#1 of 94 #1 documentary movie of 2005
2005 · Family, Documentary
$127.4M worldwide · 45% of the chart's total
$77.4M US & Canada · 61% $50M elsewhere · 39%
Documentary box office · 2005
Documentary Box Office 2005: Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies
March of the Penguins (2005) is the highest-grossing documentary movie released in 2005, with $127.4M worldwide, ahead of Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005) at $40.3M and Wild Safari 3D (2005) at $34.3M. 94 documentary films released in 2005 report a worldwide gross, $284.9M in all, 60% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 16% on 2004, whose releases took $339.9M. By language, English leads with $267.7M across 73 documentary releases.
- 2005 releases with a gross
- 94
- combined worldwide
- $284.9M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 2004
- −16%
#1 of 94 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Documentary Hits of 2005?
March of the Penguins (2005) leads with $127.4M, 45% of the total. The top 5 together took $223.9M, 79% of what all 94 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 $40.3M Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)$34.1M US & Canada · 85% $6.2M elsewhere · 15% -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Documentary Release of 2005, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 94. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2005.
- 1 Jun 24, 2005 US and Canada: $77.4M Rest of the world: $50M Worldwide: $127.4M
- 2 Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)Sep 23, 2005 US and Canada: $34.1M Rest of the world: $6.2M Worldwide: $40.3M
Sep 23, 2005 · English · Animation, Documentary, Short $40.3M worldwide - 3 Apr 29, 2005 US and Canada: $16.6M Rest of the world: $17.6M Worldwide: $34.3M
- 4 Jan 28, 2005 US and Canada: $9M Rest of the world: $3.8M Worldwide: $12.8M
- 5 May 13, 2005 US and Canada: $8.1M Rest of the world: $986.4K Worldwide: $9.1M
- 6
Mar 2, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.9M - 7
Jul 29, 2005 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: $432.3K Worldwide: $6.8M - 8
The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear (2005)Dec 9, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M Dec 9, 2005 · English · Documentary $5M worldwide - 9
Apr 22, 2005 US and Canada: $4.1M Rest of the world: $782.5K Worldwide: $4.9M - 10
Jun 24, 2005 US and Canada: $3.3M Rest of the world: $1.3M Worldwide: $4.6M - 11
Aug 12, 2005 US and Canada: $3.2M Rest of the world: $886.6K Worldwide: $4.1M - 12
May 27, 2005 US and Canada: $16.4K Rest of the world: $3.1M Worldwide: $3.1M - 13
Sep 10, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.1M - 14
Aug 3, 2005 US and Canada: $203.7K Rest of the world: $2.8M Worldwide: $3M - 15
Mar 18, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 16
2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M - 17
Mar 23, 2005 US and Canada: $209.6K Rest of the world: $1.6M Worldwide: $1.8M - 18
Jul 8, 2005 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $220.7K Worldwide: $1.8M - 19
Oct 26, 2005 US and Canada: $815.8K Rest of the world: $515.5K Worldwide: $1.3M - 20
Dec 2, 2005 US and Canada: $750.8K Rest of the world: $237.6K Worldwide: $988.4K - 21
Feb 17, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $938.7K - 22
Feb 11, 2005 US and Canada: $691.9K Rest of the world: $18K Worldwide: $709.8K - 23
Mar 4, 2005 US and Canada: $607.8K Rest of the world: $80.8K Worldwide: $688.7K - 24
Apr 1, 2005 US and Canada: $640K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $640K - 25
Jan 14, 2005 US and Canada: $381.2K Rest of the world: $116.9K Worldwide: $498.1K - 26
Jun 1, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $386.9K - 27
Nov 30, 2005 US and Canada: $323.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $323.9K - 28
May 27, 2005 US and Canada: $18.8K Rest of the world: $303.8K Worldwide: $322.6K - 29
Apr 12, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $278.7K - 30
Aug 5, 2005 US and Canada: $181K Rest of the world: $81.7K Worldwide: $262.8K - 31
Nov 4, 2005 US and Canada: $249.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $249.6K - 32
Jan 21, 2005 US and Canada: $246.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $246.1K - 33
Oct 28, 2005 US and Canada: $219.7K Rest of the world: $17.5K Worldwide: $237.1K - 34
The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till (2005)Aug 17, 2005 US and Canada: $205K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $205K Aug 17, 2005 · English · Biography, Documentary $205K worldwide - 35
Oct 21, 2005 US and Canada: $178.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $178.9K - 36
Touch the Sound: A Sound Journey with Evelyn Glennie (2005)Sep 7, 2005 US and Canada: $176.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $176.8K Sep 7, 2005 · English · Documentary $176.8K worldwide - 37
Sep 9, 2005 US and Canada: $141.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $141.5K - 38
Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt (2005)Dec 2, 2005 US and Canada: $130K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $130K Dec 2, 2005 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $130K worldwide - 39
Oct 21, 2005 US and Canada: $114.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $114.3K - 40
May 11, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $109.6K - 41
Aug 10, 2005 US and Canada: $41.5K Rest of the world: $40K Worldwide: $81.5K - 42
Sep 14, 2005 US and Canada: $81.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $81.3K - 43
Aug 25, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $80.3K - 44
Feb 4, 2005 US and Canada: $74.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $74.6K - 45
Oct 21, 2005 US and Canada: $72.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $72.1K - 46
Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire (2005)May 18, 2005 US and Canada: $68.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $68.2K May 18, 2005 · English · Documentary $68.2K worldwide - 47
Jun 3, 2005 US and Canada: $64.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $64.3K - 48
Nov 17, 2005 US and Canada: $20.2K Rest of the world: $40.3K Worldwide: $60.5K - 49
Feb 18, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.4K - 50
Aug 26, 2005 US and Canada: $14.5K Rest of the world: $42.3K Worldwide: $56.9K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2005?
Of the top 10, The Aristocrats (2005) earned the biggest share at home (94% in the US & Canada), while Wild Safari 3D (2005) made 51% of its gross abroad. Across all 94 films, $171.2M (60%) came from the US & Canada. 2 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 March of the Penguins (2005) $127.4M $77.4M US & Canada · 61% $50M elsewhere · 39%
- 2 Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005) $40.3M $34.1M US & Canada · 85% $6.2M elsewhere · 15%
- 3 Wild Safari 3D (2005) $34.3M $16.6M US & Canada · 49% $17.6M elsewhere · 51%
- 4 Aliens of the Deep (2005) $12.8M $9M US & Canada · 70% $3.8M elsewhere · 30%
- 5 Mad Hot Ballroom (2005) $9.1M $8.1M US & Canada · 89% $986.4K elsewhere · 11%
- 6 The Red Orchestra (2005) $7.9M No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 The Aristocrats (2005) $6.8M $6.4M US & Canada · 94% $432.3K elsewhere · 6%
- 8 The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear (2005) $5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) $4.9M $4.1M US & Canada · 84% $782.5K elsewhere · 16%
- 10 Rize (2005) $4.6M $3.3M US & Canada · 72% $1.3M elsewhere · 28%
Gross bands
How Many 2005 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 94 films crossed $100M and took $127.4M between them, 45% of the total. 90 films, 96% of the list, earned under $10M.
45% 31% 25%
- $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, 1% of the list $127.4M · 45% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 3 films, 3% of the list $87.4M · 31% of the gross
- Under $10M 90 films, 96% of the list $70.2M · 25% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2005 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $132.6M from 11 films, led by March of the Penguins (2005). November was the quietest month ($730.9K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Aliens of the Deep (2005) $15.5M Aliens of the Deep (2005)
- February Feb Mystery of the Nile (2005) $1.8M Mystery of the Nile (2005)
- March Mar The Red Orchestra (2005) $13M The Red Orchestra (2005)
- April Apr Wild Safari 3D (2005) $40.1M Wild Safari 3D (2005)
- May May Mad Hot Ballroom (2005) $12.8M Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)
- June Jun March of the Penguins (2005) $132.6M March of the Penguins (2005)
- July Jul The Aristocrats (2005) $8.6M The Aristocrats (2005)
- August Aug Grizzly Man (2005) $7.9M Grizzly Man (2005)
- September Sep Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005) $43.9M Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)
- October Oct Ballets Russes (2005) $2M Ballets Russes (2005)
- November Nov The Boys of Baraka (2005) $730.9K The Boys of Baraka (2005)
- December Dec The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear (2005) $6.2M The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear (2005)
Last 10 years
How Does 2005 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2004 earned the most: $339.9M from 88 films, led by Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004). 2005 took $284.9M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 9 films | 9 | $5.9M | – | 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 |
| 2003 55 films · −48% | 55 | $123.3M | −48% | Bugs! (2003) $29.4M |
| 2004 88 films · +176% | 88 | $339.9M | +176% | Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) $222.4M |
| 2005 94 films · −16% | 94 | $284.9M | −16% | March of the Penguins (2005) $127.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak in 2005?
English-language documentary films took $267.7M across 73 films, 94% of the total, ahead of German-language documentary films ($11M) and French-language documentary films ($3.1M).
2005 Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $267.7M73 films · #1 March of the Penguins (2005)
-
German $11M3 films · #1 The Red Orchestra (2005) -
French $3.1M1 film · #1 Genesis (2005) -
Italian $1.9M1 film · #1 Viva Zapatero! (2005) -
Czech $278.7K1 film · #1 Searching for Ester (2005) -
Spanish $242.8K3 films · #1 Iberia (2005) -
Norwegian $58.4K1 film · #1 Loop (2005) -
Swedish $35.3K1 film · #1 The Optimists (2005) -
Japanese $31.1K1 film · #1 Call Me Malcolm (2005) -
Russian $19.3K1 film · #1 Melancholian 3 huonetta (2005)
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 2005: 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 94 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie in 2005?
March of the Penguins (2005) leads with $127.4M worldwide, $77.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005) at $40.3M and Wild Safari 3D (2005) at $34.3M.
How much did documentary movies released in 2005 earn?
94 documentary films released in 2005 report a worldwide gross, $284.9M in all, or $3M per film on average. 2004 releases took $339.9M.
How many documentary movies released in 2005 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by March of the Penguins (2005) with $127.4M.
How is the 2005 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 2005. 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 2005 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.