Most Popular Movies 1996
This chart shows the 1996 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 1996 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 1996 - Top 1996 Worldwide
| ← 1995 | Most Popular Overall | 1997 → |
1
| Fargo |
| Director: Joel Coen |
| Lead Roles: Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, William H. Macy as Jerry Lundegaard, Steve Buscemi as Carl Showalter |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 8, 1996 (Wide) by Gramercy |
| Keywords: Kidnap, Film Noir, Based on an UNTRUE Story, Body in a Trunk, Corrupt Cops, Police Procedural, Life in a Small Town, Crime Thriller, No Honor Among Thieves, Relationships Gone Wrong, In-Laws / Future In-Laws, 1997 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $24,567,751 |
|
International BO: $26,635,756 |
Synopsis
A pregnant police chief is investigating a series of homicides across the frozen tundra. Against a sprawling Minnesota landscape, a car salesman hires two criminals to kidnap his wife. But when the scheme goes sour, and wood chippers get involved, the haphazard kidnapping plot turns deadly serious.
2
| Independence Day |
| Director: Roland Emmerich |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 2, 1996 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Alien Invasion, Intertitle, 3D Re-release, White House Under Attack, Action Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $306,169,255 |
|
International BO: $511,231,623 |
3
| A Thin Line Between Love & Hate |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 3, 1996 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: African Americans, Romance |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $34,873,513 |
4
| Sling Blade |
| Director: Billy Bob Thornton |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 20, 1996 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Life Drama, Learning Disabilities, Actors Making Their Directorial Debut, Directing Yourself, Screenplay Written By the Star, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Mental Hospital, Parricide, Relationships Gone Wrong, Domestic Abuse, Addiction |
| Classification: Based on Short Film, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $24,475,416 |
|
International BO: $9,699,584 |
5
| Trainspotting |
| Director: Danny Boyle |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 16, 1996 (Wide) (Australia) |
| Keywords: Narcotics, Addiction, Voiceover/Narration, Non-Chronological, Death of a Son or Daughter, Hallucinations, Life Drama |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $16,501,785 |
|
International BO: $55,047,150 |
6
| Bottle Rocket |
| Director: Wes Anderson |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 21, 1996 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Classification: Based on Short Film, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $407,488 |
|
International BO: $88 |
Synopsis
Bottle Rocket focuses on a group of young Texans aspiring to become master thieves. Their leader is Dignan, an upbeat if naive charmer who convinces his friends Anthony and Bob Mapplethorpe to enter the crime business. After their first heist, a bizarrely-executed robbery of a local bookstore, the trio goes on the lam, taking up residence in a border hotel where Anthony falls in love with a maid. When the three buddies decide that they need to return to the real world, they hook up with a master con-man who sends them on a daring—if ill-concieved— mission.
7
| Emma |
| Director: Douglas McGrath |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 2, 1996 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Romance, Comedy Drama, Matchmaker, Relationships Gone Wrong |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Comedy, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $22,231,658 |
|
International BO: $15,600,000 |
8
| Michael Collins |
| Director: Neil Jordan |
| Lead Roles: Liam Neeson as Michael Collins |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 11, 1996 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Biographical Drama, Biography, 1910s, 1920s, Set in Ireland, Betrayal, Terrorism, Police Brutality |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $11,317,898 |
|
International BO: $16,480,285 |
9
| Basquiat |
| Director: Julian Schnabel |
| Lead Roles: Jeffrey Wright as Jean Michel Basquiat |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 9, 1996 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Artists, Biography, Biographical Drama, Set in New York City, Set in New York, 1980s, Addiction, Drug Overdose |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $2,962,051 |
10
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| Crash |
| Director: David Cronenberg |
| Lead Roles: James Spader as James Ballard, Holly Hunter as Helen Remington, Elias Koteas as Vaughan, Deborah Kara Unger as Catherine Ballard, Rosanna Arquette as Gabrielle |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 4, 1996 (Wide) by Fine Line |
| Keywords: Sexual Fetishism, Erotic Thriller, Relationships Gone Wrong, Open Relationships, Car Accident, Cult Movie |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $3,357,324 |
|
International BO: $55,056 |
11
| Sleepers |
| Director: Barry Levinson |
| Lead Roles: Robert De Niro as Father Bobby, Dustin Hoffman as Danny Snyder, Jason Patric as Shakes, Brad Pitt as Michael |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 18, 1996 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Crime Drama |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $53,300,852 |
|
International BO: $112,300,000 |
12
| Mary Reilly |
| Director: Stephen Frears |
| Lead Roles: Julia Roberts as Mary Reilly |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 23, 1996 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Gothic Horror, Human Experimentation, Scientific Experiment Gone Awry, Prostitution, Spree Killer, Suicide, 1890s |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Horror, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $5,707,094 |
|
International BO: $7,192,906 |
13
| Tin Cup |
| Director: Ron Shelton |
| Lead Roles: Kevin Costner as Roy ‘Tin Cup’ McAvoy, Rene Russo as Dr. Molly Griswold |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 16, 1996 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Golf, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Underdog |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $53,854,588 |
|
International BO: $22,000,000 |
14
| Scream |
| Director: Wes Craven |
| Lead Roles: Neve Campbell as Sidney |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 20, 1996 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Wrongfully Convicted, Relationships Gone Wrong, Revenge, Surprise Twist, Spoof, Slasher Horror |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $103,046,663 |
|
International BO: $69,999,977 |
15
| Set It Off |
| Director: F. Gary Gray |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 6, 1996 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: African Americans, Hood Film, Crime Drama, Heist, Fired, Death of a Sibling, Child Protective Services, Set in Los Angeles, Set in California, LAPD, Fugitive / On the Run, Romance |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $36,049,108 |
16
| The Craft |
| Director: Andrew Fleming |
| Lead Roles: Robin Tunney as Sarah Bailey, Fairuza Balk as Nancy, Neve Campbell as Bonnie, Rachel True as Rochelle |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 3, 1996 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Religious, Supernatural Horror, Supernatural, Witches, New Guy/Girl in School, Social Outcast, Friends turned Enemies |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $24,769,466 |
|
International BO: $30,900,000 |
17
| A Time to Kill |
| Director: Joel Schumacher |
| Lead Roles: Sandra Bullock as Ellen Roark, Samuel L. Jackson as Carl Lee Hailey, Matthew McConaughey as Jake Brigance |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 24, 1996 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Lawyers, Sex Crimes, African Americans, Revenge, Courtroom / Legal Drama, Bigotry |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $108,766,007 |
|
International BO: $43,500,000 |
18
| She's the One |
| Director: Edward Burns |
| Lead Roles: Jennifer Aniston as Renee |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 23, 1996 (Wide) by Fox Searchlight |
| Keywords: Romance |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $9,482,579 |
|
International BO: $4,312,474 |
19
| Unforgettable |
| Director: John Dahl |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 23, 1996 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Erotic Thriller |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $2,483,790 |
20
| Maximum Risk |
| Director: Ringo Lam |
| Lead Roles: Jean-Claude Van Damme as Alain/Mikhail |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 13, 1996 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Twins, Action Thriller, Death of a Twin, Death of a Sibling, Same Actor, Multiple Roles, FBI, Russian Mafia, Organized Crime, Corrupt Cops, Fugitive / On the Run |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $14,102,929 |
|
International BO: $37,600,000 |
21
| Star Trek: First Contact |
| Director: Jonathan Frakes |
| Lead Roles: Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data, Alice Krige as Borg Queen |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 22, 1996 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Time Travel, First Contact, Alien Invasion, Action Adventure, Set in Outer Space, Space Opera, Inventor, Alien Encounters |
| Classification: Based on TV, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $92,027,888 |
|
International BO: $57,972,112 |
22
| The Pallbearer |
| Director: Matt Reeves |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 3, 1996 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Romance |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $5,656,388 |
23
| Flipper |
| Director: Alan Shapiro |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 17, 1996 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Animal Lead, Family Adventure, Romance, Set in Florida, Dysfunctional Family, Slow Motion Scene |
| Classification: Based on TV, Adventure, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $20,080,020 |
|
International BO: $10,513,293 |
24
| Kansas City |
| Director: Robert Altman |
| Lead Roles: Jennifer Jason Leigh as Blondie O'Hara, Harry Belafonte as Seldom Seen, Miranda Richardson as Carolyn Stilton, Dermot Mulroney as Johnny O'Hara, Brooke Smith as Babe Flynn |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 16, 1996 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Mafia, 1930s |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $1,353,824 |
Synopsis
Returning to the city of his birth for inspiration, legendary maverick director Robert Altman helms an evocative, bullet-riddled tribute to the music and movies of his youth in Kansas City, a Depression-era gangster flick as only he could make one. Blondie O’Hara resorts to desperate measures when her low-level hood husband Johnny gets caught trying to steal from Seldom Seen, a local crime boss operating out of jazz haunt The Hey-Hey Club. Out on a limb, Blondie kidnaps laudanum-addled socialite Carolyn, hoping her influential politician husband can pull the right strings and get Johnny out of Seldom Seen’s clutches.
25
| The Island of Dr. Moreau |
| Director: John Frankenheimer |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 23, 1996 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Mutants, Animal Hybrids, Mad Scientist, Body Horror, Scientific Experiment Gone Awry, Dysfunctional Family, Rebellion, Famously Bad |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Horror, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $27,682,712 |