Market Charts > 2015 > Sources > Based on Real Life Events

Box Office Performance for Based on Real Life Events Movies in 2015

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RankMovieRelease
Date		 GenreMPAA
Rating		2015 GrossTickets Sold
1 Straight Outta Compton Aug 14, 2015 Drama R $161,197,785 19,121,920
2 Selma Dec 25, 2014 Drama PG-13 $52,076,908 6,177,569
3 McFarland, USA Feb 20, 2015 Drama PG $44,480,275 5,276,426
4 Everest Sep 18, 2015 Adventure PG-13 $43,482,270 5,158,039
5 Joy Dec 25, 2015 Drama PG-13 $28,310,094 3,358,256
6 Spotlight Nov 6, 2015 Drama R $27,108,972 3,215,773
7 In the Heart of the Sea Dec 11, 2015 Adventure PG-13 $23,063,385 2,735,870
8 Black or White Jan 30, 2015 Drama PG-13 $21,571,189 2,558,859
9 Monkey Kingdom Apr 17, 2015 Documentary G $16,432,322 1,949,267
10 Woodlawn Oct 16, 2015 Drama PG $14,380,599 1,705,883
11 Love & Mercy Jun 5, 2015 Drama PG-13 $12,551,031 1,488,853
12 The Walk Oct 9, 2015 Drama PG $10,161,183 1,205,360
13 Amy Jul 3, 2015 Documentary R $8,409,616 997,581
14 Trumbo Nov 6, 2015 Drama R $7,015,228 832,174
15 Big Eyes Dec 25, 2014 Drama PG-13 $4,558,006 540,688
16 Foxcatcher Nov 14, 2014 Drama R $4,153,511 492,705
17 Hubble 3D Mar 19, 2010 Documentary G $4,088,852 485,036
18 Space Station Apr 19, 2002 Documentary Not Rated $3,201,391 379,761
19 Mr. Turner Dec 19, 2014 Drama R $2,995,728 355,365
20 He Named Me Malala Oct 2, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $2,668,936 316,600
21 Pawn Sacrifice Sep 16, 2015 Drama PG-13 $2,436,308 289,004
22 Meru Aug 14, 2015 Documentary R $2,334,228 276,895
23 Island of Lemurs: Madagascar Apr 4, 2014 Documentary G $2,033,564 241,229
24 Journey to the South Pacific Nov 27, 2013 Documentary G $1,852,230 219,718
25 Legend Nov 20, 2015 Thriller/Suspense R $1,852,124 219,706
26 Jerusalem Sep 13, 2013 Documentary Not Rated $1,715,647 203,516
27 Meet the Patels Sep 11, 2015 Documentary PG $1,700,680 201,741
28 The Letters Dec 4, 2015 Drama PG $1,632,464 193,649
29 The Salt of the Earth Mar 27, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $1,343,349 159,353
30 Iris Apr 29, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $1,310,678 155,477
31 The Wolfpack Jun 12, 2015 Documentary R $1,301,696 154,412
32 The Met: Live in HD - Tannh… Oct 30, 2015 Concert/Perfor… Not Rated $1,150,000 136,417
33 Dior and I Apr 10, 2015 Documentary R $1,028,953 122,058
34 Best of Enemies Jul 31, 2015 Documentary R $892,802 105,907
35 The Wrecking Crew Mar 13, 2015 Documentary PG $801,606 95,089
36 Seymour: An Introduction Mar 13, 2015 Documentary PG $729,744 86,565
37 Cartel Land Jul 3, 2015 Documentary R $704,352 83,553
38 Red Army Jan 23, 2015 Documentary PG $694,647 82,401
39 The Stanford Prison Experiment Jul 17, 2015 Drama R $649,690 77,068
40 Born to be Wild 3D Apr 8, 2011 Documentary G $587,060 69,639
41 CitizenFour Oct 24, 2014 Documentary R $537,661 63,779
42 The Black Panthers: Vanguar… Sep 2, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $516,893 61,315
43 Awake: The Life of Yogananda Oct 10, 2014 Documentary PG $509,752 60,468
44 Deli Man: The Movie Feb 27, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $502,294 59,584
45 Steve Jobs: The Man in the … Sep 4, 2015 Documentary R $494,506 58,660
46 Saint Laurent May 8, 2015 Drama R $429,477 50,946
47 Under the Sea 3D Feb 13, 2009 Documentary G $427,208 50,677
48 Rosenwald Aug 14, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $426,891 50,639
49 Listen to Me Marlon Jul 29, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $426,130 50,549
50 Unbranded Sep 25, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $410,185 48,657
51 The Hunting Ground Feb 27, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $405,917 48,151
52 Freetown Apr 8, 2015 Thriller/Suspense PG-13 $397,122 47,108
53 Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict Nov 6, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $393,584 46,688
54 She's Beautiful When She's … Dec 5, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $374,467 44,420
55 Noble May 8, 2015 Drama PG $347,321 41,200
56 Talvar Oct 2, 2015 Drama Not Rated $342,428 40,620
57 Ballet 422 Feb 6, 2015 Documentary PG $333,554 39,567
58 Heart of a Dog Oct 21, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $322,743 38,285
59 Taxi Oct 2, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $291,088 34,530
60 Above and Beyond Jan 30, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $288,751 34,252
61 Janis: Little Girl Blue Nov 27, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $268,786 31,884
62 Himalaya Dec 18, 2015 Adventure Not Rated $256,901 30,474
63 Jeremy Scott: The People’s … Sep 18, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $225,000 26,690
64 Hitchcock/Truffaut Dec 2, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $206,791 24,530
65 La French May 15, 2015 Thriller/Suspense R $190,980 22,654
66 Lambert & Stamp Apr 3, 2015 Documentary R $183,320 21,746
67 An Honest Liar Mar 6, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $180,590 21,422
68 All Things Must Pass Oct 16, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $166,872 19,795
69 Experimenter Oct 16, 2015 Drama PG-13 $155,575 18,454
70 Desert Dancer Apr 10, 2015 Drama PG-13 $155,271 18,418
71 Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck Apr 24, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $140,208 16,632
72 To the Arctic 3D Apr 20, 2012 Documentary G $136,146 16,150
73 Don't Think I've Forgotten:… Apr 22, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $133,443 15,829
74 A Ballerina's Tale Oct 14, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $131,995 15,657
75 The Look of Silence Jul 17, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $109,089 12,940
76 Do I Sound Gay? Jul 10, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $108,620 12,884
77 In Jackson Heights Nov 4, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $102,475 12,155
78 Beyond the Brick: A LEGO Br… Jul 31, 2015 Documentary G $101,531 12,044
79 I Am Eleven Sep 12, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $98,057 11,631
80 A Poem Is a Naked Person Jul 1, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $96,592 11,458
81 Jie jiu wu xian sheng Sep 15, 2015 Action Not Rated $92,696 10,995
82 Sunshine Superman May 22, 2015 Documentary PG $88,097 10,450
83 Trace Amounts Jan 2, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $80,735 9,577
84 Tab Hunter Confidential Oct 15, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $78,323 9,290
85 Batkid Begins Jun 26, 2015 Documentary PG $74,709 8,862
86 I Am Big Bird: The Caroll S… May 6, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $67,845 8,048
87 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Documentary G $65,701 7,794
88 National Gallery Nov 5, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $64,597 7,662
89 Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead… Sep 25, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $62,684 7,435
90 Dark Star: H.R. Giger's World May 13, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $61,303 7,272
91 Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't… Aug 27, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $56,744 6,731
92 Antarctica: A Year on Ice Nov 28, 2014 Documentary PG $54,710 6,489
93 The Quay Brothers in 35MM Aug 19, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $51,858 6,151
94 We Come as Friends Aug 14, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $50,921 6,040
95 The Yes Men Are Revolting Nov 20, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $50,190 5,953
96 Difret Oct 16, 2015 Drama Not Rated $49,667 5,891
97 Jag är Ingrid Nov 13, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $42,381 5,027
98 Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot Jul 10, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $41,340 4,903
99 Love Thy Nature Apr 14, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $41,336 4,903
100 The Seven Five May 8, 2015 Documentary R $40,674 4,824
101 Het nieuwe Rijksmuseum Jun 19, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $40,578 4,813
102 What Our Fathers Did: A Naz… Nov 6, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $40,119 4,759
103 Prophet’s Prey Sep 18, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $39,347 4,667
104 Grey Gardens Mar 6, 2015 Documentary PG $36,923 4,379
105 Welcome to Leith Sep 9, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $36,010 4,271
106 Finders Keepers Sep 25, 2015 Documentary R $35,555 4,217
107 El boton de nacar Oct 23, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $34,929 4,143
108 The Search for General Tso Jan 2, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $32,119 3,810
109 Paul Taylor Creative Domain Sep 11, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $30,168 3,578
110 3 and 1/2 Minutes Jun 19, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $29,725 3,526
111 The Nightmare Jun 5, 2015 Horror Not Rated $28,281 3,354
112 Siakh lokhamim: ha'slilim h… Oct 15, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $28,231 3,348
113 Tap World Jul 10, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $26,747 3,172
114 Peace Officer Sep 16, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $26,632 3,159
115 Sagrada: el misteri de la c… Sep 12, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $26,155 3,102
116 Last Days in Vietnam Sep 5, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $26,083 3,094
117 The Epic of Everest May 8, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $22,382 2,655
118 Can't Stand Losing You: Sur… Mar 20, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $22,326 2,648
119 Misery Loves Comedy Apr 24, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $19,634 2,329
120 Actress Nov 7, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $19,365 2,297
121 Meet the Mormons Oct 10, 2014 Documentary PG $18,805 2,230
122 Monk With a Camera Nov 21, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $18,275 2,167
123 Das große Museum Apr 24, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $18,020 2,137
124 Noma: My Perfect Storm Dec 18, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $16,700 1,981
125 Girlhood Oct 31, 2003 Documentary Not Rated $16,562 1,964
126 Amour fou Mar 18, 2015 Drama Not Rated $14,296 1,695
127 The Armor Of Light Oct 30, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $12,267 1,455
128 Emptying The Skies Apr 22, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $11,811 1,401
129 The Devil's Violinist Jan 30, 2015 Drama R $11,294 1,339
130 Sembene! Nov 13, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $10,945 1,298
131 Walking the Camino: Six Way… Sep 6, 2013 Documentary Not Rated $10,783 1,279
132 Mala Mala Jul 1, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $10,761 1,276
133 The Overnighters Oct 10, 2014 Documentary PG-13 $10,741 1,274
134 The Forecaster Mar 17, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $10,172 1,206
135 The Life and Mind of Mark D… Mar 6, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $10,021 1,188
136 The Winding Stream Dec 16, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $9,566 1,134
137 Station to Station Aug 21, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $9,494 1,126
138 One Cut, One Life May 13, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $9,406 1,115
139 Butterfly Girl Feb 27, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $8,956 1,062
140 Não Pare na Pista: A Melhor… Jul 31, 2015 Drama Not Rated $8,808 1,044
141 Farewell to Hollywood Feb 25, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $8,601 1,020
142 Wa-shoku: Beyond Sushi Apr 10, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $8,570 1,016
143 Counting Jul 31, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $8,374 993
144 Steak (R)evolution Jul 17, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $8,025 951
145 Sur le chemin de l'ecole Feb 6, 2015 Documentary G $7,424 880
146 Rubble Kings Jun 19, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $7,416 879
147 Antarctic Edge: 70º South Apr 17, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $7,193 853
148 A Murder in the Park Jun 26, 2015 Documentary PG-13 $7,125 845
149 Advanced Style Sep 26, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $6,905 819
150 Steve McQueen: The Man & Le… Nov 13, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $6,843 811
151 Cavalo Dinheiro Jul 24, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $6,508 772
152 Famous Nathan Jul 17, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $6,048 717
153 Top Spin Aug 21, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $5,858 694
154 Shout Gladi Gladi Oct 2, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $5,839 692
155 The Wanted 18 Jun 19, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $5,680 673
156 Our Man in Tehran May 15, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $5,573 661
157 Revenge of the Mekons Oct 29, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $5,374 637
158 De Mayerling à Sarajevo Mar 27, 2015 Drama Not Rated $5,247 622
159 Miss Hill: Making Dance Matter Jan 23, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $4,706 558
160 Seeds of Time May 22, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $4,630 549
161 Tango Negro: The African Ro… Aug 14, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $4,593 544
162 Farewell, Herr Schwartz Jan 9, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $4,455 528
163 Im Keller Nov 6, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $3,643 432
164 That Sugar Film Mar 1, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $3,500 415
165 Dreams Rewired Dec 16, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $3,240 384
166 Banksy Does New York Apr 23, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $2,388 283
167 Sneakerheadz Aug 7, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $1,903 225
168 20,000 Days on Earth Sep 17, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $1,788 212
169 The Other Man: F.W. de Kler… Feb 6, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $1,747 207
170 Making Rounds Oct 30, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $1,484 176
171 The Pardon Mar 22, 2013 Drama PG-13 $1,418 168
172 Faith Connections Sep 12, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $1,339 158
173 C'est dur d'être aimé par d… Mar 13, 2015 Documentary Not Rated $1,279 151
174 Der Anstandige Oct 1, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $1,087 128
175 Through a Lens Darkly Aug 27, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $728 86
176 Finding Fela! Aug 1, 2014 Documentary Not Rated $554 65
177 Jimmy P. Feb 14, 2014 Drama Not Rated $483 57
Total Gross of All Movies$532,218,388
Total Tickets Sold63,133,774

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2015. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2015. 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.