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Japanese box office · 2009

Japanese Box Office 2009: Highest-Grossing Japanese Movies

Ponyo (2009) is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie released in 2009, with $206.3M worldwide, ahead of Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009) at $88.1M and Departures (2009) at $74.2M. 58 Japanese-language films released in 2009 report a worldwide gross, $903.2M in all, 2% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 71% on 2008, whose releases took $529.3M. By genre, Adventure leads with $414.5M across 14 Japanese releases.

2009 releases with a gross
58
combined worldwide
$903.2M
film crossed $100M
1
vs 2008
+71%
Ponyo (2009) movie poster #1 of 58
#1 Japanese-language movie of 2009

Ponyo (2009)

2009 · Adventure, Fantasy

$206.3M worldwide · 23% of the chart's total

$16.5M US & Canada · 8% $189.7M elsewhere · 92%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Japanese Hits of 2009?

Ponyo (2009) leads with $206.3M, 23% of the total. The top 5 together took $466.2M, 52% of what all 58 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Ponyo (2009) movie poster Number 1
    $206.3M Ponyo (2009)
    $16.5M US & Canada · 8% $189.7M elsewhere · 92%
  2. Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009) movie poster Number 2
    $88.1M Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  3. Departures (2009) movie poster Number 3
    $74.2M Departures (2009)
    $1.5M US & Canada · 2% $72.7M elsewhere · 98%
  4. One Piece Film: Strong World (2009) movie poster Number 4
    $49.3M One Piece Film: Strong World (2009)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  5. 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009) movie poster Number 5
    $48.4M 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009)
    No US & Canada figure reported

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Japanese Release of 2009, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Ranks 1 to 50 of 58. 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 Ponyo (2009) movie poster
    Ponyo (2009) Aug 14, 2009 · Adventure, Fantasy $206.3M worldwide
    Aug 14, 2009 US and Canada: $16.5M Rest of the world: $189.7M Worldwide: $206.3M
  2. 2 Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009) movie poster
    Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009) May 30, 2009 · Drama $88.1M worldwide
    May 30, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $88.1M
  3. 3 Departures (2009) movie poster
    Departures (2009) May 29, 2009 · Drama, Comedy $74.2M worldwide
    May 29, 2009 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $72.7M Worldwide: $74.2M
  4. 4 One Piece Film: Strong World (2009) movie poster
    One Piece Film: Strong World (2009) Dec 12, 2009 · Animation, Adventure $49.3M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $49.3M
  5. 5 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009) movie poster
    20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009) Aug 19, 2009 · Adventure, Sci-Fi $48.4M worldwide
    Aug 19, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $48.4M
  6. 6 Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (2009) movie poster
    Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (2009) Apr 18, 2009 · Animation, Mystery $39.7M worldwide
    Apr 18, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $39.7M
  7. 7 Yatterman (2009) movie poster
    Yatterman (2009) Feb 6, 2009 · Comedy, Action $32.9M worldwide
    Feb 6, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $32.9M
  8. 8 April Bride (2009) movie poster
    April Bride (2009) May 9, 2009 · Drama $32.1M worldwide
    May 9, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $32.1M
  9. 9 Crows Zero II (2009) movie poster
    Crows Zero II (2009) Apr 11, 2009 · Adventure, Crime $29.9M worldwide
    Apr 11, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.9M
  10. 10 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope (2009) movie poster
    20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope (2009) Jan 30, 2009 · Sci-Fi, Mystery $29.5M worldwide
    Jan 30, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.5M
  11. 11 Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2009) movie poster
    Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2009) Oct 10, 2009 · Thriller, Drama $24.7M worldwide
    Oct 10, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.7M
  12. 12 I Give My First Love to You (2009) movie poster
    I Give My First Love to You (2009) Oct 24, 2009 · Drama, Romance $24.1M worldwide
    Oct 24, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.1M
  13. 13 Drop (2009) movie poster
    Drop (2009) Mar 20, 2009 · Action, Comedy $19.6M worldwide
    Mar 20, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.6M
  14. 14 Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker (2009) movie poster
    Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker (2009) Aug 8, 2009 · Action, Adventure $19.4M worldwide
    Aug 8, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.4M
  15. 15 Ballad (2009) movie poster
    Ballad (2009) Sep 5, 2009 · Action, Romance $19.4M worldwide
    Sep 5, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.4M
  16. 16 Goemon (2009) movie poster
    Goemon (2009) Mar 17, 2009 · Action, Fantasy $14.5M worldwide
    Mar 17, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.5M
  17. 17 No More Cry (2009) movie poster
    No More Cry (2009) Nov 14, 2009 · Drama, Comedy $14.1M worldwide
    Nov 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.1M
  18. 18 Zero Focus (2009) movie poster
    Zero Focus (2009) Nov 14, 2009 · Thriller, Drama $10.7M worldwide
    Nov 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.7M
  19. 19 Brass Knuckle Boys (2009) movie poster
    Brass Knuckle Boys (2009) Feb 14, 2009 · Music, Comedy $9.8M worldwide
    Feb 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.8M
  20. 20 Pretty Cure All Stars DX: Everyone Is a Friend - A Miracle All Pretty Cures Together (2009) movie poster
    Pretty Cure All Stars DX: Everyone Is a Friend - A Miracle All Pretty Cures Together (2009) Mar 20, 2009 · Comedy, Action $9.1M worldwide
    Mar 20, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.1M
  21. 21 Castle Under Fiery Skies (2009) movie poster
    Castle Under Fiery Skies (2009) Sep 12, 2009 · Drama, History $8.8M worldwide
    Sep 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.8M
  22. 22 The Triumphant Return of General Rouge (2009) movie poster
    The Triumphant Return of General Rouge (2009) Mar 7, 2009 · Mystery, Drama $8.6M worldwide
    Mar 7, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.6M
  23. 23 Super Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade NEO Generations: The Onigashima Warship (2009) movie poster
    Super Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade NEO Generations: The Onigashima Warship (2009) May 1, 2009 · Action, Sci-Fi $7.5M worldwide
    May 1, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.5M
  24. 24 MW (2009) movie poster
    MW (2009) Jul 3, 2009 · Thriller, Drama $6.6M worldwide
    Jul 3, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.6M
  25. 25 Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends The Movie (2009) movie poster
    Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends The Movie (2009) Dec 12, 2009 · Adventure, Sci-Fi $6.2M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.2M
  26. 26 Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (2009) movie poster
    Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (2009) Dec 1, 2009 · Animation, Family $6.1M worldwide
    Dec 1, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.1M
  27. 27 Oppai Volleyball (2009) movie poster
    Oppai Volleyball (2009) Apr 18, 2009 · Comedy $5.2M worldwide
    Apr 18, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.2M
  28. 28 The Hovering Blade (2009) movie poster
    The Hovering Blade (2009) Oct 10, 2009 · Drama $5.1M worldwide
    Oct 10, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.1M
  29. 29 Symbol (2009) movie poster
    Symbol (2009) Sep 12, 2009 · Fantasy, Comedy $5M worldwide
    Sep 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M
  30. 30 Macross Frontier: The False Songstress (2009) movie poster
    Macross Frontier: The False Songstress (2009) Nov 21, 2009 · Animation, Sci-Fi $4.8M worldwide
    Nov 21, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.8M
  31. 31 Tajomaru: Avenging Blade (2009) movie poster
    Tajomaru: Avenging Blade (2009) Sep 12, 2009 · Drama, Action $4.8M worldwide
    Sep 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.8M
  32. 32 Space Battleship Yamato Resurrection (2009) movie poster
    Space Battleship Yamato Resurrection (2009) Dec 12, 2009 · Sci-Fi, Action $4.3M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.3M
  33. 33 Feel the Wind (2009) movie poster
    Feel the Wind (2009) Oct 30, 2009 · Drama $3.6M worldwide
    Oct 30, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.6M
  34. 34 Still Walking (2009) movie poster
    Still Walking (2009) Aug 21, 2009 · Drama $3.5M worldwide
    Aug 21, 2009 US and Canada: $167K Rest of the world: $3.4M Worldwide: $3.5M
  35. 35 Engine Sentai Go-Onger vs. Gekiranger (2009) movie poster
    Engine Sentai Go-Onger vs. Gekiranger (2009) Jan 24, 2009 · Fantasy, Family $3.4M worldwide
    Jan 24, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.4M
  36. 36 The Shock Labyrinth (2009) movie poster
    The Shock Labyrinth (2009) Oct 15, 2009 · Thriller, Horror $3.2M worldwide
    Oct 15, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.2M
  37. 37 Dear Doctor (2009) movie poster
    Dear Doctor (2009) Jul 27, 2009 · Drama $2.9M worldwide
    Jul 27, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.9M
  38. 38 A Good Husband (2009) movie poster
    A Good Husband (2009) Oct 14, 2009 · Drama $2.6M worldwide
    Oct 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M
  39. 39 Killer Bride’s Perfect Crime (2009) movie poster
    Killer Bride’s Perfect Crime (2009) Sep 12, 2009 · Comedy, Drama $2.1M worldwide
    Sep 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M
  40. 40 Ju-On: White Ghost (2009) movie poster
    Ju-On: White Ghost (2009) Jun 27, 2009 · Fantasy, Horror $2M worldwide
    Jun 27, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M
  41. 41 Go Find a Psychic! (2009) movie poster
    Go Find a Psychic! (2009) Oct 20, 2009 · Comedy, Fantasy $1.3M worldwide
    Oct 20, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M
  42. 42 Air Doll (2009) movie poster
    Air Doll (2009) May 14, 2009 · Drama, Fantasy $1.2M worldwide
    May 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M
  43. 43 Heaven’s Door (2009) movie poster
    Heaven’s Door (2009) Feb 7, 2009 · Drama $1.2M worldwide
    Feb 7, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M
  44. 44 Genkai in a Black Company (2009) movie poster
    Genkai in a Black Company (2009) Nov 21, 2009 · Drama $1.2M worldwide
    Nov 21, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M
  45. 45 My Rainy Days (2009) movie poster
    My Rainy Days (2009) Nov 7, 2009 · Romance, Drama $1.1M worldwide
    Nov 7, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M
  46. 46 Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike (2009) movie poster
    Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike (2009) Oct 3, 2009 · Fantasy, Animation $950.3K worldwide
    Oct 3, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $950.3K
  47. 47 Tokyo Sonata (2009) movie poster
    Tokyo Sonata (2009) Mar 13, 2009 · Drama $943.5K worldwide
    Mar 13, 2009 US and Canada: $278.4K Rest of the world: $665.2K Worldwide: $943.5K
  48. 48 Dance, Subaru! (2009) movie poster
    Dance, Subaru! (2009) Mar 19, 2009 · Romance, Drama $814.6K worldwide
    Mar 19, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $814.6K
  49. 49 Sanpei the Fisher Boy (2009) movie poster
    Sanpei the Fisher Boy (2009) Mar 20, 2009 $618K worldwide
    Mar 20, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $618K
  50. 50 Honokaa Boy (2009) movie poster
    Honokaa Boy (2009) Mar 14, 2009 · Romance, Drama $372.5K worldwide
    Mar 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $372.5K
Gross bands

How Many 2009 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

1 of 58 films crossed $100M and took $206.3M between them, 23% of the total. 40 films, 69% 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 1 film, 2% of the list $206.3M · 23% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 17 films, 29% of the list $570.5M · 63% of the gross
  • Under $10M 40 films, 69% of the list $126.4M · 14% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 2009 Earned the Most?

August releases took the most, $277.9M from 5 films, led by Ponyo (2009). June was the quietest month ($2M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope (2009) $32.9M 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope (2009)
  2. February Feb Yatterman (2009) $43.9M Yatterman (2009)
  3. March Mar Drop (2009) $54.5M Drop (2009)
  4. April Apr Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (2009) $74.8M Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (2009)
  5. May May Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009) $203.3M Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009)
  6. June Jun Ju-On: White Ghost (2009) $2M Ju-On: White Ghost (2009)
  7. July Jul MW (2009) $9.5M MW (2009)
  8. August Aug Ponyo (2009) $277.9M Ponyo (2009)
  9. September Sep Ballad (2009) $40.5M Ballad (2009)
  10. October Oct Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2009) $65.6M Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2009)
  11. November Nov No More Cry (2009) $32.1M No More Cry (2009)
  12. December Dec One Piece Film: Strong World (2009) $66.1M One Piece Film: Strong World (2009)
Last 10 years

How Does 2009 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 2009 earned the most: $903.2M from 58 films, led by Ponyo (2009).

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
2000 13 films 13 $16.3M – 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
2009 58 films · +71% 58 $903.2M +71% Ponyo (2009) $206.3M
By genre

Which Japanese Genres Earned the Most in 2009?

Adventure took $414.5M across 14 films, 46% of the total, ahead of Drama ($364.1M) and Animation ($320.8M). A film counts once for each of its genres.

2009 Japanese Box Office by Genre

  1. Adventure $414.5M
    14 films · #1 Ponyo (2009)
  2. Drama $364.1M
    33 films · #1 Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009)
  3. Animation $320.8M
    10 films · #1 Ponyo (2009)
  4. Fantasy $293M
    10 films · #1 Ponyo (2009)
  5. Family $216M
    4 films · #1 Ponyo (2009)
  6. Comedy $204.2M
    16 films · #1 Departures (2009)
  7. Action $171.9M
    13 films · #1 Yatterman (2009)
  8. Mystery $157M
    6 films · #1 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009)
  9. Sci-Fi $130.2M
    9 films · #1 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009)
  10. Thriller $84.9M
    5 films · #1 Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (2009)
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 · $6.3B
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 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 58 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie in 2009?

Ponyo (2009) leads with $206.3M worldwide, $16.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009) at $88.1M and Departures (2009) at $74.2M.

How much did Japanese-language movies released in 2009 earn?

58 Japanese-language films released in 2009 report a worldwide gross, $903.2M in all, or $15.6M per film on average. 2008 releases took $529.3M.

How many Japanese-language movies released in 2009 made $1 billion?

None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Ponyo (2009) with $206.3M.

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

$18.5M of the $903.2M total, or 2%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 53 films of the 58 report no domestic figure.

How is the 2009 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 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, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.

How often is the 2009 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.