#1 of 41 #1 war movie of 2008
2008 · Adventure, Drama
$211.8M worldwide · 20% of the chart's total
$49.6M US & Canada · 23% $162.2M elsewhere · 77%
War box office · 2008
War Box Office 2008: Highest-Grossing War Movies
Australia (2008) is the highest-grossing war movie released in 2008, with $211.8M worldwide, ahead of Valkyrie (2008) at $201.5M and Tropic Thunder (2008) at $195.7M. 41 war films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $1B in all, 35% of it from the US & Canada. 3 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 9% on 2007, whose releases took $945M. By language, English leads with $537.9M across 20 war releases.
- 2008 releases with a gross
- 41
- combined worldwide
- $1B
- films crossed $100M
- 3
- vs 2007
- +9%
#1 of 41 Top 5
What Were the Biggest War Hits of 2008?
Australia (2008) leads with $211.8M, 20% of the total. The top 5 together took $746.2M, 72% of what all 41 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 War 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 Aug 13, 2008 US and Canada: $110.5M Rest of the world: $85.2M Worldwide: $195.7M
- 4 Jan 25, 2008 US and Canada: $38.2M Rest of the world: $47.7M Worldwide: $85.9M
- 5 Dec 31, 2008 US and Canada: $28.6M Rest of the world: $22.6M Worldwide: $51.3M
- 6
Nov 7, 2008 US and Canada: $9M Rest of the world: $31.4M Worldwide: $40.4M - 7
Jun 6, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $39.1M - 8
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $748.6K Rest of the world: $33.5M Worldwide: $34.2M - 9
Jun 6, 2008 US and Canada: $5.7M Rest of the world: $20.8M Worldwide: $26.5M - 10
Feb 22, 2008 US and Canada: $5.5M Rest of the world: $13.3M Worldwide: $18.8M - 11
Sep 5, 2008 US and Canada: $623.6K Rest of the world: $15.9M Worldwide: $16.5M - 12
Dec 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.4M - 13
Mar 28, 2008 US and Canada: $10.9M Rest of the world: $297.2K Worldwide: $11.2M - 14
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: $8.9M Worldwide: $11.2M - 15
Jul 23, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.1M - 16
Sep 26, 2008 US and Canada: $7.9M Rest of the world: $1.4M Worldwide: $9.3M - 17
Nov 17, 2008 US and Canada: $543.1K Rest of the world: $8.7M Worldwide: $9.3M - 18
Feb 8, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.3M - 19
May 22, 2008 US and Canada: $748.6K Rest of the world: $7.9M Worldwide: $8.6M - 20
May 23, 2008 US and Canada: $1M Rest of the world: $6.8M Worldwide: $7.8M - 21
Aug 2, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.8M - 22
Oct 2, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.8M - 23
Mar 29, 2008 US and Canada: $37.2K Rest of the world: $2.7M Worldwide: $2.8M - 24
May 23, 2008 US and Canada: $580.9K Rest of the world: $715.3K Worldwide: $1.3M - 25
Mar 14, 2008 US and Canada: $5.3K Rest of the world: $687.3K Worldwide: $692.6K - 26
Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (2008)Apr 18, 2008 US and Canada: $385K Rest of the world: $296.8K Worldwide: $681.7K
Apr 18, 2008 · English · Comedy, War, Documentary $681.7K worldwide - 27
Sep 4, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $583.9K - 28
Mar 26, 2008 US and Canada: $128.2K Rest of the world: $331.9K Worldwide: $460.1K - 29
Standard Operating Procedure (2008)Apr 25, 2008 US and Canada: $229.1K Rest of the world: $95.1K Worldwide: $324.2K Apr 25, 2008 · English · Crime, War, Documentary $324.2K worldwide - 30
Jan 18, 2008 US and Canada: $274.7K Rest of the world: $19.6K Worldwide: $294.3K - 31
Sep 26, 2008 US and Canada: $267K Rest of the world: $20.6K Worldwide: $287.6K - 32
Nov 19, 2008 US and Canada: $268.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $268.4K - 33
Jun 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $253.1K - 34
May 7, 2008 US and Canada: $10.3K Rest of the world: $235.2K Worldwide: $245.5K - 35
May 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $213.1K - 36
Feb 29, 2008 US and Canada: $177.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $177.5K - 37
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $82.3K - 38
Apr 9, 2008 US and Canada: $71.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $71.7K - 39
Oct 29, 2008 US and Canada: $54.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $54.3K - 40
Jun 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $54K - 41
Mar 7, 2008 US and Canada: $30.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.6K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2008?
Of the top 10, Tropic Thunder (2008) earned the biggest share at home (56% in the US & Canada), while Che (2008) made 98% of its gross abroad. Across all 41 films, $357.6M (35%) 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 Tropic Thunder (2008) $195.7M $110.5M US & Canada · 56% $85.2M elsewhere · 44%
- 4 Meet the Spartans (2008) $85.9M $38.2M US & Canada · 45% $47.7M elsewhere · 55%
- 5 Defiance (2008) $51.3M $28.6M US & Canada · 56% $22.6M elsewhere · 44%
- 6 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) $40.4M $9M US & Canada · 22% $31.4M elsewhere · 78%
- 7 Admiral (2008) $39.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Che (2008) $34.2M $748.6K US & Canada · 2% $33.5M elsewhere · 98%
- 9 Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2008) $26.5M $5.7M US & Canada · 22% $20.8M elsewhere · 78%
- 10 The Counterfeiters (2008) $18.8M $5.5M US & Canada · 29% $13.3M elsewhere · 71%
Gross bands
How Many 2008 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
3 of 41 films crossed $100M and took $609M between them, 59% of the total. 26 films, 63% of the list, earned under $10M.
59% 35%
- $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 $609M · 59% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 12 films, 29% of the list $361.6M · 35% of the gross
- Under $10M 26 films, 63% of the list $62.8M · 6% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2008 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $313.7M from 6 films, led by Valkyrie (2008). April was the quietest month ($1.1M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Meet the Spartans (2008) $86.2M Meet the Spartans (2008)
- February Feb The Counterfeiters (2008) $28.3M The Counterfeiters (2008)
- March Mar Stop-Loss (2008) $15.2M Stop-Loss (2008)
- April Apr Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (2008) $1.1M Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (2008)
- May May Che: Part Two (2008) $18.2M Che: Part Two (2008)
- June Jun Admiral (2008) $66M Admiral (2008)
- July Jul Sunny (2008) $11.1M Sunny (2008)
- August Aug Tropic Thunder (2008) $201.5M Tropic Thunder (2008)
- September Sep A Secret (2008) $26.7M A Secret (2008)
- October Oct Modern Boy (2008) $3.9M Modern Boy (2008)
- November Nov Australia (2008) $261.7M Australia (2008)
- December Dec Valkyrie (2008) $313.7M Valkyrie (2008)
Last 10 years
How Does 2008 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2008 earned the most: $1B from 41 films, led by Australia (2008).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 13 films | 13 | $451.1M | – | The General's Daughter (1999) $149.7M |
| 2000 14 films · −4% | 14 | $433.4M | −4% | The Patriot (2000) $215.3M |
| 2001 18 films · +106% | 18 | $893.6M | +106% | Pearl Harbor (2001) $449.2M |
| 2002 18 films · −48% | 18 | $463.2M | −48% | The Pianist (2002) $120.1M |
| 2003 20 films · +92% | 20 | $889.6M | +92% | The Last Samurai (2003) $454.6M |
| 2004 30 films · −23% | 30 | $680.7M | −23% | Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) $222.4M |
| 2005 31 films · −34% | 31 | $446.9M | −34% | Jarhead (2005) $97.1M |
| 2006 28 films · −20% | 28 | $358.6M | −20% | Pan's Labyrinth (2006) $83.9M |
| 2007 37 films · +164% | 37 | $945M | +164% | 300 (2007) $456.1M |
| 2008 41 films · +9% | 41 | $1B | +9% | Australia (2008) $211.8M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest War Movies Speak in 2008?
English-language war films took $537.9M across 20 films, 52% of the total, ahead of Russian-language war films ($39.2M) and German-language war films ($21.7M).
2008 War Box Office by Language
- English $537.9M20 films · #1 Valkyrie (2008)
-
Russian $39.2M2 films · #1 Admiral (2008) -
German $21.7M3 films · #1 The Counterfeiters (2008) -
Norwegian $15.4M1 film · #1 Max Manus: Man of War (2008) -
Korean $14.9M2 films · #1 Sunny (2008) -
Hebrew $11.2M1 film · #1 Waltz with Bashir (2008) -
French $10M2 films · #1 Female Agents (2008) -
Dutch $9.3M1 film · #1 Winter in Wartime (2008) -
Spanish $8.6M1 film · #1 Che: Part Two (2008) -
Japanese $5.8M1 film · #1 The Sky Crawlers (2008)
Archive
War Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1921 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2017 leads with $3.3B, led by Wolf Warrior 2 (2017).
2020s 7 years · $3.5B
- 2026 so far $119.7M #1 Young Washington (2026)
- 2025 $872.4M #1 Dead to Rights (2025)
- 2024 $75.6M #1 The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
- 2023 $793.9M #1 The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023)
- 2022 $161.4M #1 Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022)
- 2021 $1B #1 The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
- 2020 $479M #1 The Eight Hundred (2020)
2010s 10 years · $11.4B
- 2019 $1B #1 1917 (2019)
- 2018 $755.1M #1 Operation Red Sea (2018)
- 2017 $3.3B #1 Wolf Warrior 2 (2017)
- 2016 $1.6B #1 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- 2015 $920.3M #1 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)
- 2014 $1.9B #1 American Sniper (2014)
- 2013 $412.3M #1 Lone Survivor (2013)
- 2012 $760.8M #1 Battleship (2012)
- 2011 $313.2M #1 War Horse (2011)
- 2010 $309.1M #1 Dear John (2010)
2000s 10 years · $6.8B
- 2009 $651.8M #1 Inglourious Basterds (2009)
- 2008 $1B #1 Australia (2008)
- 2007 $945M #1 300 (2007)
- 2006 $358.6M #1 Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
- 2005 $446.9M #1 Jarhead (2005)
- 2004 $680.7M #1 Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
- 2003 $889.6M #1 The Last Samurai (2003)
- 2002 $463.2M #1 The Pianist (2002)
- 2001 $893.6M #1 Pearl Harbor (2001)
- 2000 $433.4M #1 The Patriot (2000)
1990s 10 years · $2.9B
- 1999 $451.1M #1 The General's Daughter (1999)
- 1998 $713.1M #1 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- 1997 $139.5M #1 Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
- 1996 $345M #1 The English Patient (1996)
- 1995 $469.1M #1 Braveheart (1995)
- 1994 $20M #1 The War (1994)
- 1993 $494.5M #1 Schindler's List (1993)
- 1992 $122.6M #1 The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
- 1991 $48.4M #1 For the Boys (1991)
- 1990 $54.6M #1 Memphis Belle (1990)
1980s 10 years · $1.4B
- 1989 $199.1M #1 Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
- 1988 $151.6M #1 Good Morning, Vietnam (1988)
- 1987 $92.3M #1 Full Metal Jacket (1987)
- 1986 $226.5M #1 Platoon (1986)
- 1985 $351.1M #1 Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
- 1984 $80.6M #1 Missing in Action (1984)
- 1983 $81.7M #1 Uncommon Valor (1983)
- 1982 $49.8M #1 Some Kind of Hero (1982)
- 1981 $131M #1 Stripes (1981)
- 1980 $81.3M #1 Private Benjamin (1980)
1970s 8 years · $492.9M
- 1979 $228.1M #1 Apocalypse Now (1979)
- 1978 $89M #1 The Deer Hunter (1978)
- 1977 $51.8M #1 A Bridge Too Far (1977)
- 1975 $20.4M #1 Love and Death (1975)
- 1974 $32K #1 Hearts and Minds (1974)
- 1972 $20.8K #1 Chinese Glory (1972)
- 1971 $9.4K #1 Liberation: The Last Assault (1971)
- 1970 $103.6M #1 Patton (1970)
1960s 9 years · $173.6M
- 1969 $8M #1 Where Eagles Dare (1969)
- 1968 $3.6M #1 Hell in the Pacific (1968)
- 1967 $8.1K #1 Far from Vietnam (1967)
- 1966 $1M #1 The Battle of Algiers (1966)
- 1965 $112.7M #1 Doctor Zhivago (1965)
- 1963 $230.6K #1 The Great Escape (1963)
- 1962 $46M #1 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- 1961 $32.8K #1 The Guns of Navarone (1961)
- 1960 $1.9M #1 Spartacus (1960)
1950s 8 years · $125.1M
- 1959 $74.4M #1 Ben-Hur (1959)
- 1958 $561.3K #1 South Pacific (1958)
- 1957 $27.3M #1 The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
- 1956 $75.5K #1 The Burmese Harp (1956)
- 1955 $789.5K #1 The Dam Busters (1955)
- 1954 $21.8M #1 The Caine Mutiny (1954)
- 1953 $36.4K #1 From Here to Eternity (1953)
- 1952 $101.2K #1 The African Queen (1952)
1940s 7 years · $446.1M
1930s 5 years · $119.7K
FAQ
War 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 41 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing war 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 Tropic Thunder (2008) at $195.7M.
How much did war movies released in 2008 earn?
41 war films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $1B in all, or $25.2M per film on average. 2007 releases took $945M.
How many war movies released in 2008 made $1 billion?
None. 3 films crossed $100 million, led by Australia (2008) with $211.8M.
How is the 2008 war 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 war 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.