Market Charts > 2008 > Sources > Based on Real Life Events

Box Office Performance for Based on Real Life Events Movies in 2008

← 2007 Summary for all Years 2009 →
RankMovieRelease
Date		 GenreMPAA
Rating		2008 GrossTickets Sold
1 Hannah Montana and Miley Cy… Feb 1, 2008 Concert/Perfor… G $65,281,781 9,092,170
2 Valkyrie Dec 25, 2008 Thriller/Suspense PG-13 $60,733,921 8,458,763
3 The Bank Job Mar 7, 2008 Thriller/Suspense R $30,060,660 4,186,721
4 W. Oct 17, 2008 Drama PG-13 $25,534,493 3,556,336
5 Milk Nov 26, 2008 Drama R $17,157,994 2,389,692
6 Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric… Oct 5, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $14,144,251 1,969,951
7 Religulous Oct 3, 2008 Documentary R $13,011,160 1,812,139
8 The Longshots Aug 22, 2008 Comedy PG $11,511,323 1,603,248
9 Stop-Loss Mar 28, 2008 Drama R $10,915,744 1,520,299
10 Space Station Apr 19, 2002 Documentary Not Rated $10,840,176 1,509,773
11 U2 3D Feb 15, 2008 Concert/Perfor… G $9,674,438 1,347,414
12 The Great Debaters Dec 25, 2007 Drama PG-13 $8,212,379 1,143,785
13 Cadillac Records Dec 5, 2008 Drama R $8,191,768 1,140,914
14 Expelled: No Intelligence A… Apr 18, 2008 Documentary PG $7,720,487 1,075,277
15 Mongol Jun 6, 2008 Drama R $5,705,761 794,674
16 Shine a Light Apr 4, 2008 Documentary R $5,505,267 766,750
17 Die Fälscher Feb 22, 2008 Drama R $5,488,570 764,425
18 Dolphins and Whales Tribes … Feb 15, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $5,243,604 730,306
19 Magnificent Desolation Sep 23, 2005 Documentary Not Rated $5,083,770 708,045
20 Flash of Genius Oct 3, 2008 Drama PG-13 $4,442,377 618,715
21 Bottle Shock Aug 6, 2008 Drama PG-13 $4,078,607 568,051
22 Young @ Heart Apr 9, 2008 Documentary PG $3,992,189 556,015
23 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Documentary G $3,550,091 494,442
24 Jodhaa Akbar Feb 14, 2008 Drama Not Rated $3,444,629 479,753
25 Man on Wire Jul 25, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $2,942,990 409,887
26 Roving Mars Jan 27, 2006 Documentary G $1,717,565 239,215
27 August Rush Nov 21, 2007 Drama PG $1,490,945 207,653
28 Gonzo: The Life and Work of… Jul 4, 2008 Documentary R $1,252,100 174,387
29 The Children of Huang Shi May 23, 2008 Drama R $1,031,872 143,714
30 Encounters at the End of th… Jun 11, 2008 Documentary G $944,933 131,606
31 American Teen Jul 25, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $942,441 131,259
32 Emma Smith: My Story Apr 11, 2008 Drama PG $872,427 121,507
33 I.O.U.S.A. Aug 22, 2008 Documentary PG $810,196 112,840
34 Up the Yangtze Apr 25, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $783,969 109,187
35 I’m Not There Nov 21, 2007 Drama R $725,274 101,013
36 Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Co… Feb 8, 2008 Documentary R $603,894 84,107
37 Trouble the Water Aug 22, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $486,582 67,769
38 Where in the World is Osama… Apr 18, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $384,955 53,614
39 The Singing Revolution Dec 7, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $380,043 52,930
40 Billy: The Early Years of B… Oct 10, 2008 Drama Not Rated $320,896 44,693
41 Bigger, Stronger, Faster* May 30, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $308,575 42,977
42 Morning Light Oct 17, 2008 Documentary PG $275,093 38,313
43 Taxi to the Dark Side Jan 18, 2008 Documentary R $274,661 38,253
44 Planet B-Boy Mar 21, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $272,791 37,993
45 Surfwise May 9, 2008 Documentary R $269,994 37,603
46 Standard Operating Procedure Apr 25, 2008 Documentary R $228,830 31,870
47 La Môme Feb 29, 2008 Drama PG-13 $227,482 31,682
48 Waltz with Bashir Dec 25, 2008 Documentary R $220,441 30,702
49 Che, Part 1: The Argentine Dec 12, 2008 Drama R $218,470 30,427
50 Chris and Don: A Love Story Jun 13, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $216,110 30,098
51 Call+Response Oct 10, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $208,806 29,081
52 The Errand of Angels Aug 22, 2008 Drama PG $195,184 27,184
53 Steep Dec 21, 2007 Documentary PG $180,962 25,203
54 Chicago 10 Feb 29, 2008 Documentary R $176,545 24,588
55 Girls Rock! Mar 7, 2008 Documentary PG $159,294 22,185
56 My Winnipeg Jun 13, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $156,629 21,814
57 A Man Named Pearl Aug 31, 2007 Documentary G $156,090 21,739
58 FLOW: For Love of Water Mar 21, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $142,569 19,856
59 Wild Safari 3D Apr 8, 2005 Documentary Not Rated $135,640 18,891
60 Nanking Dec 12, 2007 Documentary R $134,970 18,798
61 The First Saturday in May Apr 18, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $124,294 17,311
62 Bra Boys Apr 11, 2008 Documentary R $113,730 15,839
63 Trumbo Jun 27, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $108,280 15,080
64 Bustin' Down the Door Jul 25, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $106,100 14,777
65 A Jihad for Love May 21, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $105,651 14,714
66 The Unforeseen Feb 29, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $90,287 12,574
67 Blindsight Mar 5, 2008 Documentary PG $89,169 12,419
68 Louise Bourgeois Jun 25, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $87,997 12,255
69 Dalai Lama Renaissance May 21, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $82,736 11,523
70 Praying with Lior Feb 1, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $82,553 11,497
71 Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! Nov 28, 2008 Comedy Not Rated $80,037 11,147
72 Il Trittico at Fenice May 2, 2008 Concert/Perfor… Not Rated $79,842 11,120
73 One Day You'll Understand Nov 21, 2008 Drama Not Rated $77,368 10,775
74 America the Beautiful May 9, 2008 Documentary R $76,173 10,609
75 Body of War Mar 7, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $71,716 9,988
76 The Business of Being Born Jan 9, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $69,348 9,658
77 Happy Valley Mar 28, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $67,665 9,424
78 Allah Made Me Funny Oct 3, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $66,903 9,317
79 CSNY: Déjà Vu Jul 25, 2008 Documentary R $65,025 9,056
80 Stranded: I've Come from a … Oct 22, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $64,000 8,913
81 Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 Nov 19, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $63,973 8,909
82 Bloodline May 9, 2008 Documentary R $62,248 8,669
83 A Plumm Summer Apr 25, 2008 Adventure PG $60,668 8,449
84 Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater… Sep 26, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $60,332 8,402
85 The Order of Myths Jul 25, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $59,400 8,272
86 Roman Polanski: Wanted and … Jul 11, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $59,192 8,244
87 What We Do Is Secret Aug 8, 2008 Drama R $58,776 8,186
88 War Dance Nov 9, 2007 Documentary PG-13 $57,525 8,011
89 Beautiful Losers Aug 8, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $56,386 7,853
90 Chapter 27 Mar 28, 2008 Drama R $56,215 7,829
91 Dare Not Walk Alone Apr 25, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $52,166 7,265
92 Pray the Devil Back to Hell Nov 7, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $51,886 7,226
93 Shoot Down Jan 25, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $51,408 7,159
94 Gunnin' for that #1 Spot Jun 27, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $50,804 7,075
95 The Dhamma Brothers Apr 11, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $49,568 6,903
96 All Roads Lead Home Sep 26, 2008 Drama PG $43,905 6,114
97 For the Bible Tells Me So Aug 5, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $41,605 5,794
98 Monsieur Verdoux Apr 11, 1947 Black Comedy Not Rated $41,009 5,711
99 Moving Midway Sep 12, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $40,864 5,691
100 Refusenik Apr 11, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $39,456 5,495
101 Enlighten Up! Sep 12, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $33,226 4,627
102 Hats Off Mar 28, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $31,272 4,355
103 Fighting for Life Mar 7, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $30,606 4,262
104 Dark Matter Apr 11, 2008 Drama R $30,591 4,260
105 The Alphabet Killer Nov 7, 2008 Thriller/Suspense R $29,784 4,148
106 Lou Reed's Berlin Jul 18, 2008 Concert/Perfor… PG-13 $29,692 4,135
107 Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains Oct 26, 2007 Documentary PG $28,016 3,901
108 Frontrunners Oct 15, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $26,976 3,757
109 Forever Sep 12, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $25,222 3,512
110 L'Enfant sauvage Sep 9, 1970 Drama G $24,973 3,478
111 The Matador Oct 31, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $21,816 3,038
112 Wie man sein leben kocht Oct 26, 2007 Documentary PG-13 $21,771 3,032
113 Dear Zachary: a letter to a… Oct 31, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $20,834 2,901
114 Walking on Dead Fish Sep 19, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $20,705 2,883
115 The First Basket Oct 29, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $20,440 2,846
116 Glass: A Portrait of Philip… Apr 18, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $20,018 2,788
117 Trying to Get Good: The Jaz… May 30, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $19,712 2,745
118 Yiddish Theater: A Love Story Nov 21, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $19,541 2,721
119 Saving Marriage Oct 17, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $18,720 2,607
120 Am Limit Jun 13, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $18,254 2,542
121 Imaginary Witness: Hollywoo… Dec 25, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $16,328 2,274
122 Billy the Kid Dec 5, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $15,436 2,149
123 My Kid Could Paint That Oct 5, 2007 Documentary PG-13 $14,790 2,059
124 Kicking It Jun 13, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $13,266 1,847
125 In the Valley of Elah Sep 14, 2007 Drama R $12,560 1,749
126 Full Battle Rattle Jul 11, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $12,306 1,713
127 Operation Filmmaker Jun 4, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $11,573 1,611
128 The Betrayal Nov 21, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $11,464 1,596
129 Sputnik Mania Mar 14, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $10,650 1,483
130 Whaledreamers Sep 26, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $10,584 1,474
131 Lord, Save Us From Your Fol… Jun 13, 2008 Documentary PG-13 $10,510 1,463
132 Without the King Apr 25, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $8,663 1,206
133 Battle for Haditha May 7, 2008 Documentary R $8,443 1,175
134 Joe Strummer: The Future is… Nov 2, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $7,700 1,072
135 Patti Smith: Dream of Life Aug 15, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $6,703 933
136 Kurt Cobain: About a Son Oct 3, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $5,941 827
137 A Lawyer Walks into a Bar Feb 29, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $5,202 724
138 God and Gays: Bridging the Gap Oct 24, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $5,095 709
139 Fuel Nov 14, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $4,915 684
140 El Inmigrante Jul 13, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $4,753 661
141 Stealing America: Vote by Vote Aug 1, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $4,740 660
142 Twisted: A Balloonamentary May 23, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $4,345 605
143 Poisoned by Polonium: Litvi… Mar 21, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $4,293 597
144 Heavy Metal in Baghdad May 23, 2008 Documentary R $4,070 566
145 King Corn Oct 12, 2007 Documentary Not Rated $3,676 511
146 Hunger Dec 5, 2008 Drama Not Rated $3,561 495
147 Death Defying Acts Jul 11, 2008 Drama PG $3,561 495
148 Nothing But the Truth Dec 19, 2008 Drama R $3,500 487
149 Fraude Oct 10, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $3,373 469
150 Who Does She Think She Is? Oct 17, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $3,081 429
151 The Beautiful Truth Nov 14, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $3,026 421
152 Run For Your Life Oct 31, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $2,992 416
153 Wetlands Preserved: The Sto… Mar 14, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $2,970 413
154 The Killing of John Lennon Jan 2, 2008 Drama Not Rated $2,666 371
155 Angry Monk: Reflections on … Jan 2, 2009 Documentary Not Rated $2,125 295
156 Running with Arnold Jan 11, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $2,119 295
157 Staub Dec 5, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $2,072 288
158 Maria Bethania: Music is Pe… Jul 18, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $1,858 258
159 On the Rumba River Jun 6, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $1,698 236
160 Beyond Belief Feb 29, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $667 92
161 Salvadore Allende Sep 8, 2006 Documentary Not Rated $634 88
162 Arranged Dec 14, 2007 Drama Not Rated $462 64
163 Beautiful Boxer Jan 21, 2005 Drama Not Rated $447 62
164 I for India Jan 11, 2008 Documentary Not Rated $386 53
165 ShowBusiness: The Road to B… May 11, 2007 Documentary PG $84 11
Total Gross of All Movies$362,893,375
Total Tickets Sold50,542,173

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.