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Documentary box office · All time

Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies of All Time, Page 40

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 40 of 81

All 4,018 Documentary Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Ranks 1,951 to 2,000 of 4,018. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.

  1. 1951 Architects of Denial (2017) movie poster
    Architects of Denial (2017) Oct 6, 2017 · English · Documentary $65.4K worldwide
    Oct 6, 2017 US and Canada: $65.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $65.4K
  2. 1952 Anonymous Club (2022) movie poster
    Anonymous Club (2022) Jul 15, 2022 · English · Music, Documentary $65.4K worldwide
    Jul 15, 2022 US and Canada: $35.5K Rest of the world: $29.9K Worldwide: $65.4K
  3. 1953 Sewing Sisters (2020) movie poster
    Sewing Sisters (2020) Oct 29, 2020 · Korean · Documentary $65.4K worldwide
    Oct 29, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $65.4K
  4. 1954 Taking Venice (2024) movie poster
    Taking Venice (2024) May 17, 2024 · English · Documentary $65.3K worldwide
    May 17, 2024 US and Canada: $65.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $65.3K
  5. 1955 Sing Your Song (2012) movie poster
    Sing Your Song (2012) Jan 13, 2012 · English · Documentary $65.3K worldwide
    Jan 13, 2012 US and Canada: $47.7K Rest of the world: $17.6K Worldwide: $65.3K
  6. 1956 The First Wave (2021) movie poster
    The First Wave (2021) Nov 19, 2021 · English · Drama, Documentary $65.2K worldwide
    Nov 19, 2021 US and Canada: $62.4K Rest of the world: $2.9K Worldwide: $65.2K
  7. 1957 You've Been Trumped (2012) movie poster
    You've Been Trumped (2012) Aug 3, 2012 · English · Documentary $65.2K worldwide
    Aug 3, 2012 US and Canada: $29.3K Rest of the world: $35.9K Worldwide: $65.2K
  8. 1958 Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers And The Emergence Of A People (2014) movie poster
    Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers And The Emergence Of A People (2014) Aug 27, 2014 · English · Documentary, Family, History $65.2K worldwide
    Aug 27, 2014 US and Canada: $65.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $65.2K
  9. 1959 Racing Dreams (2010) movie poster
    Racing Dreams (2010) May 21, 2010 · English · Sport, Documentary $65.1K worldwide
    May 21, 2010 US and Canada: $65.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $65.1K
  10. 1960 M. C. Escher: Journey to Infinity (2018) movie poster
    M. C. Escher: Journey to Infinity (2018) Apr 12, 2018 · Dutch · Documentary, History $65K worldwide
    Apr 12, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $65K
  11. 1961 Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards (2017) movie poster
    Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards (2017) Sep 15, 2017 · English · Biography, Drama, Documentary $64.9K worldwide
    Sep 15, 2017 US and Canada: $60.1K Rest of the world: $4.8K Worldwide: $64.9K
  12. 1962 Remake (2026) movie poster
    Remake (2026) Jul 10, 2026 · English · Documentary $64.9K worldwide
    Jul 10, 2026 US and Canada: $62.4K Rest of the world: $2.5K Worldwide: $64.9K
  13. 1963 Searching for Ingmar Bergman (2018) movie poster
    Searching for Ingmar Bergman (2018) Nov 2, 2018 · German · Documentary $64.7K worldwide
    Nov 2, 2018 US and Canada: $36.7K Rest of the world: $28.1K Worldwide: $64.7K
  14. 1964 San Damiano (2024) movie poster
    San Damiano (2024) Oct 23, 2024 · Italian · Documentary $64.7K worldwide
    Oct 23, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64.7K
  15. 1965 Ask E. Jean (2026) movie poster
    Ask E. Jean (2026) May 22, 2026 · English · Documentary $64.6K worldwide
    May 22, 2026 US and Canada: $63.4K Rest of the world: $1.2K Worldwide: $64.6K
  16. 1966 Monrovia, Indiana (2018) movie poster
    Monrovia, Indiana (2018) Oct 26, 2018 · English · Documentary $64.6K worldwide
    Oct 26, 2018 US and Canada: $63.9K Rest of the world: $652 Worldwide: $64.6K
  17. 1967 Let the Fire Burn (2013) movie poster
    Let the Fire Burn (2013) Oct 2, 2013 · English · Drama, History, Thriller $64.5K worldwide
    Oct 2, 2013 US and Canada: $64.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $64.5K
  18. 1968 Yellow Is Forbidden (2018) movie poster
    Yellow Is Forbidden (2018) Apr 21, 2018 · English · Documentary $64.3K worldwide
    Apr 21, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64.3K
  19. 1969 Rock School (2005) movie poster
    Rock School (2005) Jun 3, 2005 · English · Music, Documentary $64.3K worldwide
    Jun 3, 2005 US and Canada: $64.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $64.3K
  20. 1970 Ants on a Shrimp (2016) movie poster
    Ants on a Shrimp (2016) Jul 29, 2016 · Dutch · Documentary $64.2K worldwide
    Jul 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64.2K
  21. 1971 Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee (2025) movie poster
    Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee (2025) Mar 27, 2025 · English · Documentary $64.2K worldwide
    Mar 27, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64.2K
  22. 1972 Paraguay, Droga y Banana (2016) movie poster
    Paraguay, Droga y Banana (2016) Sep 15, 2016 · Spanish · Documentary $64.1K worldwide
    Sep 15, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64.1K
  23. 1973 The Arctic Camels (2019) movie poster
    The Arctic Camels (2019) Jan 17, 2019 · Norwegian · Documentary, Adventure $64.1K worldwide
    Jan 17, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64.1K
  24. 1974 Beautiful Losers (2008) movie poster
    Beautiful Losers (2008) Aug 8, 2008 · English · Music, Documentary $64.1K worldwide
    Aug 8, 2008 US and Canada: $56.4K Rest of the world: $7.7K Worldwide: $64.1K
  25. 1975 Look at Me: XXXTentacion (2022) movie poster
    Look at Me: XXXTentacion (2022) May 26, 2022 · English · Music, Documentary $64K worldwide
    May 26, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64K
  26. 1976 Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019) movie poster
    Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019) Oct 25, 2019 · English · Documentary $64K worldwide
    Oct 25, 2019 US and Canada: $53.1K Rest of the world: $10.9K Worldwide: $64K
  27. 1977 The Accidental Twins (2024) movie poster
    The Accidental Twins (2024) Jun 20, 2024 · Spanish · Documentary $63.8K worldwide
    Jun 20, 2024 US and Canada: $63.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $63.8K
  28. 1978 Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir (2011) movie poster
    Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir (2011) Sep 27, 2011 · English · Documentary $63.8K worldwide
    Sep 27, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $63.8K
  29. 1979 Only the Strong Survive (2003) movie poster
    Only the Strong Survive (2003) May 9, 2003 · English · Music, Documentary $63.8K worldwide
    May 9, 2003 US and Canada: $57.6K Rest of the world: $6.2K Worldwide: $63.8K
  30. 1980 Sisters in Law (2006) movie poster
    Sisters in Law (2006) Apr 12, 2006 · English · Documentary $63.7K worldwide
    Apr 12, 2006 US and Canada: $33.3K Rest of the world: $30.4K Worldwide: $63.7K
  31. 1981 My Name Is Pauli Murray (2021) movie poster
    My Name Is Pauli Murray (2021) Sep 17, 2021 · English · Documentary $63.6K worldwide
    Sep 17, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $63.6K
  32. 1982 Great White Summer (2024) movie poster
    Great White Summer (2024) Sep 3, 2024 · English · Documentary $63.5K worldwide
    Sep 3, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $63.5K
  33. 1983 The Last of the Unjust (2013) movie poster
    The Last of the Unjust (2013) Dec 13, 2013 · Documentary $63.1K worldwide
    Dec 13, 2013 US and Canada: $40.6K Rest of the world: $22.6K Worldwide: $63.1K
  34. 1984 George Best: All by Himself (2016) movie poster
    George Best: All by Himself (2016) Oct 14, 2016 · English · Documentary $63.1K worldwide
    Oct 14, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $63.1K
  35. 1985 Torn (2021) movie poster
    Torn (2021) Dec 3, 2021 · English · Documentary $63K worldwide
    Dec 3, 2021 US and Canada: $52.8K Rest of the world: $10.2K Worldwide: $63K
  36. 1986 Love, Antosha (2019) movie poster
    Love, Antosha (2019) Aug 2, 2019 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $62.9K worldwide
    Aug 2, 2019 US and Canada: $50.2K Rest of the world: $12.7K Worldwide: $62.9K
  37. 1987 Cool It (2010) movie poster
    Cool It (2010) Nov 12, 2010 · English · Documentary $62.7K worldwide
    Nov 12, 2010 US and Canada: $62.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.7K
  38. 1988 Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon (2015) movie poster
    Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon (2015) Sep 25, 2015 · English · Biography, History, Comedy $62.7K worldwide
    Sep 25, 2015 US and Canada: $62.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.7K
  39. 1989 Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead (2015) movie poster
    Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead (2015) Jan 25, 2015 · English · Comedy, History, Documentary $62.7K worldwide
    Jan 25, 2015 US and Canada: $62.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.7K
  40. 1990 Attention danger travail (2003) movie poster
    Attention danger travail (2003) Oct 8, 2003 · French · Documentary $62.6K worldwide
    Oct 8, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $62.6K
  41. 1991 The Order of Myths (2008) movie poster
    The Order of Myths (2008) Jul 25, 2008 · English · Documentary $62.6K worldwide
    Jul 25, 2008 US and Canada: $62.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.6K
  42. 1992 Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures (2016) movie poster
    Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures (2016) Mar 25, 2016 · English · Documentary $62.6K worldwide
    Mar 25, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $62.6K
  43. 1993 The Providence Effect (2009) movie poster
    The Providence Effect (2009) Sep 25, 2009 · English · Documentary $62.5K worldwide
    Sep 25, 2009 US and Canada: $62.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.5K
  44. 1994 Vajra Sky Over Tibet (2006) movie poster
    Vajra Sky Over Tibet (2006) Sep 8, 2006 · English · Documentary $62.4K worldwide
    Sep 8, 2006 US and Canada: $62.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.4K
  45. 1995 Sergio Leone: The Italian Who Invented America (2022) movie poster
    Sergio Leone: The Italian Who Invented America (2022) Aug 31, 2022 · Italian · Documentary $62.3K worldwide
    Aug 31, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $62.3K
  46. 1996 Mifune: The Last Samurai (2016) movie poster
    Mifune: The Last Samurai (2016) Nov 25, 2016 · English · Documentary $62.3K worldwide
    Nov 25, 2016 US and Canada: $62.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.3K
  47. 1997 Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) movie poster
    Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) May 18, 2002 · English · Documentary, Drama $62.2K worldwide
    May 18, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $62.2K
  48. 1998 Banksy and the Rise of Outlaw Art (2020) movie poster
    Banksy and the Rise of Outlaw Art (2020) Feb 18, 2020 · English · Documentary $62.2K worldwide
    Feb 18, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $62.2K
  49. 1999 Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994) movie poster
    Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994) Oct 31, 1994 · English · Documentary $62.2K worldwide
    Oct 31, 1994 US and Canada: $62.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.2K
  50. 2000 Public Speaking (2011) movie poster
    Public Speaking (2011) Feb 23, 2011 · English · Documentary $62.2K worldwide
    Feb 23, 2011 US and Canada: $62.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.2K
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