#1 of 68 #1 history movie of 2021
2021 · Thriller, History
$181.3M worldwide · 42% of the chart's total
$153K US & Canada · <1% $181.2M elsewhere · 100%
History box office · 2021
History Box Office 2021: Highest-Grossing History Movies
Cliff Walkers (2021) is the highest-grossing history movie released in 2021, with $181.3M worldwide, ahead of 1921 (2021) at $75.2M and The Last Duel (2021) at $30.6M. 68 history films released in 2021 report a worldwide gross, $433.7M in all, 8% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 190% on 2020, whose releases took $149.6M. By language, Chinese leads with $292.6M across 6 history releases.
- 2021 releases with a gross
- 68
- combined worldwide
- $433.7M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 2020
- +190%
#1 of 68 Top 5
What Were the Biggest History Hits of 2021?
Cliff Walkers (2021) leads with $181.3M, 42% of the total. The top 5 together took $331.2M, 76% of what all 68 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every History Release of 2021, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 68. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2021.
- 1 Apr 30, 2021 US and Canada: $153K Rest of the world: $181.2M Worldwide: $181.3M
- 2 Jul 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $75.2M
- 3 Oct 15, 2021 US and Canada: $10.9M Rest of the world: $19.7M Worldwide: $30.6M
- 4 Nov 5, 2021 US and Canada: $7.1M Rest of the world: $18.2M Worldwide: $25.2M
- 5 Jul 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.9M
- 6
Nov 19, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.2M - 7
Oct 15, 2021 US and Canada: $556.6K Rest of the world: $14.5M Worldwide: $15M - 8
Oct 15, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.5M - 9
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)Feb 12, 2021 US and Canada: $5.5M Rest of the world: $2M Worldwide: $7.5M
Feb 12, 2021 · English · Biography, Drama, History $7.5M worldwide - 10
Dec 23, 2021 US and Canada: $4.1M Rest of the world: $3.3M Worldwide: $7.4M - 11
Apr 15, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.5M - 12
Mar 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.7M - 13
Dec 3, 2021 US and Canada: $354.5K Rest of the world: $3.9M Worldwide: $4.3M - 14
Jun 11, 2021 US and Canada: $3.7M Rest of the world: $23.7K Worldwide: $3.7M - 15
Sep 17, 2021 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: $272.1K Worldwide: $2.7M - 16
Mar 27, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 17
Mar 31, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 18
Jul 23, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5M - 19
Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021)Dec 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M
Dec 1, 2021 · Malayalam · History, Action, War $1.8M worldwide - 20
Nov 24, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 21
Apr 25, 2021 US and Canada: $920.6K Rest of the world: $718.6K Worldwide: $1.6M - 22
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)Oct 22, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M Oct 22, 2021 · English · Biography, Drama, History $1.5M worldwide - 23
The Pilot: A Battle for Survival (2021)Dec 2, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $952.9K
Dec 2, 2021 · Russian · War, History, Drama $952.9K worldwide - 24
May 20, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $904K - 25
Mar 5, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $813.3K - 26
Jul 9, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $756.5K - 27
Feb 5, 2021 US and Canada: $143.5K Rest of the world: $453.3K Worldwide: $596.8K - 28
Dec 25, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $587.4K - 29
May 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $578.9K - 30
Dec 25, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $524.8K - 31
Dec 10, 2021 US and Canada: $291.6K Rest of the world: $224.3K Worldwide: $515.9K - 32
Sep 24, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $360.9K - 33
Nov 18, 2021 US and Canada: $316.8K Rest of the world: $20K Worldwide: $336.8K - 34
Aug 16, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $323.9K - 35
Sep 2, 2021 US and Canada: $257.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $257.4K - 36
Margrete: Queen of the North (2021)Dec 17, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $252.2K
Dec 17, 2021 · Danish · Biography, Drama, History $252.2K worldwide - 37
Dec 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $189.5K - 38
Jun 25, 2021 US and Canada: $61K Rest of the world: $75.5K Worldwide: $136.6K - 39
Sep 3, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $106.6K - 40
Jun 25, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $91K - 41
Sep 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $79.2K - 42
Aug 16, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $56.1K - 43
Feb 5, 2021 US and Canada: $52.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $52.8K - 44
Jul 11, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $51.2K - 45
May 6, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $50K - 46
Mar 5, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.4K - 47
Nov 5, 2021 US and Canada: $3.7K Rest of the world: $16.5K Worldwide: $20.2K - 48
Sabina - Tortured for Christ, the Nazi Years (2021)Nov 8, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.7K Nov 8, 2021 · English · History, Drama $19.7K worldwide - 49
Oct 7, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.6K - 50
Nov 14, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.2K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2021?
Of the top 10, Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) earned the biggest share at home (73% in the US & Canada), while Cliff Walkers (2021) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 68 films, $36.7M (8%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Cliff Walkers (2021) $181.3M $153K US & Canada · <1% $181.2M elsewhere · 100%
- 2 1921 (2021) $75.2M No US & Canada figure reported
- 3 The Last Duel (2021) $30.6M $10.9M US & Canada · 36% $19.7M elsewhere · 64%
- 4 Spencer (2021) $25.2M $7.1M US & Canada · 28% $18.2M elsewhere · 72%
- 5 The Pioneer (2021) $18.9M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 Railway Heroes (2021) $17.2M No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 Anita (2021) $15M $556.6K US & Canada · 4% $14.5M elsewhere · 96%
- 8 Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai (2021) $9.5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) $7.5M $5.5M US & Canada · 73% $2M elsewhere · 27%
- 10 '83 (2021) $7.4M $4.1M US & Canada · 55% $3.3M elsewhere · 45%
Gross bands
How Many 2021 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 68 films crossed $100M and took $181.3M between them, 42% of the total. 61 films, 90% of the list, earned under $10M.
42% 42% 16%
- $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 1 film, 1% of the list $181.3M · 42% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 6 films, 9% of the list $182.1M · 42% of the gross
- Under $10M 61 films, 90% of the list $70.3M · 16% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2021 Earned the Most?
April releases took the most, $189.4M from 6 films, led by Cliff Walkers (2021). January was the quietest month ($693). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Dig (2021) $693 The Dig (2021)
- February Feb Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) $8.1M Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
- March Mar Brave: Gunjyou Senki (2021) $11.8M Brave: Gunjyou Senki (2021)
- April Apr Cliff Walkers (2021) $189.4M Cliff Walkers (2021)
- May May The Bad Poet (2021) $1.5M The Bad Poet (2021)
- June Jun 12 Mighty Orphans (2021) $3.9M 12 Mighty Orphans (2021)
- July Jul 1921 (2021) $97.3M 1921 (2021)
- August Aug Autumn Girl (2021) $393.5K Autumn Girl (2021)
- September Sep The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) $3.5M The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
- October Oct The Last Duel (2021) $56.6M The Last Duel (2021)
- November Nov Spencer (2021) $44.6M Spencer (2021)
- December Dec '83 (2021) $16.4M '83 (2021)
Last 10 years
How Does 2021 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2016 earned the most: $1.8B from 88 films, led by Dangal (2016). 2021 took $433.7M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 44 films | 44 | $1.2B | – | Lincoln (2012) $275.3M |
| 2013 53 films · −17% | 53 | $969.9M | −17% | American Hustle (2013) $251.2M |
| 2014 68 films · −46% | 68 | $528.3M | −46% | Unbroken (2014) $161.5M |
| 2015 81 films · +104% | 81 | $1.1B | +104% | Everest (2015) $203.4M |
| 2016 88 films · +66% | 88 | $1.8B | +66% | Dangal (2016) $303.7M |
| 2017 100 films · −3% | 100 | $1.7B | −3% | Dunkirk (2017) $533.7M |
| 2018 90 films · −29% | 90 | $1.2B | −29% | Green Book (2018) $321.8M |
| 2019 120 films · +42% | 120 | $1.8B | +42% | My People, My Country (2019) $450.1M |
| 2020 50 films · −91% | 50 | $149.6M | −91% | Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020) $45.2M |
| 2021 68 films · +190% | 68 | $433.7M | +190% | Cliff Walkers (2021) $181.3M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest History Movies Speak in 2021?
Chinese-language history films took $292.6M across 6 films, 67% of the total, ahead of English-language history films ($78.9M) and Japanese-language history films ($15.2M).
2021 History Box Office by Language
-
Chinese $292.6M6 films · #1 Cliff Walkers (2021) - English $78.9M26 films · #1 The Last Duel (2021)
-
Japanese $15.2M2 films · #1 Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai (2021) -
Cantonese $15M1 film · #1 Anita (2021) - Russian $7.4M2 films · #1 Chernobyl: Abyss (2021)
- Hindi $7.4M1 film · #1 '83 (2021)
-
French $6.1M5 films · #1 Benedetta (2021) -
Korean $2.6M1 film · #1 The Book of Fish (2021) -
Czech $2.5M1 film · #1 Charlatan (2021) - Malayalam $1.8M1 film · #1 Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021)
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 2021: 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 68 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing history movie in 2021?
Cliff Walkers (2021) leads with $181.3M worldwide, $153K of it in the US & Canada. Next come 1921 (2021) at $75.2M and The Last Duel (2021) at $30.6M.
How much did history movies released in 2021 earn?
68 history films released in 2021 report a worldwide gross, $433.7M in all, or $6.4M per film on average. 2020 releases took $149.6M.
How many history movies released in 2021 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Cliff Walkers (2021) with $181.3M.
How is the 2021 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 2021. 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 2021 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.