1932 in film


The following is an overview of 1932 in film, including significant events, a list of films released and notable births and deaths.

Top-grossing films (U.S.)

The top ten 1932 released films by box office gross in North America are as follows:
RankTitleStudioBox office gross rental
1The Kid from SpainUnited Artists$2,600,000
2Grand HotelMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer$2,300,000
3Tarzan the Ape ManMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer$1,500,000
4Movie CrazyParamount Pictures$1,439,000
5EmmaMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer$1,409,000
6As You Desire MeMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer$1,362,000
7ProsperityMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer$1,166,000
8Smilin' ThroughMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer$1,104,000
9Strange InterludeMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer$957,000
10Shanghai ExpressParamount Pictures$827,000

Events

Yearbook listed the following as the ten leading headline events of the year.
Other notable events include:
Exhibitors selected the following as the Top Ten Money Making Stars for 1931–1932 in Quigley Publishing Company's first annual poll.
RankActor/Actress
1.Marie Dressler
2.Janet Gaynor
3.Joan Crawford
4.Charles Farrell
5.Greta Garbo
6.Norma Shearer
7.Wallace Beery
8.Clark Gable
9.Will Rogers
10.Joe E. Brown

Academy Awards

The 5th Academy Awards were conducted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on November 18, 1932, at a ceremony held at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony was hosted by Conrad Nagel. Films screened in Los Angeles between August 1, 1931, and July 31, 1932, were eligible to receive awards.
Major awards:
Note: Prior to 1933 awards were not based on calendar years, which is how there are no Best Actor, Best Actress or Best Director awards for 1932 films. The 1931–32 awards went to 1931 films.

1932 film releases

unless stated

January–March

unless stated

0-9

Ordered by release date:
Ordered by release date:
Ordered by release date of the film series. This list only includes shorts released in 1932: