Domestic Gross
The total box office revenue a film earns within its home country, typically the United States and Canada combined.
Definition
Domestic gross is the total ticket revenue a film earns from theatrical exhibition within its home territory, which for Hollywood studios means the United States and Canada combined. This figure is one of the primary metrics used to evaluate a film's commercial performance and is reported by tracking services like Box Office Mojo and The Numbers.
Domestic gross is distinguished from worldwide gross (domestic plus all international territories) and is reported as a raw revenue figure before the theater's share, typically around 50%, is deducted. The studio's actual revenue from domestic theatrical is therefore roughly half the reported domestic gross.
Why It Matters
Domestic gross remains a key benchmark for evaluating film performance despite the growing importance of international markets and streaming. It influences sequel decisions, talent compensation triggers, marketing narratives, and industry perception of a film's success.
For entertainment industry professionals, understanding domestic gross in context is essential. A $100 million domestic gross means very different things for a film with a $20 million budget versus one with a $200 million production and marketing spend.
Examples in Practice
A superhero film earns $400 million domestic gross and $650 million internationally for a worldwide total of $1.05 billion. Despite the larger international number, the domestic performance is what triggers the lead actor's backend compensation bonus tied to $350 million domestic.
An independent drama earns $25 million domestic against a $5 million production budget. While modest by blockbuster standards, the 5x domestic multiplier signals strong audience interest and leads to distribution deals for the director's next two projects.