#1 of 215 #1 documentary movie of 2024
2024 · Documentary
$28.4M worldwide · 21% of the chart's total
$5.7M US & Canada · 20% $22.6M elsewhere · 80%
Documentary box office · 2024
Documentary Box Office 2024: Highest-Grossing Documentary Movies
In the Rearview (2024) is the highest-grossing documentary movie released in 2024, with $28.4M worldwide, ahead of Lyd (2024) at $20.6M and How to Rob a Bank (2024) at $12.6M. 215 documentary films released in 2024 report a worldwide gross, $134.2M in all, 21% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 156% on 2023, whose releases took $52.4M. By language, English leads with $50.9M across 140 documentary releases.
- 2024 releases with a gross
- 215
- combined worldwide
- $134.2M
- In the Rearview (2024), the #1
- $28.4M
- vs 2023
- +156%
#1 of 215 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Documentary Hits of 2024?
In the Rearview (2024) leads with $28.4M, 21% of the total. The top 5 together took $80.4M, 60% of what all 215 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 2024, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 215. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2024.
- 1 Aug 16, 2024 US and Canada: $5.7M Rest of the world: $22.6M Worldwide: $28.4M
- 2 Apr 26, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20.6M
- 3 Jun 5, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6M
- 4 Sep 18, 2024 US and Canada: $2.6M Rest of the world: $8.2M Worldwide: $10.8M
- 5 Jan 6, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8M
- 6
Nov 1, 2024 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: $1.1M Worldwide: $3.7M - 7
Nov 1, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.5M - 8
Mar 15, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.5M - 9
May 15, 2024 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: $717.6K Worldwide: $2.7M - 10
May 17, 2024 US and Canada: $2.6M Rest of the world: $62.9K Worldwide: $2.6M - 11
The Ark and the Darkness (2024)Mar 20, 2024 US and Canada: $2.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.1M
Mar 20, 2024 · English · Mystery, Documentary, History $2.1M worldwide - 12
Feb 9, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 13
Sam and Colby: The Legends of the Paranormal (2024)Oct 2, 2024 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.8M Oct 2, 2024 · English · Mystery, Adventure, Horror $1.8M worldwide - 14
May 4, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 15
Aug 27, 2024 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M - 16
Jun 27, 2024 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M - 17
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)Oct 25, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M
Oct 25, 2024 · Norwegian · Documentary, Animation, Biography $1.3M worldwide - 18
May 24, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M - 19
Dec 5, 2024 US and Canada: $714.1K Rest of the world: $261.7K Worldwide: $975.8K - 20
Oct 8, 2024 US and Canada: $105.7K Rest of the world: $819K Worldwide: $924.7K - 21
Mar 29, 2024 US and Canada: $18.3K Rest of the world: $796.5K Worldwide: $814.9K - 22
Oct 7, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $767.8K - 23
Sep 6, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $745.3K - 24
Mar 15, 2024 US and Canada: $86.6K Rest of the world: $657.8K Worldwide: $744.4K - 25
Oct 8, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $701.3K - 26
May 24, 2024 US and Canada: $657.7K Rest of the world: $57 Worldwide: $657.7K - 27
Jul 12, 2024 US and Canada: $421.7K Rest of the world: $224.6K Worldwide: $646.2K - 28
Luther: Never Too Much (2024)Nov 1, 2024 US and Canada: $390K Rest of the world: $247.4K Worldwide: $637.4K Nov 1, 2024 · English · Documentary, Biography, Music $637.4K worldwide - 29
Bambi: A Life in the Woods (2024)Sep 25, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $629.2K
Sep 25, 2024 · French · Family, Documentary, Adventure $629.2K worldwide - 30
Oct 25, 2024 US and Canada: $101K Rest of the world: $492.1K Worldwide: $593.1K - 31
Sep 5, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $546.7K - 32
The Flamenco Guitar of Yerai Cortés (2024)Sep 20, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $543.6K
Sep 20, 2024 · Spanish · Music, Documentary $543.6K worldwide - 33
Nov 6, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $525K - 34
Mar 22, 2024 US and Canada: $481K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $481K - 35
Oct 23, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $470K - 36
Oct 25, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $456.1K - 37
Nov 1, 2024 US and Canada: $365.3K Rest of the world: $79.9K Worldwide: $445.2K - 38
Nov 22, 2024 US and Canada: $45.1K Rest of the world: $398.4K Worldwide: $443.5K - 39
Oct 29, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $433.3K - 40
Oct 15, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $424.9K - 41
Aug 9, 2024 US and Canada: $138.2K Rest of the world: $273.9K Worldwide: $412K - 42
May 24, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $383.5K - 43
Nov 22, 2024 US and Canada: $58.9K Rest of the world: $289.7K Worldwide: $348.6K - 44
Mar 8, 2024 US and Canada: $66.5K Rest of the world: $270.7K Worldwide: $337.3K - 45
Jun 15, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $336.3K - 46
Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration (2024)Nov 8, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $334.6K Nov 8, 2024 · English · Documentary, Music $334.6K worldwide - 47
Jul 17, 2024 US and Canada: $326.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $326.2K - 48
Oct 25, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $313.3K - 49
Jun 25, 2024 US and Canada: $283.4K Rest of the world: $9.6K Worldwide: $293K - 50
Oct 4, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $264.4K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2024?
Of the top 10, The Blue Angels (2024) earned the biggest share at home (98% in the US & Canada), while In the Rearview (2024) made 80% of its gross abroad. Across all 215 films, $28.6M (21%) came from the US & Canada. 5 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 In the Rearview (2024) $28.4M $5.7M US & Canada · 20% $22.6M elsewhere · 80%
- 2 Lyd (2024) $20.6M No US & Canada figure reported
- 3 How to Rob a Bank (2024) $12.6M No US & Canada figure reported
- 4 Jung Kook: I Am Still (2024) $10.8M $2.6M US & Canada · 24% $8.2M elsewhere · 76%
- 5 The Birth of Korea (2024) $8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 No Other Land (2024) $3.7M $2.5M US & Canada · 70% $1.1M elsewhere · 30%
- 7 Chasing Chasing Amy (2024) $3.5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 The Tuba Thieves (2024) $3.5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Queen Rock Montreal (2024) $2.7M $2M US & Canada · 74% $717.6K elsewhere · 26%
- 10 The Blue Angels (2024) $2.6M $2.6M US & Canada · 98% $62.9K elsewhere · 2%
Gross bands
How Many 2024 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 215 films reached $100M. 211 films, 98% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $134.2M total.
54% 46%
- $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, 2% of the list $72.3M · 54% of the gross
- Under $10M 211 films, 98% of the list $61.9M · 46% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2024 Earned the Most?
August releases took the most, $31M from 21 films, led by In the Rearview (2024). December was the quietest month ($1.1M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Birth of Korea (2024) $8.6M The Birth of Korea (2024)
- February Feb Ennio (2024) $2.3M Ennio (2024)
- March Mar The Tuba Thieves (2024) $8.8M The Tuba Thieves (2024)
- April Apr Lyd (2024) $21M Lyd (2024)
- May May Queen Rock Montreal (2024) $9.6M Queen Rock Montreal (2024)
- June Jun How to Rob a Bank (2024) $15.4M How to Rob a Bank (2024)
- July Jul Eno (2024) $1.2M Eno (2024)
- August Aug In the Rearview (2024) $31M In the Rearview (2024)
- September Sep Jung Kook: I Am Still (2024) $14.5M Jung Kook: I Am Still (2024)
- October Oct Sam and Colby: The Legends of the Paranormal (2024) $9.7M Sam and Colby: The Legends of the Paranormal (2024)
- November Nov No Other Land (2024) $11.2M No Other Land (2024)
- December Dec RM: Right People, Wrong Place (2024) $1.1M RM: Right People, Wrong Place (2024)
Last 10 years
How Does 2024 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2018 earned the most: $257.3M from 238 films, led by Believer (2018). 2024 took $134.2M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 184 films | 184 | $203.5M | – | 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 |
| 2018 238 films · +49% | 238 | $257.3M | +49% | Believer (2018) $39M |
| 2019 256 films · −43% | 256 | $145.4M | −43% | Apollo 11 (2019) $15.3M |
| 2020 153 films · −53% | 153 | $67.8M | −53% | The Mystery of the Pink Flamingo (2020) $9.7M |
| 2021 183 films · −14% | 183 | $58.5M | −14% | Fathom (2021) $8.6M |
| 2022 186 films · +165% | 186 | $154.9M | +165% | Jackass Forever (2022) $80.6M |
| 2023 190 films · −66% | 190 | $52.4M | −66% | After Death (2023) $11.8M |
| 2024 215 films · +156% | 215 | $134.2M | +156% | In the Rearview (2024) $28.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Documentary Movies Speak in 2024?
English-language documentary films took $50.9M across 140 films, 38% of the total, ahead of Polish-language documentary films ($28.4M) and Arabic-language documentary films ($20.8M).
2024 Documentary Box Office by Language
- English $50.9M140 films · #1 How to Rob a Bank (2024)
-
Polish $28.4M1 film · #1 In the Rearview (2024) -
Arabic $20.8M3 films · #1 Lyd (2024) -
Korean $19M4 films · #1 Jung Kook: I Am Still (2024) - Norwegian $3M5 films · #1 The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)
- French $2.9M10 films · #1 On the Adamant (2024)
- Spanish $2.7M19 films · #1 El Apocalipsis de san Juan (2024)
-
Italian $1.7M5 films · #1 Sarò con te (2024) -
Japanese $978.3K2 films · #1 Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus (2024) -
Greek $745.3K1 film · #1 Spiti (2024)
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 2024: 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 215 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing documentary movie in 2024?
In the Rearview (2024) leads with $28.4M worldwide, $5.7M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Lyd (2024) at $20.6M and How to Rob a Bank (2024) at $12.6M.
How much did documentary movies released in 2024 earn?
215 documentary films released in 2024 report a worldwide gross, $134.2M in all, or $624.3K per film on average. 2023 releases took $52.4M.
How many documentary movies released in 2024 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, In the Rearview (2024), earned $28.4M.
How is the 2024 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 2024. 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 2024 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.