Market Charts > 2012 > Genres > Drama

Domestic Box Office Performance for Drama Movies in 2012

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RankMovieRelease
Date		 Theatrical
Distributor		MPAA
Rating		2012 GrossTickets Sold
1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking… Nov 16, 2012 Lionsgate PG-13 $289,133,356 36,323,285
2 Lincoln Nov 9, 2012 Walt Disney PG-13 $144,089,046 18,101,638
3 The Vow Feb 10, 2012 Sony Pictures PG-13 $125,014,030 15,705,280
4 Flight Nov 2, 2012 Paramount Pictures R $92,488,366 11,619,141
5 Life of Pi Nov 21, 2012 20th Century Fox PG $91,039,488 11,437,121
6 The Lucky One Apr 20, 2012 Warner Bros. PG-13 $60,457,138 7,595,117
7 Titanic Dec 19, 1997 PG-13 $57,885,250 7,272,016
8 The Odd Life of Timothy Green Aug 15, 2012 Walt Disney PG $51,844,311 6,513,104
9 Red Tails Jan 20, 2012 20th Century Fox PG-13 $49,876,377 6,265,876
10 Moonrise Kingdom May 25, 2012 Focus Features PG-13 $45,512,466 5,717,646
11 The Descendants Nov 16, 2011 Fox Searchlight R $42,309,296 5,315,238
12 The Artist Nov 25, 2011 Weinstein Co. PG-13 $39,622,751 4,977,732
13 War Horse Dec 25, 2011 Walt Disney PG-13 $39,431,587 4,953,716
14 Lawless Aug 29, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $37,397,291 4,698,152
15 Trouble with the Curve Sep 21, 2012 Warner Bros. PG-13 $35,763,137 4,492,856
16 Step Up Revolution Jul 27, 2012 Lionsgate PG-13 $35,074,677 4,406,366
17 Tyler Perry's Good Deeds Feb 24, 2012 Lionsgate PG-13 $35,025,791 4,400,225
18 Silver Linings Playbook Nov 16, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $34,676,769 4,356,378
19 Extremely Loud and Incredib… Dec 25, 2011 Warner Bros. PG-13 $31,495,464 3,956,716
20 We Bought a Zoo Dec 23, 2011 20th Century Fox PG $31,133,551 3,911,250
21 The Iron Lady Jan 13, 2012 Weinstein Co. PG-13 $29,959,436 3,763,748
22 Cloud Atlas Oct 26, 2012 Warner Bros. R $26,903,242 3,379,804
23 Sparkle Aug 17, 2012 Sony Pictures PG-13 $24,397,469 3,065,008
24 Big Miracle Feb 3, 2012 Universal PG $20,157,300 2,532,324
25 The Perks of Being a Wallfl… Sep 21, 2012 Lionsgate R $17,479,028 2,195,857
26 The Master Sep 14, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $15,979,869 2,007,521
27 People Like Us Jun 29, 2012 Walt Disney PG-13 $12,431,792 1,561,782
28 Anna Karenina Nov 16, 2012 Focus Features R $11,537,763 1,449,467
29 The Words Sep 7, 2012 CBS Films PG-13 $11,494,838 1,444,075
30 Beasts of the Southern Wild Jun 27, 2012 Fox Searchlight PG-13 $11,249,128 1,413,207
31 Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Mar 9, 2012 CBS Films PG-13 $9,041,540 1,135,871
32 Jodaeiye Nader az Simin Dec 30, 2011 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $7,039,011 884,297
33 In Darkness Feb 10, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… R $6,994,218 878,670
34 Chasing Mavericks Oct 26, 2012 20th Century Fox PG $5,977,302 750,917
35 The Twilight Saga: Breaking… Nov 18, 2011 Summit Entertainment PG-13 $5,756,395 723,165
36 For Greater Glory: The True… Jun 1, 2012 ARC Entertainment R $5,669,081 712,196
37 My Week with Marilyn Nov 23, 2011 Weinstein Co. R $5,661,684 711,266
38 The Sessions Oct 19, 2012 Fox Searchlight R $5,632,024 707,540
39 Hitchcock Nov 23, 2012 Fox Searchlight PG-13 $5,488,896 689,559
40 October Baby Mar 23, 2012 Five & Two Pictures PG-13 $5,355,847 672,845
41 Won't Back Down Sep 28, 2012 20th Century Fox PG $5,310,554 667,155
42 Promised Land Jan 4, 2013 Focus Features R $4,395,439 552,190
43 A Dangerous Method Nov 23, 2011 Sony Pictures Cla… R $4,125,326 518,257
44 The Impossible Dec 21, 2012 Lionsgate PG-13 $3,412,413 428,695
45 Atlas Shrugged: Part II Oct 12, 2012 Atlas Distribution PG-13 $3,336,053 419,102
46 Last Ounce of Courage Sep 14, 2012 Rocky Mountain Pi… PG $3,310,439 415,884
47 Robot & Frank Aug 17, 2012 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG-13 $3,298,428 414,375
48 Hyde Park on Hudson Dec 7, 2012 Focus Features R $3,209,885 403,251
49 Jab Tak Hai Jaan Nov 13, 2012 Yash Raj Films Not Rated $3,047,539 382,856
50 Albert Nobbs Dec 21, 2011 Roadside Attractions R $3,014,696 378,730
51 Talaash Nov 30, 2012 Reliance Big Pict… Not Rated $2,706,375 339,996
52 Girl in Progress May 11, 2012 Lionsgate R $2,609,412 327,815
53 Sleepwalk With Me Aug 24, 2012 IFC Films PG-13 $2,266,066 284,681
54 Shame Dec 2, 2011 Fox Searchlight NC-17 $2,036,419 255,831
55 He'arat Shulayim Mar 9, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… PG $2,007,451 252,192
56 English Vinglish Sep 28, 2012 Eros Entertainment Not Rated $1,862,086 233,930
57 Crooked Arrows May 18, 2012 Branded Entertain… PG-13 $1,832,541 230,218
58 Monsieur Lazhar Oct 28, 2011 Music Box Films PG-13 $1,810,703 227,475
59 We Need to Talk About Kevin Jan 13, 2012 Oscilloscope Pict… R $1,738,692 218,428
60 Your Sister's Sister Jun 15, 2012 IFC Films R $1,597,486 200,689
61 Le gamin au vélo Mar 16, 2012 IFC Films PG-13 $1,389,524 174,563
62 A Late Quartet Nov 2, 2012 Entertainment One R $1,356,841 170,457
63 Les adieux à la reine Jul 13, 2012 Cohen Media Group R $1,329,660 167,042
64 Woman Thou Art Loosed On th… Apr 13, 2012 Codeblack Enterta… PG-13 $1,301,562 163,512
65 Take This Waltz Jun 29, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $1,239,692 155,740
66 Le fils de l’autre Oct 26, 2012 Cohen Media Group PG-13 $1,199,098 150,640
67 The Deep Blue Sea Mar 23, 2012 Music Box Films R $1,126,027 141,460
68 Rampart Feb 10, 2012 Alchemy R $969,239 121,763
69 Gwanghae, Wangyidoen namja Sep 21, 2012 CJ Entertainment Not Rated $904,240 113,597
70 De rouille et d’os Nov 23, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… R $866,016 108,795
71 Coriolanus Jan 20, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $749,641 94,176
72 Unconditional Sep 21, 2012 Veracity Moving P… PG-13 $741,381 93,138
73 Pariah Dec 28, 2011 Focus Features R $684,566 86,000
74 En kongelig affære Nov 9, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $659,348 82,832
75 J. Edgar Nov 9, 2011 Warner Bros. R $655,199 82,311
76 Moneyball Sep 23, 2011 Sony Pictures PG-13 $643,850 80,885
77 Midnight's Children Nov 2, 2012 Mongrel Media Not Rated $600,595 75,451
78 Heroine Sep 21, 2012 UTV Communications Not Rated $598,668 75,209
79 W.E. Feb 3, 2012 Weinstein Co. R $582,075 73,125
80 Holy Motors Oct 17, 2012 Indomina Releasing Not Rated $560,586 70,425
81 Being Flynn Mar 2, 2012 Focus Features R $540,152 67,858
82 Et maintenant, on va où? May 11, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $531,813 66,810
83 Courageous Sep 30, 2011 Sony Pictures PG-13 $486,301 61,093
84 Not Fade Away Dec 21, 2012 Paramount Vantage R $416,886 52,372
85 La fille du puisatier Jun 20, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $389,651 48,951
86 Smashed Oct 12, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… R $375,981 47,233
87 Bully Jul 13, 2001 Lionsgate R $371,732 46,700
88 Neuk-dae-so-nyeon Nov 30, 2012 CJ Entertainment Not Rated $338,876 42,572
89 Red Hook Summer Aug 10, 2012 Variance/40 Acres… R $338,803 42,563
90 Compliance Aug 17, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $319,285 40,111
91 Jin líng shí san chai Jan 20, 2012 Wrekin Hill Enter… R $311,434 39,124
92 Amour Dec 19, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $311,247 39,101
93 Dolphin Tale Sep 23, 2011 Warner Bros. PG $270,810 34,021
94 The Way Oct 7, 2011 Producers Distrib… PG-13 $260,592 32,737
95 Boy Mar 2, 2012 Paladin Not Rated $256,211 32,187
96 In The Land of Blood and Honey Dec 23, 2011 FilmDistrict R $254,735 32,001
97 Poulet aux prunes Aug 17, 2012 Sony Pictures Cla… PG-13 $253,705 31,872
98 Le Havre Oct 21, 2011 Janus Films Not Rated $253,003 31,784
99 Keep the Lights On Sep 7, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $246,112 30,918
100 Trishna Jul 13, 2012 IFC Films R $240,381 30,198
101 Middle of Nowhere Oct 12, 2012 AFFRM R $236,806 29,749
102 Yi jiu si er Nov 30, 2012 China Lion Film D… Not Rated $212,475 26,692
103 The Help Aug 10, 2011 Walt Disney PG-13 $206,041 25,884
104 Touchback Apr 13, 2012 Anchor Bay Entert… PG-13 $204,157 25,647
105 10 Years Sep 14, 2012 Anchor Bay Entert… PG-13 $203,654 25,584
106 Chico & Rita Feb 10, 2012 GKIDS Not Rated $197,785 24,847
107 The Hunter Apr 6, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $176,669 22,194
108 Dark Horse Jun 8, 2012 Brainstorm Media Not Rated $166,228 20,882
109 L'homme qui voulait vivre s… Oct 12, 2012 MPI Media Group Not Rated $158,411 19,900
110 Elles Apr 27, 2012 Kino Lorber NC-17 $157,427 19,777
111 Impardonnables Jun 29, 2012 Not Rated $153,785 19,319
112 Simon och ekarna Oct 12, 2012 Film Arcade Not Rated $150,109 18,857
113 Kiseki May 11, 2012 Magnolia Pictures PG $145,808 18,317
114 Rundskop Feb 17, 2012 Drafthouse Films R $142,616 17,916
115 The Ides of March Oct 7, 2011 Sony Pictures R $136,922 17,201
116 The Lady Apr 11, 2012 Cohen Media Group R $135,985 17,083
117 Footloose Oct 14, 2011 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $132,230 16,611
118 The Loneliest Planet Oct 26, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $129,579 16,278
119 Any Day Now Dec 14, 2012 Music Box Films R $129,391 16,255
120 Les bien-aimés Aug 17, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $124,405 15,628
121 The Forgiveness of Blood Feb 24, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $122,593 15,401
122 Bel Ami Jun 8, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $120,462 15,133
123 Cowgirls 'n Angels May 25, 2012 Samuel Goldwyn Films PG $119,782 15,047
124 Therese Desqueyroux Nov 30, 2012 Not Rated $117,179 14,720
125 Margin Call Oct 21, 2011 Roadside Attractions R $107,220 13,469
126 Hello I Must Be Going Sep 7, 2012 Oscilloscope Pict… R $106,709 13,405
127 Inch'Allah Sep 28, 2012 R $104,087 13,076
128 The Magic of Belle Isle Jul 6, 2012 Magnolia Pictures PG $102,388 12,862
129 Wuthering Heights Oct 5, 2012 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $100,915 12,677
130 Oslo, 31 August May 25, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $100,713 12,652
131 Hardflip Jun 1, 2012 Rocky Mountain Pi… PG-13 $96,734 12,152
132 The Eye of the Storm Sep 7, 2012 Sycamore Entertai… Not Rated $83,566 10,498
133 Starlet Nov 9, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $82,424 10,354
134 Ichimei Jul 20, 2012 TriBeca Films Not Rated $75,688 9,508
135 La Grande Illusion Sep 12, 1938 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $71,641 9,000
136 Detachment Mar 16, 2012 TriBeca Films Not Rated $70,740 8,886
137 Mai wei Apr 20, 2012 PMK*BNC R $70,177 8,816
138 The Snows of Kilimanjaro Sep 17, 1952 Not Rated $66,597 8,366
139 Un amour de jeunesse Apr 20, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $64,925 8,156
140 Backwards Sep 21, 2012 Dada Films PG $61,465 7,721
141 The Bodyguard Nov 25, 1992 NCM Fathom R $61,020 7,665
142 Young Goethe in Love Nov 4, 2011 Music Box Films Not Rated $60,901 7,650
143 Take Shelter Sep 30, 2011 Sony Pictures Cla… R $57,751 7,255
144 Beyond the Black Rainbow May 18, 2012 R $56,491 7,096
145 A Beautiful Soul May 4, 2012 Tyscot Manhaddon PG-13 $54,008 6,784
146 Karakara Aug 31, 2012 Mongrel Media Not Rated $50,831 6,385
147 The Fitzgerald Family Chris… Dec 7, 2012 TriBeca Films PG-13 $50,292 6,318
148 Deep In The Heart Feb 17, 2012 ARC Entertainment PG-13 $47,700 5,992
149 The Mill and the Cross Sep 14, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $47,314 5,943
150 La guerre est déclarée Jan 27, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $46,225 5,807
151 Union Square Jul 13, 2012 Dada Films Not Rated $44,830 5,631
152 Poupoupidou May 11, 2012 First Run Features Not Rated $43,040 5,407
153 Attenberg Mar 9, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $42,582 5,349
154 Miss Bala Jan 20, 2012 Mongrel Media R $40,540 5,092
155 Les Enfants du Paradis Nov 15, 1946 Janus Films Not Rated $36,986 4,646
156 Tomboy Nov 16, 2011 Rocket Releasing Not Rated $34,112 4,285
157 La conquête Nov 11, 2011 Music Box Films Not Rated $33,344 4,188
158 Roméo Onze Mar 9, 2012 Metropole Films D… Not Rated $32,457 4,077
159 Musical Chairs Mar 23, 2012 Paladin PG-13 $31,478 3,954
160 Noruwei no mori Nov 25, 2011 Red Flag Releasing Not Rated $31,406 3,945
161 Hide Away May 25, 2012 Joule Films PG-13 $30,655 3,851
162 Hermano Aug 24, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $29,864 3,751
163 Kaerlighed Pa Film Jan 9, 2009 Koch Lorber Films Not Rated $29,630 3,722
164 Least Among Saints Oct 12, 2012 Brainstorm Media R $28,026 3,520
165 Mighty Fine May 25, 2012 Adopt Films R $27,900 3,505
166 Here Apr 13, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $26,464 3,324
167 Nobody Walks Oct 19, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $25,342 3,183
168 Le diable probablement Jan 13, 2012 The Film Desk Not Rated $24,878 3,125
169 Nannerl la soeur de Mozart Aug 19, 2011 Music Box Films Not Rated $23,389 2,938
170 Like Crazy Oct 28, 2011 Paramount Pictures PG-13 $23,291 2,926
171 Les hommes libres Mar 16, 2012 Film Movement Not Rated $22,578 2,836
172 Toutes nos envies Mar 16, 2012 Not Rated $22,517 2,828
173 The Long Day Closes Mar 23, 2012 The Film Desk PG $22,366 2,809
174 Noordzee, Texas Nov 2, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $21,615 2,715
175 Bonsai May 11, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $21,163 2,658
176 Présumé coupable Jan 27, 2012 Mongrel Media Not Rated $19,750 2,481
177 Ranchero Jul 15, 2011 Indican Pictures Not Rated $19,623 2,465
178 Sedona Mar 16, 2012 Pasidg Productions Not Rated $19,532 2,453
179 28 Hotel Rooms Nov 9, 2012 Oscilloscope Pict… Not Rated $18,869 2,370
180 Le Quai des brumes Oct 29, 1939 Rialto Pictures Not Rated $18,275 2,295
181 4:44 Last Day on Earth Mar 23, 2012 IFC Films R $17,801 2,236
182 Dangerous Liaisons Nov 9, 2012 Well Go USA Not Rated $17,000 2,135
183 La mariée était en noir Jun 25, 1968 Film Forum Not Rated $16,854 2,117
184 Little Birds Aug 29, 2012 Alchemy R $16,594 2,084
185 Return Feb 28, 2011 Dada Films Not Rated $16,124 2,025
186 Alpeis Jul 13, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $16,057 2,017
187 Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog May 18, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $15,674 1,969
188 Michael Feb 15, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $15,151 1,903
189 17 filles Sep 21, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $15,002 1,884
190 30 Beats Jul 20, 2012 Roadside Attractions R $14,686 1,844
191 Tristana Sep 21, 1970 Cohen Media Group PG-13 $14,586 1,832
192 Autoreiji Dec 2, 2011 Magnolia Pictures R $14,305 1,797
193 Les Neiges du Kilimanjaro Dec 9, 2011 Mongrel Media Not Rated $13,729 1,724
194 Jesus Henry Christ Apr 20, 2012 Entertainment One PG-13 $13,714 1,722
195 Sedmikrásky Dec 31, 2002 Janus Films Not Rated $13,692 1,720
196 How Much Does Your Building… Jan 25, 2012 First Run Features Not Rated $13,013 1,634
197 California Solo Nov 30, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $12,952 1,627
198 Nous ne viellirons pas ense… Jun 8, 2012 The Film Desk Not Rated $12,801 1,608
199 For Ellen Sep 5, 2012 TriBeca Films Not Rated $12,396 1,557
200 Hamnden Jun 1, 2012 Music Box Films Not Rated $10,960 1,376
201 Santa Mesa Jan 13, 2012 Indican Pictures Not Rated $10,490 1,317
202 Da-reun na-ra-e-suh Nov 9, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $10,332 1,297
203 Virginia May 18, 2012 Entertainment One R $9,915 1,245
204 Post Mortem Apr 11, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $9,750 1,224
205 Around June Mar 16, 2012 Indican Pictures Not Rated $9,102 1,143
206 Cartas a Elena Jun 8, 2012 Freestyle Releasing PG $8,511 1,069
207 Cook County Dec 16, 2011 Hannover House Not Rated $8,250 1,036
208 Roadie Jan 6, 2012 Magnolia Pictures Not Rated $7,825 983
209 Nothing But a Man Oct 19, 1999 APD/Cinema Conser… Not Rated $7,255 911
210 Domaine Jan 13, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $6,914 868
211 In Our Nature Dec 7, 2012 Cinedigm Not Rated $6,543 821
212 Tyrannosaur Nov 18, 2011 Strand Releasing Not Rated $6,353 798
213 Prince of the Himalayas Dec 23, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $6,295 790
214 Crazy Eyes Jul 6, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $6,106 767
215 The Last Ride Oct 21, 2011 Category One PG-13 $5,887 739
216 Joven y alocada Nov 30, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $5,514 692
217 The Good Doctor Aug 31, 2012 Magnolia Pictures PG-13 $5,206 654
218 Bringing Up Bobby Sep 28, 2012 Monterey Media PG-13 $4,975 625
219 Atmen Aug 31, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $4,258 534
220 Kongen av Bastøy Jan 6, 2012 Kino Lorber Not Rated $4,162 522
221 Amigo Aug 19, 2011 Variance Films R $4,123 517
222 Downtown Express Apr 20, 2012 Not Rated $3,474 436
223 Le rayon vert Aug 29, 1986 The Film Desk R $3,236 406
224 Cirkus Columbia Feb 17, 2012 Strand Releasing Not Rated $3,163 397
225 About Cherry Sep 21, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $3,003 377
226 Serge Gainsbourg vie heroique Aug 31, 2011 Music Box Films Not Rated $2,240 281
227 Perfect Sense Feb 10, 2012 IFC Films R $1,567 196
228 Jack and Diane Nov 2, 2012 Magnolia Pictures R $1,142 143
229 Schastye moe Sep 30, 2011 Kino Lorber Not Rated $841 105
230 Bronenosets Potyomkin Dec 5, 1925 Kino International Not Rated $672 84
231 Citizen Gangster Apr 27, 2012 IFC Films Not Rated $625 78
232 Death of a Superhero May 4, 2012 TriBeca Films Not Rated $607 76
233 Meeting Evil May 4, 2012 Magnet Pictures R $525 65
Total Gross of All Movies$1,702,317,001
Total Tickets Sold213,858,800

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 2012. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 2012. 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.