The film grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2003. It achieved a historic sweep at the 76th Academy Awards, winning all 11 Oscars for which it was nominated, including Best Picture. The Narrative Culmination

The film's release was a global event, marked by record-breaking premieres:

On December 1, 2003, nearly 100,000 fans—roughly a quarter of the city's population—lined the streets for a ticker-tape parade celebrating the production.