9M
  18. 18 The Snapper (1993) movie poster
    The Snapper (1993) Dec 3, 1993 · English · Drama $3.3M worldwide
    Dec 3, 1993 US and Canada: $3.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.3M
  19. 19 Strawberry and Chocolate (1993) movie poster
    Strawberry and Chocolate (1993) Dec 1, 1993 · Spanish · Drama, Comedy $2.1M worldwide
    Dec 1, 1993 US and Canada: $2.1M Rest of the world: $6.8K Worldwide: $2.1M
  20. 20 Naked (1993) movie poster
    Naked (1993) Dec 15, 1993 · English · Drama $1.8M worldwide
    Dec 15, 1993 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: $27.9K Worldwide: $1.8M
  21. 21 Faraway, So Close! (1993) movie poster
    Faraway, So Close! (1993) Dec 21, 1993 · German · Drama, Fantasy $810.5K worldwide
    Dec 21, 1993 US and Canada: $810.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $810.5K
  22. 22 Sailor Moon R: The Movie - The Promise of the Rose (1993) movie poster
    Sailor Moon R: The Movie - The Promise of the Rose (1993) Dec 5, 1993 · Japanese · Romance, Animation $619.9K worldwide
    Dec 5, 1993 US and Canada: $619.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $619.9K
  23. 23 Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993) movie poster
    Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993) Dec 17, 1993 · English · Drama $278.7K worldwide
    Dec 17, 1993 US and Canada: $278.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $278.7K
  24. 24 Bank Robber (1993) movie poster
    Bank Robber (1993) Dec 3, 1993 · English · Thriller, Crime $115.8K worldwide
    Dec 3, 1993 US and Canada: $115.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $115.8K
  25. 25 Manichitrathazhu (1993) movie poster
    Manichitrathazhu (1993) Dec 25, 1993 · Malayalam · Horror, Thriller $82.3K worldwide
    Dec 25, 1993 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $82.3K
  26. 26 The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb (1993) movie poster
    The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb (1993) Dec 10, 1993 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror $70.4K worldwide
    Dec 10, 1993 US and Canada: $70.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $70.4K
  27. 27 The Hawk (1993) movie poster
    The Hawk (1993) Dec 3, 1993 · English · Thriller $8.9K worldwide
    Dec 3, 1993 US and Canada: $8.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.9K
  28. 28 Century (1993) movie poster
    Century (1993) Dec 31, 1993 · English · Drama, Romance $7.3K worldwide
    Dec 31, 1993 US and Canada: $7.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.3K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in December 1993?

Of the top 10, Grumpy Old Men (1993) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Schindler's List (1993) made 70% of its gross abroad. Across all 28 films, $678.6M (55%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 Schindler's List (1993) $322.2M
    $96.9M US & Canada · 30% $225.3M elsewhere · 70%
  2. 2 Philadelphia (1993) $206.7M
    $77.4M US & Canada · 37% $129.2M elsewhere · 63%
  3. 3 The Pelican Brief (1993) $195.3M
    $100.8M US & Canada · 52% $94.5M elsewhere · 48%
  4. 4 Beethoven’s 2nd (1993) $118.2M
    $53.4M US & Canada · 45% $64.8M elsewhere · 55%
  5. 5 Grumpy Old Men (1993) $70.2M
    $70.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  6. 6 In the Name of the Father (1993) $65.8M
    $25.1M US & Canada · 38% $40.7M elsewhere · 62%
  7. 7 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) $57.3M
    $57.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  8. 8 Tombstone (1993) $56.5M
    $56.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  9. 9 Wayne's World 2 (1993) $48.2M
    $48.2M US & Canada · 100% $214 elsewhere · <1%
  10. 10 Shadowlands (1993) $25.8M
    $25.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands

How Many December 1993 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

4 of 28 films crossed $100M and took $842.4M between them, 68% of the total. 16 films, 57% of the list, earned under $10M.

  • $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 4 films, 14% of the list $842.4M · 68% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 8 films, 29% of the list $353.8M · 29% of the gross
  • Under $10M 16 films, 57% of the list $37.3M · 3% of the gross
By release week

Which Week of December 1993 Had the Biggest Releases?

Films released in week 51 (Dec 12–18) took $649.1M, led by Schindler's List (1993). Each column links to that week's chart; weeks are Sunday to Saturday.

  1. Week 49 Wk 49 Nov 28–Dec 4 Little Buddha (1993) $10.4M Little Buddha (1993)
  2. Week 50 Wk 50 Dec 5–11 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) $131.2M Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
  3. Week 51 Wk 51 Dec 12–18 Schindler's List (1993) $649.1M Schindler's List (1993)
  4. Week 52 Wk 52 Dec 19–25 Philadelphia (1993) $376.9M Philadelphia (1993)
  5. Week 53 Wk 53 Dec 26–31 In the Name of the Father (1993) $65.8M In the Name of the Father (1993)
Earlier years

How Does December 1993 Compare With December in Earlier Years?

Of these 10 years, December 1993 earned the most: $1.2B from 28 films, led by Schindler's List (1993).

Month Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
December 1984 18 films 18 $614M – Beverly Hills Cop (1984) $316.4M
December 1985 17 films · −3% 17 $593.5M −3% Out of Africa (1985) $227.5M
December 1986 14 films · −33% 14 $398.6M −33% Platoon (1986) $138.5M
December 1987 19 films · +17% 19 $468.2M +17% Moonstruck (1987) $80.6M
December 1988 21 films · +119% 21 $1B +119% Rain Man (1988) $354.8M
December 1989 18 films · −24% 18 $779.2M −24% Born on the Fourth of July (1989) $161M
December 1990 15 films · −20% 15 $624M −20% Kindergarten Cop (1990) $202M
December 1991 20 films · +50% 20 $937.4M +50% Hook (1991) $300.9M
December 1992 14 films · −27% 14 $686.6M −27% A Few Good Men (1992) $243.2M
December 1993 28 films · +80% 28 $1.2B +80% Schindler's List (1993) $322.2M
Genres & languages

Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in December 1993?

Drama took $986.5M across 17 films, 80% of the total, ahead of Biography ($444.5M) and History ($408.1M). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $1.2B across 24 films, 100% of the total, ahead of Spanish-language films ($2.1M) and German-language films ($810.5K).

December 1993 Box Office by Genre

  1. Drama $986.5M
    17 films · #1 Schindler's List (1993)
  2. Biography $444.5M
    3 films · #1 Schindler's List (1993)
  3. History $408.1M
    5 films · #1 Schindler's List (1993)
  4. War $328M
    2 films · #1 Schindler's List (1993)
  5. Comedy $302.5M
    7 films · #1 Beethoven’s 2nd (1993)
  6. Romance $279.1M
    6 films · #1 The Pelican Brief (1993)
  7. Mystery $201.7M
    2 films · #1 The Pelican Brief (1993)
  8. Thriller $200.6M
    5 films · #1 The Pelican Brief (1993)
  9. Crime $195.4M
    2 films · #1 The Pelican Brief (1993)
  10. Family $175.6M
    2 films · #1 Beethoven’s 2nd (1993)

December 1993 Box Office by Language

  1. English $1.2B
    24 films · #1 Schindler's List (1993)
  2. Spanish $2.1M
    1 film · #1 Strawberry and Chocolate (1993)
  3. German $810.5K
    1 film · #1 Faraway, So Close! (1993)
  4. Japanese $619.9K
    1 film · #1 Sailor Moon R: The Movie - The Promise of the Rose (1993)
  5. Malayalam $82.3K
    1 film · #1 Manichitrathazhu (1993)
Archive

Box Office in 1993, Month by Month

The months of 1993 with their totals: December leads with $1.2B, led by Schindler's List (1993).

FAQ

Box Office December 1993: 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 28 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing movie in December 1993?

Schindler's List (1993) leads with $322.2M worldwide, $96.9M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Philadelphia (1993) at $206.7M and The Pelican Brief (1993) at $195.3M.

How much did movies released in December 1993 earn?

28 films released in December 1993 report a worldwide gross, $1.2B in all, or $44.1M per film on average. November 1993 releases took $874.5M.

How many movies released in December 1993 made $1 billion?

None. 4 films crossed $100 million, led by Schindler's List (1993) with $322.2M.

How much of the December 1993 box office came from the US and Canada?

$678.6M of the $1.2B total, or 55%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 1 film of the 28 report no domestic figure.

How is the December 1993 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 December 1993. 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 December 1993 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.