#1 of 70 Highest-grossing news movie ever
2012 · Adventure, Documentary
$47.2M worldwide
No US & Canada figure reported
News box office · All time
Highest-Grossing News Movies of All Time
Switch (2012) is the highest-grossing news movie in our database, with $47.2M worldwide, ahead of We the Parents (2013) at $26.4M and Saving Private Perez (2011) at $9.3M. 70 news films in our database report a worldwide gross, $88.1M in all, 7% of it from the US & Canada. By language, English leads with $78.3M across 61 news releases.
- films with a reported gross
- 70
- combined worldwide
- $88.1M
- Switch (2012), the #1
- $47.2M
- earned in the US & Canada
- 7%
#1 of 70 Top 5
What Are the Highest-Grossing News Movies Ever?
Switch (2012) leads with $47.2M, $20.7M ahead of We the Parents (2013). The top 5 were released between 2011 and 2026 and took $84.4M together; 1 earned more than half of its 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 70 News Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 70. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.
- 1 Sep 21, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $47.2M
- 2 Aug 16, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $26.4M
- 3 Sep 2, 2011 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: $7.9M Worldwide: $9.3M
- 4 Jul 31, 2015 US and Canada: $892.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $892.8K
- 5 Aug 14, 2026 US and Canada: $608.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $608.9K
- 6
Feb 27, 2015 US and Canada: $405.9K Rest of the world: $5.2K Worldwide: $411.1K - 7
May 22, 2015 US and Canada: $55.4K Rest of the world: $281.6K Worldwide: $337K - 8
Mar 23, 2011 US and Canada: $242.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $242.7K - 9
Nov 22, 2013 US and Canada: $145.1K Rest of the world: $18.6K Worldwide: $163.7K - 10
Feb 7, 2014 US and Canada: $143.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $143.2K - 11
Sep 21, 2012 US and Canada: $132.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $132.1K - 12
Feb 24, 2012 US and Canada: $132.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $132.1K - 13
Requiem for the American Dream (2016)Jan 29, 2016 US and Canada: $130.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $130.2K
Jan 29, 2016 · English · Biography, Documentary $130.2K worldwide - 14
Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare (2012)Oct 5, 2012 US and Canada: $126.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $126.2K Oct 5, 2012 · English · Documentary $126.2K worldwide - 15
Oct 25, 2013 US and Canada: $124.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $124.2K - 16
Oct 23, 2023 US and Canada: $11.7K Rest of the world: $98.5K Worldwide: $110.2K - 17
May 30, 2014 US and Canada: $101.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $101.3K - 18
Sep 28, 2012 US and Canada: $79.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $79.6K - 19
Sep 20, 2013 US and Canada: $72.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $72.1K - 20
Apr 4, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $71.9K - 21
The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet's Struggle for Freedom (2010)Mar 31, 2010 US and Canada: $67.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67.1K Mar 31, 2010 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $67.1K worldwide - 22
Apr 24, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $65.8K - 23
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (2011)Jun 22, 2011 US and Canada: $61.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $61.8K Jun 22, 2011 · English · History, Crime, Documentary $61.8K worldwide - 24
Jul 1, 2011 US and Canada: $60.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.3K - 25
Jul 8, 2011 US and Canada: $56.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $56.6K - 26
Jul 12, 2013 US and Canada: $55.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $55.8K - 27
Jun 11, 2010 US and Canada: $54.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $54.5K - 28
The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)Jun 27, 2014 US and Canada: $48.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $48.9K Jun 27, 2014 · English · Biography, Crime, Documentary $48.9K worldwide - 29
Nov 21, 2014 US and Canada: $45.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $45.9K - 30
Aug 30, 2013 US and Canada: $45.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $45.2K - 31
Jan 20, 2012 US and Canada: $44.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $44.9K - 32
3 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets (2015)Jun 19, 2015 US and Canada: $30.4K Rest of the world: $8.9K Worldwide: $39.3K Jun 19, 2015 · English · Drama, Crime, Documentary $39.3K worldwide - 33
Sep 13, 2013 US and Canada: $38.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.9K - 34
Apr 1, 2016 US and Canada: $38.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.6K - 35
Aug 24, 2012 US and Canada: $38.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.5K - 36
Sep 30, 2011 US and Canada: $33.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $33.1K - 37
Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (2011)May 13, 2011 US and Canada: $31.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.1K May 13, 2011 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $31.1K worldwide - 38
May 2, 2014 US and Canada: $30.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.7K - 39
Nov 1, 2013 US and Canada: $30.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.4K - 40
Dec 3, 2004 US and Canada: $30.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.2K - 41
Apr 9, 2024 US and Canada: $26.5K Rest of the world: $2.2K Worldwide: $28.8K - 42
May 25, 2016 US and Canada: $27.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27.3K - 43
Sep 16, 2015 US and Canada: $26.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.6K - 44
May 20, 2016 US and Canada: $21.1K Rest of the world: $2.8K Worldwide: $24K - 45
Oct 26, 2012 US and Canada: $22.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.7K - 46
Jul 21, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.5K - 47
Watchers of the Sky (2014)Oct 17, 2014 US and Canada: $19.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.3K Oct 17, 2014 · English · Biography, History, Documentary $19.3K worldwide - 48
All the Rage (Saved by Sarno) (2017)Jun 23, 2017 US and Canada: $18.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.5K Jun 23, 2017 · English · Biography, Drama, Documentary $18.5K worldwide - 49
Sep 5, 2014 US and Canada: $16.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.1K - 50
Dec 16, 2015 US and Canada: $11.8K Rest of the world: $3.8K Worldwide: $15.6K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Biggest News Movies Make Their Money?
Of the top 10, Best of Enemies (2015) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Saving Private Perez (2011) made 85% of its gross abroad. Across all 70 films, $5.9M (7%) came from the US & Canada. 2 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Switch (2012) $47.2M No US & Canada figure reported
- 2 We the Parents (2013) $26.4M No US & Canada figure reported
- 3 Saving Private Perez (2011) $9.3M $1.4M US & Canada · 15% $7.9M elsewhere · 85%
- 4 Best of Enemies (2015) $892.8K $892.8K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 American Doctor (2026) $608.9K $608.9K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 The Hunting Ground (2015) $411.1K $405.9K US & Canada · 99% $5.2K elsewhere · 1%
- 7 Seeds of Time (2015) $337K $55.4K US & Canada · 16% $281.6K elsewhere · 84%
- 8 My Perestroika (2011) $242.7K $242.7K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Narco Cultura (2013) $163.7K $145.1K US & Canada · 89% $18.6K elsewhere · 11%
- 10 Kids for Cash (2014) $143.2K $143.2K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many News Movies Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 70 films reached $100M. 68 films, 97% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $88.1M total.
84% 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 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $10M to $100M 2 films, 3% of the list $73.6M · 84% of the gross
- Under $10M 68 films, 97% of the list $14.5M · 16% of the gross
By decade
Which Decade's News Movies Earned the Most?
Films released in the 2010s lead with $87.2M from 63 titles, led by Switch (2012). Each column links to the decade's biggest year.
Biggest years
Which Years Had the Highest-Grossing News Movies?
2012 releases earned the most: $47.8M from 11 films, led by Switch (2012). The 10 biggest years, each linking to its chart.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 11 films | 11 | $47.8M | Switch (2012) $47.2M |
| 2013 13 films | 13 | $27M | We the Parents (2013) $26.4M |
| 2011 9 films | 9 | $9.8M | Saving Private Perez (2011) $9.3M |
| 2015 11 films | 11 | $1.8M | Best of Enemies (2015) $892.8K |
| 2026 1 film | 1 | $608.9K so far | American Doctor (2026) $608.9K |
| 2014 8 films | 8 | $408.5K | Kids for Cash (2014) $143.2K |
| 2016 8 films | 8 | $242.2K | Requiem for the American Dream (2016) $130.2K |
| 2023 2 films | 2 | $129.7K | Beyond Utopia (2023) $110.2K |
| 2010 2 films | 2 | $121.6K | The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet's Struggle for Freedom (2010) $67.1K |
| 2025 1 film | 1 | $71.9K | Can't Look Away (2025) $71.9K |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest News Movies Speak?
English-language news films took $78.3M across 61 films, 89% of the total, ahead of Spanish-language news films ($9.3M) and Russian-language news films ($246.9K).
Archive
News Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 2004 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2012 leads with $47.8M, led by Switch (2012).
2020s 5 years · $839.4K
2010s 8 years · $87.2M
- 2017 $18.5K #1 All the Rage (Saved by Sarno) (2017)
- 2016 $242.2K #1 Requiem for the American Dream (2016)
- 2015 $1.8M #1 Best of Enemies (2015)
- 2014 $408.5K #1 Kids for Cash (2014)
- 2013 $27M #1 We the Parents (2013)
- 2012 $47.8M #1 Switch (2012)
- 2011 $9.8M #1 Saving Private Perez (2011)
- 2010 $121.6K #1 The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet's Struggle for Freedom (2010)
2000s 1 year · $30.2K
FAQ
News 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 70 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing news movie of all time?
Switch (2012) leads with $47.2M worldwide. Next come We the Parents (2013) at $26.4M and Saving Private Perez (2011) at $9.3M.
How much have news movies earned at the box office?
70 news films in our database report a worldwide gross, $88.1M in all, or $1.3M per film on average.
How many news movies have made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Switch (2012), earned $47.2M.
How is the all-time news 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 news 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.