How much of the 2008 Japanese box office came from the US and Canada?

$122.2K of the $529.3M total, or <1%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 44 films of the 46 report no domestic figure.

Japanese box office · 2008

Japanese Box Office 2008: Highest-Grossing Japanese Movies

Q: What is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie in 2008?

Suspect X (2008) leads with $54.8M worldwide. Next come Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008) at $47.5M and Girl In Captivity: Psycho Torture Chamber (2008) at $41.6M.

Q: How much did Japanese-language movies released in 2008 earn?

46 Japanese-language films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $529.3M in all, or $11.5M per film on average. 2007 releases took $447.9M.

Q: How many Japanese-language movies released in 2008 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, Suspect X (2008), earned $54.8M.

Q: How is the 2008 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 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, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.

Q: How often is the 2008 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.

Suspect X (2008) is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie released in 2008, with $54.8M worldwide, ahead of Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008) at $47.5M and Girl In Captivity: Psycho Torture Chamber (2008) at $41.6M. 46 Japanese-language films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $529.3M in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 18% on 2007, whose releases took $447.9M. By genre, Drama leads with $226.5M across 22 Japanese releases.

2008 releases with a gross: 46
combined worldwide: $529.3M
Suspect X (2008), the #1: $54.8M
vs 2007: +18%

#1 of 46

#1 Japanese-language movie of 2008

Suspect X (2008)

2008 · Drama, Crime

$54.8M worldwide · 10% of the chart's total

No US & Canada figure reported

Top 5

What Were the Biggest Japanese Hits of 2008?

Suspect X (2008) leads with $54.8M, 10% of the total. The top 5 together took $215.3M, 41% of what all 46 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

Number 1

$54.8M Suspect X (2008)
No US & Canada figure reported
Number 2

$47.5M Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
No US & Canada figure reported
Number 3

$41.6M Girl In Captivity: Psycho Torture Chamber (2008)
No US & Canada figure reported
Number 4

$36M The Magic Hour (2008)
No US & Canada figure reported
Number 5

$35.3M Death Note: L Change the WorLd (2008)
No US & Canada figure reported

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Japanese 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
Suspect X (2008) Oct 4, 2008 · Drama, Crime $54.8M worldwide

Oct 4, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $54.8M
2
Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008) Jul 19, 2008 · Fantasy, Animation $47.5M worldwide

Jul 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $47.5M
3
Girl In Captivity: Psycho Torture Chamber (2008) Jun 7, 2008 · Thriller, Horror $41.6M worldwide

Jun 7, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $41.6M
4
The Magic Hour (2008) Jun 7, 2008 · Comedy $36M worldwide

Jun 7, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $36M
5
Death Note: L Change the WorLd (2008) Feb 7, 2008 · Thriller, Sci-Fi $35.3M worldwide

Feb 7, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $35.3M
6
Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear (2008) Apr 19, 2008 · Animation, Mystery $23.8M worldwide

Apr 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23.8M
7
Detroit Metal City (2008) Aug 22, 2008 · Comedy $23.7M worldwide

Aug 22, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23.7M
8
Paco and the Magical Book (2008) Sep 13, 2008 · Family, Drama $22.7M worldwide

Sep 13, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22.7M
9
K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces (2008) Dec 20, 2008 · Adventure, Action $21.4M worldwide

Dec 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.4M
10
252: Signal of Life (2008) Dec 6, 2008 · Adventure, Drama $18.5M worldwide

Dec 6, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.5M
11
Kabei: Our Mother (2008) Jan 26, 2008 · Drama, Family $18.4M worldwide

Jan 26, 2008 US and Canada: $14.4K Rest of the world: $18.4M Worldwide: $18.4M
12
Flowers in the Shadow (2008) Jan 26, 2008 · Drama, Comedy $17.9M worldwide

Jan 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.9M
13
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2008) Feb 22, 2008 · Action, Sci-Fi $16.5M worldwide

Feb 22, 2008 US and Canada: $107.8K Rest of the world: $16.4M Worldwide: $16.5M
14
10 Promises to My Dog (2008) Mar 15, 2008 · Drama $15.3M worldwide

Mar 15, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.3M
15
Shaolin Girl (2008) Apr 26, 2008 · Action, Comedy $15M worldwide

Apr 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15M
16
Happy Flight (2008) Nov 15, 2008 · Drama, Comedy $14.2M worldwide

Nov 15, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.2M
17
Major: The Ball of Friendship (2008) Jul 9, 2008 · Drama, Action $11.3M worldwide

Jul 9, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.3M
18
The Handsome Suit (2008) Nov 1, 2008 · Drama, Comedy $9.7M worldwide

Nov 1, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.7M
19
One Piece: Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Cherry Blossom (2008) Mar 1, 2008 · Animation, Action $8.7M worldwide

Mar 1, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.7M
20
Superior Ultra 8 Brothers (2008) Sep 13, 2008 · Comedy, Drama $8.3M worldwide

Sep 13, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.3M
21
Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World (2008) Aug 9, 2008 · Sci-Fi, Adventure $8M worldwide

Aug 9, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8M
22
Cyborg She (2008) May 31, 2008 · Comedy, Romance $7.2M worldwide

May 31, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.2M
23
Farewell Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown (2008) Oct 4, 2008 · Adventure, Sci-Fi $7.1M worldwide

Oct 4, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.1M
24
Kamen Rider Den-O & Kiva: Climax Deka (2008) Apr 12, 2008 · Adventure, Action $6.9M worldwide

Apr 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.9M
25
Nobody To Watch Over Me (2008) Aug 31, 2008 · Drama $6.5M worldwide

Aug 31, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.5M
26
The Sky Crawlers (2008) Aug 2, 2008 · Sci-Fi, Animation $5.8M worldwide

Aug 2, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.8M
27
Tamagotchi: Happiest Story in the Universe! (2008) Dec 20, 2008 · Comedy, Fantasy $5.7M worldwide

Dec 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.7M
28
The Witch of the West Is Dead (2008) Jun 21, 2008 · Drama $3.9M worldwide

Jun 21, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.9M
29
One Million Yen Girl (2008) Jul 19, 2008 · Drama $3.9M worldwide

Jul 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.9M
30
Spooky Kitaro: Japan Explodes!! (2008) Dec 20, 2008 · Fantasy, Animation $3.2M worldwide

Dec 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.2M
31
Kids (2008) Feb 2, 2008 · Fantasy, Drama $2.8M worldwide

Feb 2, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M
32
Sing Salmon Sing (2008) Apr 5, 2008 · Comedy, Music $1.8M worldwide

Apr 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M
33
700 Days of Battle: Us vs. the Police (2008) Apr 5, 2008 · Comedy $1.7M worldwide

Apr 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M
34
Gurren Lagann the Movie: Childhood’s End (2008) Sep 6, 2008 · Animation, Comedy $957.6K worldwide

Sep 6, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $957.6K
35
Naoko (2008) Sep 18, 2008 · Romance, Drama $658.3K worldwide

Sep 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $658.3K
36
Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008) Jul 12, 2008 · Action, Sci-Fi $489.8K worldwide

Jul 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $489.8K
37
Negative Happy Chain Saw Edge (2008) Jan 19, 2008 · Horror, Drama $477.6K worldwide

Jan 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $477.6K
38
Tomica Hero: Rescue Force Explosive Movie: Rescue the Mach Train! (2008) Dec 20, 2008 · Family, Action $450.9K worldwide

Dec 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $450.9K
39
Snakes and Earrings (2008) Sep 20, 2008 · Romance, Crime $449.3K worldwide

Sep 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $449.3K
40
Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008) Feb 13, 2008 · Horror, Sci-Fi $403.1K worldwide

Feb 13, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $403.1K
41
School Days with a Pig (2008) Oct 31, 2008 · Drama, Comedy $92.4K worldwide

Oct 31, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $92.4K
42
Plastic City (2008) Aug 30, 2008 · Action, Thriller $80.9K worldwide

Aug 30, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $80.9K
43
Tea Fight (2008) Jul 12, 2008 · Drama $13.1K worldwide

Jul 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13.1K
44
Yasukuni (2008) Jan 18, 2008 · Documentary $3.9K worldwide

Jan 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.9K
45
Your Friend (2008) Jul 26, 2008 · Drama $2.1K worldwide

Jul 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1K
46
Fine, Totally Fine (2008) Jan 26, 2008 · Drama, Comedy $1.2K worldwide

Jan 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2K

Gross bands

How Many 2008 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

None of the 46 films reached $100M. 29 films, 63% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $529.3M total.

82% 18%

$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 17 films, 37% of the list $433.9M · 82% of the gross
Under $10M 29 films, 63% of the list $95.3M · 18% of the gross

By release month

Which Month of 2008 Earned the Most?

June releases took the most, $81.5M from 3 films, led by Girl In Captivity: Psycho Torture Chamber (2008). May was the quietest month ($7.2M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

Last 10 years

How Does 2008 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 2006 earned the most: $565.9M from 62 films, led by Tales from Earthsea (2006). 2008 took $529.3M.

Year	Films	Worldwide	Change	Biggest film
1999 4 films	4	$164.1M	–	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
2005 53 films · +56%	53	$433.5M	+56%	Yamato (2005) $39.3M
2006 62 films · +31%	62	$565.9M	+31%	Tales from Earthsea (2006) $68.7M
2007 72 films · −21%	72	$447.9M	−21%	Always: Sunset on Third Street 2 (2007) $42.3M
2008 46 films · +18%	46	$529.3M	+18%	Suspect X (2008) $54.8M

By genre

Which Japanese Genres Earned the Most in 2008?

Drama took $226.5M across 22 films, 43% of the total, ahead of Action ($191M) and Comedy ($174.1M). A film counts once for each of its genres.

2008 Japanese Box Office by Genre

Drama $226.5M
22 films · #1 Suspect X (2008)
Action $191M
19 films · #1 Death Note: L Change the WorLd (2008)
Comedy $174.1M
17 films · #1 The Magic Hour (2008)
Adventure $124.4M
9 films · #1 Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
Animation $123.8M
10 films · #1 Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
Mystery $114.4M
4 films · #1 Suspect X (2008)
Fantasy $103.8M
8 films · #1 Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
Crime $101M
5 films · #1 Suspect X (2008)
Family $97.4M
5 films · #1 Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
Sci-Fi $96.5M
11 films · #1 Death Note: L Change the WorLd (2008)

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 · $6.3B

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 · $649K

1950s 9 years · $1.1M

1940s 3 years · $863.9K

1930s 2 years · $23.9K

FAQ

Japanese 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 46 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie in 2008?

Suspect X (2008) leads with $54.8M worldwide. Next come Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008) at $47.5M and Girl In Captivity: Psycho Torture Chamber (2008) at $41.6M.

How much did Japanese-language movies released in 2008 earn?

46 Japanese-language films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $529.3M in all, or $11.5M per film on average. 2007 releases took $447.9M.

How many Japanese-language movies released in 2008 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, Suspect X (2008), earned $54.8M.

How is the 2008 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 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, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.

How often is the 2008 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.