#1 of 46 #1 history movie of 2008
2008 · Adventure, Drama
$211.8M worldwide · 22% of the chart's total
$49.6M US & Canada · 23% $162.2M elsewhere · 77%
History box office · 2008
History Box Office 2008: Highest-Grossing History Movies
Australia (2008) is the highest-grossing history movie released in 2008, with $211.8M worldwide, ahead of Valkyrie (2008) at $201.5M and Changeling (2008) at $113.4M. 46 history films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $943.6M in all, 29% of it from the US & Canada. 3 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 121% on 2007, whose releases took $426.8M. By language, English leads with $527M across 15 history releases.
- 2008 releases with a gross
- 46
- combined worldwide
- $943.6M
- films crossed $100M
- 3
- vs 2007
- +121%
#1 of 46 Top 5
What Were the Biggest History Hits of 2008?
Australia (2008) leads with $211.8M, 22% of the total. The top 5 together took $656.2M, 70% of what all 46 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every History Release of 2008, 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 2008.
- 1 Nov 14, 2008 US and Canada: $49.6M Rest of the world: $162.2M Worldwide: $211.8M
- 2 Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $83.1M Rest of the world: $118.5M Worldwide: $201.5M
- 3 Oct 24, 2008 US and Canada: $35.7M Rest of the world: $77.7M Worldwide: $113.4M
- 4 Feb 29, 2008 US and Canada: $26.8M Rest of the world: $51.4M Worldwide: $78.2M
- 5 Dec 31, 2008 US and Canada: $28.6M Rest of the world: $22.6M Worldwide: $51.3M
- 6
Sep 19, 2008 US and Canada: $13.8M Rest of the world: $29.5M Worldwide: $43.3M - 7
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $748.6K Rest of the world: $33.5M Worldwide: $34.2M - 8
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $18.6M Rest of the world: $8.8M Worldwide: $27.4M - 9
Feb 15, 2008 US and Canada: $3.4M Rest of the world: $23.5M Worldwide: $26.9M - 10
Sep 4, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20M - 11
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.8M - 12
Dec 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.4M - 13
Dec 24, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6M - 14
An Empress and the Warriors (2008)Feb 9, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.3M
Feb 9, 2008 · Chinese · Adventure, Action, History $9.3M worldwide - 15
Nov 17, 2008 US and Canada: $543.1K Rest of the world: $8.7M Worldwide: $9.3M - 16
Feb 8, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.3M - 17
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $8.2M Rest of the world: $688.1K Worldwide: $8.9M - 18
Arn: The Kingdom at Road’s End (2008)Aug 22, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.8M
Aug 22, 2008 · Swedish · History, Adventure, Drama $8.8M worldwide - 19
May 22, 2008 US and Canada: $748.6K Rest of the world: $7.9M Worldwide: $8.6M - 20
Farewell Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown (2008)Oct 4, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.1M
Oct 4, 2008 · Japanese · Adventure, Sci-Fi, History $7.1M worldwide - 21
Oct 23, 2008 US and Canada: $711.4K Rest of the world: $6.1M Worldwide: $6.8M - 22
Jan 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M - 23
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $154.1K Rest of the world: $3M Worldwide: $3.2M - 24
Mar 29, 2008 US and Canada: $37.2K Rest of the world: $2.7M Worldwide: $2.8M - 25
Gentlemen Officers: Save the Emperor (2008)Apr 17, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M
Apr 17, 2008 · Russian · Action, History, Adventure $1.9M worldwide - 26
May 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M - 27
Nov 28, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $967.4K - 28
Apr 11, 2008 US and Canada: $881.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $881.8K - 29
Mar 14, 2008 US and Canada: $5.3K Rest of the world: $687.3K Worldwide: $692.6K - 30
Sep 4, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $583.9K - 31
Jun 6, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $553K - 32
Jan 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $524.5K - 33
Oct 29, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $507.2K - 34
Aug 13, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $338.6K - 35
Jun 13, 2008 US and Canada: $159.4K Rest of the world: $157.4K Worldwide: $316.7K - 36
It’s Hard Being Loved by Jerks (2008)Sep 17, 2008 US and Canada: $697 Rest of the world: $304.6K Worldwide: $305.3K
Sep 17, 2008 · French · Documentary, History, Crime $305.3K worldwide - 37
Mar 21, 2008 US and Canada: $273.9K Rest of the world: $26.6K Worldwide: $300.4K - 38
Jun 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $282.2K - 39
May 7, 2008 US and Canada: $10.3K Rest of the world: $235.2K Worldwide: $245.5K - 40
Oct 10, 2008 US and Canada: $215.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $215.2K - 41
May 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $213.1K - 42
Feb 29, 2008 US and Canada: $177.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $177.5K - 43
Mar 14, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $129.6K - 44
Jan 25, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $116.5K - 45
May 16, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $90.4K - 46
The Night Fernando Pessoa Met Constantine Cavafy (2008)Mar 14, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.3K
Mar 14, 2008 · Greek · History $17.3K worldwide
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2008?
Of the top 10, Frost/Nixon (2008) earned the biggest share at home (68% in the US & Canada), while Che (2008) made 98% of its gross abroad. Across all 46 films, $272.6M (29%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Australia (2008) $211.8M $49.6M US & Canada · 23% $162.2M elsewhere · 77%
- 2 Valkyrie (2008) $201.5M $83.1M US & Canada · 41% $118.5M elsewhere · 59%
- 3 Changeling (2008) $113.4M $35.7M US & Canada · 32% $77.7M elsewhere · 68%
- 4 The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) $78.2M $26.8M US & Canada · 34% $51.4M elsewhere · 66%
- 5 Defiance (2008) $51.3M $28.6M US & Canada · 56% $22.6M elsewhere · 44%
- 6 The Duchess (2008) $43.3M $13.8M US & Canada · 32% $29.5M elsewhere · 68%
- 7 Che (2008) $34.2M $748.6K US & Canada · 2% $33.5M elsewhere · 98%
- 8 Frost/Nixon (2008) $27.4M $18.6M US & Canada · 68% $8.8M elsewhere · 32%
- 9 Jodhaa Akbar (2008) $26.9M $3.4M US & Canada · 13% $23.5M elsewhere · 87%
- 10 The Divine Weapon (2008) $20M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2008 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
3 of 46 films crossed $100M and took $526.7M between them, 56% of the total. 33 films, 72% of the list, earned under $10M.
56% 35% 10%
- $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 3 films, 7% of the list $526.7M · 56% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 10 films, 22% of the list $327.2M · 35% of the gross
- Under $10M 33 films, 72% of the list $89.7M · 10% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2008 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $372.3M from 9 films, led by Valkyrie (2008). June was the quietest month ($1.2M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Kautokeino Rebellion (2008) $5.7M The Kautokeino Rebellion (2008)
- February Feb The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) $123.9M The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
- March Mar The Red Baron (2008) $3.9M The Red Baron (2008)
- April Apr Gentlemen Officers: Save the Emperor (2008) $2.7M Gentlemen Officers: Save the Emperor (2008)
- May May Che: Part Two (2008) $10.5M Che: Part Two (2008)
- June Jun Silent Wedding (2008) $1.2M Silent Wedding (2008)
- July Jul No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- August Aug Arn: The Kingdom at Road’s End (2008) $9.1M Arn: The Kingdom at Road’s End (2008)
- September Sep The Duchess (2008) $64.2M The Duchess (2008)
- October Oct Changeling (2008) $128.1M Changeling (2008)
- November Nov Australia (2008) $222M Australia (2008)
- December Dec Valkyrie (2008) $372.3M Valkyrie (2008)
Last 10 years
How Does 2008 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2004 earned the most: $1.2B from 35 films, led by The Passion of the Christ (2004). 2008 took $943.6M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 9 films | 9 | $183.1M | – | 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 |
| 2004 35 films · +85% | 35 | $1.2B | +85% | The Passion of the Christ (2004) $610.1M |
| 2005 37 films · −35% | 37 | $796.9M | −35% | Kingdom of Heaven (2005) $218.4M |
| 2006 36 films · −7% | 36 | $744.1M | −7% | World Trade Center (2006) $163.2M |
| 2007 47 films · −43% | 47 | $426.8M | −43% | Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) $75.8M |
| 2008 46 films · +121% | 46 | $943.6M | +121% | Australia (2008) $211.8M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest History Movies Speak in 2008?
English-language history films took $527M across 15 films, 56% of the total, ahead of Chinese-language history films ($27.1M) and Hindi-language history films ($26.9M).
2008 History Box Office by Language
-
English $527M15 films · #1 Valkyrie (2008) - Chinese $27.1M2 films · #1 Forever Enthralled (2008)
-
Hindi $26.9M1 film · #1 Jodhaa Akbar (2008) -
German $22.2M3 films · #1 Buddenbrooks (2008) -
Norwegian $20.4M2 films · #1 Max Manus: Man of War (2008) -
Korean $20M1 film · #1 The Divine Weapon (2008) - French $10.4M4 films · #1 Female Agents (2008)
-
Dutch $9.3M1 film · #1 Winter in Wartime (2008) -
Spanish $9M3 films · #1 Che: Part Two (2008) - Swedish $8.8M1 film · #1 Arn: The Kingdom at Road’s End (2008)
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 · $628.2M
- 1989 $24.8M #1 Henry V (1989)
- 1988 $70.4M #1 Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
- 1987 $157.2M #1 The Untouchables (1987)
- 1986 $23.6M #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 · $171.8M
- 1979 $1.9M #1 Zulu Dawn (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 $103.4K #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 10 years · $108.7M
- 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)
- 1961 $350K #1 The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
- 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 $911.1K #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 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 46 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing history movie in 2008?
Australia (2008) leads with $211.8M worldwide, $49.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Valkyrie (2008) at $201.5M and Changeling (2008) at $113.4M.
How much did history movies released in 2008 earn?
46 history films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $943.6M in all, or $20.5M per film on average. 2007 releases took $426.8M.
How many history movies released in 2008 made $1 billion?
None. 3 films crossed $100 million, led by Australia (2008) with $211.8M.
How is the 2008 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 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 2008 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.