#1 of 1,728 Highest-grossing history movie ever
2026 · Biography, Drama
$1B worldwide
$372.3M US & Canada · 36% $656.4M elsewhere · 64%
History box office · All time
Highest-Grossing History Movies of All Time
Michael (2026) is the highest-grossing history movie in our database, with $1B worldwide, ahead of Oppenheimer (2023) at $975.8M and Full River Red (2023) at $670.5M. 1,728 history films in our database report a worldwide gross, $29.1B in all, 34% of it from the US & Canada. 1 film crossed $1 billion and 68 crossed $100 million. By language, English leads with $19.4B across 750 history releases.
- films with a reported gross
- 1,728
- combined worldwide
- $29.1B
- films crossed $100M
- 68
- earned in the US & Canada
- 34%
#1 of 1,728 Top 5
What Are the Highest-Grossing History Movies Ever?
Michael (2026) leads with $1B, $52.9M ahead of Oppenheimer (2023). The top 5 were released between 2004 and 2026 and took $3.8B together; 3 earned more than half of their gross outside the US & Canada.
- Number 1
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
All 1,728 History Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 1,728. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.
- 1 Apr 24, 2026 US and Canada: $372.3M Rest of the world: $656.4M Worldwide: $1B
- 2 Jul 21, 2023 US and Canada: $330.1M Rest of the world: $645.7M Worldwide: $975.8M
- 3 Mar 17, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $670.5M
- 4 Feb 25, 2004 US and Canada: $370.8M Rest of the world: $239.3M Worldwide: $610.1M
- 5 Jul 21, 2017 US and Canada: $189.7M Rest of the world: $344M Worldwide: $533.7M
- 6
May 5, 2000 US and Canada: $187.7M Rest of the world: $277.8M Worldwide: $465.5M - 7
Dec 5, 2003 US and Canada: $111.1M Rest of the world: $343.5M Worldwide: $454.6M - 8
Oct 1, 2019 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: $447.7M Worldwide: $450.1M - 9
Aug 15, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $422.8M - 10
Nov 26, 2010 US and Canada: $138.8M Rest of the world: $275.7M Worldwide: $414.5M - 11
Jan 17, 1940 US and Canada: $200.9M Rest of the world: $201.5M Worldwide: $402.4M - 12
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)Jul 26, 2019 US and Canada: $142.5M Rest of the world: $249.6M Worldwide: $392.1M
Jul 26, 2019 · English · Drama, History, Mystery $392.1M worldwide - 13
Jun 30, 1995 US and Canada: $173.8M Rest of the world: $181.4M Worldwide: $355.2M - 14
Jun 23, 1995 US and Canada: $141.6M Rest of the world: $204.5M Worldwide: $346.1M - 15
Dec 15, 1993 US and Canada: $96.9M Rest of the world: $225.3M Worldwide: $322.2M - 16
Nov 16, 2018 US and Canada: $85.1M Rest of the world: $236.7M Worldwide: $321.8M - 17
Dec 21, 2016 US and Canada: $12.4M Rest of the world: $291.3M Worldwide: $303.7M - 18
Nov 9, 2012 US and Canada: $182.2M Rest of the world: $93.1M Worldwide: $275.3M - 19
Sep 19, 2025 US and Canada: $410.9K Rest of the world: $273.7M Worldwide: $274.1M - 20
Dec 13, 2013 US and Canada: $150.1M Rest of the world: $101.1M Worldwide: $251.2M - 21
Jul 4, 2023 US and Canada: $184.2M Rest of the world: $66.4M Worldwide: $250.6M - 22
Dec 21, 2016 US and Canada: $54.6M Rest of the world: $186M Worldwide: $240.7M - 23
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)Sep 14, 2012 US and Canada: $42.3M Rest of the world: $197.8M Worldwide: $240.2M Sep 14, 2012 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $240.2M worldwide - 24
Dec 25, 2016 US and Canada: $169.6M Rest of the world: $66.4M Worldwide: $236M - 25
Oct 1, 2010 US and Canada: $97M Rest of the world: $128M Worldwide: $224.9M - 26
Jun 23, 2004 US and Canada: $119.2M Rest of the world: $103.3M Worldwide: $222.4M - 27
Nov 22, 2023 US and Canada: $61.5M Rest of the world: $160.9M Worldwide: $222.4M - 28
May 6, 2005 US and Canada: $47.5M Rest of the world: $170.8M Worldwide: $218.4M - 29
Jul 1, 2009 US and Canada: $97.1M Rest of the world: $117M Worldwide: $214.1M - 30
May 24, 1995 US and Canada: $75.6M Rest of the world: $137.6M Worldwide: $213.2M - 31
Nov 14, 2008 US and Canada: $49.6M Rest of the world: $162.2M Worldwide: $211.8M - 32
Dec 20, 1991 US and Canada: $70.4M Rest of the world: $135M Worldwide: $205.4M - 33
Jul 7, 2004 US and Canada: $51.9M Rest of the world: $151.7M Worldwide: $203.6M - 34
Sep 18, 2015 US and Canada: $43.5M Rest of the world: $159.9M Worldwide: $203.4M - 35
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $83.1M Rest of the world: $118.5M Worldwide: $201.5M - 36
Dec 21, 2012 US and Canada: $19M Rest of the world: $179.1M Worldwide: $198.1M - 37
Dec 20, 2002 US and Canada: $77.8M Rest of the world: $116M Worldwide: $193.8M - 38
Dec 22, 2017 US and Canada: $81.9M Rest of the world: $111.9M Worldwide: $193.8M - 39
Oct 18, 2013 US and Canada: $56.7M Rest of the world: $131.1M Worldwide: $187.7M - 40
Mar 13, 1998 US and Canada: $57M Rest of the world: $126M Worldwide: $183M - 41
Apr 30, 2021 US and Canada: $153K Rest of the world: $181.2M Worldwide: $181.3M - 42
Nov 4, 2016 US and Canada: $67.2M Rest of the world: $113.4M Worldwide: $180.6M - 43
Dec 25, 2019 US and Canada: $4M Rest of the world: $172.4M Worldwide: $176.3M - 44
Oct 16, 2015 US and Canada: $72.3M Rest of the world: $93.2M Worldwide: $165.5M - 45
Aug 9, 2006 US and Canada: $70.3M Rest of the world: $93M Worldwide: $163.2M - 46
Dec 25, 2014 US and Canada: $115.6M Rest of the world: $45.8M Worldwide: $161.5M - 47
Oct 20, 2023 US and Canada: $68M Rest of the world: $90.7M Worldwide: $158.8M - 48
Jan 22, 2016 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: $154.4M Worldwide: $157M - 49
Sep 30, 2019 US and Canada: $487.2K Rest of the world: $156.4M Worldwide: $156.9M - 50
Nov 22, 2017 US and Canada: $56.5M Rest of the world: $94.4M Worldwide: $150.8M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Biggest History Movies Make Their Money?
Of the top 10, The Passion of the Christ (2004) earned the biggest share at home (61% in the US & Canada), while My People, My Country (2019) made 99% of its gross abroad. Across all 1,728 films, $9.8B (34%) came from the US & Canada. 2 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Michael (2026) $1B $372.3M US & Canada · 36% $656.4M elsewhere · 64%
- 2 Oppenheimer (2023) $975.8M $330.1M US & Canada · 34% $645.7M elsewhere · 66%
- 3 Full River Red (2023) $670.5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 4 The Passion of the Christ (2004) $610.1M $370.8M US & Canada · 61% $239.3M elsewhere · 39%
- 5 Dunkirk (2017) $533.7M $189.7M US & Canada · 36% $344M elsewhere · 64%
- 6 Gladiator (2000) $465.5M $187.7M US & Canada · 40% $277.8M elsewhere · 60%
- 7 The Last Samurai (2003) $454.6M $111.1M US & Canada · 24% $343.5M elsewhere · 76%
- 8 My People, My Country (2019) $450.1M $2.4M US & Canada · <1% $447.7M elsewhere · 99%
- 9 Dead to Rights (2025) $422.8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 The King's Speech (2010) $414.5M $138.8M US & Canada · 33% $275.7M elsewhere · 67%
Gross bands
How Many History Movies Crossed $100 Million?
68 of 1,728 films crossed $100M and took $17.4B between them, 60% of the total. 1,380 films, 80% of the list, earned under $10M.
10% 47% 33%
- $1B or more 1 film, <1% of the list $1B · 4% of the gross
- $500M to $1B 4 films, <1% of the list $2.8B · 10% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 63 films, 4% of the list $13.6B · 47% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 280 films, 16% of the list $9.6B · 33% of the gross
- Under $10M 1,380 films, 80% of the list $2.1B · 7% of the gross
By decade
Which Decade's History Movies Earned the Most?
Films released in the 2010s lead with $11.6B from 752 titles, led by Dunkirk (2017). Each column links to the decade's biggest year.
- 1930s 1930s Peak year 1939 Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) $29.1K Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
- 1940s 1940s Peak year 1940 Gone with the Wind (1940) $402.5M Gone with the Wind (1940)
- 1950s 1950s Peak year 1959 Ben-Hur (1959) $177.5M Ben-Hur (1959)
- 1960s 1960s Peak year 1963 Cleopatra (1963) $108.4M Cleopatra (1963)
- 1970s 1970s Peak year 1976 All the President's Men (1976) $169.9M All the President's Men (1976)
- 1980s 1980s Peak year 1987 The Untouchables (1987) $628.1M The Untouchables (1987)
- 1990s 1990s Peak year 1995 Apollo 13 (1995) $2.6B Apollo 13 (1995)
- 2000s 2000s Peak year 2004 The Passion of the Christ (2004) $6.7B The Passion of the Christ (2004)
- 2010s 2010s Peak year 2016 Dunkirk (2017) $11.6B Dunkirk (2017)
- 2020s 2020s Peak year 2023 Michael (2026) $6.8B Michael (2026)
Biggest years
Which Years Had the Highest-Grossing History Movies?
2023 releases earned the most: $2.8B from 80 films, led by Oppenheimer (2023). The 10 biggest years, each linking to its chart.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 80 films | 80 | $2.8B | Oppenheimer (2023) $975.8M |
| 2016 88 films | 88 | $1.8B | Dangal (2016) $303.7M |
| 2019 120 films | 120 | $1.8B | My People, My Country (2019) $450.1M |
| 2017 100 films | 100 | $1.7B | Dunkirk (2017) $533.7M |
| 2018 90 films | 90 | $1.2B | Green Book (2018) $321.8M |
| 2004 35 films | 35 | $1.2B | The Passion of the Christ (2004) $610.1M |
| 2012 44 films | 44 | $1.2B | Lincoln (2012) $275.3M |
| 2025 48 films | 48 | $1.1B | Dead to Rights (2025) $422.8M |
| 2026 19 films | 19 | $1.1B so far | Michael (2026) $1B |
| 2015 81 films | 81 | $1.1B | Everest (2015) $203.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest History Movies Speak?
English-language history films took $19.4B across 750 films, 67% of the total, ahead of Chinese-language history films ($3.5B) and Korean-language history films ($1.1B).
All-Time History Box Office by Language
- English $19.4B750 films · #1 Michael (2026)
-
Chinese $3.5B64 films · #1 Full River Red (2023) -
Korean $1.1B46 films · #1 12.12: The Day (2023) -
Japanese $779.5M65 films · #1 The Wind Rises (2013) - Aramaic $610.1M1 film · #1 The Passion of the Christ (2004)
-
Hindi $603.7M40 films · #1 Dangal (2016) -
French $551.5M133 films · #1 The Count of Monte-Cristo (2024) -
Russian $322.9M64 films · #1 The Execution (2024) -
Spanish $242.4M73 films · #1 The Untouchables (1987) -
German $221.1M52 films · #1 Downfall (2005)
Archive
History Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1918 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2023 leads with $2.8B, led by Oppenheimer (2023).
2020s 7 years · $6.8B
2010s 10 years · $11.6B
- 2019 $1.8B #1 My People, My Country (2019)
- 2018 $1.2B #1 Green Book (2018)
- 2017 $1.7B #1 Dunkirk (2017)
- 2016 $1.8B #1 Dangal (2016)
- 2015 $1.1B #1 Everest (2015)
- 2014 $528.3M #1 Unbroken (2014)
- 2013 $969.9M #1 American Hustle (2013)
- 2012 $1.2B #1 Lincoln (2012)
- 2011 $413.7M #1 Beginning of the Great Revival (2011)
- 2010 $881.6M #1 The King's Speech (2010)
2000s 10 years · $6.7B
- 2009 $638.5M #1 Public Enemies (2009)
- 2008 $943.6M #1 Australia (2008)
- 2007 $426.8M #1 Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
- 2006 $744.1M #1 World Trade Center (2006)
- 2005 $796.9M #1 Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
- 2004 $1.2B #1 The Passion of the Christ (2004)
- 2003 $666.9M #1 The Last Samurai (2003)
- 2002 $630M #1 Gangs of New York (2002)
- 2001 $103.7M #1 Enemy at the Gates (2001)
- 2000 $565.8M #1 Gladiator (2000)
1990s 10 years · $2.6B
- 1999 $183.1M #1 Anna and the King (1999)
- 1998 $353.8M #1 The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
- 1997 $207.8M #1 Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
- 1996 $40.4M #1 Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
- 1995 $980.4M #1 Apollo 13 (1995)
- 1994 $52.8M #1 Quiz Show (1994)
- 1993 $420M #1 Schindler's List (1993)
- 1992 $58M #1 Malcolm X (1992)
- 1991 $223M #1 JFK (1991)
- 1990 $42.6M #1 Glory (1990)
1980s 10 years · $628.1M
- 1989 $24.8M #1 Henry V (1989)
- 1988 $70.4M #1 Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
- 1987 $157.2M #1 The Untouchables (1987)
- 1986 $23.5M #1 The Mission (1986)
- 1985 $73.7M #1 The Killing Fields (1985)
- 1984 $63.8M #1 Amadeus (1984)
- 1983 $74M #1 Gandhi (1983)
- 1982 $53.3M #1 Quest for Fire (1982)
- 1981 $83.5M #1 Reds (1981)
- 1980 $4M #1 Kagemusha (1980)
1970s 9 years · $169.9M
- 1979 $2.1K #1 Siberiade (1979)
- 1978 $15.9M #1 American Hot Wax (1978)
- 1977 $50.8M #1 A Bridge Too Far (1977)
- 1976 $70.8M #1 All the President's Men (1976)
- 1975 $416.1K #1 Barry Lyndon (1975)
- 1974 $103.1K #1 Edvard Munch (1974)
- 1972 $37.8K #1 Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)
- 1971 $3.1K #1 The Devils (1971)
- 1970 $31.9M #1 Little Big Man (1970)
1960s 9 years · $108.4M
- 1969 $1M #1 Army of Shadows (1969)
- 1968 $20.1K #1 The Lion in Winter (1968)
- 1967 $316 #1 In Cold Blood (1967)
- 1966 $1.1M #1 The Battle of Algiers (1966)
- 1965 $162.9K #1 War and Peace (1965)
- 1964 $149.3K #1 Becket (1964)
- 1963 $58M #1 Cleopatra (1963)
- 1962 $46M #1 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- 1960 $1.9M #1 Spartacus (1960)
1950s 9 years · $177.5M
- 1959 $74.6M #1 Ben-Hur (1959)
- 1958 $38.4K #1 The Vikings (1958)
- 1957 $68K #1 Throne of Blood (1957)
- 1956 $65.5M #1 The Ten Commandments (1956)
- 1955 $910.1K #1 The Dam Busters (1955)
- 1954 $26.6K #1 Knights of the Round Table (1954)
- 1953 $36M #1 The Robe (1953)
- 1952 $280.5K #1 Les Miserables (1952)
- 1950 $10.9K #1 The Flame and the Arrow (1950)
1940s 5 years · $402.5M
1930s 4 years · $29.1K
1920s 3 years · $124.9K
1910s 1 year · $9.7K
FAQ
History Box Office All Time: 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 1,728 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing history movie of all time?
Michael (2026) leads with $1B worldwide, $372.3M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Oppenheimer (2023) at $975.8M and Full River Red (2023) at $670.5M.
How much have history movies earned at the box office?
1,728 history films in our database report a worldwide gross, $29.1B in all, or $16.8M per film on average.
How many history movies have made $1 billion?
1 film crossed $1 billion worldwide: Michael (2026). 68 crossed $100 million.
How is the all-time history 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. 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 all-time history 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.