The Great Debaters

A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

Grosses

Domestic (100%)
$30,236,407
Summary Details
DistributorMGM
Opening$6,005,180
1,171 theaters
MPAAPG-13
Running Time2 hr 6 min
GenresBiography Drama Romance
In Release373 days/53 weeks
Widest Release1,290 theaters
DateRankWeekly %± LW TheatersChange AvgTo DateWeek
Dec 21-2713$7,251,008-1,164-$6,229$7,251,0081
Dec 28-Jan 3, 200811$10,511,809+45%1,171+7$8,976$17,762,8172
Jan 4-1012$5,190,030-50.6%1,290+119$4,023$22,952,8473
Jan 11-1715$3,151,210-39.3%1,290-$2,442$26,439,4654
Jan 18-2418$2,107,731-33.1%1,021-269$2,064$28,547,1965
Jan 25-3126$732,112-65.3%390-631$1,877$29,279,3086
Feb 1-734$364,450-50.2%264-126$1,380$29,643,7587
Feb 8-1444$204,654-43.8%156-108$1,311$29,848,4128
Feb 15-2143$139,513-31.8%105-51$1,328$29,987,9259
Feb 22-2859$60,595-56.6%75-30$807$30,048,52010
Feb 29-Mar 668$35,330-41.7%47-28$751$30,083,85011
Mar 7-1371$21,650-38.7%34-13$636$30,105,50012
Mar 14-2084$12,134-44%20-14$606$30,117,63413
Mar 21-2753$68,126+461.4%113+93$602$30,185,76014
Mar 28-Apr 371$26,353-61.3%40-73$658$30,212,11315
Apr 4-1090$10,547-60%24-16$439$30,222,66016
Apr 11-17107$5,222-50.5%8-16$652$30,227,88217