#1 of 111 #1 documentary movie of 2009
2009 · Music, Documentary
$268M worldwide · 67% of the chart's total
$72.1M US & Canada · 27% $195.9M elsewhere · 73%
Documentary box office · 2009
Documentary Box Office 2009: Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies
This Is It (2009) is the highest-grossing documentary movie released in 2009, with $268M worldwide, ahead of Under the Sea 3D (2009) at $55.9M and Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) at $17.4M. 111 documentary films released in 2009 report a worldwide gross, $401.6M in all, 38% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is 3.4 times the total of 2008, whose releases took $118.2M. By language, English leads with $123.4M across 79 documentary releases.
- 2009 releases with a gross
- 111
- combined worldwide
- $401.6M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 2008
- ×3.4
#1 of 111 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Documentary Hits of 2009?
This Is It (2009) leads with $268M, 67% of the total. The top 5 together took $356.5M, 89% of what all 111 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 2009, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 111. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2009.
- 1 Oct 28, 2009 US and Canada: $72.1M Rest of the world: $195.9M Worldwide: $268M
- 2 Feb 13, 2009 US and Canada: $36.3M Rest of the world: $19.7M Worldwide: $55.9M
- 3 Sep 23, 2009 US and Canada: $14.4M Rest of the world: $3.1M Worldwide: $17.4M
- 4 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.7M
- 5 Aug 28, 2009 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: $2.6M Worldwide: $6.4M
- 6
Jun 12, 2009 US and Canada: $4.4M Rest of the world: $188.5K Worldwide: $4.6M - 7
Oct 9, 2009 US and Canada: $4.2M Rest of the world: $5.9K Worldwide: $4.2M - 8
Oct 1, 2009 US and Canada: $386.1K Rest of the world: $2.6M Worldwide: $2.9M - 9
Apr 17, 2009 US and Canada: $1.7M Rest of the world: $1M Worldwide: $2.8M - 10
Jul 1, 2009 US and Canada: $239.7K Rest of the world: $2M Worldwide: $2.2M - 11
Mar 18, 2009 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: $448.3K Worldwide: $2.2M - 12
Aug 14, 2009 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: $286.1K Worldwide: $1.9M - 13
The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls (2009)Sep 13, 2009 US and Canada: $29.3K Rest of the world: $1.8M Worldwide: $1.8M
Sep 13, 2009 · English · Documentary, Music, Comedy $1.8M worldwide - 14
Oct 7, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M - 15
Food Beware: The French Organic Revolution (2009)Oct 16, 2009 US and Canada: $1.2K Rest of the world: $1.5M Worldwide: $1.5M
Oct 16, 2009 · French · Documentary $1.5M worldwide - 16
Aug 21, 2009 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: $81.3K Worldwide: $1.5M - 17
Jul 31, 2009 US and Canada: $857K Rest of the world: $330.4K Worldwide: $1.2M - 18
Jul 10, 2009 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M - 19
Jan 8, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M - 20
Sep 11, 2009 US and Canada: $567.5K Rest of the world: $557.3K Worldwide: $1.1M - 21
Apr 24, 2009 US and Canada: $887.9K Rest of the world: $77K Worldwide: $964.9K - 22
Oct 2, 2009 US and Canada: $950.7K Rest of the world: $9.7K Worldwide: $960.4K - 23
Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2009)Apr 10, 2009 US and Canada: $667.9K Rest of the world: $283.5K Worldwide: $951.4K Apr 10, 2009 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $951.4K worldwide - 24
Sep 18, 2009 US and Canada: $3.2K Rest of the world: $843.4K Worldwide: $846.5K - 25
Mar 20, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $673.2K - 26
Mar 9, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $568.7K - 27
Of Time and the City (2009)Jan 21, 2009 US and Canada: $32.7K Rest of the world: $490.7K Worldwide: $523.4K Jan 21, 2009 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $523.4K worldwide - 28
Mar 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $511.1K - 29
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (2009)Sep 16, 2009 US and Canada: $454K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $454K Sep 16, 2009 · English · Documentary $454K worldwide - 30
Jun 3, 2009 US and Canada: $306.1K Rest of the world: $63.6K Worldwide: $369.7K - 31
Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $28.6K Rest of the world: $327.5K Worldwide: $356.1K - 32
Mar 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $346.2K - 33
Oct 1, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $300.9K - 34
Jan 28, 2009 US and Canada: $49.9K Rest of the world: $243K Worldwide: $292.9K - 35
Jul 10, 2009 US and Canada: $207.1K Rest of the world: $47.5K Worldwide: $254.6K - 36
Jun 25, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $247K - 37
Oct 7, 2009 US and Canada: $194.5K Rest of the world: $47.3K Worldwide: $241.9K - 38
In Search of Beethoven (2009)Sep 23, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $223K Sep 23, 2009 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $223K worldwide - 39
Jun 5, 2009 US and Canada: $194.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $194.7K - 40
Sep 9, 2009 US and Canada: $170.3K Rest of the world: $15.6K Worldwide: $185.9K - 41
Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love (2009) Jun 12, 2009 · Music, Musical, Documentary $183.5K worldwideJun 12, 2009 US and Canada: $172.2K Rest of the world: $11.3K Worldwide: $183.5K - 42
Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2009)Jul 31, 2009 US and Canada: $21.2K Rest of the world: $159.8K Worldwide: $181K Jul 31, 2009 · English · Documentary $181K worldwide - 43
Nov 15, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $179.4K - 44
Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould (2009)Sep 13, 2009 US and Canada: $167.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $167.5K Sep 13, 2009 · English · Documentary, Music $167.5K worldwide - 45
Sep 30, 2009 US and Canada: $156.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $156.6K - 46
Mar 13, 2009 US and Canada: $153.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $153.1K - 47
Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $130.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $130.4K - 48
Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land (2009)May 20, 2009 US and Canada: $51.7K Rest of the world: $75.4K Worldwide: $127.1K May 20, 2009 · English · History, Thriller, Crime $127.1K worldwide - 49
Feb 25, 2009 US and Canada: $120.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $120.7K - 50
Sep 11, 2009 US and Canada: $100K Rest of the world: $16.3K Worldwide: $116.3K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2009?
Of the top 10, Good Hair (2009) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Beaches of Agnès (2009) made 89% of its gross abroad. Across all 111 films, $151.4M (38%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.
- 1 This Is It (2009) $268M $72.1M US & Canada · 27% $195.9M elsewhere · 73%
- 2 Under the Sea 3D (2009) $55.9M $36.3M US & Canada · 65% $19.7M elsewhere · 35%
- 3 Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) $17.4M $14.4M US & Canada · 82% $3.1M elsewhere · 18%
- 4 OceanWorld 3D (2009) $8.7M No US & Canada figure reported
- 5 The September Issue (2009) $6.4M $3.8M US & Canada · 59% $2.6M elsewhere · 41%
- 6 Food, Inc. (2009) $4.6M $4.4M US & Canada · 96% $188.5K elsewhere · 4%
- 7 Good Hair (2009) $4.2M $4.2M US & Canada · 100% $5.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 8 Turtle: The Incredible Journey (2009) $2.9M $386.1K US & Canada · 13% $2.6M elsewhere · 87%
- 9 Every Little Step (2009) $2.8M $1.7M US & Canada · 62% $1M elsewhere · 38%
- 10 The Beaches of Agnès (2009) $2.2M $239.7K US & Canada · 11% $2M elsewhere · 89%
Gross bands
How Many 2009 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 111 films crossed $100M and took $268M between them, 67% of the total. 108 films, 97% of the list, earned under $10M.
67% 18% 15%
- $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 $268M · 67% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 2 films, 2% of the list $73.4M · 18% of the gross
- Under $10M 108 films, 97% of the list $60.2M · 15% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2009 Earned the Most?
October releases took the most, $280.3M from 20 films, led by This Is It (2009). May was the quietest month ($330K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan OceanWorld 3D (2009) $10.8M OceanWorld 3D (2009)
- February Feb Under the Sea 3D (2009) $56.1M Under the Sea 3D (2009)
- March Mar Valentino: The Last Emperor (2009) $4.5M Valentino: The Last Emperor (2009)
- April Apr Every Little Step (2009) $4.9M Every Little Step (2009)
- May May Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land (2009) $330K Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land (2009)
- June Jun Food, Inc. (2009) $5.9M Food, Inc. (2009)
- July Jul The Beaches of Agnès (2009) $5.1M The Beaches of Agnès (2009)
- August Aug The September Issue (2009) $10M The September Issue (2009)
- September Sep Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) $22.7M Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)
- October Oct This Is It (2009) $280.3M This Is It (2009)
- November Nov The Mouth of the Wolf (2009) $438.8K The Mouth of the Wolf (2009)
- December Dec Garbo: The Spy (2009) $498.2K Garbo: The Spy (2009)
Last 10 years
How Does 2009 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2009 earned the most: $401.6M from 111 films, led by This Is It (2009).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 25 films | 25 | $81.4M | – | 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 |
| 2009 111 films · +240% | 111 | $401.6M | +240% | This Is It (2009) $268M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak in 2009?
English-language documentary films took $123.4M across 79 films, 31% of the total, ahead of French-language documentary films ($4.9M) and German-language documentary films ($1.5M).
2009 Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $123.4M79 films · #1 Under the Sea 3D (2009)
- French $4.9M4 films · #1 The Beaches of Agnès (2009)
-
German $1.5M5 films · #1 Plastic Planet (2009) -
Danish $673.2K1 film · #1 The Invicible Cell (2009) -
Cantonese $654.8K2 films · #1 The Unbelievable (2009) -
Spanish $373K3 films · #1 Garbo: The Spy (2009) -
Slovak $300.9K1 film · #1 Bratislavafilm (2009) -
Italian $179.4K1 film · #1 The Mouth of the Wolf (2009) -
Portuguese $151.7K2 films · #1 Herbert de Perto (2009) -
Korean $112.9K3 films · #1 The Border City 2 (2009)
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 2009: 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 111 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie in 2009?
This Is It (2009) leads with $268M worldwide, $72.1M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Under the Sea 3D (2009) at $55.9M and Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) at $17.4M.
How much did documentary movies released in 2009 earn?
111 documentary films released in 2009 report a worldwide gross, $401.6M in all, or $3.6M per film on average. 2008 releases took $118.2M.
How many documentary movies released in 2009 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by This Is It (2009) with $268M.
How is the 2009 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 2009. 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 2009 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.