#1 of 174 #1 documentary movie of 2014
2014 · Documentary
$21.3M worldwide · 17% of the chart's total
$17.8M US & Canada · 83% $3.5M elsewhere · 17%
Documentary box office · 2014
Documentary Box Office 2014: Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies
Bears (2014) is the highest-grossing documentary movie released in 2014, with $21.3M worldwide, ahead of Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (2014) at $16.9M and America: Imagine a World Without Her (2014) at $14.4M. 174 documentary films released in 2014 report a worldwide gross, $126.7M in all, 57% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 82% on 2013, whose releases took $696.2M. By language, English leads with $110M across 132 documentary releases.
- 2014 releases with a gross
- 174
- combined worldwide
- $126.7M
- Bears (2014), the #1
- $21.3M
- vs 2013
- −82%
#1 of 174 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Documentary Hits of 2014?
Bears (2014) leads with $21.3M, 17% of the total. The top 5 together took $67.4M, 53% of what all 174 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 2014, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 174. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2014.
- 1 Apr 18, 2014 US and Canada: $17.8M Rest of the world: $3.5M Worldwide: $21.3M
- 2 Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (2014)Apr 4, 2014 US and Canada: $11.3M Rest of the world: $5.6M Worldwide: $16.9M
Apr 4, 2014 · English · Adventure, Biography, Family $16.9M worldwide - 3 Jul 2, 2014 US and Canada: $14.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.4M
- 4 Mar 25, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.8M
- 5 Oct 10, 2014 US and Canada: $6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6M
- 6
Aug 15, 2014 US and Canada: $45K Rest of the world: $5M Worldwide: $5.1M - 7
Jun 7, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 8
Oct 24, 2014 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: $979.8K Worldwide: $3.8M - 9
Oct 19, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.2M - 10
Oct 31, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M - 11
Jul 25, 2014 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.8M - 12
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Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014)Jul 20, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M Jul 20, 2014 · English · Documentary, Music, Comedy $2.4M worldwide - 13
Mar 28, 2014 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $871.2K Worldwide: $2.4M - 14
Sep 29, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.2M - 15
Sep 17, 2014 US and Canada: $279.6K Rest of the world: $1.8M Worldwide: $2.1M - 16
Oct 10, 2014 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $352.2K Worldwide: $1.9M - 17
Dec 25, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 18
May 9, 2014 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $7.3K Worldwide: $1.5M - 19
Nov 14, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M - 20
Documentary of AKB48 The Time Has Come (2014)Jul 4, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $984.8K
Jul 4, 2014 · Japanese · Music, Documentary $984.8K worldwide - 21
Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus (2014)Jul 26, 2014 US and Canada: $925.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $925.6K Jul 26, 2014 · English · Documentary, History $925.6K worldwide - 22
Mar 5, 2014 US and Canada: $869.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $869.8K - 23
Jul 4, 2014 US and Canada: $810.5K Rest of the world: $5.2K Worldwide: $815.6K - 24
Nov 14, 2014 US and Canada: $694.6K Rest of the world: $104.1K Worldwide: $798.7K - 25
Jul 4, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $741.5K - 26
Mar 21, 2014 US and Canada: $647.3K Rest of the world: $15.5K Worldwide: $662.7K - 27
On Any Sunday: The Next Chapter (2014)Nov 7, 2014 US and Canada: $543K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $543K Nov 7, 2014 · English · Action, Adventure, Sport $543K worldwide - 28
Mar 6, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $530.9K - 29
Nov 13, 2014 US and Canada: $336.5K Rest of the world: $144.8K Worldwide: $481.2K - 30
Aug 8, 2014 US and Canada: $235.7K Rest of the world: $232.4K Worldwide: $468.1K - 31
Sep 5, 2014 US and Canada: $466.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $466.1K - 32
Jul 24, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $408.5K - 33
Jun 13, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $402.1K - 34
Nov 28, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $382.9K - 35
Oct 24, 2014 US and Canada: $365.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $365.4K - 36
Nov 5, 2014 US and Canada: $253.9K Rest of the world: $101K Worldwide: $355K - 37
Apr 4, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $354.6K - 38
Feb 26, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $347.5K - 39
Sep 12, 2014 US and Canada: $258.2K Rest of the world: $81K Worldwide: $339.2K - 40
Feb 21, 2014 US and Canada: $327.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $327.5K - 41
May 23, 2014 US and Canada: $312.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $312.7K - 42
Apr 11, 2014 US and Canada: $151.1K Rest of the world: $159.9K Worldwide: $311K - 43
Apr 2, 2014 US and Canada: $276.5K Rest of the world: $25.1K Worldwide: $301.6K - 44
David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive (2014)2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $298.1K 2014 · English · Documentary $298.1K worldwide - 45
Antarctica: A Year on Ice (2014)Nov 28, 2014 US and Canada: $288.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $288.8K Nov 28, 2014 · English · Adventure, Biography, Drama $288.8K worldwide - 46
May 9, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $274.3K - 47
Feb 11, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $273.3K - 48
Mar 28, 2014 US and Canada: $139K Rest of the world: $114.3K Worldwide: $253.3K - 49
The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden (2014)Apr 4, 2014 US and Canada: $247.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $247.2K Apr 4, 2014 · English · Biography, History, Mystery $247.2K worldwide - 50
Jun 11, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $241.7K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2014?
Of the top 10, America: Imagine a World Without Her (2014) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Mr. X (2014) made 99% of its gross abroad. Across all 174 films, $72.7M (57%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Bears (2014) $21.3M $17.8M US & Canada · 83% $3.5M elsewhere · 17%
- 2 Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (2014) $16.9M $11.3M US & Canada · 67% $5.6M elsewhere · 33%
- 3 America: Imagine a World Without Her (2014) $14.4M $14.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Enchanted Kingdom (2014) $8.8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 5 Meet the Mormons (2014) $6M $6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Mr. X (2014) $5.1M $45K US & Canada · <1% $5M elsewhere · 99%
- 7 Colombia: Wild Magic (2014) $4.5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Citizenfour (2014) $3.8M $2.8M US & Canada · 74% $979.8K elsewhere · 26%
- 9 Antarctica: On the Edge (2014) $3.2M No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 Warsaw Uprising (2014) $3M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2014 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 174 films reached $100M. 171 films, 98% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $126.7M total.
42% 58%
- $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 3 films, 2% of the list $52.6M · 42% of the gross
- Under $10M 171 films, 98% of the list $74.1M · 58% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2014 Earned the Most?
April releases took the most, $39.9M from 15 films, led by Bears (2014). January was the quietest month ($770.1K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive (2014) $770.1K David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive (2014)
- February Feb Land of the Bears (2014) $1.3M Land of the Bears (2014)
- March Mar Enchanted Kingdom (2014) $13.8M Enchanted Kingdom (2014)
- April Apr Bears (2014) $39.9M Bears (2014)
- May May Fed Up (2014) $3M Fed Up (2014)
- June Jun Colombia: Wild Magic (2014) $6.4M Colombia: Wild Magic (2014)
- July Jul America: Imagine a World Without Her (2014) $23.7M America: Imagine a World Without Her (2014)
- August Aug Mr. X (2014) $6M Mr. X (2014)
- September Sep Roger Waters: The Wall (2014) $6.3M Roger Waters: The Wall (2014)
- October Oct Meet the Mormons (2014) $19.2M Meet the Mormons (2014)
- November Nov The Circle (2014) $4.5M The Circle (2014)
- December Dec Streif: One Hell of a Ride (2014) $2M Streif: One Hell of a Ride (2014)
Last 10 years
How Does 2014 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2013 earned the most: $696.2M from 180 films, led by Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013). 2014 took $126.7M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 94 films | 94 | $284.9M | – | 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 |
| 2010 119 films · −16% | 119 | $338.6M | −16% | Jackass 3-D (2010) $178.1M |
| 2011 162 films · −15% | 162 | $288.8M | −15% | Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011) $99M |
| 2012 164 films · ±0% | 164 | $288M | ±0% | Switch (2012) $47.2M |
| 2013 180 films · +142% | 180 | $696.2M | +142% | Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013) $151.8M |
| 2014 174 films · −82% | 174 | $126.7M | −82% | Bears (2014) $21.3M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak in 2014?
English-language documentary films took $110M across 132 films, 87% of the total, ahead of Hindi-language documentary films ($5.1M) and German-language documentary films ($2.5M).
2014 Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $110M132 films · #1 Bears (2014)
-
Hindi $5.1M2 films · #1 Mr. X (2014) -
German $2.5M4 films · #1 Streif: One Hell of a Ride (2014) - Japanese $984.8K1 film · #1 Documentary of AKB48 The Time Has Come (2014)
-
Spanish $848.2K9 films · #1 Ilusión Nacional (2014) -
Arabic $402.1K1 film · #1 Return to Homs (2014) -
French $347.5K1 film · #1 Land of the Bears (2014) -
Italian $240.2K1 film · #1 On the Bride’s Side (2014) -
Norwegian $197.9K1 film · #1 Good Girl (2014) -
Portuguese $189.1K6 films · #1 Drops of Joy (2014)
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 2014: 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 174 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie in 2014?
Bears (2014) leads with $21.3M worldwide, $17.8M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (2014) at $16.9M and America: Imagine a World Without Her (2014) at $14.4M.
How much did documentary movies released in 2014 earn?
174 documentary films released in 2014 report a worldwide gross, $126.7M in all, or $728.4K per film on average. 2013 releases took $696.2M.
How many documentary movies released in 2014 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Bears (2014), earned $21.3M.
How is the 2014 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 2014. 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 2014 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.