Market Charts > 2017 > Genres > Documentary

Domestic 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 $7,123,919 794,194
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 $1,502,589 167,513
7 Step Aug 4, 2017 Fox Searchlight PG $1,146,292 127,792
8 The Eagle Huntress Nov 2, 2016 Sony Pictures Cla… G $822,406 91,684
9 May it Last: A Portrait of … Sep 12, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $725,286 80,857
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 61,279
12 Human Flow Oct 13, 2017 Amazon Studios PG-13 $527,845 58,846
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 45,294
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 34,940
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 22,339
24 Risk May 5, 2017 Neon Not Rated $200,219 22,321
25 Whose Streets? Aug 11, 2017 Magnolia Pictures R $182,799 20,379
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 19,639
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 17,393
31 Ex Libris: The New York Pub… Sep 15, 2017 Zipporah Not Rated $151,356 16,874
32 Restless Creature: Wendy Wh… May 23, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $147,780 16,475
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 15,993
35 Hare Krishna! The Mantra, T… Jun 16, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $133,006 14,828
36 Dawson City: Frozen Time Jun 9, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $132,369 14,757
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 13,961
39 Buena Vista Social Club—Adi… May 26, 2017 Broad Green Pictures PG $123,445 13,762
40 Big Sonia Nov 17, 2017 Argot Pictures Not Rated $113,604 12,665
41 Abacus: Small Enough to Jail May 19, 2017 PBS Distribution Not Rated $113,279 12,629
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 $95,640 10,662
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 9,069
46 Bill Nye: Science Guy Oct 27, 2017 PBS Distribution Not Rated $70,447 7,854
47 Turn it Around: The Story o… May 31, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $69,787 7,780
48 Alive and Kicking Apr 7, 2017 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $68,485 7,635
49 To the Arctic 3D Apr 20, 2012 Warner Bros. G $68,031 7,584
50 Architects of Denial Oct 6, 2017 Dada Films Not Rated $65,424 7,294
51 Manolo: The Boy Who Made Sh… Sep 15, 2017 Music Box Films Not Rated $60,056 6,695
52 Bang! The Bert Berns Story Apr 26, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $59,300 6,611
53 The Force Sep 15, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $58,154 6,483
54 Fuocoammare Oct 21, 2016 Kino Lorber Not Rated $54,514 6,077
55 The Paris Opera Oct 18, 2017 Film Movement Not Rated $52,716 5,877
56 Voyage à Travers le Cinéma … Jun 23, 2017 Cohen Media Group Not Rated $52,058 5,804
57 Keep Quiet Feb 17, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $50,454 5,625
58 Saving Banksy Jan 13, 2017 Parade Deck Films Not Rated $47,965 5,347
59 Demain Apr 14, 2017 Under the Milky Way Not Rated $43,471 4,846
60 Les Saisons Nov 11, 2016 Music Box Films PG $40,337 4,497
61 Unrest Sep 22, 2017 Shella Films Not Rated $40,081 4,468
62 I am the Blues Jul 12, 2017 Film Movement Not Rated $37,849 4,220
63 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower S… Oct 13, 2017 IFC Films Not Rated $37,664 4,199
64 In Loco Parentis Sep 8, 2017 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $37,381 4,167
65 Rat Film Sep 15, 2017 Cinema Guild Not Rated $33,568 3,742
66 Sidemen: Long Road to Glory Aug 18, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $31,399 3,500
67 No Greater Love Nov 10, 2017 Atlas Distribution Not Rated $30,531 3,404
68 Dealt Oct 20, 2017 IFC Films Not Rated $30,414 3,391
69 Deep Sea 3D Mar 3, 2006 Warner Bros. G $30,203 3,367
70 Uncertain Mar 9, 2017 Lucid Inc Not Rated $29,736 3,315
71 Quest Dec 1, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $29,591 3,299
72 In Pursuit of Silence Jun 23, 2017 Cinema Guild Not Rated $29,050 3,239
73 Wait For Your Laugh Nov 3, 2017 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $28,548 3,183
74 Brimstone & Glory Oct 27, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $28,023 3,124
75 30 Years of Garbage: The Ga… Jul 28, 2017 Indican Pictures Not Rated $26,804 2,988
76 Wasted! The Story of Food W… Oct 13, 2017 Super LTD Not Rated $25,865 2,884
77 The Departure Oct 13, 2017 Matson Not Rated $24,661 2,749
78 Naples ‘44 Nov 29, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $24,616 2,744
79 Saving Brinton Sep 22, 2017 Barn Owl Not Rated $24,590 2,741
80 For Ahkeem Oct 13, 2017 Vitagraph Films Not Rated $23,136 2,579
81 Finding Oscar Apr 14, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $23,116 2,577
82 My Scientology Movie Mar 10, 2017 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $22,936 2,557
83 Twenty-Two Sep 8, 2017 China Lion Film D… Not Rated $22,222 2,477
84 Bending the Arc Oct 6, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $21,906 2,442
85 Trophy Sep 8, 2017 The Orchard Not Rated $21,439 2,390
86 Wszystkie Nieprzespane Noce Apr 7, 2017 The Orchard R $20,762 2,315
87 Black Code Apr 14, 2017 Not Rated $18,846 2,101
88 Bobbi Jene Sep 22, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $18,579 2,071
89 All the Rage (Saved by Sarno) Jun 23, 2017 Rumur Not Rated $18,489 2,061
90 Burden May 5, 2017 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $18,440 2,056
91 Mansfield 66/67 Oct 27, 2017 FilmBuff Not Rated $17,930 1,999
92 The Last Shaman May 12, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $17,744 1,978
93 Food Evolution Jun 23, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $17,181 1,915
94 Mission Control: The Unsung… Apr 14, 2017 Gravitas Ventures Not Rated $16,405 1,829
95 Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual … Apr 7, 2017 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $15,157 1,690
96 Rebels on Pointe Nov 15, 2017 Icarus Films Not Rated $15,088 1,682
97 Vince Giordano: There’s a F… Jan 13, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $14,807 1,651
98 The Farthest Aug 11, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $14,733 1,642
99 The Beatles: Eight Days a Week Sep 16, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $14,527 1,620
100 La glace et le ciel Jan 20, 2017 Music Box Films Not Rated $14,475 1,614
101 Intent to Destroy: Death, D… Nov 10, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $13,194 1,471
102 Heal Oct 20, 2017 Paladin Not Rated $12,668 1,412
103 Beside Bowie: The Mick Rons… Sep 1, 2017 Parade Deck Films Not Rated $11,400 1,271
104 Shadowman Dec 1, 2017 Film Movement Not Rated $11,142 1,242
105 The Challenge Sep 8, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $11,043 1,231
106 Clarence Sep 1, 2017 Indican Pictures Not Rated $10,495 1,170
107 The Sunshine Makers Jan 20, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $10,042 1,120
108 Red Trees Sep 15, 2017 Cohen Media Group Not Rated $10,012 1,116
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 $8,679 968
112 Mr. Chibbs May 3, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $8,303 926
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 Frank Serpico Nov 1, 2017 IFC Films Not Rated $7,489 835
117 Big Time Dec 1, 2017 Abramorama Films Not Rated $7,347 819
118 Harry Benson: Shoot First Dec 9, 2016 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $6,694 746
119 The Pathological Optimist Sep 29, 2017 Film Arcade Not Rated $6,522 727
120 The Freedom to Marry Mar 3, 2017 Argot Pictures Not Rated $6,142 685
121 Royahaye dame sobh Jan 20, 2017 Cinema Guild Not Rated $5,937 662
122 The Work Oct 25, 2017 The Orchard Not Rated $5,853 653
123 Relève: Histoire d'une créa… Jan 13, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $5,454 608
124 Company Town Sep 8, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $4,934 550
125 Best Worst Thing That Ever … Nov 18, 2016 Abramorama Films Not Rated $4,753 530
126 Night School Jun 9, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $4,663 520
127 The Pulitzer at 100 Jul 21, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $4,489 500
128 German Concentration Camps … Jan 6, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $4,468 498
129 Mostly Sunny Jan 13, 2017 Not Rated $4,046 451
130 Swim Team Jul 7, 2017 Argot Pictures Not Rated $4,024 449
131 Mifune: The Last Samurai Nov 25, 2016 Strand Releasing Not Rated $3,531 394
132 Bugs Sep 27, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $3,423 382
133 Speed Sisters Jan 27, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $3,423 382
134 The Bad Kids Dec 16, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $3,249 362
135 The Skyjacker’s Tale Jun 30, 2017 Strand Releasing Not Rated $3,009 335
136 Santoalla Jul 19, 2017 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $2,684 299
137 Behind the White Glasses: P… Mar 4, 2016 Parade Deck Films Not Rated $2,223 248
138 Dream Boat Nov 3, 2017 Strand Releasing Not Rated $2,199 245
139 Accidental Courtesy: Daryl … Jan 6, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $1,940 216
140 Do Not Resist Sep 30, 2016 Vanish Films Not Rated $1,596 178
141 It’s Not Yet Dark Aug 4, 2017 FilmRise Not Rated $1,227 137
142 A Different American Dream Jan 6, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $1,172 131
143 The Penguin Counters Apr 21, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $976 109
144 Extraordinary Ordinary People Sep 15, 2017 First Run Features Not Rated $880 98
145 The Witness Jun 3, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $778 87
146 Love, Sweat & Tears Mar 8, 2017 Kino Lorber Not Rated $512 57
147 Seed: The Untold Story Aug 22, 2016 Collective Eye Not Rated $442 49
148 Gridiron Heroes Apr 15, 2016 Indican Pictures Not Rated $250 28
149 National Bird Nov 11, 2016 FilmRise Not Rated $186 21
Total Gross of All Movies$44,648,620
Total Tickets Sold4,977,553

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.