Most Popular Movies 2004
This chart shows the 2004 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 2004 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2004 - Top 2004 Worldwide
| ← 2003 | Most Popular Overall | 2005 → |
| Shrek 2 |
| Director: Conrad Vernon, Kelly Asbury, Andrew Adamson |
| Lead Roles: Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 19, 2004 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: In-Laws / Future In-Laws, 3-D, 3-D - Post-production Conversion, Filmed in DreamWorks Animation, Glendale, CA, Filmed in Glendale, CA, Filmed in Los Angeles County, CA, Filmed in California, United States, Filmed in United States, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $441,426,807 |
|
International BO: $494,027,731 |
Synopsis
After battling a fire-breathing dragon and the evil Lord Farquaad to win the hand of Princess Fiona, Shrek now faces his greatest challenge: the in-laws. Shrek and Princess Fiona return from their honeymoon to find an invitation to visit Fiona's parents, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away. With Donkey along for the ride, the newlyweds set off. All of the citizens of Far, Far Away turn out to greet their returning Princess, and her parents happily anticipate the homecoming of their daughter and her new Prince. But no one could have prepared them for the sight of their new son-in-law, not to mention how much their little girl had changed. Little did Shrek and Fiona know that their marriage had foiled all of her father's plans for her future--and his own. Now the King must enlist the help of a powerful Fairy Godmother, the handsome Prince Charming and that famed ogre killer 'Puss In Boots' to put right his version of "happily ever after."
|
Domestic BO: $374,715,055 |
|
International BO: $421,173,072 |
| Garfield: The Movie |
| Director: Peter Hewitt |
| Lead Roles: Breckin Meyer as Jon Arbuckle, Jennifer Love Hewitt as Dr. Liz Wilson, Bill Murray as Garfield |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 11, 2004 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox, released as Garfield The Movie |
| Keywords: Live Action Cartoon, Comic Strip, Talking Animals, Animal Lead, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $75,367,693 |
|
International BO: $132,726,857 |
| The Aviator |
| Director: Martin Scorsese |
| Lead Roles: Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 17, 2004 (Limited) by Miramax |
| Keywords: Biographical Drama, Biography, 2005 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $102,608,827 |
|
International BO: $105,762,065 |
| The Polar Express |
| Director: Robert Zemeckis |
| Lead Roles: Tom Hanks as The Conductor/Hero Boy/Father/Hobo/Scrooge/Santa Claus |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 10, 2004 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Christmas in November, Christmas, Same Actor, Multiple Roles, Family Movie, IMAX: DMR, Motion Capture Performance, 3-D, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $188,042,855 |
|
International BO: $124,140,582 |
Synopsis
A young boy lies awake in his room one snowy Christmas Eve, excited and alert. Breathing silently. Hardly moving. Waiting. He's listening for a sound he's afraid that he might never hear - the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh. The time is five minutes to midnight. Suddenly, the boy is startled by a thunderous roar. Clearing the mist from his window he sees the most amazing sight - a gleaming black train rumbles to a stop right in front of his house, the steam from its powerful engine hissing through the night sky and the softly falling snowflakes. The boy rushes outside, clad only in his pajamas and slippers, and is met by the train's conductor who seems to be waiting just for him. "Well, are you coming?" the conductor asks. "Where?" "Why, to the North Pole, of course. This is the Polar Express!"
| The Passion of the Christ |
| Director: Mel Gibson |
| Lead Roles: James Caviezel as Jesus |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 19, 2004 (Wide) by Icon (Australia) (Australia) |
| Keywords: Religious, Dead Language, Faith-Based Film, Faith-Based Drama, Filmed in Cinecittà Studios, Rome, Italy, Filmed in Rome, Italy, Filmed in Italy, Filmed in Matera, Italy, Filmed in Craco, Italy |
| Classification: Based on Religious Text, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $370,782,930 |
|
International BO: $251,530,705 |
Synopsis
This depiction of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus opens with his betrayal by Judas, his condemnation by the Pharisees and his appearance before Pontius Pilate. Pilate defers to King Herod, but Herod returns Jesus. Pilate then asks the crowd to choose between Jesus and Barrabas. The crowd chooses Barrabas. Pilate washes his hands of the matter, and Jesus is forced to carry the cross through the streets to Golgotha where Roman soldiers crucify him. Although Jesus briefly fears that God, his Father, has abandoned him, he regains his faith, proclaiming “Into Thy hands I command my spirit.” At the moment of his death, nature itself over-turns.
| Shaun of the Dead |
| Director: Edgar Wright |
| Lead Roles: Simon Pegg as Shaun, Nick Frost as Ed |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 24, 2004 (Wide) by Focus/Rogue Pictures |
| Keywords: Zombies, Horror Comedy |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $13,542,874 |
|
International BO: $15,449,784 |
Synopsis
On Friday, Shaun is in a rut. At 29, he’s coasted through life—and still hasn’t gotten very far, usually winding up at the local pub, the Winchester. His roommate Ed looks up to him—when he can take his eyes off the TV, that is. Liz is re-evaluating their relationship, particularly after Shaun fails to do something special for their anniversary on Saturday. That day, there are train delays, people fainting in the streets, TV news reports of unexplained calamities— and did that homeless man just try to eat a…? No, it can’t be…But, it is—the dead have risen. Saturday’s isolated incidents mushroom into a full-on zombie assault and, once daylight breaks, it’s Sunday bloody Sunday. As manners and flesh take a beating, it’s time to separate men from meat, humans from zombies, and living from undead. Shaun and Ed grab whatever is at hand to repel the attacking zombies, summoning reserves of strength they didn’t know they possessed and straining muscles they forgot they had. Rounding up friends and family, they press on towards the sanctuary of the Winchester. All that stands in their way are hordes of the flesh-eating undead…
| The Notebook |
| Director: Nick Cassavetes |
| Lead Roles: Ryan Gosling as Young Noah Calhoun, Rachel McAdams as Young Allie Hamilton |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 25, 2004 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Cross-Class Romance, Romance, World War II, Coming of Age, Twins, Relatives Playing Relatives, Unnamed Character, Voiceover/Narration, Sex Crimes, Animated Sequences, Jewish, Bigotry, War Crimes, Holocaust, Dysfunctional Family, Pedophilia, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Child Abuse, Romantic Drama |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $81,001,787 |
|
International BO: $34,935,376 |
| Ladder 49 |
| Director: Jay Russell |
| Lead Roles: John Travolta as Chief Kennedy |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 1, 2004 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Non-Chronological, Firefighter, Survival Thriller |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $74,541,707 |
|
International BO: $27,791,141 |
| Napoleon Dynamite |
| Director: Jared Hess |
| Lead Roles: Jon Heder as Napoleon Dynamite |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 11, 2004 (Limited) by Fox Searchlight |
| Keywords: High School Hell, Bullies, Dysfunctional Family, Romance, Political Campaign, Director Remaking Their Own Movie, New Guy/Girl in School, Slobs vs. Snobs, Long Distance Romance, Interracial Romance, Farcical / Slapstick Comedy |
| Classification: Based on Short Film, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $44,540,956 |
|
International BO: $1,581,757 |
Synopsis
In small-town Preston, Idaho, awkward teen Napoleon Dynamite has trouble fitting in. After his grandmother is injured in an accident, his life is made even worse when his strangely nostalgic uncle, Rico, shows up to keep an eye on him. With no safe haven at home or at school, Napoleon befriends the new kid, Pedro, a morose Hispanic boy who speaks little English. Together the two launch a campaign to run for class president.
| Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle |
| Director: Danny Leiner |
| Lead Roles: John Cho as Harold, Kal Penn as Kumar |
| Initial Theatrical Release: July 30, 2004 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Road Trip, Narcotics, Fictionalized Version of Yourself, Stoner Comedy |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $18,225,165 |
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International BO: $1,249,387 |
| Open Water |
| Director: Chris Kentis |
| Lead Roles: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 6, 2004 (Wide) by Lionsgate |
| Keywords: Survival Horror |
| Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $30,500,882 |
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International BO: $25,017,759 |
| AVP: Alien Vs. Predator |
| Director: Paul W.S. Anderson |
| Lead Roles: Lance Henriksen as Charles Weyland, Sanaa Lathan as Alexa Woods |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 13, 2004 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Franchise Crossover, Parasite, Alien Invasion |
| Classification: Spin-Off, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $80,281,096 |
|
International BO: $92,262,423 |
| The Chronicles of Riddick |
| Director: David Twohy |
| Lead Roles: Vin Diesel as Richard B. Riddick |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 11, 2004 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Rescue, Action Adventure, Bounty Hunter, Bounty/Price on one's Head |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $57,712,751 |
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International BO: $49,500,000 |
| Barbershop 2: Back in Business |
| Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan |
| Lead Roles: Ice Cube as Calvin Palmer, Cedric the Entertainer as Eddie, Sean Patrick Thomas as Jimmy James, Eve as Terri, Troy Garity as Isaac Rosenberg, Michael Ealy as Ricky Nash, Leonard Earl Howze as Dinka, Harry J. Lennix as Quentin Leroux, Queen Latifah as Gina |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 6, 2004 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Beauty Industry, African Americans, Hood Film, Comedy Drama |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $65,070,412 |
|
International BO: $772,000 |
| Raja |
| Director: Jacques Doillon |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 26, 2004 (Limited) |
| Classification: Drama |
|
Domestic BO: $13,000 |
| The Punisher |
| Director: Jonathan Hensleigh |
| Lead Roles: Thomas Jane as Frank Castle/The Punisher, John Travolta as Howard Saint |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 16, 2004 (Wide) by Lionsgate |
| Keywords: Marvel Comics, Revenge, Death of a Spouse or Fiancée / Fiancé, Death of a Son or Daughter, LGBTQ+, Closeted Homosexual, Crime, Organized Crime, Action Thriller, Crime Boss |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
|
Domestic BO: $33,664,370 |
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International BO: $20,869,404 |
| Tokyo Godfathers |
| Director: Satoshi Kon |
| Lead Roles: Jon Avner as Gin, Grace Victoria Cox as Miyuki, Shakina Nayfack as Hana |
| Initial Theatrical Release: January 16, 2004 (Limited) by IDP Distribution |
| Keywords: Anime |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Hand Animation, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $366,566 |
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International BO: $480,540 |
Synopsis
In modern-day Tokyo, three homeless people’s lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve. As the New Year fast approaches, these three forgotten members of society band together to solve the mystery of the abandoned child and the fate of her parents. Along the way, encounters with seemingly unrelated events and people force them to confront their own haunted pasts, as they learn to face their future, together.
| Collateral |
| Director: Michael Mann |
| Lead Roles: Tom Cruise as Vincent, Jamie Foxx as Max |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 6, 2004 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: Hitmen, Film Noir |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $100,170,152 |
|
International BO: $117,432,815 |
Synopsis
A cab driver realizes his current fare is a hit man that has been having him drive around from mark to mark until the last witness to a crime is dead. When the cabbie finally figures out the truth, he must prevent the assassin from wiping out his last witness without becoming the next in the professional killer’s line of casualties.
| The Incredibles |
| Director: Brad Bird |
| Lead Roles: Craig T. Nelson as Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible, Holly Hunter as Helen Parr/Elastigirl, Samuel L. Jackson as Lucius Best/Frozone, Sarah Vowell as Violet Parr, Spencer Fox as Dashiell 'Dash' Parr |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 22, 2004 (Wide) (Australia) |
| Keywords: Family Movie, Boss From Hell, Secret Identity, Coming of Age, Robot, Dysfunctional Family, News, Voiceover/Narration, Breaking the Fourth Wall, Mid-Life Crisis, Surprise Twist, Prologue, Babysitters, IMAX: DMR, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $261,441,092 |
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International BO: $370,000,000 |
Synopsis
Known to the world as superheroes Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, Bob Parr and his wife Helen were among the world's greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live “normal” lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment.
| Joze to tora to sakana tachi |
| Director: Isshin Inudô |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 29, 2004 (Wide) (South Korea) |
| Classification: Remake, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
International BO: $1,069,674 |
| Flight of the Phoenix |
| Director: John Moore |
| Lead Roles: Dennis Quaid as Frank Towns, Giovanni Ribisi as Elliott, Tyrese Gibson as AJ, Miranda Otto as Kelly |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 17, 2004 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Marooned, Remake, In a Plane, Disaster, Surprise Twist, Epilogue |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $21,009,180 |
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International BO: $13,000,000 |
Synopsis
A group of air crash survivors are stranded in the Mongolian desert with no chance of rescue. Facing a brutal environment, dwindling resources, and an attack by desert smugglers, they realize their only hope is doing the "impossible"--building a new plane from the wreckage.
| National Treasure |
| Director: Jon Turteltaub |
| Lead Roles: Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 19, 2004 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Treasure Hunters, Chase Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $173,005,002 |
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International BO: $158,318,408 |
| Cock Fight |
| Director: Rod Slane |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 13, 2004 (Limited) |
|
Domestic BO: $3,600 |
| Hellboy |
| Director: Guillermo del Toro |
| Lead Roles: Ron Perlman as Hellboy |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 2, 2004 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Dark Horse Comics, Demons, Action Horror |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
|
Domestic BO: $59,623,958 |
|
International BO: $40,200,000 |