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
| ← 1988 | Most Popular Overall | 1990 → |
1
| The Little Mermaid |
| Director: Ron Clements, John Musker |
| Lead Roles: Jodi Benson as Ariel, Christopher Daniel Barnes as Prince Eric |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 15, 1989 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Underwater, Family Movie, 3D Re-release, Posthumous Release, Family Adventure, Animal Lead, Talking Animals, Faustian |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Hand Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $111,543,479 |
|
International BO: $110,724,135 |
2
| The Abyss |
| Director: James Cameron |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 9, 1989 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Underwater, First Contact, Cold War, Relationships Gone Wrong, Exes in Love, Chase Adventure, Friendly Alien on Earth, Alien Encounters |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $54,763,229 |
|
International BO: $30,205 |
3
| Bye Bye Baby |
| Director: Enrico Oldoini |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 19, 1989 (Limited) by Prism Entertainment |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $29,565 |
4
| 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 |
5
| Honey, I Shrunk the Kids |
| Director: Joe Johnston |
| Lead Roles: Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski, Thomas Brown as Russ Thompson, Jr., Jared Rushton as Ron Thompson, Amy O'Neill as Amy Szalinski, Robert Oliveri as Nick Szalinski |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 23, 1989 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Tiny Worlds, Family Adventure, Inventor, Dysfunctional Family |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $130,724,172 |
|
International BO: $91,975,828 |
6
| The Toxic Avenger Part II |
| Director: Michael Herz, Lloyd Kaufman |
| Lead Roles: Ron Fazio as The Toxic Avenger |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 24, 1989 (Wide) by Troma Entertainment |
| Keywords: Monster |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Black Comedy, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $28,950 |
7
| 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 |
8
| Criminal Law |
| Director: Martin Campbell |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 28, 1989 (Wide) by Hemdale |
| Keywords: Crime Thriller, Lawyers, Addiction |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $9,443,550 |
9
| 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 |
10
| 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 |
11
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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 |
12
| Road House |
| Director: Rowdy Harrington |
| Lead Roles: Patrick Swayze as Dalton, Head Bouncer Double Deuce Club, Kelly Lynch as Dr. Elizabeth Clay |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 19, 1989 (Wide) by United Artists |
| Keywords: Action Thriller, Night Club, Set in Missouri, Life in a Small Town, Revenge, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, The Past Catching up with You, Organized Crime, Crime Boss, Gangs |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $30,050,028 |
13
| Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure |
| Director: Stephen Herek |
| Lead Roles: Keanu Reeves as Ted "Theodore" Logan, Alex Winter as Bill S. Preston, Esquire |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 17, 1989 (Wide) by Orion Pictures, released as Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure |
| Keywords: Time Travel, Breaking the Fourth Wall, Prologue, Musicians, Intertitle, Step-Family, Ensemble, Heroic Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $40,485,039 |
|
International BO: $25,072 |
14
| Dead Poets Society |
| Director: Peter Weir |
| Lead Roles: Robin Williams as John Keating |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 2, 1989 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Boarding School, Coming of Age, Inspirational Teacher, New Guy/Girl in School, Dysfunctional Family, Suicide, First Love, Writing and Writers, Performing Arts, Inspired by a True Story, Coming-of-Age Drama, Filmed in St. Andrew’s School, Middletown, DE, Filmed in Middletown, DE, Filmed in New Castle County, DE, Filmed in Delaware, United States, Filmed in United States, Filmed in New Castle, DE, Filmed in Wilmington, DE, Filmed in Everett Theatre, Middletown, DE, Filmed in Beaver Valley Rock Shelter/Indian Cave, Wilmington, DE, 1990 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $95,860,116 |
|
International BO: $143,639,884 |
15
| 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 |
16
| Parenthood |
| Director: Ron Howard |
| Lead Roles: Steve Martin as Gil Buckman, Tom Hulce as Larry Buckman, Rick Moranis as Nathan Merrick, Martha Plimpton as Julie Buckman-Lampkin Hawkes, Keanu Reeves as Tod, Jason Robards, Jr. as Frank Buckman, Mary Steenburgen as Karen Buckman, Dianne Wiest as Helen, Zachary Lavoy as Justin, Erika Rafuls as Amy |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 2, 1989 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Turned Into a TV Show |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $100,047,830 |
|
International BO: $26,250,000 |
17
| Pink Cadillac |
| Director: Buddy Van Horn |
| Lead Roles: Clint Eastwood as Tommy Nowak, Bernadette Peters as Lou Ann McGuinn |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 26, 1989 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Action Comedy, Crime, Bounty Hunter, White Supremacists, Found Money, Relationships Gone Wrong, Kidnap, Rescue, Romance |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $12,143,484 |
18
| In Country |
| Director: Norman Jewison |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 15, 1989 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Family Drama, Vietnam War, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Ex-soldier, PTSD |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $3,531,971 |
19
| Driving Miss Daisy |
| Director: Bruce Beresford |
| Lead Roles: Morgan Freeman as Hoke Colburn , Jessica Tandy as Daisy Werthan |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 13, 1989 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Oscars Best Picture Winner, African Americans, Historical Drama, 1990 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Play, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $106,593,296 |
20
| 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 |
21
| Bloodfist |
| Director: Terence H. Winkless |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 22, 1989 (Wide) by Concorde |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $1,770,082 |
22
| Loverboy |
| Director: Joan Micklin Silver |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 28, 1989 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Romantic Comedy, Delayed Adulthood, College, Dysfunctional Family, Money Troubles, Prostitution, F-Rated |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $3,887,852 |
23
| 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 |
24
| Shag |
| Director: Zelda Barron |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 1, 1989 (Wide) |
|
Domestic BO: $6,957,975 |
25
| Prancer |
| Director: John D. Hancock |
| Lead Roles: Rebecca Harrell Tickell as Jessica Riggs |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 17, 1989 (Wide) by Orion Pictures |
| Keywords: Christmas, Family Drama, Christmas in November |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $16,115,398 |
Synopsis
Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, a child, Jessica Riggs, discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be Prancer. With the help of a sympathetic veterinarian, Jessica takes care of the wounded creature. It’s supposed to be a secret, but eventually a store Santa Claus, the girl’s dad and the entire town find out about Prancer, leading to big problems for Jessica and her family.