Market Charts > 2011 > Genres > Documentary

Domestic 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 1,945,618
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 $2,167,258 273,299
9 Senna Aug 12, 2011 Universal R $1,612,430 203,333
10 I Am Feb 18, 2011 Paladin Not Rated $1,591,034 200,635
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 $1,200,046 151,330
13 Page One: Inside the New Yo… Jun 17, 2011 Magnolia Pictures R $1,067,028 134,556
14 Inside Job Oct 8, 2010 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $859,817 108,426
15 Sholem Aleichem: Laughing i… Jul 8, 2011 International Fil… Not Rated $845,188 106,581
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 80,514
18 The Last Lions Feb 18, 2011 National Geograph… PG $635,325 80,117
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 59,437
21 Project Nim Jul 8, 2011 Roadside Attractions PG-13 $411,184 51,852
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 39,253
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 33,098
29 PASSIONE: A Musical Adventure Jun 22, 2011 Abramorama Films Not Rated $258,222 32,563
30 Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's J… Oct 21, 2011 Submarine Deluxe PG $253,183 31,927
31 Life in a Day Jul 27, 2011 National Geograph… PG $252,788 31,877
32 My Perestroika Mar 23, 2011 International Fil… Not Rated $242,706 30,606
33 The Interrupters Jul 29, 2011 Cinema Guild Not Rated $236,957 29,881
34 Pina Jan 20, 2012 IFC Films PG $228,992 28,877
35 Into the Abyss Nov 11, 2011 IFC Films PG-13 $223,880 28,232
36 Winston Churchill: Walking … Oct 29, 2010 Moriah Films Not Rated $212,601 26,810
37 The Wildest Dream Apr 30, 2010 PG $203,839 25,704
38 Queen of the Sun Sep 17, 2010 Collective Eye Not Rated $203,100 25,612
39 El Bulli: Cooking in Progress Jul 27, 2011 Alive Mind Not Rated $202,940 25,591
40 JIG Jun 17, 2011 Screen Media Films PG $183,790 23,177
41 American: The Bill Hicks Story Apr 8, 2011 Variance Films Not Rated $174,796 22,042
42 The Man Nobody Knew: In Sea… Sep 23, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $170,888 21,550
43 Magic Trip Aug 5, 2011 Magnolia Pictures R $154,521 19,486
44 Revenge of the Electric Car Oct 14, 2011 Area 23a PG-13 $150,886 19,027
45 Thunder Soul Sep 23, 2011 Roadside Attractions PG $143,986 18,157
46 Nostalgia de la luz Mar 18, 2011 Icarus Films Not Rated $142,285 17,943
47 Eames: The Architect and th… Nov 18, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $139,813 17,631
48 The Last Mountain Jun 3, 2011 Dada Films PG $122,959 15,506
49 The Big Uneasy Aug 30, 2010 Self Distributed Not Rated $116,698 14,716
50 Blank City Apr 6, 2011 Insurgent Media Not Rated $116,037 14,633
51 Rejoice and Shout Jun 3, 2011 Magnolia Pictures PG $100,237 12,640
52 The Undefeated Jul 15, 2011 Cinedigm PG-13 $100,085 12,621
53 Exporting Raymond Apr 29, 2011 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG $87,727 11,063
54 Vidal Sassoon: The Movie Feb 11, 2011 Phase 4 Films PG $85,974 10,842
55 Waste Land Oct 29, 2010 Arthouse Films Not Rated $85,262 10,752
56 Circo Apr 1, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $77,466 9,769
57 Kings of Pastry Sep 15, 2010 First Run Features Not Rated $71,904 9,067
58 Bhutto Dec 3, 2010 First Run Features Not Rated $65,239 8,227
59 The Whale Sep 9, 2011 Paladin G $61,120 7,707
60 How to Live Forever May 13, 2011 Variance Films Not Rated $60,630 7,646
61 Limelight Sep 23, 2011 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $60,335 7,608
62 Crime after Crime Jul 1, 2011 Life Sentence Fil… Not Rated $60,291 7,603
63 My Reincarnation Oct 28, 2011 Long Shot Factory R $58,248 7,345
64 Finding Joe Sep 30, 2011 Balcony Releasing Not Rated $55,518 7,001
65 Into Eternity Feb 2, 2011 International Fil… Not Rated $55,366 6,982
66 The Other F Word Nov 2, 2011 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $53,714 6,774
67 Farmageddon Jun 17, 2011 Kristin Marie Pro… Not Rated $53,256 6,716
68 !Women, Art, Revolution Jun 1, 2011 Zeitgeist Not Rated $52,681 6,643
69 Orgasm Inc. Feb 11, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $49,001 6,179
70 Marwencol Oct 8, 2010 Not Rated $48,744 6,147
71 Pianomania May 27, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $47,328 5,968
72 Connected: An Autobiography… Sep 16, 2011 Paladin PG $46,782 5,899
73 The Woodmans Jan 19, 2011 Lorber Films Not Rated $46,623 5,879
74 Magnificent Desolation Sep 23, 2005 IMAX Films Not Rated $44,582 5,622
75 Crazy Wisdom Nov 25, 2011 Alive Mind Not Rated $43,742 5,516
76 Love Etc. Jul 1, 2011 Not Rated $43,593 5,497
77 Over Your Cities Grass Will… Aug 10, 2011 Alive Mind Not Rated $43,214 5,449
78 Public Speaking Feb 23, 2011 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $43,184 5,446
79 People v. The State of Illu… Sep 9, 2011 Self Distributed Not Rated $42,202 5,322
80 Louder Than A Bomb May 18, 2011 Balcony Releasing Not Rated $40,362 5,090
81 Where Soldiers Come From Sep 9, 2011 International Fil… Not Rated $38,151 4,811
82 Granito: How to Nail a Dict… Sep 14, 2011 Skylight Pictures Not Rated $36,738 4,633
83 Hell and Back Again Oct 5, 2011 Docurama Not Rated $34,637 4,368
84 Making the Boys Mar 11, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $33,833 4,266
85 American Teacher Sep 30, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $33,144 4,180
86 HEY, BOO: Harper Lee and To… May 13, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $31,135 3,926
87 Topp Twins Untouchable Girls May 13, 2011 Argot Pictures Not Rated $29,200 3,682
88 Chasing Madoff Aug 26, 2011 Cohen Media Group Not Rated $28,850 3,638
89 Khodorkovsky Nov 30, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $27,718 3,495
90 Autobiografia lui Nicolae C… Sep 9, 2011 The Film Desk Not Rated $27,556 3,475
91 Enemies of the People Jul 30, 2010 International Fil… Not Rated $26,708 3,368
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 3,014
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 2,804
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 2,628
99 Resurrect Dead: The Mystery… Sep 2, 2011 Argot Pictures Not Rated $20,726 2,614
100 Client 9: The Rise and Fall… Nov 5, 2010 Magnolia Pictures R $18,587 2,344
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 1,837
104 Armadillo Apr 15, 2011 Lorber Films Not Rated $14,566 1,837
105 William S. Burroughs: A Man… Nov 17, 2010 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $13,772 1,737
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 1,690
108 Under the Boardwalk: The MO… Mar 4, 2011 Self Distributed G $13,080 1,649
109 Charlotte Rampling: The Look Nov 4, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $12,825 1,617
110 Nénette Dec 22, 2010 Kino International Not Rated $12,559 1,584
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 1,531
114 Sarah Palin: You Betcha! Sep 30, 2011 Freestyle Releasing Not Rated $10,935 1,379
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 $6,898 870
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 $5,580 704
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 $3,709 468
125 The Sons of Tennessee Williams Oct 7, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $3,242 409
126 Plastic Planet Jan 14, 2011 First Run Features Not Rated $3,164 399
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 $3,050 385
129 Protektor Aug 5, 2011 Film Movement Not Rated $2,968 374
130 Raw Faith May 28, 2010 Alive Mind Not Rated $2,711 342
131 Forks Over Knives May 6, 2011 Monica Beach Media PG $2,700 340
132 Det røde kapel Dec 29, 2010 Lorber Films Not Rated $2,657 335
133 Knuckle Dec 9, 2011 ARC Entertainment R $2,647 334
134 Brutal Beauty: Tales of the… Jan 8, 2010 Cinema Purgatorio Not Rated $2,647 334
135 American Grindhouse Jun 18, 2010 Lorber Films Not Rated $1,931 244
136 Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inf… Jul 16, 2010 Not Rated $1,161 146
Total Gross of All Movies$82,363,973
Total Tickets Sold10,386,377

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.