Market Charts > 2015 > Genres > Documentary

Domestic Box Office Performance for Documentary Movies in 2015

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RankMovieRelease
Date		 Theatrical
Distributor		MPAA
Rating		2015 GrossTickets Sold
1 Monkey Kingdom Apr 17, 2015 Walt Disney G $16,432,322 1,949,267
2 Amy Jul 3, 2015 A24 R $8,407,637 997,347
3 Hubble 3D Mar 19, 2010 Warner Bros. G $4,088,852 485,036
4 Space Station Apr 19, 2002 IMAX Films Not Rated $3,201,391 379,762
5 He Named Me Malala Oct 2, 2015 Fox Searchlight PG-13 $2,668,936 316,600
6 Meru Aug 14, 2015 Music Box Films R $2,334,228 276,895
7 Island of Lemurs: Madagascar Apr 4, 2014 Warner Bros. G $2,033,564 241,229
8 Journey to the South Pacific Nov 27, 2013 MacGillivray Free… G $1,850,820 219,552
9 Jerusalem Sep 13, 2013 National Geograph… Not Rated $1,715,647 203,517
10 Meet the Patels Sep 11, 2015 Alchemy PG $1,700,680 201,741
11 The Salt of the Earth Mar 27, 2015 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $1,343,349 159,353
12 Iris Apr 29, 2015 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $1,310,678 155,478
13 The Wolfpack Jun 12, 2015 Magnolia Pictures R $1,301,696 154,412
14 Dior and I Apr 10, 2015 The Orchard R $1,028,953 122,058
15 Best of Enemies Jul 31, 2015 Magnolia Pictures R $892,802 105,908
16 The Wrecking Crew Mar 13, 2015 Magnolia Pictures PG $801,606 95,090
17 Seymour: An Introduction Mar 13, 2015 IFC Films PG $729,744 86,565
18 Cartel Land Jul 3, 2015 The Orchard R $704,352 83,553
19 Red Army Jan 23, 2015 Sony Pictures Cla… PG $694,647 82,402
20 CitizenFour Oct 24, 2014 RADiUS-TWC R $600,807 71,270
21 Born to be Wild 3D Apr 8, 2011 Warner Bros. G $587,060 69,639
22 Awake: The Life of Yogananda Oct 10, 2014 Counterpoint Film… PG $527,317 62,552
23 The Black Panthers: Vanguar… Sep 2, 2015 PBS Distribution Not Rated $516,893 61,316
24 Deli Man: The Movie Feb 27, 2015 Cohen Media Group PG-13 $502,294 59,584
25 Steve Jobs: The Man in the … Sep 4, 2015 Magnolia Pictures R $494,506 58,660
26 Under the Sea 3D Feb 13, 2009 Warner Bros. G $427,208 50,677
27 Rosenwald Aug 14, 2015 The Ciesla Founda… Not Rated $426,891 50,640
28 Listen to Me Marlon Jul 29, 2015 Abramorama Films Not Rated $426,130 50,549
29 Unbranded Sep 25, 2015 Gravitas Ventures PG-13 $410,185 48,658
30 The Hunting Ground Feb 27, 2015 RADiUS-TWC PG-13 $405,917 48,151
31 Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict Nov 6, 2015 Submarine Deluxe Not Rated $393,584 46,688
32 She's Beautiful When She's … Dec 5, 2014 International Fil… Not Rated $382,172 45,335
33 Ballet 422 Feb 6, 2015 Magnolia Pictures PG $333,554 39,567
34 Heart of a Dog Oct 21, 2015 Abramorama Films Not Rated $315,303 37,402
35 Taxi Oct 2, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $291,088 34,530
36 Above and Beyond Jan 30, 2015 International Fil… Not Rated $288,751 34,253
37 Janis: Little Girl Blue Nov 27, 2015 FilmRise Not Rated $253,405 30,060
38 Jeremy Scott: The People’s … Sep 18, 2015 The Vladar Company PG-13 $225,000 26,690
39 Hitchcock/Truffaut Dec 2, 2015 Cohen Media Group PG-13 $198,512 23,548
40 Merchants of Doubt Mar 6, 2015 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $192,362 22,819
41 Lambert & Stamp Apr 3, 2015 Sony Pictures Cla… R $183,320 21,746
42 An Honest Liar Mar 6, 2015 Abramorama Films Not Rated $180,590 21,422
43 All Things Must Pass Oct 16, 2015 Gravitas Ventures Not Rated $166,872 19,795
44 Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck Apr 24, 2015 Not Rated $140,208 16,632
45 To the Arctic 3D Apr 20, 2012 Warner Bros. G $136,146 16,150
46 Don't Think I've Forgotten:… Apr 22, 2015 Argot Pictures Not Rated $133,443 15,830
47 The Look of Silence Jul 17, 2015 Drafthouse Films PG-13 $109,089 12,941
48 Do I Sound Gay? Jul 10, 2015 IFC Films Not Rated $108,620 12,885
49 In Jackson Heights Nov 4, 2015 Zipporah Not Rated $102,475 12,156
50 Beyond the Brick: A LEGO Br… Jul 31, 2015 RADiUS-TWC G $101,531 12,044
51 I Am Eleven Sep 12, 2014 Proud Mother Pict… Not Rated $98,057 11,632
52 A Ballerina's Tale Oct 14, 2015 IFC Films Not Rated $96,900 11,495
53 A Poem Is a Naked Person May 9, 1974 Janus Films Not Rated $96,592 11,458
54 Sunshine Superman May 22, 2015 Magnolia Pictures PG $88,097 10,450
55 Trace Amounts Jan 2, 2015 Gathr Films Not Rated $80,735 9,577
56 Tab Hunter Confidential Oct 15, 2015 Not Rated $78,323 9,291
57 Batkid Begins Jun 26, 2015 Warner Bros. PG $74,709 8,862
58 Antarctica: A Year on Ice Nov 28, 2014 Music Box Films PG $73,672 8,739
59 I Am Big Bird: The Caroll S… May 6, 2015 TriBeca Films Not Rated $67,845 8,048
60 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Warner Bros. G $65,701 7,794
61 National Gallery Nov 5, 2014 Zipporah Not Rated $64,597 7,663
62 Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead… Sep 25, 2015 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $62,684 7,436
63 Dark Star: H.R. Giger's World May 13, 2015 Icarus Films Not Rated $61,303 7,272
64 Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't… Aug 27, 2015 Not Rated $56,744 6,731
65 The Quay Brothers in 35MM Aug 19, 2015 Zeitgeist Not Rated $51,858 6,152
66 We Come as Friends Aug 14, 2015 BBC Worldwide Nor… Not Rated $50,921 6,040
67 The Yes Men Are Revolting Nov 20, 2014 The Orchard Not Rated $50,190 5,954
68 Jag är Ingrid Nov 13, 2015 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $42,381 5,027
69 The Search for General Tso Jan 2, 2015 Sundance Selects Not Rated $41,455 4,918
70 Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot Jul 10, 2015 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $41,340 4,904
71 Love Thy Nature Apr 14, 2015 Not Rated $41,336 4,903
72 The Seven Five May 8, 2015 IFC Films R $40,674 4,825
73 Het nieuwe Rijksmuseum Jun 19, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $40,578 4,814
74 What Our Fathers Did: A Naz… Nov 6, 2015 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $40,119 4,759
75 Prophet’s Prey Sep 18, 2015 Showtime Original Not Rated $39,347 4,667
76 Grey Gardens Feb 19, 1976 Janus Films PG $36,923 4,380
77 Welcome to Leith Sep 9, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $36,010 4,272
78 Finders Keepers Sep 25, 2015 The Orchard R $35,555 4,218
79 El boton de nacar Oct 23, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $34,929 4,143
80 Paul Taylor Creative Domain Sep 11, 2015 Resident Artist Not Rated $30,168 3,579
81 3 and 1/2 Minutes Jun 19, 2015 Participant Media Not Rated $29,725 3,526
82 Siakh lokhamim: ha'slilim h… Nov 20, 2015 Music Box Films Not Rated $28,231 3,349
83 Tap World Jul 10, 2015 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $26,747 3,173
84 Peace Officer Sep 16, 2015 Submarine Deluxe Not Rated $26,632 3,159
85 Sagrada: el misteri de la c… Sep 12, 2014 First Run Features Not Rated $26,575 3,152
86 Last Days in Vietnam Sep 5, 2014 American Experien… Not Rated $26,083 3,094
87 Meet the Mormons Oct 10, 2014 Purdie Distribution PG $23,562 2,795
88 The Epic of Everest Mar 22, 1927 Kino International Not Rated $22,382 2,655
89 Can't Stand Losing You: Sur… Mar 20, 2015 Cinema Libre Not Rated $22,326 2,648
90 Misery Loves Comedy Apr 14, 2015 TriBeca Films Not Rated $19,634 2,329
91 Actress Nov 7, 2014 Cinema Guild Not Rated $19,365 2,297
92 Monk With a Camera Nov 21, 2014 Kino Lorber Not Rated $18,275 2,168
93 Das große Museum Apr 24, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $18,020 2,138
94 This Changes Everything Oct 2, 2015 Abramorama Films Not Rated $16,692 1,980
95 Girlhood Oct 31, 2003 Not Rated $16,562 1,965
96 Noma: My Perfect Storm Dec 18, 2015 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $13,735 1,629
97 The Armor Of Light Oct 30, 2015 Fork Films PG-13 $12,267 1,455
98 The Overnighters Oct 10, 2014 Drafthouse Films PG-13 $12,071 1,432
99 Emptying The Skies Apr 22, 2015 Music Box Films Not Rated $11,811 1,401
100 Sembene! Nov 13, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $10,945 1,298
101 Walking the Camino: Six Way… Sep 6, 2013 Future Educationa… Not Rated $10,783 1,279
102 Mala Mala Jul 1, 2015 Strand Releasing Not Rated $10,761 1,277
103 The Forecaster Mar 17, 2015 Autlook Films Not Rated $10,172 1,207
104 The Life and Mind of Mark D… Mar 6, 2015 City Drive Films Not Rated $10,021 1,189
105 Station to Station Aug 21, 2015 Submarine Deluxe Not Rated $9,494 1,126
106 One Cut, One Life May 13, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $9,406 1,116
107 Butterfly Girl Feb 27, 2015 Indican Pictures Not Rated $8,956 1,062
108 Farewell to Hollywood Feb 25, 2015 International Fil… Not Rated $8,601 1,020
109 Wa-shoku: Beyond Sushi Apr 10, 2015 Not Rated $8,570 1,017
110 Counting Jul 31, 2015 Cinema Guild Not Rated $8,374 993
111 Steak (R)evolution Jul 17, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $8,025 952
112 The Winding Stream Dec 16, 2015 Argot Pictures Not Rated $7,553 896
113 Sur le chemin de l'ecole Feb 6, 2015 Distrib Films G $7,424 881
114 Rubble Kings Jun 19, 2015 Saboteur Media Not Rated $7,416 880
115 Antarctic Edge: 70º South Apr 17, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $7,193 853
116 A Murder in the Park Jun 26, 2015 Sundance Selects PG-13 $7,125 845
117 Advanced Style Sep 26, 2014 Bond/360 Not Rated $6,905 819
118 Steve McQueen: The Man & Le… Nov 13, 2015 FilmRise Not Rated $6,843 812
119 Cavalo Dinheiro Jul 24, 2015 Cinema Guild Not Rated $6,508 772
120 Famous Nathan Jul 17, 2015 Film Movement Not Rated $6,048 717
121 Top Spin Aug 21, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $5,858 695
122 Shout Gladi Gladi Oct 2, 2015 International Fil… Not Rated $5,839 693
123 The Wanted 18 Jun 19, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $5,680 674
124 Our Man in Tehran May 15, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $5,573 661
125 Concerning Violence Dec 5, 2014 Kino Lorber Not Rated $5,439 645
126 Revenge of the Mekons Oct 29, 2014 Music Box Films Not Rated $5,374 637
127 Miss Hill: Making Dance Matter Jan 23, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $4,706 558
128 Seeds of Time May 22, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $4,630 549
129 Tango Negro: The African Ro… Aug 14, 2015 ArtMattan Films Not Rated $4,593 545
130 Farewell, Herr Schwartz Jan 9, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $4,455 528
131 Im Keller Nov 6, 2015 Strand Releasing Not Rated $3,643 432
132 That Sugar Film Jul 31, 2015 IDP/Samuel Goldwy… Not Rated $3,500 415
133 Dreams Rewired Dec 16, 2015 Icarus Films Not Rated $3,240 384
134 Banksy Does New York Nov 14, 2014 HBO Documentary F… Not Rated $2,388 283
135 20,000 Days on Earth Sep 17, 2014 Drafthouse Films Not Rated $2,315 275
136 Sneakerheadz Aug 7, 2015 Submarine Deluxe Not Rated $1,903 226
137 The Other Man: F.W. de Kler… Feb 6, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $1,747 207
138 Making Rounds Oct 30, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $1,484 176
139 Faith Connections Sep 12, 2014 Kino Lorber Not Rated $1,339 159
140 C'est dur d'être aimé par d… Mar 13, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $1,279 152
141 Der Anstandige Oct 1, 2014 Kino Lorber Not Rated $1,087 129
142 Through a Lens Darkly Aug 27, 2014 First Run Features Not Rated $728 86
143 Finding Fela! Aug 1, 2014 Kino Lorber Not Rated $554 66
Total Gross of All Movies$65,168,052
Total Tickets Sold7,730,488

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2015. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2015. For example, a movie released over Thanksgiving in 2010 will most likely earn money in 2010 and 2011. Click on the individual movie to see its total gross over all the years in which it played.

Inflation-adjusted figures are based ticket sale estimates, and may not be precise due to rounding errors.

Our Theatrical Market pages are based on the Domestic Theatrical Market performance only. The Domestic Market is defined as the North American movie territory (consisting of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam).

The yearly amounts on our Theatrical Market pages are based on box office years. Each box office year starts on the first Monday of the year, so the previous year ends on the Sunday before the first Monday. For example, the "2017 box office year" started on January 2, 2017 so the "2016 box office year" ended on Sunday, January 1, 2017.