Whale Rider (2003)

Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $20,779,666Details
International Box Office $18,594,934Details
Worldwide Box Office $39,374,600
Further financial details...

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$137,418 (0.7% of total gross)
Legs:15.32 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:52.8% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$4,300,000 (worldwide box office is 9.2 times production budget)
Theater counts:9 opening theaters/556 max. theaters, 11.0 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $37,148,387

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

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: June 6th, 2003 (Limited) by Newmarket Films
International Releases: January 30th, 2003 (Limited) (New Zealand)
July 11th, 2003 (Wide) (United Kingdom)
July 13th, 2023 (Limited) (New Zealand)
Video Release: October 28th, 2003 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief language and a momentary drug reference.
Running Time: 101 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Coming-of-Age Drama, Coming of Age, Dysfunctional Family, Woman in a Male Dominated Profession, Sexism, Set in New Zealand, Maori, F-Rated
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production Countries: New Zealand

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Biggest 19th Weekend Limited Release 100 $105,332 Oct 10, 2003 129
Biggest 18th Weekend Limited Release 91 $158,411 Oct 3, 2003 122
Biggest 17th Weekend Limited Release 82 $209,590 Sep 26, 2003 115
Biggest 16th Weekend Limited Release 53 $390,728 Sep 19, 2003 108
Biggest 15th Weekend Limited Release 51 $632,224 Sep 12, 2003 101
Biggest 14th Weekend Limited Release 47 $893,391 Sep 5, 2003 94
Biggest 13th Weekend Limited Release 44 $1,099,725 Aug 29, 2003 87
Biggest 12th Weekend Limited Release 72 $612,495 Aug 22, 2003 80
Biggest 11th Weekend Limited Release 74 $717,744 Aug 15, 2003 73
Biggest 10th Weekend Limited Release 72 $928,293 Aug 8, 2003 66
Biggest 9th Weekend Limited Release 75 $1,105,383 Aug 1, 2003 59
Biggest 8th Weekend Limited Release 93 $1,085,258 Jul 25, 2003 52
Biggest 7th Weekend Limited Release 89 $1,356,525 Jul 18, 2003 45
Top 2003 Theater Average 54 $15,269 Jun 6, 2003 3
Never Wide Domestic 31 $20,779,666 Jun 6, 2003 0

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jun 6, 2003 30 $137,418   9 $15,269   $137,418 1
Jun 13, 2003 27 $161,004 +17% 11 $14,637   $356,659 2
Jun 20, 2003 15 $602,332 +274% 78 $7,722   $1,048,695 3
Jun 27, 2003 14 $977,791 +62% 163 $5,999   $2,303,543 4
Jul 4, 2003 13 $1,242,123 +27% 209 $5,943   $4,140,861 5
Jul 11, 2003 14 $1,089,334 -12% 271 $4,020   $5,800,911 6
Jul 18, 2003 15 $1,356,525 +25% 442 $3,069   $7,749,206 7
Jul 25, 2003 14 $1,085,258 -20% 491 $2,210   $9,577,687 8
Aug 1, 2003 15 $1,105,383 +2% 473 $2,337   $11,300,552 9
Aug 8, 2003 13 $928,293 -16% 434 $2,139   $12,837,852 10
Aug 15, 2003 17 $717,744 -23% 348 $2,062   $14,049,733 11
Aug 22, 2003 21 $612,495 -15% 338 $1,812   $15,049,989 12
Aug 29, 2003 17 $1,099,725 +80% 503 $2,186   $16,900,763 13
Sep 5, 2003 18 $893,391 -19% 556 $1,607   $18,128,226 14
Sep 12, 2003 20 $632,224 -29% 492 $1,285   $19,100,089 15
Sep 19, 2003 24 $390,728 -38% 341 $1,146   $19,699,291 16
Sep 26, 2003 30 $209,590 -46% 237 $884   $20,055,214 17
Oct 3, 2003 32 $158,411 -24% 195 $812   $20,308,150 18
Oct 10, 2003 33 $105,332 -34% 160 $658   $20,480,971 19
Oct 17, 2003 40 $60,904 -42% 130 $468   $20,596,685 20
Oct 24, 2003 44 $40,382 -34% 96 $421   $20,661,128 21
Oct 31, 2003 67 $21,136 -48% 61 $346   $20,702,778 22
Nov 7, 2003 57 $14,054 -34% 45 $312   $20,726,326 23
Nov 14, 2003 74 $13,319 -5% 36 $370   $20,759,517 24
Nov 21, 2003 88 $7,483 -44% 14 $535   $20,772,796 25

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jun 6, 2003 30 $195,655   9 $21,739   $195,655 1
Jun 13, 2003 26 $250,708 +28% 11 $22,792   $446,363 2
Jun 20, 2003 15 $879,389 +251% 78 $11,274   $1,325,752 3
Jun 27, 2003 14 $1,572,986 +79% 163 $9,650   $2,898,738 4
Jul 4, 2003 14 $1,812,839 +15% 209 $8,674   $4,711,577 5
Jul 11, 2003 14 $1,681,104 -7% 271 $6,203   $6,392,681 6
Jul 18, 2003 15 $2,099,748 +25% 442 $4,751   $8,492,429 7
Jul 25, 2003 14 $1,702,740 -19% 491 $3,468   $10,195,169 8
Aug 1, 2003 15 $1,714,390 +1% 473 $3,625   $11,909,559 9
Aug 8, 2003 15 $1,422,430 -17% 434 $3,277   $13,331,989 10
Aug 15, 2003 17 $1,105,505 -22% 348 $3,177   $14,437,494 11
Aug 22, 2003 16 $1,363,544 +23% 338 $4,034   $15,801,038 12
Aug 29, 2003 19 $1,433,797 +5% 503 $2,850   $17,234,835 13
Sep 5, 2003 18 $1,233,030 -14% 556 $2,218   $18,467,865 14
Sep 12, 2003 19 $840,698 -32% 492 $1,709   $19,308,563 15
Sep 19, 2003 23 $537,061 -36% 341 $1,575   $19,845,624 16
Sep 26, 2003 27 $304,115 -43% 237 $1,283   $20,149,739 17
Oct 3, 2003 28 $225,900 -26% 195 $1,158   $20,375,639 18
Oct 10, 2003 31 $160,142 -29% 160 $1,001   $20,535,781 19
Oct 17, 2003 40 $84,965 -47% 130 $654   $20,620,746 20
Oct 24, 2003 48 $60,896 -28% 96 $634   $20,681,642 21
Oct 31, 2003 56 $30,630 -50% 61 $502   $20,712,272 22
Nov 7, 2003 51 $33,926 +11% 45 $754   $20,746,198 23
Nov 14, 2003 75 $19,115 -44% 36 $531   $20,765,313 24
Nov 21, 2003 82 $14,353 -25% 14 $1,025   $20,779,666 25

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
New Zealand 7/13/2023 $0 0 1 2 $193 7/17/2023
United Kingdom 7/11/2003 $0 0 61 277 $1,821,851 6/23/2020
 
Rest of World $16,772,890
 
International Total$18,594,934 7/17/2023

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


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

Keisha Castle-Hughes Paikea "Pai" Apirana

Uncategorized

Cliff Curtis Porourangi

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

Production and Technical Credits

Niki Caro Director
Niki Caro Screenwriter

King Sweeps and Other Oscar Reactions

March 1st, 2004

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of last nights Oscars was the lack of surprises. Even the sweep by Lord of the Rings: Return of the King wasn't that big of a shock. More...

Lost Independence

March 1st, 2004

The Oscars weren't the only award celebration held over the weekend as the IFP Independent Spirit Awards were also handed out. Lost in Translation was the big winner but plenty of other talent was rewarded. More...

King Oscar, Lord of the Nominations

January 27th, 2004

Nominations for the 76the Annual Academy Awards were announced today. As always, here is a list of the nominations, plus reactions below. More...

2003 SAG Nominations Announced

January 18th, 2004

On Thursday the 10th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards(R) Nominations were announced. Here is a list of all the nominations in theatrical categories as well as a brief reaction to them. More...

Hulk Takes Per Theatre Average in Slow Week

June 23rd, 2003


Whale has Legs

June 16th, 2003


Rider Has Whale of an Opening

June 9th, 2003


Movie Websites Launches for May 29 - June 4

June 4th, 2003



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

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$137,418 (0.7% of total gross)
Legs:15.32 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:52.8% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$4,300,000 (worldwide box office is 9.2 times production budget)
Theater counts:9 opening theaters/556 max. theaters, 11.0 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $37,148,387

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

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: June 6th, 2003 (Limited) by Newmarket Films
International Releases: January 30th, 2003 (Limited) (New Zealand)
July 11th, 2003 (Wide) (United Kingdom)
July 13th, 2023 (Limited) (New Zealand)
Video Release: October 28th, 2003 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief language and a momentary drug reference.
Running Time: 101 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Coming-of-Age Drama, Coming of Age, Dysfunctional Family, Woman in a Male Dominated Profession, Sexism, Set in New Zealand, Maori, F-Rated
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production Countries: New Zealand

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Biggest 19th Weekend Limited Release 100 $105,332 Oct 10, 2003 129
Biggest 18th Weekend Limited Release 91 $158,411 Oct 3, 2003 122
Biggest 17th Weekend Limited Release 82 $209,590 Sep 26, 2003 115
Biggest 16th Weekend Limited Release 53 $390,728 Sep 19, 2003 108
Biggest 15th Weekend Limited Release 51 $632,224 Sep 12, 2003 101
Biggest 14th Weekend Limited Release 47 $893,391 Sep 5, 2003 94
Biggest 13th Weekend Limited Release 44 $1,099,725 Aug 29, 2003 87
Biggest 12th Weekend Limited Release 72 $612,495 Aug 22, 2003 80
Biggest 11th Weekend Limited Release 74 $717,744 Aug 15, 2003 73
Biggest 10th Weekend Limited Release 72 $928,293 Aug 8, 2003 66
Biggest 9th Weekend Limited Release 75 $1,105,383 Aug 1, 2003 59
Biggest 8th Weekend Limited Release 93 $1,085,258 Jul 25, 2003 52
Biggest 7th Weekend Limited Release 89 $1,356,525 Jul 18, 2003 45
Top 2003 Theater Average 54 $15,269 Jun 6, 2003 3
Never Wide Domestic 31 $20,779,666 Jun 6, 2003 0

Leading Cast

Keisha Castle-Hughes Paikea "Pai" Apirana

Uncategorized

Cliff Curtis Porourangi

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

Production and Technical Credits

Niki Caro Director
Niki Caro Screenwriter

King Sweeps and Other Oscar Reactions

March 1st, 2004

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of last nights Oscars was the lack of surprises. Even the sweep by Lord of the Rings: Return of the King wasn't that big of a shock. More...

Lost Independence

March 1st, 2004

The Oscars weren't the only award celebration held over the weekend as the IFP Independent Spirit Awards were also handed out. Lost in Translation was the big winner but plenty of other talent was rewarded. More...

King Oscar, Lord of the Nominations

January 27th, 2004

Nominations for the 76the Annual Academy Awards were announced today. As always, here is a list of the nominations, plus reactions below. More...

2003 SAG Nominations Announced

January 18th, 2004

On Thursday the 10th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards(R) Nominations were announced. Here is a list of all the nominations in theatrical categories as well as a brief reaction to them. More...

Hulk Takes Per Theatre Average in Slow Week

June 23rd, 2003


Whale has Legs

June 16th, 2003


Rider Has Whale of an Opening

June 9th, 2003


Movie Websites Launches for May 29 - June 4

June 4th, 2003


Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jun 6, 2003 30 $137,418   9 $15,269   $137,418 1
Jun 13, 2003 27 $161,004 +17% 11 $14,637   $356,659 2
Jun 20, 2003 15 $602,332 +274% 78 $7,722   $1,048,695 3
Jun 27, 2003 14 $977,791 +62% 163 $5,999   $2,303,543 4
Jul 4, 2003 13 $1,242,123 +27% 209 $5,943   $4,140,861 5
Jul 11, 2003 14 $1,089,334 -12% 271 $4,020   $5,800,911 6
Jul 18, 2003 15 $1,356,525 +25% 442 $3,069   $7,749,206 7
Jul 25, 2003 14 $1,085,258 -20% 491 $2,210   $9,577,687 8
Aug 1, 2003 15 $1,105,383 +2% 473 $2,337   $11,300,552 9
Aug 8, 2003 13 $928,293 -16% 434 $2,139   $12,837,852 10
Aug 15, 2003 17 $717,744 -23% 348 $2,062   $14,049,733 11
Aug 22, 2003 21 $612,495 -15% 338 $1,812   $15,049,989 12
Aug 29, 2003 17 $1,099,725 +80% 503 $2,186   $16,900,763 13
Sep 5, 2003 18 $893,391 -19% 556 $1,607   $18,128,226 14
Sep 12, 2003 20 $632,224 -29% 492 $1,285   $19,100,089 15
Sep 19, 2003 24 $390,728 -38% 341 $1,146   $19,699,291 16
Sep 26, 2003 30 $209,590 -46% 237 $884   $20,055,214 17
Oct 3, 2003 32 $158,411 -24% 195 $812   $20,308,150 18
Oct 10, 2003 33 $105,332 -34% 160 $658   $20,480,971 19
Oct 17, 2003 40 $60,904 -42% 130 $468   $20,596,685 20
Oct 24, 2003 44 $40,382 -34% 96 $421   $20,661,128 21
Oct 31, 2003 67 $21,136 -48% 61 $346   $20,702,778 22
Nov 7, 2003 57 $14,054 -34% 45 $312   $20,726,326 23
Nov 14, 2003 74 $13,319 -5% 36 $370   $20,759,517 24
Nov 21, 2003 88 $7,483 -44% 14 $535   $20,772,796 25

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jun 6, 2003 30 $195,655   9 $21,739   $195,655 1
Jun 13, 2003 26 $250,708 +28% 11 $22,792   $446,363 2
Jun 20, 2003 15 $879,389 +251% 78 $11,274   $1,325,752 3
Jun 27, 2003 14 $1,572,986 +79% 163 $9,650   $2,898,738 4
Jul 4, 2003 14 $1,812,839 +15% 209 $8,674   $4,711,577 5
Jul 11, 2003 14 $1,681,104 -7% 271 $6,203   $6,392,681 6
Jul 18, 2003 15 $2,099,748 +25% 442 $4,751   $8,492,429 7
Jul 25, 2003 14 $1,702,740 -19% 491 $3,468   $10,195,169 8
Aug 1, 2003 15 $1,714,390 +1% 473 $3,625   $11,909,559 9
Aug 8, 2003 15 $1,422,430 -17% 434 $3,277   $13,331,989 10
Aug 15, 2003 17 $1,105,505 -22% 348 $3,177   $14,437,494 11
Aug 22, 2003 16 $1,363,544 +23% 338 $4,034   $15,801,038 12
Aug 29, 2003 19 $1,433,797 +5% 503 $2,850   $17,234,835 13
Sep 5, 2003 18 $1,233,030 -14% 556 $2,218   $18,467,865 14
Sep 12, 2003 19 $840,698 -32% 492 $1,709   $19,308,563 15
Sep 19, 2003 23 $537,061 -36% 341 $1,575   $19,845,624 16
Sep 26, 2003 27 $304,115 -43% 237 $1,283   $20,149,739 17
Oct 3, 2003 28 $225,900 -26% 195 $1,158   $20,375,639 18
Oct 10, 2003 31 $160,142 -29% 160 $1,001   $20,535,781 19
Oct 17, 2003 40 $84,965 -47% 130 $654   $20,620,746 20
Oct 24, 2003 48 $60,896 -28% 96 $634   $20,681,642 21
Oct 31, 2003 56 $30,630 -50% 61 $502   $20,712,272 22
Nov 7, 2003 51 $33,926 +11% 45 $754   $20,746,198 23
Nov 14, 2003 75 $19,115 -44% 36 $531   $20,765,313 24
Nov 21, 2003 82 $14,353 -25% 14 $1,025   $20,779,666 25

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
New Zealand 7/13/2023 $0 0 1 2 $193 7/17/2023
United Kingdom 7/11/2003 $0 0 61 277 $1,821,851 6/23/2020
 
Rest of World $16,772,890
 
International Total$18,594,934 7/17/2023

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


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.