Market Charts > 2011 > Sources > Based on Real Life Events

Box Office Performance for Based on Real Life Events Movies in 2011

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RankMovieRelease
Date		 GenreMPAA
Rating		2011 GrossTickets Sold
1 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never Feb 11, 2011 Concert/Perfor… G $73,013,910 9,207,303
2 Dolphin Tale Sep 23, 2011 Drama PG $72,015,969 9,081,459
3 The Fighter Dec 10, 2010 Drama R $47,228,156 5,955,631
4 J. Edgar Nov 9, 2011 Drama R $36,650,831 4,621,795
5 50/50 Sep 30, 2011 Black Comedy R $35,016,118 4,415,651
6 Sanctum Feb 4, 2011 Action R $23,209,310 2,926,773
7 African Cats Apr 22, 2011 Documentary G $15,428,747 1,945,617
8 Born to be Wild 3D Apr 8, 2011 Documentary G $15,183,665 1,914,712
9 The Conspirator Apr 15, 2011 Drama PG-13 $11,538,204 1,455,006
10 Hubble 3D Mar 19, 2010 Documentary G $9,936,258 1,252,996
11 My Week with Marilyn Nov 23, 2011 Drama R $8,935,721 1,126,824
12 127 Hours Nov 5, 2010 Drama R $7,900,795 996,317
13 Cave of Forgotten Dreams Apr 29, 2011 Documentary G $5,304,920 668,968
14 Under the Sea 3D Feb 13, 2009 Documentary G $4,948,586 624,034
15 Sea Rex 3D: Journey to a Pr… May 28, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $4,465,060 563,059
16 Buck Jun 17, 2011 Documentary PG $4,036,175 508,975
17 Des Hommes et Des Dieux Feb 25, 2011 Drama R $3,954,651 498,694
18 The Social Network Oct 1, 2010 Drama PG-13 $3,740,668 471,710
19 Space Station Apr 19, 2002 Documentary Not Rated $2,167,258 273,298
20 Unstoppable Nov 12, 2010 Action PG-13 $2,094,456 264,118
21 The Mighty Macs Oct 21, 2011 Drama G $1,891,936 238,579
22 Gerry Jun 15, 2011 Drama Not Rated $1,844,754 232,629
23 Senna Aug 12, 2011 Documentary R $1,612,430 203,332
24 I Am Feb 18, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $1,591,034 200,634
25 Bill Cunningham New York Mar 16, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $1,510,026 190,419
26 The Devil's Double Jul 29, 2011 Drama R $1,361,512 171,691
27 Beats, Rhymes & Life: The T… Jul 8, 2011 Documentary R $1,200,046 151,329
28 Sholem Aleichem: Laughing i… Jul 8, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $1,131,261 142,655
29 The Whistleblower Aug 5, 2011 Drama R $1,120,914 141,351
30 There Be Dragons May 6, 2011 Drama PG-13 $1,069,334 134,846
31 Page One: Inside the New Yo… Jun 17, 2011 Documentary R $1,067,028 134,555
32 I Love You, Phillip Morris Dec 3, 2010 Comedy R $911,157 114,900
33 Inside Job Oct 8, 2010 Documentary PG-13 $859,817 108,425
34 Casino Jack Dec 17, 2010 Thriller/Suspense R $808,865 102,000
35 Tabloid! Jul 15, 2011 Documentary R $696,921 87,884
36 Secretariat Oct 8, 2010 Drama PG $645,831 81,441
37 POM Wonderful Presents: The… Apr 22, 2011 Documentary PG-13 $638,476 80,513
38 The Last Lions Feb 18, 2011 Documentary PG $635,325 80,116
39 U2 3D Feb 15, 2008 Concert/Perfor… G $625,031 78,818
40 Made in Dagenham Nov 19, 2010 Drama R $602,990 76,039
41 Machine Gun Preacher Sep 23, 2011 Drama R $538,690 67,930
42 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Documentary G $524,144 66,096
43 Pearl Jam Twenty Sep 20, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $471,334 59,436
44 No One Killed Jessica Jan 7, 2011 Drama Not Rated $442,036 55,742
45 Fair*Game Nov 5, 2010 Drama PG-13 $421,935 53,207
46 Project Nim Jul 8, 2011 Documentary PG-13 $411,184 51,851
47 The 5th Quarter Mar 25, 2011 Drama PG $408,159 51,470
48 Turtle: The Incredible Journey Jun 24, 2011 Documentary G $391,942 49,425
49 The First Grader May 13, 2011 Drama PG-13 $332,306 41,904
50 L'Amour Fou May 13, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $312,494 39,407
51 The Black Power Mixtape: 19… Sep 9, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $273,749 34,521
52 Conan O'Brien Can't Stop Jun 24, 2011 Documentary R $267,965 33,791
53 Phil Ochs: There but for Fo… Jan 5, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $263,723 33,256
54 Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric… Oct 5, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $262,465 33,097
55 PASSIONE: A Musical Adventure Jun 22, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $258,222 32,562
56 Life in a Day Jul 24, 2011 Documentary PG $252,788 31,877
57 My Perestroika Mar 23, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $242,706 30,606
58 The Interrupters Jul 29, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $236,957 29,881
59 Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's J… Oct 21, 2011 Documentary PG $236,939 29,878
60 Serge Gainsbourg vie heroique Aug 31, 2011 Drama Not Rated $230,767 29,100
61 Into the Abyss Nov 11, 2011 Documentary PG-13 $223,340 28,164
62 Winston Churchill: Walking … Oct 29, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $212,601 26,809
63 Ip Man: Legend of the Grand… Jan 28, 2011 Action R $205,675 25,936
64 The Wildest Dream Apr 30, 2010 Documentary PG $203,839 25,704
65 Queen of the Sun Sep 17, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $203,100 25,611
66 El Bulli: Cooking in Progress Jul 27, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $196,127 24,732
67 JIG Jun 17, 2011 Documentary PG $183,790 23,176
68 Amigo Aug 19, 2011 Drama R $180,582 22,772
69 American: The Bill Hicks Story Apr 8, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $174,796 22,042
70 The Man Nobody Knew: In Sea… Sep 23, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $170,888 21,549
71 Magic Trip Aug 5, 2011 Documentary R $154,521 19,485
72 Jiàn Dǎng Wěi Yè Jun 24, 2011 Drama Not Rated $151,305 19,080
73 Revenge of the Electric Car Oct 14, 2011 Documentary PG-13 $150,886 19,027
74 Thunder Soul Sep 23, 2011 Documentary PG $143,986 18,157
75 Nostalgia de la luz Mar 18, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $142,285 17,942
76 Eames: The Architect and th… Nov 18, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $139,813 17,630
77 Xinhai geming Oct 7, 2011 Drama R $135,739 17,117
78 The Last Mountain Jun 3, 2011 Documentary PG $122,959 15,505
79 Nanjing! Nanjing! May 11, 2011 Drama R $122,558 15,454
80 The Big Uneasy Aug 30, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $116,698 14,716
81 Blank City Apr 6, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $116,037 14,632
82 Vision Oct 13, 2010 Drama Not Rated $115,591 14,576
83 Rejoice and Shout Jun 3, 2011 Documentary PG $100,237 12,640
84 The Undefeated Jul 15, 2011 Documentary PG-13 $100,085 12,621
85 Exporting Raymond Apr 29, 2011 Documentary PG $87,727 11,062
86 Vidal Sassoon: The Movie Feb 11, 2011 Documentary PG $85,974 10,841
87 Waste Land Oct 29, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $85,262 10,751
88 Su Qi Er May 13, 2011 Action R $80,096 10,100
89 Circo Apr 1, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $77,466 9,768
90 Kings of Pastry Sep 15, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $71,904 9,067
91 Bhutto Dec 3, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $65,239 8,226
92 If A Tree Falls: The Story … Jun 22, 2011 Drama Not Rated $61,794 7,792
93 The Whale Sep 9, 2011 Documentary G $61,120 7,707
94 How to Live Forever May 13, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $60,630 7,645
95 Limelight Sep 23, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $60,335 7,608
96 Crime after Crime Jul 1, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $60,291 7,602
97 Finding Joe Sep 30, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $55,518 7,001
98 Into Eternity Feb 2, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $55,366 6,981
99 The Other F Word Nov 2, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $53,714 6,773
100 Farmageddon Jun 17, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $53,256 6,715
101 !Women, Art, Revolution Jun 1, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $52,681 6,643
102 My Reincarnation Oct 28, 2011 Documentary R $51,742 6,524
103 Orgasm Inc. Feb 11, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $49,001 6,179
104 Marwencol Oct 8, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $48,744 6,146
105 Pianomania May 27, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $47,328 5,968
106 Connected: An Autobiography… Sep 16, 2011 Documentary PG $46,782 5,899
107 The Woodmans Jan 19, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $46,623 5,879
108 Magnificent Desolation Sep 23, 2005 Documentary Not Rated $44,582 5,621
109 Crazy Wisdom Nov 25, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $43,742 5,516
110 Love Etc. Jul 1, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $43,593 5,497
111 Over Your Cities Grass Will… Aug 10, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $43,214 5,449
112 Public Speaking Feb 23, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $43,184 5,445
113 People v. The State of Illu… Sep 9, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $42,202 5,321
114 La conquête Nov 11, 2011 Drama Not Rated $41,130 5,186
115 Louder Than A Bomb May 18, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $40,362 5,089
116 Road to Nowhere Jun 10, 2011 Thriller/Suspense R $40,294 5,081
117 Where Soldiers Come From Sep 9, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $38,151 4,810
118 Granito: How to Nail a Dict… Sep 14, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $36,738 4,632
119 Hell and Back Again Oct 5, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $34,637 4,367
120 Making the Boys Mar 11, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $33,833 4,266
121 The Time That Remains Jan 7, 2011 Drama Not Rated $32,869 4,145
122 HEY, BOO: Harper Lee and To… May 13, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $31,135 3,926
123 Topp Twins Untouchable Girls May 13, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $29,200 3,682
124 Khodorkovsky Nov 30, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $27,718 3,495
125 Autobiografia lui Nicolae C… Sep 9, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $27,556 3,474
126 Forks Over Knives May 6, 2011 Documentary PG $27,000 3,404
127 Enemies of the People Jul 30, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $26,708 3,367
128 Howl Sep 24, 2010 Drama R $25,522 3,218
129 Paul Goodman Changed My Life Oct 19, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $25,020 3,155
130 Shut Up Little Man! An Audi… Aug 26, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $23,901 3,013
131 Jane's Journey Sep 16, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $23,746 2,994
132 Garbo: El espía Nov 18, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $22,233 2,803
133 Incendiary: The Willingham … Sep 23, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $21,882 2,759
134 The Arbor Apr 27, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $21,610 2,725
135 Cameraman: The Life and Wor… May 13, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $20,840 2,627
136 Resurrect Dead: The Mystery… Sep 2, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $20,726 2,613
137 Client 9: The Rise and Fall… Nov 5, 2010 Documentary R $18,587 2,343
138 L'instinct de mort Aug 27, 2010 Drama R $18,218 2,297
139 Battle for Brooklyn Jun 9, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $17,981 2,267
140 5 Days of War Aug 19, 2011 Drama R $17,479 2,204
141 The Last Ride Oct 21, 2011 Drama PG-13 $16,270 2,051
142 Dumbstruck Apr 15, 2011 Documentary PG $15,378 1,939
143 Strange Powers: Stephin Mer… Oct 27, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $14,567 1,836
144 Armadillo Apr 15, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $14,566 1,836
145 William S. Burroughs: A Man… Nov 17, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $13,772 1,736
146 Benda Bilili! Sep 30, 2011 Documentary PG-13 $13,420 1,692
147 Beautiful Darling Apr 22, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $13,400 1,689
148 Charlotte Rampling: The Look Nov 4, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $13,171 1,660
149 L'ennemi public n°1 Sep 3, 2010 Comedy R $13,134 1,656
150 Under the Boardwalk: The MO… Mar 4, 2011 Documentary G $13,080 1,649
151 Nénette Dec 22, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $12,559 1,583
152 America the Beautiful II: T… Oct 12, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $12,366 1,559
153 Rebirth Aug 31, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $12,358 1,558
154 Back Door Channels: The Pri… Sep 16, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $12,139 1,530
155 Sarah Palin: You Betcha! Sep 30, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $10,935 1,378
156 Carlos Oct 15, 2010 Drama Not Rated $10,000 1,261
157 Die Frau mit den 5 Elefanten Jul 20, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $9,256 1,167
158 Je suis heureux que ma mère… Sep 2, 2011 Drama Not Rated $8,705 1,097
159 Boxing Gym Oct 22, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $6,898 869
160 Monsieur Verdoux Apr 11, 1947 Black Comedy Not Rated $6,581 829
161 Addiction Incorporated Dec 14, 2011 Documentary PG-13 $6,442 812
162 Florent: Queen of the Meat … May 20, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $6,282 792
163 Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy… Dec 3, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $6,006 757
164 Elevate Oct 21, 2011 Documentary PG $5,580 703
165 Sons of Perdition Feb 18, 2011 Documentary R $5,401 681
166 Genius Within: The Inner Li… Sep 10, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $5,386 679
167 Burke & Hare Sep 9, 2011 Black Comedy R $4,833 609
168 Building Hope Jun 3, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $4,000 504
169 The Harvest/La Cosecha Jul 29, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $3,709 467
170 The Sons of Tennessee Williams Oct 7, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $3,242 408
171 Plastic Planet Jan 14, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $3,164 398
172 The Weird World of Blowfly Sep 16, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $3,062 386
173 Corman's World: Exploits of… Dec 16, 2011 Documentary R $3,050 384
174 Protektor Aug 5, 2011 Documentary Not Rated $2,968 374
175 Raw Faith May 28, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $2,711 341
176 Det røde kapel Dec 29, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $2,657 335
177 Brutal Beauty: Tales of the… Jan 8, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $2,647 333
178 Knuckle Dec 9, 2011 Documentary R $2,647 333
179 American Grindhouse Jun 18, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $1,931 243
180 Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inf… Jul 16, 2010 Documentary Not Rated $1,161 146
Total Gross of All Movies$421,885,709
Total Tickets Sold53,201,138

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.