All of the Top 5 lists, theatrical rental figures, and production budget figures in the table below are from The Hollywood Reporter Book of Box Office Hits, written by Susan Sackett.
Source: Susan Sackett, The Hollywood Reporter Book of Box Office Hits, Billboard Publications: New York City (1990).
Note that "theatrical rentals" are not the same thing as "U.S. domestic box office gross," which is the figure most often reported in the media today. Gross ticket sales are the amount collected by theaters customers buying tickets. But only a portion of that -- known as the "theatrical rentals" or simply "rentals" is actually paid to the film distributors by the theaters. The movie theaters retain the rest. A rule of thumb is that gross ticket sales are roughly twice the theatrical rental figure. More precisely, the U.S. domestic gross ticket sale figure was usually 2.18 times the U.S. theatrical rental figure during the time period covered by Sackett's book. Accordingly, an "estimated U.S. box office gross" column has been added to the table below, based purely on the theatrical rental figure provided in the book.
Keep in mind that the "theatrical rental" figure has absolutely nothing to do with consumers renting videos and DVDs from video stores.
Sackett notes (pages 8-11):
The most accurate records I was able to locate are those which are reported annually in that old industry bible, Variety. And for the most part, this is the source of the dollar figures in this book.Note that for recent years, more up-to-date and accurate U.S. domestic box office gross figures are usually available from other sources, catalogued here.
What is the difference between grosses and rentals?
Most of us are more familiar with gross figures. These are the actual dollars taken in at the box office. (If a ticket cost $6.00 and Theater A sells 1000 seats one weekend, it would gross $6,000. These are all added together, for a total gross... Rental figures, however, are considerably lower, and represent the amount of money paid to the distributors of a film (usually a motion picture studio has its own distribution arm). Rentals are also a more accurate picture of how much a film has earned...
It is important to bear in mind that although some of the dollar figures for films back in the '40s are well under $10,000,000, inflation must always be taken into account. You cannot, for instance, compare a 1940 film like Boom Town, at $4,500,000, with something like 1984's The Karate Kid, at $43,500,000. Whiel the latter would appear to have earned nearly ten times the amount of the 1940 film, you could also buy a very comfortable house in 1940 for around $5,000. Of course, there is no exact formula for computing the box office inflation factor--these days, ticket prices are hitting the $7.00 range... Some megahits play on thousands of screens across the country simultaneously, and the population of North America has more than doubled since the '40s. All of these factors sould be kept in mind when you compare rental figures.
For its annual report on rental figures, Variety's cut-off point is $4,000,000; they only include films which earned at last that amount. And studios didn't keep complete records of their take rom rentals in the early '40s. Generally, ranking the films by rental figires was no problem in those years, since the big hits made the most money. However, 1939, 1940, and 1941 had several gaps in the list. Joel Finler's book The Hollywood Story was particularly helpful in filling these positions for 1939 and 1940, but 1941 proved to be particularly elusive.
By combing through reel after reel of microfilm at the Motion Picture Academy Library, plus searching through old volumes of such '40s publications as Motion Picture Daily, Film Daily, Film Yearly Almanac, and International Motion Picture Almanac, I was able to compile a list of top-grossing films of 1941, although dollar figures were not always indicated. Some of the studios were able to supply approximate figures, but most admitted that they couldn't give definite amounts. I finally settled on $1,500,000 as the best estimate for these films, a figure based on all the above sources plus some very tentative nods from the studios themselves. For 1939, 1940, and 1941, those films "tied" with the $1,500,000 amount appear in alphabetical order, as do 1949's Jolson Sings Again and The Sands of Iwo Jima, which both made $5,000,000 in rentals.
| Rank | Title | U.S. theatrical rentals | Est. U.S. Box Office Gross | Production Budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | |||||
| 1 | Gone With the Wind | 77,641,106 | 169,257,611 | 3,900,000 | |
| 2 | The Wizard of Oz | 4,544,851 | 9,907,775 | 2,777,000 | LDS actors Rad Robinson and Delos Jewkes provide some of Munchkin voices. |
| 3 | The Hunchback of Notre Dame | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | ||
| 4 | Jesse James | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | ||
| 5 | Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | ||
| 1940 | |||||
| 1 | Pinocchio | 32,957,000 | 71,846,260 | 2,600,000 | LDS composer Leigh Harline recived Best Song and Best Original Score Academy Awards for this. Bro. Eric Larson (Cleveland, Utah) was an animation director (Figaro). Jack Kinney (also born in Utah) was a sequence director (Stromboli scenes). Les Clark (Ogden, Utah) was the principle animator, animating "Pinocchio." |
| 2 | Fantasia | 28,660,000 | 62,478,800 | 2,280,000 | Bro. Les Clark (Ogden, Utah) was a principle animator (Mickey Mouse, Brooms, Dew Drop Fairies). Bro. Eric Larson was an animation supervisor for "The Pastoral Symphony" segment (Baby Pegasus). LDS audio technology expert Robert B. Ingebretsen supervised the digital re-recording of the 1982 re-release of "Fantasia." |
| 3 | Boom Town | 4,586,415 | 9,998,385 | ||
| 4 | Rebecca | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | ||
| 5 | Santa Fe Trail | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | LDS actor Moroni Olsen had a supporting role as Colonel Robert E. Lee. | |
| 1941 | |||||
| 1 | Sergeant York | 6,135,707 | 13,375,841 | ||
| 2 | Dive Bomber | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | LDS actor Moroni Olsen had a supporting role (10th billed) as the Senior Surgeon at San Diego. | |
| 3 | Honky Tonk | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | Sis. Annalee Whitmore (Price, Utah) had a small part. | |
| 4 | The Philadelphia Story | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | ||
| 5 | A Yank in the R.A.F. | ~1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | ||
| 1942 | |||||
| 1 | Bambi | 47,265,000 | 103,037,700 | Devout LDS animator Eric Larson (Cleveland, Utah) was a supervising animator (Friend Owl, Older Bambi, Dogs). | |
| 2 | Mrs. Miniver | 5,390,009 | 11,750,220 | ||
| 3 | Yankee Doodle Dandy | 4,719,681 | 10,288,905 | ||
| 4 | Random Harvest | 4,665,501 | 10,170,792 | ||
| 5 | Casablanca | 4,145,178 | 9,036,488 | Casey Robinson (a native of Logan, Utah) was one of the co-screenwriters. | |
| 1943 | |||||
| 1 | This is the Army | 8,301,000 | 18,096,180 | The screenwriters were Casey Robinson (a native of Logan, Utah) along with non-Utahn Capt. Claude Binyon. | |
| 2 | For Whom the Bell Tolls | 7,100,000 | 15,478,000 | 2,000,000 | |
| 3 | The Outlaw | 5,075,000 | 11,063,500 | ||
| 4 | The Song of Bernadette | 5,000,000 | 10,900,000 | Bro. Thomas Little (b. Ogden, Utah) received the Academy Award for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White for his work on this film. LDS actor Moroni Olsen had a small role as a chaplain in this movie. Starring in the title role was non-LDS actress Jennifer Jones (for which she received Best Actress Oscar), the wife of popular LDS actor Robert Walker. | |
| 5 | Stage Door Canteen | 4,339,532 | 9,460,180 | Hollywood movie star Arleen Whelan (b. Salt Lake City, Utah) had a cameo role as herself in this film. | |
| 1944 | |||||
| 1 | Going My Way | 6,500,000 | 14,170,000 | ||
| 2 | Meet Me in St. Louis | 5,132,202 | 11,188,200 | ||
| 3 | Since You Went Away | 4,924,756 | 10,735,968 | 2,400,000 | LDS actor Robert Walker had one of the lead male roles in the film, as "Cpl. William G. Smollett II," opposite his wife, actress Jennifer Jones, although the pair was estranged at the time. LDS actresses Terry Moore and Rhonda Fleming both had supporting role. |
| 4 | Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo | 4,471,080 | 9,746,954 | LDS actor Robert Walker had the 2nd-billed role as "Cpl. David Thatcher". Bro. Paul Langton (Salt Lake City, Utah) had a supporting role as "Capt. Edward 'Ski' York." | |
| 5 | The White Cliffs of Dover | 4,045,250 | 8,818,645 | ||
| 1945 | |||||
| 1 | The Bells of St. Mary's | 8,000,000 | 17,440,000 | ||
| 2 | Leave Her to Heaven | 5,500,000 | 11,990,000 | Bro. Thomas Little (Ogden, Utah) received an Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration for this film. | |
| 3 | Spellbound | 4,970,583 | 10,835,871 | LDS actress Rhonda Fleming had the 5th-billed role as "Mary Carmichael." | |
| 4 | Anchors Aweigh | 4,778,679 | 10,417,520 | ||
| 5 | The Valley of Decision | 4,566,374 | 9,954,695 | ||
| 1946 | |||||
| 1 | Song of the South | 29,228,717 | 63,718,603 | Bro. Les Clark was animation director ("Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" sequence, Mr. Bluebird). Bro. Eric Larson was directing animator for Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear. | |
| 2 | The Best Years of Our Lives | 11,300,000 | 24,634,000 | ||
| 3 | Duel in the Sun | 11,300,000 | 24,634,000 | 8,000,000 | |
| 4 | The Jolson Story | 7,600,000 | 16,568,000 | ||
| 5 | Blue Skies | 5,700,000 | 12,426,000 | ||
| 1947 | |||||
| 1 | Welcome Stranger | 6,100,000 | 13,298,000 | Bro. Charles Lang (b. Bluff, Utah) was the director of photography. | |
| 2 | The Egg and I | 5,500,000 | 11,990,000 | ||
| 3 | Unconquered | 5,250,000 | 11,445,000 | LDS special effects experts Gordon Jennings and Devereaux Jennings both received Academy Award nominations for their work on this film. | |
| 4 | Life with Father | 5,057,000 | 11,024,260 | LDS actor Moroni Olsen had a major supporting role as "Dr. Humphries." | |
| 5 | Forever Amber | 5,000,000 | 10,900,000 | 6,000,000 | |
| 1948 | |||||
| 1 | The Red Shoes | 5,000,000 | 10,900,000 | ||
| 2 | Red River | 4,506,825 | 9,824,879 | ||
| 3 | The Paleface | 4,500,000 | 9,810,000 | ||
| 4 | The Three Musketeers | 4,306,876 | 9,388,990 | LDS actress Marie Windsor had a small role as Queen Anne's lady-in-waiting. | |
| 5 | Johnny Belinda | 4,266,000 | 9,299,880 | ||
| 1949 | |||||
| 1 | Samson and Delilah | 11,500,000 | 25,070,000 | LDS actor Russ Tamblyn had a major supporting role as "Saul." LDS actor Moroni Olsen had a major supporting role as "Targil." Bros. Devereaux Jennings and Gordon Jennings both received an Oscar nominations for their special effects work on this film. | |
| 2 | Battleground | 5,051,143 | 11,011,492 | ||
| 3 | Jolson Sings Again | 5,000,000 | 10,900,000 | ||
| 4 | The Sands of Iwo Jima | 5,000,000 | 10,900,000 | ||
| 5 | I Was a Male War Bride | 4,100,000 | 8,938,000 | Oscar winner Thomas Little (Ogden, Utah) was the set designer (set decorator). | |
| 1950 | |||||
| 1 | Cinderella | 41,087,000 | 89,569,660 | Bro. Eric Larson was the directing animator for Cinderella and the Prince. Bros. Les Clark and Wetzel Whitaker (a.k.a. Judge Whitaker) were animators for Cinderella's stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella. Bro. Whitaker was later well known to LDS audiences as the producer/director of BYU film classics such as "Cipher in the Snow" and "Johnny Lingo." | |
| 2 | King Solomon's Mines | 5,586,000 | 12,177,480 | ||
| 3 | Annie Get Your Gun | 4,919,394 | 10,724,279 | ||
| 4 | Cheapter by the Dozen | 4,425,000 | 9,646,500 | Oscar winner Thomas Little (Ogden, Utah) was the set designer (set decorator). | |
| 5 | Father of the Bride | 4,054,405 | 8,838,603 | LDS actor Moroni Olsen had a major supporting role (7th-billed) as "Herbert Dunstan," the father of the groom. LDS actor Russ Tamblyn had a supporting role as "Tommy Banks," the little brother of the bride. | |
| 1951 | |||||
| 1 | Quo Vadis? | 11,901,662 | 25,945,623 | 7,000,000 | |
| 2 | Alice in Wonderland | 7,196,000 | 15,687,280 | 3,000,000 | Bro. Les Clark was a directing animator for Alice. Bro. Eric Larson was a directing animator for the Caterpillar. Bro. Wetzel Whitaker (Judge Whitaker) was an animator for the March Hare. |
| 3 | Show Boat | 5,533,000 | 12,061,940 | ||
| 4 | David and Bathsheba | 4,720,000 | 10,289,600 | ||
| 5 | The Great Caruso | 4,531,000 | 9,877,580 | ||
| 1952 | |||||
| 1 | This is Cinerama | 15,400,000 | 33,572,000 | The Mormon Tabernacle Chior provides the music for many of this film's segments. The Choir was also involved in the premiere of the film. | |
| 2 | The Greatest Show on Earth | 14,000,000 | 30,520,000 | ||
| 3 | The Snows of Kilimanjaro | 6,500,000 | 14,170,000 | Bro. Devereaux Jennings did the special effects for this film, which was made filmed partially in Utah. The screenwriter was Logan, Utah native Casey Robinson. | |
| 4 | Ivanhoe | 6,258,000 | 13,642,440 | ||
| 5 | Hans Christian Andersen | 6,000,000 | 13,080,000 | ||
| 1953 | |||||
| 1 | Peter Pan | 24,532,000 | 53,479,760 | 4,000,000 | The character of Peter Pan was created by non-LDS British writer J.M. Barrie specifically for Mormon actress Maude Adams, who was the inspiration for the character. Maude Adams -- the most popular actress of her day -- was the first actor to portray Peter Pan on the American stage and was largely responsible for popularizing it. Eric Larson was a directing animator (Lost Boys). Les Clark was a directing animator (flying over London sequence). Bro. Wetzel Whitaker (Judge Whitaker) was one of the animators. |
| 2 | The Robe | 17,500,000 | 38,150,000 | 5,000,000 | Dean Jagger, a devout convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had the 6th billed role in "The Robe" as "Justus." |
| 3 | From Here to Eternity | 12,200,000 | 26,596,000 | ||
| 4 | Shane | 9,000,000 | 19,620,000 | Leonard Strong (born 12 August 1908 in Utah) had a supporting role as "Ernie Wright." | |
| 5 | How to Marry a Millionaire | 7,300,000 | 15,914,000 | ||
| 1954 | |||||
| 1 | White Christmas | 12,000,000 | 26,160,000 | LDS actor Dean Jagger had the 5th-billed role as "General Waverly." The LDS singing group The King Singers were featured on Bing Crosby's original recording of "White Christmas." | |
| 2 | 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | 11,267,000 | 24,562,060 | 5,000,000 | |
| 3 | Rear Window | 9,812,271 | 21,390,751 | ||
| 4 | The Caine Mutiny | 8,700,000 | 18,966,000 | ||
| 5 | The Glenn Miller Story | 7,590,994 | 16,548,367 | ||
| 1955 | |||||
| 1 | Lady and the Tramp | 40,249,000 | 87,742,820 | Bro. Eric Larson was a directing animator (Peg). Bro. Les Clark was a directing animator (Lady as a puppy). | |
| 2 | Cinerama Holiday | 12,000,000 | 26,160,000 | ||
| 3 | Mister Roberts | 8,500,000 | 18,530,000 | ||
| 4 | Battle Cry | 8,100,000 | 17,658,000 | ||
| 5 | Oklahoma! | 7,100,000 | 15,478,000 | 5,000,000 | |
| 1956 | |||||
| 1 | The Ten Commandments | 43,000,000 | 93,740,000 | 13,500,000 | Latter-day Saint actor Delos Jewkes provided the voice of God for the film. In 1956 DeMille (the film's director) spoke at a BYU commencement, where in the midst of his talk he turned to Pres. McKay and said, "David McKay, almost thou pursuadest me to be a Mormon." DeMille notes in his autobiography that one of the reasons he decided to premiere "The Ten Commandments" in Salt Lake City was so that he could spend some time with his good friend David McKay. Arnold Friberg was a costume designer and assistant art director for this movie. Friberg is well known to Latter-day Saints because he painted the muscular paintings which appeared in the missionary editions of the Book of Mormon for dozens of years. |
| 2 | Around the World in Eighty Days | 23,120,000 | 50,401,600 | 6,000,000 | Feature film adaptation of the Jules Verne novel, which includes an LDS missionary character, an entire chapter about Latter-day Saint history and theology, as well as an additional chapter set in Utah. LDS actor Delos Jewkes was a singer for this film. Utah native Lew Borzage (a Catholic) was this film's assistant director. Bro. Bob Folkerson (born 7 April 1918 in Utah) did stunt work for the film. David Anderson, the son of this film's director Michael Anderson, became a Utah-based independent family filmmaker, whose credits as producer include: The Paper Brigade; Wish Upon a Star; Just Like Dad; Coyote Summer; The Little Riders; Windrunner; Breaking Free; The Goodbye Bird; Alan and Naomi. Most of these films were directed by LDS directors and made using predominantly LDS casts and crews. |
| 3 | Giant | 14,000,000 | 30,520,000 | ||
| 4 | Seven Wonders of the World | 12,500,000 | 27,250,000 | ||
| 5 | The King and I | 8,500,000 | 18,530,000 | Utah native Bro. Leonard Strong plays the obsequious Siamese interpreter in this film. | |
| 1957 | |||||
| 1 | The Bridge on the River Kwai | 17,195,000 | 37,485,100 | 3,000,000 | |
| 2 | Peyton Place | 11,500,000 | 25,070,000 | LDS actor Russ Tamblyn had the 5th billed role in the film, for which he received a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination. LDS actress Terry Moore had the 6th billed role. Bro. Paul Langton (b. 17 April 1913, Salt Lake City, Utah) starred in the TV series spinoff of this film, playing the role of "Leslie Harrington" throughout the show's 5-year run, which was the first primetime soap in modern history. | |
| 3 | Sayonara | 10,500,000 | 22,890,000 | Utahn Ted Haworth (I'm not sure yet if he was LDS) received an Academy Award for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration for this film. | |
| 4 | Old Yeller | 10,050,000 | 21,909,000 | Bro. Bill Anderson was the associate producer. | |
| 5 | Raintree County | 5,962,839 | 12,998,989 | 5,000,000 | |
| 1958 | |||||
| 1 | South Pacific | 17,500,000 | 38,150,000 | 6,000,000 | |
| 2 | Auntie Mame | 9,300,000 | 20,274,000 | ||
| 3 | Cat on a Hot Tin Roof | 8,785,162 | 19,151,653 | ||
| 4 | No Time for Sergeants | 7,500,000 | 16,350,000 | ||
| 5 | Gigi | 7,321,423 | 15,960,702 | ||
| 1959 | |||||
| 1 | Ben-Hur | 36,992,088 | 80,642,752 | 15,000,000 | |
| 2 | Sleeping Beauty | 21,998,000 | 47,955,640 | 6,000,000 | Bros. Les Clark and Eric Larson were sequence directors for this film. "Sleeping Beauty" is one of only two Disney animated feature films ever released in widescreen Technorama-70. The other was "The Black Cauldron" (1985), directed by Latter-day Saint animation director Richard Rich. |
| 3 | The Shaggy Dog | 12,317,000 | 26,851,060 | LDS actress Roberta Shore had a major supporting role in this film as the French girl "Franceska Andrassy." Sis. Shore also sang the film's theme song. | |
| 4 | Operation Petticoat | 9,321,555 | 20,320,990 | ||
| 5 | Darby O'Gill and the Little People | 8,336,000 | 18,172,480 | ||
| 1960 | |||||
| 1 | Swiss Family Robinson | 20,178,000 | 43,988,040 | This movie was produced by Bro. Bill Anderson. Bro. Terry Moore (a Moab, Utah resident who has the same name as an LDS actress, but is not the same person as her) was an animal trainer for this film. | |
| 2 | Psycho | 11,200,000 | 24,416,000 | ||
| 3 | Spartacus | 10,300,454 | 22,454,990 | 12,000,000 | |
| 4 | Exodus | 8,331,582 | 18,162,849 | 4,000,000 | |
| 5 | The Alamo | 7,918,776 | 17,262,932 | ||
| 1961 | |||||
| 1 | 101 Dalmations | 38,562,000 | 84,065,160 | Bro. Eric Larson was an animation director. Bro. Les Clark was a principle animator. | |
| 2 | West Side Story | 19,645,570 | 42,827,343 | 6,000,000 | LDS actor Russ Tamblyn had the 3rd billed role. |
| 3 | The Guns of Navarone | 13,000,000 | 28,340,000 | 6,000,000 | |
| 4 | El Cid | 12,000,000 | 26,160,000 | 8,000,000 | |
| 5 | The Absent-Minded Professor | 11,426,000 | 24,908,680 | This was the feature film adaptation of a story by popular LDS writer and screenwriter Samuel W. Taylor, who wrote many LDS-themed as well as general books and stories. | |
| 1962 | |||||
| 1 | How the West Was Won | 20,932,883 | 45,633,685 | Bro. Charles Lang (b. Bluff, Utah) was the Director of Photography. Filmed on location in Utah (as well as Colorado, Arizona and California). For a year, LDS screenwriter Ray Goldrup wrote every episode of the TV series that spun off of this movie. | |
| 2 | Lawrence of Arabia | 19,000,000 | 41,420,000 | 12,000,000 | |
| 3 | The Longest Day | 17,600,000 | 38,368,000 | Utahn Ted Haworth (I'm not sure yet if he was LDS) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration for this film. | |
| 4 | In Search of the Castaways | 9,975,000 | 21,745,500 | ||
| 5 | The Music Man | 8,100,000 | 17,658,000 | LDS actor Delos Jewkes had a small role. | |
| 1963 | |||||
| 1 | Cleopatra | 26,000,000 | 56,680,000 | 44,000,000 | |
| 2 | It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World | 20,849,786 | 45,452,533 | 9,400,000 | |
| 3 | Tom Jones | 16,925,988 | 36,898,654 | ||
| 4 | Irma La Douce | 11,921,784 | 25,989,489 | ||
| 5 | The Sword in the Stone | 10,475,000 | 22,835,500 | Bro. Eric Larson was a principle animator. | |
| 1964 | |||||
| 1 | Mary Poppins | 45,000,000 | 98,100,000 | Bro. Eric Larson was a principle animator. | |
| 2 | Goldfinger | 22,997,706 | 50,134,999 | 2,500,000 | |
| 3 | The Carpetbaggers | 15,500,000 | 33,790,000 | ||
| 4 | My Fair Lady | 12,000,000 | 26,160,000 | 22,500,000 | [Non-LDS producer Jack L. Warner paid $5,500,000 for the film rights to this popular musical. The film's production cost an additional $17,000,000.] |
| 5 | From Russia With Love | 9,924,279 | 21,634,928 | ||
| 1965 | |||||
| 1 | The Sound of Music | 79,748,000 | 173,850,640 | Sis. Portia Nelson (of Brigham City, Utah) had a supporting role as a nun: "Sister Berthe." | |
| 2 | Doctor Zhivago | 47,116,811 | 102,714,648 | 11,000,000 | |
| 3 | Thunderball | 28,621,434 | 62,394,726 | 9,000,000 | |
| 4 | Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines | 14,000,000 | 30,520,000 | ||
| 5 | That Darn Cat | 12,628,000 | 27,529,040 | Prolific LDS film composer Robert F. Brunner wrote the film's score. | |
| 1966 | |||||
| 1 | Hawaii | 15,553,018 | 33,905,579 | ||
| 2 | The Bible | 15,000,000 | 32,700,000 | 18,000,000 | |
| 3 | Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? | 14,500,000 | 31,610,000 | ||
| 4 | A Man for All Seasons | 12,750,000 | 27,795,000 | ||
| 5 | Lt. Robin Crusoe, USN | 10,164,000 | 22,157,520 | ||
| 1967 | |||||
| 1 | The Graduate | 44,090,729 | 96,117,789 | ||
| 2 | The Jungle Book | 39,500,000 | 86,110,000 | Bro. Eric Larson was an animation director for this film. | |
| 3 | Guess Who's Coming to Dinner | 25,500,000 | 55,590,000 | ||
| 4 | Bonnie and Clyde | 22,800,000 | 49,704,000 | 2,500,000 | |
| 5 | The Dirty Dozen | 20,403,826 | 44,480,341 | ||
| 1968 | |||||
| 1 | Funny Girl | 26,325,000 | 57,388,500 | ||
| 2 | 2001: A Space Odyssey | 25,521,917 | 55,637,779 | After seeing LDS filmmaker Colin Low's award-winning film "Universe", director Stanley Kubrick sought Low's help with the space scenes in "2001: A Space Odyssey." | |
| 3 | The Odd Couple | 20,000,000 | 43,600,000 | ||
| 4 | Bullitt | 19,000,000 | 41,420,000 | ||
| 5 | Romeo and Juliet | 17,473,000 | 38,091,140 | ||
| 1969 | |||||
| 1 | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid | 46,039,000 | 100,365,020 | The real-life Butch Cassidy was raised in an active Latter-day Saint home, but during adulthood (the time period depicted in this film), he was not active in the Church. Actor and Utah resident Robert Redford was married to a devout Latter-day Saint while he made this film, but he himself never joined the Church. | |
| 2 | The Love Bug | 23,150,000 | 50,467,000 | ||
| 3 | Midnight Cowboy | 20,499,282 | 44,688,435 | ||
| 4 | Easy Rider | 19,100,000 | 41,638,000 | 555,000 | |
| 5 | Hello, Dolly! | 15,200,000 | 33,136,000 | ||
| 1970 | |||||
| 1 | Love Story | 50,000,000 | 109,000,000 | ||
| 2 | Airport | 45,220,118 | 98,579,857 | 10,000,000 | |
| 3 | M*A*S*H | 36,720,000 | 80,049,600 | ||
| 4 | Patton | 28,100,000 | 61,258,000 | ||
| 5 | The Aristocats | 26,462,000 | 57,687,160 | ||
| 1971 | |||||
| 1 | Fiddler on the Roof | 38,251,196 | 83,387,607 | 9,000,000 | |
| 2 | Billy Jack | 32,500,000 | 70,850,000 | 800,000 | |
| 3 | The French Connection | 26,315,000 | 57,366,700 | ||
| 4 | Summer of '42 | 20,500,000 | 44,690,000 | ||
| 5 | Diamonds are Forever | 19,726,829 | 43,004,487 | ||
| 1972 | |||||
| 1 | The Godfather | 86,275,000 | 188,079,500 | ||
| 2 | The Poseidon Adventure | 42,000,000 | 91,560,000 | ||
| 3 | What's Up Doc? | 28,000,000 | 61,040,000 | ||
| 4 | Deliverance | 22,600,000 | 49,268,000 | 2,000,000 | |
| 5 | Jeremiah Johnson | 21,900,000 | 47,742,000 | This is the feature film adaptation of LDS author Vardis Fisher's novel Mountain Man. Fisher had been a devout convert to the Church, but became inactive and embittered about Christianity in general after his beloved LDS wife died. The film was filmed in and set in Utah. Mormons are mentioned by name in a humorous line spoken by a man buried up to his neck. He is asked if it was Indians who had buried him there, and he says "'Tweren't Mormons!" Provo, Utah native Wesley Jeffries was the costume designer for the film. Utah resident Ted Haworth was nominated for an Academy Award for his set design. LDS makeup artist Gary Liddiard (who was Robert Redford's personal film makeup artist during most of that actor's career) was the key makeup artist for this film. | |
| 1973 | |||||
| 1 | The Exorcist | 89,000,000 | 194,020,000 | ||
| 2 | The Sting | 78,212,000 | 170,502,160 | 8,500,000 | LDS actor Ken Sansom (best known as "Rabbit" in Disney's "Winnie the Pooh" movies) had a supporting role as Mr. Harmon, the Western Union Executive in this film. |
| 4 | Papillon | 22,500,000 | 49,050,000 | 12,000,000 | |
| 5 | The Way We Were | 22,457,000 | 48,956,260 | The key makeup artist and hair stylist for the film was LDS makeup artist Gary Liddiard. | |
| 1974 | |||||
| 1 | The Towering Inferno | 52,000,000 | 113,360,000 | 14,000,000 | Mormon actor Mike Lookinland had a small role in this film. |
| 2 | Blazing Saddles | 47,800,000 | 104,204,000 | ||
| 3 | Young Frankenstein | 38,823,000 | 84,634,140 | ||
| 4 | Earthquake | 35,849,994 | 78,152,987 | ||
| 5 | The Trial of Billy Jack | 31,100,000 | 67,798,000 | Bro. Ron Nix was a stunt man on this film. | |
| 1975 | |||||
| 1 | Jaws | 129,549,325 | 282,417,529 | 12,000,000 | |
| 2 | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest | 59,939,701 | 130,668,548 | 3,000,000 | Utah resident Bill Sargent converted an older meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into a recording studio where part of this film's musical score was recorded. |
| 3 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show | 26,000,000 | 56,680,000 | ||
| 4 | Shampoo | 23,822,000 | 51,931,960 | Directed by Latter-day Saint filmmaker Hal Ashby, who was a non-churchgoer as an adult. | |
| 5 | Dog Day Afternoon | 22,500,000 | 49,050,000 | ||
| 1976 | |||||
| 1 | Rocky | 56,524,972 | 123,224,439 | 1,000,000 | |
| 2 | A Star is Born | 37,100,000 | 80,878,000 | ||
| 3 | King Kong | 36,915,000 | 80,474,700 | 24,000,000 | |
| 4 | Silver Streak | 30,018,000 | 65,439,240 | ||
| 5 | All the President's Men | 30,000,000 | 65,400,000 | 8,500,000 | The key makeup artist and hair stylist for the film was LDS makeup artist Gary Liddiard. |
| 1977 | |||||
| 2 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind | 82,750,000 | 180,395,000 | The musical score in the original release of the film includes some semi-disguised nods to the song "When You Wish Upon a Star", written by LDS composer Leigh Harline. Originally Spielberg planned to have Bro. Harline's tune clearly audible in the last scene of the film. This scene is available among the deleted scenes of the Collector's Edition DVD release. On the "Making of" documentary included on the Collector's Edition DVD, director Steven Spielberg describes how the weekend before filming was to begin with the film's lead actress playing Jillian Guiler (the woman whose son is taken by aliens), he still had not cast the role. He had interviewed and auditioned many actresses, but had not found anybody who was right for the part. Mormon film director Hal Ashby called him up, having heard that he was having trouble filling this role, and told him about Melinda Dillon actress who he had been working with in his film "Bound for Glory" (1976). Hal Ashby sent Spielberg rough cuts of two reels of the film, so he could see the actress. Spielberg says he was just blown away and decided to cast her. The "Making of" documentary also features an interview with the actress, who describes how the Latter-day Saint filmmaker Hal Ashby had told Spielberg about her and got her the lead actress role in the film. | |
| 3 | Saturday Night Fever | 74,100,000 | 161,538,000 | ||
| 4 | Smokey and the Bandit | 58,949,939 | 128,510,867 | ||
| 5 | The Goodbye Girl | 41,839,170 | 91,209,391 | ||
| 1978 | |||||
| 1 | Grease | 96,300,000 | 209,934,000 | ||
| 2 | Superman | 82,800,000 | 180,504,000 | 55,000,000 | LDS actors Paul Tuerpe and Joi Lansing had small roles in this film. |
| 3 | National Lampoon's Animal House | 70,826,000 | 154,400,680 | ||
| 4 | Every Which Way But Loose | 51,900,000 | 113,142,000 | ||
| 5 | Jaws 2 | 50,431,964 | 109,941,682 | ||
| 1979 | |||||
| 1 | Kramer Vs. Kramer | 59,986,335 | 130,770,210 | ||
| 2 | Star Trek: The Motion Picture | 56,000,000 | 122,080,000 | 44,000,000 | |
| 3 | The Jerk | 42,989,656 | 93,717,450 | ||
| 4 | Rocky II | 42,169,387 | 91,929,264 | ||
| 5 | Alien | 40,300,000 | 87,854,000 | 27,000,000 | [Production budget was $11,000,000. Advertising campaign was $16,000,000.] |
| 1980 | |||||
| 2 | 9 to 5 | 59,100,000 | 128,838,000 | ||
| 3 | Stir Crazy | 58,364,420 | 127,234,436 | Filmed partially in Utah. | |
| 4 | Airplane! | 40,610,000 | 88,529,800 | Famed Mormon tax reformer Howard Jarvis made a cameo appearance in this film. Utah is mentioned briefly in the script and dialogue of the film. | |
| 5 | Any Which Way You Can | 40,500,000 | 88,290,000 | ||
| 1981 | |||||
| 1 | Raiders of the Lost Ark | 115,598,000 | 252,003,640 | ||
| 2 | Superman II | 65,100,000 | 141,918,000 | ||
| 3 | On Golden Pond | 61,174,744 | 133,360,942 | ||
| 4 | Arthur | 42,000,000 | 91,560,000 | ||
| 5 | Stripes | 40,886,589 | 89,132,764 | LDS actor Michael Flynn (The Best Two Years; The Book of Mormon Movie; etc.) has a small part as a soldier in this film. | |
| 1982 | |||||
| 1 | E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial | 228,618,939 | 498,389,287 | ||
| 2 | Tootsie | 96,292,736 | 209,918,164 | LDS movie producer Gerald R. Molen was the unit production manager for this film. | |
| 3 | Rocky III | 66,262,796 | 144,452,895 | ||
| 4 | An Officer and a Gentleman | 55,223,000 | 120,386,140 | ||
| 5 | Porky's | 54,000,000 | 117,720,000 | ||
| 1983 | |||||
| 1 | Return of the Jedi | 168,002,414 | 366,245,263 | 32,500,000 | |
| 2 | Terms of Endearment | 50,250,000 | 109,545,000 | ||
| 3 | Trading Places | 40,600,000 | 88,508,000 | ||
| 4 | Wargames | 38,519,833 | 83,973,236 | ||
| 5 | Superman III | 37,200,000 | 81,096,000 | Filmed partially in Utah. | |
| 1984 | |||||
| 1 | Ghostbusters | 130,211,324 | 283,860,686 | ||
| 2 | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | 109,000,000 | 237,620,000 | ||
| 3 | Beverly Hills Cop | 108,000,000 | 235,440,000 | ||
| 4 | Gremlins | 79,500,000 | 173,310,000 | Bro. Blair Clark was one of the puppeteers for this film. Richard C. Welch was one of the special effects artists. | |
| 5 | The Karate Kid | 43,432,881 | 94,683,681 | ||
| 1985 | |||||
| 1 | Back to the Future | 104,408,738 | 227,611,049 | ||
| 2 | Rambo: First Blood Part II | 78,919,250 | 172,043,965 | ||
| 3 | Rocky IV | 76,023,246 | 165,730,676 | 31,000,000 | LDS actor Richard Blum had a small role. Latter-day Saint production accountant Michael Roberts handled the finances. |
| 4 | The Color Purple | 47,900,000 | 104,422,000 | LDS film producer Gerald R. Molen was the unit production manager for this film, for which he received a shared Directors Guild of America award. | |
| 5 | Out of Africa | 43,103,469 | 93,965,562 | 31,000,000 | The key makeup artist and hair stylist for the film was LDS makeup artist Gary Liddiard. |
| 1986 | |||||
| 1 | Top Gun | 79,400,000 | 173,092,000 | Leading LDS special effects artist Allen Hall was the special effects coordinator for this film. Robert G. Willard (of St. George, Utah) also did special effects work for the film. | |
| 2 | "Crocodile" Dundee | 70,227,000 | 153,094,860 | ||
| 3 | Platoon | 69,742,143 | 152,037,872 | 6,000,000 | |
| 4 | Karate Kid II | 58,362,026 | 127,229,217 | Japanese Latter-day Saint actor Danny Kamekona had the pivotal co-starring role in this film as "Sato," the arch rival of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). | |
| 5 | Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home | 56,820,071 | 123,867,755 | This film features the very famous line that Captain Kirk (William Shatner) says about Spock: "Him? He's harmless! Back in the sixties he was part of the Free Speech movement at Berkeley. I think he did a little too much LDS." The story takes place almost in a city founded by Latter-day Saint pioneers: San Francisco. | |
| 1987 | |||||
| 1 | Three Men and a Baby | 81,313,000 | 177,262,340 | ||
| 2 | Beverly Hills Cop II | 80,857,776 | 176,269,952 | ||
| 3 | Fatal Attraction | 70,000,000 | 152,600,000 | ||
| 4 | Good Morning, Vietnam | 58,103,000 | 126,664,540 | ||
| 5 | The Untouchables | 36,866,530 | 80,369,035 | Bro. Allen Hall (a Latter-day Saint special effects master) was the visual effects supervisor. Bro. Michael Roberts was the production accountant. | |
| 1988 | |||||
| 1 | Rain Man | est. 80,000,000 | 174,400,000 | Latter-day Saint film producer performed in front of the cameras in the film's 4th-billed role as "Dr. Bruner," the psychiatrist of the title character. Bro. Molen was also the film's co-producer and unit production manager. The title character (played by Dustin Hoffman) was based on real-life Latter-day Saint autistic savant Kim Peek. | |
| 2 | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | 78,000,000 | 170,040,000 | ||
| 3 | Coming to America | 65,000,000 | 141,700,000 | ||
| 4 | "Crocodile" Dundee II | 57,300,000 | 124,914,000 | ||
| 5 | Twins | est. 5,5000,000 | 119,900,000 | ||