#1 of 184 #1 documentary movie of 2015
2015 · Drama, War
$40M worldwide · 20% of the chart's total
$337.9K US & Canada · <1% $39.7M elsewhere · 99%
Documentary box office · 2015
Documentary Box Office 2015: Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies
Northern Limit Line (2015) is the highest-grossing documentary movie released in 2015, with $40M worldwide, ahead of The Crossing (2015) at $32.8M and Twenty Two (2015) at $26.3M. 184 documentary films released in 2015 report a worldwide gross, $203.5M in all, 26% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 61% on 2014, whose releases took $126.7M. By language, English leads with $119.7M across 122 documentary releases.
- 2015 releases with a gross
- 184
- combined worldwide
- $203.5M
- Northern Limit Line (2015), the #1
- $40M
- vs 2014
- +61%
#1 of 184 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Documentary Hits of 2015?
Northern Limit Line (2015) leads with $40M, 20% of the total. The top 5 together took $139.7M, 69% of what all 184 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 2015, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 184. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2015.
- 1 Jul 17, 2015 US and Canada: $337.9K Rest of the world: $39.7M Worldwide: $40M
- 2 May 19, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $32.8M
- 3 Oct 5, 2015 US and Canada: $46.8K Rest of the world: $26.2M Worldwide: $26.3M
- 4 Jul 3, 2015 US and Canada: $8.4M Rest of the world: $15.3M Worldwide: $23.7M
- 5 Apr 17, 2015 US and Canada: $16.4M Rest of the world: $407.3K Worldwide: $16.8M
- 6
Mar 27, 2015 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $4.6M Worldwide: $6M - 7
Oct 30, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.4M - 8
Dec 23, 2015 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: $837.5K Worldwide: $4.7M - 9
Oct 2, 2015 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: $764.7K Worldwide: $3.4M - 10
Mar 13, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.3M - 11
Feb 6, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.2M - 12
Jan 25, 2015 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.3M - 13
Aug 27, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.2M - 14
Apr 10, 2015 US and Canada: $1M Rest of the world: $740.9K Worldwide: $1.8M - 15
Sep 11, 2015 US and Canada: $1.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.7M - 16
Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015)Nov 27, 2015 US and Canada: $410.5K Rest of the world: $1.3M Worldwide: $1.7M
Nov 27, 2015 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $1.7M worldwide - 17
Apr 29, 2015 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $310K Worldwide: $1.6M - 18
Jun 12, 2015 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $112.4K Worldwide: $1.4M - 19
Mar 14, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M - 20
Jul 31, 2015 US and Canada: $3.5K Rest of the world: $1.2M Worldwide: $1.2M - 21
Oct 2, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 22
Jul 3, 2015 US and Canada: $704.4K Rest of the world: $441.6K Worldwide: $1.1M - 23
Feb 17, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $941.8K - 24
Seymour: An Introduction (2015)Mar 13, 2015 US and Canada: $743.5K Rest of the world: $164.2K Worldwide: $907.7K Mar 13, 2015 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $907.7K worldwide - 25
Jul 31, 2015 US and Canada: $892.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $892.8K - 26
Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict (2015)Nov 6, 2015 US and Canada: $498.4K Rest of the world: $298.4K Worldwide: $796.8K Nov 6, 2015 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $796.8K worldwide - 27
Ed Sheeran: Jumpers for Goalposts (2015)Aug 16, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $705.1K Aug 16, 2015 · English · Music, Documentary $705.1K worldwide - 28
Sep 18, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $689.6K - 29
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)Apr 24, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $686.4K Apr 24, 2015 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $686.4K worldwide - 30
Jan 24, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $686.4K - 31
Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot (2015)Jul 10, 2015 US and Canada: $41.3K Rest of the world: $578.2K Worldwide: $619.5K Jul 10, 2015 · English · Biography, Sport, Documentary $619.5K worldwide - 32
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (2015)Sep 2, 2015 US and Canada: $516.9K Rest of the world: $67.2K Worldwide: $584.1K Sep 2, 2015 · English · Documentary $584.1K worldwide - 33
Feb 27, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $549.4K - 34
Jul 29, 2015 US and Canada: $425.8K Rest of the world: $90.5K Worldwide: $516.3K - 35
Feb 27, 2015 US and Canada: $502.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $502.3K - 36
Nov 26, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $497.8K - 37
Oct 21, 2015 US and Canada: $420.8K Rest of the world: $75.1K Worldwide: $495.9K - 38
Sep 4, 2015 US and Canada: $494.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $494.5K - 39
Aug 14, 2015 US and Canada: $433.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $433.9K - 40
Sep 25, 2015 US and Canada: $410.2K Rest of the world: $2.6K Worldwide: $412.8K - 41
Feb 27, 2015 US and Canada: $405.9K Rest of the world: $5.2K Worldwide: $411.1K - 42
Dec 2, 2015 US and Canada: $260.4K Rest of the world: $126K Worldwide: $386.5K - 43
May 22, 2015 US and Canada: $55.4K Rest of the world: $281.6K Worldwide: $337K - 44
Feb 6, 2015 US and Canada: $333.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $333.6K - 45
Sep 25, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $331.3K - 46
Mar 6, 2015 US and Canada: $308.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $308.2K - 47
Jan 30, 2015 US and Canada: $288.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $288.8K - 48
Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (2015)Sep 26, 2015 US and Canada: $261.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $261.9K Sep 26, 2015 · English · Documentary $261.9K worldwide - 49
Oct 13, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $239.8K - 50
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015)Mar 13, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $230.2K Mar 13, 2015 · English · Documentary $230.2K worldwide
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2015?
Of the top 10, Monkey Kingdom (2015) earned the biggest share at home (98% in the US & Canada), while Twenty Two (2015) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 184 films, $52.1M (26%) came from the US & Canada. 3 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Northern Limit Line (2015) $40M $337.9K US & Canada · <1% $39.7M elsewhere · 99%
- 2 The Crossing (2015) $32.8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 3 Twenty Two (2015) $26.3M $46.8K US & Canada · <1% $26.2M elsewhere · 100%
- 4 Amy (2015) $23.7M $8.4M US & Canada · 35% $15.3M elsewhere · 65%
- 5 Monkey Kingdom (2015) $16.8M $16.4M US & Canada · 98% $407.3K elsewhere · 2%
- 6 The Salt of the Earth (2015) $6M $1.3M US & Canada · 23% $4.6M elsewhere · 77%
- 7 The Royal Road (2015) $5.4M No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Where to Invade Next (2015) $4.7M $3.8M US & Canada · 82% $837.5K elsewhere · 18%
- 9 He Named Me Malala (2015) $3.4M $2.7M US & Canada · 78% $764.7K elsewhere · 22%
- 10 The Wrecking Crew (2015) $3.3M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2015 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 184 films reached $100M. 179 films, 97% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $203.5M total.
69% 31%
- $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 5 films, 3% of the list $139.7M · 69% of the gross
- Under $10M 179 films, 97% of the list $63.8M · 31% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2015 Earned the Most?
July releases took the most, $68.7M from 16 films, led by Northern Limit Line (2015). June was the quietest month ($1.8M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Meru (2015) $3.6M Meru (2015)
- February Feb On the Way to School (2015) $6M On the Way to School (2015)
- March Mar The Salt of the Earth (2015) $12.1M The Salt of the Earth (2015)
- April Apr Monkey Kingdom (2015) $21.6M Monkey Kingdom (2015)
- May May The Crossing (2015) $33.4M The Crossing (2015)
- June Jun The Wolfpack (2015) $1.8M The Wolfpack (2015)
- July Jul Northern Limit Line (2015) $68.7M Northern Limit Line (2015)
- August Aug Boca Juniors 3D: The Movie (2015) $3.7M Boca Juniors 3D: The Movie (2015)
- September Sep Meet the Patels (2015) $5.3M Meet the Patels (2015)
- October Oct Twenty Two (2015) $37.8M Twenty Two (2015)
- November Nov Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015) $4.1M Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015)
- December Dec Where to Invade Next (2015) $5.3M Where to Invade Next (2015)
Last 10 years
How Does 2015 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2013 earned the most: $696.2M from 180 films, led by Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013). 2015 took $203.5M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 112 films | 112 | $286.9M | – | 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 |
| 2015 184 films · +61% | 184 | $203.5M | +61% | Northern Limit Line (2015) $40M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak in 2015?
English-language documentary films took $119.7M across 122 films, 59% of the total, ahead of Korean-language documentary films ($40.1M) and Chinese-language documentary films ($26.5M).
2015 Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $119.7M122 films · #1 The Crossing (2015)
-
Korean $40.1M2 films · #1 Northern Limit Line (2015) -
Chinese $26.5M4 films · #1 Twenty Two (2015) -
French $3.3M5 films · #1 On the Way to School (2015) -
Spanish $2.5M13 films · #1 Boca Juniors 3D: The Movie (2015) -
Swedish $1.2M2 films · #1 Becoming Zlatan (2015) -
Italian $641.8K3 films · #1 Zanetti Story (2015) -
German $589.8K9 films · #1 In the Basement (2015) -
Portuguese $513.5K4 films · #1 Chico: Brazilian Artist (2015) -
Polish $331.3K1 film · #1 Pilecki (2015)
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 2015: 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 184 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie in 2015?
Northern Limit Line (2015) leads with $40M worldwide, $337.9K of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Crossing (2015) at $32.8M and Twenty Two (2015) at $26.3M.
How much did documentary movies released in 2015 earn?
184 documentary films released in 2015 report a worldwide gross, $203.5M in all, or $1.1M per film on average. 2014 releases took $126.7M.
How many documentary movies released in 2015 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Northern Limit Line (2015), earned $40M.
How is the 2015 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 2015. 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 2015 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.