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Box office · May 1993

May 1993 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing May Releases

Cliffhanger (1993) is the highest-grossing movie released in May 1993, with $255M worldwide, ahead of Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) at $133.8M and Sliver (1993) at $116.3M. 22 films released in May 1993 report a worldwide gross, $851.8M in all, 49% of it from the US & Canada. 4 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 93% on April 1993, whose releases took $440.5M. By genre, Action leads with $460.7M across 6 releases.

May 1993 releases with a gross
22
combined worldwide
$851.8M
films crossed $100M
4
vs April 1993
+93%
Cliffhanger (1993) movie poster #1 of 22
#1 movie of May 1993

Cliffhanger (1993)

1993 · Action, Adventure

$255M worldwide · 30% of the chart's total

$84M US & Canada · 33% $171M elsewhere · 67%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Hits of May 1993?

Cliffhanger (1993) leads with $255M, 30% of the total. The top 5 together took $673.5M, 79% of what all 22 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Cliffhanger (1993) movie poster Number 1
    $255M Cliffhanger (1993)
    $84M US & Canada · 33% $171M elsewhere · 67%
  2. Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) movie poster Number 2
    $133.8M Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
    $38.9M US & Canada · 29% $94.8M elsewhere · 71%
  3. Sliver (1993) movie poster Number 3
    $116.3M Sliver (1993)
    $36.3M US & Canada · 31% $80M elsewhere · 69%
  4. Made in America (1993) movie poster Number 4
    $104.9M Made in America (1993)
    $44.9M US & Canada · 43% $60M elsewhere · 57%
  5. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) movie poster Number 5
    $63.5M Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
    $35.1M US & Canada · 55% $28.4M elsewhere · 45%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Release of May 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 May 1993.

  1. 1 Cliffhanger (1993) movie poster
    Cliffhanger (1993) May 28, 1993 · English · Action, Adventure $255M worldwide
    May 28, 1993 US and Canada: $84M Rest of the world: $171M Worldwide: $255M
  2. 2 Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) movie poster
    Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) May 21, 1993 · English · Comedy, War $133.8M worldwide
    May 21, 1993 US and Canada: $38.9M Rest of the world: $94.8M Worldwide: $133.8M
  3. 3 Sliver (1993) movie poster
    Sliver (1993) May 21, 1993 · English · Drama, Thriller $116.3M worldwide
    May 21, 1993 US and Canada: $36.3M Rest of the world: $80M Worldwide: $116.3M
  4. 4 Made in America (1993) movie poster
    Made in America (1993) May 28, 1993 · English · Comedy $104.9M worldwide
    May 28, 1993 US and Canada: $44.9M Rest of the world: $60M Worldwide: $104.9M
  5. 5 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) movie poster
    Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) May 7, 1993 · English · Action, Biography $63.5M worldwide
    May 7, 1993 US and Canada: $35.1M Rest of the world: $28.4M Worldwide: $63.5M
  6. 6 Dave (1993) movie poster
    Dave (1993) May 7, 1993 · English · Comedy, Romance $63.3M worldwide
    May 7, 1993 US and Canada: $63.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $63.3M
  7. 7 Menace II Society (1993) movie poster
    Menace II Society (1993) May 26, 1993 · English · Drama, Crime $27.9M worldwide
    May 26, 1993 US and Canada: $27.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27.9M
  8. 8 Like Water for Chocolate (1993) movie poster
    Like Water for Chocolate (1993) May 28, 1993 · Spanish · Drama, Romance $21.7M worldwide
    May 28, 1993 US and Canada: $21.7M Rest of the world: $78.7K Worldwide: $21.7M
  9. 9 Super Mario Bros. (1993) movie poster
    Super Mario Bros. (1993) May 28, 1993 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi $20.9M worldwide
    May 28, 1993 US and Canada: $20.9M Rest of the world: $12.8K Worldwide: $20.9M
  10. 10 Posse (1993) movie poster
    Posse (1993) May 14, 1993 · English · Western $18.3M worldwide
    May 14, 1993 US and Canada: $18.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.3M
  11. 11 Lost in Yonkers (1993) movie poster
    Lost in Yonkers (1993) May 14, 1993 · English · Drama $9.3M worldwide
    May 14, 1993 US and Canada: $9.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.3M
  12. 12 Warlock: The Armageddon (1993) movie poster
    Warlock: The Armageddon (1993) May 1, 1993 · English · Sci-Fi, Action $3.9M worldwide
    May 1, 1993 US and Canada: $3.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.9M
  13. 13 Gunmen (1993) movie poster
    Gunmen (1993) May 21, 1993 · English · Comedy, Action $3.4M worldwide
    May 21, 1993 US and Canada: $3.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.4M
  14. 14 Map of the Human Heart (1993) movie poster
    Map of the Human Heart (1993) May 14, 1993 · English · Adventure, Drama $2.8M worldwide
    May 14, 1993 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: $962 Worldwide: $2.8M
  15. 15 Sankofa (1993) movie poster
    Sankofa (1993) May 28, 1993 · English · Drama $2.2M worldwide
    May 28, 1993 US and Canada: $2.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.2M
  16. 16 Carnosaur (1993) movie poster
    Carnosaur (1993) May 21, 1993 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror $1.8M worldwide
    May 21, 1993 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.8M
  17. 17 Excessive Force (1993) movie poster
    Excessive Force (1993) May 14, 1993 · English · Action, Crime $1.2M worldwide
    May 14, 1993 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M
  18. 18 My Favorite Season (1993) movie poster
    My Favorite Season (1993) May 14, 1993 · French · Drama $873.9K worldwide
    May 14, 1993 US and Canada: $873.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $873.9K
  19. 19 Love & Human Remains (1993) movie poster
    Love & Human Remains (1993) May 20, 1993 · English · Drama, Comedy $543K worldwide
    May 20, 1993 US and Canada: $543K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $543K
  20. 20 Friends (1993) movie poster
    Friends (1993) May 26, 1993 · English · Drama $89K worldwide
    May 26, 1993 US and Canada: $89K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $89K
  21. 21 Ocean Waves (1993) movie poster
    Ocean Waves (1993) May 5, 1993 · Japanese · Romance, Animation $88.4K worldwide
    May 5, 1993 US and Canada: $87.7K Rest of the world: $690 Worldwide: $88.4K
  22. 22 The Long Day Closes (1993) movie poster
    The Long Day Closes (1993) May 28, 1993 · English · Biography, Drama $22.9K worldwide
    May 28, 1993 US and Canada: $22.8K Rest of the world: $120 Worldwide: $22.9K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in May 1993?

Of the top 10, Dave (1993) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) made 71% of its gross abroad. Across all 22 films, $417.5M (49%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 Cliffhanger (1993) $255M
    $84M US & Canada · 33% $171M elsewhere · 67%
  2. 2 Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) $133.8M
    $38.9M US & Canada · 29% $94.8M elsewhere · 71%
  3. 3 Sliver (1993) $116.3M
    $36.3M US & Canada · 31% $80M elsewhere · 69%
  4. 4 Made in America (1993) $104.9M
    $44.9M US & Canada · 43% $60M elsewhere · 57%
  5. 5 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) $63.5M
    $35.1M US & Canada · 55% $28.4M elsewhere · 45%
  6. 6 Dave (1993) $63.3M
    $63.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  7. 7 Menace II Society (1993) $27.9M
    $27.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  8. 8 Like Water for Chocolate (1993) $21.7M
    $21.7M US & Canada · 100% $78.7K elsewhere · <1%
  9. 9 Super Mario Bros. (1993) $20.9M
    $20.9M US & Canada · 100% $12.8K elsewhere · <1%
  10. 10 Posse (1993) $18.3M
    $18.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands

How Many May 1993 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

4 of 22 films crossed $100M and took $610M between them, 72% of the total. 12 films, 55% 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, 18% of the list $610M · 72% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 6 films, 27% of the list $215.7M · 25% of the gross
  • Under $10M 12 films, 55% of the list $26.1M · 3% of the gross
By release week

Which Week of May 1993 Had the Biggest Releases?

Films released in week 22 (May 23–29) took $432.8M, led by Cliffhanger (1993). Each column links to that week's chart; weeks are Sunday to Saturday.

  1. Week 18 Wk 18 Apr 25–May 1 Warlock: The Armageddon (1993) $3.9M Warlock: The Armageddon (1993)
  2. Week 19 Wk 19 May 2–8 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) $126.9M Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
  3. Week 20 Wk 20 May 9–15 Posse (1993) $32.4M Posse (1993)
  4. Week 21 Wk 21 May 16–22 Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) $255.8M Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
  5. Week 22 Wk 22 May 23–29 Cliffhanger (1993) $432.8M Cliffhanger (1993)
  6. Week 23 Wk 23 May 30–Jun 5 No reported grosses – No reported grosses
Earlier years

How Does May 1993 Compare With May in Earlier Years?

Of these 10 years, May 1993 earned the most: $851.8M from 22 films, led by Cliffhanger (1993).

Month Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
May 1984 15 films 15 $486.6M – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) $333.1M
May 1985 20 films · +8% 20 $527.8M +8% Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) $300.4M
May 1986 13 films · −1% 13 $522.4M −1% Top Gun (1986) $357.3M
May 1987 24 films · −25% 24 $390.6M −25% Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) $300M
May 1988 28 films · +37% 28 $533.3M +37% Crocodile Dundee II (1988) $239.6M
May 1989 27 films · +12% 27 $595M +12% Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) $474.2M
May 1990 12 films · −23% 12 $457.8M −23% Back to the Future Part III (1990) $245.1M
May 1991 27 films · +4% 27 $474.3M +4% Backdraft (1991) $152.4M
May 1992 15 films · +65% 15 $781.7M +65% Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) $321.7M
May 1993 22 films · +9% 22 $851.8M +9% Cliffhanger (1993) $255M
Genres & languages

Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in May 1993?

Action took $460.7M across 6 films, 54% of the total, ahead of Thriller ($371.3M) and Comedy ($326.8M). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $829.1M across 19 films, 97% of the total, ahead of Spanish-language films ($21.7M) and French-language films ($873.9K).

May 1993 Box Office by Genre

  1. Action $460.7M
    6 films · #1 Cliffhanger (1993)
  2. Thriller $371.3M
    2 films · #1 Cliffhanger (1993)
  3. Comedy $326.8M
    6 films · #1 Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
  4. Adventure $278.7M
    3 films · #1 Cliffhanger (1993)
  5. Drama $245.4M
    12 films · #1 Sliver (1993)
  6. Romance $151.4M
    5 films · #1 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
  7. War $136.6M
    2 films · #1 Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
  8. Biography $63.5M
    2 films · #1 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
  9. Crime $29.1M
    2 films · #1 Menace II Society (1993)
  10. Sci-Fi $26.6M
    3 films · #1 Super Mario Bros. (1993)

May 1993 Box Office by Language

  1. English $829.1M
    19 films · #1 Cliffhanger (1993)
  2. Spanish $21.7M
    1 film · #1 Like Water for Chocolate (1993)
  3. French $873.9K
    1 film · #1 My Favorite Season (1993)
  4. Japanese $88.4K
    1 film · #1 Ocean Waves (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 May 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 22 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing movie in May 1993?

Cliffhanger (1993) leads with $255M worldwide, $84M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) at $133.8M and Sliver (1993) at $116.3M.

How much did movies released in May 1993 earn?

22 films released in May 1993 report a worldwide gross, $851.8M in all, or $38.7M per film on average. April 1993 releases took $440.5M.

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

None. 4 films crossed $100 million, led by Cliffhanger (1993) with $255M.

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

$417.5M of the $851.8M total, or 49%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 0 films of the 22 report no domestic figure.

How is the May 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 May 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 May 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.