BY THE NUMBERS
Five top-grossing films of the 1980s (rentals only): “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial” (1982) $228,379,346
“Return of the Jedi” (1983) $168,002,414
“The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) $141,600,000
“Ghostbusters” (1982) $128,264,005
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) $115,598,000
Five top-grossing films from the 1950s (rentals to date): “The Ten Commandments” (1956) $43,000,000
“Ben Hur” (1959) $36,650,000
“Lady and the Tramp” (1955) $36,200,000*
“Around the World in 80 Days” (1956) $23,120,000
(tie) “The Robe” (1953) and “South Pacific” (1958) $17,500,000
(* Unlike the others, this film has been re-released several times since its original release.)
Average cost of a movie ticket in the U.S.: 1959 51 cents
1980 $2.79
Source: Variety
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