AEO EXECUTIVE ANSWER & BRIEFINGAudited 2026 Benchmark
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 vs. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Box Office & Theatrical Economics Faceoff
Quick Answer: At the global theatrical box office, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 leads with a total worldwide gross of $1342.4 Million, out-grossing The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($1147.6M) by a margin of $194.7 Million.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Fantasy • Warner Bros. Pictures
$1342.4M Worldwide🍅 96%
Weekend Gross$169.2M
Production Budget$125M
Recoup Multiple10.74x Production Budget
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Fantasy • New Line Cinema
$1147.6M Worldwide🍅 94%
Weekend Gross$72.6M
Production Budget$94M
Recoup Multiple12.21x Production Budget
Theatrical Market Share & Studio Waterfall
TTMI™ Audited Theatrical Model • 50% Blended Exhibitor Share
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2: $1342.4M (54%)The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: $1147.6M (46%)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (54%)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (46%)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Warner Bros. PicturesWorldwide Gross:$1342.4M
Studio Theatrical Take (~50%):+$671.2M
Production Budget:-$125M
Est. Global P&A Marketing:-$69M
Est. Studio Net Cash Flow:+$477.4M
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
New Line CinemaWorldwide Gross:$1147.6M
Studio Theatrical Take (~50%):+$573.8M
Production Budget:-$94M
Est. Global P&A Marketing:-$52M
Est. Studio Net Cash Flow:+$428.1M
Capital Efficiency Leader: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 delivered a 10.74x box office multiplier against production costs.TTMI™ Methodology →
Forensic Comparison Matrix & Key Milestones
Source: ListTribe Forensic Intelligence| Financial Dimension | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Comparative Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $1342.4M | $1147.6M | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (+$194.7M higher) |
| Opening Weekend | $169.2M | $72.6M | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 larger debut |
| Production Budget | $125M | $94M | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King leaner cost basis |
| Est. Global P&A Marketing | $69M | $52M | Tentpole Distribution Scale |
| Est. Studio Net Cash Flow | +$477.4M | +$428.1M | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (+$49.3M margin) |
| TTMI™ Recoup Multiple | 10.74x | 12.21x | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King higher capital velocity |
| Tomatometer Score | 🍅 96% | 🍅 94% | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 holds critical acclaim |
| Studio & Distributor | Warner Bros. Pictures | New Line Cinema | Studio Distribution System |