Domestic box office counts ticket sales from the United States and Canada. International box office counts ticket sales from every other market, and worldwide is the sum of the two.
Box office means money earned from cinema ticket sales. The three labels describe geography, not different types of revenue. Knowing the map behind each label prevents bad comparisons.
Table of Contents
- What domestic really covers
- What international really covers
- What worldwide adds together
- How do you compare totals correctly?
What domestic really covers
Domestic means the United States and Canada together. The two countries form one reporting market because distribution and release patterns overlap closely.
A film can earn most of its domestic total in the United States. Canada still counts in the same figure rather than appearing under international. Always read "domestic" as shorthand for that combined North American market.
What international really covers
International means ticket sales outside the United States and Canada. It includes major markets in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Trackers sometimes break international into individual countries or regions. Those country figures still feed the same international total. A high international share often means broad appeal outside North America.
What worldwide adds together
Worldwide means domestic plus international. It gives the full theatrical result across all reporting markets.
The math is simple, but timing can shift the total. Countries open films in different weeks, so worldwide grows as more markets report. A rising worldwide figure may reflect new openings rather than continued strength in early markets.
How do you compare totals correctly?
Match like with like. Compare domestic to domestic, international to international, and worldwide to worldwide.
A film can lead domestically while trailing worldwide. Another film can look smaller at home yet finish larger through strong overseas play.
- Check the territory label before quoting a number.
- Ask whether the figure covers one weekend, one market, or full theatrical play.
- Watch for reissues, which add new sales to an older total.
- Remember that ticket sales exclude home video, streaming, and merchandise.