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Documentary box office · All time

Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies of All Time, Page 39

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 39 of 81

All 4,018 Documentary Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Ranks 1,901 to 1,950 of 4,018. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.

  1. 1901 Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2018) movie poster
    Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2018) Mar 13, 2018 · English · Documentary, Music, Comedy $70.3K worldwide
    Mar 13, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $70.3K
  2. 1902 Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow (2011) movie poster
    Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow (2011) Aug 15, 2011 · Documentary $70.3K worldwide
    Aug 15, 2011 US and Canada: $51.3K Rest of the world: $19K Worldwide: $70.3K
  3. 1903 Maria Bethânia: Pedrinha de Aruanda (2007) movie poster
    Maria Bethânia: Pedrinha de Aruanda (2007) Sep 14, 2007 · Portuguese · Documentary $70.2K worldwide
    Sep 14, 2007 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $70.2K
  4. 1904 Crips and Bloods: Made in America (2008) movie poster
    Crips and Bloods: Made in America (2008) Jan 20, 2008 · English · Documentary, Crime $70.2K worldwide
    Jan 20, 2008 US and Canada: $70.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $70.2K
  5. 1905 The League (2023) movie poster
    The League (2023) Jul 7, 2023 · English · Documentary $70K worldwide
    Jul 7, 2023 US and Canada: $70K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $70K
  6. 1906 The Business of Being Born (2008) movie poster
    The Business of Being Born (2008) Jan 9, 2008 · English · Documentary $70K worldwide
    Jan 9, 2008 US and Canada: $70K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $70K
  7. 1907 Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk (2017) movie poster
    Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk (2017) Jun 2, 2017 · English · History, Music, Documentary $69.8K worldwide
    Jun 2, 2017 US and Canada: $69.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $69.8K
  8. 1908 Zoo (2007) movie poster
    Zoo (2007) Apr 25, 2007 · English · Documentary $69.8K worldwide
    Apr 25, 2007 US and Canada: $69.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $69.8K
  9. 1909 2017 (2022) movie poster
    2017 (2022) Jun 4, 2022 · Slovenian · Documentary $69.8K worldwide
    Jun 4, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $69.8K
  10. 1910 Ramona (2023) movie poster
    Ramona (2023) Feb 21, 2023 · Spanish · Documentary $69.7K worldwide
    Feb 21, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $69.7K
  11. 1911 Chef Flynn (2018) movie poster
    Chef Flynn (2018) Jan 23, 2018 · English · Documentary $69.5K worldwide
    Jan 23, 2018 US and Canada: $68.4K Rest of the world: $1.1K Worldwide: $69.5K
  12. 1912 Lynch/Oz (2023) movie poster
    Lynch/Oz (2023) Jun 2, 2023 · English · Documentary $69K worldwide
    Jun 2, 2023 US and Canada: $60.7K Rest of the world: $8.3K Worldwide: $69K
  13. 1913 The Pinochet Case (2002) movie poster
    The Pinochet Case (2002) Sep 11, 2002 · Spanish · Documentary $68.9K worldwide
    Sep 11, 2002 US and Canada: $35.7K Rest of the world: $33.2K Worldwide: $68.9K
  14. 1914 In the Court of the Crimson King: King Crimson at 50 (2023) movie poster
    In the Court of the Crimson King: King Crimson at 50 (2023) Nov 3, 2023 · English · Documentary, Comedy, Horror $68.8K worldwide
    Nov 3, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $68.8K
  15. 1915 Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields (2010) movie poster
    Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields (2010) Oct 27, 2010 · English · Music, Documentary $68.7K worldwide
    Oct 27, 2010 US and Canada: $68.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $68.7K
  16. 1916 Noma: My Perfect Storm (2015) movie poster
    Noma: My Perfect Storm (2015) Dec 18, 2015 · English · Documentary $68.6K worldwide
    Dec 18, 2015 US and Canada: $21.1K Rest of the world: $47.5K Worldwide: $68.6K
  17. 1917 Alive and Kicking (2017) movie poster
    Alive and Kicking (2017) Apr 7, 2017 · English · History, Music, Documentary $68.5K worldwide
    Apr 7, 2017 US and Canada: $68.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $68.5K
  18. 1918 2012: Time for Change (2010) movie poster
    2012: Time for Change (2010) Oct 8, 2010 · English · Documentary $68.3K worldwide
    Oct 8, 2010 US and Canada: $68.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $68.3K
  19. 1919 The Eyes of Orson Welles (2018) movie poster
    The Eyes of Orson Welles (2018) Jun 14, 2018 · English · Documentary $68.3K worldwide
    Jun 14, 2018 US and Canada: $10.3K Rest of the world: $58.1K Worldwide: $68.3K
  20. 1920 Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire (2005) movie poster
    Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire (2005) May 18, 2005 · English · Documentary $68.2K worldwide
    May 18, 2005 US and Canada: $68.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $68.2K
  21. 1921 Maidentrip (2013) movie poster
    Maidentrip (2013) Mar 10, 2013 · English · Adventure, Documentary $68.2K worldwide
    Mar 10, 2013 US and Canada: $68.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $68.2K
  22. 1922 Cow (2022) movie poster
    Cow (2022) Apr 8, 2022 · English · Documentary $68.2K worldwide
    Apr 8, 2022 US and Canada: $22.5K Rest of the world: $45.7K Worldwide: $68.2K
  23. 1923 Endangered (2022) movie poster
    Endangered (2022) Jun 28, 2022 · English · Documentary $68.2K worldwide
    Jun 28, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $68.2K
  24. 1924 The Eulogy (2018) movie poster
    The Eulogy (2018) Aug 2, 2018 · English · Documentary $68.1K worldwide
    Aug 2, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $68.1K
  25. 1925 Stylebender (2024) movie poster
    Stylebender (2024) Sep 24, 2024 · English · Documentary, Sport $68.1K worldwide
    Sep 24, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $68.1K
  26. 1926 Uncharitable (2023) movie poster
    Uncharitable (2023) Sep 22, 2023 · English · Documentary $68K worldwide
    Sep 22, 2023 US and Canada: $68K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $68K
  27. 1927 Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr. (2021) movie poster
    Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr. (2021) Aug 6, 2021 · English · Music, Documentary $68K worldwide
    Aug 6, 2021 US and Canada: $68K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $68K
  28. 1928 I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (2015) movie poster
    I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (2015) May 6, 2015 · English · Biography, Drama, Documentary $67.8K worldwide
    May 6, 2015 US and Canada: $67.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67.8K
  29. 1929 Summer in the Forest (2018) movie poster
    Summer in the Forest (2018) Mar 23, 2018 · English · Documentary $67.7K worldwide
    Mar 23, 2018 US and Canada: $45.5K Rest of the world: $22.2K Worldwide: $67.7K
  30. 1930 The Haka Party Incident (2024) movie poster
    The Haka Party Incident (2024) Aug 11, 2024 · Māori · Documentary $67.6K worldwide
    Aug 11, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $67.6K
  31. 1931 House of Cardin (2020) movie poster
    House of Cardin (2020) Aug 28, 2020 · English · Documentary $67.5K worldwide
    Aug 28, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $67.5K
  32. 1932 House of Cardin (2019) movie poster
    House of Cardin (2019) Sep 6, 2019 · English · Documentary $67.5K worldwide
    Sep 6, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $67.5K
  33. 1933 Predators (2025) movie poster
    Predators (2025) Sep 19, 2025 · English · Documentary, Crime, Thriller $67.4K worldwide
    Sep 19, 2025 US and Canada: $61K Rest of the world: $6.4K Worldwide: $67.4K
  34. 1934 The Doctor from India (2018) movie poster
    The Doctor from India (2018) Jun 1, 2018 · English · Documentary $67.1K worldwide
    Jun 1, 2018 US and Canada: $67.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67.1K
  35. 1935 The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet's Struggle for Freedom (2010) movie poster
    The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet's Struggle for Freedom (2010) Mar 31, 2010 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $67.1K worldwide
    Mar 31, 2010 US and Canada: $67.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67.1K
  36. 1936 The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu (2011) movie poster
    The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu (2011) Sep 9, 2011 · Romanian · Documentary $67.1K worldwide
    Sep 9, 2011 US and Canada: $34K Rest of the world: $33.1K Worldwide: $67.1K
  37. 1937 Side by Side (2012) movie poster
    Side by Side (2012) Aug 17, 2012 · English · Documentary $67.1K worldwide
    Aug 17, 2012 US and Canada: $58.8K Rest of the world: $8.2K Worldwide: $67.1K
  38. 1938 Hyper: The Stevie Hyper D Story (2024) movie poster
    Hyper: The Stevie Hyper D Story (2024) Nov 22, 2024 · English · Documentary $67K worldwide
    Nov 22, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $67K
  39. 1939 How to Come Alive With Norman Mailer (2024) movie poster
    How to Come Alive With Norman Mailer (2024) Jun 28, 2024 · English · Documentary $67K worldwide
    Jun 28, 2024 US and Canada: $67K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67K
  40. 1940 3100, Run and Become (2018) movie poster
    3100, Run and Become (2018) Oct 26, 2018 · English · Documentary $66.8K worldwide
    Oct 26, 2018 US and Canada: $65.5K Rest of the world: $1.3K Worldwide: $66.8K
  41. 1941 Fanatic (2021) movie poster
    Fanatic (2021) Oct 9, 2021 · Korean · Documentary $66.8K worldwide
    Oct 9, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $66.8K
  42. 1942 You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine (2025) movie poster
    You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine (2025) Nov 28, 2025 · English · Documentary, Music $66.7K worldwide
    Nov 28, 2025 US and Canada: $66.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $66.7K
  43. 1943 Carta a una sombra (2015) movie poster
    Carta a una sombra (2015) Oct 28, 2015 · Spanish · Documentary $66.7K worldwide
    Oct 28, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $66.7K
  44. 1944 Pandora's Promise (2013) movie poster
    Pandora's Promise (2013) Jun 12, 2013 · English · Documentary $66.7K worldwide
    Jun 12, 2013 US and Canada: $66.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $66.7K
  45. 1945 Immediate Family (2023) movie poster
    Immediate Family (2023) Dec 15, 2023 · English · Documentary, Music $66.4K worldwide
    Dec 15, 2023 US and Canada: $66.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $66.4K
  46. 1946 King Georges (2016) movie poster
    King Georges (2016) Feb 26, 2016 · English · Biography, Documentary $66.2K worldwide
    Feb 26, 2016 US and Canada: $66.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $66.2K
  47. 1947 Dancing Across Borders (2010) movie poster
    Dancing Across Borders (2010) Mar 26, 2010 · English · Documentary $66.2K worldwide
    Mar 26, 2010 US and Canada: $66.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $66.2K
  48. 1948 In the Hands of the Gods (2007) movie poster
    In the Hands of the Gods (2007) Sep 14, 2007 · English · Documentary $65.9K worldwide
    Sep 14, 2007 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $65.9K
  49. 1949 Gardeners of Eden (2015) movie poster
    Gardeners of Eden (2015) Apr 24, 2015 · English · Adventure, Drama, Documentary $65.8K worldwide
    Apr 24, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $65.8K
  50. 1950 Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope (2023) movie poster
    Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope (2023) May 30, 2023 · English · Documentary $65.7K worldwide
    May 30, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $65.7K
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