Most Popular Movies 1980
This chart shows the 1980 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 1980 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 1980 - Top 1980 Worldwide
| ← 1979 | Most Popular Overall | 1981 → |
1
| Caligula |
| Director: Tinto Brass, Giancarlo Lui, Bob Guccione |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February, 1980 (Wide) by Analysis |
| Keywords: Historical Drama, Dysfunctional Family, Ancient Rome, Incest, Government Corruption, Political Assassination, Death of a Sibling, Development Hell, Famously Bad |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $23,400,000 |
2
| The Shining |
| Director: Stanley Kubrick |
| Lead Roles: Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 23, 1980 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Writing and Writers, Writer's Block, Haunting, Domestic Abuse, Addiction, Dysfunctional Family, Psychological Horror |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Horror, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $45,052,898 |
|
International BO: $1,159,751 |
3
| Heaven's Gate |
| Director: Michael Cimino |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 19, 1980 (Wide) by United Artists |
| Keywords: Western Drama, 1870s, 1890s, 1900s, Set in Wyoming, Immigration, Sheriff, Class Warfare |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Western, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $3,484,331 |
|
International BO: $192 |
4
| Star Wars Ep. V: The Empire Strikes Back |
| Director: Irvin Kershner |
| Lead Roles: Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Hans Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 20, 1980 (Wide) (United Kingdom) |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Heroic Adventure, Fugitive / On the Run, Good vs. Evil, Rebellion, Mentor, Friendly Ghost |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $291,738,960 |
|
International BO: $257,262,126 |
5
| Urban Cowboy |
| Director: James Bridges |
| Lead Roles: John Travolta as Buford "Bud" Van Davis |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 6, 1980 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Contemporary Western, Cowboys in Modern Times, Texas, Domestic Abuse, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Western, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $46,918,287 |
6
| Cruising |
| Director: William Friedkin |
| Lead Roles: Al Pacino as Steve Burns |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 1, 1980 (Wide) by United Artists |
| Keywords: Film Noir, Serial Killer, Set in New York, Set in New York City, NYPD, Police Detective, Undercover, Sexual Fetishism, LGBTQ+, Police Brutality, Erotic Thriller |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $19,784,223 |
7
| Used Cars |
| Director: Robert Zemeckis |
| Lead Roles: Deborah Harmon as Barbara Fuchs |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 18, 1980 (Wide) by Columbia |
| Keywords: Satirical Comedy, Satire, Twins, Same Actor, Multiple Roles, Death of a Sibling, Death of a Twin, Sibling Rivalry, Dysfunctional Family, Adult Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Cover Up, Faked Accidental Death |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $11,715,321 |
8
| The Elephant Man |
| Director: David Lynch |
| Lead Roles: John Hurt as John Merrick |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 3, 1980 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: 1880s, Biographical Drama, 1981 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Factual Book/Article, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $26,010,864 |
|
International BO: $14,022 |
9
| Prom Night |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 15, 1980 (Wide) by Avco Embassy |
|
Domestic BO: $14,796,236 |
10
| The Final Countdown |
| Director: Don Taylor |
| Lead Roles: Kirk Douglas as Capt. Matthew Yelland, Martin Sheen as Warren Lasky, James Farentino as Commodore Richard Owens |
| Initial Theatrical Release: 1980 (Wide) by United Artists |
| Keywords: Time Travel, Action Adventure, 1940s, World War II, On a Boat, Ensemble, Cult Movie |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $16,647,800 |
|
International BO: $40,000,000 |
11
| Ordinary People |
| Director: Robert Redford |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 19, 1980 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Dysfunctional Family, Oscars Best Picture Winner, Life Drama, 1981 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $52,302,978 |
12
| The Mirror Crack'd |
| Director: Guy Hamilton |
| Lead Roles: Angela Lansbury as Miss Jane Marple, Edward Fox as Inspector Delbert Craddock, Kim Novak as Lola Brewster, Rock Hudson as Jason Rudd, Geraldine Chaplin as Ella Zielinsky, Tony Curtis as Martin N. Fenn, Elizabeth Taylor as Marina Rudd |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 1, 1980 (Wide) by Associated Film Distributors |
| Keywords: Crime Thriller, Murder Mystery, Film Actor, Movie Business, Troubled Pregnancy or Miscarriage, Pregnant Women, Revenge, Suicide, Surprise Twist, Set in England, Inspired by a True Story |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $11,000,000 |
|
International BO: $414 |
13
| Nine to Five |
| Director: Colin Higgins |
| Lead Roles: Jane Fonda as Judy Bernly, Lily Tomlin as Senior Supervisor Mrs. Violet Newstead, Dolly Parton as Doralee Rhodes, Hart's Secretary, Dabney Coleman as Franklin M. Hart Jr. (Chairman of the Board) |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 19, 1980 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Sexism, Bigotry, 1980s |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $103,290,500 |
|
International BO: $10,159 |
14
| The Competition |
| Director: Joel Oliansky |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 3, 1980 (Wide) by Columbia |
| Keywords: Musicians, Romantic Drama, Professional Rivalry, Classical Music |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $13,000,000 |
15
| Melvin and Howard |
| Director: Jonathan Demme |
| Lead Roles: Paul Le Mat as Melvin Dummar, Mary Steenburgen as Lynda Dummar |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 24, 1980 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Comedy Drama |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $4,309,490 |
16
| The Nude Bomb |
| Director: Clive Donner |
| Lead Roles: Don Adams as Maxwell Smart/Agent 86 |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 9, 1980 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Secret Agent, Farcical / Slapstick Comedy, Cult Movie, Out of Retirement, Fashion |
| Classification: Based on TV, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $14,662,035 |
17
| Dressed to Kill |
| Director: Brian De Palma |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 1, 1980 (Wide) by Filmways Pictures |
| Keywords: Mental Illness, Faulty Memory, Cross-Dressing, Prostitution, Surprise Twist, Erotic Thriller, Nightmare, Unbelieving Police, Revenge, LGBTQ+, Therapists / Therapy, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $31,899,000 |
18
| He Knows You're Alone |
| Director: Armand Mastroianni |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 29, 1980 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Serial Killer, Slasher Horror, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, Surprise Twist |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $4,875,436 |
20
| India Song |
| Director: Marguerite Duras |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 22, 1980 (Wide) (Portugal) |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
International BO: $9,303 |
21
| The Gong Show Movie |
| Director: Chuck Barris |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 23, 1980 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Farcical / Slapstick Comedy, Fictionalized Version of Yourself, Famously Bad, TV Industry, Directing Yourself, Screenplay Written By the Star |
| Classification: Based on TV, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $6,621,520 |
22
| Herbie Goes Bananas |
| Initial Theatrical Release: 1980 (Wide) |
|
Domestic BO: $17,000,000 |
23
| Le journal d'une femme de chambre |
| Director: Luis Bunuel |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 21, 1980 (Wide) (Portugal) |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
International BO: $1,662 |
24
-Thumbnail.jpg)
| Popeye |
| Director: Robert Altman |
| Lead Roles: Robin Williams as Popeye, Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 12, 1980 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Live Action Cartoon, Dysfunctional Family, Money Troubles, Arranged Marriage, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, Kidnap, Unexpected Families, Comedy Musical |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Musical, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $49,823,037 |
25
| Raise the Titanic |
| Director: Jerry Jameson |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 1, 1980 (Wide) by Associated Film Distributors |
| Keywords: Cold War, Underwater, Disaster, C.I.A., Chase Adventure, Studio Sinkers |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $7,000,000 |