Market Charts > 2011 > Genres > Documentary

Box Office Performance for Documentary Movies in 2011

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RankMovieRelease
Date		 Theatrical
Distributor		MPAA
Rating		2011 GrossTickets Sold
1 African Cats Apr 22, 2011 Walt Disney G $15,428,747 1,945,617
2 Born to be Wild 3D Apr 8, 2011 Warner Bros. G $15,183,665 1,914,712
3 Hubble 3D Mar 19, 2010 Warner Bros. G $9,936,258 1,252,996
4 Cave of Forgotten Dreams Apr 29, 2011 IFC Films G $5,304,920 668,968
5 Under the Sea 3D Feb 13, 2009 Warner Bros. G $4,948,586 624,034
6 Sea Rex 3D: Journey to a Pr… May 28, 2010 3D Entertainment Not Rated $4,465,060 563,059
7 Buck Jun 17, 2011 IFC Films PG $4,036,175 508,975
8 Space Station Apr 19, 2002 IMAX Films Not Rated $2,167,258 273,298
9 Senna Aug 12, 2011 Universal R $1,612,430 203,332
10 I Am Feb 18, 2011 Paladin Not Rated $1,591,034 200,634
11 Bill Cunningham New York Mar 16, 2011 Zeitgeist Not Rated $1,510,026 190,419
12 Beats, Rhymes & Life: The T… Jul 8, 2011 Sony Pictures Cla… R $1,200,046 151,329
13 Sholem Aleichem: Laughing i… Jul 8, 2011 International Fil… Not Rated $1,131,261 142,655
14 Page One: Inside the New Yo… Jun 17, 2011 Magnolia Pictures R $1,067,028 134,555
15 Inside Job Oct 8, 2010 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $859,817 108,425
16 Tabloid! Jul 15, 2011 IFC Films R $696,921 87,884
17 POM Wonderful Presents: The… Apr 22, 2011 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $638,476 80,513
18 The Last Lions Feb 18, 2011 National Geograph… PG $635,325 80,116
19 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Warner Bros. G $524,144 66,096
20 Pearl Jam Twenty Sep 20, 2011 Arts Alliance Ame… Not Rated $471,334 59,436
21 Project Nim Jul 8, 2011 Roadside Attractions PG-13 $411,184 51,851
22 Turtle: The Incredible Journey Jun 24, 2011 Hannover House G $391,942 49,425
23 L'Amour Fou May 13, 2011 IFC Films Not Rated $312,494 39,407
24 Galapagos Oct 29, 1999 IMAX Films Not Rated $311,275 39,252
25 The Black Power Mixtape: 19… Sep 9, 2011 IFC Films Not Rated $273,749 34,521
26 Conan O'Brien Can't Stop Jun 24, 2011 Abramorama Films R $267,965 33,791
27 Phil Ochs: There but for Fo… Jan 5, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $263,723 33,256
28 Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric… Oct 5, 2007 National Geograph… Not Rated $262,465 33,097
29 PASSIONE: A Musical Adventure Jun 22, 2011 Abramorama Films Not Rated $258,222 32,562
30 Life in a Day Jul 27, 2011 National Geograph… PG $252,788 31,877
31 My Perestroika Mar 23, 2011 International Fil… Not Rated $242,706 30,606
32 The Interrupters Jul 29, 2011 Cinema Guild Not Rated $236,957 29,881
33 Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's J… Oct 21, 2011 Submarine Deluxe PG $236,939 29,878
34 Into the Abyss Nov 11, 2011 IFC Films PG-13 $223,340 28,164
35 Winston Churchill: Walking … Oct 29, 2010 Moriah Films Not Rated $212,601 26,809
36 The Wildest Dream Apr 30, 2010 National Geograph… PG $203,839 25,704
37 Queen of the Sun Sep 17, 2010 Collective Eye Not Rated $203,100 25,611
38 El Bulli: Cooking in Progress Jul 27, 2011 Alive Mind Not Rated $196,127 24,732
39 JIG Jun 17, 2011 Screen Media Films PG $183,790 23,176
40 American: The Bill Hicks Story Apr 8, 2011 Variance Films Not Rated $174,796 22,042
41 The Man Nobody Knew: In Sea… Sep 23, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $170,888 21,549
42 Magic Trip Aug 5, 2011 Magnolia Pictures R $154,521 19,485
43 Revenge of the Electric Car Oct 14, 2011 Mongrel Media PG-13 $150,886 19,027
44 Thunder Soul Sep 23, 2011 Roadside Attractions PG $143,986 18,157
45 Nostalgia de la luz Mar 18, 2011 Icarus Films Not Rated $142,285 17,942
46 Eames: The Architect and th… Nov 18, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $139,813 17,630
47 The Last Mountain Jun 3, 2011 Dada Films PG $122,959 15,505
48 The Big Uneasy Aug 30, 2010 Self Distributed Not Rated $116,698 14,716
49 Blank City Apr 6, 2011 Insurgent Media Not Rated $116,037 14,632
50 Rejoice and Shout Jun 3, 2011 Magnolia Pictures PG $100,237 12,640
51 The Undefeated Jul 15, 2011 Cinedigm PG-13 $100,085 12,621
52 Exporting Raymond Apr 29, 2011 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG $87,727 11,062
53 Vidal Sassoon: The Movie Feb 11, 2011 Phase 4 Films PG $85,974 10,841
54 Waste Land Oct 29, 2010 Arthouse Films Not Rated $85,262 10,751
55 Circo Apr 1, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $77,466 9,768
56 Kings of Pastry Sep 15, 2010 First Run Features Not Rated $71,904 9,067
57 Bhutto Dec 3, 2010 First Run Features Not Rated $65,239 8,226
58 The Whale Sep 9, 2011 Paladin G $61,120 7,707
59 How to Live Forever May 13, 2011 Variance Films Not Rated $60,630 7,645
60 Limelight Sep 23, 2011 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $60,335 7,608
61 Crime after Crime Jul 1, 2011 Life Sentence Fil… Not Rated $60,291 7,602
62 Finding Joe Sep 30, 2011 Balcony Releasing Not Rated $55,518 7,001
63 Into Eternity Feb 2, 2011 International Fil… Not Rated $55,366 6,981
64 The Other F Word Nov 2, 2011 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $53,714 6,773
65 Farmageddon Jun 17, 2011 Kristin Marie Pro… Not Rated $53,256 6,715
66 !Women, Art, Revolution Jun 1, 2011 Zeitgeist Not Rated $52,681 6,643
67 My Reincarnation Oct 28, 2011 Long Shot Factory R $51,742 6,524
68 Orgasm Inc. Feb 11, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $49,001 6,179
69 Marwencol Oct 8, 2010 Not Rated $48,744 6,146
70 Pianomania May 27, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $47,328 5,968
71 Connected: An Autobiography… Sep 16, 2011 Paladin PG $46,782 5,899
72 The Woodmans Jan 19, 2011 Lorber Films Not Rated $46,623 5,879
73 Magnificent Desolation Sep 23, 2005 IMAX Films Not Rated $44,582 5,621
74 Crazy Wisdom Nov 25, 2011 Alive Mind Not Rated $43,742 5,516
75 Love Etc. Jul 1, 2011 Not Rated $43,593 5,497
76 Over Your Cities Grass Will… Aug 10, 2011 Alive Mind Not Rated $43,214 5,449
77 Public Speaking Feb 23, 2011 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $43,184 5,445
78 People v. The State of Illu… Sep 9, 2011 Self Distributed Not Rated $42,202 5,321
79 Louder Than A Bomb May 18, 2011 Balcony Releasing Not Rated $40,362 5,089
80 Where Soldiers Come From Sep 9, 2011 International Fil… Not Rated $38,151 4,810
81 Granito: How to Nail a Dict… Sep 14, 2011 Skylight Pictures Not Rated $36,738 4,632
82 Hell and Back Again Oct 5, 2011 Docurama Not Rated $34,637 4,367
83 Making the Boys Mar 11, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $33,833 4,266
84 American Teacher Sep 30, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $33,144 4,179
85 HEY, BOO: Harper Lee and To… May 13, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $31,135 3,926
86 Topp Twins Untouchable Girls May 13, 2011 Argot Pictures Not Rated $29,200 3,682
87 Chasing Madoff Aug 26, 2011 Cohen Media Group Not Rated $28,850 3,638
88 Khodorkovsky Nov 30, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $27,718 3,495
89 Autobiografia lui Nicolae C… Sep 9, 2011 The Film Desk Not Rated $27,556 3,474
90 Forks Over Knives May 6, 2011 Monica Beach Media PG $27,000 3,404
91 Enemies of the People Jul 30, 2010 International Fil… Not Rated $26,708 3,367
92 Paul Goodman Changed My Life Oct 19, 2011 Zeitgeist Not Rated $25,020 3,155
93 Shut Up Little Man! An Audi… Aug 26, 2011 TriBeca Films Not Rated $23,901 3,013
94 Jane's Journey Sep 16, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $23,746 2,994
95 Garbo: El espía Nov 18, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $22,233 2,803
96 Incendiary: The Willingham … Sep 23, 2011 Truly Indie Not Rated $21,882 2,759
97 The Arbor Apr 27, 2011 Strand Releasing Not Rated $21,610 2,725
98 Cameraman: The Life and Wor… May 13, 2011 Strand Releasing Not Rated $20,840 2,627
99 Resurrect Dead: The Mystery… Sep 2, 2011 Argot Pictures Not Rated $20,726 2,613
100 Client 9: The Rise and Fall… Nov 5, 2010 Magnolia Pictures R $18,587 2,343
101 Battle for Brooklyn Jun 17, 2011 Rooftop Films Not Rated $17,981 2,267
102 Dumbstruck Apr 15, 2011 Truly Indie PG $15,378 1,939
103 Strange Powers: Stephin Mer… Oct 27, 2010 Variance Films Not Rated $14,567 1,836
104 Armadillo Apr 15, 2011 Lorber Films Not Rated $14,566 1,836
105 William S. Burroughs: A Man… Nov 17, 2010 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $13,772 1,736
106 Benda Bilili! Sep 30, 2011 National Geograph… PG-13 $13,420 1,692
107 Beautiful Darling Apr 22, 2011 Corinth Films Not Rated $13,400 1,689
108 Charlotte Rampling: The Look Nov 4, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $13,171 1,660
109 Under the Boardwalk: The MO… Mar 4, 2011 Self Distributed G $13,080 1,649
110 Nénette Dec 22, 2010 Kino International Not Rated $12,559 1,583
111 America the Beautiful II: T… Oct 12, 2011 Not Rated $12,366 1,559
112 Rebirth Aug 31, 2011 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $12,358 1,558
113 Back Door Channels: The Pri… Sep 16, 2011 Fisher-Klingenste… Not Rated $12,139 1,530
114 Sarah Palin: You Betcha! Sep 30, 2011 Freestyle Releasing Not Rated $10,935 1,378
115 Die Frau mit den 5 Elefanten Jul 20, 2011 Cinema Guild Not Rated $9,256 1,167
116 Boxing Gym Oct 22, 2010 Zipporah Not Rated $6,898 869
117 Addiction Incorporated Dec 14, 2011 Variance Films PG-13 $6,442 812
118 Florent: Queen of the Meat … May 20, 2011 Self Distributed Not Rated $6,282 792
119 Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy… Dec 3, 2010 Argot Pictures Not Rated $6,006 757
120 Elevate Oct 21, 2011 Variance Films PG $5,580 703
121 Sons of Perdition Feb 18, 2011 R $5,401 681
122 Genius Within: The Inner Li… Sep 10, 2010 Lorber Films Not Rated $5,386 679
123 Building Hope Jun 3, 2011 The Nobility Project Not Rated $4,000 504
124 The Harvest/La Cosecha Jul 29, 2011 Cinema Libre Not Rated $3,709 467
125 The Sons of Tennessee Williams Oct 7, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $3,242 408
126 Plastic Planet Jan 14, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $3,164 398
127 The Weird World of Blowfly Sep 16, 2011 Variance Films Not Rated $3,062 386
128 Corman's World: Exploits of… Dec 16, 2011 Anchor Bay Entert… R $3,050 384
129 Protektor Aug 5, 2011 Film Movement Not Rated $2,968 374
130 Raw Faith May 28, 2010 Alive Mind Not Rated $2,711 341
131 Det røde kapel Dec 29, 2010 Lorber Films Not Rated $2,657 335
132 Brutal Beauty: Tales of the… Jan 8, 2010 Cinema Purgatorio Not Rated $2,647 333
133 Knuckle Dec 9, 2011 ARC Entertainment R $2,647 333
134 American Grindhouse Jun 18, 2010 Lorber Films Not Rated $1,931 243
135 Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inf… Jul 16, 2010 Not Rated $1,161 146
Total Gross of All Movies$82,415,597
Total Tickets Sold10,392,818

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2011. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2011. 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.