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Korean box office · 2011

Korean Box Office 2011: Highest-Grossing Korean Movies

Sunny (2011) is the highest-grossing Korean-language movie released in 2011, with $51.1M worldwide, ahead of War of the Arrows (2011) at $50.6M and Punch (2011) at $33.6M. 38 Korean-language films released in 2011 report a worldwide gross, $343.9M in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 11% on 2010, whose releases took $385.6M. By genre, Drama leads with $235.9M across 27 Korean releases.

2011 releases with a gross
38
combined worldwide
$343.9M
Sunny (2011), the #1
$51.1M
vs 2010
−11%
Sunny (2011) movie poster #1 of 38
#1 Korean-language movie of 2011

Sunny (2011)

2011 · Drama, Comedy

$51.1M worldwide · 15% of the chart's total

No US & Canada figure reported
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Korean Hits of 2011?

Sunny (2011) leads with $51.1M, 15% of the total. The top 5 together took $189.8M, 55% of what all 38 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Sunny (2011) movie poster Number 1
    $51.1M Sunny (2011)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  2. War of the Arrows (2011) movie poster Number 2
    $50.6M War of the Arrows (2011)
    $251.2K US & Canada · <1% $50.3M elsewhere · 100%
  3. Punch (2011) movie poster Number 3
    $33.6M Punch (2011)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  4. Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011) movie poster Number 4
    $32.4M Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  5. Unbowed (2011) movie poster Number 5
    $22.1M Unbowed (2011)
    No US & Canada figure reported

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Korean Release of 2011, 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 2011.

  1. 1 Sunny (2011) movie poster
    Sunny (2011) May 4, 2011 · Drama, Comedy $51.1M worldwide
    May 4, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $51.1M
  2. 2 War of the Arrows (2011) movie poster
    War of the Arrows (2011) Aug 10, 2011 · Drama, History $50.6M worldwide
    Aug 10, 2011 US and Canada: $251.2K Rest of the world: $50.3M Worldwide: $50.6M
  3. 3 Punch (2011) movie poster
    Punch (2011) Oct 20, 2011 · Comedy, Drama $33.6M worldwide
    Oct 20, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $33.6M
  4. 4 Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011) movie poster
    Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011) Jan 27, 2011 · Action, History $32.4M worldwide
    Jan 27, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $32.4M
  5. 5 Unbowed (2011) movie poster
    Unbowed (2011) Oct 9, 2011 · Drama, Crime $22.1M worldwide
    Oct 9, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22.1M
  6. 6 Quick (2011) movie poster
    Quick (2011) Jul 20, 2011 · Thriller, Crime $21.6M worldwide
    Jul 20, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.6M
  7. 7 Spellbound (2011) movie poster
    Spellbound (2011) Dec 1, 2011 · Horror, Romance $18.9M worldwide
    Dec 1, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.9M
  8. 8 Sector 7 (2011) movie poster
    Sector 7 (2011) Aug 4, 2011 · Action, Horror $18.6M worldwide
    Aug 4, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.6M
  9. 9 The Yellow Sea (2011) movie poster
    The Yellow Sea (2011) Dec 2, 2011 · Drama, Thriller $15.8M worldwide
    Dec 2, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.8M
  10. 10 Children… (2011) movie poster
    Children… (2011) Feb 17, 2011 · Thriller, Crime $12.2M worldwide
    Feb 17, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.2M
  11. 11 Perfect Game (2011) movie poster
    Perfect Game (2011) Dec 21, 2011 · Drama $9M worldwide
    Dec 21, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9M
  12. 12 The Suicide Forecast (2011) movie poster
    The Suicide Forecast (2011) Apr 14, 2011 · Comedy, Drama $7.3M worldwide
    Apr 14, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.3M
  13. 13 S.I.U. (2011) movie poster
    S.I.U. (2011) Nov 24, 2011 · Crime, Adventure $7M worldwide
    Nov 24, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7M
  14. 14 Always (2011) movie poster
    Always (2011) Oct 20, 2011 · Drama, Romance $6.9M worldwide
    Oct 20, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.9M
  15. 15 Poongsan (2011) movie poster
    Poongsan (2011) Jun 23, 2011 · Drama, Action $5.1M worldwide
    Jun 23, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.1M
  16. 16 Hindsight (2011) movie poster
    Hindsight (2011) Aug 31, 2011 · Action, Romance $4.9M worldwide
    Aug 31, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.9M
  17. 17 Pain (2011) movie poster
    Pain (2011) Sep 7, 2011 · Romance, Drama $4.4M worldwide
    Sep 7, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.4M
  18. 18 Moby Dick (2011) movie poster
    Moby Dick (2011) Jun 9, 2011 · Action $3.1M worldwide
    Jun 9, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.1M
  19. 19 Shotgun Love (2011) movie poster
    Shotgun Love (2011) Mar 10, 2011 · Drama, Comedy $2.8M worldwide
    Mar 10, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M
  20. 20 Penny Pinchers (2011) movie poster
    Penny Pinchers (2011) Nov 10, 2011 · Comedy, Romance $2.6M worldwide
    Nov 10, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M
  21. 21 Poetry (2011) movie poster
    Poetry (2011) Feb 11, 2011 · Drama $2.5M worldwide
    Feb 11, 2011 US and Canada: $356.1K Rest of the world: $2.2M Worldwide: $2.5M
  22. 22 Couples (2011) movie poster
    Couples (2011) Nov 2, 2011 · Comedy, Romance $2.3M worldwide
    Nov 2, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M
  23. 23 Little Black Dress (2011) movie poster
    Little Black Dress (2011) Jan 22, 2011 · Drama, Comedy $2.1M worldwide
    Jan 22, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M
  24. 24 The Last Blossom (2011) movie poster
    The Last Blossom (2011) Apr 20, 2011 · Family, Drama $2.1M worldwide
    Apr 20, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M
  25. 25 Pitch High (2011) movie poster
    Pitch High (2011) Oct 6, 2011 · Drama $1.3M worldwide
    Oct 6, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M
  26. 26 Ghastly (2011) movie poster
    Ghastly (2011) Aug 4, 2011 · Horror, Thriller $681.4K worldwide
    Aug 4, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $681.4K
  27. 27 The Kick (2011) movie poster
    The Kick (2011) Oct 7, 2011 · Comedy, Action $517.1K worldwide
    Oct 7, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $517.1K
  28. 28 Romantic Heaven (2011) movie poster
    Romantic Heaven (2011) Mar 24, 2011 · Drama, Romance $488K worldwide
    Mar 24, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $488K
  29. 29 Come Rain, Come Shine (2011) movie poster
    Come Rain, Come Shine (2011) Feb 17, 2011 · Drama, Romance $455K worldwide
    Feb 17, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $455K
  30. 30 Mr. Idol (2011) movie poster
    Mr. Idol (2011) Nov 3, 2011 · Drama, Music $444.2K worldwide
    Nov 3, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $444.2K
  31. 31 Head (2011) movie poster
    Head (2011) May 26, 2011 · Action, Thriller $418.3K worldwide
    May 26, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $418.3K
  32. 32 A Reason to Live (2011) movie poster
    A Reason to Live (2011) Oct 27, 2011 · Drama $365.2K worldwide
    Oct 27, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $365.2K
  33. 33 The King of Pigs (2011) movie poster
    The King of Pigs (2011) Oct 8, 2011 · Animation, Drama $124.1K worldwide
    Oct 8, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $124.1K
  34. 34 The Journals of Musan (2011) movie poster
    The Journals of Musan (2011) Aug 19, 2011 · Drama $73.5K worldwide
    Aug 19, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $73.5K
  35. 35 Re-encounter (2011) movie poster
    Re-encounter (2011) Feb 17, 2011 · Drama $71.8K worldwide
    Feb 17, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $71.8K
  36. 36 Red Vacance Black Wedding (2011) movie poster
    Red Vacance Black Wedding (2011) Oct 7, 2011 · Drama $9.5K worldwide
    Oct 7, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.5K
  37. 37 Guest (2011) movie poster
    Guest (2011) Sep 29, 2011 · Drama $9.2K worldwide
    Sep 29, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.2K
  38. 38 Arirang (2011) movie poster
    Arirang (2011) May 13, 2011 · Documentary, Drama $2.1K worldwide
    May 13, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1K
Gross bands

How Many 2011 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

None of the 38 films reached $100M. 28 films, 74% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $343.9M 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, 26% of the list $276.8M · 80% of the gross
  • Under $10M 28 films, 74% of the list $67.1M · 20% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 2011 Earned the Most?

August releases took the most, $74.8M from 5 films, led by War of the Arrows (2011). March was the quietest month ($3.3M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011) $34.5M Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011)
  2. February Feb Children… (2011) $15.3M Children… (2011)
  3. March Mar Shotgun Love (2011) $3.3M Shotgun Love (2011)
  4. April Apr The Suicide Forecast (2011) $9.4M The Suicide Forecast (2011)
  5. May May Sunny (2011) $51.5M Sunny (2011)
  6. June Jun Poongsan (2011) $8.2M Poongsan (2011)
  7. July Jul Quick (2011) $21.6M Quick (2011)
  8. August Aug War of the Arrows (2011) $74.8M War of the Arrows (2011)
  9. September Sep Pain (2011) $4.4M Pain (2011)
  10. October Oct Punch (2011) $64.9M Punch (2011)
  11. November Nov S.I.U. (2011) $12.3M S.I.U. (2011)
  12. December Dec Spellbound (2011) $43.6M Spellbound (2011)
Last 10 years

How Does 2011 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 2005 earned the most: $451.5M from 49 films, led by The King and the Clown (2005). 2011 took $343.9M.

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
2002 35 films 35 $172.3M – Sex Is Zero (2002) $23.9M
2003 16 films · −80% 16 $35.3M −80% My Tutor Friend (2003) $17.9M
2004 21 films · +354% 21 $160.1M +354% Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004) $81.4M
2005 49 films · +182% 49 $451.5M +182% The King and the Clown (2005) $74.5M
2006 65 films · −19% 65 $363.5M −19% 200 Pounds Beauty (2006) $42M
2007 53 films · −8% 53 $334.2M −8% May 18 (2007) $49.3M
2008 50 films · −9% 50 $305.4M −9% The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008) $44.3M
2009 42 films · +2% 42 $310M +2% Tidal Wave (2009) $71.3M
2010 45 films · +24% 45 $385.6M +24% Blades of Blood (2010) $82.2M
2011 38 films · −11% 38 $343.9M −11% Sunny (2011) $51.1M
By genre

Which Korean Genres Earned the Most in 2011?

Drama took $235.9M across 27 films, 69% of the total, ahead of Comedy ($175.6M) and Action ($144.1M). A film counts once for each of its genres.

2011 Korean Box Office by Genre

  1. Drama $235.9M
    27 films · #1 Sunny (2011)
  2. Comedy $175.6M
    12 films · #1 Sunny (2011)
  3. Action $144.1M
    10 films · #1 War of the Arrows (2011)
  4. Crime $111.2M
    7 films · #1 Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011)
  5. History $82.9M
    2 films · #1 War of the Arrows (2011)
  6. Thriller $50.8M
    6 films · #1 Quick (2011)
  7. Romance $48.9M
    10 films · #1 Spellbound (2011)
  8. Horror $38.2M
    3 films · #1 Spellbound (2011)
  9. Mystery $32.4M
    1 film · #1 Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011)
  10. Fantasy $18.9M
    1 film · #1 Spellbound (2011)
Archive

Korean Box Office Year by Year

Every year from 1958 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $835.7M, led by Parasite (2019).

2020s 7 years · $1.7B
2010s 10 years · $5.7B
2000s 10 years · $2.1B
1990s 5 years · $16.3M
1980s 3 years · $12.4M
1970s 2 years · $3.9M
1960s 3 years · $4.5M
1950s 1 year · $8M
FAQ

Korean Box Office 2011: 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 38 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing Korean-language movie in 2011?

Sunny (2011) leads with $51.1M worldwide. Next come War of the Arrows (2011) at $50.6M and Punch (2011) at $33.6M.

How much did Korean-language movies released in 2011 earn?

38 Korean-language films released in 2011 report a worldwide gross, $343.9M in all, or $9.1M per film on average. 2010 releases took $385.6M.

How many Korean-language movies released in 2011 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, Sunny (2011), earned $51.1M.

How much of the 2011 Korean box office came from the US and Canada?

$607.3K of the $343.9M total, or <1%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 36 films of the 38 report no domestic figure.

How is the 2011 Korean 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 2011. 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 2011 Korean 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.