Market Charts > 2015 > Genres > Documentary

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 $8,409,616 997,581
3 Hubble 3D Mar 19, 2010 Warner Bros. G $4,088,852 485,036
4 Space Station Apr 19, 2002 IMAX Films Not Rated $3,201,391 379,761
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 $1,852,230 219,718
9 Jerusalem Sep 13, 2013 National Geograph… Not Rated $1,715,647 203,516
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 $1,310,678 155,477
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 $892,802 105,907
16 The Wrecking Crew Mar 13, 2015 Magnolia Pictures PG $801,606 95,089
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 82,401
20 Born to be Wild 3D Apr 8, 2011 Warner Bros. G $587,060 69,639
21 CitizenFour Oct 24, 2014 RADiUS-TWC R $537,661 63,779
22 The Black Panthers: Vanguar… Sep 2, 2015 PBS Distribution Not Rated $516,893 61,315
23 Awake: The Life of Yogananda Oct 10, 2014 Counterpoint Film… PG $509,752 60,468
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 50,639
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 48,657
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 $374,467 44,420
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 $322,743 38,285
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 34,252
37 Janis: Little Girl Blue Nov 27, 2015 FilmRise Not Rated $268,786 31,884
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 $206,791 24,530
40 Merchants of Doubt Mar 6, 2015 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $192,362 22,818
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 HBO Documentary F… 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 15,829
47 A Ballerina's Tale Oct 14, 2015 IFC Films Not Rated $131,995 15,657
48 The Look of Silence Jul 17, 2015 Drafthouse Films PG-13 $109,089 12,940
49 Do I Sound Gay? Jul 10, 2015 IFC Films Not Rated $108,620 12,884
50 In Jackson Heights Nov 4, 2015 Zipporah Not Rated $102,475 12,155
51 Beyond the Brick: A LEGO Br… Jul 31, 2015 RADiUS-TWC G $101,531 12,044
52 I Am Eleven Sep 12, 2014 Proud Mother Pict… Not Rated $98,057 11,631
53 A Poem Is a Naked Person May 9, 1974 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 9,290
57 Batkid Begins Jun 26, 2015 Warner Bros. PG $74,709 8,862
58 I Am Big Bird: The Caroll S… May 6, 2015 TriBeca Films Not Rated $67,845 8,048
59 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Warner Bros. G $65,701 7,794
60 National Gallery Nov 5, 2014 Zipporah Not Rated $64,597 7,662
61 Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead… Sep 25, 2015 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $62,684 7,435
62 Dark Star: H.R. Giger's World May 13, 2015 Icarus Films Not Rated $61,303 7,272
63 Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't… Aug 27, 2015 Northern Arts Ent… Not Rated $56,744 6,731
64 Antarctica: A Year on Ice Nov 28, 2014 Music Box Films PG $54,710 6,489
65 The Quay Brothers in 35MM Aug 19, 2015 Zeitgeist Not Rated $51,858 6,151
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 5,953
68 Jag är Ingrid Nov 13, 2015 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $42,381 5,027
69 Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot Jul 10, 2015 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $41,340 4,903
70 Love Thy Nature Apr 14, 2015 In The Light Prod… Not Rated $41,336 4,903
71 The Seven Five May 8, 2015 IFC Films R $40,674 4,824
72 Het nieuwe Rijksmuseum Jun 19, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $40,578 4,813
73 What Our Fathers Did: A Naz… Nov 6, 2015 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $40,119 4,759
74 Prophet’s Prey Sep 18, 2015 Showtime Original Not Rated $39,347 4,667
75 Grey Gardens Feb 19, 1976 PG $36,923 4,379
76 Welcome to Leith Sep 9, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $36,010 4,271
77 Finders Keepers Sep 25, 2015 The Orchard R $35,555 4,217
78 El boton de nacar Oct 23, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $34,929 4,143
79 The Search for General Tso Jan 2, 2015 Sundance Selects Not Rated $32,119 3,810
80 Paul Taylor Creative Domain Sep 11, 2015 Resident Artist Not Rated $30,168 3,578
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 3,348
83 Tap World Jul 10, 2015 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $26,747 3,172
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 $26,155 3,102
86 Last Days in Vietnam Sep 5, 2014 American Experien… Not Rated $26,083 3,094
87 The Epic of Everest Mar 22, 1927 Not Rated $22,382 2,655
88 Can't Stand Losing You: Sur… Mar 20, 2015 Cinema Libre Not Rated $22,326 2,648
89 Misery Loves Comedy Apr 14, 2015 TriBeca Films Not Rated $19,634 2,329
90 Actress Nov 7, 2014 Cinema Guild Not Rated $19,365 2,297
91 Meet the Mormons Oct 10, 2014 Purdie Distribution PG $18,805 2,230
92 Monk With a Camera Nov 21, 2014 Kino Lorber Not Rated $18,275 2,167
93 Das große Museum Apr 24, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $18,020 2,137
94 Noma: My Perfect Storm Dec 18, 2015 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $16,700 1,981
95 This Changes Everything Oct 2, 2015 Abramorama Films Not Rated $16,692 1,980
96 Girlhood Oct 31, 2003 Not Rated $16,562 1,964
97 The Armor Of Light Oct 30, 2015 Fork Films PG-13 $12,267 1,455
98 Emptying The Skies Apr 22, 2015 Music Box Films Not Rated $11,811 1,401
99 Sembene! Nov 13, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $10,945 1,298
100 Walking the Camino: Six Way… Sep 6, 2013 Future Educationa… Not Rated $10,783 1,279
101 Mala Mala Jul 1, 2015 Strand Releasing Not Rated $10,761 1,276
102 The Overnighters Oct 10, 2014 Drafthouse Films PG-13 $10,741 1,274
103 The Forecaster Mar 17, 2015 Autlook Films Not Rated $10,172 1,206
104 The Life and Mind of Mark D… Mar 6, 2015 City Drive Films Not Rated $10,021 1,188
105 The Winding Stream Dec 16, 2015 Argot Pictures Not Rated $9,566 1,134
106 Station to Station Aug 21, 2015 Submarine Deluxe Not Rated $9,494 1,126
107 One Cut, One Life May 13, 2015 First Run Features Not Rated $9,406 1,115
108 Butterfly Girl Feb 27, 2015 Indican Pictures Not Rated $8,956 1,062
109 Farewell to Hollywood Feb 25, 2015 International Fil… Not Rated $8,601 1,020
110 Wa-shoku: Beyond Sushi Apr 10, 2015 Not Rated $8,570 1,016
111 Counting Jul 31, 2015 Cinema Guild Not Rated $8,374 993
112 Steak (R)evolution Jul 17, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $8,025 951
113 Sur le chemin de l'ecole Feb 6, 2015 Distrib Films G $7,424 880
114 Rubble Kings Jun 19, 2015 Saboteur Media Not Rated $7,416 879
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 $6,843 811
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 $5,858 694
122 Shout Gladi Gladi Oct 2, 2015 International Fil… Not Rated $5,839 692
123 The Wanted 18 Jun 19, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $5,680 673
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 $4,593 544
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 Sneakerheadz Aug 7, 2015 Submarine Deluxe Not Rated $1,903 225
136 20,000 Days on Earth Sep 17, 2014 Drafthouse Films Not Rated $1,788 212
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 $1,339 158
140 C'est dur d'être aimé par d… Mar 13, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $1,279 151
141 Der Anstandige Oct 1, 2014 Kino Lorber Not Rated $1,087 128
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 65
Total Gross of All Movies$65,118,866
Total Tickets Sold7,724,594

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.