The 10 Highest-Grossing Billy Crystal Films
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Comedian Billy Crystal has had a long and storied career of films which later became cult classics to those he’s taken straight to Broadway. According to the New York Theatre Guide, Crystal is set to star in Broadway’s new musical, Mr. Saturday Night in March of 2022. The musical adaptation comes from the 1992 film of the same name, in which Crystal made his directorial debut, co-wrote and co-produced as well as starred in the hit movie.
He’s hosted the Academy Awards nine times, a record just behind Bob Hope and won two Primetime Emmy’s for his hosting gig. He also won a Tony Award for 700 Sundays, a one-act play he performed in 2005, based off of his novel by the same name.
The established actor has lent his voice to several animated hits and event written five books, becoming the funny man that fans adore. His variety of talent and willingness to take risks has earned Crystal a net worth of $60 million.
Check out the top grossing hits of Crystal’s career.
Mr. Saturday Night – $13 Million
Not a huge box office hit initially, the film Crystal wrote and starred in will now take the stage on Broadway in early 2022. Follow the life of Buddy Young, a washed-up comic ledged and his desperate attempt to reconnect with former friends and family.
The Princess Bride – $30 Million
One might argue while the initial release of the film didn’t do very well at the box office, today, it’s a cult-classic hit. Who doesn’t know the story of the grandfather telling his grandson (a young Fred Savage) about a farm boy-turned-pirate and a world of giants, magical beings, enemies and friends and the story of true love? Crystal played a supporting role as Miracle Max and according to a recent interview in Variety, his ad-libbing had everyone in stiches.
Forget Paris – $33 Million
Another film written and directed by Crystal, stars himself along with Debra Winger. Crystal plays Mickey, an NBA referee who meets an airline official in Paris and their on again off again relationship ensues.
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Running Scared – $38 Million
In Crystal’s debut film, two street wise cops (Crystal and Gregory Hines) return to Chicago from a relaxing vacation and pursue a drug dealer with a history of causing the two problems.
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold – $43 Million
The sequel to Crystal’s successful film doesn’t bring in as much as the original, however, audiences enjoyed following another fun-filled adventure from the city boys out in the west. The men discover a treasure map, according to IMDb and set out to discover Curly’s (the former trail guide) secrets.
Throw Momma from the Train – $58 Million
Who doesn’t want to watch this film, simply from the title? Crystal stars opposite Danny DeVito in the 1987 film. One man wants his former spouse dead and the other wants his mother dead. Despite the dark plot, comedy ensues.
When Harry Met Sally – $92 Million
An early film starring Crystal and Meg Ryan follows the pair through an awkward road trip to beginning a relationship years down the road. The fun rom com eventually became a classic among fans and of course, who could forget Ryan’s infamous diner scene? Crystal enjoyed the freedom of ad-libbing in this film too, contributing to many scenes that give us a chuckle.
Analyze This – $106 Million
It seems like a strange pairing if you didn’t know about Robert De Niro’s love for comedy, but the Crystal/De Niro match up in a comedy about a psychiatrist who tries to advise an insecure mob boss works like a charm. The pair along with Lisa Kudrow return for a second film, Analyze That to continue the long and dramatic relationship between mob boss and psychiatrist.
City Slickers – $124 Million
In one of his most well-known films to date, Crystal stars alongside Jack Palance, Daniel Stern and Bruno Kirby as the men give it their best on a southwestern cattle drive. Imagine the hilarity as city boys attempt to make their way as cowboys in the west, however, there are some heartfelt moments too as the men begin opening up and learning more about themselves and each other.
Monster’s Inc. – $289 Million
As the story goes, Crystal turned down the part of Buzz Lightyear in Disney’s successful Toy Story franchise, but he jumped at the chance to voice Mike Wazowski in Disney’s Monster’s Inc. film. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the green, one-eyed monster was a perfect match to John Goodman’s Sully character and the two returned in 2013 for the sequel, Monster’s University.
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Sources: New York Theatre Guide , Variety , IMDb, Celebrity Net Worth
