#1 of 75 #1 biography movie of 2016
2016 · Action, Biography
$303.7M worldwide · 19% of the chart's total
$12.4M US & Canada · 4% $291.3M elsewhere · 96%
Biography box office · 2016
Biography Box Office 2016: Highest-Grossing Biography Movies
Dangal (2016) is the highest-grossing biography movie released in 2016, with $303.7M worldwide, ahead of Sully (2016) at $243.9M and Hidden Figures (2016) at $236M. 75 biography films released in 2016 report a worldwide gross, $1.6B in all, 38% of it from the US & Canada. 5 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 4% on 2015, whose releases took $1.6B. By language, English leads with $1.1B across 61 biography releases.
- 2016 releases with a gross
- 75
- combined worldwide
- $1.6B
- films crossed $100M
- 5
- vs 2015
- +4%
#1 of 75 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Biography Hits of 2016?
Dangal (2016) leads with $303.7M, 19% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.1B, 69% of what all 75 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 2016, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 75. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2016.
- 1 Dec 21, 2016 US and Canada: $12.4M Rest of the world: $291.3M Worldwide: $303.7M
- 2 Sep 9, 2016 US and Canada: $125.1M Rest of the world: $118.8M Worldwide: $243.9M
- 3 Dec 25, 2016 US and Canada: $169.6M Rest of the world: $66.4M Worldwide: $236M
- 4 Nov 4, 2016 US and Canada: $67.2M Rest of the world: $113.4M Worldwide: $180.6M
- 5 Jan 22, 2016 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: $154.4M Worldwide: $157M
- 6
Jan 29, 2016 US and Canada: $27.6M Rest of the world: $24.5M Worldwide: $52.1M - 7
Aug 12, 2016 US and Canada: $27.4M Rest of the world: $21.7M Worldwide: $49.1M - 8
Feb 26, 2016 US and Canada: $15.8M Rest of the world: $30.4M Worldwide: $46.2M - 9
Sep 16, 2016 US and Canada: $21.6M Rest of the world: $15.8M Worldwide: $37.4M - 10
Dec 2, 2016 US and Canada: $14M Rest of the world: $15.8M Worldwide: $29.8M - 11
Sep 30, 2016 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: $27.1M Worldwide: $28.9M - 12
Feb 19, 2016 US and Canada: $19.2M Rest of the world: $5.9M Worldwide: $25.1M - 13
Jun 24, 2016 US and Canada: $20.8M Rest of the world: $4.2M Worldwide: $25M - 14
Jul 13, 2016 US and Canada: $15.4M Rest of the world: $5.6M Worldwide: $21M - 15
Mar 18, 2016 US and Canada: $201.2K Rest of the world: $20.2M Worldwide: $20.4M - 16
Feb 19, 2016 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: $16M Worldwide: $17.6M - 17
Oct 7, 2016 US and Canada: $15.9M Rest of the world: $917.6K Worldwide: $16.8M - 18
Nov 18, 2016 US and Canada: $82.7K Rest of the world: $16M Worldwide: $16.1M - 19
Nov 4, 2016 US and Canada: $7.8M Rest of the world: $5.2M Worldwide: $13M - 20
Apr 29, 2016 US and Canada: $3.9M Rest of the world: $8.4M Worldwide: $12.3M - 21
Sep 23, 2016 US and Canada: $8.9M Rest of the world: $1.5M Worldwide: $10.4M - 22
Sep 30, 2016 US and Canada: $4.1M Rest of the world: $3.9M Worldwide: $8M - 23
May 13, 2016 US and Canada: $57K Rest of the world: $7.8M Worldwide: $7.8M - 24
Jun 10, 2016 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: $6.1M Worldwide: $7.4M - 25
Nov 18, 2016 US and Canada: $5.1M Rest of the world: $1.6M Worldwide: $6.7M - 26
Aug 26, 2016 US and Canada: $6.3M Rest of the world: $324.4K Worldwide: $6.6M - 27
Mar 11, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.4M - 28
Aug 12, 2016 US and Canada: $3M Rest of the world: $2.1M Worldwide: $5.1M - 29
Aug 26, 2016 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: $265.6K Worldwide: $5M - 30
Dec 16, 2016 US and Canada: $939.1K Rest of the world: $2.9M Worldwide: $3.9M - 31
Apr 1, 2016 US and Canada: $2.6M Rest of the world: $863.1K Worldwide: $3.5M - 32
Mar 18, 2016 US and Canada: $13.1K Rest of the world: $3.3M Worldwide: $3.3M - 33
The People vs. Fritz Bauer (2016)Aug 19, 2016 US and Canada: $288.5K Rest of the world: $2.8M Worldwide: $3.1M
Aug 19, 2016 · German · Biography, Drama, Thriller $3.1M worldwide - 34
Oct 21, 2016 US and Canada: $2.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.1M - 35
Aug 26, 2016 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2M - 36
Mar 25, 2016 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: $121.2K Worldwide: $1.8M - 37
Mar 25, 2016 US and Canada: $830.1K Rest of the world: $723.2K Worldwide: $1.6M - 38
Apr 29, 2016 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $38.1K Worldwide: $1.2M - 39
A Tale of Love and Darkness (2016)Aug 19, 2016 US and Canada: $572.2K Rest of the world: $152.7K Worldwide: $724.9K
Aug 19, 2016 · Hebrew · Biography, Drama, History $724.9K worldwide - 40
Mar 11, 2016 US and Canada: $641K Rest of the world: $39.6K Worldwide: $680.6K - 41
Sep 30, 2016 US and Canada: $561.5K Rest of the world: $17.4K Worldwide: $578.8K - 42
Oct 14, 2016 US and Canada: $222.7K Rest of the world: $155K Worldwide: $377.7K - 43
May 27, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $343.1K - 44
Oct 14, 2016 US and Canada: $298.5K Rest of the world: $14.9K Worldwide: $313.5K - 45
Jan 8, 2016 US and Canada: $182.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $182.7K - 46
Jun 10, 2016 US and Canada: $165.2K Rest of the world: $2.8K Worldwide: $168K - 47
Jun 3, 2016 US and Canada: $159.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $159.3K - 48
Apr 27, 2016 US and Canada: $157.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $157.5K - 49
Jul 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $131.7K - 50
Requiem for the American Dream (2016)Jan 29, 2016 US and Canada: $130.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $130.2K
Jan 29, 2016 · English · Biography, Documentary $130.2K worldwide
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2016?
Of the top 10, Hidden Figures (2016) earned the biggest share at home (72% in the US & Canada), while Ip Man 3 (2016) made 98% of its gross abroad. Across all 75 films, $618.5M (38%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Dangal (2016) $303.7M $12.4M US & Canada · 4% $291.3M elsewhere · 96%
- 2 Sully (2016) $243.9M $125.1M US & Canada · 51% $118.8M elsewhere · 49%
- 3 Hidden Figures (2016) $236M $169.6M US & Canada · 72% $66.4M elsewhere · 28%
- 4 Hacksaw Ridge (2016) $180.6M $67.2M US & Canada · 37% $113.4M elsewhere · 63%
- 5 Ip Man 3 (2016) $157M $2.7M US & Canada · 2% $154.4M elsewhere · 98%
- 6 The Finest Hours (2016) $52.1M $27.6M US & Canada · 53% $24.5M elsewhere · 47%
- 7 Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) $49.1M $27.4M US & Canada · 56% $21.7M elsewhere · 44%
- 8 Eddie the Eagle (2016) $46.2M $15.8M US & Canada · 34% $30.4M elsewhere · 66%
- 9 Snowden (2016) $37.4M $21.6M US & Canada · 58% $15.8M elsewhere · 42%
- 10 Jackie (2016) $29.8M $14M US & Canada · 47% $15.8M elsewhere · 53%
Gross bands
How Many 2016 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
5 of 75 films crossed $100M and took $1.1B between them, 69% of the total. 54 films, 72% of the list, earned under $10M.
69% 26%
- $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 $1.1B · 69% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 16 films, 21% of the list $420.9M · 26% of the gross
- Under $10M 54 films, 72% of the list $80.2M · 5% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2016 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $573.3M from 5 films, led by Dangal (2016). May was the quietest month ($8.2M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Ip Man 3 (2016) $209.5M Ip Man 3 (2016)
- February Feb Eddie the Eagle (2016) $89M Eddie the Eagle (2016)
- March Mar The Clan (2016) $34.1M The Clan (2016)
- April Apr The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016) $17.1M The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016)
- May May Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016) $8.2M Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016)
- June Jun Free State of Jones (2016) $32.9M Free State of Jones (2016)
- July Jul The Infiltrator (2016) $21.3M The Infiltrator (2016)
- August Aug Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) $71.6M Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)
- September Sep Sully (2016) $329.2M Sully (2016)
- October Oct The Birth of a Nation (2016) $19.6M The Birth of a Nation (2016)
- November Nov Hacksaw Ridge (2016) $216.3M Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
- December Dec Dangal (2016) $573.3M Dangal (2016)
Last 10 years
How Does 2016 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). 2016 took $1.6B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 31 films | 31 | $638.4M | – | 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 |
| 2016 75 films · +4% | 75 | $1.6B | +4% | Dangal (2016) $303.7M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Biography Movies Speak in 2016?
English-language biography films took $1.1B across 61 films, 66% of the total, ahead of Hindi-language biography films ($350.2M) and Chinese-language biography films ($157M).
2016 Biography Box Office by Language
- English $1.1B61 films · #1 Sully (2016)
-
Hindi $350.2M3 films · #1 Dangal (2016) -
Chinese $157M1 film · #1 Ip Man 3 (2016) -
Spanish $24.3M2 films · #1 The Clan (2016) -
Dutch $6.4M1 film · #1 Admiral (2016) - German $3.1M1 film · #1 The People vs. Fritz Bauer (2016)
- Hebrew $724.9K1 film · #1 A Tale of Love and Darkness (2016)
-
Japanese $377.7K1 film · #1 Miss Hokusai (2016) -
Arabic $343.1K1 film · #1 The Idol (2016) -
Korean $159.3K1 film · #1 The Witness (2016)
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 2016: 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 75 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing biography movie in 2016?
Dangal (2016) leads with $303.7M worldwide, $12.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Sully (2016) at $243.9M and Hidden Figures (2016) at $236M.
How much did biography movies released in 2016 earn?
75 biography films released in 2016 report a worldwide gross, $1.6B in all, or $21.6M per film on average. 2015 releases took $1.6B.
How many biography movies released in 2016 made $1 billion?
None. 5 films crossed $100 million, led by Dangal (2016) with $303.7M.
How is the 2016 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 2016. 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 2016 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.