Most Popular Movies 1981
This chart shows the 1981 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 1981 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 1981 - Top 1981 Worldwide
| ← 1980 | Most Popular Overall | 1982 → |
1
| Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior |
| Director: George Miller |
| Lead Roles: Mel Gibson as Max |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 24, 1981 (Wide) by Roadshow Films (Australia) |
| Keywords: Post Apocalypse, Action Adventure, Near Future, Voiceover/Narration, Car Chase, Ozploitation, Death of a Pet, 1980s, Yesterday's Tomorrow |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $23,667,907 |
|
International BO: $500 |
2
| Heavy Metal |
| Director: Gerald Potterton |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 7, 1981 (Wide) by Columbia |
| Keywords: Segments, Voiceover/Narration, Good vs. Evil, Action Adventure, Alien Abduction, World War II, Zombies, Warlord, Cult Movie, Film Noir, Private Investigator, 2030s, Set in New York City, Rescue, Reincarnation, Epilogue, Prologue, In a Plane |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Adventure, Rotoscoping, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $19,571,091 |
3
| An American Werewolf in London |
| Director: John Landis |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 21, 1981 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Monster, Werewolf, Visual Effects, Set in London, Vacation, Horror Comedy, Tourists In Trouble, Death of a Best Friend, Suicide Attempt, Romance, Doomed Romance, Death of a Girlfriend / Boyfriend, Curses, Supernatural |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $31,973,249 |
|
International BO: $29,995,139 |
4
| Friday the 13th Part 2 |
| Director: Steve Miner |
| Lead Roles: Adrienne King as Alice Hardy, Warrington Gillette as Jason |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 30, 1981 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Slasher Horror |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $21,722,776 |
5
| Time Bandits |
| Director: Terry Gilliam |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 6, 1981 (Wide) by Avco Embassy |
| Keywords: Time Travel, Chase Adventure, Good vs. Evil, Dysfunctional Family, Cult Movie, Sword & Sorcerer, 1700s, Ancient Greece, On a Boat, 1910s, Disaster |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $37,400,000 |
6
| Modern Problems |
| Director: Ken Shapiro |
| Lead Roles: Chevy Chase as Max Fielder |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 25, 1981 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Farcical / Slapstick Comedy, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, Psychics |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $24,474,312 |
7
| For Your Eyes Only |
| Director: John Glen |
| Lead Roles: Roger Moore as James Bond |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 26, 1981 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Secret Agent, Skiing, Action Thriller, Winter Sports, Figure Skating, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Revenge |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $54,800,000 |
|
International BO: $140,500,000 |
8
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| My Bloody Valentine |
| Director: George Mihalka |
| Lead Roles: Paul Kelman as Jessie “T.J.” Hanniger, Lori Hallier as Sarah, Neil Affleck as Axel Palmer |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 11, 1981 (Limited) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Holiday Horror, Mental Illness, Surprise Twist, Split Personality |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
9
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| Neighbors |
| Director: John G. Avildsen |
| Lead Roles: Dan Aykroyd as Vic, John Belushi as Earl Keese |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 18, 1981 (Wide) by Columbia |
| Keywords: Black Comedy, Neighbors from Hell, Dysfunctional Family, Relationships Gone Wrong, Infidelity, Punk Rock, Neo Nazis, Development Hell |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Black Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $29,916,207 |
10
| Raiders of the Lost Ark |
| Director: Steven Spielberg |
| Lead Roles: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, Karen Allen as Marion |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 12, 1981 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Treasure Hunters, IMAX: DMR, Nazis, Religious, Character's Journey Shown on Map, Academics, Hot for Teacher, Occult, Prologue, Kidnap, Rescue, Intertitle, Archaeology, Chase Adventure, 1982 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $225,686,079 |
|
International BO: $141,765,835 |
11
| Thief |
| Director: Michael Mann |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 27, 1981 (Wide) by United Artists |
| Keywords: Film Noir, Action Thriller, Heist, Life on the Outside, One Last Job, Organized Crime, Mafia, Romance, No Honor Among Thieves, Revenge, Adopted Family, Death of a Partner, Inspired by a True Story |
| Classification: Based on Factual Book/Article, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $4,300,000 |
|
International BO: $1,338 |
12
| Outland |
| Director: Peter Hyams |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 22, 1981 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Action Thriller, Space Program, Narcotics, Pharmaceuticals, Corporate Malfeasance, Near Future, Set on Jupiter |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $20,000,000 |
13
| Scanners |
| Director: David Cronenberg |
| Initial Theatrical Release: 1981 (Wide) by Avco Embassy |
| Keywords: Body Horror, Canuxploitation |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $14,200,000 |
14
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| Quartet |
| Director: James Ivory |
| Lead Roles: Isabelle Adiani as Marya Zelli, Alan Bates as H.J. Heidler, Maggie Smith as Lois Heidler, Anthony Higgins as Stephan Zelli |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 25, 1981 (Limited) by New World |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
15
| An Eye for an Eye |
| Director: Steve Carver |
| Lead Roles: Chuck Norris as Sean Kane |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 7, 1981 (Wide) by Avco Embassy |
| Keywords: Action Thriller, Undercover, Set in San Francisco, Police Detective, Death of a Partner, Revenge, Organized Crime, Narcotics, Drug Dealer, Confidential Informant, Investigative Journalist |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $7,496,681 |
16
| Nighthawks |
| Director: Bruce Malmuth |
| Lead Roles: Sylvester Stallone as Det. Sgt. Deke DaSilva |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 10, 1981 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Terrorism, Action Thriller, Film Noir, Corrupt Cops, Narcotics, Surprise Twist, Hostage |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $14,600,000 |
|
International BO: $5,000,000 |
17
| Polyester |
| Director: John Waters |
| Lead Roles: Divine as Francine Fishpaw, Tab Hunter as Todd Tomorrow |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 29, 1981 (Limited) by New Line |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
18
| Body Heat |
| Director: Lawrence Kasdan |
| Lead Roles: William Hurt as Ned Racine, Kathleen Turner as Mattie Walker |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 28, 1981 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Surprise Twist, Film Noir, Erotic Thriller, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, Mistaken Identity, Infidelity |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $24,058,000 |
19
| Carbon Copy |
| Director: Michael Schultz |
| Lead Roles: Denzel Washington as Roger Porter |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 25, 1981 (Wide) by Avco Embassy |
| Keywords: Comedy Drama, Interracial Child, Infidelity, Dysfunctional Family, Jewish, African Americans, Bigotry, Riches to Rags |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $8,400,000 |
20
| The Professional |
| Director: Georges Lautner |
| Lead Roles: Jean-Paul Belmondo as Josselin Beaumon |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 21, 1981 (Wide), released as Le professionnel (France) |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
21
| Kelly |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 20, 1981 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
22
| Pennies from Heaven |
| Director: Herbert Ross |
| Lead Roles: Steve Martin as Arthur Parker |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 11, 1981 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Film Noir, Musical Drama, Romance, Novel or Other Work Adapted by Author, 1930s, Set in Chicago, Money Troubles, Relationships Gone Wrong, Pregnant Women, Sex Crimes, Wrongfully Convicted, Death Row, Abortion, Prostitution |
| Classification: Based on TV, Musical, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $6,200,000 |
23
| The Postman Always Rings Twice |
| Director: Bob Rafelson |
| Lead Roles: Jack Nicholson as Frank Chambers |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 20, 1981 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Film Noir, Erotic Drama, Remake, Relationships Gone Wrong, Death of a Spouse or Fiancée / Fiancé, Infidelity |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $12,200,000 |
|
International BO: $32,000,000 |
24
| Eyewitness |
| Director: Peter Yates |
| Lead Roles: Sigourney Weaver as Tony Sokolow, William Hurt as Daryll Deever |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 13, 1981 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Film Noir |
|
Domestic BO: $6,400,000 |
25
| Chariots of Fire |
| Director: Hugh Hudson |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 25, 1981 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Biography, Religious, Miscellaneous Sports, Olympics, Oscars Best Picture Winner, Biographical Drama, 1920s, 1982 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $61,558,162 |
|
International BO: $352,345 |