Skip to content
What's After the Movie?

Jump to
What's After the Movie?
Documentary box office · All time

Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies of All Time, Page 51

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 51 of 81

All 4,018 Documentary Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Ranks 2,501 to 2,550 of 4,018. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.

  1. 2501 Rocco (2016) movie poster
    Rocco (2016) Nov 30, 2016 · French · Documentary $30K worldwide
    Nov 30, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $30K
  2. 2502 Margarita (2016) movie poster
    Margarita (2016) Mar 6, 2016 · Spanish · Documentary $29.9K worldwide
    Mar 6, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.9K
  3. 2503 Kilian Jornet, Path to Everest (2018) movie poster
    Kilian Jornet, Path to Everest (2018) Mar 1, 2018 · Catalan · Documentary $29.9K worldwide
    Mar 1, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.9K
  4. 2504 Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy Gravy Movie (2010) movie poster
    Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy Gravy Movie (2010) Dec 8, 2010 · English · Documentary $29.9K worldwide
    Dec 8, 2010 US and Canada: $29.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.9K
  5. 2505 Blue Horizon (2004) movie poster
    Blue Horizon (2004) 2004 · English · Documentary $29.9K worldwide
    2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.9K
  6. 2506 Writing with Fire (2021) movie poster
    Writing with Fire (2021) Nov 26, 2021 · Hindi · Documentary $29.9K worldwide
    Nov 26, 2021 US and Canada: $28.3K Rest of the world: $1.6K Worldwide: $29.9K
  7. 2507 Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other (2024) movie poster
    Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other (2024) Mar 13, 2024 · English · Documentary $29.8K worldwide
    Mar 13, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.8K
  8. 2508 A Fierce Green Fire (2013) movie poster
    A Fierce Green Fire (2013) Mar 1, 2013 · English · Documentary $29.8K worldwide
    Mar 1, 2013 US and Canada: $29.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.8K
  9. 2509 Full Circle (2023) movie poster
    Full Circle (2023) Feb 13, 2023 · English · Documentary $29.8K worldwide
    Feb 13, 2023 US and Canada: $29.6K Rest of the world: $138 Worldwide: $29.8K
  10. 2510 Elephant (2020) movie poster
    Elephant (2020) Apr 3, 2020 · Adventure, Biography, Family $29.8K worldwide
    Apr 3, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.8K
  11. 2511 SMTown: The Stage (2015) movie poster
    SMTown: The Stage (2015) Aug 13, 2015 · Korean · Documentary $29.7K worldwide
    Aug 13, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.7K
  12. 2512 The World According to Allee Willis (2024) movie poster
    The World According to Allee Willis (2024) Nov 15, 2024 · English · Documentary, Biography, Music $29.7K worldwide
    Nov 15, 2024 US and Canada: $29.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.7K
  13. 2513 Black Zombie (2026) movie poster
    Black Zombie (2026) Sep 11, 2026 · English · Documentary, History, Horror $29.7K worldwide
    Sep 11, 2026 US and Canada: $29.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.7K
  14. 2514 Somm: Cup of Salvation (2024) movie poster
    Somm: Cup of Salvation (2024) Jun 28, 2024 · English · Documentary $29.6K worldwide
    Jun 28, 2024 US and Canada: $29.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.6K
  15. 2515 Venus Boyz (2003) movie poster
    Venus Boyz (2003) Aug 22, 2003 · English · Documentary $29.5K worldwide
    Aug 22, 2003 US and Canada: $18.5K Rest of the world: $11K Worldwide: $29.5K
  16. 2516 The Best Democracy Money Can Buy (2016) movie poster
    The Best Democracy Money Can Buy (2016) Sep 23, 2016 · English · Documentary $29.5K worldwide
    Sep 23, 2016 US and Canada: $29.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.5K
  17. 2517 Romántico (2005) movie poster
    Romántico (2005) 2005 · English · Documentary $29.5K worldwide
    2005 US and Canada: $29.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.5K
  18. 2518 Cousin Jules (1972) movie poster
    Cousin Jules (1972) 1972 · French · Documentary $29.3K worldwide
    1972 US and Canada: $29.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.3K
  19. 2519 Charm City (2018) movie poster
    Charm City (2018) Oct 17, 2018 · English · Documentary $29.3K worldwide
    Oct 17, 2018 US and Canada: $29.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.3K
  20. 2520 Last Breath (2019) movie poster
    Last Breath (2019) Feb 28, 2019 · English · Documentary $29.3K worldwide
    Feb 28, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.3K
  21. 2521 Time to Choose (2016) movie poster
    Time to Choose (2016) Jun 3, 2016 · English · Documentary $29.2K worldwide
    Jun 3, 2016 US and Canada: $29.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.2K
  22. 2522 Living and Knowing You Are Alive (2019) movie poster
    Living and Knowing You Are Alive (2019) May 16, 2019 · French · Documentary, Drama $29.2K worldwide
    May 16, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.2K
  23. 2523 Naked Fame (2004) movie poster
    Naked Fame (2004) 2004 · English · Documentary $29.2K worldwide
    2004 US and Canada: $29.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.2K
  24. 2524 Gallivant (1996) movie poster
    Gallivant (1996) Oct 1, 1996 · English · Documentary $29.1K worldwide
    Oct 1, 1996 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.1K
  25. 2525 Pictures of Ghosts (2024) movie poster
    Pictures of Ghosts (2024) Jan 26, 2024 · Portuguese · Documentary $29.1K worldwide
    Jan 26, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.1K
  26. 2526 Fire in the Blood (2013) movie poster
    Fire in the Blood (2013) Sep 6, 2013 · English · History, Documentary $29K worldwide
    Sep 6, 2013 US and Canada: $29K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29K
  27. 2527 A Photographic Memory (2024) movie poster
    A Photographic Memory (2024) Nov 22, 2024 · English · Documentary $29K worldwide
    Nov 22, 2024 US and Canada: $29K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29K
  28. 2528 Little Girl (2021) movie poster
    Little Girl (2021) Sep 17, 2021 · French · Documentary $28.9K worldwide
    Sep 17, 2021 US and Canada: $10.8K Rest of the world: $18.1K Worldwide: $28.9K
  29. 2529 Omega (2016) movie poster
    Omega (2016) Nov 18, 2016 · Spanish · Documentary $28.8K worldwide
    Nov 18, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.8K
  30. 2530 Two in the Wave (2010) movie poster
    Two in the Wave (2010) Feb 2, 2010 · French · Documentary $28.8K worldwide
    Feb 2, 2010 US and Canada: $28.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.8K
  31. 2531 Hearts and Minds (1974) movie poster
    Hearts and Minds (1974) May 16, 1974 · English · War, Documentary $28.8K worldwide
    May 16, 1974 US and Canada: $28.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.8K
  32. 2532 Food, Inc. 2 (2024) movie poster
    Food, Inc. 2 (2024) Apr 9, 2024 · English · Documentary $28.8K worldwide
    Apr 9, 2024 US and Canada: $26.5K Rest of the world: $2.2K Worldwide: $28.8K
  33. 2533 Investigation Into the Invisible World (2002) movie poster
    Investigation Into the Invisible World (2002) Oct 29, 2002 · French · Mystery, Documentary $28.7K worldwide
    Oct 29, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.7K
  34. 2534 All of Us (2008) movie poster
    All of Us (2008) Sep 19, 2008 · English · Documentary $28.7K worldwide
    Sep 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.7K
  35. 2535 Mimi (2003) movie poster
    Mimi (2003) Apr 9, 2003 · French · Documentary $28.7K worldwide
    Apr 9, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.7K
  36. 2536 Catwalk (1995) movie poster
    Catwalk (1995) Dec 8, 1995 · English · Documentary $28.7K worldwide
    Dec 8, 1995 US and Canada: $28.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.7K
  37. 2537 Hitler's Children (2012) movie poster
    Hitler's Children (2012) Nov 16, 2012 · German · Documentary $28.7K worldwide
    Nov 16, 2012 US and Canada: $28.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.7K
  38. 2538 The Ballymurphy Precedent (2018) movie poster
    The Ballymurphy Precedent (2018) Jun 11, 2018 · English · Documentary $28.6K worldwide
    Jun 11, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.6K
  39. 2539 A Whale of a Tale (2018) movie poster
    A Whale of a Tale (2018) Aug 17, 2018 · English · Documentary $28.6K worldwide
    Aug 17, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.6K
  40. 2540 Fuck (2006) movie poster
    Fuck (2006) Nov 10, 2006 · English · Documentary $28.5K worldwide
    Nov 10, 2006 US and Canada: $22.4K Rest of the world: $6.1K Worldwide: $28.5K
  41. 2541 Southpaw (2000) movie poster
    Southpaw (2000) Apr 7, 2000 · English · Sport, Documentary $28.4K worldwide
    Apr 7, 2000 US and Canada: $28.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.4K
  42. 2542 London - The Modern Babylon (2013) movie poster
    London - The Modern Babylon (2013) Jun 4, 2013 · English · Music, Documentary $28.2K worldwide
    Jun 4, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.2K
  43. 2543 Two Years at Sea (2012) movie poster
    Two Years at Sea (2012) Oct 12, 2012 · English · Documentary $28.2K worldwide
    Oct 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.2K
  44. 2544 The Ambassador (2012) movie poster
    The Ambassador (2012) Aug 31, 2012 · English · Documentary $28.1K worldwide
    Aug 31, 2012 US and Canada: $28.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.1K
  45. 2545 Bitterbrush (2022) movie poster
    Bitterbrush (2022) Jun 17, 2022 · English · Documentary $28.1K worldwide
    Jun 17, 2022 US and Canada: $28.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.1K
  46. 2546 Bikes vs Cars (2015) movie poster
    Bikes vs Cars (2015) Dec 4, 2015 · English · Documentary $28.1K worldwide
    Dec 4, 2015 US and Canada: $28.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.1K
  47. 2547 Sembene! (2015) movie poster
    Sembene! (2015) Nov 6, 2015 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $28.1K worldwide
    Nov 6, 2015 US and Canada: $28.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.1K
  48. 2548 The Art of Making It (2022) movie poster
    The Art of Making It (2022) Jun 29, 2022 · English · Documentary $28.1K worldwide
    Jun 29, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.1K
  49. 2549 Take Me to the River (2014) movie poster
    Take Me to the River (2014) Sep 12, 2014 · English · Music, Documentary $28K worldwide
    Sep 12, 2014 US and Canada: $28K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28K
  50. 2550 Superstar in a Housedress (2004) movie poster
    Superstar in a Housedress (2004) May 5, 2004 · Biography, Documentary $28K worldwide
    May 5, 2004 US and Canada: $28K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28K
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