#1 of 240 #1 documentary movie of 2017
2017 · Documentary
$30M worldwide · 17% of the chart's total
$109K US & Canada · <1% $29.9M elsewhere · 100%
Documentary box office · 2017
Documentary Box Office 2017: Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies
Reset (2017) is the highest-grossing documentary movie released in 2017, with $30M worldwide, ahead of Born in China (2017) at $25.1M and The Next Guardian (2017) at $14.4M. 240 documentary films released in 2017 report a worldwide gross, $172.8M in all, 24% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 15% on 2016, whose releases took $149.8M. By language, English leads with $123.2M across 170 documentary releases.
- 2017 releases with a gross
- 240
- combined worldwide
- $172.8M
- Reset (2017), the #1
- $30M
- vs 2016
- +15%
#1 of 240 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Documentary Hits of 2017?
Reset (2017) leads with $30M, 17% of the total. The top 5 together took $95.7M, 55% of what all 240 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 2017, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 240. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2017.
- 1 Jan 13, 2017 US and Canada: $109K Rest of the world: $29.9M Worldwide: $30M
- 2 Apr 21, 2017 US and Canada: $13.9M Rest of the world: $11.2M Worldwide: $25.1M
- 3 Nov 22, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.4M
- 4 Apr 29, 2017 US and Canada: $507.3K Rest of the world: $12.9M Worldwide: $13.4M
- 5 Oct 6, 2017 US and Canada: $81.3K Rest of the world: $12.8M Worldwide: $12.9M
- 6
Dec 15, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.3M - 7
Feb 24, 2017 US and Canada: $12.5K Rest of the world: $7.5M Worldwide: $7.6M - 8
Jul 28, 2017 US and Canada: $3.5M Rest of the world: $1.9M Worldwide: $5.4M - 9
Feb 10, 2017 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: $2.2M Worldwide: $5M - 10
Jun 16, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.9M - 11
Dec 5, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.4M - 12
Oct 6, 2017 US and Canada: $953.7K Rest of the world: $3M Worldwide: $4M - 13
Feb 23, 2017 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.7M - 14
Oct 20, 2017 US and Canada: $1.7M Rest of the world: $197.8K Worldwide: $1.9M - 15
Oct 13, 2017 US and Canada: $527.8K Rest of the world: $1.3M Worldwide: $1.8M - 16
Nov 13, 2017 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.6M - 17
Sep 11, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M - 18
Sep 29, 2017 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M - 19
Aug 4, 2017 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $6.5K Worldwide: $1.2M - 20
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017)Nov 24, 2017 US and Canada: $820.3K Rest of the world: $272.6K Worldwide: $1.1M
Nov 24, 2017 · English · Biography, History, War $1.1M worldwide - 21
Oct 18, 2017 US and Canada: $55.5K Rest of the world: $725.6K Worldwide: $781K - 22
Mar 10, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $733.6K - 23
May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers (2017)Sep 12, 2017 US and Canada: $725.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $725.3K Sep 12, 2017 · English · Music, Documentary $725.3K worldwide - 24
Mar 31, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $724.3K - 25
Oct 5, 2017 US and Canada: $607.3K Rest of the world: $97.7K Worldwide: $705K - 26
May 26, 2017 US and Canada: $123.4K Rest of the world: $578.1K Worldwide: $701.6K - 27
Jun 8, 2017 US and Canada: $694K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $694K - 28
Aug 19, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $653.8K - 29
May 4, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $624.7K - 30
Sep 1, 2017 US and Canada: $555.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $555.3K - 31
Sep 5, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $546.2K - 32
Jun 2, 2017 US and Canada: $359.7K Rest of the world: $143.2K Worldwide: $502.9K - 33
Oct 13, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $494.6K - 34
May 3, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $479.1K - 35
Jan 2, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $460.5K - 36
Nov 24, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $459.1K - 37
Sep 8, 2017 US and Canada: $400.7K Rest of the world: $53.8K Worldwide: $454.6K - 38
Sep 29, 2017 US and Canada: $348.8K Rest of the world: $101.4K Worldwide: $450.3K - 39
Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary (2017)Apr 14, 2017 US and Canada: $406.3K Rest of the world: $626 Worldwide: $406.9K Apr 14, 2017 · English · Biography, Music, Documentary $406.9K worldwide - 40
Mar 3, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $397.5K - 41
Dec 13, 2017 US and Canada: $9.4K Rest of the world: $360.2K Worldwide: $369.6K - 42
Apr 29, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $368.4K - 43
May 26, 2017 US and Canada: $352K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $352K - 44
Aug 18, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $341.4K - 45
May 19, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $337.8K - 46
Citizen Jane: Battle for the City (2017)Apr 21, 2017 US and Canada: $313.4K Rest of the world: $9.7K Worldwide: $323.1K Apr 21, 2017 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $323.1K worldwide - 47
Apr 8, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $316.8K - 48
Apr 26, 2017 US and Canada: $315K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $315K - 49
Mar 31, 2017 US and Canada: $171.4K Rest of the world: $140.1K Worldwide: $311.5K - 50
Black Sabbath: The End of The End (2017)Sep 10, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $309K Sep 10, 2017 · English · Music, Documentary $309K worldwide
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2017?
Of the top 10, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017) earned the biggest share at home (64% in the US & Canada), while Kiki (2017) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 240 films, $42.1M (24%) came from the US & Canada. 3 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Reset (2017) $30M $109K US & Canada · <1% $29.9M elsewhere · 100%
- 2 Born in China (2017) $25.1M $13.9M US & Canada · 55% $11.2M elsewhere · 45%
- 3 The Next Guardian (2017) $14.4M No US & Canada figure reported
- 4 Our President (2017) $13.4M $507.3K US & Canada · 4% $12.9M elsewhere · 96%
- 5 Earth: One Amazing Day (2017) $12.9M $81.3K US & Canada · <1% $12.8M elsewhere · 99%
- 6 Killing for Love (2017) $8.3M No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 Kiki (2017) $7.6M $12.5K US & Canada · <1% $7.5M elsewhere · 100%
- 8 An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017) $5.4M $3.5M US & Canada · 64% $1.9M elsewhere · 36%
- 9 Kedi (2017) $5M $2.8M US & Canada · 56% $2.2M elsewhere · 44%
- 10 Return to the Wolves (2017) $4.9M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2017 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 240 films reached $100M. 235 films, 98% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $172.8M total.
55% 45%
- $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, 2% of the list $95.7M · 55% of the gross
- Under $10M 235 films, 98% of the list $77.1M · 45% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2017 Earned the Most?
April releases took the most, $41M from 25 films, led by Born in China (2017). March was the quietest month ($2.8M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Reset (2017) $31M Reset (2017)
- February Feb Kiki (2017) $15.5M Kiki (2017)
- March Mar Uncertain (2017) $2.8M Uncertain (2017)
- April Apr Born in China (2017) $41M Born in China (2017)
- May May Buena Vista Social Club: Adios (2017) $4.1M Buena Vista Social Club: Adios (2017)
- June Jun Return to the Wolves (2017) $7.3M Return to the Wolves (2017)
- July Jul An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017) $6.2M An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017)
- August Aug Step (2017) $2.8M Step (2017)
- September Sep So Help Me God (2017) $6.7M So Help Me God (2017)
- October Oct Earth: One Amazing Day (2017) $23.8M Earth: One Amazing Day (2017)
- November Nov The Next Guardian (2017) $18.4M The Next Guardian (2017)
- December Dec Killing for Love (2017) $13.2M Killing for Love (2017)
Last 10 years
How Does 2017 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2013 earned the most: $696.2M from 180 films, led by Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013). 2017 took $172.8M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 122 films | 122 | $118.2M | – | 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 |
| 2016 211 films · −26% | 211 | $149.8M | −26% | A Beautiful Planet (2016) $26.3M |
| 2017 240 films · +15% | 240 | $172.8M | +15% | Reset (2017) $30M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak in 2017?
English-language documentary films took $123.2M across 170 films, 71% of the total, ahead of Dzongkha-language documentary films ($14.4M) and Korean-language documentary films ($13.5M).
2017 Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $123.2M170 films · #1 Reset (2017)
-
Dzongkha $14.4M1 film · #1 The Next Guardian (2017) -
Korean $13.5M3 films · #1 Our President (2017) -
French $6.4M7 films · #1 Faces Places (2017) -
Turkish $5M3 films · #1 Kedi (2017) -
Chinese $4.9M2 films · #1 Return to the Wolves (2017) -
Spanish $1.1M9 films · #1 Cantábrico (2017) -
Japanese $785.1K3 films · #1 Life is Fruity (2017) -
German $738.1K4 films · #1 Expedition Happiness (2017) -
Polish $515.4K2 films · #1 Two Crowns (2017)
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 2017: 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 240 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie in 2017?
Reset (2017) leads with $30M worldwide, $109K of it in the US & Canada. Next come Born in China (2017) at $25.1M and The Next Guardian (2017) at $14.4M.
How much did documentary movies released in 2017 earn?
240 documentary films released in 2017 report a worldwide gross, $172.8M in all, or $719.9K per film on average. 2016 releases took $149.8M.
How many documentary movies released in 2017 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Reset (2017), earned $30M.
How is the 2017 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 2017. 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 2017 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.