Comedy films may not always create record-breaking box office revenues, but there are certain productions that have truly excelled and have drawn audiences back for multiple viewings. As of this point in 2016, the comedy film “Central Intelligence,” featuring the duo of Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson, has emerged as a frontrunner in this genre, amassing over $110 million in domestic box office revenue. However, this success could be overshadowed by the reboot of “Ghostbusters,” which boasts an all-female primary cast.
Nevertheless, both films above have much competition to contend with, as they face off against classic comedies that have achieved remarkable financial success throughout history. Here are the highest-grossing comedy films of all time:
(Note: Animated films and superhero films are excluded, even though they often contain significant comedic elements, as they belong to separate categories with a tendency to dominate box office investments. All data is sourced from Box Office Mojo and Wikipedia.)
10. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Production Budget: $25 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $219.1 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $452 million
Worldwide Gross (unadjusted): $441.3 million
9. M*A*S*H (1970)
Production Budget: $3.025 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $81.6 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $460.6 million
8. It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Production Budget: $9.4 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $46.3 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $462.2 million
Worldwide Gross (unadjusted): $60 million
7. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Production Budget: $4.3 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $126.7 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $487.6 million
Worldwide Gross (unadjusted): $300 million
6. Tootsie (1982)
Production Budget: $21 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $177.2 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $488.2 million
5. National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)
Production Budget: $3 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $141.6 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $513.8 million
4. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Production Budget: $2.6 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $119.6 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $542.5 million
3. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Production Budget: $15 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $234.7 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $576.1 million
Worldwide Gross (unadjusted): $316.4 million
2. Home Alone (1990)
Production Budget: $18 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $285.7 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $581.1 million
Worldwide Gross (unadjusted): $476.7 million
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
Production Budget: $30 million
Domestic Gross (unadjusted): $242.2 million
Domestic Gross (adjusted for inflation): $610.6 million
Worldwide Gross (unadjusted): $295.2 million
Source: BusinessInsider
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