IMAX continues to dominate the documentary box office category with its built in theater base and gimmicky innovative presentation. A few recent non-IMAX documentaries have made significant returns at the box office (Fahrenheit 9/11 and March of the Penguins), but as the list below shows, the trend of box office receipts contributing to the bottom line is still for few films at minimal levels. But these theatrical releases are positive. Receipts in the low millions contribute to awareness which drives the DVD market. Theatrical release regardless of ticket sales also provides the possibility of seeing documentaries beyond the film festival circuits.
Top grossing documentaries at the box office (IMAX excluded):
- Fahrenheit 9/11
- March of the Penguins
- Bowling for Columbine
- Madonna: Truth or Dare
- Winged Migration
- Super Size Me
- Mad Hot Ballroom
- Hoop Dreams
- Tupac: Resurrection
- Roger and Me