The movie theater’s resilience and adaptability have allowed it to remain a staple in popular culture, with documentaries leading the way in terms of box office success over the years. The enduring appeal of the big screen is evident in the Eras Tour, featuring Taylor Swift, which has broken records and grossed over $200 million globally. Non-fiction films like Super Size Me and the Jackass franchise have also shown that documentaries can be a lucrative and impactful medium.
Recent years have seen a surge in documentary box office success, with films taking viewers on an immersive journey to the depths of the ocean, highlighting the importance of family connections, exploring the lives of animal families in the wild, and showcasing human collaboration in extreme environments. For example, Deep Sea 3D, narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, earned $105 million worldwide, while Where Are We Going, Dad? grossed $112 million globally.
Earth, a BBC and Discovery Channel production, featured the voices of James Earl Jones, Sir Patrick Stewart, and Ken Watanabe, and explored the lives of animal families in the wild, netting $117 million worldwide. Space Station, an IMAX 3D documentary narrated by Tom Cruise, took audiences on a journey to the International Space Station, highlighting human collaboration, and earned $126 million globally. Everest, a documentary narrated by Liam Neeson, followed a group of experienced climbers going the treacherous terrain of Mount Everest, earning $127 million worldwide.
A Still From Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Film (Photo: Taylor Swift)
March of the Penguins, narrated by Morgan Freeman, documented the annual migration of emperor penguins in the South Pole, and earned $133 million globally. Jackass 3D, featuring outrageous stunts, earned $171 million worldwide, while Fahrenheit 9/11, a documentary criticizing the United States’ invasion of Iraq, won the Palme d’Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and grossed $221 million globally. Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets, a 34-minute documentary exploring the history of the Grand Canyon, earned $239 million worldwide, and Michael Jackson’s This Is It, a documentary following the singer’s rehearsals for his comeback concert, grossed $252 million globally.
These documentaries demonstrate the movie theater’s enduring viability, showcasing a wide range of stories, from the wonders of the natural world to the antics of reality TV stars. The success of these films underscores that the movie theater remains a relevant platform for storytelling, attracting diverse audiences from around the world. The Eras Tour, featuring Taylor Swift, has broken records and grossed over $200 million globally, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the big screen.
