Market Charts > 2009 > Genres > Drama

Box Office Performance for Drama Movies in 2009

← 2008 Summary for all Years 2010 →
RankMovieRelease
Date		 Theatrical
Distributor		MPAA
Rating		2009 GrossTickets Sold
1 The Twilight Saga: New Moon Nov 20, 2009 Summit Entertainment PG-13 $287,954,655 38,393,954
2 The Blind Side Nov 20, 2009 Warner Bros. PG-13 $208,476,067 27,796,809
3 Gran Torino Dec 12, 2008 Warner Bros. R $138,274,748 18,436,633
4 Disney’s A Christmas Carol Nov 6, 2009 Walt Disney PG $137,443,917 18,325,856
5 Slumdog Millionaire Nov 12, 2008 Fox Searchlight R $112,654,105 15,020,547
6 Public Enemies Jul 1, 2009 Universal R $97,104,620 12,947,282
7 Hannah Montana: The Movie Apr 10, 2009 Walt Disney G $79,576,189 10,610,159
8 The Time Traveler’s Wife Aug 14, 2009 Warner Bros. PG-13 $63,414,846 8,455,313
9 My Sister’s Keeper Jun 26, 2009 Warner Bros. PG-13 $49,200,230 6,560,031
10 The Curious Case of Benjami… Dec 25, 2008 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $48,212,240 6,428,299
11 Up in the Air Dec 4, 2009 Paramount Pictures R $44,375,265 5,916,702
12 Precious (Based on the Nove… Nov 6, 2009 Lionsgate R $43,760,123 5,834,683
13 Orphan Jul 24, 2009 Warner Bros. R $41,596,251 5,546,167
14 Notorious Jan 16, 2009 Fox Searchlight R $36,843,682 4,912,491
15 The Soloist Apr 24, 2009 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $31,853,584 4,247,145
16 The Reader Dec 10, 2008 Weinstein Co. R $30,640,829 4,085,443
17 Invictus Dec 11, 2009 Warner Bros. PG-13 $30,586,445 4,078,193
18 Defiance Jan 16, 2009 Paramount Vantage R $28,444,199 3,792,560
19 Brothers Dec 4, 2009 Lionsgate R $27,414,913 3,655,321
20 The Wrestler Dec 17, 2008 Fox Searchlight R $24,914,015 3,321,868
21 Love Happens Sep 18, 2009 Universal PG-13 $22,965,110 3,062,014
22 Revolutionary Road Dec 26, 2008 Paramount Vantage R $21,575,591 2,876,745
23 Twilight Nov 21, 2008 Summit Entertainment PG-13 $15,847,004 2,112,933
24 Doubt Dec 12, 2008 Miramax PG-13 $14,740,989 1,965,465
25 Milk Nov 26, 2008 Focus Features R $14,683,305 1,957,774
26 Last Chance Harvey Dec 25, 2008 Overture Films PG-13 $14,538,095 1,938,412
27 Amelia Oct 23, 2009 Fox Searchlight PG $14,224,141 1,896,552
28 The Hurt Locker Jun 26, 2009 Summit Entertainment R $12,671,105 1,689,480
29 Frost/Nixon Dec 5, 2008 Universal R $12,330,855 1,644,114
30 Not Easily Broken Jan 9, 2009 Sony Pictures PG-13 $10,572,742 1,409,698
31 Seven Pounds Dec 19, 2008 Sony Pictures PG-13 $9,804,526 1,307,270
32 Everybody's Fine Dec 4, 2009 Miramax PG-13 $9,208,876 1,227,850
33 An Education Oct 9, 2009 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $7,883,524 1,051,136
34 The Road Nov 25, 2009 Weinstein Co. R $6,858,313 914,441
35 Coco avant Chanel Sep 25, 2009 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $5,997,682 799,690
36 Crossing Over Feb 27, 2009 Weinstein Co. R $4,462,332 594,977
37 Bright Star Sep 17, 2009 Apparition PG $4,444,637 592,618
38 Entre les murs Jan 30, 2009 Sony Pictures Cla… Not Rated $3,766,810 502,241
39 Two Lovers Feb 13, 2009 Magnolia Pictures R $3,149,034 419,871
40 Australia Nov 26, 2008 20th Century Fox PG-13 $2,867,289 382,305
41 Chéri Jun 26, 2009 Miramax R $2,715,657 362,087
42 Rachel Getting Married Oct 3, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $2,489,437 331,924
43 The Young Victoria Dec 18, 2009 Apparition PG $2,456,337 327,511
44 Adam Jul 29, 2009 Fox Searchlight PG-13 $2,283,291 304,439
45 Is Anybody There? Apr 17, 2009 Stony Island Ente… PG-13 $2,026,756 270,234
46 A Single Man Dec 11, 2009 Weinstein Co. R $1,731,649 230,886
47 L'heure d'été May 15, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $1,647,001 219,600
48 New York, I Love You Oct 16, 2009 Vivendi Entertain… R $1,588,087 211,744
49 Che, Part 1: The Argentine Dec 12, 2008 IFC Films R $1,584,051 211,206
50 Gomorra Feb 13, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $1,579,146 210,552
51 Dédé, à travers les brumes Mar 13, 2009 TVA Films Not Rated $1,548,858 206,514
52 Okuribito May 29, 2009 Regent Releasing PG-13 $1,537,546 205,006
53 Bad Lieutenant: Port of Cal… Nov 20, 2009 First Look R $1,433,091 191,078
54 Polytechnique Feb 6, 2009 Not Rated $1,418,304 189,107
55 The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry Sep 18, 2009 Five & Two Pictures PG $1,167,623 155,683
56 Sugar Apr 3, 2009 Sony Pictures Cla… R $1,081,922 144,256
57 Me and Orson Welles Nov 25, 2009 Freestyle Releasing PG-13 $942,276 125,636
58 Cold Souls Aug 7, 2009 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG-13 $905,209 120,694
59 Delhi 6 Feb 13, 2009 UTV Communications Not Rated $879,913 117,321
60 Goodbye Solo Mar 27, 2009 Roadside Attractions R $871,445 116,192
61 Seraphine Jun 5, 2009 Music Box Films Not Rated $857,997 114,399
62 Il y a longtemps que je t'aime Sep 12, 2008 Not Rated $813,326 108,443
63 The Boys are Back Sep 25, 2009 Miramax PG-13 $809,752 107,966
64 Wendy and Lucy Dec 10, 2008 Oscilloscope Pict… R $754,366 100,582
65 The Great Buck Howard Mar 20, 2009 Magnolia Pictures PG $750,587 100,078
66 Crazy Heart Dec 16, 2009 Fox Searchlight R $702,188 93,625
67 The Stoning of Soraya M. Jun 26, 2009 Roadside Attractions R $655,871 87,449
68 The Messenger Nov 13, 2009 Oscilloscope Pict… R $654,374 87,249
69 American Violet Apr 17, 2009 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG-13 $554,434 73,924
70 From Mexico with Love Oct 9, 2009 Roadside Attractions PG-13 $548,775 73,170
71 Tetro Jun 11, 2009 American Zoetrope R $518,522 69,136
72 La Nana Oct 16, 2009 Elephant Eye Films Not Rated $492,776 65,703
73 Little Ashes May 8, 2009 Regent Releasing R $481,586 64,211
74 The Damned United Oct 9, 2009 Sony Pictures Cla… R $438,836 58,511
75 Lymelife Apr 10, 2009 Screen Media Films R $421,307 56,174
76 Antichrist Oct 23, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $404,122 53,882
77 The Lovely Bones Dec 11, 2009 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $383,101 51,080
78 Synecdoche, New York Oct 24, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $377,689 50,358
79 Tokyo! Mar 6, 2009 Not Rated $351,059 46,807
80 The Merry Gentleman Mar 27, 2009 R $347,977 46,396
81 Le silence de Lorna Jul 31, 2009 Sony Pictures Cla… R $338,795 45,172
82 London Dreams Oct 30, 2009 Studio 18 Not Rated $300,293 40,039
83 Adoration May 8, 2009 Sony Pictures Cla… R $294,244 39,232
84 Anonyma - Eine Frau in Berlin Jul 17, 2009 Strand Releasing Not Rated $294,014 39,201
85 Tokyo Sonata Mar 13, 2009 Regent Releasing PG-13 $278,356 37,114
86 Tera Mera Ki Rishta Apr 10, 2009 Eros Entertainment Not Rated $271,942 36,258
87 The Private Lives of Pippa Lee Nov 27, 2009 Screen Media Films R $261,198 34,826
88 The Secret Life of Bees Oct 17, 2008 Fox Searchlight PG-13 $255,175 34,023
89 Il Divo Apr 24, 2009 Music Box Films Not Rated $240,159 32,021
90 Frozen River Aug 1, 2008 Sony Pictures Cla… R $202,328 26,977
91 The Burning Plain Sep 18, 2009 Magnolia Pictures R $200,730 26,764
92 Fireproof Sep 26, 2008 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG $199,773 26,636
93 The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas Nov 7, 2008 Miramax PG-13 $192,019 25,602
94 Shrink Jul 24, 2009 Roadside Attractions R $189,621 25,282
95 Still Walking Aug 28, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $167,047 22,272
96 Hunger Dec 5, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $150,523 20,069
97 The Other Man Sep 11, 2009 Image Entertainment R $149,530 19,937
98 35 Rhums Sep 18, 2009 Cinema Guild Not Rated $132,755 17,700
99 Fados Mar 6, 2009 Zeitgeist Not Rated $129,150 17,220
100 War Eagle, Arkansas Jun 12, 2009 Empire Pictures PG-13 $123,670 16,489
101 Katyn Feb 18, 2009 Lorber Films Not Rated $118,095 15,746
102 Avaze gonjeshk ha Apr 3, 2009 Regent Releasing PG $116,372 15,516
103 Rolling Apr 3, 2009 Indican Pictures Not Rated $113,132 15,084
104 Medicine for Melancholy Jan 30, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $111,551 14,873
105 Irene in Time Jun 19, 2009 Rainbow Releasing PG-13 $110,175 14,690
106 Bronson Oct 9, 2009 Magnolia Pictures R $104,979 13,997
107 Hanami Jan 16, 2009 Strand Releasing Not Rated $104,433 13,924
108 La mujer sin cabeza Aug 19, 2009 Strand Releasing Not Rated $95,955 12,794
109 Made in U.S.A. Jan 9, 2009 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $95,209 12,694
110 The Little Traitor Oct 16, 2009 Westchester Films Not Rated $88,453 11,793
111 Das Weisse Band: Eine deuts… Dec 30, 2009 Sony Pictures Cla… R $85,690 11,425
112 The Mysteries of Pittsburgh Apr 10, 2009 Peace Arch Releasing R $80,283 10,704
113 Phoebe in Wonderland Mar 6, 2009 ThinkFilm PG-13 $73,361 9,781
114 Disgrace Sep 18, 2009 Paladin R $69,705 9,294
115 Rashomon Dec 26, 1951 Janus Films Not Rated $69,167 9,222
116 Un conte de Noël Nov 14, 2008 IFC Films Not Rated $68,870 9,182
117 Sodot Ha Nov 26, 2008 Monterey Media R $64,585 8,611
118 Serbis Jan 30, 2009 Regent Releasing R $64,407 8,587
119 Plus tard Oct 31, 2008 Kino International Not Rated $60,855 8,114
120 Stellet licht Jan 9, 2009 Pallisades Tartan Not Rated $60,200 8,026
121 Jerichow May 15, 2009 Cinema Guild Not Rated $60,105 8,014
122 Human Condition Trilogy Jul 18, 2008 Janus Films Not Rated $54,828 7,310
123 $9.99 Jun 19, 2009 Regent Releasing R $51,563 6,875
124 Trucker Oct 9, 2009 Monterey Media R $51,192 6,825
125 Broken Hill Sep 11, 2009 Audience Alliance PG $50,076 6,676
126 Venkovsky ucitel Mar 27, 2009 Film Movement Not Rated $50,072 6,676
127 Polițist, Adjectiv Dec 23, 2009 Not Rated $48,298 6,439
128 Nights in Rodanthe Sep 26, 2008 Warner Bros. PG-13 $48,278 6,437
129 That Evening Sun Nov 6, 2009 Freestyle Releasing PG-13 $48,110 6,414
130 Owl and the Sparrow Jan 16, 2009 Wave Releasing PG $47,071 6,276
131 Kaerlighed Pa Film Jan 9, 2009 Koch Lorber Films Not Rated $45,835 6,111
132 Solntse Nov 18, 2009 Lorber Films Not Rated $45,565 6,075
133 Un secret Sep 10, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $45,507 6,067
134 One Day You'll Understand Nov 21, 2008 City Lights Pictures Not Rated $38,557 5,140
135 How About You Nov 14, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $38,471 5,129
136 Mutluluk Aug 7, 2009 First Run Features Not Rated $37,493 4,999
137 Uncertainty Nov 13, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $36,689 4,891
138 L'Enfant sauvage Sep 9, 1970 The Film Desk G $34,208 4,561
139 Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Dec 12, 2008 Yash Raj Films Not Rated $33,647 4,486
140 Tony Manero Jul 3, 2009 Lorber Films Not Rated $33,447 4,459
141 The Edge of Love Mar 13, 2009 Image Entertainment R $33,260 4,434
142 The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond Dec 30, 2009 Paladin PG-13 $29,750 3,966
143 Mancora Mar 20, 2009 Maya Releasing R $29,697 3,959
144 Lola Montès Oct 10, 2008 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $29,532 3,937
145 Ladri di biciclette Dec 12, 1949 Not Rated $28,782 3,837
146 Call of the Wild 3D Jun 12, 2009 Vivendi Entertain… PG $28,682 3,824
147 An American Affair Feb 27, 2009 Screen Media Films Not Rated $28,044 3,739
148 Léon Morin, prêtre Apr 17, 2009 Not Rated $27,567 3,675
149 The Last Lullaby May 1, 2009 R $21,413 2,855
150 The Open Road Aug 28, 2009 Anchor Bay Entert… PG-13 $19,716 2,628
151 Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du … Mar 23, 1983 New Yorker Not Rated $19,471 2,596
152 Women in Trouble Nov 13, 2009 Screen Media Films R $18,521 2,469
153 Between Love & Goodbye Jan 30, 2009 Embrem Entertainment Not Rated $18,480 2,464
154 Hope & Redemption: The Lena… Mar 13, 2009 American World Pi… PG-13 $18,215 2,428
155 Dare Nov 13, 2009 Image Entertainment R $18,087 2,411
156 Good Dec 31, 2008 ThinkFilm R $17,980 2,397
157 Passchendaele Oct 24, 2008 Alliance Atlantis Not Rated $17,172 2,289
158 Local Color Oct 19, 2007 Monterey Media R $17,151 2,286
159 Tennessee Jun 5, 2009 Vivendi Entertain… R $16,100 2,146
160 Storm Oct 30, 2009 Film Movement Not Rated $16,013 2,135
161 Five Minutes of Heaven Aug 21, 2009 IFC Films R $15,676 2,090
162 Home Apr 23, 2009 Monterey Media PG-13 $15,433 2,057
163 The Education of Charlie Banks Nov 7, 2007 Anchor Bay Entert… R $15,078 2,010
164 Kabei: Our Mother May 8, 2009 Strand Releasing Not Rated $14,416 1,922
165 Tum Mile Nov 13, 2009 Viva Entertainment Not Rated $13,937 1,858
166 Mississippi Mermaid Jan 15, 1999 MGM R $13,873 1,849
167 La Ventana May 1, 2009 Film Movement Not Rated $12,738 1,698
168 37º2 le matin Nov 7, 1986 Cinema Libre Not Rated $12,013 1,601
169 Dev D Feb 6, 2009 UTV Communications Not Rated $11,917 1,588
170 American Streetballers Aug 21, 2009 MSK Productions R $11,581 1,544
171 Caos Calmo Jun 26, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $11,434 1,524
172 Home Nov 27, 2009 Lorber Films Not Rated $10,405 1,387
173 Ischeznuvshaya Imperiya Jul 10, 2009 Kino International Not Rated $10,289 1,371
174 Live Fast, Die Young Oct 24, 2008 Riverrain Not Rated $10,019 1,335
175 Mammoth Nov 20, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $9,580 1,277
176 Dillinger is Dead Jul 10, 2009 Janus Films Not Rated $8,322 1,109
177 Winter of Frozen Dreams Apr 10, 2009 Monterey Media R $8,321 1,109
178 Yonkers Joe Jan 9, 2009 Magnolia Pictures R $8,286 1,104
179 Endgame Nov 6, 2009 Monterey Media PG-13 $8,238 1,098
180 Loren Cass Jul 24, 2009 Kino International Not Rated $8,125 1,083
181 The New Year Parade Oct 30, 2009 Not Rated $6,767 902
182 The Ministers Oct 16, 2009 Maya Releasing R $4,447 592
183 Alexandra Mar 28, 2008 Cinema Guild Not Rated $4,137 551
184 Eden Nov 14, 2008 Not Rated $3,914 521
185 Afterschool Oct 2, 2009 IFC Films Not Rated $3,911 521
186 Cadillac Records Dec 5, 2008 Sony Pictures R $3,783 504
187 Gooby Apr 17, 2009 Monterey Media PG $3,564 475
188 Otto; Or, Up with Dead People Nov 7, 2008 Strand Releasing Not Rated $3,562 474
189 Sandstorm Sep 4, 2009 Self Distributed Not Rated $3,444 459
190 Breakfast with Scot Oct 10, 2008 Regent Releasing PG-13 $2,563 341
191 Donne-moi la main Sep 11, 2009 Strand Releasing Not Rated $2,434 324
192 The Village Barbershop Jan 16, 2009 Monterey Media R $2,359 314
193 Ghosted Jul 31, 2009 First Run Features Not Rated $1,780 237
194 Love Comes Lately Jun 13, 2008 Kino International Not Rated $1,207 160
195 Das Haus der schlafenden Sc… Nov 14, 2008 First Run Features Not Rated $1,122 149
196 Save Me Sep 5, 2008 First Run Features Not Rated $1,028 137
197 Kings of the Evening Jan 1, 2010 Indican Pictures PG $802 106
198 El Tinte de la Fama Aug 7, 2009 Cinevolve Studios Not Rated $341 45
199 J'entends plus la guitare Feb 25, 2008 The Film Desk Not Rated $260 34
200 The Amazing Truth About Que… Sep 26, 2008 Regent Releasing R $213 28
Total Gross of All Movies$1,826,299,890
Total Tickets Sold243,506,569

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2009. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2009. 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.