Market Charts > 2008 > Genres > Drama

Box Office Performance for Drama Movies in 2008

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RankMovieRelease
Date
Theatrical
Distributor
MPAA
Rating
2008 GrossTickets Sold
1 Twilight Nov 21, 2008 Summit Entertainment PG-13 $176,922,850 24,641,065
2 The Curious Case of Benjami… Dec 25, 2008 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $79,297,086 11,044,162
3 Seven Pounds Dec 19, 2008 Sony Pictures PG-13 $60,147,298 8,377,061
4 Step Up 2 the Streets Feb 14, 2008 Walt Disney PG-13 $58,017,783 8,080,471
5 Australia Nov 26, 2008 20th Century Fox PG-13 $46,686,713 6,502,328
6 Nights in Rodanthe Sep 26, 2008 Warner Bros. PG-13 $41,802,381 5,822,059
7 There Will Be Blood Dec 26, 2007 Paramount Vantage R $39,795,491 5,542,547
8 The Secret Life of Bees Oct 17, 2008 Fox Searchlight PG-13 $37,525,311 5,226,366
9 Fireproof Sep 26, 2008 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG $33,256,544 4,631,830
10 Atonement Dec 7, 2007 Focus Features R $31,824,552 4,432,388
11 Nick and Norah's Infinite P… Oct 3, 2008 Sony Pictures PG-13 $31,487,293 4,385,416
12 Slumdog Millionaire Nov 12, 2008 Fox Searchlight R $28,676,598 3,993,955
13 The Other Boleyn Girl Feb 29, 2008 Sony Pictures PG-13 $26,814,957 3,734,673
14 W. Oct 17, 2008 Lionsgate PG-13 $25,534,493 3,556,336
15 Doubt Dec 12, 2008 Miramax PG-13 $18,705,481 2,605,220
16 Kit Kittredge: An American … Jun 20, 2008 Picturehouse G $17,657,973 2,459,327
17 Milk Nov 26, 2008 Focus Features R $17,157,994 2,389,692
18 Pride and Glory Oct 24, 2008 Warner Bros. R $15,740,721 2,192,301
19 The Duchess Sep 19, 2008 Paramount Vantage PG-13 $13,848,978 1,928,827
20 La misma luna Mar 19, 2008 Weinstein Co. PG-13 $12,590,147 1,753,502
21 Stop-Loss Mar 28, 2008 Paramount Pictures R $10,915,744 1,520,299
22 Rachel Getting Married Oct 3, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $10,307,424 1,435,574
23 Michael Clayton Oct 5, 2007 Warner Bros. R $9,866,490 1,374,163
24 Gran Torino Dec 12, 2008 Warner Bros. R $9,820,554 1,367,765
25 The Express Oct 10, 2008 Universal PG $9,793,406 1,363,984
26 The Kite Runner Dec 14, 2007 Paramount Vantage PG-13 $9,372,753 1,305,397
27 The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas Nov 7, 2008 Miramax PG-13 $8,854,137 1,233,166
28 The Great Debaters Dec 25, 2007 Weinstein Co. PG-13 $8,212,379 1,143,785
29 Cadillac Records Dec 5, 2008 Sony Pictures R $8,191,768 1,140,914
30 Miracle at St. Anna Sep 26, 2008 Walt Disney R $7,916,887 1,102,630
31 How She Move Jan 25, 2008 Paramount Vantage PG-13 $7,070,641 984,769
32 Brideshead Revisited Jul 25, 2008 Miramax PG-13 $6,432,256 895,857
33 Frost/Nixon Dec 5, 2008 Universal R $6,291,176 876,208
34 Mongol Jun 6, 2008 Picturehouse R $5,705,761 794,674
35 Die Fälscher Feb 22, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $5,488,570 764,425
36 The Savages Nov 28, 2007 Fox Searchlight R $4,654,390 648,244
37 Le Scaphandre et le Papillon Nov 30, 2007 Miramax PG-13 $4,531,162 631,081
38 Flash of Genius Oct 3, 2008 Universal PG-13 $4,442,377 618,715
39 Passchendaele Oct 24, 2008 Alliance Atlantis Not Rated $4,435,251 617,722
40 Persepolis Dec 25, 2007 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $4,129,763 575,175
41 Bottle Shock Aug 6, 2008 Freestyle Releasing PG-13 $4,078,607 568,051
42 Elegy Aug 8, 2008 Samuel Goldwyn Films R $3,577,210 498,218
43 The Reader Dec 10, 2008 Weinstein Co. R $3,553,578 494,927
44 Jodhaa Akbar Feb 14, 2008 UTV Communications Not Rated $3,444,629 479,753
45 Synecdoche, New York Oct 24, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $2,705,849 376,859
46 Il y a longtemps que je t'aime Sep 12, 2008 Not Rated $2,355,979 328,130
47 Frozen River Aug 1, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $2,309,148 321,608
48 The Fall May 9, 2008 Roadside Attractions R $2,273,751 316,678
49 Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Dec 12, 2008 Yash Raj Films Not Rated $2,040,699 284,219
50 Roman de Gare Apr 25, 2008 Samuel Goldwyn Films R $1,852,764 258,045
51 Talento de Barrio Aug 14, 2008 R $1,667,294 232,213
52 Married Life Mar 7, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $1,506,998 209,888
53 August Rush Nov 21, 2007 Warner Bros. PG $1,490,945 207,653
54 Revolutionary Road Dec 26, 2008 Paramount Vantage R $1,375,749 191,608
55 Shoot on Sight Sep 26, 2008 Aron Govil Produc… R $1,350,230 188,054
56 The Wrestler Dec 17, 2008 Fox Searchlight R $1,324,228 184,433
57 Into the Wild Sep 21, 2007 Paramount Vantage R $1,295,247 180,397
58 Flawless Mar 28, 2008 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $1,200,234 167,163
59 4 luni, 3 saptamani si 2 zile Jan 25, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $1,196,321 166,618
60 Brick Lane Jun 20, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $1,094,998 152,506
61 And When Did You Last See Y… Jun 6, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $1,071,240 149,197
62 Before the Rains May 9, 2008 Roadside Attractions PG-13 $1,037,128 144,446
63 The Children of Huang Shi May 23, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $1,031,872 143,714
64 U Me Aur Hum Apr 11, 2008 Eros Entertainment Not Rated $1,028,191 143,202
65 American Gangster Nov 2, 2007 Universal R $1,013,910 141,213
66 Sarkar Raj Jun 6, 2008 Eros Entertainment Not Rated $1,009,065 140,538
67 Un conte de Noël Nov 14, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $992,052 138,168
68 Cassandra's Dream Jan 18, 2008 Weinstein Co. PG-13 $973,018 135,517
69 Emma Smith: My Story Apr 11, 2008 Candlelight Media PG $872,427 121,507
70 My Blueberry Nights Apr 4, 2008 Weinstein Co. PG-13 $866,778 120,721
71 O Ano em Que Meus Pais Saír… Feb 15, 2008 City Lights Pictures PG $807,117 112,411
72 Une vieille maîtresse Jun 27, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $785,671 109,424
73 Auf der anderen Seite May 21, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $742,349 103,391
74 I’m Not There Nov 21, 2007 Weinstein Co. R $725,274 101,013
75 Forever Strong Sep 26, 2008 Crane Movie Company PG-13 $719,556 100,216
76 Un été sans point ni coup s… Aug 1, 2008 Not Rated $712,036 99,169
77 Fugitive Pieces May 2, 2008 Samuel Goldwyn Films R $634,379 88,353
78 Un secret Sep 10, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $578,051 80,508
79 Reprise May 16, 2008 Miramax R $554,826 77,273
80 Maman est chez le coiffeur May 2, 2008 Not Rated $552,984 77,017
81 Bonneville Feb 29, 2008 Senart/Scranton-Lacy PG $488,393 68,021
82 Paranoid Park Mar 7, 2008 IFC Films R $486,021 67,690
83 La Ligne Brisée Mar 7, 2008 Not Rated $466,309 64,945
84 Le voyage du ballon rouge Apr 2, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $459,364 63,978
85 Bhoothnath May 9, 2008 Eros Entertainment Not Rated $449,776 62,642
86 Savage Grace May 28, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $434,417 60,503
87 Before the Devil Knows You'… Oct 26, 2007 ThinkFilm R $432,580 60,247
88 Bella Oct 26, 2007 Roadside Attractions PG-13 $428,867 59,730
89 Snow Angels Mar 7, 2008 Warner Independent R $402,858 56,108
90 Starting Out in the Evening Nov 23, 2007 Roadside Attractions PG-13 $374,092 52,101
91 Towelhead Sep 12, 2008 Warner Bros. R $372,124 51,828
92 La Rivière aux Castors Feb 22, 2008 Alliance Atlantis Not Rated $360,886 50,262
93 Last Chance Harvey Dec 25, 2008 Overture Films PG-13 $350,947 48,878
94 Jellyfish Apr 4, 2008 Zeitgeist Not Rated $341,221 47,523
95 Tout est Parfait Feb 15, 2008 Alliance Atlantis Not Rated $336,569 46,875
96 Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic Jun 27, 2008 Yash Raj Films Not Rated $335,874 46,779
97 Billy: The Early Years of B… Oct 10, 2008 Rocky Mountain Pi… Not Rated $320,896 44,693
98 Cidade dos Homens Feb 29, 2008 Miramax R $307,076 42,768
99 Life Before Her Eyes Apr 18, 2008 Magnolia Pictures R $303,439 42,261
100 Ne touchez pas la hache Feb 22, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $278,601 38,802
101 Le fils de l'épicier Jun 6, 2008 Film Movement Not Rated $276,454 38,503
102 The Lucky Ones Sep 26, 2008 Lionsgate R $266,967 37,182
103 Mio Fratello è Figlio Unico Mar 28, 2008 ThinkFilm R $255,620 35,601
104 Honeydripper Dec 28, 2007 Emerging Pictures PG-13 $244,727 34,084
105 La Môme Jun 8, 2007 Picturehouse PG-13 $227,482 31,682
106 Goal! 2: Living the Dream... Aug 29, 2008 Walt Disney PG-13 $225,067 31,346
107 Battle in Seattle Sep 19, 2008 ThinkFilm R $223,537 31,133
108 Che, Part 1: The Argentine Dec 12, 2008 IFC Films R $218,470 30,427
109 La Graine et le Mulet Aug 1, 2008 Not Rated $203,490 28,341
110 Hofshat Kaits May 16, 2008 Kino International Not Rated $203,304 28,315
111 The Errand of Angels Aug 22, 2008 Excel Entertainment PG $195,184 27,184
112 Ben X Oct 24, 2008 Film Movement Not Rated $193,137 26,899
113 Margot at the Wedding Nov 16, 2007 Paramount Vantage R $191,989 26,739
114 In Search of a Midnight Kiss Aug 1, 2008 IFC First Take Not Rated $172,177 23,980
115 Ce qu'il faut pour vivre Aug 29, 2008 Not Rated $170,543 23,752
116 Sleepwalking Mar 14, 2008 Overture Films R $168,972 23,533
117 Le ballon rouge Mar 11, 1957 Janus Films Not Rated $161,668 22,516
118 Le Mépris Dec 18, 1964 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $153,619 21,395
119 L'Année Dernière à Marienba… Mar 7, 1962 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $143,381 19,969
120 Shelter Mar 21, 2008 Regent Releasing R $142,666 19,869
121 Baghead Jun 13, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $140,016 19,500
122 Hounddog Sep 19, 2008 Empire Pictures R $132,016 18,386
123 Proud American Sep 12, 2008 Lightsource PG $131,672 18,338
124 Alexandra Mar 28, 2008 Cinema Guild Not Rated $124,085 17,282
125 Chop Shop Feb 27, 2008 Noruz Films Not Rated $123,731 17,232
126 Taare Zameen Par Dec 21, 2007 UTV Communications PG $119,532 16,647
127 Boy A Jul 23, 2008 Weinstein Co. R $113,662 15,830
128 Wendy and Lucy Dec 10, 2008 Oscilloscope Pict… R $111,329 15,505
129 Greetings from the Shore Sep 12, 2008 Newstyle Releasing R $96,314 13,414
130 The Pool Sep 3, 2008 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $94,901 13,217
131 Lola Montès Oct 10, 2008 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $90,774 12,642
132 Bab'Aziz - The Prince Who C… Feb 8, 2008 Typecast Releasing Not Rated $89,672 12,489
133 Tuyade Hunshi Apr 4, 2008 Music Box Films Not Rated $88,148 12,276
134 Little Chenier Jan 18, 2008 Slowhand Cinema R $87,939 12,247
135 Ballast Oct 1, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $84,980 11,835
136 Plus tard Oct 31, 2008 Kino International Not Rated $84,787 11,808
137 Me & You, Us, Forever Feb 15, 2008 Five & Two Pictures Not Rated $84,093 11,712
138 Save Me Sep 5, 2008 First Run Features Not Rated $82,369 11,472
139 Ping Pong Playa Sep 5, 2008 IFC Films PG-13 $77,907 10,850
140 One Day You'll Understand Nov 21, 2008 City Lights Pictures Not Rated $77,368 10,775
141 Naissance des pieuvres Apr 4, 2008 Koch Lorber Films Not Rated $77,310 10,767
142 Les Témoins Feb 1, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $77,300 10,766
143 Love Comes Lately Jun 13, 2008 Kino International Not Rated $76,872 10,706
144 A Thousand Years of Good Pr… Sep 19, 2008 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $76,806 10,697
145 Sanxia haoren Jan 18, 2008 New Yorker Not Rated $75,985 10,582
146 The Stone Angel Jul 11, 2008 Vivendi Entertain… R $75,139 10,465
147 August Evening Sep 5, 2008 Maya Releasing PG-13 $74,494 10,375
148 Take Out Jun 6, 2008 CAVU Releasing Not Rated $69,816 9,723
149 Yihe yuan Jan 18, 2008 Palm Pictures Not Rated $62,707 8,733
150 A Casa de Alice Jan 25, 2008 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $61,678 8,590
151 Deal Apr 25, 2008 MGM PG-13 $61,626 8,583
152 Bushi no ichibun Nov 2, 2007 Eleven Arts Not Rated $60,910 8,483
153 Mister Foe Sep 5, 2008 Magnolia Pictures R $60,641 8,445
154 Lions for Lambs Nov 9, 2007 United Artists R $59,749 8,321
155 What We Do Is Secret Aug 8, 2008 R $58,776 8,186
156 Sodot Ha Nov 26, 2008 Monterey Media R $57,509 8,009
157 Chapter 27 Mar 28, 2008 Vitagraph Films R $56,215 7,829
158 Holly Nov 9, 2007 Priority Films R $54,817 7,634
159 Padre Nuestro May 14, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $54,166 7,544
160 El Violin Dec 5, 2007 Film Movement Not Rated $48,691 6,781
161 XXY May 2, 2008 Film Movement Not Rated $46,011 6,408
162 The Babysitters May 9, 2008 Peace Arch Releasing R $44,852 6,246
163 Irina Palm Mar 21, 2008 Strand Releasing R $44,064 6,137
164 All Roads Lead Home Sep 26, 2008 Waldo West Produc… PG $43,905 6,114
165 Breakfast with Scot Oct 10, 2008 Regent Releasing PG-13 $43,383 6,042
166 Se jie Sep 28, 2007 Focus Features NC-17 $41,797 5,821
167 How About You Nov 14, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $39,763 5,538
168 Jake's Corner Sep 5, 2008 Emerging Pictures PG $37,600 5,236
169 Shotgun Stories Dec 14, 2007 International Fil… PG-13 $36,309 5,056
170 Dark Matter Apr 11, 2008 First Independent… R $30,591 4,260
171 Jannat May 16, 2008 Shemaroo Entertai… Not Rated $30,316 4,222
172 Yella May 16, 2008 Cinema Guild Not Rated $30,309 4,221
173 Good Dick Oct 10, 2008 Present Pictures/… R $28,835 4,016
174 Undoing Jan 4, 2008 Indican Pictures R $27,128 3,778
175 The Air I Breathe Jan 25, 2008 ThinkFilm R $25,775 3,589
176 Control Oct 10, 2007 Weinstein Co. R $25,331 3,527
177 Avant que j'oublie Jul 18, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $25,209 3,511
178 L'Enfant sauvage Sep 9, 1970 The Film Desk G $24,973 3,478
179 The Walker Dec 7, 2007 ThinkFilm R $24,732 3,444
180 On Broadway Mar 14, 2008 Picture Park Not Rated $23,095 3,216
181 The Elephant King Oct 17, 2008 Unison Films R $22,251 3,099
182 InSearchOf Nov 7, 2008 Not Rated $22,094 3,077
183 Maldeamores Mar 14, 2008 Maya Releasing R $22,000 3,064
184 Garden Party Jul 11, 2008 Roadside Attractions Not Rated $21,886 3,048
185 The World Unseen Nov 7, 2008 Regent Releasing PG-13 $17,808 2,480
186 Holding Trevor Jul 4, 2008 Regent Releasing R $16,814 2,341
187 Day Zero Jan 18, 2008 First Look R $16,659 2,320
188 Huhwihaji anha Jul 25, 2008 Regent Releasing R $15,347 2,137
189 Never Forever Apr 11, 2008 Arts Alliance Ame… R $14,485 2,017
190 Ripple Effect Jul 11, 2008 Monterey Media R $14,059 1,958
191 Good Dec 31, 2008 ThinkFilm R $13,651 1,901
192 Mumbai Meri Jaan Aug 22, 2008 UTV Communications Not Rated $13,588 1,892
193 Grace Is Gone Dec 7, 2007 Weinstein Co. PG $13,467 1,875
194 Mang Shan Mar 12, 2008 Kino International Not Rated $13,164 1,833
195 Eden Nov 14, 2008 Not Rated $13,053 1,817
196 Lake City Nov 21, 2008 Screen Media Films R $12,686 1,766
197 August Jul 11, 2008 First Look R $12,636 1,759
198 J'entends plus la guitare Feb 25, 2008 The Film Desk Not Rated $12,616 1,757
199 In the Valley of Elah Sep 14, 2007 Warner Bros. R $12,560 1,749
200 The Tracey Fragments Nov 2, 2007 R $12,459 1,735
201 Backseat Mar 28, 2008 Truly Indie Not Rated $12,343 1,719
202 Vice May 9, 2008 41 Inc. R $12,000 1,671
203 The Go-Getter Jun 6, 2008 Peace Arch Releasing R $11,931 1,661
204 Quid Pro Quo Jun 13, 2008 Magnolia Pictures R $11,864 1,652
205 Contre-Enquete Feb 29, 2008 Not Rated $11,846 1,649
206 Gardens of the Night Nov 7, 2008 City Lights Pictures R $11,436 1,592
207 Dark Streets Dec 12, 2008 Samuel Goldwyn Films R $10,958 1,526
208 Ping Guo Jan 25, 2008 New Yorker Not Rated $10,827 1,507
209 The Pleasure of Being Robbed Oct 3, 2008 Not Rated $10,687 1,488
210 The Black Balloon Dec 5, 2008 Icon Film Distrib… PG-13 $10,342 1,440
211 Live Fast, Die Young Oct 24, 2008 Riverrain Not Rated $9,841 1,370
212 A Good Day to be Black and … Dec 5, 2008 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $8,629 1,201
213 Amexicano Dec 5, 2008 Maya Releasing PG-13 $8,387 1,168
214 Vivre sa vie: Film en douze… Sep 23, 1963 Janus Films Not Rated $8,336 1,161
215 Otto; Or, Up with Dead People Nov 7, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $7,733 1,077
216 Vredens Dag Apr 24, 1948 Janus Films Not Rated $7,642 1,064
217 Special Nov 21, 2008 Revolver Entertai… R $7,202 1,003
218 It Always Rains on Sunday Feb 13, 1949 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $7,176 999
219 Take Jul 18, 2008 Liberation Entert… R $6,627 922
220 The Sensation of Sight Nov 9, 2007 Monterey Media R $6,558 913
221 Ek Vivaah... Aisa Nhi Nov 7, 2008 Eros Entertainment Not Rated $6,437 896
222 It's a Free World... May 16, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $6,389 889
223 Bes Vakit Jan 11, 2008 Atlantik Films Not Rated $6,176 860
224 Red Roses and Petrol Jun 27, 2008 World Wide Motion… R $6,000 835
225 The Restless Nov 21, 2008 CJ Entertainment Not Rated $5,976 832
226 Choose Connor Oct 10, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $5,788 806
227 Fraulein Sep 19, 2008 Film Movement Not Rated $5,715 795
228 Nights and Weekends Oct 10, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $5,430 756
229 The Amazing Truth About Que… Sep 26, 2008 Regent Releasing R $5,384 749
230 Tre Feb 1, 2008 Cinema Libre Not Rated $4,759 662
231 Romulus, My Father Feb 29, 2008 Magnolia Pictures R $4,283 596
232 Beed-e majnoon Aug 3, 2007 New Yorker Not Rated $4,253 592
233 Where God Left His Shoes Dec 12, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $3,911 544
234 Genghis Khan: To the Ends o… Feb 21, 2008 The Bigger Picture R $3,892 542
235 Hunger Dec 5, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $3,561 495
236 Death Defying Acts Jul 11, 2008 Weinstein Co. PG $3,561 495
237 Vivere Feb 29, 2008 Regent Releasing R $3,547 494
238 Nothing But the Truth Dec 19, 2008 Yari Film Group R… R $3,500 487
239 Das Haus der schlafenden Sc… Nov 14, 2008 First Run Features Not Rated $3,387 471
240 Wonderful Town Jul 18, 2008 Kino International Not Rated $3,239 451
241 Turn the River May 9, 2008 Screen Media Films R $2,900 403
242 The Killing of John Lennon Jan 2, 2008 IFC First Take Not Rated $2,666 371
243 Polar Opposites Jun 6, 2008 Regent Releasing PG-13 $2,377 331
244 13 Months of Sunshine Jun 6, 2008 Not Rated $2,237 311
245 La Leon Oct 10, 2008 Music Box Films Not Rated $1,708 237
246 Flashbacks of a Fool Oct 17, 2008 Anchor Bay Entert… R $1,020 142
247 Oublier Cheyenne Dec 7, 2007 Regent Releasing R $722 100
248 Disfigured Jul 18, 2008 Cinema Libre Not Rated $586 81
249 White Rainbow Apr 7, 2006 Rocky Mountain Pi… PG-13 $541 75
250 Rome & Jewel Nov 28, 2008 Emerging Pictures Not Rated $470 65
251 Arranged Dec 14, 2007 Film Movement Not Rated $462 64
252 Beautiful Boxer Jan 21, 2005 Regent Releasing Not Rated $447 62
253 The Rise and Fall of Miss T… Aug 14, 2008 Lavender House Films Not Rated $401 55
Total Gross of All Movies$1,034,722,532
Total Tickets Sold144,111,664

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2008. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2008. 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.