#1 of 62 #1 movie of May 2004
2004 · Adventure, Fantasy
$932.5M worldwide · 37% of the chart's total
$445M US & Canada · 48% $487.6M elsewhere · 52%
Box office · May 2004
May 2004 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing May Releases
Shrek 2 (2004) is the highest-grossing movie released in May 2004, with $932.5M worldwide, ahead of The Day After Tomorrow (2004) at $552.6M and Troy (2004) at $497.4M. 62 films released in May 2004 report a worldwide gross, $2.5B in all, 40% of it from the US & Canada. 4 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 76% on April 2004, whose releases took $1.4B. By genre, Adventure leads with $1.8B across 4 releases.
- May 2004 releases with a gross
- 62
- combined worldwide
- $2.5B
- films crossed $100M
- 4
- vs April 2004
- +76%
#1 of 62 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Hits of May 2004?
Shrek 2 (2004) leads with $932.5M, 37% of the total. The top 5 together took $2.3B, 94% of what all 62 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Release of May 2004, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 62. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in May 2004.
- 1 May 19, 2004 US and Canada: $445M Rest of the world: $487.6M Worldwide: $932.5M
- 2 May 28, 2004 US and Canada: $186.7M Rest of the world: $365.9M Worldwide: $552.6M
- 3 May 14, 2004 US and Canada: $133.4M Rest of the world: $364M Worldwide: $497.4M
- 4 May 7, 2004 US and Canada: $120.2M Rest of the world: $180M Worldwide: $300.2M
- 5 May 26, 2004 US and Canada: $37.5M Rest of the world: $12.2M Worldwide: $49.7M
- 6
May 7, 2004 US and Canada: $14.1M Rest of the world: $7.2M Worldwide: $21.3M - 7
May 7, 2004 US and Canada: $11.5M Rest of the world: $9.1M Worldwide: $20.6M - 8
May 28, 2004 US and Canada: $14.2M Rest of the world: $631.1K Worldwide: $14.8M - 9
May 14, 2004 US and Canada: $12.3M Rest of the world: $279.9K Worldwide: $12.5M - 10
May 14, 2004 US and Canada: $216.3K Rest of the world: $10.6M Worldwide: $10.8M - 11
May 28, 2004 US and Canada: $8.9M Rest of the world: $1.3M Worldwide: $10.3M - 12
May 14, 2004 US and Canada: $4.2M Rest of the world: $5.9M Worldwide: $10.1M - 13
May 7, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.2M - 14
May 21, 2004 US and Canada: $553.5K Rest of the world: $8.1M Worldwide: $8.6M - 15
May 14, 2004 US and Canada: $2.2M Rest of the world: $5.8M Worldwide: $8M - 16
May 14, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.4M - 17
May 14, 2004 US and Canada: $482.8K Rest of the world: $2.7M Worldwide: $3.2M - 18
May 28, 2004 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $2M Worldwide: $3M - 19
May 13, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M - 20
May 21, 2004 US and Canada: $2.6M Rest of the world: $135.2K Worldwide: $2.7M - 21
May 13, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 22
May 28, 2004 US and Canada: $796.6K Rest of the world: $1.1M Worldwide: $1.9M - 23
May 21, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 24
May 3, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 25
May 13, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 26
May 21, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M - 27
May 13, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $813.6K - 28
May 20, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $660.2K - 29
May 22, 2004 US and Canada: $331.2K Rest of the world: $236.6K Worldwide: $567.7K - 30
May 14, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $454.5K - 31
May 29, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $453.9K - 32
Still We Believe: The Boston Red Sox Movie (2004)May 9, 2004 US and Canada: $396.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $396.8K
May 9, 2004 · English · Drama, Documentary $396.8K worldwide - 33
May 28, 2004 US and Canada: $365.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $365.7K - 34
May 28, 2004 US and Canada: $318.8K Rest of the world: $10.3K Worldwide: $329.1K - 35
May 21, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $284.8K - 36
May 26, 2004 US and Canada: $165.8K Rest of the world: $113.2K Worldwide: $279K - 37
May 20, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $201.8K - 38
May 21, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $183.8K - 39
May 7, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $180.7K - 40
May 21, 2004 US and Canada: $174.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $174.3K - 41
May 13, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $122.5K - 42
May 22, 2004 US and Canada: $14K Rest of the world: $93.3K Worldwide: $107.3K - 43
May 7, 2004 US and Canada: $87.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $87.9K - 44
May 13, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $79.6K - 45
May 7, 2004 US and Canada: $62.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $62.9K - 46
May 10, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $61.3K - 47
May 22, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $57.7K - 48
May 21, 2004 US and Canada: $47.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $47.4K - 49
May 13, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $33.6K - 50
May 14, 2004 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $31.3K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in May 2004?
Of the top 10, Breakin' All the Rules (2004) earned the biggest share at home (98% in the US & Canada), while Carandiru (2004) made 98% of its gross abroad. Across all 62 films, $998M (40%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Shrek 2 (2004) $932.5M $445M US & Canada · 48% $487.6M elsewhere · 52%
- 2 The Day After Tomorrow (2004) $552.6M $186.7M US & Canada · 34% $365.9M elsewhere · 66%
- 3 Troy (2004) $497.4M $133.4M US & Canada · 27% $364M elsewhere · 73%
- 4 Van Helsing (2004) $300.2M $120.2M US & Canada · 40% $180M elsewhere · 60%
- 5 Raising Helen (2004) $49.7M $37.5M US & Canada · 75% $12.2M elsewhere · 25%
- 6 New York Minute (2004) $21.3M $14.1M US & Canada · 66% $7.2M elsewhere · 34%
- 7 Super Size Me (2004) $20.6M $11.5M US & Canada · 56% $9.1M elsewhere · 44%
- 8 Soul Plane (2004) $14.8M $14.2M US & Canada · 96% $631.1K elsewhere · 4%
- 9 Breakin' All the Rules (2004) $12.5M $12.3M US & Canada · 98% $279.9K elsewhere · 2%
- 10 Carandiru (2004) $10.8M $216.3K US & Canada · 2% $10.6M elsewhere · 98%
Gross bands
How Many May 2004 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
4 of 62 films crossed $100M and took $2.3B between them, 92% of the total. 50 films, 81% of the list, earned under $10M.
60% 32%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 2 films, 3% of the list $1.5B · 60% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 2 films, 3% of the list $797.6M · 32% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 8 films, 13% of the list $150.1M · 6% of the gross
- Under $10M 50 films, 81% of the list $59.1M · 2% of the gross
By release week
Which Week of May 2004 Had the Biggest Releases?
Films released in week 21 (May 16–22) took $949M, led by Shrek 2 (2004). Each column links to that week's chart; weeks are Sunday to Saturday.
- Week 18 Wk 18 Apr 25–May 1 No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- Week 19 Wk 19 May 2–8 Van Helsing (2004) $353.2M Van Helsing (2004)
- Week 20 Wk 20 May 9–15 Troy (2004) $556M Troy (2004)
- Week 21 Wk 21 May 16–22 Shrek 2 (2004) $949M Shrek 2 (2004)
- Week 22 Wk 22 May 23–29 The Day After Tomorrow (2004) $633.8M The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
- Week 23 Wk 23 May 30–Jun 5 No reported grosses – No reported grosses
Earlier years
How Does May 2004 Compare With May in Earlier Years?
Of these 10 years, May 2003 earned the most: $3.2B from 64 films, led by Finding Nemo (2003). May 2004 took $2.5B.
| Month | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1995 19 films | 19 | $1.2B | – | 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 |
| May 2002 71 films · +37% | 71 | $2.4B | +37% | Spider-Man (2002) $825.8M |
| May 2003 64 films · +32% | 64 | $3.2B | +32% | Finding Nemo (2003) $941.6M |
| May 2004 62 films · −21% | 62 | $2.5B | −21% | Shrek 2 (2004) $932.5M |
Genres & languages
Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in May 2004?
Adventure took $1.8B across 4 films, 72% of the total, ahead of Action ($1.4B) and Fantasy ($1.2B). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $2.4B across 35 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Portuguese-language films ($10.9M) and Japanese-language films ($9.7M).
May 2004 Box Office by Genre
-
Adventure $1.8B4 films · #1 Shrek 2 (2004) -
Action $1.4B7 films · #1 The Day After Tomorrow (2004) -
Fantasy $1.2B3 films · #1 Shrek 2 (2004) -
Comedy $1.1B22 films · #1 Shrek 2 (2004) -
Family $934.4M2 films · #1 Shrek 2 (2004) -
Animation $932.5M1 film · #1 Shrek 2 (2004) -
Thriller $865.8M7 films · #1 The Day After Tomorrow (2004) -
Romance $585.3M13 films · #1 Troy (2004) -
Sci-Fi $561.8M2 films · #1 The Day After Tomorrow (2004) -
Drama $453.8M37 films · #1 Van Helsing (2004)
May 2004 Box Office by Language
- English $2.4B35 films · #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
-
Portuguese $10.9M2 films · #1 Carandiru (2004) -
Japanese $9.7M3 films · #1 Godzilla (2004) -
French $8.6M2 films · #1 Love Me If You Dare (2004) -
Serbian $5.4M1 film · #1 Life Is a Miracle (2004) -
Arabic $2.9M2 films · #1 Control Room (2004) -
Italian $2.8M3 films · #1 The Consequences of Love (2004) -
Cantonese $2.6M3 films · #1 Driving Miss Wealthy (2004) -
Hindi $2.5M3 films · #1 Hum Tum (2004) -
Thai $454.5K1 film · #1 Art of the Devil (2004)
Archive
Box Office in 2004, Month by Month
The months of 2004 with their totals: June leads with $3.2B, led by Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).
- January $445.5M #1 Along Came Polly (2004)
- February $1.4B #1 The Passion of the Christ (2004)
- March $1.1B #1 Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)
- April $1.4B #1 Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
- May $2.5B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- June $3.2B #1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- July $1.8B #1 I, Robot (2004)
- August $963.8M #1 Collateral (2004)
- September $862.9M #1 Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
- October $1.6B #1 Shark Tale (2004)
- November $2.1B #1 The Incredibles (2004)
- December $2.3B #1 Meet the Fockers (2004)
FAQ
Box Office May 2004: 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 62 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing movie in May 2004?
Shrek 2 (2004) leads with $932.5M worldwide, $445M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Day After Tomorrow (2004) at $552.6M and Troy (2004) at $497.4M.
How much did movies released in May 2004 earn?
62 films released in May 2004 report a worldwide gross, $2.5B in all, or $40.2M per film on average. April 2004 releases took $1.4B.
How many movies released in May 2004 made $1 billion?
None. 4 films crossed $100 million, led by Shrek 2 (2004) with $932.5M.
How is the May 2004 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 2004. 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 2004 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.