#1 of 61 #1 drama movie of December 2008
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008 · Drama, Mystery
$335.8M worldwide · 15% of the chart's total
$127.5M US & Canada · 38% $208.3M elsewhere · 62%
Drama box office · December 2008
Drama Box Office, December 2008: Top-Grossing Releases
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) is the highest-grossing drama movie released in December 2008, with $335.8M worldwide, ahead of Gran Torino (2008) at $270M and Marley & Me (2008) at $255.7M. 61 drama films released in December 2008 report a worldwide gross, $2.2B in all, 40% of it from the US & Canada. 7 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 61% on November 2008, whose releases took $1.4B. By language, English leads with $1.8B across 32 drama releases.
- December 2008 releases with a gross
- 61
- combined worldwide
- $2.2B
- films crossed $100M
- 7
- vs November 2008
- +61%
#1 of 61 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Drama Hits of December 2008?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) leads with $335.8M, 15% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.3B, 59% of what all 61 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1 $335.8M The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)$127.5M US & Canada · 38% $208.3M elsewhere · 62%
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Drama Release of December 2008, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 61. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in December 2008.
- 1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $127.5M Rest of the world: $208.3M Worldwide: $335.8M
Dec 25, 2008 · English · Drama, Mystery, Fantasy $335.8M worldwide - 2 Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $148.1M Rest of the world: $121.9M Worldwide: $270M
- 3 Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $143.2M Rest of the world: $112.6M Worldwide: $255.7M
- 4 The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $79.4M Rest of the world: $153.7M Worldwide: $233.1M Dec 12, 2008 · English · Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller $233.1M worldwide
- 5 Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $83.1M Rest of the world: $118.5M Worldwide: $201.5M
- 6
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: $70M Rest of the world: $99.8M Worldwide: $169.7M - 7
Dec 10, 2008 US and Canada: $34.2M Rest of the world: $74.7M Worldwide: $108.9M - 8
Dec 26, 2008 US and Canada: $22.9M Rest of the world: $53.1M Worldwide: $76M - 9
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $33.4M Rest of the world: $18.3M Worldwide: $51.7M - 10
Dec 31, 2008 US and Canada: $28.6M Rest of the world: $22.6M Worldwide: $51.3M - 11
Dec 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $45.5M - 12
Dec 17, 2008 US and Canada: $26.2M Rest of the world: $18.5M Worldwide: $44.7M - 13
Dec 3, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $41.7M - 14
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $19.8M Rest of the world: $19.4M Worldwide: $39.2M - 15
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $748.6K Rest of the world: $33.5M Worldwide: $34.2M - 16
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $14.9M Rest of the world: $17.7M Worldwide: $32.6M - 17
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $18.6M Rest of the world: $8.8M Worldwide: $27.4M - 18
Dec 30, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19M - 19
Dec 6, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.5M - 20
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.8M - 21
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.1M - 22
The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch (2008)Dec 17, 2008 US and Canada: $10.4K Rest of the world: $17.1M Worldwide: $17.1M
Dec 17, 2008 · French · Action, Thriller, Adventure $17.1M worldwide - 23
Dec 24, 2008 US and Canada: $86.4K Rest of the world: $14.7M Worldwide: $14.8M - 24
Dec 24, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6M - 25
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: $8.9M Worldwide: $11.2M - 26
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $8.1M Rest of the world: $2.1M Worldwide: $10.2M - 27
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $8.2M Rest of the world: $688.1K Worldwide: $8.9M - 28
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $7.5M Rest of the world: $15.8K Worldwide: $7.5M - 29
Dec 3, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.5M - 30
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 31
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.5M - 32
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $154.1K Rest of the world: $3M Worldwide: $3.2M - 33
Dec 11, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.9M - 34
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M - 35
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M - 36
Dec 31, 2008 US and Canada: $27.3K Rest of the world: $1.5M Worldwide: $1.6M - 37
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 38
Dec 4, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 39
Dec 10, 2008 US and Canada: $865.7K Rest of the world: $327.3K Worldwide: $1.2M - 40
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 41
Dec 24, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $732.1K - 42
Dec 24, 2008 US and Canada: $141.1K Rest of the world: $575.2K Worldwide: $716.4K - 43
Dec 3, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $692.2K - 44
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $592.5K - 45
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $39.1K Rest of the world: $514.1K Worldwide: $553.2K - 46
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $540.4K Rest of the world: $10.4K Worldwide: $550.8K - 47
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $498.1K - 48
Dec 17, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $409.8K - 49
Dec 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $395.4K - 50
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $347K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in December 2008?
Of the top 10, Doubt (2008) earned the biggest share at home (65% in the US & Canada), while Revolutionary Road (2008) made 70% of its gross abroad. Across all 61 films, $878.6M (40%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) $335.8M $127.5M US & Canada · 38% $208.3M elsewhere · 62%
- 2 Gran Torino (2008) $270M $148.1M US & Canada · 55% $121.9M elsewhere · 45%
- 3 Marley & Me (2008) $255.7M $143.2M US & Canada · 56% $112.6M elsewhere · 44%
- 4 The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) $233.1M $79.4M US & Canada · 34% $153.7M elsewhere · 66%
- 5 Valkyrie (2008) $201.5M $83.1M US & Canada · 41% $118.5M elsewhere · 59%
- 6 Seven Pounds (2008) $169.7M $70M US & Canada · 41% $99.8M elsewhere · 59%
- 7 The Reader (2008) $108.9M $34.2M US & Canada · 31% $74.7M elsewhere · 69%
- 8 Revolutionary Road (2008) $76M $22.9M US & Canada · 30% $53.1M elsewhere · 70%
- 9 Doubt (2008) $51.7M $33.4M US & Canada · 65% $18.3M elsewhere · 35%
- 10 Defiance (2008) $51.3M $28.6M US & Canada · 56% $22.6M elsewhere · 44%
Gross bands
How Many December 2008 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
7 of 61 films crossed $100M and took $1.6B between them, 71% of the total. 35 films, 57% of the list, earned under $10M.
71% 26%
- $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 7 films, 11% of the list $1.6B · 71% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 19 films, 31% of the list $582.5M · 26% of the gross
- Under $10M 35 films, 57% of the list $54.6M · 2% of the gross
By release week
Which Week of December 2008 Had the Biggest Releases?
Films released in week 52 (Dec 21–27) took $998.4M, led by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). Each column links to that week's chart; weeks are Sunday to Saturday.
- Week 49 Wk 49 Nov 30–Dec 6 Scandal Makers (2008) $140.2M Scandal Makers (2008)
- Week 50 Wk 50 Dec 7–13 Gran Torino (2008) $716.7M Gran Torino (2008)
- Week 51 Wk 51 Dec 14–20 Seven Pounds (2008) $284.8M Seven Pounds (2008)
- Week 52 Wk 52 Dec 21–27 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) $998.4M The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
- Week 53 Wk 53 Dec 28–31 Defiance (2008) $71.8M Defiance (2008)
Earlier years
How Does December 2008 Compare With December in Earlier Years?
Of these 10 years, December 2007 earned the most: $2.4B from 46 films, led by I Am Legend (2007). December 2008 took $2.2B.
| Month | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1999 33 films | 33 | $1.1B | – | 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 |
| December 2004 40 films · −26% | 40 | $988.9M | −26% | Million Dollar Baby (2004) $216.8M |
| December 2005 36 films · +56% | 36 | $1.5B | +56% | King Kong (2005) $556.9M |
| December 2006 63 films · +29% | 63 | $2B | +29% | The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) $307.1M |
| December 2007 46 films · +23% | 46 | $2.4B | +23% | I Am Legend (2007) $585.4M |
| December 2008 61 films · −9% | 61 | $2.2B | −9% | The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) $335.8M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Drama Movies Speak in December 2008?
English-language drama films took $1.8B across 32 films, 82% of the total, ahead of Chinese-language drama films ($63.3M) and Korean-language drama films ($61.5M).
December 2008 Drama Box Office by Language
- English $1.8B32 films · #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
-
Chinese $63.3M2 films · #1 If You Are the One (2008) -
Korean $61.5M4 films · #1 Scandal Makers (2008) - French $39.1M4 films · #1 The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch (2008)
-
Japanese $18.5M1 film · #1 252: Signal of Life (2008) -
Russian $17.1M1 film · #1 Hipsters (2008) -
German $16.1M2 films · #1 Buddenbrooks (2008) -
Hebrew $11.2M1 film · #1 Waltz with Bashir (2008) -
Dutch $5.8M2 films · #1 The Silent Army (2008) -
Italian $4.5M1 film · #1 As God Commands (2008)
Archive
Drama Box Office in 2008, Month by Month
The months of 2008 with their totals: December leads with $2.2B, led by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008).
- January $503.9M #1 Welcome to the Sticks (2008)
- February $697.1M #1 Vantage Point (2008)
- March $812.3M #1 10,000 BC (2008)
- April $400M #1 Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
- May $582.6M #1 Sex and the City (2008)
- June $495.1M #1 You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)
- July $1.2B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- August $365.7M #1 Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
- September $762.7M #1 Burn After Reading (2008)
- October $1.2B #1 High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
- November $1.4B #1 Twilight (2008)
- December $2.2B #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
FAQ
Drama Box Office December 2008: 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 61 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing drama movie in December 2008?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) leads with $335.8M worldwide, $127.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Gran Torino (2008) at $270M and Marley & Me (2008) at $255.7M.
How much did drama movies released in December 2008 earn?
61 drama films released in December 2008 report a worldwide gross, $2.2B in all, or $36.3M per film on average. November 2008 releases took $1.4B.
How many drama movies released in December 2008 made $1 billion?
None. 7 films crossed $100 million, led by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) with $335.8M.
How is the December 2008 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 2008. 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 2008 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.