Most Popular Movies 1997
This chart shows the 1997 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 1997 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 1997 - Top 1997 Worldwide
| ← 1996 | Most Popular Overall | 1998 → |
1
| The Sweet Hereafter |
| Director: Atom Egoyan |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 10, 1997 (Wide) (Canada) |
| Keywords: Life Drama, Car Accident, Dysfunctional Family, Child Abuse, Sex Crimes, Lawyers, Paralysis, Wheelchair User |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $4,306,697 |
|
International BO: $3,644,550 |
2
| Selena |
| Director: Gregory Nava |
| Lead Roles: Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 21, 1997 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Biography, Biographical Drama, Hispanic, Singers, Prologue, Bigotry, 1960s, 1980s, 1990s |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $35,782,828 |
Synopsis
In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham, realizes that his young daughter is talented and begins performing with her at small venues. She finds success and falls for her guitarist, Chris Perez, who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.
3
| The Full Monty |
| Director: Peter Cattaneo |
| Lead Roles: Robert Carlyle as Gaz, Tom Wilkinson as Gerald, Mark Addy as Dave |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 13, 1997 (Wide) by Fox Searchlight |
| Keywords: Comedy Drama, Unemployed, Money Troubles, Strippers / Stripping, 1998 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $45,950,122 |
|
International BO: $215,299,261 |
4
| Hard Eight |
| Director: Paul Thomas Anderson |
| Lead Roles: Philip Baker Hall as Sydney, John C. Reilly as John, Gwyneth Paltrow as Clementine |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 28, 1997 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Film Noir |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $142,356 |
|
International BO: $359 |
5
| Absolute Power |
| Director: Clint Eastwood |
| Lead Roles: Clint Eastwood as Luther Whitney |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 14, 1997 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Political Thriller, Crime, Heist, Infidelity, Sex Crimes, Killing in Self Defence, Framed, Fugitive / On the Run, Faked Suicide |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $50,068,310 |
6
| In the Company of Men |
| Director: Neil LaBute |
| Lead Roles: Aaron Eckhart as Chad, Matt Maloy as Howard, Stacy Edwards as Christine |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 1, 1997 (Wide) by Sony Pictures Classics |
| Keywords: Black Comedy, Fake Dating, Sexism, Misanthrope, Relationships Gone Wrong, Deaf, Novel or Other Work Adapted by Author |
| Classification: Based on Play, Black Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $2,883,661 |
7
| 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag |
| Director: Tom Schulman |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 18, 1997 (Wide) by Orion Pictures |
| Keywords: Mafia |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Black Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $3,602,884 |
|
International BO: $400,000 |
8
| Kama Sutra |
| Director: Mira Nair |
| Lead Roles: Indira Varma as Maya, Sarita Choudhury as Tara |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 28, 1997 (Wide) by Trimark |
| Keywords: Erotic Drama, Romance, Friends turned Enemies, 1500s, Royalty, Prince/Princess |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $4,109,095 |
9
| Grosse Pointe Blank |
| Director: George Armitage |
| Lead Roles: John Cusack as Martin Q. Blank, Minnie Driver as Debi Newberry, Dan Aykroyd as Grocer |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 11, 1997 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: High School Reunions, Hitmen, Therapists / Therapy, Depression, Radio Industry, Romance, You Can't Go Home Again, Mental Illness, Revenge, Screenplay Written By the Star, Black Comedy |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Black Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $28,084,357 |
|
International BO: $2,986,055 |
10
| Prefontaine |
| Director: Steve James |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 24, 1997 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $590,817 |
11
| Contact |
| Director: Robert Zemeckis |
| Lead Roles: Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, Matthew McConaughey as Palmer Joss |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 11, 1997 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Religious, Search for Extraterrestrial Life, First Contact, Mystery Drama |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $100,920,329 |
|
International BO: $64,979,671 |
12
| Rien ne va plus |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 24, 1997 (Wide) by New Yorker, released as The Swindle |
| Classification: Comedy, Live Action |
|
Domestic BO: $245,359 |
|
International BO: $4,800,000 |
13
| Albino Alligator |
| Director: Kevin Spacey |
| Lead Roles: Matt Dillon as Dova |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 17, 1997 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action |
|
Domestic BO: $353,480 |
14
| Ulee's Gold |
| Director: Victor Nunez |
| Lead Roles: Peter Fonda as Ulee Jackson |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 13, 1997 (Wide) by Orion Pictures |
| Keywords: Dysfunctional Family, Family Drama, Widow/Widower, Abandoned Child, Single Parent, Unexpected Families, No Honor Among Thieves, Set in Florida, Kidnap, Hostage |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $9,054,736 |
|
International BO: $6,545,264 |
15
| Def Jam's How To Be a Player |
| Director: Lionel Smith Martin |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 6, 1997 (Wide) by Gramercy |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $14,010,363 |
16
| Love and Other Catastrophes |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 28, 1997 (Wide) by Fox Searchlight |
| Classification: Comedy, Live Action |
|
Domestic BO: $212,285 |
|
International BO: $530,931 |
17
| Chasing Amy |
| Director: Kevin Smith |
| Lead Roles: Joey Lauren Adams as Alyssa Jones |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 4, 1997 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Romance, LGBTQ+ |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $12,006,514 |
|
International BO: $3,148,581 |
18
| Gattaca |
| Director: Andrew Niccol |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 24, 1997 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Film Noir, Crime Thriller, Near Future, Sibling Rivalry, Genetic Engineering, Murder Mystery, Dysfunctional Family, Stolen Identity, Romance, Space Program, Cult Movie |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $12,532,777 |
19
| The Peacemaker |
| Director: Mimi Leder |
| Lead Roles: George Clooney as Thomas Devoe, Nicole Kidman as Julia Kelly |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 26, 1997 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: Terrorism, Foreign Language |
| Classification: Based on Factual Book/Article, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $41,263,140 |
|
International BO: $21,704,228 |
20
| The Postman |
| Director: Kevin Costner |
| Lead Roles: Kevin Costner as The Postman |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 25, 1997 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Post Apocalypse, Action Adventure, Yesterday's Tomorrow, 2010s, Romance, Epilogue, Famously Bad |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $17,650,704 |
|
International BO: $3,190,419 |
21
| Speed 2: Cruise Control |
| Director: Jan De Bont |
| Lead Roles: Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter, Jason Patric as Alex Shaw |
| Video Release Date: January 1, 1997 by 20th Century Studios |
| Keywords: Action Thriller, On a Boat, Sequels Without Their Original Stars, Hackers, Deaf, Scene in End Credits |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $48,097,081 |
|
International BO: $102,370,919 |
22
| Mouse Hunt |
| Director: Gore Verbinski |
| Lead Roles: Nathan Lane as Ernie Smuntz, Lee Evans as Lars Smuntz |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 19, 1997 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: Animals Gone Bad, Animal Lead, Action Comedy, Land Developer, Inheritance, Posthumous Release, Money Troubles |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $61,894,591 |
Synopsis
When their string magnate father, Rudolf Smuntz, dies, brothers Ernie and Lars move into his decrepit mansion. Struggling to keep a promise to never sell the now unprofitable string factory, the brothers decide that restoring the house, the last built by a famous architect, could bring them a great deal of money. But during their restoration attempts, Ernie and Lars are continually frustrated by a malicious mouse that keeps destroying their efforts.
23
| The Last Time I Committed Suicide |
| Director: Stephen Kay |
| Lead Roles: Keanu Reeves as Harry |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 20, 1997 (Wide) by Roxie Releasing |
| Classification: Based on Factual Book/Article, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $12,836 |
24
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| Travolti da un insolito destino nell’azzurro mare d’agosto |
| Director: Lina Wertmuller |
| Lead Roles: Mariangela Melato as Raffaella Pavone Lanzetti, Giancarlo Giannini as Gennarino Carunchio |
| Video Release Date: November 19, 1997 by Fox Lorber |
| Keywords: Set in Mediterranean Sea, Communism, Marooned, On a Boat, Romance, LGBTQ+, Cross-Class Romance |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $7,876 |
Synopsis
On an elegant yacht cruising off the coast of Sardinia, Raffaella, a rich and stunning capitalist, enjoys tormenting Gennarino, a Communist sailor. Fate weaves a different scenario and roles become reversed when the two find themselves stranded together on a deserted island. Raffaella must submit to Gennarino in order to survive, which culminates in a dramatic climax when they are rescued. They must determine if their love can survive the harsh realities of civilization.
25
| Donnie Brasco |
| Director: Mike Newell |
| Lead Roles: Al Pacino as Lefty, Johnny Depp as Donnie |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 28, 1997 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Mafia, Undercover, Crime Drama, Biography |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $41,954,997 |
|
International BO: $23,348,055 |