#1 of 50 #1 documentary movie of 2002
2002 · Documentary
$128.4M worldwide · 54% of the chart's total
$93.4M US & Canada · 73% $35M elsewhere · 27%
Documentary box office · 2002
Documentary Box Office 2002: Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies
Space Station 3D (2002) is the highest-grossing documentary movie released in 2002, with $128.4M worldwide, ahead of Bowling for Columbine (2002) at $58M and Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002) at $19.2M. 50 documentary films released in 2002 report a worldwide gross, $239M in all, 68% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is 6.1 times the total of 2001, whose releases took $39.4M. By language, English leads with $233.4M across 34 documentary releases.
- 2002 releases with a gross
- 50
- combined worldwide
- $239M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 2001
- ×6.1
#1 of 50 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Documentary Hits of 2002?
Space Station 3D (2002) leads with $128.4M, 54% of the total. The top 5 together took $221.4M, 93% of what all 50 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Documentary Release of 2002, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2002.
- 1 Apr 19, 2002 US and Canada: $93.4M Rest of the world: $35M Worldwide: $128.4M
- 2 Oct 11, 2002 US and Canada: $21.6M Rest of the world: $36.4M Worldwide: $58M
- 3 Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002)Aug 2, 2002 US and Canada: $19.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.2M
Aug 2, 2002 · English · Biography, Comedy, Documentary $19.2M worldwide - 4 2002 US and Canada: $11M Rest of the world: $17.9K Worldwide: $11M
- 5 May 10, 2002 US and Canada: $4.2M Rest of the world: $588.6K Worldwide: $4.8M
- 6
Oct 11, 2002 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.8M - 7
Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)Nov 15, 2002 US and Canada: $1.7M Rest of the world: $622.1K Worldwide: $2.3M Nov 15, 2002 · English · Music, Documentary $2.3M worldwide - 8
Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time (2002)Jan 2, 2002 US and Canada: $2.2M Rest of the world: $60.3K Worldwide: $2.3M Jan 2, 2002 · English · Documentary $2.3M worldwide - 9
Apr 26, 2002 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $222.5K Worldwide: $1.5M - 10
Jul 26, 2002 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: $82.4K Worldwide: $1.5M - 11
Jul 12, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1M - 12
May 25, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $723.1K - 13
Sep 27, 2002 US and Canada: $712.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $712.4K - 14
Sep 25, 2002 US and Canada: $516.7K Rest of the world: $4.5K Worldwide: $521.3K - 15
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (2002)Jul 26, 2002 US and Canada: $445.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $445.5K Jul 26, 2002 · English · Music, Documentary $445.5K worldwide - 16
Mar 15, 2002 US and Canada: $247.9K Rest of the world: $182.9K Worldwide: $430.9K - 17
Feb 22, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $403.6K - 18
Power and Terror: Noam Chomsky in Our Times (2002)Nov 22, 2002 US and Canada: $292.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $292.5K Nov 22, 2002 · English · Documentary $292.5K worldwide - 19
Feb 15, 2002 US and Canada: $289.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $289.9K - 20
Apr 26, 2002 US and Canada: $254.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $254.9K - 21
Jun 28, 2002 US and Canada: $220.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $220.2K - 22
Aug 30, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $184.3K - 23
Oct 23, 2002 US and Canada: $157.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $157.2K - 24
Oct 18, 2002 US and Canada: $133.1K Rest of the world: $22.6K Worldwide: $155.6K - 25
Jul 17, 2002 US and Canada: $32.3K Rest of the world: $114.4K Worldwide: $146.7K - 26
Sep 27, 2002 US and Canada: $94.9K Rest of the world: $51.5K Worldwide: $146.4K - 27
Jan 11, 2002 US and Canada: $94.9K Rest of the world: $51.5K Worldwide: $146.4K - 28
Oct 18, 2002 US and Canada: $121.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $121.3K - 29
May 3, 2002 US and Canada: $119.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $119.1K - 30
Jan 9, 2002 US and Canada: $99.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $99.8K - 31
Jun 19, 2002 US and Canada: $61K Rest of the world: $25.8K Worldwide: $86.9K - 32
Mar 22, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $82.2K - 33
Sep 11, 2002 US and Canada: $35.7K Rest of the world: $33.2K Worldwide: $68.9K - 34
May 18, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $62.2K - 35
Jun 14, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $49.4K - 36
Etoiles: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet (2002)Nov 8, 2002 US and Canada: $46.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $46.4K Nov 8, 2002 · English · Music, Documentary $46.4K worldwide - 37
Oct 2, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $44.6K - 38
Feb 22, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $43.8K - 39
Investigation Into the Invisible World (2002)Oct 29, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.7K
Oct 29, 2002 · French · Mystery, Documentary $28.7K worldwide - 40
May 3, 2002 US and Canada: $9.1K Rest of the world: $13.8K Worldwide: $22.9K - 41
Nov 15, 2002 US and Canada: $18.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.3K - 42
Aug 23, 2002 US and Canada: $11.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.6K - 43
Oct 11, 2002 US and Canada: $11.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.3K - 44
Oct 9, 2002 US and Canada: $4.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7K - 45
Dec 18, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.2K - 46
Feb 22, 2002 US and Canada: $3.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.5K - 47
Oct 16, 2002 US and Canada: $2.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.1K - 48
Oct 30, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2K - 49
Sep 6, 2002 US and Canada: $1.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4K - 50
Apr 6, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $846
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2002?
Of the top 10, Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Bowling for Columbine (2002) made 63% of its gross abroad. Across all 50 films, $162.8M (68%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Space Station 3D (2002) $128.4M $93.4M US & Canada · 73% $35M elsewhere · 27%
- 2 Bowling for Columbine (2002) $58M $21.6M US & Canada · 37% $36.4M elsewhere · 63%
- 3 Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002) $19.2M $19.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk (2002) $11M $11M US & Canada · 100% $17.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 5 Ultimate X: The Movie (2002) $4.8M $4.2M US & Canada · 88% $588.6K elsewhere · 12%
- 6 Comedian (2002) $2.8M $2.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) $2.3M $1.7M US & Canada · 73% $622.1K elsewhere · 27%
- 8 Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time (2002) $2.3M $2.2M US & Canada · 97% $60.3K elsewhere · 3%
- 9 Dogtown and Z-Boys (2002) $1.5M $1.3M US & Canada · 85% $222.5K elsewhere · 15%
- 10 The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002) $1.5M $1.4M US & Canada · 95% $82.4K elsewhere · 5%
Gross bands
How Many 2002 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 50 films crossed $100M and took $128.4M between them, 54% of the total. 46 films, 92% of the list, earned under $10M.
54% 37% 9%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 1 film, 2% of the list $128.4M · 54% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 3 films, 6% of the list $88.2M · 37% of the gross
- Under $10M 46 films, 92% of the list $22.4M · 9% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2002 Earned the Most?
April releases took the most, $130.1M from 4 films, led by Space Station 3D (2002). December was the quietest month ($4.2K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk (2002) $13.5M Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk (2002)
- February Feb All About My Father (2002) $740.8K All About My Father (2002)
- March Mar Promises (2002) $513.1K Promises (2002)
- April Apr Space Station 3D (2002) $130.1M Space Station 3D (2002)
- May May Ultimate X: The Movie (2002) $5.7M Ultimate X: The Movie (2002)
- June Jun The Cockettes (2002) $356.4K The Cockettes (2002)
- July Jul The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002) $3.2M The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)
- August Aug Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002) $19.4M Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002)
- September Sep Shanghai Ghetto (2002) $1.5M Shanghai Ghetto (2002)
- October Oct Bowling for Columbine (2002) $61.3M Bowling for Columbine (2002)
- November Nov Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) $2.7M Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)
- December Dec The Gleaners and I: Two Years Later (2002) $4.2K The Gleaners and I: Two Years Later (2002)
Last 10 years
How Does 2002 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2002 earned the most: $239M from 50 films, led by Space Station 3D (2002).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 6 films | 6 | $733.8K | – | The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl (1993) $449.7K |
| 1994 14 films · +3551% | 14 | $26.8M | +3551% | Hoop Dreams (1994) $11.8M |
| 1995 15 films · −48% | 15 | $13.9M | −48% | Born to Be Wild (1995) $3.7M |
| 1996 9 films · −58% | 9 | $5.9M | −58% | When We Were Kings (1996) $2.8M |
| 1997 9 films · +272% | 9 | $22M | +272% | Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun (1997) $18.8M |
| 1998 14 films · +177% | 14 | $60.8M | +177% | Mysteries of Egypt (1998) $44.7M |
| 1999 14 films · −17% | 14 | $50.2M | −17% | Buena Vista Social Club (1999) $23.1M |
| 2000 25 films · +62% | 25 | $81.4M | +62% | The Original Kings of Comedy (2000) $38.2M |
| 2001 31 films · −52% | 31 | $39.4M | −52% | Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure (2001) $19.6M |
| 2002 50 films · +507% | 50 | $239M | +507% | Space Station 3D (2002) $128.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak in 2002?
English-language documentary films took $233.4M across 34 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Icelandic-language documentary films ($1M) and Norwegian-language documentary films ($588K).
2002 Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $233.4M34 films · #1 Space Station 3D (2002)
-
Icelandic $1M1 film · #1 Last Dance (2002) -
Norwegian $588K2 films · #1 All About My Father (2002) - French $177.4K4 films · #1 Yves Saint Laurent: His Life and Times (2002)
-
Hindi $146.7K1 film · #1 Ayurveda: Art of Being (2002) -
Italian $82.2K1 film · #1 Carlo Giuliani, a Boy (2002) -
Spanish $68.9K1 film · #1 The Pinochet Case (2002) -
Arabic $2K1 film · #1 Hashish (2002) -
Japanese $8461 film · #1 Letter from a Yellow Cherry Blossom (2002)
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
- 2019 $145.4M #1 Apollo 11 (2019)
- 2018 $257.3M #1 Believer (2018)
- 2017 $172.8M #1 Reset (2017)
- 2016 $149.8M #1 A Beautiful Planet (2016)
- 2015 $203.5M #1 Northern Limit Line (2015)
- 2014 $126.7M #1 Bears (2014)
- 2013 $696.2M #1 Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013)
- 2012 $288M #1 Switch (2012)
- 2011 $288.8M #1 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
- 2010 $338.6M #1 Jackass 3-D (2010)
2000s 10 years · $2.1B
- 2009 $401.6M #1 This Is It (2009)
- 2008 $118.2M #1 U2 3D (2008)
- 2007 $137.8M #1 Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure (2007)
- 2006 $286.9M #1 Deep Sea (2006)
- 2005 $284.9M #1 March of the Penguins (2005)
- 2004 $339.9M #1 Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
- 2003 $123.3M #1 Bugs! (2003)
- 2002 $239M #1 Space Station 3D (2002)
- 2001 $39.4M #1 Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure (2001)
- 2000 $81.4M #1 The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)
1990s 10 years · $226.1M
- 1999 $50.2M #1 Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
- 1998 $60.8M #1 Mysteries of Egypt (1998)
- 1997 $22M #1 Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun (1997)
- 1996 $5.9M #1 When We Were Kings (1996)
- 1995 $13.9M #1 Born to Be Wild (1995)
- 1994 $26.8M #1 Hoop Dreams (1994)
- 1993 $733.8K #1 The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl (1993)
- 1992 $7.2M #1 My Crasy Life (1992)
- 1991 $37.7M #1 Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)
- 1990 $785.7K #1 Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones (1990)
1980s 10 years · $174.2M
- 1989 $9.3M #1 Roger & Me (1989)
- 1988 $15.3M #1 U2: Rattle and Hum (1988)
- 1987 $54.3M #1 Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987)
- 1986 $1.4M #1 Home of the Brave: A Film by Laurie Anderson (1986)
- 1985 $1.8M #1 The Dream Is Alive (1985)
- 1984 $24.1M #1 Stop Making Sense (1984)
- 1983 $16.2M #1 Richard Pryor: Here and Now (1983)
- 1982 $44.4M #1 Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982)
- 1981 $2.1M #1 This Is Elvis (1981)
- 1980 $5.3M #1 Divine Madness (1980)
1970s 9 years · $33.9M
- 1978 $363.8K #1 The Last Waltz (1978)
- 1977 $298.5K #1 ABBA: The Movie (1977)
- 1976 $5M #1 That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)
- 1975 $40.9K #1 Grey Gardens (1975)
- 1974 $27.2M #1 That's Entertainment! (1974)
- 1973 $16.7K #1 Wattstax (1973)
- 1972 $676.7K #1 Elvis on Tour (1972)
- 1971 $31.4K #1 Bushman (1971)
- 1970 $357.4K #1 Woodstock (1970)
1960s 6 years · $143K
1950s 5 years · $233.2K
1920s 2 years · $201.5K
1910s 1 year · $9.7K
FAQ
Documentary Box Office 2002: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 50 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie in 2002?
Space Station 3D (2002) leads with $128.4M worldwide, $93.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Bowling for Columbine (2002) at $58M and Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002) at $19.2M.
How much did documentary movies released in 2002 earn?
50 documentary films released in 2002 report a worldwide gross, $239M in all, or $4.8M per film on average. 2001 releases took $39.4M.
How many documentary movies released in 2002 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Space Station 3D (2002) with $128.4M.
How is the 2002 documentary box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 2002. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.
How often is the 2002 documentary box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.