The Whale (2011)

The Whale poster
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $81,212Details
Further financial details...

Synopsis

Set on the rugged western coast of Vancouver Island and narrated by Ryan Reynolds, this documentary describes what happens when Luna, a baby orca, gets separated from his family and unexpectedly starts making contact with people along a scenic fjord called Nootka Sound. Because orcas are highly social beings who spend their lives traveling with their pods, Luna attempts to find a surrogate family among the area residents, much to their delight. But as word spreads about Luna, people become torn between their love for the lonely young whale and fears that human contact might harm him. As Luna’s determination and charm change human lives all around him and make the unexpected the norm on Nootka Sound, the film becomes an unforgettable narrative about the mysteries, the dangers —and the promise—of friendship across forbidden boundaries.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$4,835 (6.0% of total gross)
Legs:11.20 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:2 opening theaters/5 max. theaters, 9.2 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $110,290

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 13,201-13,300) 13,275 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 25,701-25,800) 25,711 $81,212
All Time Domestic Highest Grossing Limited Release Movies (Rank 5,001-5,100) 5,012 $81,212

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


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: September 9th, 2011 (Limited) by Paladin
Video Release: December 4th, 2012 by Docurama Video
MPAA Rating: G
(Rating bulletin 2147, 11/17/2010)
Running Time: 85 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Cove
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Voiceover/Narration, Animal Lead, Animal Rights
Source:Based on Real Life Events
Genre:Documentary
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Factual
Production/Financing Companies: Telefilm Canada, Theatrical Documentary Program, Mountianside Films
Production Countries: Canada
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Biggest 39th Weekend Limited Release 86 $659 Jun 1, 2012 269

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 13,201-13,300) 13,275 $81,212
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 12,601-12,700) 12,653 $110,290
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 12,201-12,300) 12,275 $81,212
Top 2011 Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 301-400) 364 $81,212
All Time Domestic Highest Grossing Limited Release Movies (Rank 5,001-5,100) 5,012 $81,212
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office for Limited Release Movies (Rank 5,001-5,100) 5,057 $110,290
Top 2011 Limited Release Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 197 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700) 1,628 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 11,701-11,800) 11,730 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Factual Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 996 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Documentary Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 920 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for G Movies (Rank 301-400) 330 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Paladin Movies 9 $81,212

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Sep 9, 2011 96 $4,835   2 $2,418   $4,835 1
Sep 16, 2011 115 $1,394 -71% 2 $697   $8,481 2
Sep 23, 2011 99 $4,314 +209% 1 $4,314   $13,416 3
Sep 30, 2011 91 $4,556 +6% 2 $2,278   $18,779 4
Oct 7, 2011 118 $757 -83% 1 $757   $20,542 5
Oct 14, 2011 107 $3,183 +320% 2 $1,592   $23,947 6
Oct 21, 2011 109 $2,226 -30% 1 $2,226   $27,461 7
Nov 4, 2011 84 $4,917   2 $2,459   $32,760 9
Nov 11, 2011 102 $1,275 -74% 1 $1,275   $38,231 10
Nov 18, 2011 69 $7,254 +469% 5 $1,451   $45,643 11
Nov 25, 2011 70 $6,604 -9% 2 $3,302   $53,991 12
Dec 2, 2011 96 $707 -89% 1 $707   $55,224 13
Dec 9, 2011 95 $998 +41% 1 $998   $56,222 14
Dec 16, 2011 85 $1,028 +3% 1 $1,028   $57,986 15
Dec 23, 2011 76 $290 -72% 1 $290   $58,728 16
Dec 30, 2011 74 $1,615 +457% 3 $538   $61,120 17
Jan 6, 2012 71 $3,631 +125% 3 $1,210   $65,121 18
Jan 13, 2012 85 $1,109 -69% 3 $370   $66,421 19
Jan 27, 2012 91 $553   1 $553   $68,083 21
Feb 3, 2012 91 $115 -79% 1 $115   $68,285 22
Feb 10, 2012 98 $548 +377% 1 $548   $69,267 23
Feb 17, 2012 97 $677 +24% 1 $677   $69,944 24
Feb 24, 2012 93 $1,496 +121% 1 $1,496   $71,873 25
Mar 2, 2012 103 $786 -47% 1 $786   $72,742 26
Mar 9, 2012 112 $161 -80% 1 $161   $76,171 27
Mar 23, 2012 101 $266   1 $266   $76,447 29
Apr 6, 2012 83 $982   1 $982   $77,617 31
Apr 20, 2012 105 $554   1 $554   $78,672 33
May 11, 2012 110 $595   1 $595   $80,017 36
Jun 1, 2012 107 $659   1 $659   $81,212 39

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Sep 9, 2011 94 $7,087   2 $3,544   $7,087 1
Sep 16, 2011 115 $2,015 -72% 2 $1,008   $9,102 2
Sep 23, 2011 99 $5,121 +154% 1 $5,121   $14,223 3
Sep 30, 2011 90 $5,562 +9% 2 $2,781   $19,785 4
Oct 7, 2011 115 $978 -82% 1 $978   $20,764 5
Oct 14, 2011 100 $4,324 +342% 2 $2,162   $25,235 6
Oct 21, 2011 99 $2,608 -40% 1 $2,608   $27,843 7
Nov 4, 2011 80 $9,113   2 $4,557   $36,956 9
Nov 11, 2011 100 $1,434 -84% 1 $1,434   $38,390 10
Nov 18, 2011 78 $8,998 +527% 5 $1,800   $47,387 11
Nov 25, 2011 71 $7,131 -21% 2 $3,566   $54,517 12
Dec 2, 2011 91 $707 -90% 1 $707   $55,224 13
Dec 9, 2011 87 $1,734 +145% 1 $1,734   $56,958 14
Dec 16, 2011 83 $1,480 -15% 1 $1,480   $58,438 15
Dec 23, 2011 82 $1,067 -28% 1 $1,067   $59,505 16
Dec 30, 2011 77 $1,985 +86% 3 $662   $61,490 17
Jan 6, 2012 71 $4,723 +138% 3 $1,574   $66,213 18
Jan 13, 2012 88 $1,317 -72% 3 $439   $67,530 19
Jan 27, 2012 84 $640   1 $640   $68,170 21
Feb 3, 2012 86 $549 -14% 1 $549   $68,719 22
Feb 10, 2012 90 $548 n/c 1 $548   $69,267 23
Feb 17, 2012 106 $1,110 +103% 1 $1,110   $70,377 24
Feb 24, 2012 97 $1,579 +42% 1 $1,579   $71,956 25
Mar 2, 2012 85 $4,054 +157% 1 $4,054   $76,010 26
Mar 9, 2012 116 $171 -96% 1 $171   $76,181 27
Mar 23, 2012 101 $454   1 $454   $76,635 29
Apr 6, 2012 99 $1,483   1 $1,483   $77,930 31
May 4, 2012 106 $750   1 $750   $79,422 35
May 11, 2012 105 $1,131 +51% 1 $1,131   $80,553 36

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.

Narrator(s)

Ryan Reynolds    Narrator

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

Production and Technical Credits

Michael Parfit    Director
Suzanne Chisholm    Director
Michael Parfit    Screenwriter
Michael Parfit    Producer
Suzanne Chisholm    Producer
Ryan Reynolds    Executive Producer
Scarlett Johansson    Executive Producer
Eric Desatnik    Executive Producer
Suzanne Chisholm    Executive Producer
Michael Parfit    Editor
David Parfitt    Composer
Tobin Stokes    Composer
Suzanne Chisholm    Director of Photography
Michael Parfit    Director of Photography
Alanna Komisar    Associate Producer
Vicki Komisar    Associate Producer
David Parfitt    Sound Mixer
Frank Morrone    Re-recording Mixer
Tony Gort    Re-recording Mixer
David Parfitt    Sound Designer

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

Per Theater Chart: Laughing at the Competition

September 14th, 2011

There was only one film to reach the $10,000 mark on the per theater chart, but it did it with style. Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain earned just under $2 million in 98 theaters for an average of $19,474. I wasn't expecting it to earn $2 million in total. More...

Turning Limited Releases Inside Out

September 9th, 2011

There is a lot of excitement when it comes to specialty films and potential Awards Season players, because it's time for the Toronto International Film Festival. Unfortunately for those not in Toronto, your choices are a lot more limited. Fortunately for those not in Toronto, you are not in Toronto. (I'm Canadian, so I'm constitutionally obligated to make fun of Toronto.) There are a few new limited releases earning good reviews, but far more that critics are a lot less kind to, and none seem destined for significant box office success. More...


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

Synopsis

Set on the rugged western coast of Vancouver Island and narrated by Ryan Reynolds, this documentary describes what happens when Luna, a baby orca, gets separated from his family and unexpectedly starts making contact with people along a scenic fjord called Nootka Sound. Because orcas are highly social beings who spend their lives traveling with their pods, Luna attempts to find a surrogate family among the area residents, much to their delight. But as word spreads about Luna, people become torn between their love for the lonely young whale and fears that human contact might harm him. As Luna’s determination and charm change human lives all around him and make the unexpected the norm on Nootka Sound, the film becomes an unforgettable narrative about the mysteries, the dangers —and the promise—of friendship across forbidden boundaries.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$4,835 (6.0% of total gross)
Legs:11.20 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:2 opening theaters/5 max. theaters, 9.2 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $110,290

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 13,201-13,300) 13,275 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 25,701-25,800) 25,711 $81,212
All Time Domestic Highest Grossing Limited Release Movies (Rank 5,001-5,100) 5,012 $81,212

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


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: September 9th, 2011 (Limited) by Paladin
Video Release: December 4th, 2012 by Docurama Video
MPAA Rating: G
(Rating bulletin 2147, 11/17/2010)
Running Time: 85 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Cove
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Voiceover/Narration, Animal Lead, Animal Rights
Source:Based on Real Life Events
Genre:Documentary
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Factual
Production/Financing Companies: Telefilm Canada, Theatrical Documentary Program, Mountianside Films
Production Countries: Canada
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Biggest 39th Weekend Limited Release 86 $659 Jun 1, 2012 269

Narrator(s)

Ryan Reynolds    Narrator

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

Production and Technical Credits

Michael Parfit    Director
Suzanne Chisholm    Director
Michael Parfit    Screenwriter
Michael Parfit    Producer
Suzanne Chisholm    Producer
Ryan Reynolds    Executive Producer
Scarlett Johansson    Executive Producer
Eric Desatnik    Executive Producer
Suzanne Chisholm    Executive Producer
Michael Parfit    Editor
David Parfitt    Composer
Tobin Stokes    Composer
Suzanne Chisholm    Director of Photography
Michael Parfit    Director of Photography
Alanna Komisar    Associate Producer
Vicki Komisar    Associate Producer
David Parfitt    Sound Mixer
Frank Morrone    Re-recording Mixer
Tony Gort    Re-recording Mixer
David Parfitt    Sound Designer

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

Per Theater Chart: Laughing at the Competition

September 14th, 2011

There was only one film to reach the $10,000 mark on the per theater chart, but it did it with style. Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain earned just under $2 million in 98 theaters for an average of $19,474. I wasn't expecting it to earn $2 million in total. More...

Turning Limited Releases Inside Out

September 9th, 2011

There is a lot of excitement when it comes to specialty films and potential Awards Season players, because it's time for the Toronto International Film Festival. Unfortunately for those not in Toronto, your choices are a lot more limited. Fortunately for those not in Toronto, you are not in Toronto. (I'm Canadian, so I'm constitutionally obligated to make fun of Toronto.) There are a few new limited releases earning good reviews, but far more that critics are a lot less kind to, and none seem destined for significant box office success. More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 13,201-13,300) 13,275 $81,212
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 12,601-12,700) 12,653 $110,290
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 12,201-12,300) 12,275 $81,212
Top 2011 Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 301-400) 364 $81,212
All Time Domestic Highest Grossing Limited Release Movies (Rank 5,001-5,100) 5,012 $81,212
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office for Limited Release Movies (Rank 5,001-5,100) 5,057 $110,290
Top 2011 Limited Release Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 197 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700) 1,628 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 11,701-11,800) 11,730 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Factual Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 996 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Documentary Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 920 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for G Movies (Rank 301-400) 330 $81,212
All Time Domestic Box Office for Paladin Movies 9 $81,212

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Sep 9, 2011 96 $4,835   2 $2,418   $4,835 1
Sep 16, 2011 115 $1,394 -71% 2 $697   $8,481 2
Sep 23, 2011 99 $4,314 +209% 1 $4,314   $13,416 3
Sep 30, 2011 91 $4,556 +6% 2 $2,278   $18,779 4
Oct 7, 2011 118 $757 -83% 1 $757   $20,542 5
Oct 14, 2011 107 $3,183 +320% 2 $1,592   $23,947 6
Oct 21, 2011 109 $2,226 -30% 1 $2,226   $27,461 7
Nov 4, 2011 84 $4,917   2 $2,459   $32,760 9
Nov 11, 2011 102 $1,275 -74% 1 $1,275   $38,231 10
Nov 18, 2011 69 $7,254 +469% 5 $1,451   $45,643 11
Nov 25, 2011 70 $6,604 -9% 2 $3,302   $53,991 12
Dec 2, 2011 96 $707 -89% 1 $707   $55,224 13
Dec 9, 2011 95 $998 +41% 1 $998   $56,222 14
Dec 16, 2011 85 $1,028 +3% 1 $1,028   $57,986 15
Dec 23, 2011 76 $290 -72% 1 $290   $58,728 16
Dec 30, 2011 74 $1,615 +457% 3 $538   $61,120 17
Jan 6, 2012 71 $3,631 +125% 3 $1,210   $65,121 18
Jan 13, 2012 85 $1,109 -69% 3 $370   $66,421 19
Jan 27, 2012 91 $553   1 $553   $68,083 21
Feb 3, 2012 91 $115 -79% 1 $115   $68,285 22
Feb 10, 2012 98 $548 +377% 1 $548   $69,267 23
Feb 17, 2012 97 $677 +24% 1 $677   $69,944 24
Feb 24, 2012 93 $1,496 +121% 1 $1,496   $71,873 25
Mar 2, 2012 103 $786 -47% 1 $786   $72,742 26
Mar 9, 2012 112 $161 -80% 1 $161   $76,171 27
Mar 23, 2012 101 $266   1 $266   $76,447 29
Apr 6, 2012 83 $982   1 $982   $77,617 31
Apr 20, 2012 105 $554   1 $554   $78,672 33
May 11, 2012 110 $595   1 $595   $80,017 36
Jun 1, 2012 107 $659   1 $659   $81,212 39

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Sep 9, 2011 94 $7,087   2 $3,544   $7,087 1
Sep 16, 2011 115 $2,015 -72% 2 $1,008   $9,102 2
Sep 23, 2011 99 $5,121 +154% 1 $5,121   $14,223 3
Sep 30, 2011 90 $5,562 +9% 2 $2,781   $19,785 4
Oct 7, 2011 115 $978 -82% 1 $978   $20,764 5
Oct 14, 2011 100 $4,324 +342% 2 $2,162   $25,235 6
Oct 21, 2011 99 $2,608 -40% 1 $2,608   $27,843 7
Nov 4, 2011 80 $9,113   2 $4,557   $36,956 9
Nov 11, 2011 100 $1,434 -84% 1 $1,434   $38,390 10
Nov 18, 2011 78 $8,998 +527% 5 $1,800   $47,387 11
Nov 25, 2011 71 $7,131 -21% 2 $3,566   $54,517 12
Dec 2, 2011 91 $707 -90% 1 $707   $55,224 13
Dec 9, 2011 87 $1,734 +145% 1 $1,734   $56,958 14
Dec 16, 2011 83 $1,480 -15% 1 $1,480   $58,438 15
Dec 23, 2011 82 $1,067 -28% 1 $1,067   $59,505 16
Dec 30, 2011 77 $1,985 +86% 3 $662   $61,490 17
Jan 6, 2012 71 $4,723 +138% 3 $1,574   $66,213 18
Jan 13, 2012 88 $1,317 -72% 3 $439   $67,530 19
Jan 27, 2012 84 $640   1 $640   $68,170 21
Feb 3, 2012 86 $549 -14% 1 $549   $68,719 22
Feb 10, 2012 90 $548 n/c 1 $548   $69,267 23
Feb 17, 2012 106 $1,110 +103% 1 $1,110   $70,377 24
Feb 24, 2012 97 $1,579 +42% 1 $1,579   $71,956 25
Mar 2, 2012 85 $4,054 +157% 1 $4,054   $76,010 26
Mar 9, 2012 116 $171 -96% 1 $171   $76,181 27
Mar 23, 2012 101 $454   1 $454   $76,635 29
Apr 6, 2012 99 $1,483   1 $1,483   $77,930 31
May 4, 2012 106 $750   1 $750   $79,422 35
May 11, 2012 105 $1,131 +51% 1 $1,131   $80,553 36

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 25,701-25,800) 25,711 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 24,101-24,200) 24,146 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 2,801-2,900) 2,805 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 21,901-22,000) 21,911 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Factual Movies (Rank 1,901-2,000) 1,901 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Documentary Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700) 1,694 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Box Office for G Movies (Rank 301-400) 376 $81,212
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Paladin Movies 15 $81,212

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.