Most Popular Movies 2009
This chart shows the 2009 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 2009 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2009 - Top 2009 Worldwide
| ← 2008 | Most Popular Overall | 2010 → |
| Avatar |
| Director: James Cameron |
| Lead Roles: Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 17, 2009 (Wide) (Australia) |
| Keywords: 3-D, Invented Language, Visual Effects, Alien Invasion, IMAX: DMR, Humans as Aliens, Language Barrier, 2010 Oscars Best Picture Nominee, Romance, Interspecies Romance, Slow Motion Scene, Wheelchair User, Voiceover/Narration, Death of a Sibling, Twins, Death of a Twin, Genetic Engineering, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, Environment, Motion Capture Performance, Filmed in Wellington, New Zealand, Filmed in New Zealand, Filmed in United States, Filmed in Stone Street Studios, Wellington, New Zealand, Filmed in Playa Vista, CA, Filmed in California, United States, Filmed in Hughes Aircraft studio, Playa Vista, CA, Filmed in Los Angeles County, CA, Action Adventure, Golden Globe Winner Best Picture—Drama |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Animation/Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $785,221,649 |
|
International BO: $2,138,484,377 |
Synopsis
Jake Sully is a wounded ex-marine, thrust into an effort to settle and exploit Pandora, an exotic moon rich in bio-diversity and inhabited by the Na’vi, a ten-foot-tall humanoid species. After Neytiri, a female Na’vi, rescues Jake after he becomes separated from his team, he learns more about the planet and eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.
| Coraline |
| Director: Henry Selick |
| Lead Roles: Dakota Fanning as Coraline Jones |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 6, 2009 (Wide) by Focus Features |
| Keywords: 3-D, Monster, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, Kids Horror, Dysfunctional Family, Alternative Dimensions / Parallel universe, Missing Child, Child Neglect |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Stop-Motion Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $116,472,020 |
|
International BO: $50,750,828 |
Synopsis
While exploring her new home, a girl named Coraline discovers a secret door, behind which lies an alternate world that closely mirrors her own but, in many ways, is better. She rejoices in her discovery, until Other Mother and the rest of her parallel family try to keep her there forever. Coraline must use all her resources and bravery to make it back to her own family and life.
| Paranormal Activity |
| Director: Oren Peli |
| Lead Roles: Micah Sloat as Micah, Katie Featherston as Katie |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 25, 2009 (Limited) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Found Footage, Exorcism, Guerilla Filmmaking, Supernatural Horror |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $107,918,810 |
|
International BO: $86,264,224 |
| The Hurt Locker |
| Director: Kathryn Bigelow |
| Lead Roles: Jeremy Renner as Staff Sergeant William James, Anthony Mackie as Sergeant JT Sanborn |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 26, 2009 (Limited) by Summit Entertainment |
| Keywords: War, Oscars Best Picture Winner, 2010 Oscars Best Picture Nominee, War Drama, Iraq War, BAFTA Best Film Winner, Producers Guild of America Best Theatrical Motion Picture Winner, Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Winner, Writers Guild of America Best Original Screenplay Winner |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $17,017,811 |
|
International BO: $32,859,173 |
Synopsis
Staff Sgt. William James, Sgt. J.T. Sanborn and Specialist Owen Eldridge are members of a bomb-disposal unit in Baghdad. As their tour of duty enters its final weeks, the men face a set of increasingly hazardous situations, any of which could end their lives in an explosive instant.
| Fantastic Mr. Fox |
| Director: Wes Anderson |
| Lead Roles: George Clooney as Mr. Fox, Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox, Jason Schwartzman as Ash |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 23, 2009 (Wide) by Twentieth Century Fox (United Kingdom) |
| Keywords: Animal Lead, Talking Animals, Heist, Life on a Farm, Food, Mid-Life Crisis, Crime Comedy |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Comedy, Stop-Motion Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $21,002,919 |
|
International BO: $24,929,302 |
Synopsis
After 12 years of bucolic bliss, Mr. Fox breaks a promise to his wife and raids the farms of their human neighbors, Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Giving in to his animal instincts endangers not only his marriage but also the lives of his family and their animal friends. When the farmers force Mr. Fox and company deep underground, he has to resort to his natural craftiness to rise above the opposition.
| The Princess and the Frog |
| Director: John Musker, Ron Clements |
| Lead Roles: Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 25, 2009 (Exclusive) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Jazz, Spoiled Child, Food, Prince/Princess, Curses, Family Adventure, Talking Animals, Animal Lead, Musical-Adventure |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Hand Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $104,400,899 |
|
International BO: $166,596,479 |
Synopsis
Hardworking and ambitious, Tiana dreams of one day opening the finest restaurant in New Orleans. Her dream takes a slight detour when she meets Prince Naveen, who has been turned into an amphibian by evil Dr. Facilier. Mistaking her for a princess and hoping to break the spell, Naveen plants a kiss on poor Tiana — thereby turning her into a frog as well. The pair hop along on an adventure through the bayous to seek the help of a powerful voodoo priestess.
| The Hangover |
| Director: Todd Phillips |
| Lead Roles: Bradley Cooper as Phil, Ed Helms as Stu, Zach Galifianakis as Alan |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 5, 2009 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Black Out Drunk, Day After, Accidental Engagement or Marriage, Body in a Trunk, Buddy Comedy, Golden Globe Winner Best Picture—Musical or Comedy |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $277,322,503 |
|
International BO: $188,165,080 |
Synopsis
Two days before his wedding, Doug and three friends drive to Las Vegas for a wild and memorable stag party. In fact, when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning, they can't remember a thing; nor can they find Doug. With little time to spare, the three hazy pals try to re-trace their steps and find Doug so they can get him back to Los Angeles in time to walk down the aisle.
| District 9 |
| Director: Neill Blomkamp |
| Lead Roles: Sharlto Copley as Wikus Van de Merwe |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 14, 2009 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: 2010 Oscars Best Picture Nominee, First Contact, Motion Capture Performance, Action Thriller, Friendly Alien on Earth, Remake, Director Remaking Their Own Movie |
| Classification: Based on Short Film, Thriller/Suspense, Animation/Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $115,646,235 |
|
International BO: $96,807,196 |
Synopsis
Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth — not to conquer or give aid, but — to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens’ welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.
| Disney’s A Christmas Carol |
| Director: Robert Zemeckis |
| Lead Roles: Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge and Ghosts |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 5, 2009 (Wide) by Walt Disney (New Zealand) |
| Keywords: Christmas in November, Christmas, 3-D, IMAX: DMR, Class Warfare, Haunting, Motion Capture Performance, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, Historical Drama, Remake |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Digital Animation, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $137,855,863 |
|
International BO: $177,853,834 |
| Star Trek |
| Director: J.J. Abrams |
| Lead Roles: Chris Pine as James Tiberius Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Karl Urban as Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Zoe Saldaña as Uhura, Simon Pegg as Scotty, John Cho as Sulu, Anton Yelchin as Pavel Checkov |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 8, 2009 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Time Travel, IMAX: DMR, Legacy Sequel, Intertitle, Revenge, Genocide, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Interspecies Romance, Bullies, Reboot, Action Adventure |
| Classification: Based on TV, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $257,730,019 |
|
International BO: $129,109,595 |
| Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs |
| Director: Christopher Miller, Phil Lord |
| Lead Roles: Bill Hader as Flint Lockwood |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 18, 2009 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: 3-D, Food, Inventor, IMAX: DMR, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, Family Adventure, Extreme Weather |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $124,870,275 |
|
International BO: $111,957,402 |
| The Informant! |
| Director: Steven Soderbergh |
| Lead Roles: Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 18, 2009 (Wide) by Warner Bros., released as The Informant |
| Keywords: Crime Comedy, Biography, Whistleblowers, Corporate Malfeasance, White Collar Crime, FBI, Conspiracy Theory, Mental Illness, Epilogue |
| Classification: Based on Factual Book/Article, Comedy, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $33,316,821 |
|
International BO: $8,454,347 |
| Inglourious Basterds |
| Director: Quentin Tarantino |
| Lead Roles: Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine, Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa, Michael Fassbender as Lt. Archie Hicox, Eli Roth as Sgt. Donny Donowitz, Diane Kruger as Bridget Von Hammersmark, Til Schweiger as Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz, Mélanie Laurent as Shosanna |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 20, 2009 (Special Engagement) by Weinstein Co. |
| Keywords: World War II, War, Nazis, Alternate History, Intentionally Anachronistic, 2010 Oscars Best Picture Nominee, Action Comedy, Screen Actors Guild Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Winner |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $120,774,594 |
|
International BO: $196,027,687 |
Synopsis
It is the first year of Germany’s occupation of France. Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine assembles a team of Jewish soldiers to commit violent acts of retribution against the Nazis, including the taking of their scalps. He and his men join forces with Bridget von Hammersmark, a German actress and undercover agent, to bring down the leaders of the Third Reich. Their fates converge with theater owner Shosanna Dreyfus, who seeks to avenge the Nazis’ execution of her family.
| Zombieland |
| Director: Ruben Fleischer |
| Lead Roles: Woody Harrelson as Tallahassee, Jesse Eisenberg as Columbus, Emma Stone as Wichita, Abigail Breslin as Little Rock |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 2, 2009 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Zombies, Unnamed Character, Horror Comedy, Epidemic, Romance, End of the World, Death of a Son or Daughter, Fictionalized Version of Yourself |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $75,590,286 |
|
International BO: $26,646,310 |
| Terminator Salvation |
| Director: Joseph McGinty Nichol |
| Lead Roles: Christian Bale as John Connor |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 21, 2009 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Post Apocalypse, Motion Capture Performance, Action Adventure, Robot, Prologue, 2000s, 2010s, Time Travel |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $125,322,469 |
|
International BO: $240,169,323 |
| Michael Jackson’s This Is It |
| Director: Kenny Ortega |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 28, 2009 (Wide) by Sony Pictures, released as Michael Jackson's This Is It |
| Keywords: Music Industry, Pop Music, Split Screen, Scene in End Credits, Posthumous Release, IMAX: DMR, Biographical Documentary |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Documentary, Live Action, Factual |
|
Domestic BO: $72,091,016 |
|
International BO: $189,092,572 |
| Jennifer's Body |
| Director: Karyn Kusama |
| Lead Roles: Megan Fox as Jennifer |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 18, 2009 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Rock 'n' Roll, Musicians, Occult, Succubi, Horror Comedy, Cult Movie |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $16,204,793 |
|
International BO: $15,738,608 |
| Angels & Demons |
| Director: Ron Howard |
| Lead Roles: Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 15, 2009 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Crime Thriller, Catholic, Kidnap, Terrorism, Shadowy Organization, Revenge |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $133,375,846 |
|
International BO: $357,500,000 |
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel |
| Director: Betty Thomas |
| Lead Roles: Justin Long as Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon, Jesse McCartney as Theodore |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 23, 2009 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Talking Animals, Animal Lead, Singers, 2000s, Accidental Injury, Battle of the Sexes, High School, Set in Los Angeles, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Based on TV, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $219,614,612 |
|
International BO: $223,868,601 |
| Sherlock Holmes |
| Director: Guy Ritchie |
| Lead Roles: Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as Dr. Watson |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 25, 2009 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Private Investigator, Bare Knuckle Fighting, Action Adventure, 1890s, Set in London, Set in England, Occult |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $209,028,679 |
|
International BO: $289,409,533 |
|
Domestic BO: $402,111,870 |
|
International BO: $434,407,829 |
| 2012 |
| Director: Roland Emmerich |
| Lead Roles: John Cusack as Jackson Curtis |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 12, 2009 (Wide) (Australia) |
| Keywords: Disaster, End of the World, Extreme Weather, Visual Effects, Survival Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $166,112,167 |
|
International BO: $591,565,581 |
Synopsis
Earth’s billions of inhabitants are unaware that the planet has an expiration date. With the warnings of an American scientist, world leaders begin secret preparations for the survival of select members of society. When the global cataclysm finally occurs, failed writer Jackson Curtis tries to lead his family to safety as the world starts falling apart.
| (500) Days of Summer |
| Director: Marc Webb |
| Lead Roles: Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom, Zooey Deschanel as Summer |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 17, 2009 (Limited) by Fox Searchlight |
| Keywords: Romance, Non-Chronological, Relationships Gone Wrong, Split Screen, Breaking the Fourth Wall, Romantic Comedy, Unreliable Narrator, Architecture |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $32,425,665 |
|
International BO: $2,089,638 |
Synopsis
Tom, greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer, suddenly dumps him. He reflects on their 500 days together to try to figure out where their love affair went sour, and in doing so, Tom rediscovers his true passions in life.
| Knowing |
| Director: Alex Proyas |
| Lead Roles: Nicolas Cage as John Koestler |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 20, 2009 (Wide) by Summit Entertainment |
| Keywords: Action Thriller, Psychics, Disaster, End of the World, 1950s, Single Parent |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $79,957,634 |
|
International BO: $106,492,683 |
| Halloween 2 |
| Director: Rob Zombie |
| Lead Roles: Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Samuel Loomis |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 28, 2009 (Wide) by Weinstein/Dimension |
| Keywords: Slasher Horror |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $33,392,973 |
|
International BO: $5,119,877 |
Synopsis
A year after narrowly escaping death at the hands of Michael Myers, Laurie Strode is at the breaking point, pushed to the edge by Dr. Loomis’ revelation that she’s Michael's sister. Little does she know, the unstoppable killer is back in Haddonfield and, driven by visions of their dead mother, he is determined to bring about a bloody family reunion.