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Box office · May 2001

May 2001 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing May Releases

Shrek (2001) is the highest-grossing movie released in May 2001, with $489M worldwide, ahead of Pearl Harbor (2001) at $449.2M and The Mummy Returns (2001) at $443.3M. 36 films released in May 2001 report a worldwide gross, $1.7B in all, 47% of it from the US & Canada. 5 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 118% on April 2001, whose releases took $801.9M. By genre, Adventure leads with $1B across 4 releases.

May 2001 releases with a gross
36
combined worldwide
$1.7B
films crossed $100M
5
vs April 2001
+118%
Shrek (2001) movie poster #1 of 36
#1 movie of May 2001

Shrek (2001)

2001 · Adventure, Fantasy

$489M worldwide · 28% of the chart's total

$268.7M US & Canada · 55% $220.3M elsewhere · 45%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Hits of May 2001?

Shrek (2001) leads with $489M, 28% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.7B, 96% of what all 36 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Shrek (2001) movie poster Number 1
    $489M Shrek (2001)
    $268.7M US & Canada · 55% $220.3M elsewhere · 45%
  2. Pearl Harbor (2001) movie poster Number 2
    $449.2M Pearl Harbor (2001)
    $198.5M US & Canada · 44% $250.7M elsewhere · 56%
  3. The Mummy Returns (2001) movie poster Number 3
    $443.3M The Mummy Returns (2001)
    $202M US & Canada · 46% $241.3M elsewhere · 54%
  4. Moulin Rouge! (2001) movie poster Number 4
    $184.9M Moulin Rouge! (2001)
    $57.4M US & Canada · 31% $127.5M elsewhere · 69%
  5. A Knight's Tale (2001) movie poster Number 5
    $117.5M A Knight's Tale (2001)
    $56.6M US & Canada · 48% $60.9M elsewhere · 52%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Release of May 2001, 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 May 2001.

  1. 1 Shrek (2001) movie poster
    Shrek (2001) May 18, 2001 · Adventure, Fantasy $489M worldwide
    May 18, 2001 US and Canada: $268.7M Rest of the world: $220.3M Worldwide: $489M
  2. 2 Pearl Harbor (2001) movie poster
    Pearl Harbor (2001) May 25, 2001 · Action, Drama $449.2M worldwide
    May 25, 2001 US and Canada: $198.5M Rest of the world: $250.7M Worldwide: $449.2M
  3. 3 The Mummy Returns (2001) movie poster
    The Mummy Returns (2001) May 4, 2001 · English · Action, Adventure $443.3M worldwide
    May 4, 2001 US and Canada: $202M Rest of the world: $241.3M Worldwide: $443.3M
  4. 4 Moulin Rouge! (2001) movie poster
    Moulin Rouge! (2001) May 18, 2001 · English · Drama, Romance $184.9M worldwide
    May 18, 2001 US and Canada: $57.4M Rest of the world: $127.5M Worldwide: $184.9M
  5. 5 A Knight's Tale (2001) movie poster
    A Knight's Tale (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Action, Adventure $117.5M worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: $56.6M Rest of the world: $60.9M Worldwide: $117.5M
  6. 6 Angel Eyes (2001) movie poster
    Angel Eyes (2001) May 18, 2001 · English · Drama, Thriller $29.7M worldwide
    May 18, 2001 US and Canada: $24.2M Rest of the world: $5.5M Worldwide: $29.7M
  7. 7 Kandahar (2001) movie poster
    Kandahar (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Drama $8.9M worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: $7.5M Worldwide: $8.9M
  8. 8 Under the Sand (2001) movie poster
    Under the Sand (2001) May 4, 2001 · French · Drama, Mystery $6.5M worldwide
    May 4, 2001 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $5.1M Worldwide: $6.5M
  9. 9 Deuces Wild (2001) movie poster
    Deuces Wild (2001) May 3, 2001 · English · Action, Drama $6.3M worldwide
    May 3, 2001 US and Canada: $6.1M Rest of the world: $202.4K Worldwide: $6.3M
  10. 10 Startup.com (2001) movie poster
    Startup.com (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Documentary $1.8M worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $546.7K Worldwide: $1.8M
  11. 11 The Man Who Cried (2001) movie poster
    The Man Who Cried (2001) May 25, 2001 · English · Drama, Romance $1.3M worldwide
    May 25, 2001 US and Canada: $747.1K Rest of the world: $575.7K Worldwide: $1.3M
  12. 12 Replay (2001) movie poster
    Replay (2001) May 12, 2001 · French · Drama, Romance $1.3M worldwide
    May 12, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M
  13. 13 Sordid Lives (2001) movie poster
    Sordid Lives (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Comedy $1.1M worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M
  14. 14 Replicant (2001) movie poster
    Replicant (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Sci-Fi, Thriller $894.8K worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $894.8K
  15. 15 About Adam (2001) movie poster
    About Adam (2001) May 9, 2001 · English · Comedy, Romance $803K worldwide
    May 9, 2001 US and Canada: $159.7K Rest of the world: $643.3K Worldwide: $803K
  16. 16 Bread and Roses (2001) movie poster
    Bread and Roses (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Drama $706.9K worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: $533.5K Rest of the world: $173.4K Worldwide: $706.9K
  17. 17 The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) movie poster
    The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Drama, Animation $628.4K worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: $102.2K Rest of the world: $526.2K Worldwide: $628.4K
  18. 18 Sisters (2001) movie poster
    Sisters (2001) May 10, 2001 · Russian · Crime, Drama $309K worldwide
    May 10, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $309K
  19. 19 Green Dragon (2001) movie poster
    Green Dragon (2001) May 1, 2001 · English · Drama $281.8K worldwide
    May 1, 2001 US and Canada: $281.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $281.8K
  20. 20 Time and Tide (2001) movie poster
    Time and Tide (2001) May 4, 2001 · English · Action, Drama $244K worldwide
    May 4, 2001 US and Canada: $10.8K Rest of the world: $233.2K Worldwide: $244K
  21. 21 Ram Dass: Fierce Grace (2001) movie poster
    Ram Dass: Fierce Grace (2001) May 21, 2001 · English · Documentary $238.3K worldwide
    May 21, 2001 US and Canada: $238.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $238.3K
  22. 22 Fast Food Fast Women (2001) movie poster
    Fast Food Fast Women (2001) May 18, 2001 · English · Comedy, Romance $228.8K worldwide
    May 18, 2001 US and Canada: $17.1K Rest of the world: $211.7K Worldwide: $228.8K
  23. 23 Roberto Succo (2001) movie poster
    Roberto Succo (2001) May 14, 2001 · French · Drama $94.4K worldwide
    May 14, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $94.4K
  24. 24 The Orphan of Anyang (2001) movie poster
    The Orphan of Anyang (2001) May 16, 2001 · Chinese · Drama $87.8K worldwide
    May 16, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $87.8K
  25. 25 Sobibor, October 14, 1943, 4 p.m. (2001) movie poster
    Sobibor, October 14, 1943, 4 p.m. (2001) May 13, 2001 · French · Documentary $79.7K worldwide
    May 13, 2001 US and Canada: $41K Rest of the world: $38.7K Worldwide: $79.7K
  26. 26 The Profession of Arms (2001) movie poster
    The Profession of Arms (2001) May 11, 2001 · Italian · Drama, History $55.9K worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $55.9K
  27. 27 Eureka (2001) movie poster
    Eureka (2001) May 4, 2001 · Drama $49.4K worldwide
    May 4, 2001 US and Canada: $49.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $49.4K
  28. 28 Barking Dogs Never Bite (2001) movie poster
    Barking Dogs Never Bite (2001) May 27, 2001 · Korean · Comedy $45.9K worldwide
    May 27, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $45.9K
  29. 29 The Chimp (2001) movie poster
    The Chimp (2001) May 1, 2001 · Kyrgyz · Drama $45.4K worldwide
    May 1, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $45.4K
  30. 30 Goodbye Charlie Bright (2001) movie poster
    Goodbye Charlie Bright (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Drama $40.6K worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $40.6K
  31. 31 Pavilion of Women (2001) movie poster
    Pavilion of Women (2001) May 4, 2001 · English · Adventure, Drama $37K worldwide
    May 4, 2001 US and Canada: $37K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $37K
  32. 32 Black Box BRD (2001) movie poster
    Black Box BRD (2001) May 24, 2001 · German · Documentary $27.3K worldwide
    May 24, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27.3K
  33. 33 The King Is Alive (2001) movie poster
    The King Is Alive (2001) May 11, 2001 · English · Drama $17.9K worldwide
    May 11, 2001 US and Canada: $17.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.9K
  34. 34 The Firefly (2001) movie poster
    The Firefly (2001) May 1, 2001 · Japanese · Drama $17.3K worldwide
    May 1, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.3K
  35. 35 Nora (2001) movie poster
    Nora (2001) May 4, 2001 · Drama $15.1K worldwide
    May 4, 2001 US and Canada: $15.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.1K
  36. 36 Workers, Peasants (2001) movie poster
    Workers, Peasants (2001) May 1, 2001 · Italian · Drama $3.8K worldwide
    May 1, 2001 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.8K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in May 2001?

Of the top 10, Deuces Wild (2001) earned the biggest share at home (97% in the US & Canada), while Kandahar (2001) made 84% of its gross abroad. Across all 36 films, $821M (47%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 Shrek (2001) $489M
    $268.7M US & Canada · 55% $220.3M elsewhere · 45%
  2. 2 Pearl Harbor (2001) $449.2M
    $198.5M US & Canada · 44% $250.7M elsewhere · 56%
  3. 3 The Mummy Returns (2001) $443.3M
    $202M US & Canada · 46% $241.3M elsewhere · 54%
  4. 4 Moulin Rouge! (2001) $184.9M
    $57.4M US & Canada · 31% $127.5M elsewhere · 69%
  5. 5 A Knight's Tale (2001) $117.5M
    $56.6M US & Canada · 48% $60.9M elsewhere · 52%
  6. 6 Angel Eyes (2001) $29.7M
    $24.2M US & Canada · 81% $5.5M elsewhere · 19%
  7. 7 Kandahar (2001) $8.9M
    $1.4M US & Canada · 16% $7.5M elsewhere · 84%
  8. 8 Under the Sand (2001) $6.5M
    $1.5M US & Canada · 22% $5.1M elsewhere · 78%
  9. 9 Deuces Wild (2001) $6.3M
    $6.1M US & Canada · 97% $202.4K elsewhere · 3%
  10. 10 Startup.com (2001) $1.8M
    $1.3M US & Canada · 70% $546.7K elsewhere · 30%
Gross bands

How Many May 2001 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

5 of 36 films crossed $100M and took $1.7B between them, 96% of the total. 30 films, 83% 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 5 films, 14% of the list $1.7B · 96% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 1 film, 3% of the list $29.7M · 2% of the gross
  • Under $10M 30 films, 83% of the list $32.2M · 2% of the gross
By release week

Which Week of May 2001 Had the Biggest Releases?

Films released in week 20 (May 13–19) took $704.1M, led by Shrek (2001). Each column links to that week's chart; weeks are Sunday to Saturday.

  1. Week 18 Wk 18 Apr 29–May 5 The Mummy Returns (2001) $456.8M The Mummy Returns (2001)
  2. Week 19 Wk 19 May 6–12 A Knight's Tale (2001) $134.1M A Knight's Tale (2001)
  3. Week 20 Wk 20 May 13–19 Shrek (2001) $704.1M Shrek (2001)
  4. Week 21 Wk 21 May 20–26 Pearl Harbor (2001) $450.8M Pearl Harbor (2001)
  5. Week 22 Wk 22 May 27–Jun 2 Barking Dogs Never Bite (2001) $45.9K Barking Dogs Never Bite (2001)
Earlier years

How Does May 2001 Compare With May in Earlier Years?

Of these 10 years, May 1999 earned the most: $1.9B from 17 films, led by Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). May 2001 took $1.7B.

Month Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
May 1992 15 films 15 $781.7M – Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) $321.7M
May 1993 22 films · +9% 22 $851.8M +9% Cliffhanger (1993) $255M
May 1994 23 films · −11% 23 $759.9M −11% The Flintstones (1994) $341.6M
May 1995 19 films · +63% 19 $1.2B +63% Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) $366.1M
May 1996 24 films · −1% 24 $1.2B −1% Twister (1996) $494.6M
May 1997 20 films · −10% 20 $1.1B −10% The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $618.6M
May 1998 30 films · +6% 30 $1.2B +6% Godzilla (1998) $379M
May 1999 17 films · +62% 17 $1.9B +62% Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $1B
May 2000 33 films · −6% 33 $1.8B −6% Mission: Impossible II (2000) $546.4M
May 2001 36 films · −1% 36 $1.7B −1% Shrek (2001) $489M
Genres & languages

Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in May 2001?

Adventure took $1B across 4 films, 60% of the total, ahead of Action ($1B) and Fantasy ($932.3M). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $799M across 20 films, 46% of the total, ahead of French-language films ($8M) and Russian-language films ($309K).

May 2001 Box Office by Genre

  1. Adventure $1B
    4 films · #1 Shrek (2001)
  2. Action $1B
    6 films · #1 Pearl Harbor (2001)
  3. Fantasy $932.3M
    2 films · #1 Shrek (2001)
  4. Romance $785M
    9 films · #1 Pearl Harbor (2001)
  5. Drama $690.8M
    24 films · #1 Pearl Harbor (2001)
  6. Comedy $491.2M
    5 films · #1 Shrek (2001)
  7. Animation $489.6M
    2 films · #1 Shrek (2001)
  8. Family $489M
    1 film · #1 Shrek (2001)
  9. Thriller $474.1M
    4 films · #1 The Mummy Returns (2001)
  10. War $450.6M
    4 films · #1 Pearl Harbor (2001)

May 2001 Box Office by Language

  1. English $799M
    20 films · #1 The Mummy Returns (2001)
  2. French $8M
    5 films · #1 Under the Sand (2001)
  3. Russian $309K
    1 film · #1 Sisters (2001)
  4. Chinese $87.8K
    1 film · #1 The Orphan of Anyang (2001)
  5. Italian $59.8K
    2 films · #1 The Profession of Arms (2001)
  6. Korean $45.9K
    1 film · #1 Barking Dogs Never Bite (2001)
  7. Kyrgyz $45.4K
    1 film · #1 The Chimp (2001)
  8. German $27.3K
    1 film · #1 Black Box BRD (2001)
  9. Japanese $17.3K
    1 film · #1 The Firefly (2001)
Archive

Box Office in 2001, Month by Month

The months of 2001 with their totals: December leads with $2.9B, led by The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).

FAQ

Box Office May 2001: 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 36 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing movie in May 2001?

Shrek (2001) leads with $489M worldwide, $268.7M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Pearl Harbor (2001) at $449.2M and The Mummy Returns (2001) at $443.3M.

How much did movies released in May 2001 earn?

36 films released in May 2001 report a worldwide gross, $1.7B in all, or $48.5M per film on average. April 2001 releases took $801.9M.

How many movies released in May 2001 made $1 billion?

None. 5 films crossed $100 million, led by Shrek (2001) with $489M.

How much of the May 2001 box office came from the US and Canada?

$821M of the $1.7B total, or 47%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 12 films of the 36 report no domestic figure.

How is the May 2001 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 May 2001. 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.

How often is the May 2001 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.