After its official showing at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival the movie was given what has been called "the longest standing ovation in the history of the festival". Although the exact length of the applause is a matter of debate, journalists at the screening have reported it being in the area of 15 to 25 minutes.
The first documentary in history to debut at number one at the box office.
Moore interviewed American contractor Nick Berg, who was later kidnapped and killed by insurgents in Iraq, but removed the interview from the final cut. He said that the interview would not be released to the media and dealt privately with Berg's family.
First ever documentary to cross the $100 million mark in the United States.
On the first submission to the MPAA, the film received an "R"-rating. Michael Moore, stating that if kids that are 15 or 16 years old in 2004 may be drafted to fight for the war in Iraq, they should be able to see this movie. Former New York State governor Mario Cuomo appealed to the MPAA on Moore's behalf to request a "PG-13" rating. The appeal was not successful, and the movie ended up with the current rating of R for "some violent and disturbing images, and for language".