Ron Howard has been a prominent mainstream director throughout the years. Having a strong start as a child actor and becoming a household name with Happy Days, Howard made his transition to the director’s chair with Grand Theft Auto in 1977.
Ever since he has turned his focus towards directing films and producing projects with Brian Grazer for his production arm Imagine Entertainment. And through that, Howard has released box-office winners and award-winning films (and a share of bombs).
This list will rank Ron Howard’s highest-grossing films throughout his theatrical filmography, according to their worldwide box office returns.
Far and Away - $137.8 million
This is one of the few projects that then married couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman appeared in together. The pair star as Irish immigrants who struggled hard during the immigration boom in late 1800’s America.
While the period detail is indeed neat, and the two play their roles well, there is not much substance to let it stand out from its period drama cousins. Nevertheless, it was a moderate hit taking $137 million worldwide.
Backdraft - $152.4 million
Backdraft is one of the first mainstream movies that features firefighting as the backdrop for its premise. It boasts an ensemble cast, including Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, Robert De Niro and the late J. T. Walsh.
While its script may be flimsy in places, its true strengths are the visuals. The fire special effects and sound design are true innovations of that time, as is its realistic take.
Inferno - $220 million
Back in 2016, people were not aware that another Robert Langdon movie was released, even though Tom Hanks is top-billed. However, it caught worldwide attention, having grossed $185.7 million against the domestic $34.3 million, raking in $220 million worldwide.
Like past Langdon movies, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, it received a negative response for its convoluted plot, disinterested performances and mishmash set pieces. Nevertheless, Hanks shrugged it off that year with Sully and David S. Pumpkins.
Ransom - $309.5 million
A classic in its own right, this 1996 thriller sees Mel Gibson taking matters into his own hands to rescue his kidnapped son from his captors. Taking inspiration from an episode from the anthology The United States Steel Hour and Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom, Howard made every scene filled with high stakes and a sense of tension.
While Gibson is excellent as the father of the kidnapped child, Gary Sinise makes for a compelling adversary.
A Beautiful Mind - $313.5 million
Howard won his first Oscar for this biopic of economist John Forbes Nash Jr. (played by Russell Crowe) and the aftermath of his paranoid schizophrenia. While screenwriter Akiva Goldman’s interpretation of Nash’s story and illness may incorporate some inaccuracies, it is still a compelling inspirational drama that brings mental illness into a broader light.
Other than that, the movie also works as a heartfelt love story, as Jennifer Connelly is equally amazing as Nash’s wife.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - $345.1 million
As the first feature-length adaptation of a Dr. Seuss’ book, Howard took the risk of interpreting Whoville to the big screen. The results are obvious in the final product: an uneven mix of adult jokes, inane slapstick and bleak cinematography on a rich Christmas tale.
Nevertheless, people mostly associate the Grinch with Jim Carrey. His comedic performance and impressive makeup was the movie’s highlight. Other than that, the Chuck Jones short is still superior.
Apollo 13 - $355.2 million
Ron Howard is at his most excellent when doing biopics. And the space drama Apollo 13 about the titular doomed mission is arguably the best of all of them. Garnering nine Academy Awards and winning two, Apollo 13 boasts an excellent ensemble that includes Tom Hanks, Ed Harris, Gary Sinise, Kevin Bacon and the late Bill Paxton.
While being technically outstanding, the movie was also lauded for popularizing the quote “Houston, we have a problem”.
Solo: A Star Wars Story - $393.2 million
Originally, Howard is not supposed to direct the second Star Wars spinoff film, which shows the origins of Han Solo. The director only picked up the pieces after Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were booted from directorial duties.
With these two opposing visions clashing, it severely affected the film’s take on Han Solo. As a result, it bombed in the box office, losing Disney $76.9 million when compared to its budget and placing more doubt for future Star Wars movies.
Angels & Demons - $485.9 million
Coming off the heels of The Da Vinci Code’s success, its sequel Angels & Demons was released in 2009, acting as the follow-up (even though Dan Brown released Angels & Demons first). This time, Robert Langdon uncovers an Illuminati conspiracy hiding beneath the Vatican and stops a doomsday device.
The film has a more coherent narrative than the last time. But it’s still littered with Dan Brown’s infamous disregard for facts and penchant for implausibility.
The Da Vinci Code - $758.2 million
Finally, Ron Howard’s highest-grossing film is an adaptation of a worldwide bestseller. And likewise, the source material’s writing quality, the aloof composition of facts and standoffish interpretation of history is present in the final product.
And just like the book, the film was met with highly negative responses from critics and numerous controversies over its blasphemous depiction of the Catholic Church and Holy Scriptures. Regardless, its success made it Tom Hanks’ third highest-grossing film.
