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Japanese box office · 2004

Japanese Box Office 2004: Highest-Grossing Japanese Movies

Be with You (2004) is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie released in 2004, with $46.6M worldwide, ahead of The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004) at $34.2M and Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004) at $27.2M. 37 Japanese-language films released in 2004 report a worldwide gross, $278.1M in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 24% on 2003, whose releases took $366.5M. By genre, Drama leads with $167.2M across 21 Japanese releases.

2004 releases with a gross
37
combined worldwide
$278.1M
Be with You (2004), the #1
$46.6M
vs 2003
−24%
Be with You (2004) movie poster #1 of 37
#1 Japanese-language movie of 2004

Be with You (2004)

2004 · Fantasy, Drama

$46.6M worldwide · 17% of the chart's total

No US & Canada figure reported
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Japanese Hits of 2004?

Be with You (2004) leads with $46.6M, 17% of the total. The top 5 together took $154.3M, 55% of what all 37 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Be with You (2004) movie poster Number 1
    $46.6M Be with You (2004)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  2. The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004) movie poster Number 2
    $34.2M The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004)
    $1.1M US & Canada · 3% $33.1M elsewhere · 97%
  3. Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004) movie poster Number 3
    $27.2M Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  4. Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (2004) movie poster Number 4
    $23.7M Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (2004)
    $15.7K US & Canada · <1% $23.7M elsewhere · 100%
  5. Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004) movie poster Number 5
    $22.6M Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004)
    No US & Canada figure reported

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Japanese Release of 2004, 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 2004.

  1. 1 Be with You (2004) movie poster
    Be with You (2004) Oct 30, 2004 · Fantasy, Drama $46.6M worldwide
    Oct 30, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $46.6M
  2. 2 The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004) movie poster
    The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004) Jul 23, 2004 · Action, Drama $34.2M worldwide
    Jul 23, 2004 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $33.1M Worldwide: $34.2M
  3. 3 Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004) movie poster
    Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004) Mar 6, 2004 · Family, Adventure $27.2M worldwide
    Mar 6, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27.2M
  4. 4 Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (2004) movie poster
    Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (2004) Mar 13, 2004 · Drama $23.7M worldwide
    Mar 13, 2004 US and Canada: $15.7K Rest of the world: $23.7M Worldwide: $23.7M
  5. 5 Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004) movie poster
    Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004) Apr 17, 2004 · Mystery, Animation $22.6M worldwide
    Apr 17, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22.6M
  6. 6 Swing Girls (2004) movie poster
    Swing Girls (2004) Sep 11, 2004 · Comedy, Music $19.4M worldwide
    Sep 11, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.4M
  7. 7 Half a Confession (2004) movie poster
    Half a Confession (2004) Jan 10, 2004 · Mystery, Crime $14.6M worldwide
    Jan 10, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.6M
  8. 8 Casshern (2004) movie poster
    Casshern (2004) Apr 24, 2004 · Drama, Sci-Fi $12.6M worldwide
    Apr 24, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6M
  9. 9 Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004) movie poster
    Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004) Aug 21, 2004 · Animation, Action $11.1M worldwide
    Aug 21, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.1M
  10. 10 Crayon Shin-chan: Invoke a Storm! The Kasukabe Boys of the Evening Sun (2004) movie poster
    Crayon Shin-chan: Invoke a Storm! The Kasukabe Boys of the Evening Sun (2004) Apr 16, 2004 · Animation, Comedy $10.8M worldwide
    Apr 16, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.8M
  11. 11 Godzilla (2004) movie poster
    Godzilla (2004) May 7, 2004 · Sci-Fi, Drama $9.2M worldwide
    May 7, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.2M
  12. 12 Infection (2004) movie poster
    Infection (2004) Oct 2, 2004 · Drama, Horror $7M worldwide
    Oct 2, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7M
  13. 13 Inuyasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island (2004) movie poster
    Inuyasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island (2004) Dec 23, 2004 · Adventure, Fantasy $6.1M worldwide
    Dec 23, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.1M
  14. 14 Zatch Bell! 101st Devil (2004) movie poster
    Zatch Bell! 101st Devil (2004) Jul 9, 2004 · Comedy, Animation $6M worldwide
    Jul 9, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6M
  15. 15 University of Laughs (2004) movie poster
    University of Laughs (2004) Oct 30, 2004 · Drama, Comedy $5.7M worldwide
    Oct 30, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.7M
  16. 16 Blood and Bones (2004) movie poster
    Blood and Bones (2004) Nov 6, 2004 · Drama, Crime $4.6M worldwide
    Nov 6, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.6M
  17. 17 69 (2004) movie poster
    69 (2004) Jul 10, 2004 · Drama $4.6M worldwide
    Jul 10, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.6M
  18. 18 Devilman (2004) movie poster
    Devilman (2004) Oct 9, 2004 · Horror, Fantasy $4.1M worldwide
    Oct 9, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.1M
  19. 19 Ju-on: The Grudge (2004) movie poster
    Ju-on: The Grudge (2004) Jul 23, 2004 · Thriller, Horror $2.7M worldwide
    Jul 23, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7M
  20. 20 Last Quarter (2004) movie poster
    Last Quarter (2004) Sep 25, 2004 · Romance, Mystery $1.6M worldwide
    Sep 25, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M
  21. 21 Heaven’s Bookstore (2004) movie poster
    Heaven’s Bookstore (2004) Jun 5, 2004 · Romance, Drama $1.2M worldwide
    Jun 5, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M
  22. 22 Hana & Alice (2004) movie poster
    Hana & Alice (2004) Mar 13, 2004 · Comedy, Romance $654.4K worldwide
    Mar 13, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $654.4K
  23. 23 Tokyo Godfathers (2004) movie poster
    Tokyo Godfathers (2004) Jan 16, 2004 · Adventure, Drama $605.6K worldwide
    Jan 16, 2004 US and Canada: $367.1K Rest of the world: $238.5K Worldwide: $605.6K
  24. 24 Cutie Honey (2004) movie poster
    Cutie Honey (2004) May 29, 2004 · Action $453.9K worldwide
    May 29, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $453.9K
  25. 25 Death Train (2004) movie poster
    Death Train (2004) Dec 4, 2004 · Horror $107.8K worldwide
    Dec 4, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $107.8K
  26. 26 Marebito (2004) movie poster
    Marebito (2004) May 22, 2004 · Horror $107.3K worldwide
    May 22, 2004 US and Canada: $14K Rest of the world: $93.3K Worldwide: $107.3K
  27. 27 The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004) movie poster
    The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004) Nov 20, 2004 · Animation, Romance $90.4K worldwide
    Nov 20, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $90.4K
  28. 28 Yoshino’s Barber Shop (2004) movie poster
    Yoshino’s Barber Shop (2004) Apr 10, 2004 · Comedy, Drama $72.2K worldwide
    Apr 10, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $72.2K
  29. 29 Last Life in the Universe (2004) movie poster
    Last Life in the Universe (2004) Aug 6, 2004 · Drama, Comedy $63.1K worldwide
    Aug 6, 2004 US and Canada: $32K Rest of the world: $31.1K Worldwide: $63.1K
  30. 30 Gozu (2004) movie poster
    Gozu (2004) Jul 30, 2004 · Drama, Mystery $58.6K worldwide
    Jul 30, 2004 US and Canada: $58.2K Rest of the world: $431 Worldwide: $58.6K
  31. 31 Explosive City (2004) movie poster
    Explosive City (2004) 2004 · Action, Crime $36.6K worldwide
    2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $36.6K
  32. 32 Otakus in Love (2004) movie poster
    Otakus in Love (2004) Oct 20, 2004 · Drama, Comedy $3.4K worldwide
    Oct 20, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.4K
  33. 33 Hikikomori: Tokyo Plastic (2004) movie poster
    Hikikomori: Tokyo Plastic (2004) Jul 30, 2004 · Thriller, Sci-Fi $2.1K worldwide
    Jul 30, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1K
  34. 34 Bitter Sweet (2004) movie poster
    Bitter Sweet (2004) Oct 12, 2004 · Drama, Romance $599 worldwide
    Oct 12, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $599
  35. 35 Canary (2004) movie poster
    Canary (2004) Nov 20, 2004 · Drama $504 worldwide
    Nov 20, 2004 US and Canada: $504 Rest of the world: Worldwide: $504
  36. 36 Pink Ribbon (2004) movie poster
    Pink Ribbon (2004) Sep 27, 2004 · Documentary $205 worldwide
    Sep 27, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $205
  37. 37 Thirty Lies or So (2004) movie poster
    Thirty Lies or So (2004) Dec 18, 2004 · Comedy, Mystery $55 worldwide
    Dec 18, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $55
Gross bands

How Many 2004 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

None of the 37 films reached $100M. 27 films, 73% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $278.1M total.

  • $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 10 films, 27% of the list $223M · 80% of the gross
  • Under $10M 27 films, 73% of the list $55.1M · 20% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 2004 Earned the Most?

October releases took the most, $63.4M from 6 films, led by Be with You (2004). June was the quietest month ($1.2M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan Half a Confession (2004) $15.3M Half a Confession (2004)
  2. February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  3. March Mar Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004) $51.6M Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004)
  4. April Apr Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004) $46.1M Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004)
  5. May May Godzilla (2004) $9.7M Godzilla (2004)
  6. June Jun Heaven’s Bookstore (2004) $1.2M Heaven’s Bookstore (2004)
  7. July Jul The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004) $47.6M The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004)
  8. August Aug Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004) $11.2M Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004)
  9. September Sep Swing Girls (2004) $21M Swing Girls (2004)
  10. October Oct Be with You (2004) $63.4M Be with You (2004)
  11. November Nov Blood and Bones (2004) $4.7M Blood and Bones (2004)
  12. December Dec Inuyasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island (2004) $6.2M Inuyasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island (2004)
Last 10 years

How Does 2004 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 2003 earned the most: $366.5M from 29 films, led by Bayside Shakedown 2 (2003). 2004 took $278.1M.

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
1995 2 films 2 $1.5M – Pom Poko (1995) $1.3M
1996 3 films · +268% 3 $5.7M +268% Whisper of the Heart (1996) $4.6M
1997 5 films · +617% 5 $40.9M +617% Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) $22.6M
1998 7 films · −96% 7 $1.7M −96% Cube (1998) $565.7K
1999 4 films · +9366% 4 $164.1M +9366% Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back! (1999) $163.6M
2000 13 films · −90% 13 $16.3M −90% Godzilla 2000 (2000) $12.9M
2001 10 films · +573% 10 $109.4M +573% Pokémon 3: The Movie (2001) $68.4M
2002 23 films · +49% 23 $162.9M +49% The Cat Returns (2002) $54.7M
2003 29 films · +125% 29 $366.5M +125% Bayside Shakedown 2 (2003) $155.1M
2004 37 films · −24% 37 $278.1M −24% Be with You (2004) $46.6M
By genre

Which Japanese Genres Earned the Most in 2004?

Drama took $167.2M across 21 films, 60% of the total, ahead of Comedy ($88.7M) and Animation ($84.6M). A film counts once for each of its genres.

2004 Japanese Box Office by Genre

  1. Drama $167.2M
    21 films · #1 Be with You (2004)
  2. Comedy $88.7M
    12 films · #1 The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004)
  3. Animation $84.6M
    8 films · #1 Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004)
  4. Adventure $73.8M
    7 films · #1 Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004)
  5. Fantasy $58.4M
    4 films · #1 Be with You (2004)
  6. Action $55.9M
    6 films · #1 The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004)
  7. Music $53.6M
    2 films · #1 The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004)
  8. Crime $53.6M
    5 films · #1 The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004)
  9. Romance $50.2M
    8 films · #1 Be with You (2004)
  10. Mystery $38.9M
    5 films · #1 Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004)
Archive

Japanese Box Office Year by Year

Every year from 1936 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2023 leads with $1.6B, led by The Boy and the Heron (2023).

2020s 7 years · $6.4B
2010s 10 years · $8.1B
2000s 10 years · $3.8B
1990s 10 years · $242.4M
1980s 8 years · $115.3M
1970s 8 years · $763.7K
1960s 10 years · $651K
1950s 9 years · $1.1M
1940s 3 years · $863.9K
1930s 2 years · $23.9K
FAQ

Japanese Box Office 2004: 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 37 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie in 2004?

Be with You (2004) leads with $46.6M worldwide. Next come The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2004) at $34.2M and Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004) at $27.2M.

How much did Japanese-language movies released in 2004 earn?

37 Japanese-language films released in 2004 report a worldwide gross, $278.1M in all, or $7.5M per film on average. 2003 releases took $366.5M.

How many Japanese-language movies released in 2004 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, Be with You (2004), earned $46.6M.

How much of the 2004 Japanese box office came from the US and Canada?

$1.6M of the $278.1M total, or <1%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 30 films of the 37 report no domestic figure.

How is the 2004 Japanese 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 2004. 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, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.

How often is the 2004 Japanese 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.