#1 of 122 #1 documentary movie of 2008
2008 · Music, Documentary
$22.7M worldwide · 19% of the chart's total
$10.4M US & Canada · 46% $12.4M elsewhere · 54%
Documentary box office · 2008
Documentary Box Office 2008: Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies
U2 3D (2008) is the highest-grossing documentary movie released in 2008, with $22.7M worldwide, ahead of Shine a Light (2008) at $15.8M and Old Partner (2008) at $15.3M. 122 documentary films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $118.2M in all, 46% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 14% on 2007, whose releases took $137.8M. By language, English leads with $98M across 90 documentary releases.
- 2008 releases with a gross
- 122
- combined worldwide
- $118.2M
- U2 3D (2008), the #1
- $22.7M
- vs 2007
- −14%
#1 of 122 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Documentary Hits of 2008?
U2 3D (2008) leads with $22.7M, 19% of the total. The top 5 together took $75.2M, 64% of what all 122 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 2008, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 122. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2008.
- 1 Jan 23, 2008 US and Canada: $10.4M Rest of the world: $12.4M Worldwide: $22.7M
- 2 Apr 4, 2008 US and Canada: $5.5M Rest of the world: $10.3M Worldwide: $15.8M
- 3 Oct 4, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.3M
- 4 Oct 3, 2008 US and Canada: $13M Rest of the world: $628K Worldwide: $13.6M
- 5 Apr 18, 2008 US and Canada: $7.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.7M
- 6
Apr 9, 2008 US and Canada: $4M Rest of the world: $3.1M Worldwide: $7.1M - 7
Jul 25, 2008 US and Canada: $3M Rest of the world: $2.3M Worldwide: $5.3M - 8
Oct 15, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.1M - 9
Nov 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M - 10
The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (2008)Dec 17, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M
Dec 17, 2008 · English · Documentary $1.8M worldwide - 11
Apr 11, 2008 US and Canada: $155.1K Rest of the world: $1.4M Worldwide: $1.6M - 12
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (2008)Jul 4, 2008 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $239.9K Worldwide: $1.5M Jul 4, 2008 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $1.5M worldwide - 13
Feb 28, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M - 14
Apr 14, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 15
Jun 11, 2008 US and Canada: $944.9K Rest of the world: $260.5K Worldwide: $1.2M - 16
Jul 25, 2008 US and Canada: $942.4K Rest of the world: $187.8K Worldwide: $1.1M - 17
Apr 25, 2008 US and Canada: $784K Rest of the world: $245.2K Worldwide: $1M - 18
Jan 31, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $874.6K - 19
Aug 22, 2008 US and Canada: $821K Rest of the world: $5.8K Worldwide: $826.8K - 20
May 28, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $684.2K - 21
Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (2008)Apr 18, 2008 US and Canada: $385K Rest of the world: $296.8K Worldwide: $681.7K Apr 18, 2008 · English · Comedy, War, Documentary $681.7K worldwide - 22
Aug 22, 2008 US and Canada: $520.2K Rest of the world: $2.6K Worldwide: $522.8K - 23
Oct 29, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $507.2K - 24
Stranded: I've Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains (2008)Oct 22, 2008 US and Canada: $89.5K Rest of the world: $323.3K Worldwide: $412.8K
Oct 22, 2008 · Spanish · Documentary $412.8K worldwide - 25
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008)Mar 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $402.2K Mar 12, 2008 · English · Documentary, Adventure $402.2K worldwide - 26
Nov 25, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $399.9K - 27
A Complete History of My Sexual Failures (2008)Jan 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $398K Jan 19, 2008 · English · Romance, Documentary $398K worldwide - 28
Jun 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $363.2K - 29
Standard Operating Procedure (2008)Apr 25, 2008 US and Canada: $229.1K Rest of the world: $95.1K Worldwide: $324.2K Apr 25, 2008 · English · Crime, War, Documentary $324.2K worldwide - 30
May 9, 2008 US and Canada: $270K Rest of the world: $48.5K Worldwide: $318.5K - 31
Jun 13, 2008 US and Canada: $159.4K Rest of the world: $157.4K Worldwide: $316.7K - 32
May 30, 2008 US and Canada: $308.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $308.6K - 33
It’s Hard Being Loved by Jerks (2008)Sep 17, 2008 US and Canada: $697 Rest of the world: $304.6K Worldwide: $305.3K
Sep 17, 2008 · French · Documentary, History, Crime $305.3K worldwide - 34
Mar 21, 2008 US and Canada: $273.9K Rest of the world: $26.6K Worldwide: $300.4K - 35
Jan 18, 2008 US and Canada: $274.7K Rest of the world: $19.6K Worldwide: $294.3K - 36
Oct 17, 2008 US and Canada: $275.5K Rest of the world: $279 Worldwide: $275.8K - 37
Nov 19, 2008 US and Canada: $268.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $268.4K - 38
Jul 25, 2008 US and Canada: $65K Rest of the world: $167.2K Worldwide: $232.3K - 39
Chris & Don. A Love Story (2008)Jun 13, 2008 US and Canada: $216.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $216.1K Jun 13, 2008 · English · Biography, Romance, Documentary $216.1K worldwide - 40
Oct 10, 2008 US and Canada: $215.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $215.2K - 41
Jul 25, 2008 US and Canada: $109.4K Rest of the world: $78.4K Worldwide: $187.8K - 42
Mar 7, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $184.8K - 43
Feb 29, 2008 US and Canada: $177.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $177.5K - 44
Jul 17, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $172.4K - 45
Mar 7, 2008 US and Canada: $159.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $159.3K - 46
2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $142.9K - 47
Sep 12, 2008 US and Canada: $142.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $142.6K - 48
Mar 14, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $129.6K - 49
Aug 28, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $125.9K - 50
Apr 18, 2008 US and Canada: $124.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $124.3K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2008?
Of the top 10, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Shine a Light (2008) made 65% of its gross abroad. Across all 122 films, $54.5M (46%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 U2 3D (2008) $22.7M $10.4M US & Canada · 46% $12.4M elsewhere · 54%
- 2 Shine a Light (2008) $15.8M $5.5M US & Canada · 35% $10.3M elsewhere · 65%
- 3 Old Partner (2008) $15.3M No US & Canada figure reported
- 4 Religulous (2008) $13.6M $13M US & Canada · 95% $628K elsewhere · 5%
- 5 Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) $7.7M $7.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Young@Heart (2008) $7.1M $4M US & Canada · 56% $3.1M elsewhere · 44%
- 7 Man on Wire (2008) $5.3M $3M US & Canada · 56% $2.3M elsewhere · 44%
- 8 The Meerkats (2008) $4.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Hollywood, I’m Sleeping Over Tonight (2008) $1.9M No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (2008) $1.8M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2008 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 122 films reached $100M. 118 films, 97% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $118.2M total.
57% 43%
- $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 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $10M to $100M 4 films, 3% of the list $67.4M · 57% of the gross
- Under $10M 118 films, 97% of the list $50.8M · 43% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2008 Earned the Most?
April releases took the most, $35.8M from 16 films, led by Shine a Light (2008). September was the quietest month ($614.1K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan U2 3D (2008) $24.6M U2 3D (2008)
- February Feb Trip to Asia: The Quest for Harmony (2008) $1.7M Trip to Asia: The Quest for Harmony (2008)
- March Mar Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008) $1.4M Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008)
- April Apr Shine a Light (2008) $35.8M Shine a Light (2008)
- May May Maradona by Kusturica (2008) $1.6M Maradona by Kusturica (2008)
- June Jun Encounters at the End of the World (2008) $2.4M Encounters at the End of the World (2008)
- July Jul Man on Wire (2008) $8.9M Man on Wire (2008)
- August Aug I.O.U.S.A. (2008) $1.9M I.O.U.S.A. (2008)
- September Sep It’s Hard Being Loved by Jerks (2008) $614.1K It’s Hard Being Loved by Jerks (2008)
- October Oct Old Partner (2008) $34.7M Old Partner (2008)
- November Nov Hollywood, I’m Sleeping Over Tonight (2008) $2.8M Hollywood, I’m Sleeping Over Tonight (2008)
- December Dec The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (2008) $1.9M The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (2008)
Last 10 years
How Does 2008 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2004 earned the most: $339.9M from 88 films, led by Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004). 2008 took $118.2M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 14 films | 14 | $50.2M | – | 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 |
| 2006 112 films · +1% | 112 | $286.9M | +1% | Deep Sea (2006) $98.2M |
| 2007 132 films · −52% | 132 | $137.8M | −52% | Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure (2007) $50.7M |
| 2008 122 films · −14% | 122 | $118.2M | −14% | U2 3D (2008) $22.7M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak in 2008?
English-language documentary films took $98M across 90 films, 83% of the total, ahead of Korean-language documentary films ($15.4M) and German-language documentary films ($1.5M).
2008 Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $98M90 films · #1 U2 3D (2008)
-
Korean $15.4M3 films · #1 Old Partner (2008) -
German $1.5M6 films · #1 Trip to Asia: The Quest for Harmony (2008) - Spanish $911.7K5 films · #1 Stranded: I've Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains (2008)
-
Czech $874.6K1 film · #1 Citizen Havel (2008) - French $581.5K4 films · #1 It’s Hard Being Loved by Jerks (2008)
-
Turkish $416.6K2 films · #1 On the Way to School (2008) -
Italian $310.6K2 films · #1 We Want Roses Too (2008) -
Arabic $105.7K1 film · #1 A Jihad for Love (2008) -
Swedish $52.6K3 films · #1 Maggie in Wonderland (2008)
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 2008: 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 122 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie in 2008?
U2 3D (2008) leads with $22.7M worldwide, $10.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Shine a Light (2008) at $15.8M and Old Partner (2008) at $15.3M.
How much did documentary movies released in 2008 earn?
122 documentary films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $118.2M in all, or $969.2K per film on average. 2007 releases took $137.8M.
How many documentary movies released in 2008 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, U2 3D (2008), earned $22.7M.
How is the 2008 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 2008. 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 2008 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.