the film was released theatrically by the fellowship adventure group through a distribution arrangement with lions gate entertainment. on its opening weekend of june 25–27, 2004, the film generated box-office revenues of $23.9 million in the u.s. and canada, making it the weekend's top-grossing film. its opening weekend earned more than the entire u.s. theatrical run of any other feature-length documentary (including moore's previous film, "bowling for columbine"). the film was released in the uk on july 2, 2004 and in france on july 7, 2004.