Market Charts > 2016 > Genres > Documentary

Box Office Performance for Documentary Movies in 2016

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RankMovieRelease
Date		 Theatrical
Distributor		MPAA
Rating		2016 GrossTickets Sold
1 A Beautiful Planet Apr 29, 2016 Walt Disney G $15,650,615 1,809,319
2 Hillary’s America: The Secr… Jul 15, 2016 Quality Flix PG-13 $13,099,931 1,514,442
3 Where to Invade Next Feb 12, 2016 Drafthouse Films R $3,827,261 442,457
4 The Beatles: Eight Days a Week Sep 16, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $2,919,918 337,562
5 Hillsong: Let Hope Rise Sep 16, 2016 Pure Flix Enterta… PG $2,394,725 276,846
6 The Eagle Huntress Nov 2, 2016 Sony Pictures Cla… G $2,089,613 241,573
7 Weiner May 20, 2016 Sundance Selects R $1,675,196 193,664
8 The Music of Strangers: Yo-… Jun 10, 2016 The Orchard PG-13 $1,169,214 135,169
9 Vaxxed: From Cover Up to Ca… Apr 1, 2016 Cinema Libre Not Rated $1,163,265 134,481
10 Dark Horse May 6, 2016 Sony Pictures Cla… PG $940,715 108,753
11 Hubble 3D Mar 19, 2010 Warner Bros. G $923,832 106,801
12 Born to be Wild 3D Apr 8, 2011 Warner Bros. G $653,620 75,563
13 Tickled Jun 17, 2016 Magnolia Pictures R $613,956 70,977
14 City of Gold Mar 11, 2016 IFC Films R $608,799 70,381
15 Lo And Behold, Reveries Of … Aug 19, 2016 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $594,912 68,775
16 Gleason Jul 29, 2016 Open Road R $585,233 67,656
17 Harry & Snowman Sep 30, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $552,614 63,886
18 The First Monday in May Apr 15, 2016 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $527,474 60,979
19 Galapagos Oct 29, 1999 IMAX Films Not Rated $463,537 53,588
20 Gimme Danger Jan 31, 2016 Magnolia Pictures R $440,627 50,939
21 Embrace Sep 19, 2016 Gathr Films Not Rated $412,340 47,669
22 Eat That Question: Frank Za… Jun 24, 2016 Sony Pictures Cla… R $355,074 41,049
23 Under the Sea 3D Feb 13, 2009 Warner Bros. G $335,961 38,839
24 Mimimalism: A Documentary A… May 24, 2016 Asymmetrical Not Rated $261,865 30,273
25 Life, Animated Jul 1, 2016 The Orchard PG $254,738 29,449
26 Oasis: Supersonic Dec 20, 2016 A24 R $242,867 28,077
27 Island of Lemurs: Madagascar Apr 4, 2014 Warner Bros. G $214,339 24,779
28 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Warner Bros. G $185,453 21,440
29 Jheronimus Bosch, Touched b… Jul 27, 2016 Kino Lorber Not Rated $172,533 19,946
30 De Palma Jun 10, 2016 A24 R $165,237 19,102
31 The Witness Jun 3, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $158,527 18,326
32 Eva Hesse Apr 27, 2016 Zeitgeist Not Rated $157,481 18,205
33 Generation Found Aug 29, 2016 Gathr Films Not Rated $151,751 17,543
34 Seed: The Untold Story Aug 22, 2016 Collective Eye Not Rated $145,001 16,763
35 Janis: Little Girl Blue Nov 27, 2015 FilmRise Not Rated $141,679 16,379
36 Requiem for the American Dream Jan 29, 2016 Gravitas Ventures Not Rated $130,152 15,046
37 Miss Sharon Jones Jul 29, 2016 Starz Media Not Rated $120,880 13,974
38 Hockney Apr 22, 2016 Film Movement Not Rated $120,745 13,958
39 Les Saisons Nov 11, 2016 Music Box Films PG $109,755 12,688
40 Zero Days Jul 8, 2016 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $109,649 12,676
41 Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict Nov 6, 2015 Submarine Deluxe Not Rated $104,844 12,120
42 Best Worst Thing That Ever … Nov 18, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $102,233 11,818
43 Cameraperson Sep 9, 2016 Janus Films Not Rated $102,033 11,795
44 Un tango mas Apr 15, 2016 Strand Releasing Not Rated $100,086 11,570
45 V paprscích slunce Jul 6, 2016 Icarus Films Not Rated $99,436 11,495
46 Hitchcock/Truffaut Dec 2, 2015 Cohen Media Group PG-13 $98,108 11,341
47 Heart of a Dog Oct 21, 2015 Abramorama Films Not Rated $98,070 11,337
48 Jag är Ingrid Nov 13, 2015 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $95,767 11,071
49 Space Station Apr 19, 2002 IMAX Films Not Rated $94,440 10,917
50 My Love, Don't Cross That R… Jun 17, 2016 Film Movement Not Rated $88,018 10,175
51 Author: The JT LeRoy Story Sep 9, 2016 Magnolia Pictures R $85,999 9,942
52 Los sures Apr 15, 2016 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $83,992 9,710
53 Vita Activa: The Spirit of … Apr 6, 2016 Zeitgeist Not Rated $82,143 9,496
54 For the Love of Spock Sep 9, 2016 Gravitas Ventures Not Rated $80,141 9,264
55 Colliding Dreams Mar 4, 2016 International Fil… Not Rated $78,288 9,050
56 Don’t Blink: Robert Frank Jul 13, 2016 Grasshopper Film Not Rated $76,134 8,801
57 Raiders! The Story of the G… Jun 17, 2016 Drafthouse Films Not Rated $71,916 8,313
58 Do Not Resist Sep 30, 2016 Vanish Films Not Rated $71,195 8,230
59 Norman Lear: Just Another V… Jul 8, 2016 Music Box Films Not Rated $70,950 8,202
60 The Messenger Dec 4, 2015 Alive Mind Not Rated $67,816 7,840
61 Fuocoammare Oct 21, 2016 Kino Lorber Not Rated $66,419 7,678
62 Trapped Mar 4, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $63,240 7,310
63 Dancer Sep 9, 2016 IFC Films Not Rated $62,578 7,234
64 Presenting Princess Shaw May 27, 2016 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $60,197 6,959
65 Command and Control Sep 14, 2016 PBS Distribution Not Rated $57,635 6,663
66 The Lovers And The Despot Sep 23, 2016 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $55,511 6,417
67 Journey to the South Pacific Nov 27, 2013 MacGillivray Free… G $53,171 6,146
68 The Last Man on the Moon Feb 26, 2016 Gravitas Ventures Not Rated $52,482 6,067
69 King Georges Feb 26, 2016 IFC Films Not Rated $51,663 5,972
70 Mifune: The Last Samurai Nov 25, 2016 Strand Releasing Not Rated $49,438 5,715
71 To the Arctic 3D Apr 20, 2012 Warner Bros. G $46,545 5,381
72 We are X Oct 21, 2016 Drafthouse Films R $45,270 5,233
73 Nuts! Jun 22, 2016 Life Sentence Fil… Not Rated $44,230 5,113
74 Danny Says Sep 30, 2016 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $44,213 5,111
75 Catching the Sun Apr 1, 2016 The Film Collabor… Not Rated $38,613 4,463
76 Germans and Jews Jun 10, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $38,100 4,404
77 How to Let Go of the World … Apr 20, 2016 International WOW Not Rated $36,386 4,206
78 Off the Rails Nov 4, 2016 The Film Collabor… Not Rated $34,249 3,959
79 Taxi Oct 2, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $30,554 3,532
80 The Best Democracy Money Ca… Sep 23, 2016 Cinema Libre Not Rated $29,500 3,410
81 Troublemakers: The Story of… Jan 8, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $29,462 3,406
82 The Seventh Fire Jul 22, 2016 Film Movement Not Rated $29,361 3,394
83 The Unknowns May 23, 2016 Gathr Films Not Rated $29,284 3,385
84 Time to Choose Jun 3, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $29,233 3,379
85 Kang rinpoche May 13, 2016 Icarus Films Not Rated $28,184 3,258
86 Bikes vs Cars Dec 4, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $28,072 3,245
87 Rabin, in His Own Words May 6, 2016 Menemsha Entertai… Not Rated $27,941 3,230
88 Unlocking the Cage May 25, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $27,284 3,154
89 Kate Plays Christine Aug 26, 2016 Grasshopper Film Not Rated $25,564 2,955
90 Disturbing the Peace Nov 11, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $25,287 2,923
91 No Home Movie Apr 1, 2016 Icarus Films Not Rated $24,132 2,789
92 Gridiron Heroes Apr 15, 2016 Indican Pictures Not Rated $23,237 2,686
93 Generation Startup Sep 23, 2016 Long Shot Factory Not Rated $22,271 2,574
94 The Winding Stream Dec 16, 2015 Argot Pictures Not Rated $21,683 2,506
95 Thank You For Your Service Oct 7, 2016 Gathr Films Not Rated $21,497 2,485
96 Crocodile Gennadiy May 20, 2016 The Orchard R $21,142 2,444
97 Art Bastard Jun 3, 2016 CAVU Releasing Not Rated $19,600 2,265
98 Revelation: Dawn of Global … Apr 15, 2016 Rocky Mountain Pi… PG $19,107 2,208
99 Ktown Cowboys Mar 18, 2016 Freestyle Releasing R $18,863 2,180
100 In Jackson Heights Nov 4, 2015 Zipporah Not Rated $18,619 2,152
101 Peter and the Farm Nov 4, 2016 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $18,123 2,095
102 Holy Hell May 27, 2016 WRA Productions LLC Not Rated $18,051 2,086
103 Io la conoscevo bene Feb 5, 2016 Janus Films Not Rated $18,010 2,082
104 Streit’s: Matzo and the Ame… Apr 20, 2016 Menemsha Entertai… Not Rated $17,506 2,023
105 Landfill Harmonic Sep 9, 2016 The Film Collabor… Not Rated $17,205 1,989
106 Sembene! Nov 13, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $17,114 1,978
107 The Seasons in Quincy: Four… Aug 31, 2016 Icarus Films Not Rated $16,738 1,935
108 Argentina Jun 17, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $14,869 1,718
109 The Uncondemned Oct 21, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $14,393 1,663
110 Newtown Oct 7, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $14,109 1,631
111 A Space Program Mar 18, 2016 Zeitgeist Not Rated $13,739 1,588
112 Siakh lokhamim: ha'slilim h… Nov 20, 2015 Music Box Films Not Rated $13,029 1,506
113 Elstree 1976 May 6, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $12,173 1,407
114 Hot Water May 5, 2016 Indican Pictures Not Rated $12,101 1,398
115 When Two Worlds Collide Aug 17, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $12,080 1,396
116 Oxygen for the Ears: Living… Aug 31, 2013 Indican Pictures Not Rated $11,755 1,358
117 Lucha Mexico Jul 15, 2016 Kino Lorber Not Rated $11,722 1,355
118 The Ruins of Lifta Sep 23, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $11,548 1,335
119 Harry Benson: Shoot First Dec 9, 2016 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $11,398 1,317
120 Theo Who Lived Sep 30, 2016 Zeitgeist Not Rated $11,271 1,303
121 National Bird Nov 11, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $10,470 1,210
122 Butterfly Girl Feb 27, 2015 Indican Pictures Not Rated $8,547 988
123 We Are Twisted F***ing Sister! Feb 15, 2016 Music Box Films Not Rated $8,277 956
124 Silicon Cowboys Sep 16, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $8,239 952
125 The Other Side May 20, 2016 Film Movement PG $8,074 933
126 Talent Has Hunger Mar 11, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $7,998 924
127 Portret van een tuin Oct 26, 2016 Grasshopper Film Not Rated $7,914 914
128 The Lost Arcade Aug 12, 2016 26 Aries Not Rated $7,500 867
129 Tab Hunter Confidential Oct 15, 2015 Not Rated $7,489 865
130 Indian Point Jul 8, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $7,251 838
131 El boton de nacar Oct 23, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $7,237 836
132 Rosenwald Aug 14, 2015 The Ciesla Founda… Not Rated $7,033 813
133 The Brainwashing of My Dad Mar 18, 2016 JSenko Productions Not Rated $7,028 812
134 Magnus Nov 18, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $6,921 800
135 Boom Bust Boom Mar 11, 2016 Brainstorm Media Not Rated $6,896 797
136 Behind the White Glasses: P… Mar 4, 2016 Parade Deck Films Not Rated $6,840 790
137 Mad Tiger Mar 18, 2016 Film Movement Not Rated $6,823 788
138 The Dying of the Light Apr 7, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $6,627 766
139 Call Her Applebroog Jun 10, 2016 Zeitgeist Not Rated $4,842 559
140 Roseanne for President! Jul 1, 2016 IFC Films Not Rated $4,734 547
141 Marinoni: The Fire in the F… Apr 1, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $4,696 542
142 Blood on the Mountain Nov 18, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $4,664 539
143 As Mil e Uma Noites: Volume… Dec 18, 2015 Kino Lorber Not Rated $4,502 520
144 Noma: My Perfect Storm Dec 18, 2015 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $4,430 512
145 On Meditation Jul 27, 2016 Kino Lorber Not Rated $4,322 499
146 Breaking a Monster Jun 24, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $4,212 486
147 Among the Believers Sep 30, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $4,189 484
148 I Don’t Belong Anywhere: Th… Mar 30, 2016 Icarus Films Not Rated $4,069 470
149 Amy Jul 3, 2015 A24 R $3,528 407
150 Best and Most Beautiful Things Dec 2, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $3,016 348
151 Hooligan Sparrow Jul 22, 2016 The Film Collabor… Not Rated $3,000 346
152 Moana Jan 7, 1926 Paramount Pictures Not Rated $2,993 346
153 The Bad Kids Dec 16, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $2,977 344
154 The Professor: Tai Chi's Jo… May 6, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $2,852 329
155 Homeland: Iraq Year Zero Oct 6, 2016 Kino Lorber NC-17 $2,491 287
156 A Small Good Thing Aug 19, 2016 Kino Lorber Not Rated $1,196 138
157 Yalom’s Cure Mar 11, 2016 First Run Features Not Rated $1,164 134
158 Dark Star: H.R. Giger's World May 13, 2015 Icarus Films Not Rated $542 62
Total Gross of All Movies$58,535,027
Total Tickets Sold6,766,981

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2016. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2016. 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.