Movies with the most impressive runs in modern box office history

Touchstone Pictures What makes a movie hang around for an extended period at the box office? What makes a movie consistently irresistible to the American film-going masses? Stacker looked at domestic box office data from The Numbers on the 50 movies with the most impressive box office runs since 1981, meaning the movies whose successful box office performances were spread out the longest, movies that kept drawing crowds, and eventually stacked up impressive box office runs. Films are ranked by the ratio between their total domestic box office and their largest weekend gross. Sometimes it’s a movie about an adorable alien trying to return home; other times it’s a movie about an awkward teen from a small town in Idaho; or a movie about an Italian American woman who falls in love with a guy with a wooden hand. It’s hard to say which movies will stick around in theaters longer than others, but some movies simply come out at the perfect time and capture the hearts and minds of Americans. These movies that accumulate impressive box office runs are referred to as “leggy.” Check out this list of the 50 leggiest movies at the domestic box office throughout the past four decades. You may also like: 100 greatest movie songs from 100 years of film #50. The Last Emperor (1987) TAO Film – Legginess ratio: 12.94 – Total domestic gross: $44 million – Best weekend: $3.4 million – Best distribution: 877 theaters In this historical bio-drama from Bernardo Bertolucci, the reign of China’s last emperor, Pu Yi (John Lone), is detailed in flashbacks as he recounts his life after the Red Army captures him in 1950 as a war criminal. The film had an unusual run at the box office, not slipping into the top 10 until its 12th week in theaters. After the film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, it reached the #4 spot in its 22nd week and spent another six weeks in the top 10. #49. Dirty Dancing (1987) Great American Films Limited Partnership – Legginess ratio: 13.07 – Total domestic gross: $63.9 million – Best weekend: $4.9 million – Best distribution: 1,012 theaters While on an expectedly boring summer vacation in the Catskills with her family, Baby (Jennifer Grey), meets the resort’s hunky dance instructor, Johnny (Patrick Swayze), and the two begin to fall for one another as Johnny teaches Baby how to move. Against a mere $4.5 million budget, the film was a smash hit and grossed an impressive $214.6 million at the worldwide box office, spending 21 weeks in theaters. #48. Ruthless People (1986) Touchstone Films – Legginess ratio: 13.18 – Total domestic gross: $71.6 million – Best weekend: $5.4 million – Best distribution: 1,114 theaters When the wife of the husband who loathes her is kidnapped, the husband is overjoyed at the opportunity to get rid of her. But the kidnappers realize the woman might be more trouble than the unanswered $500,000 ransom. Compared to the film’s scant $13 million budget, its earnings of more than $71 million made the film a success. It ended up lasting 15 weeks at the box office, consistently staying within the top 10. #47. The Favourite (2018) Fox Searchlight Pictures – Legginess ratio: 13.19 – Total domestic gross: $34.4 million – Best weekend: $2.6 million – Best distribution: 1,554 theaters In this period black comedy, two close associates of the frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) begin vying for the top spot beside the queen, resulting in hilarious plays of power as the women battle to be the queen’s favorite. From only four theaters in its opening weekend, the film’s per-venue average was $105,603, and it spent a total of 21 weeks at the box office bolstered by its 10 Oscar nominations. #46. Romancing the Stone (1984) Twentieth Century Fox – Legginess ratio: 13.2 – Total domestic gross: $75.1 million – Best weekend: $5.7 million – Best distribution: 1,101 theaters An adventure novelist finds her boring life thrown into a real-life adventure when her sister is kidnapped in the Colombian jungle. Accompanied by a bold mercenary, the two must acquire the ransom needed to retrieve her sister. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, it was expected to be a box office bomb, but ended up as the eighth highest-grossing film of 1984. You may also like: Incredible filming locations from popular movies #45. The Pianist (2002) R.P. Productions – Legginess ratio: 13.24 – Total domestic gross: $32.5 million – Best weekend: $2.5 million – Best distribution: 842 theaters Based on a true story, the harrowing, Oscar-winning tale of Polish Jewish pianist W adys aw Szpilman (Adrien Brody) depicts his struggle to survive in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. The film made more than $120 million worldwide against a $35 million budget and stayed in theaters for 24 weeks, despite never quite cracking the top 10 at the box office. #44. The Right Stuff (1983) The Ladd Company – Legginess ratio: 13.37 – Total domestic gross: $21.5 million – Best weekend: $1.6 million – Best distribution: 627 theaters Adapted from Tom Wolfe’s 1979 nonfiction novel of the same name, the film details the first 15 years of the NASA space program and the highs and lows experienced by the original Project Mercury astronauts. “The Right Stuff” actually bombed at the box office, unable to match its estimated $27 million budget with only earning $21.5 million. However, people did keep coming, as the film remained in theaters for a run of 21 weeks. #43. Reds (1981) Barclays Mercantile Industrial Finance – Legginess ratio: 13.41 – Total domestic gross: $50 million – Best weekend: $3.7 million – Best distribution: 665 theaters This epic historical drama chronicles the life of iconic, real-life American journalist John Reed (Warren Beatty), who traveled to Russia and documented the country’s October Revolution in his book “Ten Days That Shook the World,” released in 1919. During its box office run, Beatty screened the film for then-president Ronald Reagan. #42. Chicago (2002) Miramax – Legginess ratio: 13.43 – Total domestic gross: $170.7 million – Best weekend: $12.7 million – Best distribution: 2,701 theaters Based on the stage musical of the same name, the story follows two women in 1920s Chicago who are in jail together awaiting trials for two separate murders. When the same lawyer takes on both of their cases, the women begin to fight for their place in the media spotlight and avoid a death sentence. Though the film never reached the first or second spot at the box office, the film made a combined $306,776,732. At the time, this was the biggest gross any film that never reached the top two box office spots had ever made in North America. #41. Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) Lucasfilm – Legginess ratio: 13.43 – Total domestic gross: $309.2 million – Best weekend: $23 million – Best distribution: 2,111 theaters The classic conclusion to the original trilogy sees Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia battle against Darth Vader and his evil Galactic Empire in order to save the galaxy. Against a budget of only $32.5 million, the film ended up garnering a massive $475.3 million worldwide. In its opening week, it grossed a record $45.3 million at the time and came in first at the box office for six out of seven of its first weeks of theatrical release. You may also like: 25 iconic closing shots from film history #40. Forrest Gump (1994) Paramount Pictures – Legginess ratio: 13.5 – Total domestic gross: $330.2 million – Best weekend: $24.5 million – Best distribution: 2,365 theaters The classic saga of one unlikely man’s incredible life and the woman he loves is chronicled from his childhood through to adulthood, where he ends up witnessing and unintentionally influencing several major historical events. “Forrest Gump” spent its first 12 weeks in theaters remaining in the top 10 at the box office, hitting the top spot five times. The film was Paramount’s highest grossing until “Titanic” beat the record in 1997. #39. The Big Chill (1983) Columbia Pictures – Legginess ratio: 13.52 – Total domestic gross: $56.1 million – Best weekend: $4.1 million – Best distribution: 832 theaters After the death of their friend, a formerly close group of friends gets together for the funeral, and over the weekend ends up confronting the unresolved issues still simmering among them. Against a budget of only $8 million, “The Big Chill” took in a worldwide gross of $56 million. It remained in the top five at the domestic box office for the first 10 weeks of its theatrical release. #38. Stripes (1981) Columbia Pictures – Legginess ratio: 13.66 – Total domestic gross: $85.3 million – Best weekend: $6.2 million – Best distribution: 1,117 theaters Listless cabbie John Winger (Bill Murray) enlists in the U.S. Army alongside his friend after being fired and getting dumped, but his hijinks get him in trouble when they threaten to catalyze an international scandal. The fourth most popular film of 1981, “Stripes” took in more than $85 million domestically against a budget of only $10 million. #37. American Beauty (1999) Dreamworks Pictures – Legginess ratio: 13.68 – Total domestic gross: $130.1 million – Best weekend: $9.5 million – Best distribution: 1,990 theaters Disillusioned suburban father Lester Burnham finds renewed joie de vivre when he takes a special interest in his teenage daughter’s attractive friend, while both his daughter and wife simultaneously embark on journeys of self-discovery that all begin to unravel the fabric of their seemingly perfect family. The film had a 38-week domestic theatrical run and had seven weeks spent among the top five at the box office, though it never surpassed third place. #36. An Education (2009) BBC Films – Legginess ratio: 13.8 – Total domestic gross: $12.6 million – Best weekend: $911,000 – Best distribution: 761 theaters Sheltered, smart teen Jenny (Carey Mulligan) aspires to attend Oxford University, but when a much older romantic interest enters her life, Jenny suddenly finds herself in the throes of adulthood in this coming-of-age film. The Academy Award-nominated “An Education” spent 30 weeks in theaters, though it never even cracked the top 10 at the box office. You may also like: Different movies with the same plots #35. Big (1988) Twentieth Century Fox – Legginess ratio: 13.99 – Total domestic gross: $115 million – Best weekend: $8.2 million – Best distribution: 1,419 theaters When a wish turns 12-year-old Josh Baskin into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks), he must navigate the highs and lows of adulthood in New York City. “Big” opened at #2 in its first weekend. Directed by Penny Marshall, it became the first female-directed feature film to take in more than $100 million at the box office. #34. The Queen (2006) Pathé Pictures International – Legginess ratio: 14.06 – Total domestic gross: $56.4 million – Best weekend: $4 million – Best distribution: 1,850 theaters This biographical drama film chronicles the tense relations between Queen Elizabeth II and the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Tony Blair following the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997. The film earned a worldwide total of more than $123 million by the end of its run, breaching the top 10 at the domestic box office four times in its 33-week run. #33. The Cider House Rules (1999) Miramax – Legginess ratio: 14.15 – Total domestic gross: $57.5 million – Best weekend: $4.1 million – Best distribution: 1,738 theaters Based on the novel of the same name by John Irving, “The Cider House Rules” follows an orphan named Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) and his life after he leaves the World War II-era orphanage where he was trained in medicine by the doctor who runs it. Due to the thematic material of the film, including incest, drugs, and abortion, the film was given the strictest possible rating in Ireland during its box office run. #32. The English Patient (1996) Miramax – Legginess ratio: 14.18 – Total domestic gross: $78.7 million – Best weekend: $5.6 million – Best distribution: 1,409 theaters Near the end of World War I, a badly injured man tended to by a nurse in an Italian monastery recalls his life and the passionate love affair he was wrapped up in before the war. “The English Patient” remained in the top 10 at the domestic box office for nearly half of its 21-week run in theaters. #31. Pretty Woman (1990) Touchstone Pictures – Legginess ratio: 14.3 – Total domestic gross: $178.4 million – Best weekend: $12.5 million – Best distribution: 1,811 theaters While on a business trip, Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) picks up sex worker Vivian (Julia Roberts), and the two form an unlikely bond that slowly evolves into much more than that. This classic American rom-com was a hit at the box office, becoming the 1990’s third highest-grossing film and seeing the most tickets sold ever for a rom-com in the United States. You may also like: Top 25 LGBTQ+ films, according to critics #30. On Golden Pond (1981) IPC Films – Legginess ratio: 14.59 – Total domestic gross: $119.3 million – Best weekend: $8.2 million – Best distribution: 1,015 theaters Chelsea (Jane Fonda) visits her parents at their New England vacation home: her curmudgeonly father Norman (Henry Fonda) and her mother Ethel (Katharine Hepburn). Accompanied by her new boyfriend and his teenage son, Chelsea’s visit begins to repair the family’s strained relationship. The film remained in the top 10 at the box office for 23 out of its 26 weeks in domestic theaters, seven of those weeks saw it take the top spot and six were consecutive. #29. Fatal Attraction (1987) Paramount Pictures – Legginess ratio: 14.84 – Total domestic gross: $156.6 million – Best weekend: $10.6 million – Best distribution: 1,401 theaters After a one-night stand with a seductive book editor (Glenn Close), married family man Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) finds himself the object of the woman’s unsavory affections as her behavior escalates into those of a full-blown stalker. The popular erotic thriller generated controversy at the time of release, and was #1 at the domestic box office for the first eight consecutive weeks in theaters. #28. The Full Monty (1997) Redwave Films – Legginess ratio: 15.2 – Total domestic gross: $46 million – Best weekend: $3 million – Best distribution: 783 theaters Recently fired steelworker Gaz (Robert Carlyle) discovers his ex-wife is trying to sue him for missed child support payments and he needs to come up with cash fast. So, Gaz and his pal Dave (Mark Addy) come up with the idea to put on a male strip show for one night only. The film became critically acclaimed and was a major international success, grossing an overall $258 million against a budget of only $3.5 million. #27. The Color Purple (1985) Warner Bros. – Legginess ratio: 15.25 – Total domestic gross: $94 million – Best weekend: $6.2 million – Best distribution: 1,109 theaters Based on Alice Walker’s award-winning novel of the same name, the film tells the incredible life story of Celie Harris (Whoopi Goldberg), a Black woman who grew up in America during the early 20th century and overcame immense hardship. “The Color Purple” stayed in theaters in the United States for 21 weeks and ranked #1 in box office earnings for a PG-13 film in 1985. #26. Green Book (2018) Dreamworks Pictures – Legginess ratio: 15.46 – Total domestic gross: $85.1 million – Best weekend: $5.5 million – Best distribution: 2,648 theaters Based on a true story, the Academy award-winning film follows world-class Black pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) who, in need of a driver to undertake a concert tour in 1962, hires an Italian American named Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), and their time together begins to bridge the cultural gap between the two men. Despite a rocky start at the box office, the film remained in theaters for 24 weeks, gaining steam once it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and especially when it won. You may also like: Most widely watched but universally hated movies of all time #25. Dances With Wolves (1990) Tig Productions – Legginess ratio: 15.48 – Total domestic gross: $184.2 million – Best weekend: $11.9 million – Best distribution: 1,636 theaters Civil War soldier John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) travels to the American frontier in order to find a military post, but he ends up leaving his former life behind to live with the Lakota Native Americans with whom he forms a strong bond. The film remained in the top 10 at the box office for 26 out of 29 weeks in its domestic theatrical run. #24. Gandhi (1982) International Film Investors – Legginess ratio: 15.48 – Total domestic gross: $52.8 million – Best weekend: $3.4 million – Best distribution: 825 theaters This biographical drama chronicles the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the British-trained Indian lawyer who ends up forsaking all his worldly possessions to become the face of opposition against British rule over his country, leading up to his assassination in 1948. “Gandhi” became the 12th highest-grossing film in 1982. #23. 48 Hrs. (1982) Paramount Pictures – Legginess ratio: 15.57 – Total domestic gross: $75.9 million – Best weekend: $4.9 million – Best distribution: 1,050 theaters On the hunt for a killer on the loose, cop Jack Cates (Nick Nolte) pulls the killer’s former partner, Reggie Hammond (Eddie Murphy), out of prison on a 48-hour leave in an attempt to help track him down. The seventh highest-grossing film in 1982, “48 Hrs.” only dropped below the top 10 at the box office during the last three weeks of its 20-week domestic run. #22. Tootsie (1982) Columbia Pictures – Legginess ratio: 15.79 – Total domestic gross: $177.2 million – Best weekend: $11.2 million – Best distribution: 1,222 theaters Down-on-his-luck, difficult actor Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) decides to reinvent himself as a female actor named Dorothy Michaels in order to win a soap opera part. He nabs the part, but inadvertently becomes a feminist icon while falling for his castmate. The film made $5.5 million during its first weekend in 943 theaters, and was the second highest-grossing film in 1982 behind “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” #21. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) Fox Searchlight Pictures – Legginess ratio: 15.84 – Total domestic gross: $44.5 million – Best weekend: $2.8 million – Best distribution: 1,236 theaters After the grandmother of awkward, Midwestern teenager Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is injured, his strange uncle comes to look after him. Finding little solace in his home life, Napoleon tries to help a new friend win the high school class presidency. Now considered a cult classic, the film was actually a success upon release. With a meager budget of only $400,000 and a very limited initial release, the film went on to earn more than $46 million worldwide. You may also like: 50 best movies about the Vietnam War #20. Ghostbusters (1984) Columbia Pictures – Legginess ratio: 15.87 – Total domestic gross: $242.6 million – Best weekend: $15.3 million – Best distribution: 1,506 theaters After a group of scientists all lose their university jobs, they decide to team up to create a service that rids buildings of ghosts for money. But when they stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, they have to save all of New York City from the forces of evil. This classic comedy held the top spot at the box office for seven consecutive weeks. #19. Moonstruck (1987) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) – Legginess ratio: 15.91 – Total domestic gross: $80.6 million – Best weekend: $5.1 million – Best distribution: 1,178 theaters Unlucky in love, Loretta Castorini (Cher) accepts a marriage proposal from her less-than-satisfactory boyfriend Johnny (Danny Aiello), but when she’s tasked with reaching out to his hot-tempered, estranged brother, Ronny (Nicolas Cage), she finds herself falling for him while Johnny is out of the country. Upon wide release, “Moonstruck” debuted at #3 at the box office and spent 20 weeks out of its 25-week run in the top 10. #18. Arthur (1981) Orion Pictures – Legginess ratio: 16.29 – Total domestic gross: $81.5 million – Best weekend: $5 million – Best distribution: 949 theaters To secure his fortune, New York City playboy Arthur (Dudley Moore) enters an arranged marriage agreement with an heiress, but when he falls for a waitress from Queens, he puts his cushy life in jeopardy. Though it experienced a shaky start at the box office, the film finished that summer as the seventh highest-grossing movie and by the end of the year was the fourth highest. #17. Crocodile Dundee (1986) Rimfire Films – Legginess ratio: 16.55 – Total domestic gross: $174.8 million – Best weekend: $10.6 million – Best distribution: 1,495 theaters After a New York reporter visits Australia to interview famous bushman Michael J. “Crocodile” Dundee (Paul Hogan), she becomes so charmed by him that she brings him back to the Big Apple, where hijinks ensue due to the clash of cultures. The film debuted at #1 in the United States and held that spot for nine consecutive weeks. It was the second highest-grossing film of 1986 behind “Top Gun.” #16. Bend it Like Beckham (2003) Kintop Pictures – Legginess ratio: 16.66 – Total domestic gross: $32.5 million – Best weekend: $2 million – Best distribution: 1,002 theaters Aspiring soccer player Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra) has strict Indian parents who don’t support her love of the sport. But when her skills catch the attention of a semi-pro player by chance, she must come up with elaborate lies so she can participate in the game she loves. “Bend It Like Beckham” was the highest-grossing soccer film ever in the United States upon release, and is still #3 behind “She’s the Man” and “Kicking & Screaming.” You may also like: Can you guess which iconic movie these scenes are from? #15. An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) Lorimar Film Entertainment – Legginess ratio: 16.83 – Total domestic gross: $129.8 million – Best weekend: $7.7 million – Best distribution: 1,050 theaters An antisocial, self-involved U.S. Navy recruit named Zack Mayo (Richard Gere) clashes with his drill sergeant shortly after he arrives. But through tough love and new love with a new woman, Zack learns how to open himself up to others. “An Officer and a Gentleman” was the third highest-grossing film of 1982 and earned almost $130 million worldwide. #14. Schindler’s List (1993)