Most Popular Movies 2003
This chart shows the 2003 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 2003 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2003 - Top 2003 Worldwide
| ← 2002 | Most Popular Overall | 2004 → |
1
| Finding Nemo |
| Director: Andrew Stanton |
| Lead Roles: Albert Brooks as Marlin, Ellen DeGeneres as Dory, Barry Humphries as Bruce the Shark |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 30, 2003 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Faulty Memory, Underwater, Rescue, Family Movie, 3D Re-release, Talking Animals, Animal Lead, 3-D, Animals Gone Bad, Scene in End Credits, Prologue, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Death of a Spouse or Fiancée / Fiancé, Dysfunctional Family, Spoiled Child, 3-D - Post-production Conversion, Filmed in Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, CA, Filmed in Emeryville, CA, Filmed in Alameda County, CA, Filmed in California, United States, Filmed in United States, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $380,529,370 |
|
International BO: $555,565,482 |
Synopsis
The momentous journey of an overprotective clownfish named Marlin and his young son Nemo—who become separated when Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from his ocean home in the Great Barrier Reef to a fish tank in a dentist’s office. Buoyed by the companionship of Dory, a friendly-but-forgetful blue tang, Marlin embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic journey to rescue his son—who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.
2
| The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King |
| Director: Peter Jackson |
| Lead Roles: Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Olando Bloom as Legolas |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 17, 2003 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Lord of the Rings, Visual Effects, Oscars Best Picture Winner, Character's Journey Shown on Map, Motion Capture Performance, Filmed in Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata, New Zealand, Filmed in Matamata, New Zealand, Filmed in New Zealand, Filmed in Stone Street Studios, Wellington, New Zealand, Filmed in Wellington, New Zealand, Filmed in Rangipo Desert, New Zealand, Filmed in Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand, Filmed in Pūtangirua Pinnacles, New Zealand, Filmed in Twizel, New Zealand, Heroic Adventure, 2004 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $379,021,990 |
|
International BO: $742,364,991 |
3
| Bubba Ho-Tep |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 19, 2003 (Limited) by Vitagraph Films |
| Keywords: Elvis Impersonators, Mummy, Monster |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Comedy, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $1,239,183 |
|
International BO: $253,712 |
4
| Japanese Story |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 31, 2003 (Wide) by IDP Distribution |
| Classification: Drama, Live Action |
|
Domestic BO: $647,054 |
|
International BO: $4,000,000 |
5
| Secondhand Lions |
| Director: Tim McCanlies |
| Lead Roles: Michael Caine as Garth, Robert Duvall as Hub, Haley Joel Osment as Walter |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 19, 2003 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Family Drama, Dysfunctional Family, Unexpected Families, Misanthrope, Texas, Medical and Hospitals, Non-Chronological, Animal Lead, Child Abuse, Epilogue, Autumn Years |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $42,070,939 |
|
International BO: $5,831,627 |
Synopsis
Secondhand Lions follows the comedic adventures of an introverted 14 year-old boy who reluctantly finds himself spending the summer with a pair of cranky, eccentric great-uncles. At first appalled by their gruff uncaring manner, over time he becomes enthralled with his uncles as the exotic tales and remembrances of their own youthful exploits introduce the boy to a world of imagination and wonder and re-ignites the old men's spirits.
6
| Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl |
| Director: Gore Verbinski |
| Lead Roles: Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow, Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa, Orland Bloom as Will Turner, Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 9, 2003 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Pirates, Rescue, Treasure Hunters, Visual Effects, Fugitive / On the Run, 1700s, Motion Capture Performance, Heroic Adventure |
| Classification: Based on Theme Park Ride, Adventure, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $305,410,819 |
|
International BO: $348,900,000 |
7
| Hulk |
| Director: Ang Lee |
| Lead Roles: Eric Bana as Dr. Bruce Banner |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 20, 2003 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Marvel Comics, Visual Effects, Split Screen, Motion Capture Performance |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
|
Domestic BO: $132,177,234 |
|
International BO: $112,854,445 |
8
| X-Men 2 |
| Director: Bryan Singer |
| Lead Roles: Patrick Stewart as Prof. Charles Xavier, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Ian McKellen as Magneto |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 30, 2003 (Wide), released as X-men 2 (Australia) |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Marvel Comics, Faulty Memory, Mutants, Assassination, Political, High School, Prison Break |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
|
Domestic BO: $214,949,694 |
|
International BO: $191,398,936 |
9
| Malibu’s Most Wanted |
| Director: John Whitesell |
| Lead Roles: Jamie Kennedy as Brad Gluckman, Taye Diggs as Sean, Anthony Anderson as PJ |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 18, 2003 (Wide) by Warner Bros., released as Malibu's Most Wanted |
| Keywords: Hood Film, Farcical / Slapstick Comedy, Dysfunctional Family, Political, Political Campaign |
| Classification: Based on TV, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $34,308,901 |
|
International BO: $190,303 |
10
| Anger Management |
| Director: Peter Segal |
| Lead Roles: Adam Sandler as Dave Buznik, Jack Nicholson as Dr. Buddy Rydell |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 11, 2003 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Gratuitous Cameos |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $135,560,942 |
|
International BO: $59,923,610 |
11
| I Capture the Castle |
| Lead Roles: Romola Garai as Cassandra Mortmain |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 9, 2003 (Limited) by Momentum Pictures (United Kingdom) |
| Keywords: Romance |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $1,174,139 |
|
International BO: $5,401,276 |
12
| Underworld |
| Director: Len Wiseman |
| Lead Roles: Kate Beckinsale as Selene, Scott Speedman as Michael |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 19, 2003 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Vampire, Monster, Werewolf, Action Horror |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $51,970,690 |
|
International BO: $43,737,767 |
13
| Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas |
| Director: Tim Johnson, Patrick Gilmore |
| Lead Roles: Brad Pitt as Sinbad |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 2, 2003 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: Family Adventure, Sword and Sandal, False Identity, Framed, Friends Reuniting, Romance, Love Triangle |
| Classification: Based on Folk Tale/Legend/Fairytale, Adventure, Hand Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $26,483,452 |
|
International BO: $54,284,432 |
14
| Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat |
| Director: Bo Welch |
| Lead Roles: Mike Myers as The Cat |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 21, 2003 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Family Comedy, Famously Bad, Single Parent, Dysfunctional Family, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, Gold Digger, Unemployed, False Identity |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Comedy, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $101,018,283 |
|
International BO: $32,800,000 |
Synopsis
The trouble-making Cat in the Hat arrives at the home of bored young Sally Walden and her brother, Conrad, while their mother is out. The family’s pet fish objects to the Cat’s presence, but that doesn’t stop the hat-wearing giant feline from trying to have fun, no matter how much destruction is left in his wake.
15
| The Weather Underground |
| Director: Sam Green |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 6, 2003 (Wide) by Shadow |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Documentary, Live Action, Factual |
|
Domestic BO: $564,632 |
16
| Elf |
| Director: Jon Favreau |
| Lead Roles: Will Ferrell as Buddy |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 7, 2003 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Christmas in November, Christmas |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $181,096,587 |
|
International BO: $46,812,848 |
Synopsis
Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs, a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
17
| Le Papillon |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 9, 2003 (Wide), released as The Butterfly |
|
Domestic BO: $185,700 |
18
| Bruce Almighty |
| Director: Tom Shadyac |
| Lead Roles: Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 23, 2003 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Secret Magic, Supernatural |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $242,704,995 |
|
International BO: $241,763,613 |
19
| Ocean Wonderland |
| Director: Jean-Jacques Mantello |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 11, 2003 (IMAX) by 3D Entertainment |
| Keywords: 3-D, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, Short Film |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Documentary, Live Action, Factual |
|
International BO: $25,977,417 |
20
| Undead |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 4, 2003 (Wide) (Australia) |
| Keywords: Zombies |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $41,196 |
|
International BO: $188,054 |
21
| Cradle 2 the Grave |
| Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak |
| Lead Roles: Jet Li as Su, DMX as Tony Fait |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 28, 2003 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Action Thriller, Heist, Enemies Forced to Work Together, Cops and Robbers, Secret Agent, Surprise Twist, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Organized Crime |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $34,657,731 |
|
International BO: $21,777,211 |
22
| Madame Satã |
| Director: Karim Ainouz |
| Lead Roles: Lazaro Ramos as Joao Francisco dos Santos |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 9, 2003 (Limited), released as Madame Sata |
| Keywords: Foreign Language, Biography, LGBTQ+ |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $198,181 |
|
International BO: $235,872 |
23
| The Slaughter Rule |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 10, 2003 (Wide) |
| Keywords: Coming of Age, LGBTQ+ |
|
Domestic BO: $13,134 |
24
| Bugs! (IMAX) |
| Director: Mike Slee |
| Lead Roles: Judi Dench as Narrator |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 14, 2003 (IMAX) by SK Films, released as Bugs! |
| Keywords: 3-D, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, Nature Documentary, Short Film, Tiny Worlds, Animal Lead, Voiceover/Narration |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Documentary, Live Action, Factual |
|
Domestic BO: $19,084,280 |
|
International BO: $10,112,664 |
25
| Bonhoeffer |
| Lead Roles: Klaus Maria Brandauer as voice of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Doblmeier as Narrator |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 20, 2003 (Limited) by First Run Features |
| Keywords: Biography, World War II, War |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Documentary, Live Action, Factual |
|
Domestic BO: $296,181 |