#1 of 94 #1 movie of December 2008
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008 · Drama, Mystery
$335.8M worldwide · 12% of the chart's total
$127.5M US & Canada · 38% $208.3M elsewhere · 62%
Box office · December 2008
December 2008 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing December Releases
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) is the highest-grossing movie released in December 2008, with $335.8M worldwide, ahead of Gran Torino (2008) at $270M and Marley & Me (2008) at $255.7M. 94 films released in December 2008 report a worldwide gross, $2.9B in all, 39% of it from the US & Canada. 9 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 7% on November 2008, whose releases took $3.1B. By genre, Drama leads with $2.2B across 61 releases.
- December 2008 releases with a gross
- 94
- combined worldwide
- $2.9B
- films crossed $100M
- 9
- vs November 2008
- −7%
#1 of 94 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Hits of December 2008?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) leads with $335.8M, 12% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.3B, 46% of what all 94 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1 $335.8M The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)$127.5M US & Canada · 38% $208.3M elsewhere · 62%
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Release of December 2008, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 94. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in December 2008.
- 1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $127.5M Rest of the world: $208.3M Worldwide: $335.8M
Dec 25, 2008 · English · Drama, Mystery $335.8M worldwide - 2 Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $148.1M Rest of the world: $121.9M Worldwide: $270M
- 3 Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $143.2M Rest of the world: $112.6M Worldwide: $255.7M
- 4 Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $79.4M Rest of the world: $153.7M Worldwide: $233.1M
- 5 Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: $97.7M Rest of the world: $125.6M Worldwide: $223.2M
- 6
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $110.1M Rest of the world: $102.8M Worldwide: $212.9M - 7
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $83.1M Rest of the world: $118.5M Worldwide: $201.5M - 8
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: $70M Rest of the world: $99.8M Worldwide: $169.7M - 9
Dec 10, 2008 US and Canada: $34.2M Rest of the world: $74.7M Worldwide: $108.9M - 10
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: $50.9M Rest of the world: $36.1M Worldwide: $87M - 11
Dec 26, 2008 US and Canada: $22.9M Rest of the world: $53.1M Worldwide: $76M - 12
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $33.4M Rest of the world: $18.3M Worldwide: $51.7M - 13
Dec 31, 2008 US and Canada: $28.6M Rest of the world: $22.6M Worldwide: $51.3M - 14
Dec 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $45.5M - 15
Dec 17, 2008 US and Canada: $26.2M Rest of the world: $18.5M Worldwide: $44.7M - 16
Dec 3, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $41.7M - 17
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $19.8M Rest of the world: $19.4M Worldwide: $39.2M - 18
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $36.7M - 19
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $748.6K Rest of the world: $33.5M Worldwide: $34.2M - 20
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $14.9M Rest of the world: $17.7M Worldwide: $32.6M - 21
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $18.6M Rest of the world: $8.8M Worldwide: $27.4M - 22
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22.2M - 23
K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces (2008)Dec 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.4M
Dec 20, 2008 · Japanese · Adventure, Action $21.4M worldwide - 24
Dec 30, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19M - 25
Dec 6, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.5M - 26
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.8M - 27
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.1M - 28
Dec 17, 2008 US and Canada: $10.4K Rest of the world: $17.1M Worldwide: $17.1M - 29
Dec 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.4M - 30
Dec 24, 2008 US and Canada: $86.4K Rest of the world: $14.7M Worldwide: $14.8M - 31
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.1M - 32
Dec 24, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6M - 33
Dec 1, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.4M - 34
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: $8.9M Worldwide: $11.2M - 35
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $8.1M Rest of the world: $2.1M Worldwide: $10.2M - 36
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $8.2M Rest of the world: $688.1K Worldwide: $8.9M - 37
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: $7.5M Rest of the world: $15.8K Worldwide: $7.5M - 38
Dec 17, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.6M - 39
Dec 3, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.5M - 40
Tamagotchi: Happiest Story in the Universe! (2008)Dec 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.7M Dec 20, 2008 · Japanese · Comedy, Fantasy $5.7M worldwide - 41
Dec 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 42
Dec 23, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.9M - 43
How Much Does the Trojan Horse Weigh? (2008)Dec 26, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.6M
Dec 26, 2008 · Polish · Comedy, Romance $3.6M worldwide - 44
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.5M - 45
Dec 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.2M - 46
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: $154.1K Rest of the world: $3M Worldwide: $3.2M - 47
Dec 11, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.9M - 48
Dec 19, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M - 49
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5M - 50
Dec 25, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in December 2008?
Of the top 10, The Tale of Despereaux (2008) earned the biggest share at home (59% in the US & Canada), while The Reader (2008) made 69% of its gross abroad. Across all 94 films, $1.1B (39%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) $335.8M $127.5M US & Canada · 38% $208.3M elsewhere · 62%
- 2 Gran Torino (2008) $270M $148.1M US & Canada · 55% $121.9M elsewhere · 45%
- 3 Marley & Me (2008) $255.7M $143.2M US & Canada · 56% $112.6M elsewhere · 44%
- 4 The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) $233.1M $79.4M US & Canada · 34% $153.7M elsewhere · 66%
- 5 Yes Man (2008) $223.2M $97.7M US & Canada · 44% $125.6M elsewhere · 56%
- 6 Bedtime Stories (2008) $212.9M $110.1M US & Canada · 52% $102.8M elsewhere · 48%
- 7 Valkyrie (2008) $201.5M $83.1M US & Canada · 41% $118.5M elsewhere · 59%
- 8 Seven Pounds (2008) $169.7M $70M US & Canada · 41% $99.8M elsewhere · 59%
- 9 The Reader (2008) $108.9M $34.2M US & Canada · 31% $74.7M elsewhere · 69%
- 10 The Tale of Despereaux (2008) $87M $50.9M US & Canada · 59% $36.1M elsewhere · 41%
Gross bands
How Many December 2008 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
9 of 94 films crossed $100M and took $2B between them, 70% of the total. 59 films, 63% of the list, earned under $10M.
70% 27%
- $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 9 films, 10% of the list $2B · 70% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 26 films, 28% of the list $791.7M · 27% of the gross
- Under $10M 59 films, 63% of the list $90M · 3% of the gross
By release week
Which Week of December 2008 Had the Biggest Releases?
Films released in week 52 (Dec 21–27) took $1.2B, led by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). Each column links to that week's chart; weeks are Sunday to Saturday.
- Week 49 Wk 49 Nov 30–Dec 6 Scandal Makers (2008) $191.1M Scandal Makers (2008)
- Week 50 Wk 50 Dec 7–13 Gran Torino (2008) $718.4M Gran Torino (2008)
- Week 51 Wk 51 Dec 14–20 Yes Man (2008) $687.7M Yes Man (2008)
- Week 52 Wk 52 Dec 21–27 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) $1.2B The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
- Week 53 Wk 53 Dec 28–31 Defiance (2008) $71.8M Defiance (2008)
Earlier years
How Does December 2008 Compare With December in Earlier Years?
Of these 10 years, December 2007 earned the most: $3.7B from 91 films, led by I Am Legend (2007). December 2008 took $2.9B.
| Month | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1999 40 films | 40 | $1.6B | – | Stuart Little (1999) $300.1M |
| December 2000 42 films · +65% | 42 | $2.7B | +65% | Cast Away (2000) $429.6M |
| December 2001 58 films · +9% | 58 | $2.9B | +9% | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $888.5M |
| December 2002 53 films · −36% | 53 | $1.9B | −36% | Catch Me If You Can (2002) $352.1M |
| December 2003 58 films · +77% | 58 | $3.3B | +77% | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1.1B |
| December 2004 73 films · −29% | 73 | $2.3B | −29% | Meet the Fockers (2004) $522.7M |
| December 2005 68 films · +34% | 68 | $3.1B | +34% | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) $745M |
| December 2006 108 films · +11% | 108 | $3.4B | +11% | Night at the Museum (2006) $574.5M |
| December 2007 91 films · +8% | 91 | $3.7B | +8% | I Am Legend (2007) $585.4M |
| December 2008 94 films · −22% | 94 | $2.9B | −22% | The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) $335.8M |
Genres & languages
Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in December 2008?
Drama took $2.2B across 61 films, 76% of the total, ahead of Romance ($1.1B) and Comedy ($977.3M). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $2.4B across 43 films, 82% of the total, ahead of Chinese-language films ($63.3M) and Korean-language films ($61.5M).
December 2008 Box Office by Genre
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Drama $2.2B61 films · #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) -
Romance $1.1B22 films · #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) -
Comedy $977.3M28 films · #1 Marley & Me (2008) -
Fantasy $727M12 films · #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) -
Thriller $569.2M17 films · #1 The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) -
Family $563.4M7 films · #1 Marley & Me (2008) -
Mystery $388.8M4 films · #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) -
History $372.3M9 films · #1 Valkyrie (2008) -
War $313.7M6 films · #1 Valkyrie (2008) -
Sci-Fi $257.3M5 films · #1 The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
December 2008 Box Office by Language
- English $2.4B43 films · #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
-
Chinese $63.3M2 films · #1 If You Are the One (2008) -
Korean $61.5M5 films · #1 Scandal Makers (2008) - Japanese $49.3M5 films · #1 K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces (2008)
-
French $45.7M5 films · #1 The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch (2008) -
Italian $41.2M2 films · #1 Natale a Rio (2008) -
Turkish $36.4M2 films · #1 A.R.O.G (2008) -
Russian $17.1M1 film · #1 Hipsters (2008) -
German $16.1M2 films · #1 Buddenbrooks (2008) -
Norwegian $15.4M1 film · #1 Max Manus: Man of War (2008)
Archive
Box Office in 2008, Month by Month
The months of 2008 with their totals: July leads with $3.3B, led by The Dark Knight (2008).
- January $1.2B #1 Welcome to the Sticks (2008)
- February $1.5B #1 Jumper (2008)
- March $1.4B #1 Horton Hears a Who! (2008)
- April $963.2M #1 The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
- May $2.8B #1 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
- June $2.3B #1 Kung Fu Panda (2008)
- July $3.3B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- August $1.6B #1 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
- September $1.2B #1 Eagle Eye (2008)
- October $1.5B #1 High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
- November $3.1B #1 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
- December $2.9B #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
FAQ
Box Office December 2008: 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 94 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing movie in December 2008?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) leads with $335.8M worldwide, $127.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Gran Torino (2008) at $270M and Marley & Me (2008) at $255.7M.
How much did movies released in December 2008 earn?
94 films released in December 2008 report a worldwide gross, $2.9B in all, or $30.8M per film on average. November 2008 releases took $3.1B.
How many movies released in December 2008 made $1 billion?
None. 9 films crossed $100 million, led by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) with $335.8M.
How is the December 2008 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 December 2008. 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 December 2008 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.