#1 of 4,018 Highest-grossing documentary movie ever
2009 · Music, Documentary
$268M worldwide
$72.1M US & Canada · 27% $195.9M elsewhere · 73%
Documentary box office · All time
Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies of All Time
This Is It (2009) is the highest-grossing documentary movie in our database, with $268M worldwide, ahead of Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) at $222.4M and Jackass 3-D (2010) at $178.1M. 4,018 documentary films in our database report a worldwide gross, $5.8B in all, 52% of it from the US & Canada. 7 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. By language, English leads with $4.7B across 2,792 documentary releases.
- films with a reported gross
- 4,018
- combined worldwide
- $5.8B
- films crossed $100M
- 7
- earned in the US & Canada
- 52%
#1 of 4,018 Top 5
What Are the Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies Ever?
This Is It (2009) leads with $268M, $45.5M ahead of Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004). The top 5 were released between 2002 and 2013 and took $948.7M together; 1 earned more than half of its gross outside the US & Canada.
- Number 1
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
All 4,018 Documentary Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 4,018. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.
- 1 Oct 28, 2009 US and Canada: $72.1M Rest of the world: $195.9M Worldwide: $268M
- 2 Jun 23, 2004 US and Canada: $119.2M Rest of the world: $103.3M Worldwide: $222.4M
- 3 Oct 15, 2010 US and Canada: $117.2M Rest of the world: $60.9M Worldwide: $178.1M
- 4 Oct 25, 2013 US and Canada: $102M Rest of the world: $49.8M Worldwide: $151.8M
- 5 Apr 19, 2002 US and Canada: $93.4M Rest of the world: $35M Worldwide: $128.4M
- 6
Jun 24, 2005 US and Canada: $77.4M Rest of the world: $50M Worldwide: $127.4M - 7
Walking with Dinosaurs (2013)Dec 20, 2013 US and Canada: $36.1M Rest of the world: $90.5M Worldwide: $126.5M
Dec 20, 2013 · English · Action, Adventure, Animation $126.5M worldwide - 8
Feb 11, 2011 US and Canada: $73M Rest of the world: $26M Worldwide: $99M - 9
Mar 3, 2006 US and Canada: $46.4M Rest of the world: $51.8M Worldwide: $98.2M - 10
Sep 22, 2006 US and Canada: $72.8M Rest of the world: $11.9M Worldwide: $84.6M - 11
Apr 22, 2010 US and Canada: $19.4M Rest of the world: $63.7M Worldwide: $83.1M - 12
Feb 4, 2022 US and Canada: $57.7M Rest of the world: $22.8M Worldwide: $80.6M - 13
May 1, 2013 US and Canada: $36.9M Rest of the world: $41.5M Worldwide: $78.4M - 14
Aug 13, 2013 US and Canada: $29.1M Rest of the world: $45.2M Worldwide: $74.4M - 15
Aug 30, 2013 US and Canada: $29.1M Rest of the world: $45.2M Worldwide: $74.4M - 16
Oct 11, 2002 US and Canada: $21.6M Rest of the world: $36.4M Worldwide: $58M - 17
Oct 16, 2026 US and Canada: $56.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $56.9M - 18
Feb 13, 2009 US and Canada: $36.3M Rest of the world: $19.7M Worldwide: $55.9M - 19
Sep 27, 2007 US and Canada: $23.7M Rest of the world: $26.9M Worldwide: $50.7M - 20
Dec 18, 1987 US and Canada: $50.5M Rest of the world: $634 Worldwide: $50.5M - 21
May 24, 2006 US and Canada: $24.1M Rest of the world: $25.6M Worldwide: $49.8M - 22
Sep 21, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $47.2M - 23
1998 US and Canada: $40.6M Rest of the world: $4.1M Worldwide: $44.7M - 24
Apr 8, 2011 US and Canada: $26M Rest of the world: $15.7M Worldwide: $41.6M - 25
Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)Sep 23, 2005 US and Canada: $34.1M Rest of the world: $6.2M Worldwide: $40.3M Sep 23, 2005 · English · Animation, Documentary, Short $40.3M worldwide - 26
Jul 17, 2015 US and Canada: $337.9K Rest of the world: $39.7M Worldwide: $40M - 27
Jun 15, 2018 US and Canada: $365.6K Rest of the world: $38.7M Worldwide: $39M - 28
Aug 18, 2000 US and Canada: $38.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.2M - 29
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982)Mar 12, 1982 US and Canada: $36.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $36.3M Mar 12, 1982 · English · Comedy, Documentary $36.3M worldwide - 30
Jun 29, 2007 US and Canada: $24.5M Rest of the world: $11.6M Worldwide: $36.2M - 31
Apr 20, 2012 US and Canada: $29M Rest of the world: $5.9M Worldwide: $34.8M - 32
Apr 29, 2005 US and Canada: $16.6M Rest of the world: $17.6M Worldwide: $34.3M - 33
Jul 13, 2012 US and Canada: $33.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $33.4M - 34
May 19, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $32.8M - 35
Jul 5, 2012 US and Canada: $25.3M Rest of the world: $7.4M Worldwide: $32.7M - 36
Jul 3, 2013 US and Canada: $32.2M Rest of the world: $74K Worldwide: $32.3M - 37
Jun 13, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $31.8M - 38
Apr 22, 2011 US and Canada: $15.4M Rest of the world: $15.4M Worldwide: $30.9M - 39
Jan 13, 2017 US and Canada: $109K Rest of the world: $29.9M Worldwide: $30M - 40
Jul 25, 2003 US and Canada: $19.1M Rest of the world: $10.4M Worldwide: $29.4M - 41
Sep 28, 2018 US and Canada: $17.5M Rest of the world: $11.8M Worldwide: $29.4M - 42
May 24, 1991 US and Canada: $15M Rest of the world: $14M Worldwide: $29M - 43
Aug 16, 2024 US and Canada: $5.7M Rest of the world: $22.6M Worldwide: $28.4M - 44
Jun 26, 2026 US and Canada: $18.3M Rest of the world: $9.6M Worldwide: $27.8M - 45
Apr 11, 2003 US and Canada: $17M Rest of the world: $10.5M Worldwide: $27.6M - 46
Jun 21, 1974 US and Canada: $26.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.9M - 47
Aug 16, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $26.4M - 48
Oct 5, 2015 US and Canada: $46.8K Rest of the world: $26.2M Worldwide: $26.3M - 49
Apr 29, 2016 US and Canada: $15.7M Rest of the world: $10.6M Worldwide: $26.3M - 50
Nov 4, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $25.4M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Biggest Documentary Movies Make Their Money?
Of the top 10, Jackass Number Two (2006) earned the biggest share at home (86% in the US & Canada), while This Is It (2009) made 73% of its gross abroad. Across all 4,018 films, $3B (52%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 This Is It (2009) $268M $72.1M US & Canada · 27% $195.9M elsewhere · 73%
- 2 Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) $222.4M $119.2M US & Canada · 54% $103.3M elsewhere · 46%
- 3 Jackass 3-D (2010) $178.1M $117.2M US & Canada · 66% $60.9M elsewhere · 34%
- 4 Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013) $151.8M $102M US & Canada · 67% $49.8M elsewhere · 33%
- 5 Space Station 3D (2002) $128.4M $93.4M US & Canada · 73% $35M elsewhere · 27%
- 6 March of the Penguins (2005) $127.4M $77.4M US & Canada · 61% $50M elsewhere · 39%
- 7 Walking with Dinosaurs (2013) $126.5M $36.1M US & Canada · 29% $90.5M elsewhere · 71%
- 8 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011) $99M $73M US & Canada · 74% $26M elsewhere · 26%
- 9 Deep Sea (2006) $98.2M $46.4M US & Canada · 47% $51.8M elsewhere · 53%
- 10 Jackass Number Two (2006) $84.6M $72.8M US & Canada · 86% $11.9M elsewhere · 14%
Gross bands
How Many Documentary Movies Crossed $100 Million?
7 of 4,018 films crossed $100M and took $1.2B between them, 21% of the total. 3,898 films, 97% of the list, earned under $10M.
21% 52% 27%
- $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 7 films, <1% of the list $1.2B · 21% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 113 films, 3% of the list $3B · 52% of the gross
- Under $10M 3,898 films, 97% of the list $1.6B · 27% of the gross
By decade
Which Decade's Documentary Movies Earned the Most?
Films released in the 2010s lead with $2.7B from 1,928 titles, led by Jackass 3-D (2010). Each column links to the decade's biggest year.
- 1950s 1950s Peak year 1957 Search for Paradise (1957) $233.2K Search for Paradise (1957)
- 1960s 1960s Peak year 1963 The Lovely Month of May (1963) $143K The Lovely Month of May (1963)
- 1970s 1970s Peak year 1974 That's Entertainment! (1974) $33.9M That's Entertainment! (1974)
- 1980s 1980s Peak year 1987 Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987) $174.2M Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987)
- 1990s 1990s Peak year 1998 Mysteries of Egypt (1998) $226.1M Mysteries of Egypt (1998)
- 2000s 2000s Peak year 2009 This Is It (2009) $2.1B This Is It (2009)
- 2010s 2010s Peak year 2013 Jackass 3-D (2010) $2.7B Jackass 3-D (2010)
- 2020s 2020s Peak year 2022 Jackass Forever (2022) $644.6M Jackass Forever (2022)
Biggest years
Which Years Had the Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies?
2013 releases earned the most: $696.2M from 180 films, led by Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013). The 10 biggest years, each linking to its chart.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 180 films | 180 | $696.2M | Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013) $151.8M |
| 2009 111 films | 111 | $401.6M | This Is It (2009) $268M |
| 2004 88 films | 88 | $339.9M | Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) $222.4M |
| 2010 119 films | 119 | $338.6M | Jackass 3-D (2010) $178.1M |
| 2011 162 films | 162 | $288.8M | Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011) $99M |
| 2012 164 films | 164 | $288M | Switch (2012) $47.2M |
| 2006 112 films | 112 | $286.9M | Deep Sea (2006) $98.2M |
| 2005 94 films | 94 | $284.9M | March of the Penguins (2005) $127.4M |
| 2018 238 films | 238 | $257.3M | Believer (2018) $39M |
| 2002 50 films | 50 | $239M | Space Station 3D (2002) $128.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak?
English-language documentary films took $4.7B across 2,792 films, 80% of the total, ahead of French-language documentary films ($178.8M) and Korean-language documentary films ($144.6M).
All-Time Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $4.7B2,792 films · #1 Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
-
French $178.8M166 films · #1 Oceans (2010) -
Korean $144.6M54 films · #1 Northern Limit Line (2015) -
German $69.7M108 films · #1 Pina (2011) -
Chinese $37.8M32 films · #1 Twenty Two (2015) -
Polish $34.5M12 films · #1 In the Rearview (2024) -
Spanish $33.3M209 films · #1 The Mystery of the Pink Flamingo (2020) -
Arabic $29.5M45 films · #1 Lyd (2024) -
Italian $22.4M82 films · #1 The Journey: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli (2023) -
Norwegian $21.1M30 films · #1 Once Upon a Time in Norway (2007)
Archive
Documentary Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1918 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2013 leads with $696.2M, led by Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013).
2020s 7 years · $644.6M
2010s 10 years · $2.7B
- 2019 $145.4M #1 Apollo 11 (2019)
- 2018 $257.3M #1 Believer (2018)
- 2017 $172.8M #1 Reset (2017)
- 2016 $149.8M #1 A Beautiful Planet (2016)
- 2015 $203.5M #1 Northern Limit Line (2015)
- 2014 $126.7M #1 Bears (2014)
- 2013 $696.2M #1 Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013)
- 2012 $288M #1 Switch (2012)
- 2011 $288.8M #1 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
- 2010 $338.6M #1 Jackass 3-D (2010)
2000s 10 years · $2.1B
- 2009 $401.6M #1 This Is It (2009)
- 2008 $118.2M #1 U2 3D (2008)
- 2007 $137.8M #1 Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure (2007)
- 2006 $286.9M #1 Deep Sea (2006)
- 2005 $284.9M #1 March of the Penguins (2005)
- 2004 $339.9M #1 Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
- 2003 $123.3M #1 Bugs! (2003)
- 2002 $239M #1 Space Station 3D (2002)
- 2001 $39.4M #1 Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure (2001)
- 2000 $81.4M #1 The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)
1990s 10 years · $226.1M
- 1999 $50.2M #1 Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
- 1998 $60.8M #1 Mysteries of Egypt (1998)
- 1997 $22M #1 Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun (1997)
- 1996 $5.9M #1 When We Were Kings (1996)
- 1995 $13.9M #1 Born to Be Wild (1995)
- 1994 $26.8M #1 Hoop Dreams (1994)
- 1993 $733.8K #1 The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl (1993)
- 1992 $7.2M #1 My Crasy Life (1992)
- 1991 $37.7M #1 Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)
- 1990 $785.7K #1 Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones (1990)
1980s 10 years · $174.2M
- 1989 $9.3M #1 Roger & Me (1989)
- 1988 $15.3M #1 U2: Rattle and Hum (1988)
- 1987 $54.3M #1 Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987)
- 1986 $1.4M #1 Home of the Brave: A Film by Laurie Anderson (1986)
- 1985 $1.8M #1 The Dream Is Alive (1985)
- 1984 $24.1M #1 Stop Making Sense (1984)
- 1983 $16.2M #1 Richard Pryor: Here and Now (1983)
- 1982 $44.4M #1 Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982)
- 1981 $2.1M #1 This Is Elvis (1981)
- 1980 $5.3M #1 Divine Madness (1980)
1970s 9 years · $33.9M
- 1978 $363.8K #1 The Last Waltz (1978)
- 1977 $298.5K #1 ABBA: The Movie (1977)
- 1976 $5M #1 That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)
- 1975 $40.9K #1 Grey Gardens (1975)
- 1974 $27.2M #1 That's Entertainment! (1974)
- 1973 $16.7K #1 Wattstax (1973)
- 1972 $676.7K #1 Elvis on Tour (1972)
- 1971 $31.4K #1 Bushman (1971)
- 1970 $357.4K #1 Woodstock (1970)
1960s 6 years · $143K
1950s 5 years · $233.2K
1920s 2 years · $201.5K
1910s 1 year · $9.7K
FAQ
Documentary Box Office All Time: 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 4,018 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie of all time?
This Is It (2009) leads with $268M worldwide, $72.1M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) at $222.4M and Jackass 3-D (2010) at $178.1M.
How much have documentary movies earned at the box office?
4,018 documentary films in our database report a worldwide gross, $5.8B in all, or $1.4M per film on average.
How many documentary movies have made $1 billion?
None. 7 films crossed $100 million, led by This Is It (2009) with $268M.
How is the all-time documentary 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. 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 all-time documentary 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.