Top 25 Box Office Hits of the 1980s

The 1980s, a period marked by extravagance, were defined by massive hits and enduring series. Unlike the present, many of the highest-earning films were born from fresh, original ideas. This era saw a surge in creativity, with seven films directed or produced by Steven Spielberg, through his company Amblin, ranking among the decade's top earners.

Spielberg's influence helped shape the 1980s into a golden age for family-friendly cinema. However, the decade also saw significant success for Oscar-caliber dramas, thrilling action-adventures, and a variety of comedies, including those blending action and humor, all of which drew large audiences.

While the 1980s showcased a wide array of film genres, the diversity behind the camera was lacking. Among the top 25 films, only one was directed by a woman (Look Who’s Talking). The situation barely improves in the top 100, with Penny Marshall’s Big standing as the sole other female-directed film to achieve major financial success. Additionally, no directors of color are represented in the top 25 highest-grossing domestic films of the 1980s, according to Box Office Report’s data.

1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Gross: $399.8 million

Written by Melissa Mathison, who was married to Harrison Ford at the time (his scenes as a teacher were ultimately removed), and directed by Steven Spielberg, this film about an alien trying to contact its home planet became a box office sensation early in the 1980s. Initially titled Night Skies, it was conceived as a follow-up to Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind but evolved into a story inspired by his parents’ divorce. Even after four decades, it remains one of the top 30 highest-grossing films of all time.

2. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

Gross: $263.8 million

The third installment of the original Star Wars trilogy is best remembered for the endearing Ewoks, though George Lucas was reportedly the only one on set who truly appreciated them. Iconic moments include Princess Leia in a bikini, chained to Jabba the Hutt, Yoda's death, and Darth Vader finally revealing his face.

3. Batman (1989)

Gross: $252.1 million

As the 1980s drew to a close, superhero films started gaining traction. Many consider Michael Keaton — who returned as Batman in 2023’s The Flash — to be the definitive portrayal of the character. Director Tim Burton championed Keaton, then primarily known for comedy, for the role. This dark comic book adaptation set a new standard for future superhero movies. Memorable elements include Prince’s “Batdance” (and his entire soundtrack) and Jack Nicholson’s electrifying performance as the Joker, long before Heath Ledger or Joaquin Phoenix won Oscars for their takes on the character. Batman became the first film to earn $100 million in just 10 days, delighting Warner Bros.

4. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Gross: $245 million

Tom Selleck, then starring in Magnum, P.I., was nearly cast as Indiana Jones. However, CBS prevented Selleck from taking the role. Just two weeks before filming commenced, Spielberg cast Harrison Ford, cementing cinematic history. At 80, Ford recently returned as Indy for a fifth (and possibly final) time in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

5. Ghostbusters (1984)

Gross: $238.6 million

During the summer of 1984, the phrase “Who you gonna call?” became iconic. Inspired by co-writer and actor Dan Aykroyd’s great-grandfather’s fascination with the paranormal, Ghostbusters became a global sensation. It led to Ghostbusters II (1989), a female-led reboot, and two Ghostbusters: Afterlife films.

6. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Gross: $234.8 million

Saturday Night Live catapulted Eddie Murphy to TV stardom, while Trading Places and 48 Hours solidified his place in film. However, it was his portrayal of the quick-witted Alex Foley in Beverly Hills Cop that made him a box office powerhouse. Originally, the film was intended for Sylvester Stallone, who even contributed to the screenplay. When plans fell through, Daniel Petrie Jr. revamped the script, earning an Oscar nomination. The movie became the top-grossing film of 1984, spawning two sequels and a fourth installment set for release in 2024.

7. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Gross: $222.7 million

While Return of the Jedi unveiled Darth Vader’s face, The Empire Strikes Back delivered one of the most shocking reveals in film history: Darth Vader is Luke and Leia’s father. (Fortunately, social media wasn’t around to spoil it.) The famous line “No, I am your father” is often misquoted as “Luke, I am your father.” This second chapter of the trilogy is darker and more critically praised than Jedi, and it was the highest-grossing film of 1980.

8. Back to the Future (1985)

Gross: $210.6 million

Though Michael J. Fox is beloved as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, his portrayal of Marty McFly remains his most iconic role. Co-writer Bob Gale revealed that studios rejected the script for this beloved time-travel comedy 40 times—some even multiple times. Disney passed on it due to discomfort with the implied incest between Marty and his mother in 1955. Despite this, the film became a massive success, leading to two sequels.

9. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Gross: $197.1 million

In the third installment of the Indiana Jones saga, Sean Connery stars as Indy’s father, on a quest for the Holy Grail. The Last Crusade serves as a follow-up to Raiders of the Lost Ark, with director Spielberg reuniting supporting actors Denholm Elliott and John Rhys-Davies for this thrilling journey. The film narrowly surpassed the earnings of its predecessor, Temple of Doom.

10. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Gross: $179.8 million

The summer of 1984 saw the violent content of “kid-friendly” films like Doom and Gremlins lead to the creation of the PG-13 rating. The film’s disturbing scenes, such as characters eating monkey brains and beetles, along with a graphic heart-removal ritual, left little to the imagination. Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, who penned the first Indy movie, declined to work on Temple of Doom, calling it “mean” and “ugly,” reflecting a chaotic period in the lives of Lucas and Spielberg.

Temple of Doom left a lasting impact on a generation expecting Ford’s adventurous charm to win over (future Mrs. Spielberg) Kate Capshaw. The film also introduced Ke Huy Quan as Short Round, marking his debut. In a poignant moment, Ford presented Quan’s film Everything Everywhere All At Once with the 2023 Best Picture Oscar, while Quan himself won Best Supporting Actor.

11. Tootsie (1982)

Gross: $177.2 million

This gender-bending comedy stars Dustin Hoffman as an actor who disguises himself as a woman to land a role in a soap opera. Bill Murray delivered the memorable line, “That is one nutty hospital.” Jessica Lange earned an Oscar for her role as Hoffman’s love interest, and the film marked Geena Davis’s first appearance on the big screen.

12. Top Gun (1986)

Gross: $176.7 million

As 1986’s top-earning film, Top Gun outperformed Crocodile Dundee by $2 million. Inspired by a real training school, the Navy reportedly used the movie for recruitment. The soundtrack, featuring hits like “Danger Zone” and “Take My Breath Away,” sold 9 million copies. Decades later, the Oscar-nominated sequel Top Gun: Maverick achieved a global milestone with a $1.49 billion worldwide gross.

13. Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Gross: $174.8 million

Made on a modest $8 million budget, Paul Hogan’s Crocodile Dundee became Australia’s highest-grossing film and the second highest-grossing movie in the U.S. in 1986. It also set a record as the highest-earning non-U.S. film in American theaters. Hogan won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a comedy, and the screenplay, co-written by him, earned an Oscar nomination. Despite two sequels, neither matched the original’s success.

14. Rain Man (1988)

Gross: $172.8 million

Rain Man topped the 1988 box office, a notable achievement for a mid-budget drama ($25 million) and the only drama to lead the charts in the ’80s. It secured Best Picture, Best Director for Barry Levinson, and Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman. The film follows Raymond (Hoffman) and his brother Charlie (Tom Cruise) on a tumultuous journey from Cincinnati to L.A., including a profitable detour in Vegas. This marks Hoffman’s second appearance on the list with an Oscar-winning performance.

15. Three Men and a Baby (1987)

Gross: $167.7 million

Three Men and a Baby, inspired by the 1985 French film Three Men and a Cradle, follows three roommates—Ted Danson, Steve Guttenberg, and Tom Selleck—as they navigate the challenges of raising a child. The film sparked an urban legend about a ghostly figure in the background, later revealed to be a cardboard cutout of Danson. It became 1987’s highest-grossing film, leading to a sequel (Three Men and a Little Lady) and a TV series (Baby Daddy, which aired from 2012 to 2017).

16. Fatal Attraction (1987)

Gross: $156.6 million

Unlike the comedy Three Men and a Baby, Fatal Attraction was a gripping thriller and the second-highest-grossing film of 1987. Made on a $14 million budget, Glenn Close plays Alex Forrest, who has an affair with Michael Douglas’s married character. Her refusal to be ignored leads to chilling consequences, including boiling his daughter’s pet rabbit. The film received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Lead Actress for Close, who didn’t view Alex as a villain. A 2023 TV adaptation, starring Joshua Jackson and Lizzy Caplan, debuted on Paramount+.

17. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Gross: $154.1 million

Set in 1947 and adapted from the 1981 novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, Who Framed Roger Rabbit pioneered the blending of live-action and animation. With a budget of $70 million, it was the most expensive film of its time. (Today, that amount equates to roughly $150 million, modest by modern blockbuster standards.) Directed by Robert Zemeckis of Back to the Future fame, the film featured Christopher Lloyd as a chilling, unblinking antagonist and Kathleen Turner as the sultry voice of Jessica Rabbit. These elements helped it become the second-highest-grossing film of the year.

18. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

Gross: $153.6 million

Three years after the smash hit Beverly Hills Cop, Eddie Murphy reprised his role as Alex Foley in this sequel. Foley reunites with Billy Rosewood and John Taggart to thwart a robbery, with Chris Rock appearing as a parking valet. While it earned less than the original, Beverly Hills Cop II garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Song, Bob Seger’s “Shakedown.”

19. Gremlins (1984)

Gross: $153 million

Like Temple of Doom, this dark, not-for-kids horror-comedy played a key role in the creation of the PG-13 rating. Although Gremlins debuted in the summer, it has since become a staple of Christmas horror. The film introduced Gizmo the Mogwai, the mischievous Gremlins, and the infamous rules for Mogwai care, thanks to Joe Dante, Chris Columbus, and Spielberg. A less sinister and more comedic sequel, Gremlins II: The Next Batch, followed in 1990.

20. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

Gross: $150.4 million

Sylvester Stallone portrays John Rambo, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, contrasting sharply with the soldiers in Platoon. Stallone co-wrote the 1982 film First Blood and collaborated with future Avatar director James Cameron on the sequel. Rambo: First Blood Part II stands as the only Rambo film to earn an Oscar nomination (Best Sound Effects Editing) but also won five Razzie Awards. The franchise continued with three more sequels, culminating in 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood.

21. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

Gross: $147.3 million

Mel Gibson plays the volatile LAPD detective Martin Riggs, partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). Screenwriter Shane Black blended buddy-cop dynamics with action and comedy in Lethal Weapon, defining a new genre. Warner Bros. rejected Black’s darker sequel idea—where Riggs dies—leading him to step away. In Lethal Weapon 2, Joe Pesci debuts as the rapid-talking Leo Getz. The 1987 original grossed $65 million, while the sequel more than doubled that figure.

22. Look Who's Talking (1989)

Gross: $140 million

By the late ’80s, Amy Heckerling, known for directing the edgy teen comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High, shifted gears to write and direct a family-friendly comedy featuring a baby voiced by Bruce Willis. Kirstie Alley plays a single mother who develops a romance with a cab driver, portrayed by John Travolta. (Interestingly, the film inspired the E*TRADE baby.) Made on a $7.5 million budget, Look Who’s Talking became Heckerling’s most successful film. She directed Look Who’s Talking Too and contributed to the short-lived TV series Baby Talk, but did not participate in Look Who’s Talking Now.

23. Platoon (1986)

Gross: $138.5 million

Oliver Stone, a Vietnam veteran, became the first to direct a film about the war, drawing from his personal experiences. His expertise was evident: Platoon won Best Picture and Best Director for Stone in 1987. Stone later directed two more Vietnam-themed films, Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Heaven and Earth (1993).

24. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Gross: $130.7 million

In this Disney film with a quirky title, Rick Moranis plays a scientist who accidentally miniaturizes his children. Forced to navigate their now-dangerous backyard, the kids must fend off predators. Initially, horror director Stuart Gordon co-developed the story and was set to direct, but Joe Johnston took over. The film became Disney’s highest-grossing live-action movie at the time, spawning two sequels and a TV series.

25. An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

Gross: $129.7 million

Richard Gere stars as a U.S. Navy Aviation Officer candidate who becomes romantically involved with Debra Winger. Louis Gossett Jr. earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Gere’s tough drill sergeant, becoming the first Black actor to win in this category. The film is celebrated for its Oscar-nominated song “Up Where We Belong” and the memorable final scene where Gere dramatically lifts Winger into his arms.