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Documentary box office · All time

Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies of All Time, Page 41

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 41 of 81

All 4,018 Documentary Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Ranks 2,001 to 2,050 of 4,018. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.

  1. 2001 Kim's Video (2024) movie poster
    Kim's Video (2024) Apr 5, 2024 · English · Documentary $62.1K worldwide
    Apr 5, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $62.1K
  2. 2002 Salvador Allende (2004) movie poster
    Salvador Allende (2004) Sep 8, 2004 · Spanish · Documentary $62K worldwide
    Sep 8, 2004 US and Canada: $8.5K Rest of the world: $53.6K Worldwide: $62K
  3. 2003 Playing with Sharks (2021) movie poster
    Playing with Sharks (2021) Jul 23, 2021 · English · Documentary $61.9K worldwide
    Jul 23, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61.9K
  4. 2004 Aute retrato (2019) movie poster
    Aute retrato (2019) Sep 12, 2019 · Spanish · Documentary, Music $61.8K worldwide
    Sep 12, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61.8K
  5. 2005 If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (2011) movie poster
    If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (2011) Jun 22, 2011 · English · History, Crime, Documentary $61.8K worldwide
    Jun 22, 2011 US and Canada: $61.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $61.8K
  6. 2006 Beyond the Tree Line (2024) movie poster
    Beyond the Tree Line (2024) May 14, 2024 · English · Documentary $61.7K worldwide
    May 14, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61.7K
  7. 2007 Viva the Underdogs (2020) movie poster
    Viva the Underdogs (2020) Jan 22, 2020 · English · Music, Documentary $61.5K worldwide
    Jan 22, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61.5K
  8. 2008 Titãs - A Vida Até Parece Uma Festa (2009) movie poster
    Titãs - A Vida Até Parece Uma Festa (2009) Jan 16, 2009 · Portuguese · Documentary $61.4K worldwide
    Jan 16, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61.4K
  9. 2009 The Seasons in Quincy: Four Portraits of John Berger (2016) movie poster
    The Seasons in Quincy: Four Portraits of John Berger (2016) Aug 31, 2016 · English · Biography, Documentary $61.3K worldwide
    Aug 31, 2016 US and Canada: $28.5K Rest of the world: $32.8K Worldwide: $61.3K
  10. 2010 Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (2021) movie poster
    Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (2021) Aug 20, 2021 · English · Documentary $61.2K worldwide
    Aug 20, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61.2K
  11. 2011 Interview with a Cannibal (2012) movie poster
    Interview with a Cannibal (2012) Jun 29, 2012 · Japanese · Documentary $61K worldwide
    Jun 29, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61K
  12. 2012 A Family Affair (2016) movie poster
    A Family Affair (2016) Sep 16, 2016 · English · Documentary $61K worldwide
    Sep 16, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61K
  13. 2013 Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey (2013) movie poster
    Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey (2013) Mar 8, 2013 · English · Documentary $61K worldwide
    Mar 8, 2013 US and Canada: $61K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $61K
  14. 2014 How to Live Forever (2009) movie poster
    How to Live Forever (2009) Oct 1, 2009 · English · Documentary $60.6K worldwide
    Oct 1, 2009 US and Canada: $60.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.6K
  15. 2015 Zizek! (2005) movie poster
    Zizek! (2005) Nov 17, 2005 · English · Documentary $60.5K worldwide
    Nov 17, 2005 US and Canada: $20.2K Rest of the world: $40.3K Worldwide: $60.5K
  16. 2016 Ange & the Boss: Puskas in Australia (2024) movie poster
    Ange & the Boss: Puskas in Australia (2024) Oct 15, 2024 · English · Documentary $60.5K worldwide
    Oct 15, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $60.5K
  17. 2017 Limelight (2011) movie poster
    Limelight (2011) Sep 23, 2011 · English · Documentary $60.3K worldwide
    Sep 23, 2011 US and Canada: $60.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.3K
  18. 2018 Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story (2008) movie poster
    Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story (2008) Sep 26, 2008 · English · Biography, Documentary $60.3K worldwide
    Sep 26, 2008 US and Canada: $60.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.3K
  19. 2019 We Are Nothing (2021) movie poster
    We Are Nothing (2021) Sep 22, 2021 · Spanish · Documentary, Music $60.3K worldwide
    Sep 22, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $60.3K
  20. 2020 Crime After Crime (2011) movie poster
    Crime After Crime (2011) Jul 1, 2011 · English · Biography, Crime, Documentary $60.3K worldwide
    Jul 1, 2011 US and Canada: $60.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.3K
  21. 2021 Tongue Cutters (2017) movie poster
    Tongue Cutters (2017) Mar 10, 2017 · Norwegian · Documentary $60.2K worldwide
    Mar 10, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $60.2K
  22. 2022 Presenting Princess Shaw (2016) movie poster
    Presenting Princess Shaw (2016) May 27, 2016 · English · Music, Documentary $60.2K worldwide
    May 27, 2016 US and Canada: $60.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.2K
  23. 2023 Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (2012) movie poster
    Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (2012) Nov 2, 2012 · English · Biography, Drama, Documentary $60.1K worldwide
    Nov 2, 2012 US and Canada: $60.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.1K
  24. 2024 The Force (2017) movie poster
    The Force (2017) Sep 22, 2017 · English · Documentary $59.9K worldwide
    Sep 22, 2017 US and Canada: $59.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $59.9K
  25. 2025 Assassins (2020) movie poster
    Assassins (2020) Jan 26, 2020 · English · Documentary, Crime $59.8K worldwide
    Jan 26, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $59.8K
  26. 2026 Without Getting Killed or Caught (2021) movie poster
    Without Getting Killed or Caught (2021) Mar 18, 2021 · English · Documentary, Music $59.6K worldwide
    Mar 18, 2021 US and Canada: $55.3K Rest of the world: $4.3K Worldwide: $59.6K
  27. 2027 The Extraordinary Voyage (2011) movie poster
    The Extraordinary Voyage (2011) Dec 8, 2011 · French · Documentary, History $59.4K worldwide
    Dec 8, 2011 US and Canada: $53K Rest of the world: $6.4K Worldwide: $59.4K
  28. 2028 War Paint: Women at War (2025) movie poster
    War Paint: Women at War (2025) Feb 28, 2025 · English · Documentary $59.4K worldwide
    Feb 28, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $59.4K
  29. 2029 The Angels: Kickin’ Down The Door (2022) movie poster
    The Angels: Kickin’ Down The Door (2022) Dec 1, 2022 · English · Documentary, Music $59.3K worldwide
    Dec 1, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $59.3K
  30. 2030 Bang! The Bert Berns Story (2017) movie poster
    Bang! The Bert Berns Story (2017) Apr 26, 2017 · English · History, Music, Documentary $59.3K worldwide
    Apr 26, 2017 US and Canada: $59.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $59.3K
  31. 2031 Innocence of Memories (2016) movie poster
    Innocence of Memories (2016) Jan 29, 2016 · English · Documentary $59.2K worldwide
    Jan 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $59.2K
  32. 2032 The Trials of Muhammad Ali (2013) movie poster
    The Trials of Muhammad Ali (2013) Aug 23, 2013 · English · Biography, Sport, War $59.1K worldwide
    Aug 23, 2013 US and Canada: $59.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $59.1K
  33. 2033 Rose Gold (2023) movie poster
    Rose Gold (2023) Aug 24, 2023 · English · Documentary $59.1K worldwide
    Aug 24, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $59.1K
  34. 2034 2073 (2024) movie poster
    2073 (2024) Dec 27, 2024 · English · Documentary, Thriller $59K worldwide
    Dec 27, 2024 US and Canada: $7.1K Rest of the world: $51.9K Worldwide: $59K
  35. 2035 Tiny Giants 3D (2014) movie poster
    Tiny Giants 3D (2014) May 24, 2014 · English · Family, Adventure, Documentary $58.9K worldwide
    May 24, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.9K
  36. 2036 Sea Lions: Life By a Whisker (2020) movie poster
    Sea Lions: Life By a Whisker (2020) Jan 4, 2020 · English · Documentary $58.9K worldwide
    Jan 4, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.9K
  37. 2037 Master of the Universe (2014) movie poster
    Master of the Universe (2014) Jun 6, 2014 · German · Documentary $58.9K worldwide
    Jun 6, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.9K
  38. 2038 Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders (2007) movie poster
    Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders (2007) Mar 9, 2007 · English · Documentary $58.8K worldwide
    Mar 9, 2007 US and Canada: $58.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $58.8K
  39. 2039 Maxed Out (2006) movie poster
    Maxed Out (2006) Mar 10, 2006 · English · Documentary $58.8K worldwide
    Mar 10, 2006 US and Canada: $58.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $58.8K
  40. 2040 Horn from the Heart: The Paul Butterfield Story (2018) movie poster
    Horn from the Heart: The Paul Butterfield Story (2018) Oct 17, 2018 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $58.6K worldwide
    Oct 17, 2018 US and Canada: $58.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $58.6K
  41. 2041 Lil’ Buck: Real Swan (2019) movie poster
    Lil’ Buck: Real Swan (2019) Apr 28, 2019 · English · Documentary $58.6K worldwide
    Apr 28, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.6K
  42. 2042 Loop (2005) movie poster
    Loop (2005) Feb 18, 2005 · Norwegian · Documentary $58.4K worldwide
    Feb 18, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.4K
  43. 2043 Please Remember Me (2015) movie poster
    Please Remember Me (2015) Nov 20, 2015 · Chinese · Documentary $58.2K worldwide
    Nov 20, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.2K
  44. 2044 In Search of Greatness (2018) movie poster
    In Search of Greatness (2018) Nov 2, 2018 · English · Documentary $58.1K worldwide
    Nov 2, 2018 US and Canada: $58.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $58.1K
  45. 2045 Voices of Iraq (2004) movie poster
    Voices of Iraq (2004) Oct 29, 2004 · Arabic · War, Documentary $58K worldwide
    Oct 29, 2004 US and Canada: $58K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $58K
  46. 2046 The End of Poverty? (2008) movie poster
    The End of Poverty? (2008) May 19, 2008 · English · Documentary $57.8K worldwide
    May 19, 2008 US and Canada: $57.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $57.8K
  47. 2047 Adam Ondra: Pushing the Limits (2022) movie poster
    Adam Ondra: Pushing the Limits (2022) Apr 15, 2022 · Czech · Documentary $57.7K worldwide
    Apr 15, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $57.7K
  48. 2048 In Search of God (2011) movie poster
    In Search of God (2011) Sep 23, 2011 · English · History, Family, Musical $57.6K worldwide
    Sep 23, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $57.6K
  49. 2049 The Cowboy and the Queen (2024) movie poster
    The Cowboy and the Queen (2024) Sep 6, 2024 · English · Documentary, Biography $57.6K worldwide
    Sep 6, 2024 US and Canada: $57.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $57.6K
  50. 2050 Maradonapoli (2017) movie poster
    Maradonapoli (2017) May 4, 2017 · Italian · Documentary $57.4K worldwide
    May 4, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $57.4K
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