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Box office · December 2009

December 2009 Box Office: The Highest-Grossing December Releases

Avatar (2009) is the highest-grossing movie released in December 2009, with $2.9B worldwide, ahead of Sherlock Holmes (2009) at $524M and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) at $443.1M. 89 films released in December 2009 report a worldwide gross, $5.2B in all, 32% of it from the US & Canada. 1 film crossed $1 billion and 6 crossed $100 million. That is up 58% on November 2009, whose releases took $3.3B. By genre, Adventure leads with $3.6B across 14 releases.

December 2009 releases with a gross
89
combined worldwide
$5.2B
films crossed $100M
6
vs November 2009
+58%
Avatar (2009) movie poster #1 of 89
#1 movie of December 2009

Avatar (2009)

2009 · Action, Adventure

$2.9B worldwide · 56% of the chart's total

$785.2M US & Canada · 27% $2.1B elsewhere · 73%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Hits of December 2009?

Avatar (2009) leads with $2.9B, 56% of the total. The top 5 together took $4.3B, 82% of what all 89 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Avatar (2009) movie poster Number 1
    $2.9B Avatar (2009)
    $785.2M US & Canada · 27% $2.1B elsewhere · 73%
  2. Sherlock Holmes (2009) movie poster Number 2
    $524M Sherlock Holmes (2009)
    $209M US & Canada · 40% $315M elsewhere · 60%
  3. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) movie poster Number 3
    $443.1M Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)
    $219.6M US & Canada · 50% $223.5M elsewhere · 50%
  4. It's Complicated (2009) movie poster Number 4
    $219.1M It's Complicated (2009)
    $112.7M US & Canada · 51% $106.4M elsewhere · 49%
  5. Up in the Air (2009) movie poster Number 5
    $166.8M Up in the Air (2009)
    $83.8M US & Canada · 50% $83M elsewhere · 50%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Release of December 2009, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Ranks 1 to 50 of 89. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in December 2009.

  1. 1 Avatar (2009) movie poster
    Avatar (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · English · Action, Adventure $2.9B worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: $785.2M Rest of the world: $2.1B Worldwide: $2.9B
  2. 2 Sherlock Holmes (2009) movie poster
    Sherlock Holmes (2009) Dec 25, 2009 · English · Action, Adventure $524M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2009 US and Canada: $209M Rest of the world: $315M Worldwide: $524M
  3. 3 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) movie poster
    Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) Dec 23, 2009 · English · Fantasy, Comedy $443.1M worldwide
    Dec 23, 2009 US and Canada: $219.6M Rest of the world: $223.5M Worldwide: $443.1M
  4. 4 It's Complicated (2009) movie poster
    It's Complicated (2009) Dec 25, 2009 · English · Comedy, Romance $219.1M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2009 US and Canada: $112.7M Rest of the world: $106.4M Worldwide: $219.1M
  5. 5 Up in the Air (2009) movie poster
    Up in the Air (2009) Dec 4, 2009 · English · Drama, Romance $166.8M worldwide
    Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $83.8M Rest of the world: $83M Worldwide: $166.8M
  6. 6 Invictus (2009) movie poster
    Invictus (2009) Dec 11, 2009 · English · Biography, Drama $122.4M worldwide
    Dec 11, 2009 US and Canada: $37.5M Rest of the world: $84.9M Worldwide: $122.4M
  7. 7 The Lovely Bones (2009) movie poster
    The Lovely Bones (2009) Dec 11, 2009 · English · Drama, Thriller $93.6M worldwide
    Dec 11, 2009 US and Canada: $44.1M Rest of the world: $49.5M Worldwide: $93.6M
  8. 8 Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) movie poster
    Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · English · Drama, Comedy $85.3M worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: $29.6M Rest of the world: $55.7M Worldwide: $85.3M
  9. 9 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) movie poster
    The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) Dec 25, 2009 · English · Adventure, Mystery $61.8M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2009 US and Canada: $7.7M Rest of the world: $54.1M Worldwide: $61.8M
  10. 10 Nine (2009) movie poster
    Nine (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · English · Drama, Romance $54M worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: $19.7M Rest of the world: $34.3M Worldwide: $54M
  11. 11 One Piece Film: Strong World (2009) movie poster
    One Piece Film: Strong World (2009) Dec 12, 2009 · Japanese · Animation, Adventure $49.3M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $49.3M
  12. 12 The Vicious Kind (2009) movie poster
    The Vicious Kind (2009) Dec 11, 2009 · English · Drama, Comedy $47.7M worldwide
    Dec 11, 2009 US and Canada: $25.5M Rest of the world: $22.2M Worldwide: $47.7M
  13. 13 Crazy Heart (2009) movie poster
    Crazy Heart (2009) Dec 16, 2009 · English · Drama, Romance $47.4M worldwide
    Dec 16, 2009 US and Canada: $39.5M Rest of the world: $7.9M Worldwide: $47.4M
  14. 14 Brothers (2009) movie poster
    Brothers (2009) Dec 4, 2009 · English · Drama, Thriller $43.5M worldwide
    Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $28.5M Rest of the world: $14.9M Worldwide: $43.5M
  15. 15 The Chaser (2009) movie poster
    The Chaser (2009) Dec 30, 2009 · Korean · Thriller $36.5M worldwide
    Dec 30, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $36.5M
  16. 16 Natale a Beverly Hills (2009) movie poster
    Natale a Beverly Hills (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · Italian · Comedy $30M worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $30M
  17. 17 The Young Victoria (2009) movie poster
    The Young Victoria (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · English · Biography, Drama $29.2M worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: $11M Rest of the world: $18.2M Worldwide: $29.2M
  18. 18 A Single Man (2009) movie poster
    A Single Man (2009) Dec 11, 2009 · English · Drama $25M worldwide
    Dec 11, 2009 US and Canada: $9.2M Rest of the world: $15.8M Worldwide: $25M
  19. 19 Armored (2009) movie poster
    Armored (2009) Dec 4, 2009 · English · Action, Drama $22.9M worldwide
    Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $16M Rest of the world: $7M Worldwide: $22.9M
  20. 20 Me, Them and Lara (2009) movie poster
    Me, Them and Lara (2009) Dec 3, 2009 · Italian · Comedy, Drama $22M worldwide
    Dec 3, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22M
  21. 21 Black Lightning (2009) movie poster
    Black Lightning (2009) Dec 28, 2009 · Russian · Action, Adventure $21M worldwide
    Dec 28, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21M
  22. 22 The Last Station (2009) movie poster
    The Last Station (2009) Dec 4, 2009 · English · Biography, Drama $20.6M worldwide
    Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $6.6M Rest of the world: $13.9M Worldwide: $20.6M
  23. 23 The White Ribbon (2009) movie poster
    The White Ribbon (2009) Dec 30, 2009 · German · Drama, Mystery $19.4M worldwide
    Dec 30, 2009 US and Canada: $2.2M Rest of the world: $17.1M Worldwide: $19.4M
  24. 24 Everybody's Fine (2009) movie poster
    Everybody's Fine (2009) Dec 4, 2009 · Drama $16.4M worldwide
    Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $9.2M Rest of the world: $7.2M Worldwide: $16.4M
  25. 25 St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold (2009) movie poster
    St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · English · Comedy, Family $11.2M worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.2M
  26. 26 Spanish Movie (2009) movie poster
    Spanish Movie (2009) Dec 3, 2009 · Spanish · Comedy $11.1M worldwide
    Dec 3, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.1M
  27. 27 Paa (2009) movie poster
    Paa (2009) Dec 4, 2009 · Hindi · Drama $9.7M worldwide
    Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: $199.2K Rest of the world: $9.5M Worldwide: $9.7M
  28. 28 RTT (2009) movie poster
    RTT (2009) Dec 9, 2009 · French · Comedy $9.7M worldwide
    Dec 9, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.7M
  29. 29 Bodyguards and Assassins (2009) movie poster
    Bodyguards and Assassins (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · Cantonese · Action, Drama $6.6M worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.6M
  30. 30 Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends The Movie (2009) movie poster
    Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends The Movie (2009) Dec 12, 2009 · Japanese · Adventure, Sci-Fi $6.2M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.2M
  31. 31 Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (2009) movie poster
    Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (2009) Dec 1, 2009 · Japanese · Animation, Family $6.1M worldwide
    Dec 1, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.1M
  32. 32 The Island (2009) movie poster
    The Island (2009) Dec 29, 2009 · Greek · Comedy $5.7M worldwide
    Dec 29, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.7M
  33. 33 Xuxa and the Mystery of the Little Ugly Princess (2009) movie poster
    Xuxa and the Mystery of the Little Ugly Princess (2009) Dec 25, 2009 · Portuguese · Fantasy, Family $4.7M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.7M
  34. 34 Space Battleship Yamato Resurrection (2009) movie poster
    Space Battleship Yamato Resurrection (2009) Dec 12, 2009 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Action $4.3M worldwide
    Dec 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.3M
  35. 35 Pains of Autumn (2009) movie poster
    Pains of Autumn (2009) Dec 23, 2009 · Turkish · History, Drama $3.4M worldwide
    Dec 23, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.4M
  36. 36 The Heiress (2009) movie poster
    The Heiress (2009) Dec 10, 2009 · Greek · Comedy, Drama $3.3M worldwide
    Dec 10, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.3M
  37. 37 Map of the Sounds of Tokyo (2009) movie poster
    Map of the Sounds of Tokyo (2009) Dec 2, 2009 · English · Drama, Romance $3.2M worldwide
    Dec 2, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.2M
  38. 38 The Hell of ’63 (2009) movie poster
    The Hell of ’63 (2009) Dec 13, 2009 · Dutch · Drama $2.7M worldwide
    Dec 13, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7M
  39. 39 Ricky (2009) movie poster
    Ricky (2009) Dec 16, 2009 · English · Drama, Fantasy $2.5M worldwide
    Dec 16, 2009 US and Canada: $3.5K Rest of the world: $2.5M Worldwide: $2.5M
  40. 40 Backwood Philosopher (2009) movie poster
    Backwood Philosopher (2009) Dec 25, 2009 · Finnish · Comedy, Drama $2.4M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M
  41. 41 Eleanor’s Secret (2009) movie poster
    Eleanor’s Secret (2009) Dec 16, 2009 · French · Animation, Family $2.2M worldwide
    Dec 16, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.2M
  42. 42 Wings of the Night (2009) movie poster
    Wings of the Night (2009) Dec 11, 2009 · Turkish · Crime, Romance $2M worldwide
    Dec 11, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M
  43. 43 Under the North Star (2009) movie poster
    Under the North Star (2009) Dec 4, 2009 · Finnish · History, Drama $1.9M worldwide
    Dec 4, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M
  44. 44 Dad for a Day (2009) movie poster
    Dad for a Day (2009) Dec 9, 2009 · Spanish · Comedy $1.9M worldwide
    Dec 9, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M
  45. 45 Albert Schweitzer (2009) movie poster
    Albert Schweitzer (2009) Dec 24, 2009 · German · Romance, Comedy $1.8M worldwide
    Dec 24, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M
  46. 46 The Treasure Hunter (2009) movie poster
    The Treasure Hunter (2009) Dec 9, 2009 · Chinese · Sci-Fi, Adventure $1.7M worldwide
    Dec 9, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M
  47. 47 Novye Priklyucheniya Alenushki i Eremy (2009) movie poster
    Novye Priklyucheniya Alenushki i Eremy (2009) Dec 24, 2009 · Russian · Family, Animation $1.6M worldwide
    Dec 24, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M
  48. 48 Vettaikaaran (2009) movie poster
    Vettaikaaran (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · Tamil · Action, Drama $1.4M worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M
  49. 49 D@bbe 2 (2009) movie poster
    D@bbe 2 (2009) Dec 25, 2009 · Turkish · Horror, Mystery $1.4M worldwide
    Dec 25, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M
  50. 50 Nikté (2009) movie poster
    Nikté (2009) Dec 18, 2009 · Spanish · Animation, Family $1.3M worldwide
    Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in December 2009?

Of the top 10, It's Complicated (2009) earned the biggest share at home (51% in the US & Canada), while The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) made 88% of its gross abroad. Across all 89 films, $1.7B (32%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 Avatar (2009) $2.9B
    $785.2M US & Canada · 27% $2.1B elsewhere · 73%
  2. 2 Sherlock Holmes (2009) $524M
    $209M US & Canada · 40% $315M elsewhere · 60%
  3. 3 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) $443.1M
    $219.6M US & Canada · 50% $223.5M elsewhere · 50%
  4. 4 It's Complicated (2009) $219.1M
    $112.7M US & Canada · 51% $106.4M elsewhere · 49%
  5. 5 Up in the Air (2009) $166.8M
    $83.8M US & Canada · 50% $83M elsewhere · 50%
  6. 6 Invictus (2009) $122.4M
    $37.5M US & Canada · 31% $84.9M elsewhere · 69%
  7. 7 The Lovely Bones (2009) $93.6M
    $44.1M US & Canada · 47% $49.5M elsewhere · 53%
  8. 8 Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) $85.3M
    $29.6M US & Canada · 35% $55.7M elsewhere · 65%
  9. 9 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) $61.8M
    $7.7M US & Canada · 12% $54.1M elsewhere · 88%
  10. 10 Nine (2009) $54M
    $19.7M US & Canada · 36% $34.3M elsewhere · 64%
Gross bands

How Many December 2009 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

6 of 89 films crossed $100M and took $4.4B between them, 84% of the total. 63 films, 71% of the list, earned under $10M.

  • $1B or more 1 film, 1% of the list $2.9B · 56% of the gross
  • $500M to $1B 1 film, 1% of the list $524M · 10% of the gross
  • $100M to $500M 4 films, 4% of the list $951.5M · 18% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 20 films, 22% of the list $747.9M · 14% of the gross
  • Under $10M 63 films, 71% of the list $99.4M · 2% of the gross
By release week

Which Week of December 2009 Had the Biggest Releases?

Films released in week 51 (Dec 13–19) took $3.2B, led by Avatar (2009). Each column links to that week's chart; weeks are Sunday to Saturday.

  1. Week 49 Wk 49 Nov 29–Dec 5 Up in the Air (2009) $327M Up in the Air (2009)
  2. Week 50 Wk 50 Dec 6–12 Invictus (2009) $370.6M Invictus (2009)
  3. Week 51 Wk 51 Dec 13–19 Avatar (2009) $3.2B Avatar (2009)
  4. Week 52 Wk 52 Dec 20–26 Sherlock Holmes (2009) $1.3B Sherlock Holmes (2009)
  5. Week 53 Wk 53 Dec 27–31 The Chaser (2009) $83.5M The Chaser (2009)
Earlier years

How Does December 2009 Compare With December in Earlier Years?

Of these 10 years, December 2009 earned the most: $5.2B from 89 films, led by Avatar (2009).

Month Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
December 2000 42 films 42 $2.7B – 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
December 2009 89 films · +81% 89 $5.2B +81% Avatar (2009) $2.9B
Genres & languages

Which Genres and Languages Earned the Most in December 2009?

Adventure took $3.6B across 14 films, 69% of the total, ahead of Fantasy ($3.6B) and Action ($3.5B). A film counts once for each of its genres. English-language films took $5B across 36 films, 94% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language films ($66.1M) and Italian-language films ($53M).

December 2009 Box Office by Genre

  1. Adventure $3.6B
    14 films · #1 Avatar (2009)
  2. Fantasy $3.6B
    12 films · #1 Avatar (2009)
  3. Action $3.5B
    10 films · #1 Avatar (2009)
  4. Sci-Fi $3B
    5 films · #1 Avatar (2009)
  5. Romance $1.1B
    16 films · #1 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)
  6. Comedy $902.2M
    33 films · #1 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)
  7. Drama $862.5M
    42 films · #1 Up in the Air (2009)
  8. Thriller $724.6M
    8 films · #1 Sherlock Holmes (2009)
  9. Mystery $613.3M
    6 films · #1 Sherlock Holmes (2009)
  10. Crime $546.2M
    7 films · #1 Sherlock Holmes (2009)

December 2009 Box Office by Language

  1. English $5B
    36 films · #1 Avatar (2009)
  2. Japanese $66.1M
    5 films · #1 One Piece Film: Strong World (2009)
  3. Italian $53M
    4 films · #1 Natale a Beverly Hills (2009)
  4. Korean $36.5M
    1 film · #1 The Chaser (2009)
  5. Russian $23.2M
    4 films · #1 Black Lightning (2009)
  6. German $21.2M
    3 films · #1 The White Ribbon (2009)
  7. Spanish $14.7M
    4 films · #1 Spanish Movie (2009)
  8. French $12.5M
    5 films · #1 RTT (2009)
  9. Hindi $9.9M
    2 films · #1 Paa (2009)
  10. Greek $9M
    2 films · #1 The Island (2009)
Archive

Box Office in 2009, Month by Month

The months of 2009 with their totals: December leads with $5.2B, led by Avatar (2009).

FAQ

Box Office December 2009: 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 89 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing movie in December 2009?

Avatar (2009) leads with $2.9B worldwide, $785.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Sherlock Holmes (2009) at $524M and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) at $443.1M.

How much did movies released in December 2009 earn?

89 films released in December 2009 report a worldwide gross, $5.2B in all, or $58.9M per film on average. November 2009 releases took $3.3B.

How many movies released in December 2009 made $1 billion?

1 film crossed $1 billion worldwide: Avatar (2009). 6 crossed $100 million.

How much of the December 2009 box office came from the US and Canada?

$1.7B of the $5.2B total, or 32%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 57 films of the 89 report no domestic figure.

How is the December 2009 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 2009. 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 2009 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.