Market Charts > 2017 > Genres > Documentary

Box Office Performance for Documentary Movies in 2017

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RankMovieRelease
Date		 Theatrical
Distributor		MPAA
Rating		2017 GrossTickets Sold
1 Born in China Apr 21, 2017 Walt Disney G $13,873,211 1,546,623
2 I Am Not Your Negro Feb 3, 2017 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $7,123,919 794,193
3 An Inconvenient Sequel Jul 28, 2017 Paramount Vantage PG $3,496,795 389,832
4 KEDi Feb 10, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $2,834,262 315,971
5 Is Genesis History? Feb 23, 2017 Fathom Events Not Rated $2,570,355 286,550
6 Jane Oct 20, 2017 Abramorama Films PG $1,502,589 167,512
7 Step Aug 4, 2017 Fox Searchlight PG $1,146,292 127,792
8 The Eagle Huntress Nov 2, 2016 Sony Pictures Cla… G $1,079,051 120,295
9 May it Last: A Portrait of … Sep 12, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $725,286 80,856
10 Visages villages Oct 6, 2017 Cohen Media Group PG $604,636 67,406
11 Dolores Sep 1, 2017 PBS Distribution Not Rated $549,671 61,278
12 Human Flow Oct 13, 2017 Amazon Studios PG-13 $527,845 58,845
13 Under the Sea 3D Feb 13, 2009 Warner Bros. G $525,011 58,530
14 Born to be Wild 3D Apr 8, 2011 Warner Bros. G $478,897 53,389
15 Chasing Trane: The John Col… Apr 14, 2017 Abramorama Films PG $406,284 45,293
16 Long Strange Trip: The Unto… May 26, 2017 Abramorama Films R $351,957 39,237
17 Letters from Baghdad Jun 2, 2017 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $336,223 37,483
18 Island of Lemurs: Madagascar Apr 4, 2014 Warner Bros. G $334,245 37,263
19 Citizen Jane: Battle for th… Apr 21, 2017 IFC Films Not Rated $313,411 34,939
20 Obit Apr 26, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $312,777 34,869
21 Jeremiah Tower: The Last Ma… Apr 21, 2017 The Orchard R $228,153 25,435
22 Rumble: The Indians who Roc… Jul 26, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $225,177 25,103
23 California Typewriter Aug 18, 2017 Gravitas Ventures Not Rated $200,379 22,338
24 Risk May 5, 2017 Neon Not Rated $200,219 22,320
25 Whose Streets? Aug 11, 2017 Magnolia Pictures R $182,799 20,378
26 Hubble 3D Mar 19, 2010 Warner Bros. G $180,201 20,089
27 Take Every Wave: The Life o… Sep 29, 2017 IFC Films Not Rated $176,160 19,638
28 Mr. Gaga Feb 1, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $173,994 19,397
29 David Lynch: The Art Life Mar 31, 2017 Janus Films Not Rated $171,419 19,110
30 Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr … Nov 24, 2017 Zeitgeist Not Rated $156,011 17,392
31 Ex Libris: The New York Pub… Sep 15, 2017 Zipporah Not Rated $151,356 16,873
32 Restless Creature: Wendy Wh… May 23, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $147,780 16,474
33 The Last Dalai Lama? Jul 7, 2017 Matson Not Rated $145,513 16,222
34 Chavela Oct 4, 2017 Music Box Films Not Rated $143,454 15,992
35 Hare Krishna! The Mantra, T… Jun 16, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $133,006 14,827
36 Dawson City: Frozen Time Jun 9, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $132,369 14,756
37 City of Ghosts Jul 7, 2017 IFC Films R $128,015 14,271
38 The B-Side Jun 30, 2017 Neon R $125,227 13,960
39 Buena Vista Social Club—Adi… May 26, 2017 Broad Green Pictures PG $123,445 13,761
40 Big Sonia Nov 17, 2017 Argot Pictures Not Rated $113,604 12,664
41 Abacus: Small Enough to Jail May 19, 2017 PBS Distribution Not Rated $113,279 12,628
42 I Called Him Morgan Mar 24, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $97,711 10,893
43 Aida’s Secrets Oct 20, 2017 Music Box Films Not Rated $95,386 10,633
44 Dina Oct 6, 2017 The Orchard Not Rated $90,491 10,088
45 Earth: One Amazing Day Oct 6, 2017 Atlas Distribution G $81,345 9,068
46 Turn it Around: The Story o… May 31, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $69,787 7,780
47 Bill Nye: Science Guy Oct 27, 2017 PBS Distribution Not Rated $69,258 7,721
48 Alive and Kicking Apr 7, 2017 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $68,485 7,634
49 Architects of Denial Oct 6, 2017 Dada Films Not Rated $65,424 7,293
50 Manolo: The Boy Who Made Sh… Sep 15, 2017 Music Box Films Not Rated $60,056 6,695
51 Bang! The Bert Berns Story Apr 26, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $59,300 6,610
52 The Force Sep 15, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $58,154 6,483
53 Fuocoammare Oct 21, 2016 Kino Lorber Not Rated $54,514 6,077
54 The Paris Opera Oct 18, 2017 Film Movement Not Rated $52,716 5,876
55 Voyage à Travers le Cinéma … Jun 23, 2017 Cohen Media Group Not Rated $52,058 5,803
56 Keep Quiet Feb 17, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $50,454 5,624
57 Saving Banksy Jan 13, 2017 Parade Deck Films Not Rated $47,965 5,347
58 Demain Apr 14, 2017 Under the Milky Way Not Rated $43,471 4,846
59 Les Saisons Nov 11, 2016 Music Box Films PG $40,337 4,496
60 Unrest Sep 22, 2017 Shella Films Not Rated $40,081 4,468
61 I am the Blues Jul 12, 2017 Film Movement Not Rated $37,849 4,219
62 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower S… Oct 13, 2017 IFC Films Not Rated $37,664 4,198
63 In Loco Parentis Sep 8, 2017 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $37,381 4,167
64 Rat Film Sep 15, 2017 Cinema Guild Not Rated $33,568 3,742
65 Sidemen: Long Road to Glory Aug 18, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $31,399 3,500
66 No Greater Love Nov 10, 2017 Atlas Distribution Not Rated $30,531 3,403
67 Dealt Oct 20, 2017 IFC Films Not Rated $30,414 3,390
68 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Warner Bros. G $30,203 3,367
69 Uncertain Mar 9, 2017 Lucid Inc Not Rated $29,736 3,315
70 Quest Dec 1, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $29,591 3,298
71 In Pursuit of Silence Jun 23, 2017 Cinema Guild Not Rated $29,050 3,238
72 Wait For Your Laugh Nov 3, 2017 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $28,548 3,182
73 Brimstone & Glory Oct 27, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $28,023 3,124
74 30 Years of Garbage: The Ga… Jul 28, 2017 Indican Pictures Not Rated $26,804 2,988
75 Wasted! The Story of Food W… Oct 13, 2017 Super LTD Not Rated $25,865 2,883
76 The Departure Oct 13, 2017 Matson Not Rated $24,661 2,749
77 Naples ‘44 Nov 29, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $24,616 2,744
78 Saving Brinton Sep 22, 2017 Barn Owl Not Rated $24,590 2,741
79 For Ahkeem Oct 13, 2017 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $23,136 2,579
80 Finding Oscar Apr 14, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $23,116 2,577
81 My Scientology Movie Mar 10, 2017 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $22,936 2,556
82 Twenty-Two Sep 8, 2017 China Lion Film D… Not Rated $22,222 2,477
83 Bending the Arc Oct 6, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $21,906 2,442
84 Trophy Sep 8, 2017 The Orchard Not Rated $21,439 2,390
85 Wszystkie Nieprzespane Noce Apr 7, 2017 The Orchard R $20,762 2,314
86 Black Code Apr 14, 2017 Mongrel Media Not Rated $18,846 2,101
87 Bobbi Jene Sep 22, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $18,579 2,071
88 All the Rage (Saved by Sarno) Jun 23, 2017 Rumur Not Rated $18,489 2,061
89 Burden May 5, 2017 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $18,440 2,055
90 Mansfield 66/67 Oct 27, 2017 FilmBuff Not Rated $17,930 1,998
91 The Last Shaman May 12, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $17,744 1,978
92 Food Evolution Jun 23, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $17,181 1,915
93 Mission Control: The Unsung… Apr 14, 2017 Gravitas Ventures Not Rated $16,405 1,828
94 Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual … Apr 7, 2017 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $15,157 1,689
95 Rebels on Pointe Nov 15, 2017 Icarus Films Not Rated $15,088 1,682
96 Vince Giordano: There’s a F… Jan 13, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $14,807 1,650
97 The Farthest Aug 11, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $14,733 1,642
98 The Beatles: Eight Days a Week Sep 16, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $14,527 1,619
99 La glace et le ciel Jan 20, 2017 Music Box Films Not Rated $14,475 1,613
100 Intent to Destroy: Death, D… Nov 10, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $13,194 1,470
101 Heal Oct 20, 2017 Paladin Not Rated $12,668 1,412
102 Beside Bowie: The Mick Rons… Sep 1, 2017 Parade Deck Films Not Rated $11,400 1,270
103 Shadowman Dec 1, 2017 Film Movement Not Rated $11,142 1,242
104 The Challenge Sep 8, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $11,043 1,231
105 Clarence Sep 1, 2017 Indican Pictures Not Rated $10,495 1,170
106 The Sunshine Makers Jan 20, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $10,042 1,119
107 Red Trees Sep 15, 2017 Cohen Media Group Not Rated $10,012 1,116
108 Frank Serpico Nov 1, 2017 IFC Films Not Rated $9,711 1,082
109 Machines Aug 9, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $9,710 1,082
110 Harry & Snowman Sep 30, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $9,545 1,064
111 Julian Schnabel: A Private … May 5, 2017 Cohen Media Group Not Rated $8,679 967
112 Mr. Chibbs May 3, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $8,303 925
113 Served Like a Girl Aug 25, 2017 Entertainment Stu… Not Rated $8,290 924
114 The Wrong Light Jul 14, 2017 Cinema Guild Not Rated $7,553 842
115 Birthright: A War Story Jul 14, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $7,519 838
116 Big Time Dec 1, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $7,347 819
117 Harry Benson: Shoot First Dec 9, 2016 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $6,694 746
118 The Pathological Optimist Sep 29, 2017 Film Arcade Not Rated $6,522 727
119 The Freedom to Marry Mar 3, 2017 Argot Pictures Not Rated $6,142 684
120 Royahaye dame sobh Jan 20, 2017 Cinema Guild Not Rated $5,937 661
121 The Work Oct 25, 2017 The Orchard Not Rated $5,853 652
122 Relève: Histoire d'une créa… Jan 13, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $5,454 608
123 Company Town Sep 8, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $4,934 550
124 Best Worst Thing That Ever … Nov 18, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $4,753 529
125 Night School Jun 9, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $4,663 519
126 The Pulitzer at 100 Jul 21, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $4,489 500
127 German Concentration Camps … Jan 6, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $4,468 498
128 Mostly Sunny Jan 13, 2017 Not Rated $4,046 451
129 Swim Team Jul 7, 2017 Argot Pictures Not Rated $4,024 448
130 Mifune: The Last Samurai Nov 25, 2016 Strand Releasing Not Rated $3,531 393
131 Bugs Sep 27, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $3,423 381
132 Speed Sisters Jan 27, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $3,423 381
133 The Bad Kids Dec 16, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $3,249 362
134 The Skyjacker’s Tale Jun 30, 2017 Strand Releasing Not Rated $3,009 335
135 Santoalla Jul 19, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $2,684 299
136 Behind the White Glasses: P… Mar 4, 2016 Parade Deck Films Not Rated $2,223 247
137 Dream Boat Nov 3, 2017 Strand Releasing Not Rated $2,199 245
138 Accidental Courtesy: Daryl … Jan 6, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $1,940 216
139 Do Not Resist Sep 30, 2016 Vanish Films Not Rated $1,596 177
140 It’s Not Yet Dark Aug 4, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $1,227 136
141 A Different American Dream Jan 6, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $1,172 130
142 The Penguin Counters Apr 21, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $976 108
143 Extraordinary Ordinary People Sep 15, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $880 98
144 The Witness Jun 3, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $778 86
145 Love, Sweat & Tears Mar 8, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $512 57
146 Seed: The Untold Story Aug 22, 2016 Collective Eye Not Rated $442 49
147 Gridiron Heroes Apr 15, 2016 Indican Pictures Not Rated $250 27
148 National Bird Nov 11, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $186 20
Total Gross of All Movies$44,838,013
Total Tickets Sold4,998,597

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2017. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2017. 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.