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History box office · 2003

History Box Office 2003: Highest-Grossing History Movies

The Last Samurai (2003) is the highest-grossing history movie released in 2003, with $454.6M worldwide, ahead of Seabiscuit (2003) at $148.3M and Luther (2003) at $29.6M. 21 history films released in 2003 report a worldwide gross, $666.9M in all, 38% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 6% on 2002, whose releases took $630M. By language, English leads with $650.7M across 12 history releases.

2003 releases with a gross
21
combined worldwide
$666.9M
films crossed $100M
2
vs 2002
+6%
The Last Samurai (2003) movie poster #1 of 21
#1 history movie of 2003

The Last Samurai (2003)

2003 · Action, Adventure

$454.6M worldwide · 68% of the chart's total

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

What Were the Biggest History Hits of 2003?

The Last Samurai (2003) leads with $454.6M, 68% of the total. The top 5 together took $651M, 98% of what all 21 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. Seabiscuit (2003) movie poster Number 2
    $148.3M Seabiscuit (2003)
    $120.3M US & Canada · 81% $28.1M elsewhere · 19%
  3. Luther (2003) movie poster Number 3
    $29.6M Luther (2003)
    $5.8M US & Canada · 20% $23.8M elsewhere · 80%
  4. Gods and Generals (2003) movie poster Number 4
    $12.9M Gods and Generals (2003)
    $12.9M US & Canada · 100% $41K elsewhere · <1%
  5. Spy Sorge (2003) movie poster Number 5
    $5.5M Spy Sorge (2003)
    No US & Canada figure reported

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every History 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. 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 Seabiscuit (2003) movie poster
    Seabiscuit (2003) Jul 25, 2003 · English · Drama, History, Sport $148.3M worldwide
    Jul 25, 2003 US and Canada: $120.3M Rest of the world: $28.1M Worldwide: $148.3M
  3. 3 Luther (2003) movie poster
    Luther (2003) Sep 26, 2003 · English · Biography, Drama, History $29.6M worldwide
    Sep 26, 2003 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: $23.8M Worldwide: $29.6M
  4. 4 Gods and Generals (2003) movie poster
    Gods and Generals (2003) Feb 21, 2003 · English · Action, Drama, History $12.9M worldwide
    Feb 21, 2003 US and Canada: $12.9M Rest of the world: $41K Worldwide: $12.9M
  5. 5 Spy Sorge (2003) movie poster
    Spy Sorge (2003) Jun 14, 2003 · Japanese · Drama, History, War $5.5M worldwide
    Jun 14, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.5M
  6. 6 Samurai Resurrection (2003) movie poster
    Samurai Resurrection (2003) Apr 26, 2003 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action $4.5M worldwide
    Apr 26, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M
  7. 7 Shattered Glass (2003) movie poster
    Shattered Glass (2003) Oct 31, 2003 · English · Drama, History $2.9M worldwide
    Oct 31, 2003 US and Canada: $2.2M Rest of the world: $724.7K Worldwide: $2.9M
  8. 8 Sibelius (2003) movie poster
    Sibelius (2003) Sep 12, 2003 · Finnish · Drama, History $2.4M worldwide
    Sep 12, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M
  9. 9 The Basque Ball: Skin Against Stone (2003) movie poster
    The Basque Ball: Skin Against Stone (2003) Sep 20, 2003 · Spanish · History, Documentary $1.6M worldwide
    Sep 20, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M
  10. 10 Soldiers of Salamina (2003) movie poster
    Soldiers of Salamina (2003) Mar 21, 2003 · Spanish · History, Drama, War $1.5M worldwide
    Mar 21, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M
  11. 11 Song for a Raggy Boy (2003) movie poster
    Song for a Raggy Boy (2003) Jan 19, 2003 · English · Drama, History $783.5K worldwide
    Jan 19, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $783.5K
  12. 12 LOC: Kargil (2003) movie poster
    LOC: Kargil (2003) Dec 12, 2003 · Hindi · History, War, Action $621.1K worldwide
    Dec 12, 2003 US and Canada: $621.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $621.1K
  13. 13 Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion (2003) movie poster
    Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion (2003) Sep 19, 2003 · English · History, Documentary $578.2K worldwide
    Sep 19, 2003 US and Canada: $578.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $578.2K
  14. 14 Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony (2003) movie poster
    Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony (2003) Feb 19, 2003 · English · History, Music, Documentary $418.9K worldwide
    Feb 19, 2003 US and Canada: $405.3K Rest of the world: $13.6K Worldwide: $418.9K
  15. 15 Bonhoeffer (2003) movie poster
    Bonhoeffer (2003) Jun 20, 2003 · English · Biography, History, War $296.2K worldwide
    Jun 20, 2003 US and Canada: $296.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $296.2K
  16. 16 The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1: The Moab Story (2003) movie poster
    The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1: The Moab Story (2003) May 24, 2003 · English · War, History, Thriller $90.1K worldwide
    May 24, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $90.1K
  17. 17 The Soul Keeper (2003) movie poster
    The Soul Keeper (2003) Jan 17, 2003 · English · Drama, History, Romance $73.8K worldwide
    Jan 17, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $73.8K
  18. 18 Der Bockerer IV - Prager Frühling (2003) movie poster
    Der Bockerer IV - Prager Frühling (2003) Oct 30, 2003 · German · Drama, History $68.3K worldwide
    Oct 30, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $68.3K
  19. 19 Pornography (2003) movie poster
    Pornography (2003) Sep 19, 2003 · Polish · Romance, War, History $37.8K worldwide
    Sep 19, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $37.8K
  20. 20 A Decade Under the Influence (2003) movie poster
    A Decade Under the Influence (2003) Apr 25, 2003 · English · History, Documentary $34.8K worldwide
    Apr 25, 2003 US and Canada: $34.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $34.8K
  21. 21 S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine (2003) movie poster
    S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine (2003) May 17, 2003 · French · History, War, Documentary $23.6K worldwide
    May 17, 2003 US and Canada: $22.6K Rest of the world: $944 Worldwide: $23.6K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in 2003?

Of the top 10, Gods and Generals (2003) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Luther (2003) made 80% of its gross abroad. Across all 21 films, $254.3M (38%) came from the US & Canada. 5 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.

  1. 1 The Last Samurai (2003) $454.6M
    $111.1M US & Canada · 24% $343.5M elsewhere · 76%
  2. 2 Seabiscuit (2003) $148.3M
    $120.3M US & Canada · 81% $28.1M elsewhere · 19%
  3. 3 Luther (2003) $29.6M
    $5.8M US & Canada · 20% $23.8M elsewhere · 80%
  4. 4 Gods and Generals (2003) $12.9M
    $12.9M US & Canada · 100% $41K elsewhere · <1%
  5. 5 Spy Sorge (2003) $5.5M
    No US & Canada figure reported
  6. 6 Samurai Resurrection (2003) $4.5M
    No US & Canada figure reported
  7. 7 Shattered Glass (2003) $2.9M
    $2.2M US & Canada · 75% $724.7K elsewhere · 25%
  8. 8 Sibelius (2003) $2.4M
    No US & Canada figure reported
  9. 9 The Basque Ball: Skin Against Stone (2003) $1.6M
    No US & Canada figure reported
  10. 10 Soldiers of Salamina (2003) $1.5M
    No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands

How Many 2003 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

2 of 21 films crossed $100M and took $603M between them, 90% of the total. 17 films, 81% 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 2 films, 10% of the list $603M · 90% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 2 films, 10% of the list $42.6M · 6% of the gross
  • Under $10M 17 films, 81% of the list $21.4M · 3% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 2003 Earned the Most?

December releases took the most, $455.2M from 2 films, led by The Last Samurai (2003). May was the quietest month ($113.6K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan Song for a Raggy Boy (2003) $857.3K Song for a Raggy Boy (2003)
  2. February Feb Gods and Generals (2003) $13.3M Gods and Generals (2003)
  3. March Mar Soldiers of Salamina (2003) $1.5M Soldiers of Salamina (2003)
  4. April Apr Samurai Resurrection (2003) $4.5M Samurai Resurrection (2003)
  5. May May The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1: The Moab Story (2003) $113.6K The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1: The Moab Story (2003)
  6. June Jun Spy Sorge (2003) $5.8M Spy Sorge (2003)
  7. July Jul Seabiscuit (2003) $148.3M Seabiscuit (2003)
  8. August Aug No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  9. September Sep Luther (2003) $34.2M Luther (2003)
  10. October Oct Shattered Glass (2003) $3M Shattered Glass (2003)
  11. November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  12. December Dec The Last Samurai (2003) $455.2M The Last Samurai (2003)
Last 10 years

How Does 2003 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 1995 earned the most: $980.4M from 13 films, led by Apollo 13 (1995). 2003 took $666.9M.

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
1994 12 films 12 $52.8M – Quiz Show (1994) $24.8M
1995 13 films · +1756% 13 $980.4M +1756% Apollo 13 (1995) $355.2M
1996 11 films · −96% 11 $40.4M −96% Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) $13.3M
1997 12 films · +414% 12 $207.8M +414% Seven Years in Tibet (1997) $131.5M
1998 9 films · +70% 9 $353.8M +70% The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) $183M
1999 9 films · −48% 9 $183.1M −48% Anna and the King (1999) $114M
2000 16 films · +209% 16 $565.8M +209% Gladiator (2000) $465.5M
2001 9 films · −82% 9 $103.7M −82% Enemy at the Gates (2001) $97M
2002 16 films · +507% 16 $630M +507% Gangs of New York (2002) $193.8M
2003 21 films · +6% 21 $666.9M +6% The Last Samurai (2003) $454.6M
By language

Which Languages Do the Biggest History Movies Speak in 2003?

English-language history films took $650.7M across 12 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language history films ($10M) and Spanish-language history films ($3.1M).

2003 History Box Office by Language

  1. English $650.7M
    12 films · #1 The Last Samurai (2003)
  2. Japanese $10M
    2 films · #1 Spy Sorge (2003)
  3. Spanish $3.1M
    2 films · #1 The Basque Ball: Skin Against Stone (2003)
  4. Finnish $2.4M
    1 film · #1 Sibelius (2003)
  5. Hindi $621.1K
    1 film · #1 LOC: Kargil (2003)
  6. German $68.3K
    1 film · #1 Der Bockerer IV - Prager Frühling (2003)
  7. Polish $37.8K
    1 film · #1 Pornography (2003)
  8. French $23.6K
    1 film · #1 S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine (2003)
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
2000s 10 years · $6.7B
1990s 10 years · $2.6B
1980s 10 years · $628.2M
1970s 9 years · $171.8M
1960s 10 years · $108.7M
1950s 9 years · $177.5M
1940s 5 years · $402.5M
1930s 4 years · $29.1K
1920s 3 years · $124.9K
1910s 1 year · $9.7K
FAQ

History 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 21 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing history movie in 2003?

The Last Samurai (2003) leads with $454.6M worldwide, $111.1M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Seabiscuit (2003) at $148.3M and Luther (2003) at $29.6M.

How much did history movies released in 2003 earn?

21 history films released in 2003 report a worldwide gross, $666.9M in all, or $31.8M per film on average. 2002 releases took $630M.

How many history movies released in 2003 made $1 billion?

None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by The Last Samurai (2003) with $454.6M.

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

$254.3M of the $666.9M total, or 38%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 10 films of the 21 report no domestic figure.

How is the 2003 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, 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 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.