The film was shown and promoted at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival . It was released on May 20 , 1988 , in 1,209 theaters , earning $ 8,300,169 in its opening weekend , placing number one at the weekend box office . Lucas had hoped it would earn as much money as '' E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial '' , but the film faced early competition with '' Crocodile Dundee II '' , '' Big '' and '' Rambo III '' . Making over $ 57 million at the North American box office , it was not the blockbuster hit insiders had anticipated . It was not , however , a financial flop either , as it made a profit because of strong international , home video , and television sales
1988 Cannes Film Festival
1988 Cannes Film Festival
Willow (film)