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Drama box office · December 2003

Drama Box Office, December 2003: Top-Grossing Releases

The Last Samurai (2003) is the highest-grossing drama movie released in December 2003, with $454.6M worldwide, ahead of Cold Mountain (2003) at $173M and Mona Lisa Smile (2003) at $141.3M. 27 drama films released in December 2003 report a worldwide gross, $1.3B in all, 41% of it from the US & Canada. 4 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 86% on November 2003, whose releases took $716.3M. By language, English leads with $1.2B across 17 drama releases.

December 2003 releases with a gross
27
combined worldwide
$1.3B
films crossed $100M
4
vs November 2003
+86%
The Last Samurai (2003) movie poster #1 of 27
#1 drama movie of December 2003

The Last Samurai (2003)

2003 · Action, Adventure

$454.6M worldwide · 34% of the chart's total

$111.1M US & Canada · 24% $343.5M elsewhere · 76%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Drama Hits of December 2003?

The Last Samurai (2003) leads with $454.6M, 34% of the total. The top 5 together took $989M, 74% of what all 27 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. The Last Samurai (2003) movie poster Number 1
    $454.6M The Last Samurai (2003)
    $111.1M US & Canada · 24% $343.5M elsewhere · 76%
  2. Cold Mountain (2003) movie poster Number 2
    $173M Cold Mountain (2003)
    $95.6M US & Canada · 55% $77.4M elsewhere · 45%
  3. Mona Lisa Smile (2003) movie poster Number 3
    $141.3M Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
    $63.9M US & Canada · 45% $77.5M elsewhere · 55%
  4. Big Fish (2003) movie poster Number 4
    $123.2M Big Fish (2003)
    $66.8M US & Canada · 54% $56.4M elsewhere · 46%
  5. The Butterfly (2003) movie poster Number 5
    $96.8M The Butterfly (2003)
    $57.9M US & Canada · 60% $38.9M elsewhere · 40%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Drama Release of December 2003, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in December 2003.

  1. 1 The Last Samurai (2003) movie poster
    The Last Samurai (2003) Dec 5, 2003 · English · Action, Adventure, Drama $454.6M worldwide
    Dec 5, 2003 US and Canada: $111.1M Rest of the world: $343.5M Worldwide: $454.6M
  2. 2 Cold Mountain (2003) movie poster
    Cold Mountain (2003) Dec 25, 2003 · English · Drama, Romance, War $173M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2003 US and Canada: $95.6M Rest of the world: $77.4M Worldwide: $173M
  3. 3 Mona Lisa Smile (2003) movie poster
    Mona Lisa Smile (2003) Dec 19, 2003 · English · Drama, Romance $141.3M worldwide
    Dec 19, 2003 US and Canada: $63.9M Rest of the world: $77.5M Worldwide: $141.3M
  4. 4 Big Fish (2003) movie poster
    Big Fish (2003) Dec 10, 2003 · English · Adventure, Drama, Fantasy $123.2M worldwide
    Dec 10, 2003 US and Canada: $66.8M Rest of the world: $56.4M Worldwide: $123.2M
  5. 5 The Butterfly (2003) movie poster
    The Butterfly (2003) Dec 19, 2003 · English · Drama, Comedy $96.8M worldwide
    Dec 19, 2003 US and Canada: $57.9M Rest of the world: $38.9M Worldwide: $96.8M
  6. 6 Calendar Girls (2003) movie poster
    Calendar Girls (2003) Dec 19, 2003 · English · Drama, Comedy $93.4M worldwide
    Dec 19, 2003 US and Canada: $31M Rest of the world: $62.4M Worldwide: $93.4M
  7. 7 Honey (2003) movie poster
    Honey (2003) Dec 5, 2003 · Drama, Romance, Music $62.2M worldwide
    Dec 5, 2003 US and Canada: $30.3M Rest of the world: $31.9M Worldwide: $62.2M
  8. 8 Monster (2003) movie poster
    Monster (2003) Dec 24, 2003 · English · Biography, Drama, Romance $58.5M worldwide
    Dec 24, 2003 US and Canada: $34.5M Rest of the world: $24M Worldwide: $58.5M
  9. 9 Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) movie poster
    Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) Dec 12, 2003 · English · Biography, Drama, Romance $33M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2003 US and Canada: $11.7M Rest of the world: $21.4M Worldwide: $33M
  10. 10 Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003) movie poster
    Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003) Dec 12, 2003 · English · Drama, Comedy, Romance $22M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2003 US and Canada: $21.9M Rest of the world: $39.8K Worldwide: $22M
  11. 11 House of Sand and Fog (2003) movie poster
    House of Sand and Fog (2003) Dec 19, 2003 · English · Drama $16.8M worldwide
    Dec 19, 2003 US and Canada: $13M Rest of the world: $3.7M Worldwide: $16.8M
  12. 12 Monsieur Ibrahim (2003) movie poster
    Monsieur Ibrahim (2003) Dec 5, 2003 · French · Drama $12.4M worldwide
    Dec 5, 2003 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: $9.5M Worldwide: $12.4M
  13. 13 The Young Black Stallion (2003) movie poster
    The Young Black Stallion (2003) Dec 25, 2003 · English · Adventure, Drama, Family $9.6M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2003 US and Canada: $6.8M Rest of the world: $2.9M Worldwide: $9.6M
  14. 14 Ladies’ Night (2003) movie poster
    Ladies’ Night (2003) Dec 10, 2003 · Spanish · Comedy, Romance, Drama $6.9M worldwide
    Dec 10, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.9M
  15. 15 The Company (2003) movie poster
    The Company (2003) Dec 25, 2003 · English · Drama, Romance, Music $6.4M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2003 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: $4.1M Worldwide: $6.4M
  16. 16 Silmido (2003) movie poster
    Silmido (2003) Dec 24, 2003 · Korean · Action, Drama $4.9M worldwide
    Dec 24, 2003 US and Canada: $298.3K Rest of the world: $4.6M Worldwide: $4.9M
  17. 17 Japanese Story (2003) movie poster
    Japanese Story (2003) Dec 31, 2003 · English · Drama, Romance $4.1M worldwide
    Dec 31, 2003 US and Canada: $647.1K Rest of the world: $3.5M Worldwide: $4.1M
  18. 18 Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) movie poster
    Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) Dec 19, 2003 · Hindi · Drama, Comedy $3.1M worldwide
    Dec 19, 2003 US and Canada: $48.8K Rest of the world: $3.1M Worldwide: $3.1M
  19. 19 Sound of Colors (2003) movie poster
    Sound of Colors (2003) Dec 20, 2003 · Cantonese · Comedy, Drama, Romance $1.8M worldwide
    Dec 20, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M
  20. 20 Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2003) movie poster
    Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2003) Dec 13, 2003 · Japanese · Drama, Romance $1.5M worldwide
    Dec 13, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M
  21. 21 Golden Chicken 2 (2003) movie poster
    Golden Chicken 2 (2003) Dec 24, 2003 · Cantonese · Romance, Comedy, Drama $1.3M worldwide
    Dec 24, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M
  22. 22 The Statement (2003) movie poster
    The Statement (2003) Dec 12, 2003 · English · Drama, Thriller $1.1M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2003 US and Canada: $765.6K Rest of the world: $314.2K Worldwide: $1.1M
  23. 23 Father’s Affair (2003) movie poster
    Father’s Affair (2003) Dec 11, 2003 · Dutch · Drama $779.5K worldwide
    Dec 11, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $779.5K
  24. 24 Blueprint (2003) movie poster
    Blueprint (2003) Dec 8, 2003 · German · Sci-Fi, Drama $399.4K worldwide
    Dec 8, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $399.4K
  25. 25 Evilenko (2003) movie poster
    Evilenko (2003) Dec 7, 2003 · English · Thriller, Drama, Crime $87.8K worldwide
    Dec 7, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $87.8K
  26. 26 What Alice Found (2003) movie poster
    What Alice Found (2003) Dec 5, 2003 · English · Drama, Crime $67.4K worldwide
    Dec 5, 2003 US and Canada: $67.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67.4K
  27. 27 Devil’s Pond (2003) movie poster
    Devil’s Pond (2003) Dec 16, 2003 · English · Drama, Thriller $15K worldwide
    Dec 16, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in December 2003?

Of the top 10, Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Last Samurai (2003) made 76% of its gross abroad. Across all 27 films, $551.5M (41%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 The Last Samurai (2003) $454.6M
    $111.1M US & Canada · 24% $343.5M elsewhere · 76%
  2. 2 Cold Mountain (2003) $173M
    $95.6M US & Canada · 55% $77.4M elsewhere · 45%
  3. 3 Mona Lisa Smile (2003) $141.3M
    $63.9M US & Canada · 45% $77.5M elsewhere · 55%
  4. 4 Big Fish (2003) $123.2M
    $66.8M US & Canada · 54% $56.4M elsewhere · 46%
  5. 5 The Butterfly (2003) $96.8M
    $57.9M US & Canada · 60% $38.9M elsewhere · 40%
  6. 6 Calendar Girls (2003) $93.4M
    $31M US & Canada · 33% $62.4M elsewhere · 67%
  7. 7 Honey (2003) $62.2M
    $30.3M US & Canada · 49% $31.9M elsewhere · 51%
  8. 8 Monster (2003) $58.5M
    $34.5M US & Canada · 59% $24M elsewhere · 41%
  9. 9 Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) $33M
    $11.7M US & Canada · 35% $21.4M elsewhere · 65%
  10. 10 Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003) $22M
    $21.9M US & Canada · 100% $39.8K elsewhere · <1%
Gross bands

How Many December 2003 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

4 of 27 films crossed $100M and took $892.2M between them, 67% of the total. 15 films, 56% of the list, earned under $10M.

  • $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 4 films, 15% of the list $892.2M · 67% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 8 films, 30% of the list $395M · 30% of the gross
  • Under $10M 15 films, 56% of the list $42.1M · 3% of the gross
By release week

Which Week of December 2003 Had the Biggest Releases?

Films released in week 49 (Nov 30–Dec 6) took $529.3M, led by The Last Samurai (2003). Each column links to that week's chart; weeks are Sunday to Saturday.

  1. Week 49 Wk 49 Nov 30–Dec 6 The Last Samurai (2003) $529.3M The Last Samurai (2003)
  2. Week 50 Wk 50 Dec 7–13 Big Fish (2003) $189M Big Fish (2003)
  3. Week 51 Wk 51 Dec 14–20 Mona Lisa Smile (2003) $353.3M Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
  4. Week 52 Wk 52 Dec 21–27 Cold Mountain (2003) $253.7M Cold Mountain (2003)
  5. Week 53 Wk 53 Dec 28–31 Japanese Story (2003) $4.1M Japanese Story (2003)
Earlier years

How Does December 2003 Compare With December in Earlier Years?

Of these 10 years, December 1997 earned the most: $3B from 19 films, led by Titanic (1997). December 2003 took $1.3B.

Month Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
December 1994 15 films 15 $423.3M – Disclosure (1994) $214M
December 1995 15 films · +23% 15 $520.5M +23% Heat (1995) $187.4M
December 1996 18 films · +70% 18 $885.8M +70% Jerry Maguire (1996) $273.6M
December 1997 19 films · +243% 19 $3B +243% Titanic (1997) $2.3B
December 1998 18 films · −66% 18 $1B −66% Shakespeare in Love (1998) $289.3M
December 1999 33 films · +9% 33 $1.1B +9% The Green Mile (1999) $286.8M
December 2000 22 films · +27% 22 $1.4B +27% Cast Away (2000) $429.6M
December 2001 32 films · −26% 32 $1B −26% A Beautiful Mind (2001) $316.8M
December 2002 35 films · +23% 35 $1.3B +23% Catch Me If You Can (2002) $352.1M
December 2003 27 films · +4% 27 $1.3B +4% The Last Samurai (2003) $454.6M
By language

Which Languages Do the Biggest Drama Movies Speak in December 2003?

English-language drama films took $1.2B across 17 films, 93% of the total, ahead of French-language drama films ($12.4M) and Spanish-language drama films ($6.9M).

December 2003 Drama Box Office by Language

  1. English $1.2B
    17 films · #1 The Last Samurai (2003)
  2. French $12.4M
    1 film · #1 Monsieur Ibrahim (2003)
  3. Spanish $6.9M
    1 film · #1 Ladies’ Night (2003)
  4. Korean $4.9M
    1 film · #1 Silmido (2003)
  5. Hindi $3.1M
    1 film · #1 Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003)
  6. Cantonese $3.1M
    2 films · #1 Sound of Colors (2003)
  7. Japanese $1.5M
    1 film · #1 Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2003)
  8. Dutch $779.5K
    1 film · #1 Father’s Affair (2003)
  9. German $399.4K
    1 film · #1 Blueprint (2003)
Archive

Drama Box Office in 2003, Month by Month

The months of 2003 with their totals: December leads with $1.3B, led by The Last Samurai (2003).

FAQ

Drama Box Office December 2003: 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 27 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing drama movie in December 2003?

The Last Samurai (2003) leads with $454.6M worldwide, $111.1M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Cold Mountain (2003) at $173M and Mona Lisa Smile (2003) at $141.3M.

How much did drama movies released in December 2003 earn?

27 drama films released in December 2003 report a worldwide gross, $1.3B in all, or $49.2M per film on average. November 2003 releases took $716.3M.

How many drama movies released in December 2003 made $1 billion?

None. 4 films crossed $100 million, led by The Last Samurai (2003) with $454.6M.

How much of the December 2003 Drama box office came from the US and Canada?

$551.5M of the $1.3B total, or 41%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 8 films of the 27 report no domestic figure.

How is the December 2003 drama 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 December 2003. 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 December 2003 drama 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.