#1 of 71 #1 biography movie of 2015
2015 · Adventure, Biography
$203.4M worldwide · 13% of the chart's total
$43.5M US & Canada · 21% $159.9M elsewhere · 79%
Biography box office · 2015
Biography Box Office 2015: Highest-Grossing Biography Movies
Everest (2015) is the highest-grossing biography movie released in 2015, with $203.4M worldwide, ahead of Straight Outta Compton (2015) at $201.6M and Bridge of Spies (2015) at $165.5M. 71 biography films released in 2015 report a worldwide gross, $1.6B in all, 44% of it from the US & Canada. 5 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 9% on 2014, whose releases took $1.7B. By language, English leads with $1.4B across 58 biography releases.
- 2015 releases with a gross
- 71
- combined worldwide
- $1.6B
- films crossed $100M
- 5
- vs 2014
- −9%
#1 of 71 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Biography Hits of 2015?
Everest (2015) leads with $203.4M, 13% of the total. The top 5 together took $805.1M, 51% of what all 71 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 2015, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 71. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2015.
- 1 Sep 18, 2015 US and Canada: $43.5M Rest of the world: $159.9M Worldwide: $203.4M
- 2 Aug 14, 2015 US and Canada: $161.2M Rest of the world: $40.4M Worldwide: $201.6M
- 3 Oct 16, 2015 US and Canada: $72.3M Rest of the world: $93.2M Worldwide: $165.5M
- 4 Dec 11, 2015 US and Canada: $70.3M Rest of the world: $63.2M Worldwide: $133.4M
- 5 Dec 25, 2015 US and Canada: $56.5M Rest of the world: $44.7M Worldwide: $101.1M
- 6
Sep 18, 2015 US and Canada: $62.6M Rest of the world: $37.4M Worldwide: $100M - 7
Nov 6, 2015 US and Canada: $45.1M Rest of the world: $53.6M Worldwide: $98.7M - 8
In the Heart of the Sea (2015)Dec 11, 2015 US and Canada: $25M Rest of the world: $69.3M Worldwide: $94.3M
Dec 11, 2015 · English · Action, Adventure, Biography $94.3M worldwide - 9
Nov 27, 2015 US and Canada: $11.1M Rest of the world: $53.1M Worldwide: $64.2M - 10
Sep 30, 2015 US and Canada: $10.1M Rest of the world: $51M Worldwide: $61.2M - 11
Dec 25, 2015 US and Canada: $34.5M Rest of the world: $14.1M Worldwide: $48.6M - 12
Nov 20, 2015 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: $41.1M Worldwide: $43M - 13
Dec 4, 2015 US and Canada: $10M Rest of the world: $31.4M Worldwide: $41.4M - 14
Oct 9, 2015 US and Canada: $17.8M Rest of the world: $16.7M Worldwide: $34.4M - 15
Oct 23, 2015 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: $27.3M Worldwide: $32M - 16
Jun 5, 2015 US and Canada: $12.6M Rest of the world: $16.1M Worldwide: $28.6M - 17
Nov 13, 2015 US and Canada: $12.2M Rest of the world: $15.7M Worldwide: $28M - 18
Jul 3, 2015 US and Canada: $8.4M Rest of the world: $15.3M Worldwide: $23.7M - 19
Nov 6, 2015 US and Canada: $7.9M Rest of the world: $3.6M Worldwide: $11.4M - 20
Mar 27, 2015 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $4.6M Worldwide: $6M - 21
Jun 5, 2015 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: $4M Worldwide: $5.9M - 22
Sep 16, 2015 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: $3.1M Worldwide: $5.6M - 23
Oct 16, 2015 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: $2.8M Worldwide: $5.4M - 24
Oct 30, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.8M - 25
May 8, 2015 US and Canada: $429.5K Rest of the world: $2.8M Worldwide: $3.2M - 26
Nov 13, 2015 US and Canada: $2.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.2M - 27
Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015)Nov 27, 2015 US and Canada: $410.5K Rest of the world: $1.3M Worldwide: $1.7M Nov 27, 2015 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $1.7M worldwide - 28
Apr 29, 2015 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $310K Worldwide: $1.6M - 29
Oct 2, 2015 US and Canada: $546.2K Rest of the world: $901.1K Worldwide: $1.4M - 30
Jun 12, 2015 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $112.4K Worldwide: $1.4M - 31
Dec 4, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 32
May 8, 2015 US and Canada: $347.3K Rest of the world: $866.6K Worldwide: $1.2M - 33
May 1, 2015 US and Canada: $11.7K Rest of the world: $1.2M Worldwide: $1.2M - 34
Seymour: An Introduction (2015)Mar 13, 2015 US and Canada: $743.5K Rest of the world: $164.2K Worldwide: $907.7K Mar 13, 2015 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $907.7K worldwide - 35
Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict (2015)Nov 6, 2015 US and Canada: $498.4K Rest of the world: $298.4K Worldwide: $796.8K Nov 6, 2015 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $796.8K worldwide - 36
Jan 30, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $772.3K - 37
Sep 18, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $697.8K - 38
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)Apr 24, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $686.4K Apr 24, 2015 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $686.4K worldwide - 39
Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot (2015)Jul 10, 2015 US and Canada: $41.3K Rest of the world: $578.2K Worldwide: $619.5K Jul 10, 2015 · English · Biography, Sport, Documentary $619.5K worldwide - 40
Paulo Coelho's Best Story (2015)Jul 31, 2015 US and Canada: $8.8K Rest of the world: $609.6K Worldwide: $618.4K
Jul 31, 2015 · Portuguese · Biography, Drama, Music $618.4K worldwide - 41
Jul 29, 2015 US and Canada: $425.8K Rest of the world: $90.5K Worldwide: $516.3K - 42
Apr 10, 2015 US and Canada: $155.3K Rest of the world: $282.9K Worldwide: $438.2K - 43
Aug 14, 2015 US and Canada: $433.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $433.9K - 44
Dec 4, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $369.8K - 45
Oct 16, 2015 US and Canada: $155.6K Rest of the world: $68.6K Worldwide: $224.1K - 46
Ingrid Bergman in Her Own Words (2015)Nov 13, 2015 US and Canada: $138.1K Rest of the world: $75.9K Worldwide: $214K
Nov 13, 2015 · Swedish · Biography, Documentary $214K worldwide - 47
Apr 3, 2015 US and Canada: $183.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $183.3K - 48
Mar 6, 2015 US and Canada: $180.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $180.6K - 49
Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery (2015)Aug 19, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $168.2K
Aug 19, 2015 · German · Biography, Crime, Documentary $168.2K worldwide - 50
Jul 17, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $100.6K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2015?
Of the top 10, Straight Outta Compton (2015) earned the biggest share at home (80% in the US & Canada), while The Walk (2015) made 83% of its gross abroad. Across all 71 films, $685.9M (44%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Everest (2015) $203.4M $43.5M US & Canada · 21% $159.9M elsewhere · 79%
- 2 Straight Outta Compton (2015) $201.6M $161.2M US & Canada · 80% $40.4M elsewhere · 20%
- 3 Bridge of Spies (2015) $165.5M $72.3M US & Canada · 44% $93.2M elsewhere · 56%
- 4 The Big Short (2015) $133.4M $70.3M US & Canada · 53% $63.2M elsewhere · 47%
- 5 Joy (2015) $101.1M $56.5M US & Canada · 56% $44.7M elsewhere · 44%
- 6 Black Mass (2015) $100M $62.6M US & Canada · 63% $37.4M elsewhere · 37%
- 7 Spotlight (2015) $98.7M $45.1M US & Canada · 46% $53.6M elsewhere · 54%
- 8 In the Heart of the Sea (2015) $94.3M $25M US & Canada · 27% $69.3M elsewhere · 73%
- 9 The Danish Girl (2015) $64.2M $11.1M US & Canada · 17% $53.1M elsewhere · 83%
- 10 The Walk (2015) $61.2M $10.1M US & Canada · 17% $51M elsewhere · 83%
Gross bands
How Many 2015 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
5 of 71 films crossed $100M and took $805.1M between them, 51% of the total. 52 films, 73% of the list, earned under $10M.
51% 45%
- $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 5 films, 7% of the list $805.1M · 51% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 14 films, 20% of the list $709.5M · 45% of the gross
- Under $10M 52 films, 73% of the list $51.5M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2015 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $420.5M from 8 films, led by The Big Short (2015). February was the quietest month ($27.4K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Devil's Violinist (2015) $801.1K The Devil's Violinist (2015)
- February Feb Gloria (2015) $27.4K Gloria (2015)
- March Mar The Salt of the Earth (2015) $7.1M The Salt of the Earth (2015)
- April Apr Iris (2015) $3M Iris (2015)
- May May Saint Laurent (2015) $5.8M Saint Laurent (2015)
- June Jun Love & Mercy (2015) $36M Love & Mercy (2015)
- July Jul Amy (2015) $25.6M Amy (2015)
- August Aug Straight Outta Compton (2015) $202.3M Straight Outta Compton (2015)
- September Sep Everest (2015) $371M Everest (2015)
- October Oct Bridge of Spies (2015) $244M Bridge of Spies (2015)
- November Nov Spotlight (2015) $250.2M Spotlight (2015)
- December Dec The Big Short (2015) $420.5M The Big Short (2015)
Last 10 years
How Does 2015 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2013 earned the most: $2.1B from 42 films, led by The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). 2015 took $1.6B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 26 films | 26 | $775.2M | – | 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 |
| 2013 42 films · +310% | 42 | $2.1B | +310% | The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) $407M |
| 2014 64 films · −18% | 64 | $1.7B | −18% | American Sniper (2014) $547.7M |
| 2015 71 films · −9% | 71 | $1.6B | −9% | Everest (2015) $203.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Biography Movies Speak in 2015?
English-language biography films took $1.4B across 58 films, 93% of the total, ahead of Tagalog-language biography films ($4.8M) and French-language biography films ($4.4M).
2015 Biography Box Office by Language
- English $1.4B58 films · #1 Everest (2015)
-
Tagalog $4.8M1 film · #1 Felix Manalo (2015) -
French $4.4M2 films · #1 Saint Laurent (2015) - German $866.1K2 films · #1 A Trick of the Light (1995)
- Portuguese $633.1K2 films · #1 Paulo Coelho's Best Story (2015)
- Swedish $214K1 film · #1 Ingrid Bergman in Her Own Words (2015)
-
Amharic $97.2K1 film · #1 Difret (2015) -
Spanish $10.8K1 film · #1 Mala Mala (2015)
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 2015: 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 71 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing biography movie in 2015?
Everest (2015) leads with $203.4M worldwide, $43.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Straight Outta Compton (2015) at $201.6M and Bridge of Spies (2015) at $165.5M.
How much did biography movies released in 2015 earn?
71 biography films released in 2015 report a worldwide gross, $1.6B in all, or $22.1M per film on average. 2014 releases took $1.7B.
How many biography movies released in 2015 made $1 billion?
None. 5 films crossed $100 million, led by Everest (2015) with $203.4M.
How is the 2015 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 2015. 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 2015 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.