Steel Magnolias (1989)

Steel Magnolias
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $83,759,091Details
International Box Office $11,392,847Details
Worldwide Box Office $95,151,938
OpusData ID: 5370100
Further financial details...

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$5,425,440 (6.5% of total gross)
Legs:11.87 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:88.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:480 opening theaters/1,372 max. theaters, 14.1 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $232,328,765

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,048 $83,759,091
All Time International Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,856 $11,392,847
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,001-2,100) 2,007 $95,151,938
All Time Domestic Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 101-200) 170 $83,759,091
All Time International Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 701-800) 753 $11,392,847
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 201-300) 279 $95,151,938
Leggiest Movies 85 11.87

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: November 15th, 1989 (Wide) by Sony Pictures
May 19th, 2019 (Special Engagement) by Fathom Events
May 5th, 2024 (Special Engagement) by Fathom Events
International Releases: February 15th, 1990 (Wide) (Australia)
May 1st, 2025 (Limited) (New Zealand)
Video Release: July 8th, 1994 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 117 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Pretty Woman
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Comedy Drama, Autobiographical, Inspired by a True Story, Novel or Other Work Adapted by Author, Life in a Small Town, Medical and Hospitals
Source:Based on Play
Genre:Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Super Bowl (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 303 $6,595,751 Jan 26, 1990 75
Martin Luther King (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 277 $10,393,480 Jan 12, 1990 61
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 253 $6,248,970 Dec 29, 1989 47
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 180 $18,339,710 Dec 29, 1989 47
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 378 $7,605,774 Dec 22, 1989 40
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 3-Day) 218 $7,053,867 Nov 24, 1989 12
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 153 $20,701,945 Nov 24, 1989 12
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 5-Day) 244 $7,053,867 Nov 24, 1989 12
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 5-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 171 $16,193,836 Nov 24, 1989 12

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,048 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 501-600) 573 $232,328,765
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 701-800) 733 $83,759,091
Top-grossing movies at the domestic box office first released in 1989 13 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Play Movies 10 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 701-800) 770 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 403 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 101-200) 170 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 201-300) 281 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 101-200) 136 $83,759,091
Leggiest Movies 85 11.87

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 17, 1989 4 $5,425,440   480 $11,303   $5,467,015 1
Nov 24, 1989 5 $7,053,867 +30% 720 $9,797   $15,643,935 2
Dec 1, 1989 4 $4,856,409 -31% 963 $5,043   $22,685,485 3
Dec 8, 1989 5 $3,021,928 -38% 1,032 $2,928   $27,468,769 4
Dec 15, 1989 7 $2,094,664 -31% 1,102 $1,901   $30,700,611 5
Dec 22, 1989 7 $2,591,550 +24% 1,329 $1,950   $34,652,166 6
Dec 29, 1989 7 $6,248,970 +141% 1,365 $4,578   $44,598,414 7
Jan 5, 1990 6 $4,502,641 -28% 1,369 $3,289   $50,943,805 8
Jan 12, 1990 7 $3,745,560 -17% 1,372 $2,730   $56,311,630 9
Jan 19, 1990 7 $2,944,080 -21% 1,363 $2,160   $60,675,730 10
Jan 26, 1990 8 $2,376,950 -19% 1,370 $1,735   $64,115,820 11
Feb 2, 1990 10 $2,019,275 -15% 1,369 $1,475   $67,032,445 12
Feb 9, 1990 10 $1,606,880 -20% 1,328 $1,210   $69,303,290 13
Feb 16, 1990 10 $1,550,400 -4% 1,216 $1,275   $71,319,818 14
Feb 23, 1990 10 $1,207,930 -22% 1,214 $995   $72,828,100 15
Mar 2, 1990 10 $1,178,865 -2% 1,173 $1,005   $74,425,795 16
Mar 23, 1990 18 $603,480   642 $940   $77,568,541 19

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 17, 1989 3 $8,548,493   480 $17,809   $8,590,068 2
Nov 24, 1989 4 $9,239,008 +8% 720 $12,832   $17,829,076 3
Dec 1, 1989 3 $6,617,765 -28% 963 $6,872   $24,446,841 4
Dec 8, 1989 4 $4,159,106 -37% 1,032 $4,030   $28,605,947 5
Dec 15, 1989 5 $3,454,669 -17% 1,102 $3,135   $32,060,616 6
Dec 22, 1989 6 $6,288,828 +82% 1,329 $4,732   $38,349,444 7
Dec 29, 1989 7 $8,091,720 +29% 1,365 $5,928   $46,441,164 8
Jan 5, 1990 4 $6,124,906 -24% 1,369 $4,474   $52,566,070 9
Jan 12, 1990 7 $5,165,580 -16% 1,372 $3,765   $57,731,650 10
Jan 19, 1990 7 $4,007,220 -22% 1,363 $2,940   $61,738,870 11
Jan 26, 1990 7 $3,274,300 -18% 1,370 $2,390   $65,013,170 12
Feb 2, 1990 7 $2,683,240 -18% 1,369 $1,960   $67,696,410 13
Feb 9, 1990 5 $2,073,008 -23% 1,328 $1,561   $69,769,418 14
Feb 16, 1990 10 $1,850,752 -11% 1,216 $1,522   $71,620,170 15
Feb 23, 1990 9 $1,626,760 -12% 1,214 $1,340   $73,246,930 16

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date		 Opening
Weekend		 Opening
Weekend
Screens		 Maximum
Screens		 Theatrical
Engagements		 Total
Box Office		 Report
Date
Australia 2/15/1990 $0 0 1 1 $0
New Zealand 5/1/2025 $0 0 0 0 $191 5/12/2025
 
Rest of World $11,392,656
 
International Total$11,392,847 5/12/2025

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,856 $11,392,847
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 4,001-4,100) 4,026 $11,392,847
Top 1989 Movies at the International Box Office 20 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Based on Play Movies 46 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,001-4,100) 4,059 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 2,401-2,500) 2,478 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 701-800) 753 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 601-700) 632 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 301-400) 398 $11,392,847

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,001-2,100) 2,007 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 1,401-1,500) 1,484 $95,151,938
Top 1989 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 17 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Play Movies 16 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,589 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 801-900) 877 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 201-300) 279 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 401-500) 438 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 201-300) 255 $95,151,938

Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Aug 8, 20103012,472 165,808$80,943$1,315,597840
Aug 22, 20102918,981 196,511$123,187$1,514,860842
May 8, 20162514,712 1,401,025$79,445$9,337,8341,140
Mar 26, 2017286,876 1,663,029$45,038$10,874,9671,186
Aug 4, 2019268,365 1,916,769$64,829$12,639,4771,309

Supporting Cast

Julia Roberts    Shelby Eatenton Latcherie

Uncategorized

Kevin J. O’Connor    Sammy Dwayne Desoto
Sally Field    M'Lynn Eatenton
Jonathan Ward    Jonathan Eatenton
Dolly Parton    Truvy Jones
Knowl Johnson    Thomas 'Tommy' Lee Eatenton
Shirley MacLaine    Louisa 'Ouiser' Boudreaux
Sam Shepard    Spud Jones
Daryl Hannah    Annelle Dupuy Desoto
Olympia Dukakis    Clairee Belcher
Ann Wedgeworth    Aunt Fern Thornton
Bibi Besch    Belle Marmillion
Dylan McDermott    Jackson Latcherie
Bill McCutcheon    Owen Jenkins
Tom Skerritt    Drum Eatenton

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Herbert Ross    Director
Robert Harling    Screenwriter
Robert Harling    Story Creator

  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$5,425,440 (6.5% of total gross)
Legs:11.87 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:88.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:480 opening theaters/1,372 max. theaters, 14.1 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $232,328,765

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,048 $83,759,091
All Time International Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,856 $11,392,847
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,001-2,100) 2,007 $95,151,938
All Time Domestic Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 101-200) 170 $83,759,091
All Time International Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 701-800) 753 $11,392,847
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 201-300) 279 $95,151,938
Leggiest Movies 85 11.87

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: November 15th, 1989 (Wide) by Sony Pictures
May 19th, 2019 (Special Engagement) by Fathom Events
May 5th, 2024 (Special Engagement) by Fathom Events
International Releases: February 15th, 1990 (Wide) (Australia)
May 1st, 2025 (Limited) (New Zealand)
Video Release: July 8th, 1994 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 117 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Pretty Woman
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Comedy Drama, Autobiographical, Inspired by a True Story, Novel or Other Work Adapted by Author, Life in a Small Town, Medical and Hospitals
Source:Based on Play
Genre:Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Super Bowl (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 303 $6,595,751 Jan 26, 1990 75
Martin Luther King (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 277 $10,393,480 Jan 12, 1990 61
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 253 $6,248,970 Dec 29, 1989 47
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 180 $18,339,710 Dec 29, 1989 47
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 378 $7,605,774 Dec 22, 1989 40
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 3-Day) 218 $7,053,867 Nov 24, 1989 12
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 153 $20,701,945 Nov 24, 1989 12
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 5-Day) 244 $7,053,867 Nov 24, 1989 12
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 5-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 171 $16,193,836 Nov 24, 1989 12

Supporting Cast

Julia Roberts    Shelby Eatenton Latcherie

Uncategorized

Kevin J. O’Connor    Sammy Dwayne Desoto
Sally Field    M'Lynn Eatenton
Jonathan Ward    Jonathan Eatenton
Dolly Parton    Truvy Jones
Knowl Johnson    Thomas 'Tommy' Lee Eatenton
Shirley MacLaine    Louisa 'Ouiser' Boudreaux
Sam Shepard    Spud Jones
Daryl Hannah    Annelle Dupuy Desoto
Olympia Dukakis    Clairee Belcher
Ann Wedgeworth    Aunt Fern Thornton
Bibi Besch    Belle Marmillion
Dylan McDermott    Jackson Latcherie
Bill McCutcheon    Owen Jenkins
Tom Skerritt    Drum Eatenton

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Herbert Ross    Director
Robert Harling    Screenwriter
Robert Harling    Story Creator

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,048 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 501-600) 573 $232,328,765
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 701-800) 733 $83,759,091
Top-grossing movies at the domestic box office first released in 1989 13 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Play Movies 10 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 701-800) 770 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 403 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 101-200) 170 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 201-300) 281 $83,759,091
All Time Domestic Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 101-200) 136 $83,759,091
Leggiest Movies 85 11.87

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 17, 1989 4 $5,425,440   480 $11,303   $5,467,015 1
Nov 24, 1989 5 $7,053,867 +30% 720 $9,797   $15,643,935 2
Dec 1, 1989 4 $4,856,409 -31% 963 $5,043   $22,685,485 3
Dec 8, 1989 5 $3,021,928 -38% 1,032 $2,928   $27,468,769 4
Dec 15, 1989 7 $2,094,664 -31% 1,102 $1,901   $30,700,611 5
Dec 22, 1989 7 $2,591,550 +24% 1,329 $1,950   $34,652,166 6
Dec 29, 1989 7 $6,248,970 +141% 1,365 $4,578   $44,598,414 7
Jan 5, 1990 6 $4,502,641 -28% 1,369 $3,289   $50,943,805 8
Jan 12, 1990 7 $3,745,560 -17% 1,372 $2,730   $56,311,630 9
Jan 19, 1990 7 $2,944,080 -21% 1,363 $2,160   $60,675,730 10
Jan 26, 1990 8 $2,376,950 -19% 1,370 $1,735   $64,115,820 11
Feb 2, 1990 10 $2,019,275 -15% 1,369 $1,475   $67,032,445 12
Feb 9, 1990 10 $1,606,880 -20% 1,328 $1,210   $69,303,290 13
Feb 16, 1990 10 $1,550,400 -4% 1,216 $1,275   $71,319,818 14
Feb 23, 1990 10 $1,207,930 -22% 1,214 $995   $72,828,100 15
Mar 2, 1990 10 $1,178,865 -2% 1,173 $1,005   $74,425,795 16
Mar 23, 1990 18 $603,480   642 $940   $77,568,541 19

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 17, 1989 3 $8,548,493   480 $17,809   $8,590,068 2
Nov 24, 1989 4 $9,239,008 +8% 720 $12,832   $17,829,076 3
Dec 1, 1989 3 $6,617,765 -28% 963 $6,872   $24,446,841 4
Dec 8, 1989 4 $4,159,106 -37% 1,032 $4,030   $28,605,947 5
Dec 15, 1989 5 $3,454,669 -17% 1,102 $3,135   $32,060,616 6
Dec 22, 1989 6 $6,288,828 +82% 1,329 $4,732   $38,349,444 7
Dec 29, 1989 7 $8,091,720 +29% 1,365 $5,928   $46,441,164 8
Jan 5, 1990 4 $6,124,906 -24% 1,369 $4,474   $52,566,070 9
Jan 12, 1990 7 $5,165,580 -16% 1,372 $3,765   $57,731,650 10
Jan 19, 1990 7 $4,007,220 -22% 1,363 $2,940   $61,738,870 11
Jan 26, 1990 7 $3,274,300 -18% 1,370 $2,390   $65,013,170 12
Feb 2, 1990 7 $2,683,240 -18% 1,369 $1,960   $67,696,410 13
Feb 9, 1990 5 $2,073,008 -23% 1,328 $1,561   $69,769,418 14
Feb 16, 1990 10 $1,850,752 -11% 1,216 $1,522   $71,620,170 15
Feb 23, 1990 9 $1,626,760 -12% 1,214 $1,340   $73,246,930 16

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date		 Opening
Weekend		 Opening
Weekend
Screens		 Maximum
Screens		 Theatrical
Engagements		 Total
Box Office		 Report
Date
Australia 2/15/1990 $0 0 1 1 $0
New Zealand 5/1/2025 $0 0 0 0 $191 5/12/2025
 
Rest of World $11,392,656
 
International Total$11,392,847 5/12/2025

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,856 $11,392,847
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 4,001-4,100) 4,026 $11,392,847
Top 1989 Movies at the International Box Office 20 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Based on Play Movies 46 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,001-4,100) 4,059 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 2,401-2,500) 2,478 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 701-800) 753 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 601-700) 632 $11,392,847
All Time International Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 301-400) 398 $11,392,847

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,001-2,100) 2,007 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 1,401-1,500) 1,484 $95,151,938
Top 1989 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 17 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Play Movies 16 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,589 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 801-900) 877 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Comedy Movies (Rank 201-300) 279 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 401-500) 438 $95,151,938
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 201-300) 255 $95,151,938

Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Aug 8, 20103012,472 165,808$80,943$1,315,597840
Aug 22, 20102918,981 196,511$123,187$1,514,860842
May 8, 20162514,712 1,401,025$79,445$9,337,8341,140
Mar 26, 2017286,876 1,663,029$45,038$10,874,9671,186
Aug 4, 2019268,365 1,916,769$64,829$12,639,4771,309