“2016: Obama’s America” became the second highest-grossing political documentary ever this weekend, but it has a ways to go to catch “Farenheit 9/11” — and Justin Bieber– on the all-time list.
Produced for roughly $2.1 million, the film — with its catchphrase, "Love Him. Hate Him. You Don't Know Him" — has taken in $26 million in nine weeks of release. That puts it ahead of political documentaries “Bowling for Columbine" ($21.5 million), “An Inconvenient Truth" ($24.1 million) and "Sicko" ($24.5 million).
Moore's 2004 film "Farenheit 9/11," which took in $119 million domestically and $222 million at the worldwide box office, is No. 1 among political –and all — documentaries.
Also read: '2016: Obama's America' Author Dinesh D'Souza Fires Back at AP 'Fact Check'
“2016: Obama’s America” stands as the sixth highest-grossing film among documentaries of all sorts. Besides "Farenheit," it is behind 2005’s “March of the Penguins” ($77 million), 2011’s “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” ($73 million), Buena Vista’s 2009 film “Earth” ($32 million) and from earlier this year, “Chimpanzee” ($28 million.
"'2016' has now outpaced films by Katy Perry, Al Gore and Michael Moore, all of which nobody thought possible," MJM Entertainment's Mark Joseph, who lead the marketing campaign, told TheWrap Sunday. "Although it will be a steep climb to overtake Justin Bieber and 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' if the Heartland gets behind something, almost anything can happen."
Also read: '2016: Obama's America': What the Surprise Right-Wing Hit Says About the Election
It would be an extremely steep climb. “2016: Obama’s America” moved into the No. 6 slot while posting a roughly 40 percent drop from last week — taking in $3.3 million — after Rocky Mountain Pictures expanded it to 2,017 locations from last week's 1,747. That’s an average of $1,627 per screen.
Based on conservative author Dinesh D'Souza's book, "The Roots of Obama's Rage," the documentary purports to show what the nation will be like should President Obama be re-elected, and includes an interview with the president's half brother, George Obama.
D’Souza narrates and co-directed the film with John Sullivan.
).