25 Years Later: The 25 Highest-Grossing Movies of 1997

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The year was 1997. Square pizza, body glitter and denim-on-denim — sometimes on even more denim — were all the rage.

Going to the movies was a really big deal, as streaming services were far from a thing yet. The average cost of a movie ticket was $4.59, according to the National Association of Theatre Owners. That probably seemed like a lot more then than it does now.

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A total of 310 movies were released that year, with U.S. box offices grossing a total of $6.2 billion, according to BoxOfficeMojo. The average film brought in $19.9 million; but, of course, some outperformed this number many, many times over. In fact, the stars of some of the year’s most popular films earned more than that.

For example, Jim Carrey was paid $20 million for “Liar Liar” (according to Variety), Arnold Schwarzenegger earned $25 million for “Batman & Robin (according to the Los Angeles Times), Leonardo DiCaprio ultimately cashed in at $40 million for “Titanic” and Sandra Bullock earned $10 million for “Speed 2” (according to CelebrityNetWorth).

Here’s a look at the 25 most profitable films turning 25 this year.

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Warner Bros/Monarchy/Kobal/Shutterstock / Warner Bros/Monarchy/Kobal/Shutterstock

25. ‘The Devil’s Advocate’

Domestic distributor: Warner Bros.
Release date: 10/17/97
Original release domestic box office: $60.9 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $109.8 million
Original release international box office: $92 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $165.7 million
Original release worldwide box office: $152.9 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $275.5 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $12.2 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $21.9 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

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Eli Reed/Universal/Mutual Film/Kobal/Shutterstock / Eli Reed/Universal/Mutual Film/Kobal/Shutterstock

24. ‘The Jackal’

Domestic distributor: Universal Pictures
Release date: 11/14/97
Original release domestic box office: $54.9 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $98.9 million
Original release international box office: $104.4 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $188.1 million
Original release worldwide box office: $159.3 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $287 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $15.2 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $27.3 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

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23. ‘Alien: Resurrection’

Domestic distributor: Twentieth Century Fox
Release date: 11/26/97
Original release domestic box office: $47.8 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $86.1 million
Original release international box office: $113.6 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $204.6 million
Original release worldwide box office: $161.4 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $290.7 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $16.5 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $29.7 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

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22. ‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’

Domestic distributor: Twentieth Century Fox
Release date: 6/13/97
Original release domestic box office: $48.6 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $87.6 million
Original release international box office: $115.9 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $208.8 million
Original release worldwide box office: $164.5 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $296.3 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $16.2 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $29.1 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

21. ‘Contact’

Domestic distributor: Warner Bros.
Release date: 7/11/97
Original release domestic box office: $100.9 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $181.8 million
Original release international box office: $70.2 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $126.5 million
Original release worldwide box office: $171.1 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $308.2 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $20.6 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $37.1 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Dimension Films/Kobal/Shutterstock / Dimension Films/Kobal/Shutterstock

20. ‘Scream 2’

Domestic distributor: Dimension Films
Release date: 12/12/97
Original release domestic box office: $101.4 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $182.6 million
Original release international box office: $71 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $127.9 million
Original release worldwide box office: $172.4 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $310.5 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $32.9 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $59.3 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

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Marsha Blackburn/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock / Marsha Blackburn/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

19. ‘George of the Jungle’

Domestic distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: 7/18/97
Original release domestic box office: $105.3 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $189.6 million
Original release international box office: $69.2 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $124.7 million
Original release worldwide box office: $174.5 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $314.3 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $16.5 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $29.8 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock / Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

18. ‘Flubber’

Domestic distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: 11/26/97
Original release domestic box office: $93 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $167.5 million
Original release international box office: $85 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $153.1 million
Original release worldwide box office: $178 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $320.6 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $26.7 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $48.1 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

17. ‘Dante’s Peak’

Domestic distributor: Universal Pictures
Release date: 2/7/97
Original release domestic box office: $67.1 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $120.9 million
Original release international box office: $111 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $199.9 million
Original release worldwide box office: $178.1 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $320.9 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $18.5 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $33.3 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

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Touchstone/Jerry Bruckheimer Inc/Kobal/Shutterstock / Touchstone/Jerry Bruckheimer Inc/Kobal/Shutterstock

16. ‘Con Air’

Domestic distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: 6/6/97
Original release domestic box office: $101.1 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $182.1 million
Original release international box office: $122.9 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $221.4 million
Original release worldwide box office: $224 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $403.5 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $24.1 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $43.5 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

George Kraychyk/Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock / George Kraychyk/Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock

15. ‘Good Will Hunting’

Domestic distributor: Miramax
Release date: 12/5/97
Original release domestic box office: $138.4 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $249.4 million
Original release international box office: $87.5 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $157.6 million
Original release worldwide box office: $225.9 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $407 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $272,912
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $491,597
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock / Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

14. ‘Batman & Robin’

Domestic distributor: Warner Bros.
Release date: 6/20/97
Original release domestic box office: $107.3 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $193.3 million
Original release international box office: $130.9 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $235.8 million
Original release worldwide box office: $238.2 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $429.1 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $42.9 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $77.2 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): $238.2

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Paramount/Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock / Paramount/Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock

13. ‘Face/Off’

Domestic distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release date: 6/27/97
Original release domestic box office: $112.3 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $202.2 million
Original release international box office: $133.4 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $240.3 million
Original release worldwide box office: $245.7 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $442.5 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $23.4 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $42.1 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Suzanne Hanover/Polygram/Kobal/Shutterstock / Suzanne Hanover/Polygram/Kobal/Shutterstock

12. ‘Bean’

Domestic distributor: Gramercy Pictures
Release date: 10/17/97
Original release domestic box office: $45.3 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $81.6 million
Original release international box office: $205.9 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $370.9 million
Original release worldwide box office: $251.2 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $452.5 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $2.3 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $4.1 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Kelvin Jones/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock / Kelvin Jones/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

11. ‘Hercules’

Domestic distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release date: 6/15/97
Original release domestic box office: $99.1 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $178.5 million
Original release international box office: $153.6 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $276.7 million
Original release worldwide box office: $252.7 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $455.2 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $249,567
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $449,546
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

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Fox Searchlight/Kobal/Shutterstock / Fox Searchlight/Kobal/Shutterstock

10. ‘The Full Monty’

Domestic distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release date: 8/15/97
Original release domestic box office: $46 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $82.8 million
Original release international box office: $212 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $381.9 million
Original release worldwide box office: $257.9 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $464.6 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $176,585
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $318,083
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

9. ‘The Fifth Element’

Domestic distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release date: 5/9/97
Original release domestic box office: $63.8 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $115 million
Original release international box office: $200 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $360.2 million
Original release worldwide box office: $263.8 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $475.2 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $17 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $30.7 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): $263.9 million

Suzanne Tenner/Tri-Star/Kobal/Shutterstock / Suzanne Tenner/Tri-Star/Kobal/Shutterstock

8. ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’

Domestic distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release date: 6/20/97
Original release domestic box office: $127.1 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $229 million
Original release international box office: $172.2 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $310.1 million
Original release worldwide box office: $299.3 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $539.1 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $21.7 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $39 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Moviestore/Shutterstock / Moviestore/Shutterstock

7. ‘Liar Liar’

Domestic distributor: Universal Pictures
Release date: 3/21/97
Original release domestic box office: $181.4 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $326.8 million
Original release international box office: $121.3 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $218.5 million
Original release worldwide box office: $302.7 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $545.3 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $31.4 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $56.6 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Ralph Jr Nelson/Tristar/Gracie/Kobal/Shutterstock / Ralph Jr Nelson/Tristar/Gracie/Kobal/Shutterstock

6. ‘As Good as It Gets’

Domestic distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release date: 12/23/97
Original release domestic box office: $148.5 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $267.5 million
Original release international box office: $165.7 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $298.5 million
Original release worldwide box office: $314.2 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $565.9 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $12.6 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $22.7 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Columbia Tri Star/Kobal/Shutterstock / Columbia Tri Star/Kobal/Shutterstock

5. ‘Air Force One’

Domestic distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release date: 7/25/97
Original release domestic box office: $173 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $311.5 million
Original release international box office: $142.2 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $256.1 million
Original release worldwide box office: $315.2 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $567.7 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $37.1 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $66.9 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Eon Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock / Eon Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

4. ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’

Domestic distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date: 12/19/97
Original release domestic box office: $125.3 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $225.7 million
Original release international box office: $207.7 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $374.1 million
Original release worldwide box office: $333 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $599.9 million
Opening domestic weekend box office: $25.1 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $45.3 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

3. ‘Men in Black’

Domestic distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release date: 7/2/97
Original release domestic box office: $250.7 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $451.6 million
Original release international box office: $338.7 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $610.1 million
Original release worldwide box office: $589.4 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $1.1 billion
Opening domestic weekend box office: $51.1 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $92 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

Universal/Amblin/Kobal/Shutterstock / Universal/Amblin/Kobal/Shutterstock

2. ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’

Domestic distributor: Universal Pictures
Release date: 5/23/97
Original release domestic box office: $229.1 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $412.7 million
Original release international box office: $389.6 million
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $701.7 million
Original release worldwide box office: $618.6 million
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $1.1 billion
Opening domestic weekend box office: $72.1 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $129.9 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): N/A

1. ‘Titanic’

Domestic distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release date: 12/19/97
Original release domestic box office: $600.8 million
Original release domestic box office (adjusted to 2022): $1.1 billion
Original release international box office: $1.2 billion
Original release international box office (adjusted to 2022): $2.2 billion
Original release worldwide box office: $1.8 billion
Original release worldwide box office (adjusted to 2022): $3.3 billion
Opening domestic weekend box office: $28.6 million
Opening domestic weekend box office (adjusted to 2022): $51.6 million
Total worldwide box office (if any change): $2.2 billion

Methodology: For this piece GOBankingRates used Box Office Mojo data to find the 25 highest-grossing films released in 1997 in terms of (1) original release worldwide box office. For each of the 25 films, GOBankingRates also found the following: (2) original release domestic box office; (3) original release domestic box office adjusted to 2022 dollars; (4) original release international box office; (5) original release international box office adjusted to 2022 dollars; (6) original release worldwide box office adjusted to 2022 dollars; (7) opening domestic weekend box office; (8) opening domestic weekend box office adjusted to 2022 dollars, as well as (9) domestic distributor and (10) release date of film. All data was collected and is up to date as of May 23, 2022.

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