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War box office · 2009

War Box Office 2009: Highest-Grossing War Movies

Inglourious Basterds (2009) is the highest-grossing war movie released in 2009, with $321.5M worldwide, ahead of Red Cliff (2009) at $129.7M and The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) at $69.1M. 27 war films released in 2009 report a worldwide gross, $651.8M in all, 31% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 37% on 2008, whose releases took $1B. By language, English leads with $491.9M across 10 war releases.

2009 releases with a gross
27
combined worldwide
$651.8M
films crossed $100M
2
vs 2008
−37%
Inglourious Basterds (2009) movie poster #1 of 27
#1 war movie of 2009

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

2009 · Drama, Thriller

$321.5M worldwide · 49% of the chart's total

$120.5M US & Canada · 37% $200.9M elsewhere · 63%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest War Hits of 2009?

Inglourious Basterds (2009) leads with $321.5M, 49% of the total. The top 5 together took $613M, 94% of what all 27 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Inglourious Basterds (2009) movie poster Number 1
    $321.5M Inglourious Basterds (2009)
    $120.5M US & Canada · 37% $200.9M elsewhere · 63%
  2. Red Cliff (2009) movie poster Number 2
    $129.7M Red Cliff (2009)
    $627K US & Canada · <1% $129.1M elsewhere · 100%
  3. The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) movie poster Number 3
    $69.1M The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    $32.4M US & Canada · 47% $36.7M elsewhere · 53%
  4. The Hurt Locker (2009) movie poster Number 4
    $49.3M The Hurt Locker (2009)
    $17M US & Canada · 35% $32.2M elsewhere · 65%
  5. Brothers (2009) movie poster Number 5
    $43.5M Brothers (2009)
    $28.5M US & Canada · 66% $14.9M elsewhere · 34%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every War Release of 2009, 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 2009.

  1. 1 Inglourious Basterds (2009) movie poster
    Inglourious Basterds (2009) Aug 21, 2009 · English · Drama, Thriller, War $321.5M worldwide
    Aug 21, 2009 US and Canada: $120.5M Rest of the world: $200.9M Worldwide: $321.5M
  2. 2 Red Cliff (2009) movie poster
    Red Cliff (2009) Nov 18, 2009 · Chinese · Action, Adventure, Drama $129.7M worldwide
    Nov 18, 2009 US and Canada: $627K Rest of the world: $129.1M Worldwide: $129.7M
  3. 3 The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) movie poster
    The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) Nov 6, 2009 · English · Comedy, War $69.1M worldwide
    Nov 6, 2009 US and Canada: $32.4M Rest of the world: $36.7M Worldwide: $69.1M
  4. 4 The Hurt Locker (2009) movie poster
    The Hurt Locker (2009) Jun 26, 2009 · English · Action, Drama, Thriller $49.3M worldwide
    Jun 26, 2009 US and Canada: $17M Rest of the world: $32.2M Worldwide: $49.3M
  5. 5 Brothers (2009) movie poster
    Brothers (2009) Dec 4, 2009 · English · Drama, Thriller, War $43.5M worldwide
    Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $28.5M Rest of the world: $14.9M Worldwide: $43.5M
  6. 6 City of Life and Death (2009) movie poster
    City of Life and Death (2009) Apr 22, 2009 · Chinese · Drama, History, War $10.7M worldwide
    Apr 22, 2009 US and Canada: $122.6K Rest of the world: $10.6M Worldwide: $10.7M
  7. 7 Flame and Citron (2009) movie poster
    Flame and Citron (2009) Jul 31, 2009 · Danish · Drama, History, Thriller $10.2M worldwide
    Jul 31, 2009 US and Canada: $148.1K Rest of the world: $10M Worldwide: $10.2M
  8. 8 The Edge of Love (2009) movie poster
    The Edge of Love (2009) Mar 13, 2009 · English · Biography, Drama, Romance $4.3M worldwide
    Mar 13, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.3M
  9. 9 12 (2009) movie poster
    12 (2009) Mar 4, 2009 · English · Drama, Thriller, Crime $3.8M worldwide
    Mar 4, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.8M
  10. 10 With Heart & Soul (2009) movie poster
    With Heart & Soul (2009) Oct 22, 2009 · Greek · War, Drama $2.1M worldwide
    Oct 22, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M
  11. 11 A Woman in Berlin (2009) movie poster
    A Woman in Berlin (2009) Jul 17, 2009 · German · Drama, War $1.9M worldwide
    Jul 17, 2009 US and Canada: $294K Rest of the world: $1.6M Worldwide: $1.9M
  12. 12 The Messenger (2009) movie poster
    The Messenger (2009) Nov 13, 2009 · Drama, Romance, War $1.6M worldwide
    Nov 13, 2009 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $485.8K Worldwide: $1.6M
  13. 13 By the Will of Chingis Khan (2009) movie poster
    By the Will of Chingis Khan (2009) Mar 12, 2009 · Russian · War, Adventure, Drama $1.2M worldwide
    Mar 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M
  14. 14 General Nil (2009) movie poster
    General Nil (2009) Apr 17, 2009 · Polish · War, Drama, History $999.5K worldwide
    Apr 17, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $999.5K
  15. 15 The Wedding Song (2009) movie poster
    The Wedding Song (2009) Oct 23, 2009 · Arabic · Drama, War $558.5K worldwide
    Oct 23, 2009 US and Canada: $31.2K Rest of the world: $527.3K Worldwide: $558.5K
  16. 16 The Age of Stupid (2009) movie poster
    The Age of Stupid (2009) Mar 14, 2009 · English · History, Documentary, War $346.2K worldwide
    Mar 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $346.2K
  17. 17 St. George Shoots the Dragon (2009) movie poster
    St. George Shoots the Dragon (2009) Mar 11, 2009 · Serbian · Drama, War $325.3K worldwide
    Mar 11, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $325.3K
  18. 18 A Little Pond (2009) movie poster
    A Little Pond (2009) Oct 12, 2009 · Korean · Thriller, Drama, Action $263.5K worldwide
    Oct 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $263.5K
  19. 19 Brothers at War (2009) movie poster
    Brothers at War (2009) Mar 13, 2009 · English · War, Documentary $153.1K worldwide
    Mar 13, 2009 US and Canada: $153.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $153.1K
  20. 20 Comrade Black in World War II (2009) movie poster
    Comrade Black in World War II (2009) Jan 29, 2009 · Serbian · Comedy, War $150.7K worldwide
    Jan 29, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $150.7K
  21. 21 Son of Babylon (2009) movie poster
    Son of Babylon (2009) May 1, 2009 · Arabic · War, Drama $150.1K worldwide
    May 1, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $150.1K
  22. 22 One War (2009) movie poster
    One War (2009) Jun 25, 2009 · Russian · Drama, War $39.7K worldwide
    Jun 25, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $39.7K
  23. 23 Death in Love (2009) movie poster
    Death in Love (2009) Jul 17, 2009 · English · Drama, Romance, War $23.4K worldwide
    Jul 17, 2009 US and Canada: $23.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $23.4K
  24. 24 Broken Promise (2009) movie poster
    Broken Promise (2009) Apr 25, 2009 · Slovak · War, History, Drama $21.9K worldwide
    Apr 25, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.9K
  25. 25 Dawn of the World (2009) movie poster
    Dawn of the World (2009) May 27, 2009 · Arabic · Drama, War, Romance $11.3K worldwide
    May 27, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.3K
  26. 26 Ordinary People (2009) movie poster
    Ordinary People (2009) Aug 26, 2009 · Serbian · Drama, War $4.9K worldwide
    Aug 26, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.9K
  27. 27 The Objective (2009) movie poster
    The Objective (2009) Feb 6, 2009 · English · Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror $95 worldwide
    Feb 6, 2009 US and Canada: $95 Rest of the world: Worldwide: $95
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in 2009?

Of the top 10, Brothers (2009) earned the biggest share at home (66% in the US & Canada), while Red Cliff (2009) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 27 films, $201M (31%) came from the US & Canada. 3 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.

  1. 1 Inglourious Basterds (2009) $321.5M
    $120.5M US & Canada · 37% $200.9M elsewhere · 63%
  2. 2 Red Cliff (2009) $129.7M
    $627K US & Canada · <1% $129.1M elsewhere · 100%
  3. 3 The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) $69.1M
    $32.4M US & Canada · 47% $36.7M elsewhere · 53%
  4. 4 The Hurt Locker (2009) $49.3M
    $17M US & Canada · 35% $32.2M elsewhere · 65%
  5. 5 Brothers (2009) $43.5M
    $28.5M US & Canada · 66% $14.9M elsewhere · 34%
  6. 6 City of Life and Death (2009) $10.7M
    $122.6K US & Canada · 1% $10.6M elsewhere · 99%
  7. 7 Flame and Citron (2009) $10.2M
    $148.1K US & Canada · 1% $10M elsewhere · 99%
  8. 8 The Edge of Love (2009) $4.3M
    No US & Canada figure reported
  9. 9 12 (2009) $3.8M
    No US & Canada figure reported
  10. 10 With Heart & Soul (2009) $2.1M
    No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands

How Many 2009 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

2 of 27 films crossed $100M and took $451.2M between them, 69% of the total. 20 films, 74% of the list, earned under $10M.

  • $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 2 films, 7% of the list $451.2M · 69% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 5 films, 19% of the list $182.7M · 28% of the gross
  • Under $10M 20 films, 74% of the list $17.9M · 3% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 2009 Earned the Most?

August releases took the most, $321.5M from 2 films, led by Inglourious Basterds (2009). February was the quietest month ($95). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan Comrade Black in World War II (2009) $150.7K Comrade Black in World War II (2009)
  2. February Feb The Objective (2009) $95 The Objective (2009)
  3. March Mar The Edge of Love (2009) $10.1M The Edge of Love (2009)
  4. April Apr City of Life and Death (2009) $11.7M City of Life and Death (2009)
  5. May May Son of Babylon (2009) $161.4K Son of Babylon (2009)
  6. June Jun The Hurt Locker (2009) $49.3M The Hurt Locker (2009)
  7. July Jul Flame and Citron (2009) $12.1M Flame and Citron (2009)
  8. August Aug Inglourious Basterds (2009) $321.5M Inglourious Basterds (2009)
  9. September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  10. October Oct With Heart & Soul (2009) $3M With Heart & Soul (2009)
  11. November Nov Red Cliff (2009) $200.4M Red Cliff (2009)
  12. December Dec Brothers (2009) $43.5M Brothers (2009)
Last 10 years

How Does 2009 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 2008 earned the most: $1B from 41 films, led by Australia (2008). 2009 took $651.8M.

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
2000 14 films 14 $433.4M – 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
2009 27 films · −37% 27 $651.8M −37% Inglourious Basterds (2009) $321.5M
By language

Which Languages Do the Biggest War Movies Speak in 2009?

English-language war films took $491.9M across 10 films, 75% of the total, ahead of Chinese-language war films ($140.4M) and Danish-language war films ($10.2M).

2009 War Box Office by Language

  1. English $491.9M
    10 films · #1 Inglourious Basterds (2009)
  2. Chinese $140.4M
    2 films · #1 Red Cliff (2009)
  3. Danish $10.2M
    1 film · #1 Flame and Citron (2009)
  4. Greek $2.1M
    1 film · #1 With Heart & Soul (2009)
  5. German $1.9M
    1 film · #1 A Woman in Berlin (2009)
  6. Russian $1.2M
    2 films · #1 By the Will of Chingis Khan (2009)
  7. Polish $999.5K
    1 film · #1 General Nil (2009)
  8. Arabic $719.9K
    3 films · #1 The Wedding Song (2009)
  9. Serbian $480.9K
    3 films · #1 St. George Shoots the Dragon (2009)
  10. Korean $263.5K
    1 film · #1 A Little Pond (2009)
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
2010s 10 years · $11.4B
2000s 10 years · $6.8B
1990s 10 years · $2.9B
1980s 10 years · $1.4B
1970s 8 years · $492.9M
1960s 9 years · $173.6M
1950s 8 years · $125.1M
1940s 7 years · $446.1M
1930s 5 years · $119.7K
1920s 3 years · $9.3M
FAQ

War Box Office 2009: 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 27 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing war movie in 2009?

Inglourious Basterds (2009) leads with $321.5M worldwide, $120.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Red Cliff (2009) at $129.7M and The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) at $69.1M.

How much did war movies released in 2009 earn?

27 war films released in 2009 report a worldwide gross, $651.8M in all, or $24.1M per film on average. 2008 releases took $1B.

How many war movies released in 2009 made $1 billion?

None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Inglourious Basterds (2009) with $321.5M.

How much of the 2009 War box office came from the US and Canada?

$201M of the $651.8M total, or 31%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 14 films of the 27 report no domestic figure.

How is the 2009 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 2009. 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 2009 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.