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List of 1981 box office number-one films in the United States

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This is a list of films which have placed number one at the weekend box office in the United States during 1981.

Number-one films

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# Week ending Film Gross Notes Ref
1 January 4, 1981 9 to 5 $7,111,919 [1][2]
2 January 11, 1981 $6,388,982 [3]
3 January 18, 1981 $6,014,902 [4]
4 January 25, 1981 Stir Crazy TBD [5]
5 February 1, 1981 The Incredible Shrinking Woman $4,279,264 [6]
6 February 8, 1981 Fort Apache, The Bronx $4,565,000 [7]
7 February 15, 1981 $4,000,000 [8][9]
8 February 22, 1981 TBD [10]
9 March 1, 1981 TBD [11]
10 March 8, 1981 TBD [12]
11 March 15, 1981 Back Roads $3,046,339 [13]
12 March 22, 1981 Omen III: The Final Conflict $5,571,675 [14][15]
13 March 29, 1981 TBD [16]
14 April 5, 1981 Hardly Working $4,160,193 [17]
15 April 12, 1981 Star Wars (reissue) $6,549,751 [18][19]
16 April 19, 1981 $4,564,616 [19]
17 April 26, 1981 Excalibur $3,144,818 [20]
18 May 3, 1981 Friday the 13th Part 2 $6,420,784 [21][22]
19 May 10, 1981 TBD [23]
20 May 17, 1981 Happy Birthday to Me $3,712,597 [24][25]
21 May 25, 19814-day weekend Bustin' Loose $6,622,753 [26]
22 May 31, 1981 The Four Seasons $4,355,238 [27]
23 June 7, 1981 Cheech and Chong's Nice Dreams $8,153,738 [28][29]
24 June 14, 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark $8,305,823 [30][31]
25 June 21, 1981 Superman II $14,100,523 Superman II had the highest weekend debut of all-time beating the record of $11.9 million set by Star Trek: The Motion Picture. [32][33]
26 June 28, 1981 $10,765,687 Superman II becomes the first film to have more than one weekend with a gross over $10 million. [34][35]
27 July 5, 1981 $10,905,892 [36][35]
28 July 12, 1981 $6,745,678 [37][35]
29 July 19, 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark $6,450,189 Raiders of the Lost Ark reclaimed number 1 in its sixth weekend of release. [38][35]
30 July 26, 1981 Tarzan, the Ape Man $6,700,809 [39]
31 August 2, 1981 The Empire Strikes Back (reissue) $7,001,282 [40]
32 August 9, 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark $4,046,228 Raiders of the Lost Ark reclaimed number 1 in its ninth weekend of release. [41]
33 August 16, 1981 $5,157,432 [42]
34 August 23, 1981 $4,183,784 [43]
35 August 30, 1981 $3,909,879 [44][45]
36 September 7, 19814-day weekend $5,406,403 [46][47]
37 September 13, 1981 Arthur $3,002,255 [48][49]
38 September 20, 1981 Continental Divide $3,218,347 [50]
39 September 27, 1981 Mommie Dearest $4,667,761 [51]
40 October 4, 1981 Paternity $3,610,147 [52][53]
41 October 11, 1981 $3,227,174 [54]
42 October 18, 1981 $2,442,503 [55]
43 October 25, 1981 The French Lieutenant's Woman TBD [56]
44 November 1, 1981 Halloween II $7,676,836 [57][58]
45 November 8, 1981 Time Bandits $6,507,356 [59][60]
46 November 15, 1981 $5,336,032 [61]
47 November 22, 1981 $3,700,000 [62][63]
48 November 29, 1981 $5,000,000 [64][65]
49 December 6, 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark $2,441,000 Raiders of the Lost Ark reclaimed number 1 in its 26th weekend of release. [66][67]
50 December 13, 1981 Rollover $2,260,889 [68][69]
51 December 20, 1981 Neighbors $6,481,386 [70]
52 December 27, 1981 $5,821,835 [71]

Highest-grossing films

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The top ten films released in 1981 by box office gross in the United States and Canada are as follows:

Highest-grossing films of 1981 based on year of release[72]
Rank Title Distributor Domestic gross
1 Raiders of the Lost Ark Paramount $212,222,025
2 On Golden Pond Universal $119,285,432
3 Superman II Warner Bros. $108,185,706
4 Arthur $95,461,682
5 Stripes Columbia $85,297,000
6 The Cannonball Run 20th Century Fox $72,179,579
7 Chariots of Fire Warner Bros. $58,972,904
8 For Your Eyes Only United Artists $54,812,802
9 The Four Seasons Universal $50,427,646
10 Time Bandits Embassy $42,365,581

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (January 6, 1981). "Christmas '80 Boxoffice Among Best At $142 Mil". Daily Variety. p. 1.
  2. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (January 7, 1981). "A Happy New Year For Xmas Pix". Variety. p. 1. Retrieved May 6, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (January 13, 1981). "'Nine To Five' Tops Weekend's B.O. Competish". Daily Variety. p. 3.
  4. ^ "'Crazy,' '9 To 5,' 'Which Way' Glow; 'Scanners' Strong". Variety. January 21, 1981. p. 3. Retrieved May 6, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. February 4, 1981. p. 9. Week ending January 28 No. 1 Stir Crazy $2,183,400 from 191 screens from 20-24 key cities sampled; No. 2 9 to 5 $1,465,953 from 136 screens
  6. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 5". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "'Fort Apache' Bags $4.6 Mil". Daily Variety. February 10, 1981. p. 3.
  8. ^ "'Bronx' B.O. Tops $11 Mil". Daily Variety. February 24, 1981. p. 13. Company reports second weekend is 12% off the first.
  9. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. February 25, 1981. p. 9.
  10. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. March 4, 1981. p. 12. Week ending February 25 No. 1 Fort Apache, The Bronx $1,575,828 from 136 screens from 20-24 key cities sampled; No. 2 9 to 5 $842,873 from 114 screens
  11. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. March 11, 1981. p. 13. Week ending March 4 No. 1 Fort Apache, The Bronx $1,186,630 from 130 screens from 20-24 key cities sampled; No. 2 9 to 5 $724,886 from 108 screens
  12. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. March 25, 1981. p. 12. Week ending March 11 No. 1 Fort Apache, The Bronx $903,294 from 20-24 key cities sampled; No. 2 9 to 5 $691,605
  13. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 11". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  14. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. April 1, 1981. p. 9.
  15. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 12". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  16. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. April 8, 1981. p. 9. Week ending April 1 No. 1 Omen III $1,400,323 from 156 screens from 20-24 key cities sampled; No. 2 Thief $1,159,719 from 125 screens
  17. ^ ""Hardly Working" Is Really Working (advertisement)". Daily Variety. April 8, 1981. pp. 10–11.
  18. ^ "'Wars' Re-Release Tops At B.O.". Daily Variety. April 14, 1981. p. 2.
  19. ^ a b "Fox's 7 Nab 25% of Easter Screens". Variety. April 29, 1981. p. 7.
  20. ^ "'Excalibur' Mounting: $16-Mil Thus Far". Variety. April 29, 1981. p. 3.
  21. ^ "'Friday's' Weekend Biz". Variety. May 6, 1981. p. 7.
  22. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 18". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  23. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. May 20, 1981. p. 13. Week ending May 13 No. 1 Friday the 13th Part 2 $820,246 from 123 screens from 20-24 key cities sampled; No. 2 Kill and Kill Again $753,600 from 94 screens
  24. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. May 27, 1981. p. 9.
  25. ^ "'Birthday's' Happy Biz". Variety. May 20, 1981. p. 5.
  26. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 21". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  27. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for May 29, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  28. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for June 5, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "'Dreams' 1st Weekend Draws Biggest Of Yr". Daily Variety. June 9, 1981. p. 3.
  30. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 24". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  31. ^ "Weekend Biz Breaks B.O. Logjam; 'Raiders,' 'Titans' and 'History' Score". Variety. June 17, 1981. p. 3.
  32. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 25". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  33. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (June 23, 1981). "Super B.O. For 'Superman II'". Daily Variety. p. 1.
  34. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 26". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  35. ^ a b c d Ginsberg, Steven (July 27, 1981). "'Superman,' 'Raiders' Neck & Neck". Daily Variety. p. 1.
  36. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 27". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  37. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for July 10, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  38. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for July 17, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  39. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for July 24, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  40. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for July 31, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  41. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for August 7, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  42. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for August 14, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  43. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for August 21, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  44. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for August 28, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  45. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (September 2, 1981). "Summer B.O. Cooks, But 'Body,' 'Gallipoli' and 'Lessons' Start Well". Variety. p. 3.
  46. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for September 4, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  47. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (September 9, 1981). "'Ark' Outdistances Its Summer Rivals, Holdovers Slowing". Variety. p. 3.
  48. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for September 11, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  49. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (September 16, 1981). "Post Labor Day Dip Shuffles B.O. Pack". Variety. p. 3.
  50. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 38". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  51. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for September 25, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  52. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for October 2, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  53. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (October 7, 1981). "Most Pix Post B.O. Drop Across U.S.; 'Paternity' Delivers A So-So $3.6-Mil". Daily Variety. p. 2.
  54. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for October 9, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  55. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for October 16, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  56. ^ "50 Top-Grossing Films". Variety. November 4, 1981. p. 13. Week ending October 28 No.1 The French Lieutenant's Woman $948,753 from 79 screens from 20-24 key cities sampled; No. 2 Rich and Famous $767,927 from 163 screens
  57. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for October 30, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  58. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (November 4, 1981). "Boff 'Halloween II' Coin Is Only Highlight on National Scene". Variety. p. 3.
  59. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 45". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  60. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (November 11, 1981). "'Bandits' Steal B.O. Thunder From Thin Pack; 'Halloween II' Plunges". Variety. p. 3.
  61. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (November 18, 1981). "'Bandits' Still Tops In Pre-Xmas B.O. Calm; 'Cooper,' Falling Flat". Variety. p. 3.
  62. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for November 20, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  63. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (November 25, 1981). "'Bandits' Pace B.O.; Upbeat Starts For 'Malice,' 'Ragtime'". Variety. p. 3.
  64. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for November 27, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  65. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (December 2, 1981). "Thanksgiving Cooks B.O. Gravy; 'Bandits' Zoom; 'Raiders' Soar". Variety. p. 3.
  66. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for December 4, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  67. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (December 9, 1981). "B.O. In Holding Pattern; 'Pond' Wow: 'Reds' Okay; 'Life' Fair". Variety. p. 3.
  68. ^ "Weekend Domestic Chart for December 11, 1981". The Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  69. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (December 16, 1981). "No Sugarplums In Xmas Crop; Soft Debuts Prevail; 'Reds' Dives". Variety. p. 3.
  70. ^ "Domestic 1981 Weekend 51". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  71. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (December 29, 1981). "Some Tinsel Brightening B.O.". Daily Variety. p. 1.
  72. ^ "1981 Domestic Grosses". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
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Chronology

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Preceded by 1981 Succeeded by
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