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Documentary box office · All time

Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies of All Time, Page 29

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%
This Is It (2009) movie poster #1 of 4,018
Highest-grossing documentary movie ever

This Is It (2009)

2009 · Music, Documentary

$268M worldwide

$72.1M US & Canada · 27% $195.9M elsewhere · 73%
Page 29 of 81

All 4,018 Documentary Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Ranks 1,401 to 1,450 of 4,018. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.

  1. 1401 Ayurveda: Art of Being (2002) movie poster
    Ayurveda: Art of Being (2002) Jul 17, 2002 · Hindi · Documentary $146.7K worldwide
    Jul 17, 2002 US and Canada: $32.3K Rest of the world: $114.4K Worldwide: $146.7K
  2. 1402 American Promise (2013) movie poster
    American Promise (2013) Oct 18, 2013 · English · Documentary $146.7K worldwide
    Oct 18, 2013 US and Canada: $146.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $146.7K
  3. 1403 Superpower Dogs (2019) movie poster
    Superpower Dogs (2019) Mar 15, 2019 · English · Documentary $146.7K worldwide
    Mar 15, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $146.7K
  4. 1404 Watermark (2014) movie poster
    Watermark (2014) Apr 4, 2014 · Documentary $146.6K worldwide
    Apr 4, 2014 US and Canada: $84.5K Rest of the world: $62.1K Worldwide: $146.6K
  5. 1405 Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf (2017) movie poster
    Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf (2017) Oct 6, 2017 · English · Documentary $146.5K worldwide
    Oct 6, 2017 US and Canada: $119.2K Rest of the world: $27.3K Worldwide: $146.5K
  6. 1406 5 Broken Cameras (2012) movie poster
    5 Broken Cameras (2012) May 25, 2012 · Hebrew · Documentary $146.5K worldwide
    May 25, 2012 US and Canada: $110K Rest of the world: $36.5K Worldwide: $146.5K
  7. 1407 Biggie and Tupac (2002) movie poster
    Biggie and Tupac (2002) Sep 27, 2002 · Biography, Crime, Music $146.4K worldwide
    Sep 27, 2002 US and Canada: $94.9K Rest of the world: $51.5K Worldwide: $146.4K
  8. 1408 Biggie & Tupac (2002) movie poster
    Biggie & Tupac (2002) Jan 11, 2002 · English · Music, Documentary $146.4K worldwide
    Jan 11, 2002 US and Canada: $94.9K Rest of the world: $51.5K Worldwide: $146.4K
  9. 1409 Taking Liberties (2007) movie poster
    Taking Liberties (2007) 2007 · English · Documentary $146.4K worldwide
    2007 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $146.4K
  10. 1410 Pelikan Blue (2023) movie poster
    Pelikan Blue (2023) Nov 11, 2023 · Hungarian · History, Documentary, Animation $146.1K worldwide
    Nov 11, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $146.1K
  11. 1411 The Punk Singer (2013) movie poster
    The Punk Singer (2013) Nov 29, 2013 · English · Documentary $146K worldwide
    Nov 29, 2013 US and Canada: $122.7K Rest of the world: $23.3K Worldwide: $146K
  12. 1412 Citizen K (2019) movie poster
    Citizen K (2019) Nov 22, 2019 · English · Documentary $145.9K worldwide
    Nov 22, 2019 US and Canada: $120.4K Rest of the world: $25.5K Worldwide: $145.9K
  13. 1413 Rise Up (2022) movie poster
    Rise Up (2022) Oct 27, 2022 · German · Documentary $145.8K worldwide
    Oct 27, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $145.8K
  14. 1414 Framing John DeLorean (2019) movie poster
    Framing John DeLorean (2019) Jun 7, 2019 · English · Biography, Drama, Documentary $145.6K worldwide
    Jun 7, 2019 US and Canada: $145.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $145.6K
  15. 1415 The Last Dalai Lama? (2017) movie poster
    The Last Dalai Lama? (2017) Jul 7, 2017 · English · Documentary $145.5K worldwide
    Jul 7, 2017 US and Canada: $145.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $145.5K
  16. 1416 Take Care of Maya (2023) movie poster
    Take Care of Maya (2023) Jun 19, 2023 · English · Documentary $145.3K worldwide
    Jun 19, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $145.3K
  17. 1417 Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon (2011) movie poster
    Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon (2011) Jun 24, 2011 · English · Documentary, Music $145.3K worldwide
    Jun 24, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $145.3K
  18. 1418 Sara Bareilles: Good Grief (2026) movie poster
    Sara Bareilles: Good Grief (2026) Sep 2, 2026 · English · Documentary, Music $145.2K worldwide
    Sep 2, 2026 US and Canada: $145.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $145.2K
  19. 1419 In the Name of Gerry Conlon (2023) movie poster
    In the Name of Gerry Conlon (2023) Apr 11, 2023 · Italian · Documentary $144.8K worldwide
    Apr 11, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $144.8K
  20. 1420 Fiume o morte! (2025) movie poster
    Fiume o morte! (2025) Feb 2, 2025 · Documentary $144.8K worldwide
    Feb 2, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $144.8K
  21. 1421 Fiume o morte! (2026) movie poster
    Fiume o morte! (2026) Apr 10, 2026 · Croatian · Documentary $144.8K worldwide
    Apr 10, 2026 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $144.8K
  22. 1422 ABBA: The Movie (1977) movie poster
    ABBA: The Movie (1977) Dec 15, 1977 · English · Comedy, Documentary, Drama $144.4K worldwide
    Dec 15, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $144.4K
  23. 1423 Diving Into the Unknown (2016) movie poster
    Diving Into the Unknown (2016) Feb 19, 2016 · Finnish · Documentary $144.1K worldwide
    Feb 19, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $144.1K
  24. 1424 Thunder Soul (2011) movie poster
    Thunder Soul (2011) Sep 23, 2011 · English · Music, Documentary $144K worldwide
    Sep 23, 2011 US and Canada: $144K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $144K
  25. 1425 Kids for Cash (2014) movie poster
    Kids for Cash (2014) Feb 7, 2014 · English · Drama, Crime, Documentary $143.2K worldwide
    Feb 7, 2014 US and Canada: $143.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $143.2K
  26. 1426 Waveriders (2008) movie poster
    Waveriders (2008) 2008 · English · Thriller, Documentary $142.9K worldwide
    2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $142.9K
  27. 1427 Rachel’s Farm (2023) movie poster
    Rachel’s Farm (2023) Jun 7, 2023 · English · Documentary $142.8K worldwide
    Jun 7, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $142.8K
  28. 1428 Midnight Oil: 1984 (2018) movie poster
    Midnight Oil: 1984 (2018) May 10, 2018 · English · Documentary, Music $142.7K worldwide
    May 10, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $142.7K
  29. 1429 Flow: For Love of Water (2008) movie poster
    Flow: For Love of Water (2008) Sep 12, 2008 · English · Documentary $142.6K worldwide
    Sep 12, 2008 US and Canada: $142.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $142.6K
  30. 1430 Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan (2020) movie poster
    Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan (2020) Dec 4, 2020 · English · Documentary $142.2K worldwide
    Dec 4, 2020 US and Canada: $2.5K Rest of the world: $139.8K Worldwide: $142.2K
  31. 1431 Waco: The Rules of Engagement (1997) movie poster
    Waco: The Rules of Engagement (1997) Apr 21, 1997 · English · Documentary $142.2K worldwide
    Apr 21, 1997 US and Canada: $142.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $142.2K
  32. 1432 The Real Dirt on Farmer John (2006) movie poster
    The Real Dirt on Farmer John (2006) Jan 20, 2006 · English · Documentary $142K worldwide
    Jan 20, 2006 US and Canada: $65.4K Rest of the world: $76.6K Worldwide: $142K
  33. 1433 Mistress Dispeller (2025) movie poster
    Mistress Dispeller (2025) Oct 22, 2025 · Documentary $141.7K worldwide
    Oct 22, 2025 US and Canada: $93.2K Rest of the world: $48.5K Worldwide: $141.7K
  34. 1434 Music from the Inside Out (2005) movie poster
    Music from the Inside Out (2005) Sep 9, 2005 · English · Documentary $141.5K worldwide
    Sep 9, 2005 US and Canada: $141.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $141.5K
  35. 1435 Once Upon a Time in Soča Valley (2024) movie poster
    Once Upon a Time in Soča Valley (2024) Oct 24, 2024 · Slovenian · Documentary $141.4K worldwide
    Oct 24, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $141.4K
  36. 1436 Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror (2025) movie poster
    Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror (2025) Sep 26, 2025 · English · Documentary $141.4K worldwide
    Sep 26, 2025 US and Canada: $126.5K Rest of the world: $14.9K Worldwide: $141.4K
  37. 1437 Havel Speaking, Can You Hear Me? (2023) movie poster
    Havel Speaking, Can You Hear Me? (2023) Oct 24, 2023 · Czech · Documentary $141.1K worldwide
    Oct 24, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $141.1K
  38. 1438 From Darkness to Light (2024) movie poster
    From Darkness to Light (2024) Sep 1, 2024 · English · Documentary $140.3K worldwide
    Sep 1, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $140.3K
  39. 1439 Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia (2014) movie poster
    Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia (2014) May 23, 2014 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $140.2K worldwide
    May 23, 2014 US and Canada: $140.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $140.2K
  40. 1440 Path of the Panther (2023) movie poster
    Path of the Panther (2023) Feb 24, 2023 · English · Documentary $140.1K worldwide
    Feb 24, 2023 US and Canada: $140.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $140.1K
  41. 1441 Liv & Ingmar (2013) movie poster
    Liv & Ingmar (2013) Dec 13, 2013 · English · Documentary $140K worldwide
    Dec 13, 2013 US and Canada: $10.3K Rest of the world: $129.7K Worldwide: $140K
  42. 1442 Thug Rose: Mixed Martial Artist (2022) movie poster
    Thug Rose: Mixed Martial Artist (2022) Oct 30, 2022 · English · Documentary $139.2K worldwide
    Oct 30, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $139.2K
  43. 1443 What the Bleep!?: Down the Rabbit Hole (2006) movie poster
    What the Bleep!?: Down the Rabbit Hole (2006) Feb 3, 2006 · English · Drama, Documentary $138.9K worldwide
    Feb 3, 2006 US and Canada: $138.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $138.9K
  44. 1444 Who Will Write Our History (2019) movie poster
    Who Will Write Our History (2019) Jan 18, 2019 · English · History, Documentary $138.9K worldwide
    Jan 18, 2019 US and Canada: $138K Rest of the world: $829 Worldwide: $138.9K
  45. 1445 Good Ol' Freda (2013) movie poster
    Good Ol' Freda (2013) Sep 6, 2013 · English · Biography, History, Music $138.8K worldwide
    Sep 6, 2013 US and Canada: $138.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $138.8K
  46. 1446 Dream Driven (2014) movie poster
    Dream Driven (2014) Nov 28, 2014 · Finnish · Documentary $138.1K worldwide
    Nov 28, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $138.1K
  47. 1447 War Dance (2007) movie poster
    War Dance (2007) Nov 9, 2007 · English · War, Music, Documentary $138K worldwide
    Nov 9, 2007 US and Canada: $115.2K Rest of the world: $22.8K Worldwide: $138K
  48. 1448 Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy? (2013) movie poster
    Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy? (2013) Nov 22, 2013 · English · Animation, Documentary $137K worldwide
    Nov 22, 2013 US and Canada: $137K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $137K
  49. 1449 Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd (2023) movie poster
    Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd (2023) Jul 14, 2023 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $136.7K worldwide
    Jul 14, 2023 US and Canada: $133.8K Rest of the world: $2.9K Worldwide: $136.7K
  50. 1450 Mantra: Sounds into Silence (2018) movie poster
    Mantra: Sounds into Silence (2018) Apr 6, 2018 · English · Music, Documentary $135.7K worldwide
    Apr 6, 2018 US and Canada: $115K Rest of the world: $20.7K Worldwide: $135.7K
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
2000s 10 years · $2.1B
1990s 10 years · $226.1M
1980s 10 years · $174.2M
1970s 9 years · $33.9M
1960s 6 years · $143K
1950s 5 years · $233.2K
1920s 2 years · $201.5K
1910s 1 year · $9.7K