Empire of the Sun (1987)

Empire of the Sun poster
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $22,238,696Details
Further financial details...

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$1,314,509 (5.9% of total gross)
Legs:6.99 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:225 opening theaters/673 max. theaters, 3.9 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $60,585,562

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,501-3,600) 3,591 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,101-5,200) 5,130 $22,238,696

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: December 9th, 1987 (Limited) by Warner Bros.
Video Release: April 13th, 1993 by Warner Home Video
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 150 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Color Purple
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Coming of Age, World War II, Coming-of-Age Drama, 1940s, POW, Set in Shanghai, Set in Japan, Missing Child, Family Reunion
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Historical Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Amblin Entertainment
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 345 $8,751,884 Jan 1, 1988 26
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 351 $8,423,009 Dec 25, 1987 19

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,501-3,600) 3,591 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 2,701-2,800) 2,704 $60,585,562
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000) 2,978 $22,238,696
Top 1987 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 49 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 701-800) 745 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 3,101-3,200) 3,131 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400) 353 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 601-700) 634 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 701-800) 747 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 501-600) 544 $22,238,696

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 11, 1987 9 $1,314,509   225 $5,842   $1,387,297 1
Dec 25, 1987 9 $2,914,509   673 $4,331   $6,610,192 3
Jan 1, 1988 10 $3,183,207 +9% 673 $4,730   $11,977,789 4
Jan 8, 1988 10 $1,822,927 -43% 673 $2,709   $14,574,930 5
Jan 22, 1988 16 $770,000   409 $1,883   $17,398,531 7

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 25, 1987 10 $5,098,899   673 $7,576   $8,794,582 4
Jan 1, 1988 10 $3,957,421 -22% 673 $5,880   $12,752,003 5

Supporting Cast

John Malkovich Basie
Miranda Richardson Mrs. Victor
Nigel Havers Dr. Rawlins
Christian Bale Jim
Joe Pantoliano Frank Demarest
Leslie Phillips Maxton
Robert Stephens Mr. Lockwood
Paul McGann Lt. Price
David Neidorf Tiptree
Ralph Seymour Cohen
Ben Stiller Dainty
Masato Ibu Sgt. Nagata
Emily Richards Jim's Mother
Rupert Frazer Jim's Father
Peter Gale Mr. Victor
Takatoro Kataoka Kamikaze Boy Pilot
Zhai Nai She Yang
Guts Ishimatsu Sgt Uchida
Emma Piper Amy Matthews
James Walker Mr. Radik
Jack Dearlove Singing Prisoner
Anna Turner Mrs. Gilmour
Ann Castle Mrs. Phillips
Yvonne Gilan Mrs. Lockwood
Ralph Michael Mr. Partridge
Sybil Maas Mrs. Hug
Eric Flynn British Prisoner
James Greene British Prisoner
Simon Harrison British Prisoner
Barrie Houghton British Prisoner
Paula Hamilton British Prisoner
Thea Ranft British Prisoner
Tony Boncza British Prisoner
Nigel Leach British Prisoner
Sheridan Forbes British Prisoner
Peter Copley British Prisoner
Barbara Bolton British Prisoner
Francesca Longrigg British Prisoner
Samantha Warden British Prisoner
Kieron Jecchinis American Prisoner
Michael Crossman American Prisoner
Gary Parker American Prisoner
Ray Charleson American Prisoner
Burt Kwouk Mr. Chen
Tom Danaher Col. Marshall
Kong Guo-Jun Chinese Youth
Takao Yamada Japanese Truck Driver
Hiro Arai Japanese Sergeant, Air Field
Marc de Jong Frenchman
Susan Leong Amah
Nicholas Dastor Paul
Edith Platten Paul's Sister
Shirley Chantrell Chinese Cook at Detention Centre
John Moore Mr. Pym
Ann Queensberry Mrs. Pym
Sylvia Marriott Mrs. Partridge
Frank Duncan Mrs. Hug's Father
Ronald Eng Mr. Chen's Aide
Za Chuan Ce Shopkeeper
Shi Rui Qing Shopkeeper
Lu Ye Merchant
Guo Xue Liang Merchant
Ge Yan Zhao Merchant

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Steven Spielberg Director
J.G. Ballard Story Creator
Tom Stoppard Screenwriter
Steven Spielberg Producer
Kathleen Kennedy Producer
Frank Marshall Producer
Robert Shipiro Executive Producer
Norman Reynolds Production Designer
Michael Kahn Editor
Allen Daviau Director of Photography
John Williams Composer
Chris Kenny Associate Producer
David Tomblin Assistant Director
Frank Marshall Second Unit Director
Ted Morley Production Manager
Charles Bishop Supervising Art Director
Maurice Fowler Supervising Art Director
Norman Dorme Supervising Art Director
Frederick Hole Art Director
Harry Cordwell Set Decorator
Michael D. Ford* Set Decorator
Jimmy Devis Second Unit Camera
Bob Ringwood Costume Designer
Patrick Wheatley Costume Supervisor
Colin Wilson Associate Editor
Martin Cohen Associate Editor
Craig Bassett Associate Editor
Colin Charles Sound Mixer
Tony Dawe Sound Mixer
Robert Knudson Re-recording Mixer
Don Digirolamo Re-recording Mixer
John Boyd Re-recording Mixer
Charles L. Campbell Supervising Sound Editor
Louis L. Edemann Supervising Sound Editor
Larry Carow Sound Editor
Lucy Coldsnow Sound Editor
Jim Isaacs Sound Editor
Chuck Neely Sound Editor
Rodger Sword Sound Editor
Ken Wannberg Music Editor
Paul Engelen Make up
Vera Mitchell Hairstylist

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$1,314,509 (5.9% of total gross)
Legs:6.99 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:225 opening theaters/673 max. theaters, 3.9 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $60,585,562

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,501-3,600) 3,591 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,101-5,200) 5,130 $22,238,696

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: December 9th, 1987 (Limited) by Warner Bros.
Video Release: April 13th, 1993 by Warner Home Video
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 150 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Color Purple
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Coming of Age, World War II, Coming-of-Age Drama, 1940s, POW, Set in Shanghai, Set in Japan, Missing Child, Family Reunion
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Historical Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Amblin Entertainment
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 345 $8,751,884 Jan 1, 1988 26
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 351 $8,423,009 Dec 25, 1987 19

Supporting Cast

John Malkovich Basie
Miranda Richardson Mrs. Victor
Nigel Havers Dr. Rawlins
Christian Bale Jim
Joe Pantoliano Frank Demarest
Leslie Phillips Maxton
Robert Stephens Mr. Lockwood
Paul McGann Lt. Price
David Neidorf Tiptree
Ralph Seymour Cohen
Ben Stiller Dainty
Masato Ibu Sgt. Nagata
Emily Richards Jim's Mother
Rupert Frazer Jim's Father
Peter Gale Mr. Victor
Takatoro Kataoka Kamikaze Boy Pilot
Zhai Nai She Yang
Guts Ishimatsu Sgt Uchida
Emma Piper Amy Matthews
James Walker Mr. Radik
Jack Dearlove Singing Prisoner
Anna Turner Mrs. Gilmour
Ann Castle Mrs. Phillips
Yvonne Gilan Mrs. Lockwood
Ralph Michael Mr. Partridge
Sybil Maas Mrs. Hug
Eric Flynn British Prisoner
James Greene British Prisoner
Simon Harrison British Prisoner
Barrie Houghton British Prisoner
Paula Hamilton British Prisoner
Thea Ranft British Prisoner
Tony Boncza British Prisoner
Nigel Leach British Prisoner
Sheridan Forbes British Prisoner
Peter Copley British Prisoner
Barbara Bolton British Prisoner
Francesca Longrigg British Prisoner
Samantha Warden British Prisoner
Kieron Jecchinis American Prisoner
Michael Crossman American Prisoner
Gary Parker American Prisoner
Ray Charleson American Prisoner
Burt Kwouk Mr. Chen
Tom Danaher Col. Marshall
Kong Guo-Jun Chinese Youth
Takao Yamada Japanese Truck Driver
Hiro Arai Japanese Sergeant, Air Field
Marc de Jong Frenchman
Susan Leong Amah
Nicholas Dastor Paul
Edith Platten Paul's Sister
Shirley Chantrell Chinese Cook at Detention Centre
John Moore Mr. Pym
Ann Queensberry Mrs. Pym
Sylvia Marriott Mrs. Partridge
Frank Duncan Mrs. Hug's Father
Ronald Eng Mr. Chen's Aide
Za Chuan Ce Shopkeeper
Shi Rui Qing Shopkeeper
Lu Ye Merchant
Guo Xue Liang Merchant
Ge Yan Zhao Merchant

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Steven Spielberg Director
J.G. Ballard Story Creator
Tom Stoppard Screenwriter
Steven Spielberg Producer
Kathleen Kennedy Producer
Frank Marshall Producer
Robert Shipiro Executive Producer
Norman Reynolds Production Designer
Michael Kahn Editor
Allen Daviau Director of Photography
John Williams Composer
Chris Kenny Associate Producer
David Tomblin Assistant Director
Frank Marshall Second Unit Director
Ted Morley Production Manager
Charles Bishop Supervising Art Director
Maurice Fowler Supervising Art Director
Norman Dorme Supervising Art Director
Frederick Hole Art Director
Harry Cordwell Set Decorator
Michael D. Ford* Set Decorator
Jimmy Devis Second Unit Camera
Bob Ringwood Costume Designer
Patrick Wheatley Costume Supervisor
Colin Wilson Associate Editor
Martin Cohen Associate Editor
Craig Bassett Associate Editor
Colin Charles Sound Mixer
Tony Dawe Sound Mixer
Robert Knudson Re-recording Mixer
Don Digirolamo Re-recording Mixer
John Boyd Re-recording Mixer
Charles L. Campbell Supervising Sound Editor
Louis L. Edemann Supervising Sound Editor
Larry Carow Sound Editor
Lucy Coldsnow Sound Editor
Jim Isaacs Sound Editor
Chuck Neely Sound Editor
Rodger Sword Sound Editor
Ken Wannberg Music Editor
Paul Engelen Make up
Vera Mitchell Hairstylist

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,501-3,600) 3,591 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 2,701-2,800) 2,704 $60,585,562
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000) 2,978 $22,238,696
Top 1987 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 49 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 701-800) 745 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 3,101-3,200) 3,131 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400) 353 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 601-700) 634 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 701-800) 747 $22,238,696
All Time Domestic Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 501-600) 544 $22,238,696

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 11, 1987 9 $1,314,509   225 $5,842   $1,387,297 1
Dec 25, 1987 9 $2,914,509   673 $4,331   $6,610,192 3
Jan 1, 1988 10 $3,183,207 +9% 673 $4,730   $11,977,789 4
Jan 8, 1988 10 $1,822,927 -43% 673 $2,709   $14,574,930 5
Jan 22, 1988 16 $770,000   409 $1,883   $17,398,531 7

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 25, 1987 10 $5,098,899   673 $7,576   $8,794,582 4
Jan 1, 1988 10 $3,957,421 -22% 673 $5,880   $12,752,003 5

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,101-5,200) 5,130 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 4,301-4,400) 4,346 $22,238,696
Top 1987 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 51 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 967 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,401-4,500) 4,443 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 501-600) 534 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,082 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 801-900) 858 $22,238,696
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 501-600) 590 $22,238,696