Market Charts > 2012 > Genres > Drama

Box Office Performance for Drama Movies in 2012

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RankMovieRelease
Date		 Theatrical
Distributor		MPAA
Rating		2012 GrossTickets Sold
1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking… Nov 16, 2012 Lionsgate PG-13 $289,133,356 36,323,285
2 Lincoln Nov 9, 2012 Walt Disney PG-13 $144,089,046 18,101,638
3 The Vow Feb 10, 2012 Sony Pictures PG-13 $125,014,030 15,705,280
4 Flight Nov 2, 2012 Paramount Pictures R $92,488,366 11,619,141
5 Life of Pi Nov 21, 2012 20th Century Fox PG $91,039,488 11,437,121
6 The Lucky One Apr 20, 2012 Warner Bros. PG-13 $60,457,138 7,595,117
7 Titanic Dec 19, 1997 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $57,885,250 7,272,016
8 The Odd Life of Timothy Green Aug 15, 2012 Walt Disney PG $51,844,311 6,513,104
9 Moonrise Kingdom May 25, 2012 Focus Features PG-13 $45,512,466 5,717,646
10 The Descendants Nov 16, 2011 Fox Searchlight R $42,309,296 5,315,238
11 The Artist Nov 25, 2011 Weinstein Co. PG-13 $39,622,751 4,977,732
12 War Horse Dec 25, 2011 Walt Disney PG-13 $39,431,587 4,953,716
13 Lawless Aug 29, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $37,397,291 4,698,152
14 Trouble with the Curve Sep 21, 2012 Warner Bros. PG-13 $35,763,137 4,492,856
15 Step Up Revolution Jul 27, 2012 Lionsgate PG-13 $35,074,677 4,406,366
16 Tyler Perry's Good Deeds Feb 24, 2012 Lionsgate PG-13 $35,025,791 4,400,225
17 Silver Linings Playbook Nov 16, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $34,676,769 4,356,378
18 Extremely Loud and Incredib… Dec 25, 2011 Warner Bros. PG-13 $31,495,464 3,956,716
19 We Bought a Zoo Dec 23, 2011 20th Century Fox PG $31,133,551 3,911,250
20 The Iron Lady Jan 13, 2012 Weinstein Co. PG-13 $29,959,436 3,763,748
21 Cloud Atlas Oct 26, 2012 Warner Bros. R $26,903,242 3,379,804
22 Sparkle Aug 17, 2012 Sony Pictures PG-13 $24,397,469 3,065,008
23 Big Miracle Feb 3, 2012 Universal PG $20,157,300 2,532,324
24 The Perks of Being a Wallfl… Sep 21, 2012 Lionsgate R $17,479,028 2,195,857
25 The Master Sep 14, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $15,979,869 2,007,521
26 People Like Us Jun 29, 2012 Walt Disney PG-13 $12,431,792 1,561,782
27 Anna Karenina Nov 16, 2012 Focus Features R $11,537,763 1,449,467
28 The Words Sep 7, 2012 CBS Films PG-13 $11,494,838 1,444,075
29 Beasts of the Southern Wild Jun 27, 2012 Fox Searchlight PG-13 $11,249,128 1,413,207
30 Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Mar 9, 2012 CBS Films PG-13 $9,041,540 1,135,871
31 Jodaeiye Nader az Simin Dec 30, 2011 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $7,039,011 884,297
32 In Darkness Feb 10, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… R $6,994,218 878,670
33 Chasing Mavericks Oct 26, 2012 20th Century Fox PG $5,977,302 750,917
34 The Twilight Saga: Breaking… Nov 18, 2011 Summit Entertainment PG-13 $5,756,395 723,165
35 For Greater Glory: The True… Jun 1, 2012 ARC Entertainment R $5,669,081 712,196
36 My Week with Marilyn Nov 23, 2011 Weinstein Co. R $5,661,684 711,266
37 The Sessions Oct 19, 2012 Fox Searchlight R $5,632,024 707,540
38 Hitchcock Nov 23, 2012 Fox Searchlight PG-13 $5,488,896 689,559
39 October Baby Mar 23, 2012 Five & Two Pictures PG-13 $5,355,847 672,845
40 Won't Back Down Sep 28, 2012 20th Century Fox PG $5,310,554 667,155
41 Promised Land Jan 4, 2013 Focus Features R $4,395,439 552,190
42 A Dangerous Method Nov 23, 2011 Sony Pictures Cla… R $4,125,326 518,257
43 The Impossible Dec 21, 2012 Lionsgate PG-13 $3,412,413 428,695
44 Atlas Shrugged: Part II Oct 12, 2012 Atlas Distribution PG-13 $3,336,053 419,102
45 Last Ounce of Courage Sep 14, 2012 Rocky Mountain Pi… PG $3,310,439 415,884
46 Robot & Frank Aug 17, 2012 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG-13 $3,298,428 414,375
47 Hyde Park on Hudson Dec 7, 2012 Focus Features R $3,209,885 403,251
48 Jab Tak Hai Jaan Nov 13, 2012 Yash Raj Films Not Rated $3,047,539 382,856
49 Albert Nobbs Dec 21, 2011 Roadside Attractions R $3,014,696 378,730
50 Talaash Nov 30, 2012 Reliance Big Pict… Not Rated $2,706,375 339,996
51 Girl in Progress May 11, 2012 Lionsgate R $2,609,412 327,815
52 Sleepwalk With Me Aug 24, 2012 IFC Films PG-13 $2,266,066 284,681
53 Shame Dec 2, 2011 Fox Searchlight NC-17 $2,036,419 255,831
54 He'arat Shulayim Mar 9, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… PG $2,007,451 252,192
55 English Vinglish Sep 28, 2012 Eros Entertainment Not Rated $1,862,086 233,930
56 Crooked Arrows May 18, 2012 Branded Entertain… PG-13 $1,832,541 230,218
57 Monsieur Lazhar Oct 28, 2011 Films Seville PG-13 $1,810,703 227,475
58 We Need to Talk About Kevin Jan 13, 2012 Oscilloscope Pict… R $1,738,692 218,428
59 Your Sister's Sister Jun 15, 2012 IFC Films R $1,597,486 200,689
60 Le gamin au vélo Mar 16, 2012 IFC Films PG-13 $1,389,524 174,563
61 A Late Quartet Nov 2, 2012 Entertainment One R $1,356,841 170,457
62 Les adieux à la reine Jul 13, 2012 Cohen Media Group R $1,329,660 167,042
63 Woman Thou Art Loosed On th… Apr 13, 2012 Codeblack Enterta… PG-13 $1,301,562 163,512
64 Take This Waltz Jun 29, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $1,239,692 155,740
65 Le fils de l’autre Oct 26, 2012 Cohen Media Group PG-13 $1,199,098 150,640
66 The Deep Blue Sea Mar 23, 2012 Music Box Films R $1,126,027 141,460
67 Rampart Feb 10, 2012 Alchemy R $969,239 121,763
68 Gwanghae, Wangyidoen namja Sep 21, 2012 CJ Entertainment Not Rated $904,240 113,597
69 De rouille et d’os Nov 23, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… R $866,016 108,795
70 Coriolanus Jan 20, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $749,641 94,176
71 Unconditional Sep 21, 2012 Veracity Moving P… PG-13 $741,381 93,138
72 Pariah Dec 28, 2011 Focus Features R $684,566 86,000
73 En kongelig affære Nov 9, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $659,348 82,832
74 J. Edgar Nov 9, 2011 Warner Bros. R $655,199 82,311
75 Moneyball Sep 23, 2011 Sony Pictures PG-13 $643,850 80,885
76 Midnight's Children Nov 2, 2012 Mongrel Media Not Rated $600,595 75,451
77 Heroine Sep 21, 2012 UTV Communications Not Rated $598,668 75,209
78 W.E. Feb 3, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $582,075 73,125
79 Holy Motors Oct 17, 2012 Indomina Releasing Not Rated $560,586 70,425
80 Being Flynn Mar 2, 2012 Focus Features R $540,152 67,858
81 Et maintenant, on va où? May 11, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $531,813 66,810
82 Courageous Sep 30, 2011 Sony Pictures PG-13 $486,301 61,093
83 Not Fade Away Dec 21, 2012 Paramount Vantage R $416,886 52,372
84 La fille du puisatier Jun 20, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $389,651 48,951
85 Smashed Oct 12, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… R $375,981 47,233
86 Bully Jul 13, 2001 Lionsgate R $371,732 46,700
87 Neuk-dae-so-nyeon Nov 30, 2012 CJ Entertainment Not Rated $338,876 42,572
88 Red Hook Summer Aug 10, 2012 Variance/40 Acres… R $338,803 42,563
89 Compliance Aug 17, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $319,285 40,111
90 Jin líng shí san chai Jan 20, 2012 Wrekin Hill Enter… R $311,434 39,124
91 Amour Dec 19, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $311,247 39,101
92 Dolphin Tale Sep 23, 2011 Warner Bros. PG $270,810 34,021
93 The Way Oct 7, 2011 Producers Distrib… PG-13 $260,592 32,737
94 Boy Mar 2, 2012 Paladin Not Rated $256,211 32,187
95 In The Land of Blood and Honey Dec 23, 2011 FilmDistrict R $254,735 32,001
96 Poulet aux prunes Aug 17, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $253,705 31,872
97 Le Havre Oct 21, 2011 Janus Films Not Rated $253,003 31,784
98 Keep the Lights On Sep 7, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $246,112 30,918
99 Trishna Jul 13, 2012 IFC Films R $240,381 30,198
100 Middle of Nowhere Oct 12, 2012 AFFRM R $236,806 29,749
101 Yi jiu si er Nov 30, 2012 China Lion Film D… Not Rated $212,475 26,692
102 The Help Aug 10, 2011 Walt Disney PG-13 $206,041 25,884
103 Touchback Apr 13, 2012 Anchor Bay Entert… PG-13 $204,157 25,647
104 10 Years Sep 14, 2012 Anchor Bay Entert… PG-13 $203,654 25,584
105 Chico & Rita Feb 10, 2012 GKIDS Not Rated $197,785 24,847
106 The Hunter Apr 6, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $176,669 22,194
107 Dark Horse Jun 8, 2012 Brainstorm Media Not Rated $166,228 20,882
108 L'homme qui voulait vivre s… Oct 12, 2012 MPI Media Group Not Rated $158,411 19,900
109 Elles Apr 27, 2012 Kino Lorber NC-17 $157,427 19,777
110 Impardonnables Jun 29, 2012 Mongrel Media Not Rated $153,785 19,319
111 Simon och ekarna Oct 12, 2012 Film Arcade Not Rated $150,109 18,857
112 Kiseki May 11, 2012 Magnolia Pictures PG $145,808 18,317
113 Rundskop Feb 17, 2012 Drafthouse Films R $142,616 17,916
114 The Ides of March Oct 7, 2011 Sony Pictures R $136,922 17,201
115 The Lady Apr 11, 2012 Cohen Media Group R $135,985 17,083
116 Footloose Oct 14, 2011 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $132,230 16,611
117 The Loneliest Planet Oct 26, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $129,579 16,278
118 Any Day Now Dec 14, 2012 Music Box Films R $129,391 16,255
119 Les bien-aimés Aug 17, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $124,405 15,628
120 The Forgiveness of Blood Feb 24, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $122,593 15,401
121 Bel Ami Jun 8, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $120,462 15,133
122 Cowgirls 'n Angels May 25, 2012 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG $119,782 15,047
123 Therese Desqueyroux Nov 30, 2012 Mongrel Media Not Rated $117,179 14,720
124 Margin Call Oct 21, 2011 Roadside Attractions R $107,220 13,469
125 Hello I Must Be Going Sep 7, 2012 Oscilloscope Pict… R $106,709 13,405
126 Inch'Allah Sep 28, 2012 Entertainment One R $104,087 13,076
127 The Magic of Belle Isle Jul 6, 2012 Magnolia Pictures PG $102,388 12,862
128 Wuthering Heights Oct 5, 2012 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $100,915 12,677
129 Oslo, 31 August May 25, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $100,713 12,652
130 Hardflip Jun 1, 2012 Rocky Mountain Pi… PG-13 $96,734 12,152
131 The Eye of the Storm Sep 7, 2012 Sycamore Entertai… Not Rated $83,566 10,498
132 Starlet Nov 9, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $82,424 10,354
133 Ichimei Jul 20, 2012 TriBeca Films Not Rated $75,688 9,508
134 La Grande Illusion Sep 12, 1938 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $71,641 9,000
135 Detachment Mar 16, 2012 TriBeca Films Not Rated $70,740 8,886
136 Mai wei Apr 20, 2012 PMK*BNC R $70,177 8,816
137 The Snows of Kilimanjaro Sep 17, 1952 Not Rated $66,597 8,366
138 Un amour de jeunesse Apr 20, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $64,925 8,156
139 Backwards Sep 21, 2012 Dada Films PG $61,465 7,721
140 The Bodyguard Nov 25, 1992 Warner Bros. R $61,020 7,665
141 Young Goethe in Love Nov 4, 2011 Music Box Films Not Rated $60,901 7,650
142 Take Shelter Sep 30, 2011 Sony Pictures Cla… R $57,751 7,255
143 Beyond the Black Rainbow May 18, 2012 Mongrel Media R $56,491 7,096
144 A Beautiful Soul May 4, 2012 Tyscot Manhaddon PG-13 $54,008 6,784
145 Karakara Aug 31, 2012 Mongrel Media Not Rated $50,831 6,385
146 The Fitzgerald Family Chris… Dec 7, 2012 TriBeca Films PG-13 $50,292 6,318
147 Deep In The Heart Feb 17, 2012 ARC Entertainment PG-13 $47,700 5,992
148 The Mill and the Cross Sep 14, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $47,314 5,943
149 La guerre est déclarée Jan 27, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $46,225 5,807
150 Union Square Jul 13, 2012 Dada Films Not Rated $44,830 5,631
151 Poupoupidou May 11, 2012 First Run Features Not Rated $43,040 5,407
152 Attenberg Mar 9, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $42,582 5,349
153 Miss Bala Jan 20, 2012 Mongrel Media R $40,540 5,092
154 Les Enfants du Paradis Nov 15, 1946 Not Rated $36,986 4,646
155 Tomboy Nov 16, 2011 Rocket Releasing Not Rated $34,112 4,285
156 La conquête Nov 11, 2011 Music Box Films Not Rated $33,344 4,188
157 Roméo Onze Mar 9, 2012 Metropole Films D… Not Rated $32,457 4,077
158 Musical Chairs Mar 23, 2012 Paladin PG-13 $31,478 3,954
159 Noruwei no mori Nov 25, 2011 Mongrel Media Not Rated $31,406 3,945
160 Hide Away May 25, 2012 Joule Films PG-13 $30,655 3,851
161 Hermano Aug 24, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $29,864 3,751
162 Kaerlighed Pa Film Jan 9, 2009 Koch Lorber Films Not Rated $29,630 3,722
163 Least Among Saints Oct 12, 2012 Brainstorm Media R $28,026 3,520
164 Mighty Fine May 25, 2012 Adopt Films R $27,900 3,505
165 Here Apr 13, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $26,464 3,324
166 Nobody Walks Oct 19, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $25,342 3,183
167 Le diable probablement Jan 13, 2012 The Film Desk Not Rated $24,878 3,125
168 Nannerl la soeur de Mozart Aug 19, 2011 Music Box Films Not Rated $23,389 2,938
169 Like Crazy Oct 28, 2011 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $23,291 2,926
170 Les hommes libres Mar 16, 2012 Film Movement Not Rated $22,578 2,836
171 Toutes nos envies Mar 16, 2012 Not Rated $22,517 2,828
172 The Long Day Closes Mar 23, 2012 The Film Desk PG $22,366 2,809
173 Noordzee, Texas Nov 2, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $21,615 2,715
174 Bonsai May 11, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $21,163 2,658
175 Présumé coupable Jan 27, 2012 Mongrel Media Not Rated $19,750 2,481
176 Ranchero Jul 15, 2011 Indican Pictures Not Rated $19,623 2,465
177 Sedona Mar 16, 2012 Pasidg Productions Not Rated $19,532 2,453
178 28 Hotel Rooms Nov 9, 2012 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $18,869 2,370
179 Le Quai des brumes Oct 29, 1939 Not Rated $18,275 2,295
180 4:44 Last Day on Earth Mar 23, 2012 IFC Films R $17,801 2,236
181 Dangerous Liaisons Nov 9, 2012 Well Go USA Not Rated $17,000 2,135
182 La mariée était en noir Jun 25, 1968 Lopert Pictures C… Not Rated $16,854 2,117
183 Little Birds Aug 29, 2012 Alchemy R $16,594 2,084
184 Return Feb 28, 2011 Dada Films Not Rated $16,124 2,025
185 Alpeis Jul 13, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $16,057 2,017
186 Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog May 18, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $15,674 1,969
187 Michael Feb 15, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $15,151 1,903
188 17 filles Sep 21, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $15,002 1,884
189 30 Beats Jul 20, 2012 Roadside Attractions R $14,686 1,844
190 Tristana Sep 21, 1970 PG-13 $14,586 1,832
191 Autoreiji Dec 2, 2011 Magnolia Pictures R $14,305 1,797
192 Les Neiges du Kilimanjaro Dec 9, 2011 Mongrel Media Not Rated $13,729 1,724
193 Jesus Henry Christ Apr 20, 2012 Entertainment One PG-13 $13,714 1,722
194 Sedmikrásky Dec 31, 2002 Janus Films Not Rated $13,692 1,720
195 How Much Does Your Building… Jan 25, 2012 First Run Features Not Rated $13,013 1,634
196 California Solo Nov 30, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $12,952 1,627
197 Nous ne viellirons pas ense… Jun 8, 2012 The Film Desk Not Rated $12,801 1,608
198 For Ellen Sep 5, 2012 TriBeca Films Not Rated $12,396 1,557
199 Hamnden Jun 1, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $10,960 1,376
200 Santa Mesa Jan 13, 2012 Indican Pictures Not Rated $10,490 1,317
201 Da-reun na-ra-e-suh Nov 9, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $10,332 1,297
202 Virginia May 18, 2012 Entertainment One R $9,915 1,245
203 Post Mortem Apr 11, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $9,750 1,224
204 Around June Mar 16, 2012 Indican Pictures Not Rated $9,102 1,143
205 Cartas a Elena Jun 8, 2012 Freestyle Releasing PG $8,511 1,069
206 Cook County Dec 16, 2011 Hannover House Not Rated $8,250 1,036
207 Roadie Jan 6, 2012 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $7,825 983
208 Nothing But a Man Oct 19, 1999 Cinema V Not Rated $7,255 911
209 Domaine Jan 13, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $6,914 868
210 In Our Nature Dec 7, 2012 Cinedigm Not Rated $6,543 821
211 Tyrannosaur Nov 18, 2011 Strand Releasing Not Rated $6,353 798
212 Prince of the Himalayas Dec 23, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $6,295 790
213 Crazy Eyes Jul 6, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $6,106 767
214 The Last Ride Oct 21, 2011 PG-13 $5,887 739
215 Joven y alocada Nov 30, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $5,514 692
216 The Good Doctor Aug 31, 2012 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $5,206 654
217 Bringing Up Bobby Sep 28, 2012 Monterey Media PG-13 $4,975 625
218 Atmen Aug 31, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $4,258 534
219 Kongen av Bastøy Jan 6, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $4,162 522
220 Amigo Aug 19, 2011 Variance Films R $4,123 517
221 Downtown Express Apr 20, 2012 Not Rated $3,474 436
222 Le rayon vert Aug 29, 1986 Orion Classics R $3,236 406
223 Cirkus Columbia Feb 17, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $3,163 397
224 About Cherry Sep 21, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $3,003 377
225 Serge Gainsbourg vie heroique Aug 31, 2011 Music Box Films Not Rated $2,240 281
226 Perfect Sense Feb 10, 2012 IFC Films R $1,567 196
227 Jack and Diane Nov 2, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $1,142 143
228 Schastye moe Sep 30, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $841 105
229 Bronenosets Potyomkin Dec 5, 1925 Not Rated $672 84
230 Citizen Gangster Apr 27, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $625 78
231 Death of a Superhero May 4, 2012 TriBeca Films Not Rated $607 76
232 Meeting Evil May 4, 2012 Magnet Pictures R $525 65
Total Gross of All Movies$1,652,440,624
Total Tickets Sold207,592,924

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2012. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2012. 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.