#1 of 29 #1 biography movie of 2012
2012 · Biography, Drama
$275.3M worldwide · 54% of the chart's total
$182.2M US & Canada · 66% $93.1M elsewhere · 34%
Biography box office · 2012
Biography Box Office 2012: Highest-Grossing Biography Movies
Lincoln (2012) is the highest-grossing biography movie released in 2012, with $275.3M worldwide, ahead of Magic Mike (2012) at $167.3M and Hitchcock (2012) at $27M. 29 biography films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $511.3M in all, 62% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 60% on 2011, whose releases took $319.8M. By language, English leads with $501.2M across 23 biography releases.
- 2012 releases with a gross
- 29
- combined worldwide
- $511.3M
- films crossed $100M
- 2
- vs 2011
- +60%
#1 of 29 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Biography Hits of 2012?
Lincoln (2012) leads with $275.3M, 54% of the total. The top 5 together took $490M, 96% of what all 29 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Biography Release of 2012, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2012.
- 1 Nov 9, 2012 US and Canada: $182.2M Rest of the world: $93.1M Worldwide: $275.3M
- 2 Jun 29, 2012 US and Canada: $113.8M Rest of the world: $53.5M Worldwide: $167.3M
- 3 Nov 23, 2012 US and Canada: $6M Rest of the world: $21M Worldwide: $27M
- 4 Dec 7, 2012 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: $4.6M Worldwide: $11M
- 5 Searching for Sugar Man (2012)Jun 29, 2012 US and Canada: $3.7M Rest of the world: $5.7M Worldwide: $9.4M
Jun 29, 2012 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $9.4M worldwide - 6
Apr 13, 2012 US and Canada: $355.4K Rest of the world: $7.5M Worldwide: $7.8M - 7
Apr 20, 2012 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: $2.4M Worldwide: $3.8M - 8
Jul 13, 2012 US and Canada: $898.3K Rest of the world: $2.1M Worldwide: $3M - 9
Dec 7, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M - 10
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2012)Sep 21, 2012 US and Canada: $1M Rest of the world: $703.9K Worldwide: $1.7M Sep 21, 2012 · English · Biography, Documentary $1.7M worldwide - 11
Nov 9, 2012 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $30.2K Worldwide: $1.4M - 12
May 18, 2012 US and Canada: $809.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $809.6K - 13
Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present (2012)Jun 13, 2012 US and Canada: $86.6K Rest of the world: $70.1K Worldwide: $156.7K Jun 13, 2012 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $156.7K worldwide - 14
Feb 24, 2012 US and Canada: $132.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $132.1K - 15
Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (2012)Nov 2, 2012 US and Canada: $60.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.1K Nov 2, 2012 · English · Biography, Drama, Documentary $60.1K worldwide - 16
Apr 4, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.2K - 17
Paul Williams Still Alive (2012)Jun 8, 2012 US and Canada: $38.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.7K Jun 8, 2012 · English · Biography, Comedy, Musical $38.7K worldwide - 18
Apr 13, 2012 US and Canada: $34K Rest of the world: $2.6K Worldwide: $36.6K - 19
Aug 10, 2012 US and Canada: $30.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.8K - 20
Jun 22, 2012 US and Canada: $27K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27K - 21
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (2012)Jan 20, 2012 US and Canada: $22.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.7K Jan 20, 2012 · English · Biography, Comedy, Musical $22.7K worldwide - 22
Better Than Something: Jay Reatard (2012)Mar 2, 2012 US and Canada: $21.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.7K Mar 2, 2012 · English · Biography, Drama, Documentary $21.7K worldwide - 23
The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye (2012)Mar 9, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.1K Mar 9, 2012 · English · Biography, Romance, Music $19.1K worldwide - 24
Jun 1, 2012 US and Canada: $18.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.6K - 25
May 18, 2012 US and Canada: $14.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.3K - 26
Oct 5, 2012 US and Canada: $7.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.4K - 27
Mar 30, 2012 US and Canada: $6.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.5K - 28
Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet (2012)Dec 14, 2012 US and Canada: $1.3K Rest of the world: $2.8K Worldwide: $4.1K Dec 14, 2012 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $4.1K worldwide - 29
Big Boys Gone Bananas!* (2012)Jul 27, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2K Jul 27, 2012 · English · Biography, Drama, Documentary $1.2K worldwide
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2012?
Of the top 10, Magic Mike (2012) earned the biggest share at home (68% in the US & Canada), while The Lady (2012) made 95% of its gross abroad. Across all 29 films, $318.4M (62%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Lincoln (2012) $275.3M $182.2M US & Canada · 66% $93.1M elsewhere · 34%
- 2 Magic Mike (2012) $167.3M $113.8M US & Canada · 68% $53.5M elsewhere · 32%
- 3 Hitchcock (2012) $27M $6M US & Canada · 22% $21M elsewhere · 78%
- 4 Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) $11M $6.4M US & Canada · 58% $4.6M elsewhere · 42%
- 5 Searching for Sugar Man (2012) $9.4M $3.7M US & Canada · 39% $5.7M elsewhere · 61%
- 6 The Lady (2012) $7.8M $355.4K US & Canada · 5% $7.5M elsewhere · 95%
- 7 Marley (2012) $3.8M $1.4M US & Canada · 37% $2.4M elsewhere · 63%
- 8 The Imposter (2012) $3M $898.3K US & Canada · 30% $2.1M elsewhere · 70%
- 9 Heleno (2012) $2.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2012) $1.7M $1M US & Canada · 59% $703.9K elsewhere · 41%
Gross bands
How Many 2012 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
2 of 29 films crossed $100M and took $442.6M between them, 87% of the total. 25 films, 86% of the list, earned under $10M.
87%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 2 films, 7% of the list $442.6M · 87% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 2 films, 7% of the list $38M · 7% of the gross
- Under $10M 25 films, 86% of the list $30.7M · 6% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2012 Earned the Most?
November releases took the most, $303.8M from 4 films, led by Lincoln (2012). October was the quietest month ($7.4K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (2012) $22.7K Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (2012)
- February Feb How to Start a Revolution (2012) $132.1K How to Start a Revolution (2012)
- March Mar Better Than Something: Jay Reatard (2012) $47.2K Better Than Something: Jay Reatard (2012)
- April Apr The Lady (2012) $11.8M The Lady (2012)
- May May Bill W. (2012) $823.9K Bill W. (2012)
- June Jun Magic Mike (2012) $176.9M Magic Mike (2012)
- July Jul The Imposter (2012) $3M The Imposter (2012)
- August Aug Meet the Fokkens (2012) $30.8K Meet the Fokkens (2012)
- September Sep Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2012) $1.7M Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2012)
- October Oct Bel Borba Aqui (2012) $7.4K Bel Borba Aqui (2012)
- November Nov Lincoln (2012) $303.8M Lincoln (2012)
- December Dec Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) $13.1M Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)
Last 10 years
How Does 2012 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2009 earned the most: $1B from 24 films, led by The Blind Side (2009). 2012 took $511.3M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 15 films | 15 | $165.3M | – | Monster (2003) $58.5M |
| 2004 26 films · +314% | 26 | $683.8M | +314% | The Aviator (2004) $213.7M |
| 2005 21 films · −2% | 21 | $671M | −2% | Walk the Line (2005) $186.8M |
| 2006 26 films · +16% | 26 | $775.2M | +16% | The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) $307.1M |
| 2007 31 films · −18% | 31 | $638.4M | −18% | Charlie Wilson's War (2007) $119.5M |
| 2008 23 films · −48% | 23 | $330.9M | −48% | The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) $78.2M |
| 2009 24 films · +217% | 24 | $1B | +217% | The Blind Side (2009) $309.2M |
| 2010 14 films · −67% | 14 | $341.2M | −67% | The Social Network (2010) $224.9M |
| 2011 38 films · −6% | 38 | $319.8M | −6% | The Iron Lady (2011) $115.9M |
| 2012 29 films · +60% | 29 | $511.3M | +60% | Lincoln (2012) $275.3M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Biography Movies Speak in 2012?
English-language biography films took $501.2M across 23 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Portuguese-language biography films ($2.1M) and Japanese-language biography films ($58.2K).
2012 Biography Box Office by Language
- English $501.2M23 films · #1 Lincoln (2012)
-
Portuguese $2.1M2 films · #1 Heleno (2012) -
Japanese $58.2K1 film · #1 Tatsumi (2012) -
Dutch $30.8K1 film · #1 Meet the Fokkens (2012)
Archive
Biography Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1929 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2018 leads with $2.3B, led by Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).
2020s 7 years · $4.7B
2010s 10 years · $13.3B
- 2019 $1.3B #1 Ford v Ferrari (2019)
- 2018 $2.3B #1 Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
- 2017 $1.6B #1 The Greatest Showman (2017)
- 2016 $1.6B #1 Dangal (2016)
- 2015 $1.6B #1 Everest (2015)
- 2014 $1.7B #1 American Sniper (2014)
- 2013 $2.1B #1 The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- 2012 $511.3M #1 Lincoln (2012)
- 2011 $319.8M #1 The Iron Lady (2011)
- 2010 $341.2M #1 The Social Network (2010)
2000s 10 years · $5.9B
- 2009 $1B #1 The Blind Side (2009)
- 2008 $330.9M #1 The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
- 2007 $638.4M #1 Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
- 2006 $775.2M #1 The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
- 2005 $671M #1 Walk the Line (2005)
- 2004 $683.8M #1 The Aviator (2004)
- 2003 $165.3M #1 Monster (2003)
- 2002 $674.3M #1 Catch Me If You Can (2002)
- 2001 $541.6M #1 A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- 2000 $385.6M #1 Erin Brockovich (2000)
1990s 10 years · $2.7B
- 1999 $347.4M #1 The Hurricane (1999)
- 1998 $301.1M #1 Patch Adams (1998)
- 1997 $214.7M #1 Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
- 1996 $219.4M #1 Evita (1996)
- 1995 $385.1M #1 Braveheart (1995)
- 1994 $52.6M #1 Wyatt Earp (1994)
- 1993 $652.9M #1 Schindler's List (1993)
- 1992 $106.3M #1 Malcolm X (1992)
- 1991 $291.7M #1 JFK (1991)
- 1990 $102.9M #1 Goodfellas (1990)
1980s 10 years · $1.2B
- 1989 $212.2M #1 Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
- 1988 $172.8M #1 Good Morning, Vietnam (1988)
- 1987 $105.8M #1 La Bamba (1987)
- 1986 $3.5M #1 Sid and Nancy (1986)
- 1985 $254.3M #1 Out of Africa (1985)
- 1984 $2.9M #1 Phar Lap (1984)
- 1983 $129.6M #1 Gandhi (1983)
- 1982 $73.3M #1 Chariots of Fire (1982)
- 1981 $61.5M #1 Reds (1981)
- 1980 $135.5M #1 Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)
1970s 8 years · $358M
1960s 7 years · $271.4M
1950s 2 years · $21.4M
1940s 1 year · $3K
1930s 1 year · $4.9K
1920s 1 year · $22.7K
FAQ
Biography Box Office 2012: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 29 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing biography movie in 2012?
Lincoln (2012) leads with $275.3M worldwide, $182.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Magic Mike (2012) at $167.3M and Hitchcock (2012) at $27M.
How much did biography movies released in 2012 earn?
29 biography films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $511.3M in all, or $17.6M per film on average. 2011 releases took $319.8M.
How many biography movies released in 2012 made $1 billion?
None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Lincoln (2012) with $275.3M.
How is the 2012 biography box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 2012. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.
How often is the 2012 biography box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.