Most Popular Movies 2001
This chart shows the 2001 movie releases that have attracted the most interest on The Numbers web site over the past 24 hours. A share of 100 corresponds to 1 percent of the total views for all 2001 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2001 - Top 2001 Worldwide
| ← 2000 | Most Popular Overall | 2002 → |
| Zoolander |
| Director: Ben Stiller |
| Lead Roles: Ben Stiller as Derek Zoolander |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 28, 2001 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Fashion, Gratuitous Cameos, Frat Pack, Buddy Comedy, Models |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $45,172,250 |
|
International BO: $15,608,731 |
| Shrek |
| Director: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson |
| Lead Roles: Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as The Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 18, 2001 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: Interspecies Romance, 3-D, 3-D - Post-production Conversion, Family Adventure, Royalty, Prince/Princess, Romance, Rescue |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $268,028,651 |
|
International BO: $224,157,783 |
Synopsis
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek whose precious solitude is suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy tale characters. They were all banished from their kingdom by the evil Lord Farquaad. Determined to save their home—not to mention his—Shrek cuts a deal with Farquaad and sets out to rescue Princess Fiona to be Farquaad’s bride. Rescuing the Princess may be small compared to her deep, dark secret.
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone |
| Director: Chris Columbus |
| Lead Roles: Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ronald 'Ron' Weasley, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore, Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, Maggie Smith as Professor/Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 15, 2001 (Wide), released as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (United Kingdom) |
| Keywords: New Guy/Girl in School, Boarding School, Secret Magic, IMAX: DMR, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $317,871,467 |
|
International BO: $645,771,108 |
| Hannibal |
| Director: Ridley Scott |
| Lead Roles: Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 9, 2001 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Serial Killer, Cannibalism, Sex Crimes, Sequels Without Their Original Stars, Sequel With Lead Character Recast, Fugitive / On the Run, Secret Identity, Revenge, Corrupt Cops, Police Procedural, Psychological Horror |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $165,092,266 |
|
International BO: $185,008,014 |
Synopsis
Ten years have passed since Dr. Hannibal Lecter escaped from custody, ten years since FBI Agent Clarice Starling interviewed him in a maximum-security hospital for the criminally insane. The doctor is now at large in Europe, pursuing his own interests and savoring the scents and essences of an unguarded world. But, Starling has never forgotten her encounters with Dr. Lecter, and the metallic rasp of his seldom-used voice still haunts her dreams. Mason Verger remembers Dr. Lecter, as well, and is obsessed with revenge. Verger was Dr. Lecter’s sixth victim, and though hideously disfigured, has survived to rule a vast financial empire. Verger soon realizes that in order to draw the doctor out into the open, he must use someone Lecter cannot resist as bait: Clarice Starling.
| Moulin Rouge |
| Director: Baz Luhrmann |
| Lead Roles: Nicole Kidman as Satine, Ewan McGregor as Christian |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 18, 2001 (Limited) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Writing and Writers, Romance, Terminal Illness, Writer's Block, Mistaken Identity, Relationships Gone Wrong, Intentionally Anachronistic, 2002 Oscars Best Picture Nominee, Romantic Musical |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Musical, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $57,386,369 |
|
International BO: $121,813,167 |
Synopsis
A celebration of love and creative inspiration takes place in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp of the 20th century. A young poet, who is plunged into the heady world of Moulin Rouge, begins a passionate affair with the club’s most notorious and beautiful star.
| Everybody's Famous |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 3, 2001 (Wide) by Miramax |
|
Domestic BO: $74,628 |
| Jurassic Park III |
| Director: Joe Johnston |
| Lead Roles: Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant, William H. Macy as Paul Kirby, Téa Leoni as Amanda Kirby, Alessandro Nivola as Billy Brennan, Trevor Morgan as Eric Kirby, Michael Jeter as Udesky |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 18, 2001 (Wide) by Universal, released as Jurassic Park 3 |
| Keywords: Animals Gone Bad, Visual Effects, Rescue, Animal Lead, Sequels Without Their Original Stars, Creature Feature, Sequels With Returning Stars |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Action, Animation/Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $181,166,115 |
|
International BO: $184,733,885 |
| Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within |
| Director: Hironobu Sakaguchi |
| Lead Roles: Ming-Na as Dr. Aki Ross, Alec Baldwin as Grey Edwards, James Woods as General Hein, Donald Sutherland as Doctor Sid, Ving Rhames as Ryan, Steve Buscemi as Neil, Peri Gilpin as Jane |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 11, 2001 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Development Hell, Motion Capture Performance, Visual Effects, Action Adventure, Alien Invasion, Studio Sinkers |
| Classification: Based on Game, Adventure, Digital Animation, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $32,131,830 |
|
International BO: $53,000,000 |
| Cats & Dogs |
| Director: Lawrence Guterman |
| Lead Roles: Jeff Goldblum as Professor Brody, Elizabeth Perkins as Mrs. Brody, Alexander Pollock as Scott Brody |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 4, 2001 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Talking Animals |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $93,375,151 |
|
International BO: $107,324,849 |
| Legally Blonde |
| Director: Robert Luketic |
| Lead Roles: Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 13, 2001 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: College, Epilogue, Fraternity/Sorority |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $96,493,426 |
|
International BO: $45,315,809 |
Synopsis
Elle Woods has it all. She wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But there is one thing stopping him from proposing: She is too blond. Elle rallies all of her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back.
| Mulholland Drive |
| Director: David Lynch |
| Lead Roles: Naomi Watts as Betty Elms |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 8, 2001 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Mafia, LGBTQ+, Film Noir, Faulty Memory, Psychological Thriller, Movie Business, Hallucinations, Car Accident, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, Surprise Twist |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $7,219,578 |
|
International BO: $13,560,990 |
Synopsis
A dark-haired woman is left amnesiac after a car crash. She wanders the streets of Los Angeles in a daze before taking refuge in an apartment. There she is discovered by Betty, a wholesome Midwestern blonde who has come to the City of Angels seeking fame as an actress. Together, the two attempt to solve the mystery of Rita’s true identity. The story is set in a dream-like Los Angeles, spoiled neither by traffic jams nor smog.
| The Princess Diaries |
| Director: Garry Marshall |
| Lead Roles: Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse Renaldi, Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 3, 2001 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Prince/Princess, Tween, Royalty, Family Movie, Ugly Duckling |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $108,244,774 |
|
International BO: $57,090,000 |
| Haiku Tunnel |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 14, 2001 (Wide) |
|
Domestic BO: $251,058 |
| Donnie Darko |
| Director: Richard Kelly |
| Lead Roles: Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie Darko, Jena Malone as Gretchen Ross, Drew Barrymore as Ms. Karen Pomeroy, Mary McDonnell as Rose Darko, Holmes Osborne as Eddie Darko, Katharine Ross as Dr. Lillian Thurman, Patrick Swayze as Jim Cunningham, Noah Wyle as Dr. Kenneth Monnitoff |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 26, 2001 (Wide) by Newmarket Films |
| Keywords: Time Travel, Fate or Destiny, Romance, Sex Crimes, Mental Illness, Motivational Speaker, New Guy/Girl in School, Inspirational Teacher, Death of a Son or Daughter, Surprise Twist, Bullies, Voiceover/Narration, Breaking the Fourth Wall, Intertitle, Relatives Playing Relatives, Imaginary Character, Sleepwalking, Family Affair |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $1,480,006 |
|
International BO: $6,030,148 |
Synopsis
fter surviving a freak accident, Donnie begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny.
| A Knight’s Tale |
| Director: Brian Helgeland |
| Lead Roles: Heath Ledger as William |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 11, 2001 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Heroic Adventure, 1300s, False Identity, Gambling, Money Troubles, Romance, Cross-Class Romance, Intentionally Anachronistic |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $56,083,966 |
|
International BO: $44,538,620 |
| Memento |
| Director: Christopher Nolan |
| Lead Roles: Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, Carrie Anne Moss as Natalie |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 16, 2001 (Wide) by Newmarket Films |
| Keywords: Non-Chronological, Revenge, Mental Illness, Faulty Memory, Film Noir, Psychological Thriller |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $25,544,867 |
|
International BO: $14,174,564 |
| A Beautiful Mind |
| Director: Ron Howard |
| Lead Roles: Russell Crowe as John Forbes Nash Jr. |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 21, 2001 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Biography, Surprise Twist, Mental Illness, Academics, War, Hallucinations, Oscars Best Picture Winner, Biographical Drama, 2002 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Factual Book/Article, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $170,708,996 |
|
International BO: $146,959,062 |
| Planet of the Apes |
| Director: Tim Burton |
| Lead Roles: Mark Wahlberg as Leo Davidson |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 27, 2001 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Post Apocalypse, Action Adventure, Talking Animals, Animal Lead, Surprise Twist, Reboot |
| Classification: Remake, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $180,011,740 |
|
International BO: $182,200,000 |
| Chop Suey |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 5, 2001 (Wide) by Zeitgeist |
| Keywords: Biography |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Documentary, Live Action, Factual |
|
Domestic BO: $179,914 |
| Serendipity |
| Director: Peter Chelsom |
| Lead Roles: John Cusack as Jonathan Trager, Kate Beckinsale as Sara Thomas |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 5, 2001 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Romance, Christmas, Fate or Destiny, Voiceover/Narration, Relationships Gone Wrong, Wedding Day, Musicians |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $50,255,310 |
|
International BO: $27,221,987 |
Synopsis
On a bustling shopping day in the winter of 1990, Jonathon Trager meets Sara Thomas. Two strangers amid the masses in NYC, their paths collide in the mad holiday rush as they fall victim to a mutual attraction. Despite the fact that each is involved in another relationship, Jonathon and Sara spend the evening wandering Manhattan. But when the night reaches it’s inevitable end, the two are forced into determining some kind of next step. When the smitten Jonathon suggests an exchange of phone numbers, Sara balks and proposes an idea that will allow fate to take control of their future. If they are meant to be together, she tells him, they will find their way back into one another’s life.
| Shu shan zheng zhuan |
| Director: Tsui Hark |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Fantasy |
| No Man's Land |
| Director: Danis Tanovic |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 7, 2001 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Foreign Language |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $1,067,481 |
|
International BO: $1,616,726 |
Synopsis
Ciki and Nino, a Bosnian and a Serb, are soldiers stranded in No Man’s Land — a trench between enemy lines during the Bosnian war. They have no one to trust, no way to escape without getting shot, and a fellow soldier is lying on the trench floor with a spring-loaded bomb set to explode beneath him if he moves. The absurdity of their situation would be comical if it didn’t have such dire consequences.
| Les Silence du Dosil |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 16, 2001 (Wide) |
|
Domestic BO: $182,882 |
| Blow |
| Director: Ted Demme |
| Lead Roles: Johnny Depp as George Jung, Penélope Cruz as Mirtha Jung |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 6, 2001 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Biography, Narcotics, Biographical Drama |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $52,990,775 |
|
International BO: $30,291,521 |