#1 of 44 #1 history movie of 2012
2012 · Biography, Drama
$275.3M worldwide · 23% of the chart's total
$182.2M US & Canada · 66% $93.1M elsewhere · 34%
History box office · 2012
History Box Office 2012: Highest-Grossing History Movies
Lincoln (2012) is the highest-grossing history movie released in 2012, with $275.3M worldwide, ahead of Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) at $240.2M and The Impossible (2012) at $198.1M. 44 history films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $1.2B in all, 34% of it from the US & Canada. 4 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 183% on 2011, whose releases took $413.7M. By language, English leads with $1B across 20 history releases.
- 2012 releases with a gross
- 44
- combined worldwide
- $1.2B
- films crossed $100M
- 4
- vs 2011
- +183%
#1 of 44 Top 5
What Were the Biggest History Hits of 2012?
Lincoln (2012) leads with $275.3M, 23% of the total. The top 5 together took $940.6M, 80% of what all 44 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 2012, 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 2012.
- 1 Nov 9, 2012 US and Canada: $182.2M Rest of the world: $93.1M Worldwide: $275.3M
- 2 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 - 3 Dec 21, 2012 US and Canada: $19M Rest of the world: $179.1M Worldwide: $198.1M
- 4 Dec 19, 2012 US and Canada: $95.7M Rest of the world: $37.1M Worldwide: $132.8M
- 5 Sep 28, 2012 US and Canada: $922.9K Rest of the world: $93.3M Worldwide: $94.3M
- 6
Jan 20, 2012 US and Canada: $49.9M Rest of the world: $489.1K Worldwide: $50.4M - 7
Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012)Aug 25, 2012 US and Canada: $32.4K Rest of the world: $37.7M Worldwide: $37.7M
Aug 25, 2012 · Japanese · History, War, Adventure $37.7M worldwide - 8
Nov 2, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $32M - 9
Dec 22, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $25M - 10
Apr 20, 2012 US and Canada: $70.2K Rest of the world: $16.6M Worldwide: $16.7M - 11
Nov 9, 2012 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $13.2M Worldwide: $14.8M - 12
Dec 7, 2012 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: $4.6M Worldwide: $11M - 13
Sep 15, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.4M - 14
Gonzaga: From Father to Son (2012)Oct 26, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.2M
Oct 26, 2012 · Portuguese · History, Drama, Music $7.2M worldwide - 15
Jul 13, 2012 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: $4.8M Worldwide: $6.4M - 16
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2012)Apr 27, 2012 US and Canada: $136.2K Rest of the world: $4.5M Worldwide: $4.7M Apr 27, 2012 · Japanese · Action, Drama, History $4.7M worldwide - 17
Aug 4, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.9M - 18
Feb 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 19
Piazza Fontana: The Italian Conspiracy (2012)Mar 30, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M
Mar 30, 2012 · Italian · Mystery, Drama, Crime $2.6M worldwide - 20
Nov 22, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 21
Nov 13, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 22
Dec 25, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M - 23
Nov 30, 2012 US and Canada: $151.1K Rest of the world: $891.5K Worldwide: $1M - 24
May 18, 2012 US and Canada: $809.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $809.6K - 25
Sep 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $381.5K - 26
Mar 16, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $278.1K - 27
Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present (2012)Jun 13, 2012 US and Canada: $86.6K Rest of the world: $70.1K Worldwide: $156.7K Jun 13, 2012 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $156.7K worldwide - 28
Apr 19, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $149.2K - 29
Sep 21, 2012 US and Canada: $132.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $132.1K - 30
Mar 2, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $128.3K - 31
Sep 28, 2012 US and Canada: $79.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $79.6K - 32
Sep 30, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $73.4K - 33
Jun 22, 2012 US and Canada: $72K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $72K - 34
Jan 20, 2012 US and Canada: $44.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $44.9K - 35
Aug 24, 2012 US and Canada: $38.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.5K - 36
Mar 8, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27.6K - 37
Oct 20, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $25.6K - 38
Oct 26, 2012 US and Canada: $22.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.7K - 39
Dec 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.6K - 40
Mar 30, 2012 US and Canada: $6.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.5K - 41
May 17, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.2K - 42
Aug 3, 2012 US and Canada: $5.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.8K - 43
Booker's Place: A Mississippi Story (2012)Apr 27, 2012 US and Canada: $5.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.5K Apr 27, 2012 · English · History, Mystery, Documentary $5.5K worldwide - 44
Dec 10, 2012 US and Canada: $4.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.2K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2012?
Of the top 10, Red Tails (2012) earned the biggest share at home (99% in the US & Canada), while Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 44 films, $401.3M (34%) came from the US & Canada. 2 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Lincoln (2012) $275.3M $182.2M US & Canada · 66% $93.1M elsewhere · 34%
- 2 Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) $240.2M $42.3M US & Canada · 18% $197.8M elsewhere · 82%
- 3 The Impossible (2012) $198.1M $19M US & Canada · 10% $179.1M elsewhere · 90%
- 4 Zero Dark Thirty (2012) $132.8M $95.7M US & Canada · 72% $37.1M elsewhere · 28%
- 5 Masquerade (2012) $94.3M $922.9K US & Canada · <1% $93.3M elsewhere · 99%
- 6 Red Tails (2012) $50.4M $49.9M US & Canada · 99% $489.1K elsewhere · <1%
- 7 Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012) $37.7M $32.4K US & Canada · <1% $37.7M elsewhere · 100%
- 8 The Floating Castle (2012) $32M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 The Last Tycoon (2012) $25M No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 My Way (2012) $16.7M $70.2K US & Canada · <1% $16.6M elsewhere · 100%
Gross bands
How Many 2012 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
4 of 44 films crossed $100M and took $846.4M between them, 72% of the total. 32 films, 73% of the list, earned under $10M.
72% 24%
- $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 4 films, 9% of the list $846.4M · 72% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 8 films, 18% of the list $281.7M · 24% of the gross
- Under $10M 32 films, 73% of the list $44.2M · 4% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2012 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $368.2M from 7 films, led by The Impossible (2012). June was the quietest month ($228.7K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Red Tails (2012) $50.4M Red Tails (2012)
- February Feb Diaz - Don’t Clean Up This Blood (2012) $2.6M Diaz - Don’t Clean Up This Blood (2012)
- March Mar Piazza Fontana: The Italian Conspiracy (2012) $3M Piazza Fontana: The Italian Conspiracy (2012)
- April Apr My Way (2012) $21.5M My Way (2012)
- May May Bill W. (2012) $815.7K Bill W. (2012)
- June Jun Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present (2012) $228.7K Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present (2012)
- July Jul Farewell, My Queen (2012) $6.4M Farewell, My Queen (2012)
- August Aug Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012) $40.6M Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012)
- September Sep Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) $344.5M Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
- October Oct Gonzaga: From Father to Son (2012) $7.2M Gonzaga: From Father to Son (2012)
- November Nov Lincoln (2012) $326.8M Lincoln (2012)
- December Dec The Impossible (2012) $368.2M The Impossible (2012)
Last 10 years
How Does 2012 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). 2012 took $1.2B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 21 films | 21 | $666.9M | – | 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 |
| 2009 40 films · −32% | 40 | $638.5M | −32% | Public Enemies (2009) $214.1M |
| 2010 51 films · +38% | 51 | $881.6M | +38% | The King's Speech (2010) $414.5M |
| 2011 57 films · −53% | 57 | $413.7M | −53% | Beginning of the Great Revival (2011) $58.3M |
| 2012 44 films · +183% | 44 | $1.2B | +183% | Lincoln (2012) $275.3M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest History Movies Speak in 2012?
English-language history films took $1B across 20 films, 86% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language history films ($83.7M) and Chinese-language history films ($25M).
2012 History Box Office by Language
- English $1B20 films · #1 Lincoln (2012)
- Japanese $83.7M4 films · #1 Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012)
-
Chinese $25M1 film · #1 The Last Tycoon (2012) - Italian $21.8M3 films · #1 My Way (2012)
-
Danish $14.8M1 film · #1 A Royal Affair (2012) - Portuguese $7.2M3 films · #1 Gonzaga: From Father to Son (2012)
-
French $6.4M1 film · #1 Farewell, My Queen (2012) -
German $3M2 films · #1 The Legacy of the Siren (2012) -
Greek $2.9M1 film · #1 God Loves Caviar (2012) -
Korean $2M1 film · #1 National Security (2012)
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 2012: 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 44 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing history movie in 2012?
Lincoln (2012) leads with $275.3M worldwide, $182.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) at $240.2M and The Impossible (2012) at $198.1M.
How much did history movies released in 2012 earn?
44 history films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $1.2B in all, or $26.6M per film on average. 2011 releases took $413.7M.
How many history movies released in 2012 made $1 billion?
None. 4 films crossed $100 million, led by Lincoln (2012) with $275.3M.
How is the 2012 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 2012. 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 2012 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.