Most Popular Movies 1989
This chart shows the 1989 movie releases that have attracted the most interest on The Numbers web site over the past 24 hours. A share of 100 corresponds to 1 percent of the total views for all 1989 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 1989 - Top 1989 Worldwide
1
| Batman |
| Director: Tim Burton |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 23, 1989 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, D.C. Comics, Film Noir, Action Adventure, Vigilante, Investigative Journalist, Revenge, Organized Crime |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
|
Domestic BO: $251,188,924 |
|
International BO: $160,160,000 |
2
| Heathers |
| Director: Michael Lehmann |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 31, 1989 (Wide) by New World |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $927,114 |
|
International BO: $55,500 |
Synopsis
Veronica is part of the most popular clique at her high school, but she disapproves of the other girls’ cruel behavior. When Veronica and her new boyfriend, J.D., confront clique leader Heather Chandler and accidentally poison her, they make it appear a suicide. Soon Veronica realizes that J.D. is intentionally killing students he does not like. She races to stop J.D. while also clashing with the clique's new leader, Heather Duke.
3
| Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade |
| Director: Steven Spielberg |
| Lead Roles: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, Denholm Elliott as Marcus Brody, Alison Doody as Dr. Elsa Schneider, John Rhys-Davies as Sallah, Sean Connery as Professor Henry Jones, Michael Byrne as Vogel |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 24, 1989 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Treasure Hunters, Archaeology, Dysfunctional Family, Prologue, Same Role, Multiple Actors, Sequels With Returning Stars, Rescue, Nazis, Religious, Intertitle, Missing Person, Character's Journey Shown on Map, Chase Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $197,171,806 |
|
International BO: $277,000,000 |
4
| Great Balls of Fire! |
| Director: Jim McBride |
| Lead Roles: Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 30, 1989 (Wide) by Orion Pictures |
| Keywords: Biography, Musicians, Biographical Drama, Relationships Gone Wrong, 1950s, Rock 'n' Roll, Singers |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $13,691,550 |
5
| Harlem Nights |
| Director: Eddie Murphy |
| Lead Roles: Eddie Murphy as Quick, Richard Pryor as Sugar Ray |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 17, 1989 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: African Americans, Crime, Comedy Drama, 1910s, Set in Harlem, Gambling, Prostitution, Organized Crime, Corrupt Cops, Heist, Confidence Men, Crime Boss, Directing Yourself, Screenplay Written By the Star, Actors Making Their Directorial Debut |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $60,857,262 |
|
International BO: $35,000,000 |
6
| Gleaming the Cube |
| Director: Graeme Clifford |
| Lead Roles: Christian Slater as Brian Kelly |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 13, 1989 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $2,454,590 |
7
| Do the Right Thing |
| Director: Spike Lee |
| Lead Roles: Danny Aiello as Sal, Spike Lee as Mookie |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 30, 1989 (Limited) by Universal |
| Keywords: Black Urban, African Americans, Hood Film, Social Justice, Comedy Drama |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $26,004,026 |
|
International BO: $47,476 |
8
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| Steel Magnolias |
| Director: Herbert Ross |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 15, 1989 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Classification: Based on Play, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $83,759,091 |
|
International BO: $11,392,847 |
9
| The Karate Kid, Part III |
| Director: John G. Avildsen |
| Lead Roles: Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 30, 1989 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Martial Arts, Sports Action, Revenge, Faked Death |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $38,793,278 |
10
| Society |
| Director: Brian Yuzna |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 20, 1989 (Wide) (United Kingdom) |
| Keywords: Interspecies Romance, Adopted Family, Body Horror |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Black Comedy, Live Action, Science Fiction |
11
| Leviathan |
| Director: George P. Cosmatos |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 17, 1989 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Underwater, Nature Horror, Medical Crimes, Human Experimentation, Scientific Experiment Gone Awry, Corporate Malfeasance |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $15,363,560 |
12
| Kill Me Again |
| Director: John Dahl |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 27, 1989 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Film Noir, Erotic Thriller |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $283,694 |
13
| Vampire's Kiss |
| Director: Robert Bierman |
| Lead Roles: Nicolas Cage as Peter Loew |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 2, 1989 (Wide) by Hemdale |
| Keywords: Vampire |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $725,131 |
|
International BO: $609 |
14
| Pet Sematary |
| Director: Mary Lambert |
| Lead Roles: Dale Midkiff as Louis Creed |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 21, 1989 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Novel or Other Work Adapted by Author, Voiceover/Narration, Scary Kids, Non-Chronological, Zombies, Curses, Dream Sequence, In-Laws / Future In-Laws, Haunting, Terminal Illness, Dysfunctional Family, Doctors, Supernatural Horror, Supernatural |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Horror, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $57,469,179 |
|
International BO: $671 |
15
| Powaqqatsi |
| Director: Godfrey Reggio |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 23, 1989 (Limited) (Australia) |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Documentary, Live Action, Factual |
Synopsis
Powaqqatsi focuses on the emerging, land-based cultures of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America, exploring how they express themselves through work and traditions. It contrasts these small-scale ways of life with the lure of mechanisation and technology and the growth of mega-cities.
16
| Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 28, 1989 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Slasher Horror |
| Classification: Horror, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $14,343,976 |
17
| El Vuelo de la Paloma |
| Director: José Luis García Sánchez |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 17, 1989 (Limited) (Spain) |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
International BO: $2,579 |
18
| Miracle Mile |
| Director: Steve De Jarnatt |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 19, 1989 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $1,092,822 |
19
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| Field of Dreams |
| Director: Phil Alden Robinson |
| Lead Roles: Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 21, 1989 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Baseball, Inspirational Sports, Supernatural, Sports Drama, 1990 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $64,431,625 |
20
| Erik the Viking |
| Director: Terry Jones |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 22, 1989 (Wide) |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $1,932,642 |
21
| Cohen and Tate |
| Director: Eric Red |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 27, 1989 (Limited) by Hemdale |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
22
| Sex, Lies, and Videotape |
| Director: Steven Soderbergh |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 4, 1989 (Limited) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Romantic Drama, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, Infidelity, Friends Reuniting, Dysfunctional Family, Sibling Rivalry, Erotic Drama |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $24,741,667 |
|
International BO: $12,000,000 |
23
| National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation |
| Director: Jeremiah Chechik |
| Lead Roles: Chevy Chase as Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr. |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 30, 1989 (Wide) (Australia) |
| Keywords: Family Vacations, Christmas, Family Comedy |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $73,853,467 |
|
International BO: $18,821 |
24
| The War of the Roses |
| Director: Danny DeVito |
| Lead Roles: Michael Douglas as Oliver Rose, Kathleen Turner as Barbara Rose, Danny DeVito as Gavin D'Amato |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 8, 1989 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Relationships Gone Wrong, Non-Chronological, Lawyers, Directing Yourself, Empty Nest, Revenge |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Black Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $83,699,711 |
25
| Cutting Class |
| Director: Rospo Pallenberg |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 24, 1989 (Limited) by Vestron |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |