Big Miracle (2012)

Big Miracle poster
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $20,157,300Details
International Box Office $5,111,380Details
Worldwide Box Office $25,268,680
Home Market Performance
Est. Domestic DVD Sales $11,170,168 Details
Est. Domestic Blu-ray Sales $2,034,484 Details
Total Est. Domestic Video Sales $13,204,652
Further financial details...

Synopsis

Barrow newsman Adam Carlson can’t wait to escape the northern tip of Alaska for a bigger market. But just when the story of his career breaks, as a family of gray whales is trapped by rapidly-forming ice in the Arctic Circle, the world comes chasing it too. With an oil tycoon, heads of state and hungry journalists descending upon the frigid outpost to get their moment in the midnight sun, the one person who occupies Adam the most is Rachel Kramer. Not only is she an outspoken environmentalist, she also happens to be his ex-girlfriend. With time running out, Rachel, Adam and Nathan, an 11-year-old native Alaskan boy who learns to connect with his people and his culture, must rally an unlikely coalition of locals, oil companies and Russian and American military to set aside their differences and unite for a purpose they all believe in: freeing the whales in record time.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$7,760,205 (38.5% of total gross)
Legs:2.60 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:79.8% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$40,000,000 (worldwide box office is 0.6 times production budget)
Theater counts:2,129 opening theaters/2,133 max. theaters, 3.6 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $27,298,453

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,801-3,900) 3,854 $20,157,300
All Time International Box Office (Rank 6,501-6,600) 6,560 $5,111,380
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,856 $25,268,680

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: February 3rd, 2012 (Wide) by Universal
International Releases: February 15th, 2012 (Wide) (Egypt)
March 2nd, 2012 (Wide) (Spain)
March 9th, 2012 (Wide) (Brazil)
May 4th, 2012 (Wide) (Mexico)
July 25th, 2012 (Wide) (Philippines)
... Show all releases
Video Release: June 19th, 2012 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG for Language.
(Rating bulletin 2180, 7/13/2011)
Running Time: 117 minutes
Comparisons: vs. 127 Hours
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Animal Lead, Rescue, TV Industry, News, Environment, Political, Historical Drama, 1980s
Source:Based on Real Life Events
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Dramatization
Production/Financing Companies: Universal Pictures, Anonymous Content, Working Title Films
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Super Bowl (All Movies, 3-Day) 75 $7,760,205 Feb 3, 2012 3
Super Bowl (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 131 $10,754,682 Feb 3, 2012 3
Super Bowl (Opening, 3-Day) 30 $7,760,205 Feb 3, 2012 3
Super Bowl (Opening, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 34 $10,754,682 Feb 3, 2012 3

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,801-3,900) 3,854 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 4,401-4,500) 4,423 $27,298,453
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 3,201-3,300) 3,209 $20,157,300
Top 2012 Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 103 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 201-300) 210 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,389 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 201-300) 279 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 601-700) 689 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 801-900) 850 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Universal Movies (Rank 401-500) 487 $20,157,300

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Feb 3, 2012 4 $7,760,205   2,129 $3,645   $7,760,205 1
Feb 10, 2012 8 $3,946,050 -49% 2,133 $1,850   $13,281,985 2
Feb 17, 2012 13 $2,263,515 -43% 1,634 $1,385   $16,707,010 3
Feb 24, 2012 20 $668,805 -70% 628 $1,065   $18,903,580 4
Mar 2, 2012 23 $301,560 -55% 359 $840   $19,362,140 5
Mar 9, 2012 33 $153,660 -49% 238 $646   $19,594,765 6
Mar 16, 2012 34 $130,975 -15% 236 $555   $19,792,425 7
Mar 23, 2012 34 $124,315 -5% 224 $555   $19,966,230 8
Mar 30, 2012 39 $96,060 -23% 170 $565   $20,113,965 9

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Feb 3, 2012 4 $2,267,385     2,129 $1,065   $2,267,385 1
Feb 4, 2012 4 $3,928,005 +73%   2,129 $1,845   $6,195,390 2
Feb 5, 2012 3 $1,564,815 -60%   2,129 $735   $7,760,205 3
Feb 6, 2012 8 $372,575 -76%   2,129 $175   $8,132,780 4
Feb 7, 2012 7 $500,585 +34%   2,129 $235   $8,633,365 5
Feb 8, 2012 7 $361,930 -28%   2,129 $170   $8,995,295 6
Feb 9, 2012 9 $340,640 -6%   2,129 $160   $9,335,935 7
Feb 10, 2012 8 $938,520 +176% -59% 2,133 $440   $10,274,455 8
Feb 11, 2012 8 $1,845,045 +97% -53% 2,133 $865   $12,119,500 9
Feb 12, 2012 8 $1,162,485 -37% -26% 2,133 $545   $13,281,985 10
Feb 13, 2012 10 $222,990 -81% -40% 2,133 $105   $13,504,975 11
Feb 14, 2012 10 $458,595 +106% -8% 2,133 $215   $13,963,570 12
Feb 15, 2012 11 $213,300 -53% -41% 2,133 $100   $14,176,870 13
Feb 16, 2012 9 $266,625 +25% -22% 2,133 $125   $14,443,495 14
Feb 17, 2012 12 $539,220 +102% -43% 1,634 $330   $14,982,715 15
Feb 18, 2012 12 $899,125 +67% -51% 1,634 $550   $15,881,840 16
Feb 19, 2012 12 $825,170 -8% -29% 1,634 $505   $16,707,010 17
Feb 20, 2012 10 $898,675 +9% +303% 1,634 $550   $17,605,685 18
Feb 21, 2012 13 $261,440 -71% -43% 1,634 $160   $17,867,125 19
Feb 22, 2012 13 $179,740 -31% -16% 1,634 $110   $18,046,865 20
Feb 23, 2012 13 $187,910 +5% -30% 1,634 $115   $18,234,775 21
Feb 24, 2012 - $166,420 -11% -69% 628 $265   $18,401,195 22
Feb 25, 2012 - $298,300 +79% -67% 628 $475   $18,699,495 23
Feb 26, 2012 - $204,085 -32% -75% 628 $325   $18,903,580 24
Feb 27, 2012 - $34,540 -83% -96% 628 $55   $18,938,120 25
Feb 28, 2012 - $40,820 +18% -84% 628 $65   $18,978,940 26
Feb 29, 2012 - $37,680 -8% -79% 628 $60   $19,016,620 27
Mar 1, 2012 - $43,960 +17% -77% 628 $70   $19,060,580 28
Mar 2, 2012 - $82,570 +88% -50% 359 $230   $19,143,150 29
Mar 3, 2012 - $140,010 +70% -53% 359 $390   $19,283,160 30
Mar 4, 2012 - $78,980 -44% -61% 359 $220   $19,362,140 31
Mar 5, 2012 - $18,105 -77% -48% 359 $50   $19,380,245 32
Mar 6, 2012 - $23,165 +28% -43% 359 $65   $19,403,410 33
Mar 7, 2012 - $17,950 -23% -52% 359 $50   $19,421,360 34
Mar 8, 2012 - $19,745 +10% -55% 359 $55   $19,441,105 35
Mar 9, 2012 - $44,050 +123% -47% 238 $185   $19,485,155 36
Mar 10, 2012 - $72,705 +65% -48% 238 $305   $19,557,860 37
Mar 11, 2012 - $36,905 -49% -53% 238 $155   $19,594,765 38
Mar 12, 2012 - $14,280 -61% -21% 238 $60   $19,609,045 39
Mar 13, 2012 - $17,905 +25% -23% 238 $75   $19,626,950 40
Mar 14, 2012 - $15,550 -13% -13% 238 $65   $19,642,500 41
Mar 15, 2012 - $18,950 +22% -4% 238 $80   $19,661,450 42
Mar 16, 2012 - $42,480 +124% -4% 236 $180   $19,703,930 43
Mar 17, 2012 - $53,095 +25% -27% 236 $225   $19,757,025 44
Mar 18, 2012 - $35,400 -33% -4% 236 $150   $19,792,425 45
Mar 19, 2012 - $11,800 -67% -17% 236 $50   $19,804,225 46
Mar 20, 2012 - $12,980 +10% -28% 236 $55   $19,817,205 47
Mar 21, 2012 - $11,785 -9% -24% 236 $50   $19,828,990 48
Mar 22, 2012 - $12,925 +10% -32% 236 $55   $19,841,915 49
Mar 23, 2012 - $35,840 +177% -16% 224 $160   $19,877,755 50
Mar 24, 2012 - $54,880 +53% +3% 224 $245   $19,932,635 51
Mar 25, 2012 - $33,595 -39% -5% 224 $150   $19,966,230 52
Mar 26, 2012 - $12,320 -63% +4% 224 $55   $19,978,550 53
Mar 27, 2012 - $13,550 +10% +4% 224 $60   $19,992,100 54
Mar 28, 2012 - $12,365 -9% +5% 224 $55   $20,004,465 55
Mar 29, 2012 - $13,440 +9% +4% 224 $60   $20,017,905 56
Mar 30, 2012 - $29,750 +121% -17% 170 $175   $20,047,655 57
Mar 31, 2012 - $40,825 +37% -26% 170 $240   $20,088,480 58
Apr 1, 2012 - $25,485 -38% -24% 170 $150   $20,113,965 59
Apr 2, 2012 - $8,495 -67% -31% 170 $50   $20,122,460 60
Apr 3, 2012 - $11,895 +40% -12% 170 $70   $20,134,355 61
Apr 4, 2012 - $10,200 -14% -18% 170 $60   $20,144,555 62
Apr 5, 2012 - $12,745 +25% -5% 170 $75   $20,157,300 63

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Feb 3, 2012 4 $9,335,935   2,129 $4,385   $9,335,935 1
Feb 10, 2012 8 $5,107,560 -45% 2,133 $2,395   $14,443,495 2
Feb 17, 2012 12 $3,791,280 -26% 1,634 $2,320   $18,234,775 3
Feb 24, 2012 20 $825,805 -78% 628 $1,315   $19,060,580 4
Mar 2, 2012 23 $380,525 -54% 359 $1,060   $19,441,105 5
Mar 9, 2012 35 $220,345 -42% 238 $926   $19,661,450 6
Mar 16, 2012 36 $180,465 -18% 236 $765   $19,841,915 7
Mar 23, 2012 34 $175,990 -2% 224 $786   $20,017,905 8
Mar 30, 2012 39 $139,395 -21% 170 $820   $20,157,300 9

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date		 Opening
Weekend		 Opening
Weekend
Screens		 Maximum
Screens		 Theatrical
Engagements		 Total
Box Office		 Report
Date
Brazil 3/9/2012 $0 0 2 2 $60,538 12/6/2015
Egypt 2/15/2012 $0 0 2 8 $14,995 12/29/2018
Mexico 5/4/2012 $61,878 59 59 166 $169,960 12/10/2015
Peru 1/24/2013 $73,256 39 39 99 $174,139 12/30/2018
Philippines 7/25/2012 $4,217 3 3 3 $4,217 12/29/2018
Spain 3/2/2012 $0 0 4 4 $933,538 12/6/2015
 
Rest of World $3,753,993
 
International Total$5,111,380 12/30/2018

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 6,501-6,600) 6,560 $5,111,380
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 5,601-5,700) 5,690 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 401-500) 462 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 5,401-5,500) 5,458 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 401-500) 463 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,572 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 701-800) 721 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Universal Movies (Rank 401-500) 403 $5,111,380

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,856 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 4,001-4,100) 4,080 $25,268,680
Top 2012 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 101-200) 188 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 301-400) 305 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,101-4,200) 4,199 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 301-400) 356 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 998 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 801-900) 872 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Universal Movies (Rank 401-500) 484 $25,268,680

Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Jun 24, 20123187,950 187,950$3,005,320$3,005,3201
Jul 1, 2012982,383-56% 270,333$1,644,365$4,649,6852
Jul 8, 20121159,930-27% 330,263$1,196,203$5,845,8883
Jul 15, 20121646,295-23% 376,558$922,659$6,768,5474
Jul 22, 20122623,309-50% 399,867$465,248$7,233,7955
Jul 29, 20122232,790+41% 432,657$513,491$7,747,2866
Aug 5, 20122525,699-22% 458,356$384,457$8,131,7437
Aug 12, 20123010,891-58% 469,247$162,929$8,294,6728
Mar 22, 2020309,385 707,217$37,540$10,531,325405
Mar 29, 2020287,427-21% 714,644$51,098$10,582,423406
Apr 5, 2020276,680-10% 721,324$45,958$10,628,381407

Weekly US Blu-ray Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Jun 24, 2012637,802 37,802$804,794$804,7941
Jul 1, 20121611,848-69% 49,650$284,124$1,088,9182

Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. The market share is converted into a weekly sales estimate based on industry reports on the overall size of the market, including reports published in Media Play News.

For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey.

We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. In particular, we adjust weekly sales figures for the quarter once the total market estimates are published by the Digital Entertainment Group. Figures will therefore fluctuate each week, and totals for individual titles can go up or down as we update our estimates.

Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles.

Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.

Leading Cast

Drew Barrymore    Rachel Kramer
John Krasinski    Adam Carlson
Ahmaogak Sweeney    Nathan

Supporting Cast

Kristen Bell    Jill Jerard
Dermot Mulroney    Colonel Scott Boyer
Tim Blake Nelson    Pat Lafayette
Vinessa Shaw    Kelly Meyers
John Pingayak    Malik
John Chase    Roy
Ted Danson    J.W. McGraw

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Ken Kwapis    Director
Jack Amiel    Screenwriter
Michael Begler    Screenwriter
Thomas Rose    Based on the book "Freeing the Whales"
Steve Golin    Producer
Michael Suger    Producer
Tim Bevan    Producer
Eric Fellner    Producer
Liza Chasin    Executive Producer
Debra Hayward    Executive Producer
Stuart Besser    Executive Producer
Paul Green    Executive Producer
John Bailey    Director of Photography
Nelson Coates    Production Designer
Cara Silverman    Editor
Shay Cunliffe    Costume Designer
Cliff Eidelman    Composer
Kenneth Karman    Music Editor

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD Sales: Shadows Linger On Top

July 4th, 2012

None of the new releases were able to overtake Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows for top spot on the DVD sales chart. It repeated in first place with 497,000 units / $7.44 million for the week giving it totals of 1.75 million units / $26.14 million after two. It is already the fifth best selling DVD released in 2012. More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for June 19th, 2012

June 18th, 2012

There are a trio of wide releases coming out on the home market this weekend; however, two of them were box office bombs, while the only one that did reasonably well at the box office was absolutely eviscerated by critics. Project X will likely be the best selling new release of the week, but that's not a good sign, as it made just over $50 million in theaters. Additionally, according to Amazon.com, the top ten best selling new releases include a trio of catalogue titles making their Blu-ray debut. We are not talking about classics that are finally making the leap to high definition. We are talking about films like Newsies, which earned less than $3 million during its original theatrical run. As for potential Pick of the Week winners, there were a few contenders. Jeff, Who Lives At Home is an excellent film, but the DVD and the Blu-ray have absolutely no extras. Wilfred: Season One could be a winner, but I didn't get a chance to see the show when it first aired, and the DVD / Blu-ray is late. The screener is also late for Louie: Season Two, but at least I've seen season one and the DVD or Blu-ray is the best bet for Pick of the Week. More...

Weekend Wrap-Up: Vow Wows

February 13th, 2012

Another weekend, another win. For the sixth weekend in a row, 2012 has topped 2011 in the year-over-year, and like much of the year, it wasn't even close. The overall box office was up 66% from last weekend reaching $192 million. It was also 29% higher than the same weekend last year. All four wide releases beat expectations, sometimes by wide margins. Also, all earned more than $20 million, which is the first time that's happened on a non-holiday weekend. And two of them earned $40 million or more. Year-to-date, 2012 now has a 19% lead on 2011 at $1.19 billion to $1.00 billion. There is reason to be cautious however, as a lot of this growth is due to 2011 getting off to a disastrous start. It is still too soon to declare victory, but it is reason to at least be somewhat optimistic. More...

Weekend Wrap-Up: Many Reasons to Celebrate Weekend Results

February 7th, 2012

It was Super Bowl weekend, which apparently some people care about. (Not me. Go B.C. Lions!) The crossover audience between the Super Bowl and most movies is quite high, so it is no real shock that the box office was down compared to last weekend. However, it was only down 8% to $116 million. This was 33% higher than the same weekend last year. Both Chronicle and The Woman in Black topped expectations by significant degrees, while the weakest movie the top five missed weekend predictions by less than $1 million. Year-to-date, 2012 is ahead of 2011's pace by 12% at $964 million to $850 million. Before we get too excited, by this weekend in 2010, the box office had already pulled in $1.21 billion. More...

Weekend Estimates: Chronicle and Woman in Black Vie for SuperBowl Honors

February 5th, 2012

The industry's healthy start to 2012 will continue this weekend thanks to two more good opening weekends. Chronicle is currently favorite to win the weekend, with Fox predicting a $22 million opening. CBS Films is pegging The Woman in Black at $21 million (a record for the fledgling studio). Both figures are predicated on historical models for SuperBowl Sunday, which can be a difficult day to predict, so the final order between the two could yet switch, although Chronicle is heavily favored to win at this point. Overall box office will be up about 35% from last year, although that reflects the very weak start to 2011. This weekend looks as though it will be about average for a SuperBowl weekend overall. More...

Weekend Predictions: Will the Box Office Remain in the Black?

February 2nd, 2012

There are two important dates in February: Valentine's Day and Presidents Day. This weekend deals with neither of those, so it is probably going to be a little soft at the box office. On the other hand, all three films opening this weekend, Big Miracle, Chronicle, and The Woman in Black, have overall positive reviews and are averaging around 75% positive (That might change by the end of the evening as more reviews come in.) By comparison, this weekend last year saw the release of The Roommate and Sanctum, both of which earned terrible reviews and neither of which earned a lot at the box office. Those two films combined earned just under $25 million over the weekend, while there's a slim, slim chance The Woman in Black will make that much by itself. Even on the low end, the top two new releases should match that, while this year appears to have the advantage with depth as well. I'm almost feeling optimistic. ... I may have just cursed the box office. More...

2012 Preview: February

February 1st, 2012

2012 got off to a great start, with January earning four wins in a row in the year-over-year comparison and finishing the month with a double-digit lead over 2011's pace. This has made me very hopeful going forward. That said, there are fourteen films opening wide or being re-released wide in February, and I don't think there's a $100 million hit in the group. In fact, I don't think any will get all that close to the century mark. There are several that should be solid mid-level hits and with a little luck, half of them could reached $50 million and there are five that could reach $75 million. Last February, Just Go With It topped $100 million while Gnomeo and Juliet came within $33,000 of doing the same. We won't replicate that this year, so we have to hope for a lot more depth. If films like Safe House, Journey 2, Ghost Rider 2, The Phantom Menace: 3D and The Vow all meet expectations, then perhaps 2012 will continue its hot start. More...


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Full Financials
  7. Cast & Crew
  8. Trailer

Synopsis

Barrow newsman Adam Carlson can’t wait to escape the northern tip of Alaska for a bigger market. But just when the story of his career breaks, as a family of gray whales is trapped by rapidly-forming ice in the Arctic Circle, the world comes chasing it too. With an oil tycoon, heads of state and hungry journalists descending upon the frigid outpost to get their moment in the midnight sun, the one person who occupies Adam the most is Rachel Kramer. Not only is she an outspoken environmentalist, she also happens to be his ex-girlfriend. With time running out, Rachel, Adam and Nathan, an 11-year-old native Alaskan boy who learns to connect with his people and his culture, must rally an unlikely coalition of locals, oil companies and Russian and American military to set aside their differences and unite for a purpose they all believe in: freeing the whales in record time.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$7,760,205 (38.5% of total gross)
Legs:2.60 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:79.8% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$40,000,000 (worldwide box office is 0.6 times production budget)
Theater counts:2,129 opening theaters/2,133 max. theaters, 3.6 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $27,298,453

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,801-3,900) 3,854 $20,157,300
All Time International Box Office (Rank 6,501-6,600) 6,560 $5,111,380
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,856 $25,268,680

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: February 3rd, 2012 (Wide) by Universal
International Releases: February 15th, 2012 (Wide) (Egypt)
March 2nd, 2012 (Wide) (Spain)
March 9th, 2012 (Wide) (Brazil)
May 4th, 2012 (Wide) (Mexico)
July 25th, 2012 (Wide) (Philippines)
... Show all releases
Video Release: June 19th, 2012 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG for Language.
(Rating bulletin 2180, 7/13/2011)
Running Time: 117 minutes
Comparisons: vs. 127 Hours
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Animal Lead, Rescue, TV Industry, News, Environment, Political, Historical Drama, 1980s
Source:Based on Real Life Events
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Dramatization
Production/Financing Companies: Universal Pictures, Anonymous Content, Working Title Films
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Super Bowl (All Movies, 3-Day) 75 $7,760,205 Feb 3, 2012 3
Super Bowl (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 131 $10,754,682 Feb 3, 2012 3
Super Bowl (Opening, 3-Day) 30 $7,760,205 Feb 3, 2012 3
Super Bowl (Opening, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 34 $10,754,682 Feb 3, 2012 3

Leading Cast

Drew Barrymore    Rachel Kramer
John Krasinski    Adam Carlson
Ahmaogak Sweeney    Nathan

Supporting Cast

Kristen Bell    Jill Jerard
Dermot Mulroney    Colonel Scott Boyer
Tim Blake Nelson    Pat Lafayette
Vinessa Shaw    Kelly Meyers
John Pingayak    Malik
John Chase    Roy
Ted Danson    J.W. McGraw

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Ken Kwapis    Director
Jack Amiel    Screenwriter
Michael Begler    Screenwriter
Thomas Rose    Based on the book "Freeing the Whales"
Steve Golin    Producer
Michael Suger    Producer
Tim Bevan    Producer
Eric Fellner    Producer
Liza Chasin    Executive Producer
Debra Hayward    Executive Producer
Stuart Besser    Executive Producer
Paul Green    Executive Producer
John Bailey    Director of Photography
Nelson Coates    Production Designer
Cara Silverman    Editor
Shay Cunliffe    Costume Designer
Cliff Eidelman    Composer
Kenneth Karman    Music Editor

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD Sales: Shadows Linger On Top

July 4th, 2012

None of the new releases were able to overtake Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows for top spot on the DVD sales chart. It repeated in first place with 497,000 units / $7.44 million for the week giving it totals of 1.75 million units / $26.14 million after two. It is already the fifth best selling DVD released in 2012. More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for June 19th, 2012

June 18th, 2012

There are a trio of wide releases coming out on the home market this weekend; however, two of them were box office bombs, while the only one that did reasonably well at the box office was absolutely eviscerated by critics. Project X will likely be the best selling new release of the week, but that's not a good sign, as it made just over $50 million in theaters. Additionally, according to Amazon.com, the top ten best selling new releases include a trio of catalogue titles making their Blu-ray debut. We are not talking about classics that are finally making the leap to high definition. We are talking about films like Newsies, which earned less than $3 million during its original theatrical run. As for potential Pick of the Week winners, there were a few contenders. Jeff, Who Lives At Home is an excellent film, but the DVD and the Blu-ray have absolutely no extras. Wilfred: Season One could be a winner, but I didn't get a chance to see the show when it first aired, and the DVD / Blu-ray is late. The screener is also late for Louie: Season Two, but at least I've seen season one and the DVD or Blu-ray is the best bet for Pick of the Week. More...

Weekend Wrap-Up: Vow Wows

February 13th, 2012

Another weekend, another win. For the sixth weekend in a row, 2012 has topped 2011 in the year-over-year, and like much of the year, it wasn't even close. The overall box office was up 66% from last weekend reaching $192 million. It was also 29% higher than the same weekend last year. All four wide releases beat expectations, sometimes by wide margins. Also, all earned more than $20 million, which is the first time that's happened on a non-holiday weekend. And two of them earned $40 million or more. Year-to-date, 2012 now has a 19% lead on 2011 at $1.19 billion to $1.00 billion. There is reason to be cautious however, as a lot of this growth is due to 2011 getting off to a disastrous start. It is still too soon to declare victory, but it is reason to at least be somewhat optimistic. More...

Weekend Wrap-Up: Many Reasons to Celebrate Weekend Results

February 7th, 2012

It was Super Bowl weekend, which apparently some people care about. (Not me. Go B.C. Lions!) The crossover audience between the Super Bowl and most movies is quite high, so it is no real shock that the box office was down compared to last weekend. However, it was only down 8% to $116 million. This was 33% higher than the same weekend last year. Both Chronicle and The Woman in Black topped expectations by significant degrees, while the weakest movie the top five missed weekend predictions by less than $1 million. Year-to-date, 2012 is ahead of 2011's pace by 12% at $964 million to $850 million. Before we get too excited, by this weekend in 2010, the box office had already pulled in $1.21 billion. More...

Weekend Estimates: Chronicle and Woman in Black Vie for SuperBowl Honors

February 5th, 2012

The industry's healthy start to 2012 will continue this weekend thanks to two more good opening weekends. Chronicle is currently favorite to win the weekend, with Fox predicting a $22 million opening. CBS Films is pegging The Woman in Black at $21 million (a record for the fledgling studio). Both figures are predicated on historical models for SuperBowl Sunday, which can be a difficult day to predict, so the final order between the two could yet switch, although Chronicle is heavily favored to win at this point. Overall box office will be up about 35% from last year, although that reflects the very weak start to 2011. This weekend looks as though it will be about average for a SuperBowl weekend overall. More...

Weekend Predictions: Will the Box Office Remain in the Black?

February 2nd, 2012

There are two important dates in February: Valentine's Day and Presidents Day. This weekend deals with neither of those, so it is probably going to be a little soft at the box office. On the other hand, all three films opening this weekend, Big Miracle, Chronicle, and The Woman in Black, have overall positive reviews and are averaging around 75% positive (That might change by the end of the evening as more reviews come in.) By comparison, this weekend last year saw the release of The Roommate and Sanctum, both of which earned terrible reviews and neither of which earned a lot at the box office. Those two films combined earned just under $25 million over the weekend, while there's a slim, slim chance The Woman in Black will make that much by itself. Even on the low end, the top two new releases should match that, while this year appears to have the advantage with depth as well. I'm almost feeling optimistic. ... I may have just cursed the box office. More...

2012 Preview: February

February 1st, 2012

2012 got off to a great start, with January earning four wins in a row in the year-over-year comparison and finishing the month with a double-digit lead over 2011's pace. This has made me very hopeful going forward. That said, there are fourteen films opening wide or being re-released wide in February, and I don't think there's a $100 million hit in the group. In fact, I don't think any will get all that close to the century mark. There are several that should be solid mid-level hits and with a little luck, half of them could reached $50 million and there are five that could reach $75 million. Last February, Just Go With It topped $100 million while Gnomeo and Juliet came within $33,000 of doing the same. We won't replicate that this year, so we have to hope for a lot more depth. If films like Safe House, Journey 2, Ghost Rider 2, The Phantom Menace: 3D and The Vow all meet expectations, then perhaps 2012 will continue its hot start. More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,801-3,900) 3,854 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 4,401-4,500) 4,423 $27,298,453
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 3,201-3,300) 3,209 $20,157,300
Top 2012 Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 103 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 201-300) 210 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,389 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 201-300) 279 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 601-700) 689 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 801-900) 850 $20,157,300
All Time Domestic Box Office for Universal Movies (Rank 401-500) 487 $20,157,300

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Feb 3, 2012 4 $7,760,205   2,129 $3,645   $7,760,205 1
Feb 10, 2012 8 $3,946,050 -49% 2,133 $1,850   $13,281,985 2
Feb 17, 2012 13 $2,263,515 -43% 1,634 $1,385   $16,707,010 3
Feb 24, 2012 20 $668,805 -70% 628 $1,065   $18,903,580 4
Mar 2, 2012 23 $301,560 -55% 359 $840   $19,362,140 5
Mar 9, 2012 33 $153,660 -49% 238 $646   $19,594,765 6
Mar 16, 2012 34 $130,975 -15% 236 $555   $19,792,425 7
Mar 23, 2012 34 $124,315 -5% 224 $555   $19,966,230 8
Mar 30, 2012 39 $96,060 -23% 170 $565   $20,113,965 9

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Feb 3, 2012 4 $2,267,385     2,129 $1,065   $2,267,385 1
Feb 4, 2012 4 $3,928,005 +73%   2,129 $1,845   $6,195,390 2
Feb 5, 2012 3 $1,564,815 -60%   2,129 $735   $7,760,205 3
Feb 6, 2012 8 $372,575 -76%   2,129 $175   $8,132,780 4
Feb 7, 2012 7 $500,585 +34%   2,129 $235   $8,633,365 5
Feb 8, 2012 7 $361,930 -28%   2,129 $170   $8,995,295 6
Feb 9, 2012 9 $340,640 -6%   2,129 $160   $9,335,935 7
Feb 10, 2012 8 $938,520 +176% -59% 2,133 $440   $10,274,455 8
Feb 11, 2012 8 $1,845,045 +97% -53% 2,133 $865   $12,119,500 9
Feb 12, 2012 8 $1,162,485 -37% -26% 2,133 $545   $13,281,985 10
Feb 13, 2012 10 $222,990 -81% -40% 2,133 $105   $13,504,975 11
Feb 14, 2012 10 $458,595 +106% -8% 2,133 $215   $13,963,570 12
Feb 15, 2012 11 $213,300 -53% -41% 2,133 $100   $14,176,870 13
Feb 16, 2012 9 $266,625 +25% -22% 2,133 $125   $14,443,495 14
Feb 17, 2012 12 $539,220 +102% -43% 1,634 $330   $14,982,715 15
Feb 18, 2012 12 $899,125 +67% -51% 1,634 $550   $15,881,840 16
Feb 19, 2012 12 $825,170 -8% -29% 1,634 $505   $16,707,010 17
Feb 20, 2012 10 $898,675 +9% +303% 1,634 $550   $17,605,685 18
Feb 21, 2012 13 $261,440 -71% -43% 1,634 $160   $17,867,125 19
Feb 22, 2012 13 $179,740 -31% -16% 1,634 $110   $18,046,865 20
Feb 23, 2012 13 $187,910 +5% -30% 1,634 $115   $18,234,775 21
Feb 24, 2012 - $166,420 -11% -69% 628 $265   $18,401,195 22
Feb 25, 2012 - $298,300 +79% -67% 628 $475   $18,699,495 23
Feb 26, 2012 - $204,085 -32% -75% 628 $325   $18,903,580 24
Feb 27, 2012 - $34,540 -83% -96% 628 $55   $18,938,120 25
Feb 28, 2012 - $40,820 +18% -84% 628 $65   $18,978,940 26
Feb 29, 2012 - $37,680 -8% -79% 628 $60   $19,016,620 27
Mar 1, 2012 - $43,960 +17% -77% 628 $70   $19,060,580 28
Mar 2, 2012 - $82,570 +88% -50% 359 $230   $19,143,150 29
Mar 3, 2012 - $140,010 +70% -53% 359 $390   $19,283,160 30
Mar 4, 2012 - $78,980 -44% -61% 359 $220   $19,362,140 31
Mar 5, 2012 - $18,105 -77% -48% 359 $50   $19,380,245 32
Mar 6, 2012 - $23,165 +28% -43% 359 $65   $19,403,410 33
Mar 7, 2012 - $17,950 -23% -52% 359 $50   $19,421,360 34
Mar 8, 2012 - $19,745 +10% -55% 359 $55   $19,441,105 35
Mar 9, 2012 - $44,050 +123% -47% 238 $185   $19,485,155 36
Mar 10, 2012 - $72,705 +65% -48% 238 $305   $19,557,860 37
Mar 11, 2012 - $36,905 -49% -53% 238 $155   $19,594,765 38
Mar 12, 2012 - $14,280 -61% -21% 238 $60   $19,609,045 39
Mar 13, 2012 - $17,905 +25% -23% 238 $75   $19,626,950 40
Mar 14, 2012 - $15,550 -13% -13% 238 $65   $19,642,500 41
Mar 15, 2012 - $18,950 +22% -4% 238 $80   $19,661,450 42
Mar 16, 2012 - $42,480 +124% -4% 236 $180   $19,703,930 43
Mar 17, 2012 - $53,095 +25% -27% 236 $225   $19,757,025 44
Mar 18, 2012 - $35,400 -33% -4% 236 $150   $19,792,425 45
Mar 19, 2012 - $11,800 -67% -17% 236 $50   $19,804,225 46
Mar 20, 2012 - $12,980 +10% -28% 236 $55   $19,817,205 47
Mar 21, 2012 - $11,785 -9% -24% 236 $50   $19,828,990 48
Mar 22, 2012 - $12,925 +10% -32% 236 $55   $19,841,915 49
Mar 23, 2012 - $35,840 +177% -16% 224 $160   $19,877,755 50
Mar 24, 2012 - $54,880 +53% +3% 224 $245   $19,932,635 51
Mar 25, 2012 - $33,595 -39% -5% 224 $150   $19,966,230 52
Mar 26, 2012 - $12,320 -63% +4% 224 $55   $19,978,550 53
Mar 27, 2012 - $13,550 +10% +4% 224 $60   $19,992,100 54
Mar 28, 2012 - $12,365 -9% +5% 224 $55   $20,004,465 55
Mar 29, 2012 - $13,440 +9% +4% 224 $60   $20,017,905 56
Mar 30, 2012 - $29,750 +121% -17% 170 $175   $20,047,655 57
Mar 31, 2012 - $40,825 +37% -26% 170 $240   $20,088,480 58
Apr 1, 2012 - $25,485 -38% -24% 170 $150   $20,113,965 59
Apr 2, 2012 - $8,495 -67% -31% 170 $50   $20,122,460 60
Apr 3, 2012 - $11,895 +40% -12% 170 $70   $20,134,355 61
Apr 4, 2012 - $10,200 -14% -18% 170 $60   $20,144,555 62
Apr 5, 2012 - $12,745 +25% -5% 170 $75   $20,157,300 63

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Feb 3, 2012 4 $9,335,935   2,129 $4,385   $9,335,935 1
Feb 10, 2012 8 $5,107,560 -45% 2,133 $2,395   $14,443,495 2
Feb 17, 2012 12 $3,791,280 -26% 1,634 $2,320   $18,234,775 3
Feb 24, 2012 20 $825,805 -78% 628 $1,315   $19,060,580 4
Mar 2, 2012 23 $380,525 -54% 359 $1,060   $19,441,105 5
Mar 9, 2012 35 $220,345 -42% 238 $926   $19,661,450 6
Mar 16, 2012 36 $180,465 -18% 236 $765   $19,841,915 7
Mar 23, 2012 34 $175,990 -2% 224 $786   $20,017,905 8
Mar 30, 2012 39 $139,395 -21% 170 $820   $20,157,300 9

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date		 Opening
Weekend		 Opening
Weekend
Screens		 Maximum
Screens		 Theatrical
Engagements		 Total
Box Office		 Report
Date
Brazil 3/9/2012 $0 0 2 2 $60,538 12/6/2015
Egypt 2/15/2012 $0 0 2 8 $14,995 12/29/2018
Mexico 5/4/2012 $61,878 59 59 166 $169,960 12/10/2015
Peru 1/24/2013 $73,256 39 39 99 $174,139 12/30/2018
Philippines 7/25/2012 $4,217 3 3 3 $4,217 12/29/2018
Spain 3/2/2012 $0 0 4 4 $933,538 12/6/2015
 
Rest of World $3,753,993
 
International Total$5,111,380 12/30/2018

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 6,501-6,600) 6,560 $5,111,380
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 5,601-5,700) 5,690 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 401-500) 462 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 5,401-5,500) 5,458 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 401-500) 463 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,572 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 701-800) 721 $5,111,380
All Time International Box Office for Universal Movies (Rank 401-500) 403 $5,111,380

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,856 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 4,001-4,100) 4,080 $25,268,680
Top 2012 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 101-200) 188 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 301-400) 305 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,101-4,200) 4,199 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 301-400) 356 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 998 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 801-900) 872 $25,268,680
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Universal Movies (Rank 401-500) 484 $25,268,680

Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Jun 24, 20123187,950 187,950$3,005,320$3,005,3201
Jul 1, 2012982,383-56% 270,333$1,644,365$4,649,6852
Jul 8, 20121159,930-27% 330,263$1,196,203$5,845,8883
Jul 15, 20121646,295-23% 376,558$922,659$6,768,5474
Jul 22, 20122623,309-50% 399,867$465,248$7,233,7955
Jul 29, 20122232,790+41% 432,657$513,491$7,747,2866
Aug 5, 20122525,699-22% 458,356$384,457$8,131,7437
Aug 12, 20123010,891-58% 469,247$162,929$8,294,6728
Mar 22, 2020309,385 707,217$37,540$10,531,325405
Mar 29, 2020287,427-21% 714,644$51,098$10,582,423406
Apr 5, 2020276,680-10% 721,324$45,958$10,628,381407

Weekly US Blu-ray Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Jun 24, 2012637,802 37,802$804,794$804,7941
Jul 1, 20121611,848-69% 49,650$284,124$1,088,9182

Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. The market share is converted into a weekly sales estimate based on industry reports on the overall size of the market, including reports published in Media Play News.

For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey.

We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. In particular, we adjust weekly sales figures for the quarter once the total market estimates are published by the Digital Entertainment Group. Figures will therefore fluctuate each week, and totals for individual titles can go up or down as we update our estimates.

Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles.

Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.