Most Popular Movies 2003
This chart shows the 2003 movie releases that have attracted the most interest on The Numbers web site over the past 24 hours. A share of 100 corresponds to 1 percent of the total views for all 2003 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2003 - Top 2003 Worldwide
| Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines |
| Director: Jonathan Mostow |
| Lead Roles: Arnold Schwarzenegger as T-800, Nick Stahl as John Connor |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 1, 2003 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: End of the World, Time Travel, Visual Effects, Delayed Sequel, Motion Capture Performance, Action Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Animation/Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $150,358,296 |
|
International BO: $282,700,000 |
| Hulk |
| Director: Ang Lee |
| Lead Roles: Eric Bana as Dr. Bruce Banner |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 20, 2003 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Marvel Comics, Visual Effects, Split Screen, Motion Capture Performance |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
|
Domestic BO: $132,177,234 |
|
International BO: $112,854,445 |
| The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King |
| Director: Peter Jackson |
| Lead Roles: Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Olando Bloom as Legolas |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 17, 2003 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Lord of the Rings, Visual Effects, Oscars Best Picture Winner, Character's Journey Shown on Map, Motion Capture Performance, Filmed in Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata, New Zealand, Filmed in Matamata, New Zealand, Filmed in New Zealand, Filmed in Stone Street Studios, Wellington, New Zealand, Filmed in Wellington, New Zealand, Filmed in Rangipo Desert, New Zealand, Filmed in Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand, Filmed in Pūtangirua Pinnacles, New Zealand, Filmed in Twizel, New Zealand, Heroic Adventure, 2004 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $379,021,990 |
|
International BO: $742,364,991 |
| School of Rock |
| Director: Richard Linklater |
| Lead Roles: Jack Black as Dewey Finn |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 3, 2003 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Rock 'n' Roll, Inspirational Teacher, Bad Teachers, Musicians, Music Industry, Tournament |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $81,261,177 |
|
International BO: $50,683,495 |
Synopsis
Kicked out of his band and desperate for work, a hell-raising guitarist impersonates a substitute teacher and turns a class of fifth grade high-achievers into high-voltage rock and rollers.
| Deliver Us From Eva |
| Director: Gary Hardwick |
| Lead Roles: LL Cool J as Ray Adams, Gabrielle Union as Eva, Duane Martin as Mike, Essence Atkins as Kareenah, Robinne Lee as Bethany, Meagan Good as Jacqui, Mel Jackson as Tim, Dartanyan Edmonds as Darrell |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 7, 2003 (Wide) by Focus Features |
| Keywords: Romance, Tricked into a Relationship |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $17,573,594 |
| Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd |
| Director: Troy Miller |
| Lead Roles: Eric Christian Olsen as Lloyd Christmas, Derek Richardson as Harry Dunne |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 13, 2003 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Farcical / Slapstick Comedy, Delayed Sequel, Prequel, Sequels Without Their Original Stars, Bullies, Adopted Family, White Collar Crime |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $26,214,846 |
|
International BO: $2,771,512 |
Synopsis
After years of homeschooling, dim-bulb teen Harry Dunne finally makes the leap to public school and meets the equally intellectually challenged Lloyd Christmas. The duo land in a “special needs” class created by Principal Collins in order to bilk money from parents to fund his condo in Waikiki, Hawaii. His corruption is discovered by Jessica, a fellow student who asks Harry and Lloyd to help her prove Collins’ guilt.
| Looney Tunes: Back in Action |
| Director: Joe Dante |
| Lead Roles: Brendan Fraser as Bobby Delmont, Jenna Elfman as Kate Houghton, Steve Martin as Mr. Chairman, Heather Locklear as Dusty Tails |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 14, 2003 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Breaking the Fourth Wall, Family Adventure, Movie Business, Fired, Secret Agent, Ensemble, Gratuitous Cameos, Alien Encounters, Archive Footage, Studio Sinkers, Failed Franchises |
| Classification: Based on Short Film, Adventure, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $20,950,820 |
|
International BO: $33,589,842 |
| Cabin Fever |
| Director: Eli Roth |
| Lead Roles: James DeBello as Bert |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 12, 2003 (Wide) by Lionsgate |
| Keywords: Accidental Death, Cabin in the Woods, Epidemic, Body Horror, Remade, Covering Up an Accidental Death, Directing Yourself |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $21,158,188 |
|
International BO: $9,193,476 |
Synopsis
Bert, a college student vacationing with friends in the mountains, mistakenly shoots a local man with a skin infection while hunting in the woods. Panicking, he abandons the scene and leaves the man for dead. When the man stumbles into a reservoir, he infects the water supply, and soon one of Bert’s friends becomes infected. The friends struggle to stop the contagious, flesh-eating disease while on the run from a group of ornery backwoods locals out for revenge.
| Finding Nemo |
| Director: Andrew Stanton |
| Lead Roles: Albert Brooks as Marlin, Ellen DeGeneres as Dory, Barry Humphries as Bruce the Shark |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 30, 2003 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Faulty Memory, Underwater, Rescue, Family Movie, 3D Re-release, Talking Animals, Animal Lead, 3-D, Animals Gone Bad, Scene in End Credits, Prologue, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Death of a Spouse or Fiancée / Fiancé, Dysfunctional Family, Spoiled Child, 3-D - Post-production Conversion, Filmed in Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, CA, Filmed in Emeryville, CA, Filmed in Alameda County, CA, Filmed in California, United States, Filmed in United States, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $380,529,370 |
|
International BO: $555,565,482 |
Synopsis
The momentous journey of an overprotective clownfish named Marlin and his young son Nemo—who become separated when Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from his ocean home in the Great Barrier Reef to a fish tank in a dentist’s office. Buoyed by the companionship of Dory, a friendly-but-forgetful blue tang, Marlin embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic journey to rescue his son—who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.
| Bad Boys II |
| Director: Michael Bay |
| Lead Roles: Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett, Will Smith as Mike Lowrey |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 18, 2003 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Mafia, Buddy Cop, Buddy Comedy, African Americans |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $138,540,870 |
|
International BO: $134,731,112 |
| Bruce Almighty |
| Director: Tom Shadyac |
| Lead Roles: Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 23, 2003 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Secret Magic, Supernatural, Farcical / Slapstick Comedy, Gods and Goddesses, Wish Granters, Romance, TV News |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $242,704,995 |
|
International BO: $241,763,613 |
| The R.M. |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 31, 2003 (Wide) by Halestone |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $1,111,615 |
| Confidence |
| Director: James Foley |
| Lead Roles: Edward Burns as Jake Vig, Andy Garcia as Gunther Butan |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 25, 2003 (Wide) by Lionsgate |
| Keywords: Confidence Men, Film Noir, Crime Drama, No Honor Among Thieves, Surprise Twist, Faked Death |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $12,212,417 |
|
International BO: $757,984 |
| House of 1,000 Corpses |
| Director: Rob Zombie |
| Lead Roles: Karen Black as Mother Firefly |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 11, 2003 (Limited) by Lionsgate |
| Keywords: Slasher Horror, Cannibalism, Dysfunctional Family, Serial Killer |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $12,634,962 |
|
International BO: $4,370,504 |
| Monster |
| Director: Patty Jenkins |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 24, 2003 (Limited) by Newmarket Films |
| Keywords: Biography, Serial Killer, LGBTQ+, Prostitution, Biographical Drama |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $34,469,210 |
|
International BO: $29,731,111 |
| Cradle 2 the Grave |
| Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak |
| Lead Roles: Jet Li as Su, DMX as Tony Fait |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 28, 2003 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Action Thriller, Heist, Enemies Forced to Work Together, Cops and Robbers, Secret Agent, Surprise Twist, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Organized Crime |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $34,657,731 |
|
International BO: $21,777,211 |
| Pokemon Heroes |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 16, 2003 (Limited) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Anime |
| Classification: Based on TV, Adventure, Hand Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $744,928 |
| Bad Santa |
| Director: Terry Zwigoff |
| Lead Roles: Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Soke, Bernie Mac as Gin Slagel, Tony Cox as Marcus, Brett Kelly as The Kid |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 26, 2003 (Wide) by Miramax/Dimension |
| Keywords: Christmas, Confidence Men, Black Comedy |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Black Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $60,060,328 |
|
International BO: $17,086,703 |
Synopsis
In this dark comedy, the crotchety Willie T. Stokes and his partner reunite once a year for a holiday con. Posing as a mall Santa and his elf, they rip off shopping outlets on Christmas Eve. This year, however, Willie is falling apart. He’s depressed and alcoholic, and his erratic behavior draws the suspicion of mall security. But when befriending a small boy brings out his kinder side, Willie begins to wonder if there is still some hope for him.
| Wrong Turn |
| Director: Rob Schmidt |
| Lead Roles: Eliza Dushku as Jessie Burlingame, Julian Richings as Three Finger |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 30, 2003 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Slasher Horror, Hicksploitation |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $15,417,771 |
|
International BO: $13,231,785 |
Synopsis
Friends Jessie and Carly are traveling with pals Scott, Evan and Francine when they have car trouble in West Virginia. Moments later, motorist Chris crashes into their disabled vehicle. Stranded, the friends discover that they’re being stalked by a horde of backwoods cannibals. The woodsmen are hungry and fierce, and they’ll be eating well unless Jessie and pals can outsmart them.
| Elf |
| Director: Jon Favreau |
| Lead Roles: Will Ferrell as Buddy |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 7, 2003 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Christmas in November, Christmas |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $181,096,587 |
|
International BO: $46,812,848 |
Synopsis
Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs, a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
| Anything Else |
| Director: Woody Allen |
| Lead Roles: Jason Biggs as Jerry Falk, Christina Ricci as Amanda |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 19, 2003 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: Romance |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $3,203,044 |
|
International BO: $10,000,000 |
| X-Men 2 |
| Director: Bryan Singer |
| Lead Roles: Patrick Stewart as Prof. Charles Xavier, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Ian McKellen as Magneto |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 30, 2003 (Wide), released as X-men 2 (Australia) |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Marvel Comics, Faulty Memory, Mutants, Assassination, Political, High School, Prison Break, Action Adventure |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
|
Domestic BO: $214,949,694 |
|
International BO: $191,398,936 |
| Mona Lisa Smile |
| Director: Mike Newell |
| Lead Roles: Julia Roberts as Katherine Watson, Kirsten Dunst as Betty Warren |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 19, 2003 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: College, Inspirational Teacher, Eloping, Coming-of-Age Drama, Coming of Age |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $63,803,100 |
|
International BO: $77,402,069 |
| Wonderland |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 3, 2003 (Limited) by Lionsgate |
| Keywords: Narcotics, Addiction, Non-Chronological, Porn Business, Biography, Epilogue |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $1,060,512 |
|
International BO: $67,956 |
| View from the Top |
| Director: Bruno Barreto |
| Lead Roles: Gwyneth Paltrow as Donna |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 21, 2003 (Wide) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Travel Industry, Disrupted by 2001 September 11 Attacks |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $15,614,000 |
|
International BO: $3,912,014 |
Synopsis
No one thought Donna would go very far. But when she sets her sights on becoming a first-class international flight attendant, Donna throws caution to the wind and takes off in pursuit of her dream. The ride is anything but smooth, however, and Donna's laugh-packed journey of a lifetime is rocked by more turbulence than she bargained for.