#1 of 36 #1 fantasy movie of 2003
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
2003 · Action, Adventure
$1.1B worldwide · 26% of the chart's total
$381.9M US & Canada · 34% $756.7M elsewhere · 66%
Fantasy box office · 2003
Fantasy Box Office 2003: Highest-Grossing Fantasy Movies
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) is the highest-grossing fantasy movie released in 2003, with $1.1B worldwide, ahead of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) at $654.3M and Bruce Almighty (2003) at $484.6M. 36 fantasy films released in 2003 report a worldwide gross, $4.3B in all, 44% of it from the US & Canada. 1 film crossed $1 billion and 12 crossed $100 million. That is up 46% on 2002, whose releases took $3B. By language, English leads with $4.1B across 21 fantasy releases.
- 2003 releases with a gross
- 36
- combined worldwide
- $4.3B
- films crossed $100M
- 12
- vs 2002
- +46%
#1 of 36 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Fantasy Hits of 2003?
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) leads with $1.1B, 26% of the total. The top 5 together took $2.8B, 64% of what all 36 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1 $1.1B The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)$381.9M US & Canada · 34% $756.7M elsewhere · 66%
-
Number 2 $654.3M Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)$305.4M US & Canada · 47% $348.9M elsewhere · 53% -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Fantasy Release of 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 2003.
- 1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)Dec 17, 2003 US and Canada: $381.9M Rest of the world: $756.7M Worldwide: $1.1B
Dec 17, 2003 · English · Action, Adventure, Fantasy $1.1B worldwide - 2 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)Jul 9, 2003 US and Canada: $305.4M Rest of the world: $348.9M Worldwide: $654.3M Jul 9, 2003 · English · Action, Adventure, Fantasy $654.3M worldwide
- 3 May 23, 2003 US and Canada: $242.8M Rest of the world: $241.8M Worldwide: $484.6M
- 4 Oct 24, 2003 US and Canada: $85.3M Rest of the world: $165.1M Worldwide: $250.4M
- 5 Nov 7, 2003 US and Canada: $178.1M Rest of the world: $52.2M Worldwide: $230.3M
- 6
Nov 26, 2003 US and Canada: $75.8M Rest of the world: $106.4M Worldwide: $182.3M - 7
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)Jul 11, 2003 US and Canada: $66.5M Rest of the world: $112.8M Worldwide: $179.3M Jul 11, 2003 · English · Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy $179.3M worldwide - 8
Feb 14, 2003 US and Canada: $102.5M Rest of the world: $76.6M Worldwide: $179.2M - 9
Aug 6, 2003 US and Canada: $110.2M Rest of the world: $50.6M Worldwide: $160.8M - 10
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)Jul 25, 2003 US and Canada: $65.7M Rest of the world: $94.4M Worldwide: $160.1M Jul 25, 2003 · English · Action, Adventure, Thriller $160.1M worldwide - 11
Dec 10, 2003 US and Canada: $66.8M Rest of the world: $56.4M Worldwide: $123.2M - 12
Dec 25, 2003 US and Canada: $48.5M Rest of the world: $73.5M Worldwide: $122M - 13
Sep 19, 2003 US and Canada: $52M Rest of the world: $43.7M Worldwide: $95.7M - 14
Mar 21, 2003 US and Canada: $33.7M Rest of the world: $47.5M Worldwide: $81.2M - 15
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)Jul 2, 2003 US and Canada: $26.5M Rest of the world: $54.3M Worldwide: $80.8M Jul 2, 2003 · English · Adventure, Fantasy, Animation $80.8M worldwide - 16
Oct 10, 2003 US and Canada: $37.7M Rest of the world: $7.8M Worldwide: $45.5M - 17
Nov 26, 2003 US and Canada: $19.5M Rest of the world: $24.5M Worldwide: $43.9M - 18
Aug 22, 2003 US and Canada: $22.2M Rest of the world: $12M Worldwide: $34.3M - 19
Jan 31, 2003 US and Canada: $3.1M Rest of the world: $21M Worldwide: $24.1M - 20
Doraemon: Nobita and the Windmasters (2003)Mar 8, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.8M
Mar 8, 2003 · Japanese · Adventure, Family, Animation $21.8M worldwide - 21
Apr 18, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13M - 22
Dec 13, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.7M - 23
Inuyasha the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler (2003)Dec 20, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.7M Dec 20, 2003 · Japanese · Fantasy, Adventure, Animation $6.7M worldwide - 24
Apr 26, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 25
Dec 19, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M - 26
Jul 11, 2003 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: $179.2K Worldwide: $1.6M - 27
Sep 3, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 28
May 30, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M - 29
Sep 26, 2003 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M - 30
Mar 20, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $696.1K - 31
Feb 11, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $624.3K - 32
Nov 14, 2003 US and Canada: $337.2K Rest of the world: $98.5K Worldwide: $435.6K - 33
Jan 31, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $128K - 34
The Story of Marie and Julien (2003)Sep 10, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $66.5K
Sep 10, 2003 · French · Drama, Romance, Mystery $66.5K worldwide - 35
Dec 3, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64.9K - 36
May 16, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $33.7K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2003?
Of the top 10, Elf (2003) earned the biggest share at home (77% in the US & Canada), while The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) made 66% of its gross abroad. Across all 36 films, $1.9B (44%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1.1B $381.9M US & Canada · 34% $756.7M elsewhere · 66%
- 2 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $654.3M $305.4M US & Canada · 47% $348.9M elsewhere · 53%
- 3 Bruce Almighty (2003) $484.6M $242.8M US & Canada · 50% $241.8M elsewhere · 50%
- 4 Brother Bear (2003) $250.4M $85.3M US & Canada · 34% $165.1M elsewhere · 66%
- 5 Elf (2003) $230.3M $178.1M US & Canada · 77% $52.2M elsewhere · 23%
- 6 The Haunted Mansion (2003) $182.3M $75.8M US & Canada · 42% $106.4M elsewhere · 58%
- 7 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) $179.3M $66.5M US & Canada · 37% $112.8M elsewhere · 63%
- 8 Daredevil (2003) $179.2M $102.5M US & Canada · 57% $76.6M elsewhere · 43%
- 9 Freaky Friday (2003) $160.8M $110.2M US & Canada · 69% $50.6M elsewhere · 31%
- 10 Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003) $160.1M $65.7M US & Canada · 41% $94.4M elsewhere · 59%
Gross bands
How Many 2003 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
12 of 36 films crossed $100M and took $3.9B between them, 89% of the total. 14 films, 39% of the list, earned under $10M.
26% 15% 48% 10%
- $1B or more 1 film, 3% of the list $1.1B · 26% of the gross
- $500M to $1B 1 film, 3% of the list $654.3M · 15% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 10 films, 28% of the list $2.1B · 48% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 10 films, 28% of the list $451.1M · 10% of the gross
- Under $10M 14 films, 39% of the list $21.6M · <1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2003 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $1.4B from 7 films, led by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). April was the quietest month ($17.5M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Guru (2003) $24.3M The Guru (2003)
- February Feb Daredevil (2003) $179.8M Daredevil (2003)
- March Mar Dreamcatcher (2003) $103.8M Dreamcatcher (2003)
- April Apr Onmyoji: The Yin Yang Master (2003) $17.5M Onmyoji: The Yin Yang Master (2003)
- May May Bruce Almighty (2003) $485.9M Bruce Almighty (2003)
- June Jun No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- July Jul Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $1.1B Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- August Aug Freaky Friday (2003) $195.1M Freaky Friday (2003)
- September Sep Underworld (2003) $98.5M Underworld (2003)
- October Oct Brother Bear (2003) $295.9M Brother Bear (2003)
- November Nov Elf (2003) $456.9M Elf (2003)
- December Dec The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1.4B The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Last 10 years
How Does 2003 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2001 earned the most: $4.4B from 40 films, led by Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001). 2003 took $4.3B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 15 films | 15 | $764.7M | – | The Mask (1994) $351.6M |
| 1995 26 films · +143% | 26 | $1.9B | +143% | Toy Story (1995) $394.4M |
| 1996 18 films · −59% | 18 | $770.2M | −59% | Phenomenon (1996) $152M |
| 1997 18 films · −4% | 18 | $736.5M | −4% | Liar Liar (1997) $302.7M |
| 1998 21 films · +34% | 21 | $987.9M | +34% | City of Angels (1998) $198.7M |
| 1999 28 films · +258% | 28 | $3.5B | +258% | Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $1B |
| 2000 27 films · −42% | 27 | $2.1B | −42% | What Women Want (2000) $374.1M |
| 2001 40 films · +113% | 40 | $4.4B | +113% | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) $1B |
| 2002 43 films · −32% | 43 | $3B | −32% | Spider-Man (2002) $825.8M |
| 2003 36 films · +46% | 36 | $4.3B | +46% | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1.1B |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Fantasy Movies Speak in 2003?
English-language fantasy films took $4.1B across 21 films, 95% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language fantasy films ($56.7M) and Spanish-language fantasy films ($2.8M).
2003 Fantasy Box Office by Language
- English $4.1B21 films · #1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- Japanese $56.7M5 films · #1 Doraemon: Nobita and the Windmasters (2003)
-
Spanish $2.8M1 film · #1 The 3 Wise Men (2003) -
Hindi $1.3M1 film · #1 Jajantaram Mamantaram (2003) -
Russian $696.1K1 film · #1 Little Longnose (2003) -
Czech $624.3K1 film · #1 The Devil Knows Why (2003) - French $131.5K2 films · #1 The Story of Marie and Julien (2003)
-
Danish $128K1 film · #1 Someone Like Hodder (2003) -
Arabic $33.7K1 film · #1 I Want My Right (2003)
Archive
Fantasy Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1921 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $15.7B, led by Avengers: Endgame (2019).
2020s 7 years · $40.9B
2010s 10 years · $90B
- 2019 $15.7B #1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 2018 $8.2B #1 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 2017 $13.4B #1 Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
- 2016 $10.4B #1 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- 2015 $7.3B #1 Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
- 2014 $6.9B #1 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
- 2013 $8.2B #1 Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 2012 $6.7B #1 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- 2011 $5.8B #1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
- 2010 $7.4B #1 Toy Story 3 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $46.3B
- 2009 $8.5B #1 Avatar (2009)
- 2008 $4B #1 Hancock (2008)
- 2007 $7.3B #1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- 2006 $3.8B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- 2005 $4.8B #1 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- 2004 $4.2B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- 2003 $4.3B #1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- 2002 $3B #1 Spider-Man (2002)
- 2001 $4.4B #1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- 2000 $2.1B #1 What Women Want (2000)
1990s 10 years · $11.9B
- 1999 $3.5B #1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 1998 $987.9M #1 City of Angels (1998)
- 1997 $736.5M #1 Liar Liar (1997)
- 1996 $770.2M #1 Phenomenon (1996)
- 1995 $1.9B #1 Toy Story (1995)
- 1994 $764.7M #1 The Mask (1994)
- 1993 $645.5M #1 Last Action Hero (1993)
- 1992 $600.2M #1 Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
- 1991 $1.2B #1 Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- 1990 $791.6M #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $4.4B
- 1989 $678.8M #1 Ghostbusters II (1989)
- 1988 $805.7M #1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- 1987 $521.8M #1 *batteries not included (1987)
- 1986 $240.7M #1 The Golden Child (1986)
- 1985 $295.4M #1 Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
- 1984 $651.5M #1 Ghostbusters (1984)
- 1983 $694.5M #1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 1982 $262.9M #1 Conan the Barbarian (1982)
- 1981 $175.2M #1 Time Bandits (1981)
- 1980 $75.3M #1 Xanadu (1980)
1970s 10 years · $1.2B
- 1979 $49.8M #1 All That Jazz (1979)
- 1978 $169.9M #1 Heaven Can Wait (1978)
- 1977 $954.3M #1 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- 1976 $21.8K #1 Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)
- 1975 $14.2M #1 The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (1975)
- 1974 $38.2M #1 Herbie Rides Again (1974)
- 1973 $345K #1 The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)
- 1972 $356.8K #1 The Master and Margarita (1972)
- 1971 $688.6K #1 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
- 1970 $61.6K #1 Donkey Skin (1970)
1960s 10 years · $125.1M
- 1969 $1.1M #1 Satyricon (1969)
- 1968 $8.8M #1 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
- 1967 $4.2K #1 Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
- 1966 $3.3K #1 The Hawks and the Sparrows (1966)
- 1965 $33K #1 Juliet of the Spirits (1965)
- 1964 $103.1M #1 Mary Poppins (1964)
- 1963 $12M #1 The Sword in the Stone (1963)
- 1962 $31.9K #1 Pitfall (1962)
- 1961 $90 #1 Mothra (1961)
- 1960 $3K #1 Testament of Orpheus (1960)
1950s 7 years · $236M
1940s 8 years · $171.6M
- 1948 $44 #1 The Bishop's Wife (1948)
- 1947 $11.6M #1 It's a Wonderful Life (1947)
- 1946 $38M #1 Song of the South (1946)
- 1945 $2.7K #1 Anchors Aweigh (1945)
- 1944 $306 #1 The Curse of the Cat People (1944)
- 1942 $27 #1 I Married a Witch (1942)
- 1941 $112.6K #1 Dumbo (1941)
- 1940 $121.9M #1 Pinocchio (1940)
1930s 4 years · $210.7M
1920s 1 year · $12.2K
FAQ
Fantasy Box Office 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 36 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing fantasy movie in 2003?
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) leads with $1.1B worldwide, $381.9M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) at $654.3M and Bruce Almighty (2003) at $484.6M.
How much did fantasy movies released in 2003 earn?
36 fantasy films released in 2003 report a worldwide gross, $4.3B in all, or $120.5M per film on average. 2002 releases took $3B.
How many fantasy movies released in 2003 made $1 billion?
1 film crossed $1 billion worldwide: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). 12 crossed $100 million.
How is the 2003 fantasy 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 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 2003 fantasy 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.