How much of the 2012 Japanese box office came from the US and Canada?

$589.7K of the $984.1M total, or <1%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 61 films of the 67 report no domestic figure.

Japanese box office · 2012

Japanese Box Office 2012: Highest-Grossing Japanese Movies

Q: What is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie in 2012?

Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012) leads with $91.9M worldwide. Next come Thermae Romae (2012) at $74.3M and Bayside Shakedown the Final: The New Hope (2012) at $72.9M.

Q: How much did Japanese-language movies released in 2012 earn?

67 Japanese-language films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $984.1M in all, or $14.7M per film on average. 2011 releases took $844M.

Q: How many Japanese-language movies released in 2012 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012), earned $91.9M.

Q: How is the 2012 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 2012. 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 2012 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.

Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012) is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie released in 2012, with $91.9M worldwide, ahead of Thermae Romae (2012) at $74.3M and Bayside Shakedown the Final: The New Hope (2012) at $72.9M. 67 Japanese-language films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $984.1M in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 17% on 2011, whose releases took $844M. By genre, Drama leads with $540.6M across 34 Japanese releases.

2012 releases with a gross: 67
combined worldwide: $984.1M
Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012), the #1: $91.9M
vs 2011: +17%

Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012) movie poster

#1 of 67

#1 Japanese-language movie of 2012

Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012)

2012 · Drama, Action

$91.9M worldwide · 9% of the chart's total

No US & Canada figure reported

Top 5

What Were the Biggest Japanese Hits of 2012?

Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012) leads with $91.9M, 9% of the total. The top 5 together took $334.9M, 34% of what all 67 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

Number 1

$91.9M Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012)
No US & Canada figure reported
Number 2

$74.3M Thermae Romae (2012)
No US & Canada figure reported
Number 3

$72.9M Bayside Shakedown the Final: The New Hope (2012)
No US & Canada figure reported
Number 4

$49.7M We Were There: First Love (2012)
No US & Canada figure reported
Number 5

$46.2M Doraemon: Nobita and the Island of Miracles – Animal Adventure (2012)
No US & Canada figure reported

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Japanese Release of 2012, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Ranks 1 to 50 of 67. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2012.

1
Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012) Jul 12, 2012 · Drama, Action $91.9M worldwide

Jul 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $91.9M
2
Thermae Romae (2012) Apr 28, 2012 · Comedy, Drama $74.3M worldwide

Apr 28, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $74.3M
3
Bayside Shakedown the Final: The New Hope (2012) Sep 6, 2012 · Crime, Action $72.9M worldwide

Sep 6, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $72.9M
4
We Were There: First Love (2012) Mar 17, 2012 · Drama, Romance $49.7M worldwide

Mar 17, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $49.7M
5
Doraemon: Nobita and the Island of Miracles – Animal Adventure (2012) Mar 3, 2012 · Animation, Family $46.2M worldwide

Mar 3, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $46.2M
6
Detective Conan: The Eleventh Striker (2012) Apr 14, 2012 · Animation, Mystery $44.4M worldwide

Apr 14, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $44.4M
7
Always: Sunset on Third Street ’64 (2012) Jan 21, 2012 · Comedy, Drama $40.9M worldwide

Jan 21, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $40.9M
8
Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012) Aug 25, 2012 · History, War $37.7M worldwide

Aug 25, 2012 US and Canada: $32.4K Rest of the world: $37.7M Worldwide: $37.7M
9
Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Wars (2012) Apr 21, 2012 · Sci-Fi, Action $34.8M worldwide

Apr 21, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $34.8M
10
The Floating Castle (2012) Nov 2, 2012 · History, Drama $32M worldwide

Nov 2, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $32M
11
SPEC: Heaven (2012) Apr 7, 2012 · Mystery, Crime $29M worldwide

Apr 7, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29M
12
Dearest (2012) Aug 25, 2012 · Drama $26.7M worldwide

Aug 25, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $26.7M
13
Lesson of the Evil (2012) Nov 10, 2012 · Thriller, Horror $26.2M worldwide

Nov 10, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $26.2M
14
Helter Skelter (2012) Jul 14, 2012 · Horror, Drama $25.1M worldwide

Jul 14, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $25.1M
15
Liar Game: Reborn (2012) Mar 3, 2012 · Mystery, Drama $24.6M worldwide

Mar 3, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.6M
16
Hotaru the Movie: It’s Only a Little Light in My Life (2012) Jun 9, 2012 · Romance, Comedy $23M worldwide

Jun 9, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23M
17
Sadako 3D (2012) May 12, 2012 · Horror $20.3M worldwide

May 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20.3M
18
The Wings of the Kirin (2012) Jan 28, 2012 · Mystery, Crime $19.8M worldwide

Jan 28, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.8M
19
Until the Break of Dawn (2012) Nov 10, 2012 · Drama $19.6M worldwide

Nov 10, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.6M
20
Love for Beginners (2012) Dec 6, 2012 · Romance, Comedy $19.5M worldwide

Dec 6, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.5M
21
Space Brothers (2012) May 5, 2012 · Drama, Comedy $19.2M worldwide

May 5, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.2M
22
Kamen Rider Fourze The Movie: It’s Space Time, Everybody! (2012) Aug 4, 2012 · Adventure, Action $19M worldwide

Aug 4, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19M
23
A Chorus of Angels (2012) Nov 3, 2012 · Mystery, Drama $15.6M worldwide

Nov 3, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.6M
24
Robo-G (2012) Jan 14, 2012 · Comedy, Drama $14.6M worldwide

Jan 14, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.6M
25
Chronicle of My Mother (2012) Apr 28, 2012 · Drama $13.6M worldwide

Apr 28, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13.6M
26
Humanoid Monster, Bem (2012) Dec 15, 2012 · Drama, Mystery $12.6M worldwide

Dec 15, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6M
27
Tenchi: The Samurai Astronomer (2012) Sep 15, 2012 · Drama, History $9.4M worldwide

Sep 15, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.4M
28
Beautiful World (2012) Nov 16, 2012 · Drama $7.6M worldwide

Nov 16, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.6M
29
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2012) Jan 20, 2012 · Action, Adventure $7.6M worldwide

Jan 20, 2012 US and Canada: $177.8K Rest of the world: $7.4M Worldwide: $7.6M
30
The Mystical Laws (2012) Nov 23, 2012 · Animation $7.4M worldwide

Nov 23, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.4M
31
Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie (2012) Jan 21, 2012 · Adventure, Action $6.7M worldwide

Jan 21, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.7M
32
Ultraman Saga (2012) Mar 24, 2012 · Family, Sci-Fi $6.2M worldwide

Mar 24, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.2M
33
Ace Attorney (2012) Jan 27, 2012 · Drama, Mystery $6.1M worldwide

Jan 27, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.1M
34
Blue Exorcist: The Movie (2012) Dec 28, 2012 · Animation, Action $6M worldwide

Dec 28, 2012 US and Canada: $21.8K Rest of the world: $6M Worldwide: $6M
35
Key of Life (2012) Jun 16, 2012 · Comedy, Crime $5.5M worldwide

Jun 16, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.5M
36
Fly with the Gold (2012) Nov 3, 2012 · Crime, Thriller $5.4M worldwide

Nov 3, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.4M
37
Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2012) Jul 20, 2012 · Drama $5.4M worldwide

Jul 20, 2012 US and Canada: $75.7K Rest of the world: $5.4M Worldwide: $5.4M
38
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 2nd A’s (2012) Jul 14, 2012 · Sci-Fi, Animation $5M worldwide

Jul 14, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M
39
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2012) Apr 27, 2012 · Action, Drama $4.7M worldwide

Apr 27, 2012 US and Canada: $136.2K Rest of the world: $4.5M Worldwide: $4.7M
40
Dreams for Sale (2012) Sep 8, 2012 · Drama, Crime $4.1M worldwide

Sep 8, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.1M
41
Documentary of AKB48 Show Must Go On (2012) Jan 27, 2012 · Documentary, Music $4M worldwide

Jan 27, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4M
42
Ushijima the Loan Shark (2012) Aug 25, 2012 · Drama $3.9M worldwide

Aug 25, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.9M
43
Tug of War! (2012) Nov 22, 2012 · Comedy $3M worldwide

Nov 22, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M
44
The Life of Budori Gusuko (2012) Jul 7, 2012 · Fantasy, Animation $3M worldwide

Jul 7, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M
45
Ouran High School Host Club (2012) Mar 17, 2012 · Comedy $2.8M worldwide

Mar 17, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M
46
I Have To Buy New Shoes (2012) Oct 16, 2012 · Comedy, Romance $2.7M worldwide

Oct 16, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7M
47
I Wish (2012) May 11, 2012 · Drama $2.4M worldwide

May 11, 2012 US and Canada: $145.8K Rest of the world: $2.2M Worldwide: $2.4M
48
Resident Evil: Damnation (2012) Aug 14, 2012 · Action, Sci-Fi $2.3M worldwide

Aug 14, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M
49
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King (2012) Feb 3, 2012 · Animation, Action $2.2M worldwide

Feb 3, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.2M
50
Train Brain Express (2012) Mar 24, 2012 · Drama, Comedy $2.1M worldwide

Mar 24, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M

Gross bands

How Many 2012 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

None of the 67 films reached $100M. 41 films, 61% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $984.1M total.

87% 13%

$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 26 films, 39% of the list $853.1M · 87% of the gross
Under $10M 41 films, 61% of the list $131M · 13% of the gross

By release month

Which Month of 2012 Earned the Most?

April releases took the most, $200.8M from 7 films, led by Thermae Romae (2012). October was the quietest month ($3.5M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

Last 10 years

How Does 2012 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 2012 earned the most: $984.1M from 67 films, led by Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012).

Year	Films	Worldwide	Change	Biggest film
2003 29 films	29	$366.5M	–	Bayside Shakedown 2 (2003) $155.1M
2004 37 films · −24%	37	$278.1M	−24%	Be with You (2004) $46.6M
2005 52 films · +55%	52	$431.5M	+55%	Yamato (2005) $39.3M
2006 63 films · +32%	63	$567.9M	+32%	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 59 films · +71%	59	$903.9M	+71%	Ponyo (2009) $206.3M
2010 69 films · +6%	69	$955.6M	+6%	Umizaru 3: The Last Message (2010) $98.7M
2011 64 films · −12%	64	$844M	−12%	Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2011) $60.6M
2012 67 films · +17%	67	$984.1M	+17%	Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012) $91.9M

By genre

Which Japanese Genres Earned the Most in 2012?

Drama took $540.6M across 34 films, 55% of the total, ahead of Action ($347.5M) and Comedy ($245M). A film counts once for each of its genres.

2012 Japanese Box Office by Genre

Drama $540.6M
34 films · #1 Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012)
Action $347.5M
19 films · #1 Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012)
Comedy $245M
17 films · #1 Thermae Romae (2012)
Adventure $161.2M
9 films · #1 Doraemon: Nobita and the Island of Miracles – Animal Adventure (2012)
Sci-Fi $159.2M
11 films · #1 Thermae Romae (2012)
Mystery $158.1M
8 films · #1 Detective Conan: The Eleventh Striker (2012)
Crime $142.8M
7 films · #1 Bayside Shakedown the Final: The New Hope (2012)
Animation $131.9M
17 films · #1 Doraemon: Nobita and the Island of Miracles – Animal Adventure (2012)
Romance $107.3M
9 films · #1 We Were There: First Love (2012)
Fantasy $90M
10 films · #1 Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012)

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 2012: 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 67 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing Japanese-language movie in 2012?

Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012) leads with $91.9M worldwide. Next come Thermae Romae (2012) at $74.3M and Bayside Shakedown the Final: The New Hope (2012) at $72.9M.

How much did Japanese-language movies released in 2012 earn?

67 Japanese-language films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $984.1M in all, or $14.7M per film on average. 2011 releases took $844M.

How many Japanese-language movies released in 2012 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012), earned $91.9M.

How is the 2012 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 2012. 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 2012 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.