MacGillivray Freeman’s “National Parks Adventure,” featuring the narration of Oscar winner Robert Redford, is now the highest grossing documentary of the year.
It has been in theaters for 41 weeks and surpassed political documentary “Hillary’s America” ($13.1 million) for a domestic total that now stands at $17.6 million.
The nature appreciation doc has also made $5.2 million overseas, bringing its global total to $22.8 million. The movie clearly benefited from higher average ticket prices on IMAX screens.
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An appreciation of the untamed wilderness to celebrate 100 years of America’s national parks, the movie was filmed with state-of-the-art IMAX 3D cameras, and has been praised by critics for its stunning visual beauty.
“National Parks Adventure” carries a somewhat short 45-minute runtime and takes viewers to the red rock canyons, over mountain peaks and several other locations within Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite and Arches national parks.
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The film follows the expeditions of mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe and artist Rachel Pohl as they hike, climb and explore their way across the parks.
Fittingly Redford was recently bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and President Barack Obama noted his lifelong commitment to national parks preservation when he handed the 80-year-old actor and philanthropist his award.
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“National Parks Adventure” has not been widely reviewed, but it currently enjoys a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes from five critics — all noting the film’s visuals.
You can still catch it in select theaters. Watch the trailer here:
Here are the five highest grossing documentaries of the year so far, according to comScore (domestic totals):
“National Parks Adventure” (MacGillivray Freeman) — $17.6 million
“Hillary’s America: The Secret History Of” (Quality Flix) — $13.1 million
“A Beautiful Planet” (IMAX) — $7.6 million
“Where To Invade Next” (Drafthouse Films) — $3.8 million
“The Beatles: Eight Days A Week” (Abramorama) — $2.9 million
