Amazon MGM’s recent political documentary in regards to the current US First Lady, Melania, made headlines for a solid $7.1 million opening in North America, marking the very best ever theatrical debut for a non-concert documentary. It has since grossed $15.6 million domestically, making it a decent performer amongst among the recent documentaries, but removed from all-time earners.
Nonetheless, political documentaries rarely earn huge numbers resulting from their area of interest audiences, unlike typical concert movies. That said, listed here are the highest 10 highest-grossing political documentaries of all time on the North American box office (based on Box Office Mojo).
1. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
- Director – Michael Moore
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 82%
- Streaming On – Prime Video, Apple TV, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV
- US Box Office Gross – $119 million
Made on a $6 million budget, Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 ranks no 1 on this list. The docu-film offers Moore’s perspective on the aftermath of the US following the infamous 9/11 attacks. It also explores how the Bush Administration allegedly used the tragic event to push forward its political agenda for unjust wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
2. 2016: Obama’s America (2012)
- Director – Dinesh D’Souza and John Sullivan
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 27%
- Streaming On – Apple TV, YouTube Movies
- US Box Office Gross: $33.4 million
Made on a $2.5 million budget, this docu-film is predicated on Dinesh D’Souza’s books The Roots of Obama’s Rage and Obama’s America: Unmasking the American Dream. The film provides a strongly right-wing critique of then-President Barack Obama.
3. Sicko (2007)
- Director – Michael Moore
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 91%
- Streaming On – YouTube, Prime Video, Netflix
- US Box Office Gross: $24.5 million
Michael Moore’s 2007 political documentary Sicko focuses on the US healthcare system, particularly the medical health insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
4. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
- Director – Davis Guggenheim
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 93%
- Streaming On – Apple TV, Prime Video
- US Box Office Gross: $24.1 million
This 2006 documentary film follows former vp of the US Al Gore and his campaign to teach people about global warming. The film encompasses a slide show that, by Gore’s own estimate, he has presented over 1,000 times to audiences worldwide.
5. Bowling for Columbine (2002)
- Director – Michael Moore
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 95%
- Streaming On – Tubi, Prime Video, Apple TV
- US Box Office Gross: $21.5 million
One other documentary directed by Michael Moore, Bowling for Columbine, explores what Moore suggests are the first causes of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and other acts of gun violence in the US. The film examines the social and cultural environment surrounding the tragedy, while also difficult common public opinions and assumptions about gun violence.
6. Melania (2026)
- Director – Brett Ratner
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 11%
- Streaming On – Theaters
- US Box Office Gross: $15.6 million
Melania follows the lifetime of Melania Trump, the present first lady of the US, throughout the 20 days leading as much as her husband Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration.
7. America: Imagine the World Without Her (2014)
- Director – Dinesh D’Souza, John Sullivan
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 8%
- Streaming On – Prime Video, Apple TV, Tubi
- US Box Office Gross: $14.4 million
This controversial documentary, America: Imagine the World Without Her, is predicated on Dinesh D’Souza’s book of the identical name. It serves as a follow-up to his earlier film, 2016: Obama’s America. Within the documentary, D’Souza argues that parts of American history are unfairly and negatively portrayed by liberals, and he attempts to counter that narrative by highlighting what he views because the nation’s positive achievements.
8. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)
- Director – Michael Moore
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 74%
- Streaming On – Prime Video, Apple TV, Starz
- US Box Office Gross: $14.3 million
Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story focuses on the 2008 financial crisis and the federal government’s recovery efforts. Within the film, Moore criticizes the U.S. financial system and modern capitalism.
9. RGB (2018)
- Director – Julie Cohen, Betsy West
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 93%
- Streaming On – YouTube, Prime Video, Apple TV
- US Box Office Gross: $14 million
The film focuses on the life and profession of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the US after Sandra Day O’Connor.
10. Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party (2016)
- Director – Bruce Schooley, Dinesh D’Souza
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 4%
- Streaming On – Apple TV
- US Box Office Gross: $13 million
The film, Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party, is a 2016 political documentary about then–then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and presents a critique of the Democratic Party.
Stay tuned to Koimoi for more box office updates and stories!
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