Burn After Reading (2008)

Burn After Reading
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $60,355,347Details
International Box Office $107,812,451Details
Worldwide Box Office $168,167,798
Home Market Performance
Est. Domestic DVD Sales $20,196,068 Details
Total Est. Domestic Video Sales $20,196,068
Further financial details...

Synopsis

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst falls into the hands of Linda Litzke and Chad Feldheimer, the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo doofuses and those in their orbit.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$19,128,001 (31.7% of total gross)
Legs:3.16 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:35.9% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$37,000,000 (worldwide box office is 4.5 times production budget)
Theater counts:2,651 opening theaters/2,657 max. theaters, 5.3 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $90,617,079

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,503 $60,355,347
All Time International Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,007 $107,812,451
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,118 $168,167,798
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 401-500) 411 $60,355,347
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 101-200) 191 $107,812,451
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 201-300) 246 $168,167,798

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: September 12th, 2008 (Wide) by Focus Features
International Releases: April 29th, 2021 (Limited) (Australia)
Video Release: December 23rd, 2008 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence.
Running Time: 97 minutes
Comparisons: vs. No Country for Old Men
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Secret Agent, Black Comedy
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Black Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Relativity Media, Working Title Films
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Biggest Domestic September Weekend 75 $19,128,001 Sep 12, 2008 3

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,503 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 1,801-1,900) 1,877 $90,617,079
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,125 $60,355,347
Top 2008 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 52 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 601-700) 676 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,194 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 601-700) 669 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Black Comedy Movies 10 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 401-500) 411 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Focus Features Movies 5 $60,355,347

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Sep 12, 2008 1 $19,128,001   2,651 $7,215   $19,128,001 1
Sep 19, 2008 2 $11,028,257 -42% 2,657 $4,151   $36,135,221 2
Sep 26, 2008 5 $6,196,269 -44% 2,649 $2,339   $45,567,391 3
Oct 3, 2008 7 $4,120,129 -34% 2,397 $1,719   $51,678,103 4
Oct 10, 2008 14 $2,095,647 -49% 1,406 $1,491   $55,177,399 5
Oct 17, 2008 18 $1,097,546 -48% 708 $1,550   $57,118,919 6
Oct 24, 2008 19 $744,475 -32% 422 $1,764   $58,273,819 7
Oct 31, 2008 22 $456,578 -39% 327 $1,396   $58,976,060 8
Nov 7, 2008 24 $363,846 -20% 270 $1,348   $59,501,512 9
Nov 14, 2008 31 $195,748 -46% 207 $946   $59,850,794 10
Nov 21, 2008 34 $112,607 -42% 134 $840   $60,029,592 11
Nov 28, 2008 35 $86,900 -23% 97 $896   $60,169,788 12
Dec 5, 2008 38 $45,414 -48% 78 $582   $60,244,987 13
Dec 12, 2008 43 $32,481 -28% 57 $570   $60,301,580 14
Dec 19, 2008 50 $16,314 -50% 44 $371   $60,338,891 15

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Sep 12, 2008 1 $6,454,564     2,651 $2,435   $6,454,564 1
Sep 13, 2008 1 $7,937,585 +23%   2,651 $2,994   $14,392,149 2
Sep 14, 2008 1 $4,735,852 -40%   2,651 $1,786   $19,128,001 3
Sep 15, 2008 1 $1,493,389 -68%   2,651 $563   $20,621,390 4
Sep 16, 2008 1 $1,640,625 +10%   2,651 $619   $22,262,015 5
Sep 17, 2008 1 $1,437,723 -12%   2,651 $542   $23,699,738 6
Sep 18, 2008 1 $1,407,226 -2%   2,651 $531   $25,106,964 7
Sep 19, 2008 2 $3,478,005 +147% -46% 2,657 $1,309   $28,584,969 8
Sep 20, 2008 2 $5,004,740 +44% -37% 2,657 $1,884   $33,589,709 9
Sep 21, 2008 2 $2,545,512 -49% -46% 2,657 $958   $36,135,221 10
Sep 22, 2008 2 $790,649 -69% -47% 2,657 $298   $36,925,870 11
Sep 23, 2008 2 $907,846 +15% -45% 2,657 $342   $37,833,716 12
Sep 24, 2008 2 $794,863 -12% -45% 2,657 $299   $38,628,579 13
Sep 25, 2008 2 $742,543 -7% -47% 2,657 $279   $39,371,122 14
Sep 26, 2008 5 $1,635,096 +120% -53% 2,649 $617   $41,006,218 15
Sep 27, 2008 4 $3,069,438 +88% -39% 2,649 $1,159   $44,075,656 16
Sep 28, 2008 6 $1,491,735 -51% -41% 2,649 $563   $45,567,391 17
Sep 29, 2008 4 $471,328 -68% -40% 2,649 $178   $46,038,719 18
Sep 30, 2008 3 $601,342 +28% -34% 2,649 $227   $46,640,061 19
Oct 1, 2008 3 $514,309 -14% -35% 2,649 $194   $47,154,370 20
Oct 2, 2008 4 $403,604 -22% -46% 2,649 $152   $47,557,974 21
Oct 3, 2008 7 $1,262,603 +213% -23% 2,397 $527   $48,820,577 22
Oct 4, 2008 7 $1,904,812 +51% -38% 2,397 $795   $50,725,389 23
Oct 5, 2008 8 $952,714 -50% -36% 2,397 $397   $51,678,103 24
Oct 6, 2008 7 $316,479 -67% -33% 2,397 $132   $51,994,582 25
Oct 7, 2008 6 $337,402 +7% -44% 2,397 $141   $52,331,984 26
Oct 8, 2008 6 $382,693 +13% -26% 2,397 $160   $52,714,677 27
Oct 9, 2008 7 $367,075 -4% -9% 2,397 $153   $53,081,752 28
Oct 10, 2008 - $629,772 +72% -50% 1,406 $448   $53,711,524 29
Oct 11, 2008 13 $943,054 +50% -50% 1,406 $671   $54,654,578 30
Oct 12, 2008 13 $522,821 -45% -45% 1,406 $372   $55,177,399 31
Oct 13, 2008 14 $298,595 -43% -6% 1,406 $212   $55,475,994 32
Oct 14, 2008 14 $188,907 -37% -44% 1,406 $134   $55,664,901 33
Oct 15, 2008 13 $161,732 -14% -58% 1,406 $115   $55,826,633 34
Oct 16, 2008 14 $194,740 +20% -47% 1,406 $139   $56,021,373 35
Oct 17, 2008 - $346,452 +78% -45% 708 $489   $56,367,825 36
Oct 18, 2008 - $495,504 +43% -47% 708 $700   $56,863,329 37
Oct 19, 2008 - $255,590 -48% -51% 708 $361   $57,118,919 38
Oct 20, 2008 - $94,574 -63% -68% 708 $134   $57,213,493 39
Oct 21, 2008 - $109,565 +16% -42% 708 $155   $57,323,058 40
Oct 22, 2008 - $103,606 -5% -36% 708 $146   $57,426,664 41
Oct 23, 2008 - $102,680 -1% -47% 708 $145   $57,529,344 42
Oct 24, 2008 - $232,770 +127% -33% 422 $552   $57,762,114 43
Oct 25, 2008 - $337,858 +45% -32% 422 $801   $58,099,972 44
Oct 26, 2008 - $173,847 -49% -32% 422 $412   $58,273,819 45
Oct 27, 2008 - $57,227 -67% -39% 422 $136   $58,331,046 46
Oct 28, 2008 - $66,373 +16% -39% 422 $157   $58,397,419 47
Oct 29, 2008 - $61,145 -8% -41% 422 $145   $58,458,564 48
Oct 30, 2008 - $60,918 n/c -41% 422 $144   $58,519,482 49
Oct 31, 2008 - $93,450 +53% -60% 327 $286   $58,612,932 50
Nov 1, 2008 - $242,254 +159% -28% 327 $741   $58,855,186 51
Nov 2, 2008 - $120,874 -50% -30% 327 $370   $58,976,060 52
Nov 3, 2008 - $37,582 -69% -34% 327 $115   $59,013,642 53
Nov 4, 2008 - $34,544 -8% -48% 327 $106   $59,048,186 54
Nov 5, 2008 - $41,996 +22% -31% 327 $128   $59,090,182 55
Nov 6, 2008 - $47,484 +13% -22% 327 $145   $59,137,666 56
Nov 7, 2008 - $107,717 +127% +15% 270 $399   $59,245,383 57
Nov 8, 2008 - $166,642 +55% -31% 270 $617   $59,412,025 58
Nov 9, 2008 - $89,487 -46% -26% 270 $331   $59,501,512 59
Nov 10, 2008 - $39,360 -56% +5% 270 $146   $59,540,872 60
Nov 11, 2008 - $56,009 +42% +62% 270 $207   $59,596,881 61
Nov 12, 2008 - $29,952 -47% -29% 270 $111   $59,626,833 62
Nov 13, 2008 - $28,213 -6% -41% 270 $104   $59,655,046 63
Nov 14, 2008 - $61,058 +116% -43% 207 $295   $59,716,104 64
Nov 15, 2008 - $90,974 +49% -45% 207 $439   $59,807,078 65
Nov 16, 2008 - $43,716 -52% -51% 207 $211   $59,850,794 66
Nov 17, 2008 - $14,622 -67% -63% 207 $71   $59,865,416 67
Nov 18, 2008 - $17,486 +20% -69% 207 $84   $59,882,902 68
Nov 19, 2008 - $16,518 -6% -45% 207 $80   $59,899,420 69
Nov 20, 2008 - $17,565 +6% -38% 207 $85   $59,916,985 70
Nov 21, 2008 - $34,138 +94% -44% 134 $255   $59,951,123 71
Nov 22, 2008 - $53,090 +56% -42% 134 $396   $60,004,213 72
Nov 23, 2008 - $25,379 -52% -42% 134 $189   $60,029,592 73
Nov 24, 2008 - $12,156 -52% -17% 134 $91   $60,041,748 74
Nov 26, 2008 - $12,138   -27% 97 $125   $60,069,293 76
Nov 27, 2008 - $13,595 +12% -23% 97 $140   $60,082,888 77
Nov 28, 2008 - $34,240 +152% n/c 97 $353   $60,117,128 78
Nov 29, 2008 - $35,633 +4% -33% 97 $367   $60,152,761 79
Nov 30, 2008 - $17,027 -52% -33% 97 $176   $60,169,788 80
Dec 1, 2008 - $7,345 -57% -40% 97 $76   $60,177,133 81
Dec 2, 2008 - $8,290 +13%   97 $85   $60,185,423 82
Dec 5, 2008 - $14,598   -57% 78 $187   $60,214,171 85
Dec 6, 2008 - $19,815 +36% -44% 78 $254   $60,233,986 86
Dec 7, 2008 - $11,001 -44% -35% 78 $141   $60,244,987 87
Dec 8, 2008 - $6,412 -42% -13% 78 $82   $60,251,399 88
Dec 9, 2008 - $6,084 -5% -27% 78 $78   $60,257,483 89
Dec 10, 2008 - $5,702 -6%   78 $73   $60,263,185 90
Dec 11, 2008 - $5,914 +4%   78 $76   $60,269,099 91
Dec 12, 2008 - $10,348 +75% -29% 57 $182   $60,279,447 92
Dec 13, 2008 - $14,116 +36% -29% 57 $248   $60,293,563 93
Dec 14, 2008 - $8,017 -43% -27% 57 $141   $60,301,580 94
Dec 15, 2008 - $5,389 -33% -16% 57 $95   $60,306,969 95
Dec 16, 2008 - $4,783 -11% -21% 57 $84   $60,311,752 96
Dec 17, 2008 - $5,563 +16% -2% 57 $98   $60,317,315 97
Dec 18, 2008 - $5,262 -5% -11% 57 $92   $60,322,577 98
Dec 19, 2008 - $5,081 -3% -51% 44 $115   $60,327,658 99
Dec 20, 2008 - $6,152 +21% -56% 44 $140   $60,333,810 100
Dec 21, 2008 - $5,081 -17% -37% 44 $115   $60,338,891 101
Dec 22, 2008 - $4,001 -21% -26% 44 $91   $60,342,892 102
Dec 23, 2008 - $4,186 +5% -12% 44 $95   $60,347,078 103
Dec 24, 2008 - $3,380 -19% -39% 44 $77   $60,350,458 104
Dec 25, 2008 - $4,889 +45% -7% 44 $111   $60,355,347 105

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Sep 12, 2008 1 $25,106,964   2,651 $9,471   $25,106,964 1
Sep 19, 2008 2 $14,264,158 -43% 2,657 $5,369   $39,371,122 2
Sep 26, 2008 5 $8,186,852 -43% 2,649 $3,091   $47,557,974 3
Oct 3, 2008 7 $5,523,778 -33% 2,397 $2,304   $53,081,752 4
Oct 10, 2008 14 $2,939,621 -47% 1,406 $2,091   $56,021,373 5
Oct 17, 2008 17 $1,507,971 -49% 708 $2,130   $57,529,344 6
Oct 24, 2008 20 $990,138 -34% 422 $2,346   $58,519,482 7
Oct 31, 2008 23 $618,184 -38% 327 $1,890   $59,137,666 8
Nov 7, 2008 24 $517,380 -16% 270 $1,916   $59,655,046 9
Nov 14, 2008 32 $261,939 -49% 207 $1,265   $59,916,985 10
Nov 21, 2008 37 $165,903 -37% 134 $1,238   $60,082,888 11
Nov 28, 2008 35 $116,685 -30% 97 $1,203   $60,199,573 12
Dec 5, 2008 36 $69,526 -40% 78 $891   $60,269,099 13
Dec 12, 2008 45 $53,478 -23% 57 $938   $60,322,577 14
Dec 19, 2008 61 $16,456 -69% 44 $374   $60,355,347 15

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date		 Opening
Weekend		 Opening
Weekend
Screens		 Maximum
Screens		 Theatrical
Engagements		 Total
Box Office		 Report
Date
Australia 4/29/2021 $2,489 3 3 3 $7,612,328 5/4/2021
 
Rest of World $100,200,123
 
International Total$107,812,451 5/4/2021

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,007 $107,812,451
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 601-700) 679 $107,812,451
Top 2008 Movies at the International Box Office 33 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 401-500) 446 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 701-800) 706 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400) 353 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Black Comedy Movies 4 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 101-200) 191 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Focus Features Movies 3 $107,812,451

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,118 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 701-800) 780 $168,167,798
Top 2008 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 40 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 401-500) 491 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 801-900) 816 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 425 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Black Comedy Movies 5 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 201-300) 246 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Focus Features Movies 4 $168,167,798

Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Dec 28, 20084629,146 629,146$10,689,191$10,689,1911
Jan 4, 20097198,594-68% 827,740$3,374,112$14,063,3032
Jan 11, 20092567,981-66% 895,721$1,154,997$15,218,3003
Jan 18, 20092256,318-17% 952,039$956,843$16,175,1434
Jan 25, 20092549,523-12% 1,001,562$841,396$17,016,5395

Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.

Lead Ensemble Members

George Clooney    Harry Pfarrer
Frances McDormand    Linda Litzke
John Malkovich    Osbourne Cox
Tilda Swinton    Katie Cox
Brad Pitt    Chad Feldheimer

Supporting Cast

Richard Jenkins    Ted
Elizabeth Marvel    Sandy Pfarrer
David Rasche    CIA Officer
J.K. Simmons    CIA Superior
Jeffrey DeMunn    Cosmetic Surgeon
Olek Krupa    Krapotkin
Michael Countryman    Alan
Kevin Sussman    Tuchman Marsh Man
J.R. Horne    Divorce Lawyer
Hamilton Clancy    Peck
Armand Schultz    Olson
Pun Bandhu    Party Guest
Karla Mosley    Party Guest
Richard Poe    Stretching Gym Patron
Carmen M. Herlihy    Prospective Gym Customer
Raul Aranas    Manolo
Judy Frank    Lawyer's Secretary
Sandor Tecsy    Russian Embassy Escort
Yury Tsykun    Senior Russian Embassy Man
Brian O'Neill    Hal
Robert Prescott    Process Server
Matt Walton    Morning Show Host
Lori Hammel    Morning Show Hostess
Crystal Bock    PR Woman
Patrick Boll    Sandy's Man
Logan Kulick    Four-Year-Old Patient
Dermot Mulroney    Star of "Coming up Daisy"
Robert R. Barry    Drunken Princetonian
Gary Henderson    Drunken Princetonian
Ted Bouton    Drunken Princetonian
Ron Kidd    Drunken Princetonian
Bob Bowersox    Drunken Princetonian
Bill Massof    Drunken Princetonian
Oliver Buckingham    Drunken Princetonian
Brian McKeon    Drunken Princetonian
Michael Fawcett    Drunken Princetonian
Ken McNeill    Drunken Princetonian
William Fowle    Drunken Princetonian
Tim Miller    Drunken Princetonian
Charles Gemmill    Drunken Princetonian
Jay Parks    Drunken Princetonian
Mitch Giannunzio    Drunken Princetonian
Roger Rathburn    Drunken Princetonian
Cliff Goulet    Drunken Princetonian
Eric Richardson    Drunken Princetonian
William D. Grey    Drunken Princetonian
Bart Wilder    Drunken Princetonian

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Joel Coen    Director
Ethan Coen    Director
Joel Coen    Screenwriter
Ethan Coen    Screenwriter
Joel Coen    Producer
Ethan Coen    Producer
Tim Bevan    Executive Producer
Eric Fellner    Executive Producer
Robert Graf    Executive Producer
Emmanuel Lubezki    Director of Photography
Roderick Jaynes    Editor
Jess Gonchor    Production Designer
Mary Zophres    Costume Designer
Carter Burwell    Composer
Ellen Chenoweth    Casting Director
Elizabeth Magruder    Assistant Director
Neri Kyle Tannenbaum    Unit Production Manager
Robert Graf    Unit Production Manager
David Swayze    Art Director
Nancy Haigh    Set Decorator
David Davenport    Costume Supervisor
M.J. McGrath    Costume Supervisor
Cha Blevins    Costume Supervisor
Neil A. Stelzner    Associate Editor
Katharine McQuerrey    Associate Editor
Peter Kurland    Sound Mixer
Skip Lievsay    Re-recording Mixer
Craig Berkey    Re-recording Mixer
Greg Orloff    Re-recording Mixer
Skip Lievsay    Supervising Sound Editor
Craig Berkey    Sound Designer
Byron Wilson    Dialogue Editor
Todd Kasow    Music Editor
Jean A. Black    Make up
Patricia Regan    Make up
Lyn Quiyou    Hairstylist
Sonia Rivera    Hairstylist
Jery Hewitt    Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD Rentals - New Releases Nearly Invisible

January 13th, 2009

There was not a single new release to chart this week on the rental side of the home market. At least not an entirely new release. Eagle Eye led the way, but it placed fourth during its early release last week. More...

International Details - Day Starts to Set on International Chart

January 11th, 2009

The Day the Earth Stood Still fell out of the top five, as it was down 46% to $10.91 million on 5008 screens in 42 markets for a total of $129.59 million internationally and $204.01 million worldwide. The film's best market was Japan, where it remained in second place with $2.71 million on 642 screens over the weekend for a total of $19.19 million after three. More...

Will Fall Continue to Rise?

September 18th, 2008

Another week, another four wide releases... well, three and a half, as one of them is opening in fewer than 2,000 theaters, which is normally the level I consider truly wide versus semi-wide. It is unlikely that this week's crop of new releases will be as strong as last week's, and while the top of the chart won't live up to the level earned by last year's victor, Resident Evil: Extinction, the overall box office should still show some growth. More...

2008 Preview: September

September 1st, 2008

A pretty bland month with no wide release that look likely to surprise, either becoming a potential $100 million hit, or bombing so bad that they fail even to reach $10 million. The latter is a lot more likely, however, with a number of films that have serious obstacles to overcome, and it is very unlikely all of them will avoid bombing. On the other end of the scale, there are no films that have a legitimate shot at $100 million, while The top film of the month could make less than $70 million. More...

Cast Updates - August 23, 2008

August 23rd, 2008

This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Extract, Gnomeo and Juliet, My Life in Ruins, and more! More...

New Movie US Release Dates - March 9, 2008

March 9th, 2008

This week's round of new movie release information contains release dates for Hell Ride, Hamlet 2, Burn After Reading and more! More...

Cast Updates - February 24, 2008

February 24th, 2008

This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Hoodwinked 2, Shanghai, and more! More...

Cast Updates - September 20, 2007

September 20th, 2007

This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Superhero!, The Women, and more! More...


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Full Financials
  7. Cast & Crew
  8. Trailer

Synopsis

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst falls into the hands of Linda Litzke and Chad Feldheimer, the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo doofuses and those in their orbit.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$19,128,001 (31.7% of total gross)
Legs:3.16 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:35.9% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$37,000,000 (worldwide box office is 4.5 times production budget)
Theater counts:2,651 opening theaters/2,657 max. theaters, 5.3 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $90,617,079

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,503 $60,355,347
All Time International Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,007 $107,812,451
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,118 $168,167,798
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 401-500) 411 $60,355,347
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 101-200) 191 $107,812,451
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 201-300) 246 $168,167,798

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: September 12th, 2008 (Wide) by Focus Features
International Releases: April 29th, 2021 (Limited) (Australia)
Video Release: December 23rd, 2008 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence.
Running Time: 97 minutes
Comparisons: vs. No Country for Old Men
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Secret Agent, Black Comedy
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Black Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Relativity Media, Working Title Films
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Biggest Domestic September Weekend 75 $19,128,001 Sep 12, 2008 3

Lead Ensemble Members

George Clooney    Harry Pfarrer
Frances McDormand    Linda Litzke
John Malkovich    Osbourne Cox
Tilda Swinton    Katie Cox
Brad Pitt    Chad Feldheimer

Supporting Cast

Richard Jenkins    Ted
Elizabeth Marvel    Sandy Pfarrer
David Rasche    CIA Officer
J.K. Simmons    CIA Superior
Jeffrey DeMunn    Cosmetic Surgeon
Olek Krupa    Krapotkin
Michael Countryman    Alan
Kevin Sussman    Tuchman Marsh Man
J.R. Horne    Divorce Lawyer
Hamilton Clancy    Peck
Armand Schultz    Olson
Pun Bandhu    Party Guest
Karla Mosley    Party Guest
Richard Poe    Stretching Gym Patron
Carmen M. Herlihy    Prospective Gym Customer
Raul Aranas    Manolo
Judy Frank    Lawyer's Secretary
Sandor Tecsy    Russian Embassy Escort
Yury Tsykun    Senior Russian Embassy Man
Brian O'Neill    Hal
Robert Prescott    Process Server
Matt Walton    Morning Show Host
Lori Hammel    Morning Show Hostess
Crystal Bock    PR Woman
Patrick Boll    Sandy's Man
Logan Kulick    Four-Year-Old Patient
Dermot Mulroney    Star of "Coming up Daisy"
Robert R. Barry    Drunken Princetonian
Gary Henderson    Drunken Princetonian
Ted Bouton    Drunken Princetonian
Ron Kidd    Drunken Princetonian
Bob Bowersox    Drunken Princetonian
Bill Massof    Drunken Princetonian
Oliver Buckingham    Drunken Princetonian
Brian McKeon    Drunken Princetonian
Michael Fawcett    Drunken Princetonian
Ken McNeill    Drunken Princetonian
William Fowle    Drunken Princetonian
Tim Miller    Drunken Princetonian
Charles Gemmill    Drunken Princetonian
Jay Parks    Drunken Princetonian
Mitch Giannunzio    Drunken Princetonian
Roger Rathburn    Drunken Princetonian
Cliff Goulet    Drunken Princetonian
Eric Richardson    Drunken Princetonian
William D. Grey    Drunken Princetonian
Bart Wilder    Drunken Princetonian

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Joel Coen    Director
Ethan Coen    Director
Joel Coen    Screenwriter
Ethan Coen    Screenwriter
Joel Coen    Producer
Ethan Coen    Producer
Tim Bevan    Executive Producer
Eric Fellner    Executive Producer
Robert Graf    Executive Producer
Emmanuel Lubezki    Director of Photography
Roderick Jaynes    Editor
Jess Gonchor    Production Designer
Mary Zophres    Costume Designer
Carter Burwell    Composer
Ellen Chenoweth    Casting Director
Elizabeth Magruder    Assistant Director
Neri Kyle Tannenbaum    Unit Production Manager
Robert Graf    Unit Production Manager
David Swayze    Art Director
Nancy Haigh    Set Decorator
David Davenport    Costume Supervisor
M.J. McGrath    Costume Supervisor
Cha Blevins    Costume Supervisor
Neil A. Stelzner    Associate Editor
Katharine McQuerrey    Associate Editor
Peter Kurland    Sound Mixer
Skip Lievsay    Re-recording Mixer
Craig Berkey    Re-recording Mixer
Greg Orloff    Re-recording Mixer
Skip Lievsay    Supervising Sound Editor
Craig Berkey    Sound Designer
Byron Wilson    Dialogue Editor
Todd Kasow    Music Editor
Jean A. Black    Make up
Patricia Regan    Make up
Lyn Quiyou    Hairstylist
Sonia Rivera    Hairstylist
Jery Hewitt    Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD Rentals - New Releases Nearly Invisible

January 13th, 2009

There was not a single new release to chart this week on the rental side of the home market. At least not an entirely new release. Eagle Eye led the way, but it placed fourth during its early release last week. More...

International Details - Day Starts to Set on International Chart

January 11th, 2009

The Day the Earth Stood Still fell out of the top five, as it was down 46% to $10.91 million on 5008 screens in 42 markets for a total of $129.59 million internationally and $204.01 million worldwide. The film's best market was Japan, where it remained in second place with $2.71 million on 642 screens over the weekend for a total of $19.19 million after three. More...

Will Fall Continue to Rise?

September 18th, 2008

Another week, another four wide releases... well, three and a half, as one of them is opening in fewer than 2,000 theaters, which is normally the level I consider truly wide versus semi-wide. It is unlikely that this week's crop of new releases will be as strong as last week's, and while the top of the chart won't live up to the level earned by last year's victor, Resident Evil: Extinction, the overall box office should still show some growth. More...

2008 Preview: September

September 1st, 2008

A pretty bland month with no wide release that look likely to surprise, either becoming a potential $100 million hit, or bombing so bad that they fail even to reach $10 million. The latter is a lot more likely, however, with a number of films that have serious obstacles to overcome, and it is very unlikely all of them will avoid bombing. On the other end of the scale, there are no films that have a legitimate shot at $100 million, while The top film of the month could make less than $70 million. More...

Cast Updates - August 23, 2008

August 23rd, 2008

This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Extract, Gnomeo and Juliet, My Life in Ruins, and more! More...

New Movie US Release Dates - March 9, 2008

March 9th, 2008

This week's round of new movie release information contains release dates for Hell Ride, Hamlet 2, Burn After Reading and more! More...

Cast Updates - February 24, 2008

February 24th, 2008

This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Hoodwinked 2, Shanghai, and more! More...

Cast Updates - September 20, 2007

September 20th, 2007

This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Superhero!, The Women, and more! More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,503 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 1,801-1,900) 1,877 $90,617,079
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,125 $60,355,347
Top 2008 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 52 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 601-700) 676 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,194 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 601-700) 669 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Black Comedy Movies 10 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 401-500) 411 $60,355,347
All Time Domestic Box Office for Focus Features Movies 5 $60,355,347

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Sep 12, 2008 1 $19,128,001   2,651 $7,215   $19,128,001 1
Sep 19, 2008 2 $11,028,257 -42% 2,657 $4,151   $36,135,221 2
Sep 26, 2008 5 $6,196,269 -44% 2,649 $2,339   $45,567,391 3
Oct 3, 2008 7 $4,120,129 -34% 2,397 $1,719   $51,678,103 4
Oct 10, 2008 14 $2,095,647 -49% 1,406 $1,491   $55,177,399 5
Oct 17, 2008 18 $1,097,546 -48% 708 $1,550   $57,118,919 6
Oct 24, 2008 19 $744,475 -32% 422 $1,764   $58,273,819 7
Oct 31, 2008 22 $456,578 -39% 327 $1,396   $58,976,060 8
Nov 7, 2008 24 $363,846 -20% 270 $1,348   $59,501,512 9
Nov 14, 2008 31 $195,748 -46% 207 $946   $59,850,794 10
Nov 21, 2008 34 $112,607 -42% 134 $840   $60,029,592 11
Nov 28, 2008 35 $86,900 -23% 97 $896   $60,169,788 12
Dec 5, 2008 38 $45,414 -48% 78 $582   $60,244,987 13
Dec 12, 2008 43 $32,481 -28% 57 $570   $60,301,580 14
Dec 19, 2008 50 $16,314 -50% 44 $371   $60,338,891 15

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Sep 12, 2008 1 $6,454,564     2,651 $2,435   $6,454,564 1
Sep 13, 2008 1 $7,937,585 +23%   2,651 $2,994   $14,392,149 2
Sep 14, 2008 1 $4,735,852 -40%   2,651 $1,786   $19,128,001 3
Sep 15, 2008 1 $1,493,389 -68%   2,651 $563   $20,621,390 4
Sep 16, 2008 1 $1,640,625 +10%   2,651 $619   $22,262,015 5
Sep 17, 2008 1 $1,437,723 -12%   2,651 $542   $23,699,738 6
Sep 18, 2008 1 $1,407,226 -2%   2,651 $531   $25,106,964 7
Sep 19, 2008 2 $3,478,005 +147% -46% 2,657 $1,309   $28,584,969 8
Sep 20, 2008 2 $5,004,740 +44% -37% 2,657 $1,884   $33,589,709 9
Sep 21, 2008 2 $2,545,512 -49% -46% 2,657 $958   $36,135,221 10
Sep 22, 2008 2 $790,649 -69% -47% 2,657 $298   $36,925,870 11
Sep 23, 2008 2 $907,846 +15% -45% 2,657 $342   $37,833,716 12
Sep 24, 2008 2 $794,863 -12% -45% 2,657 $299   $38,628,579 13
Sep 25, 2008 2 $742,543 -7% -47% 2,657 $279   $39,371,122 14
Sep 26, 2008 5 $1,635,096 +120% -53% 2,649 $617   $41,006,218 15
Sep 27, 2008 4 $3,069,438 +88% -39% 2,649 $1,159   $44,075,656 16
Sep 28, 2008 6 $1,491,735 -51% -41% 2,649 $563   $45,567,391 17
Sep 29, 2008 4 $471,328 -68% -40% 2,649 $178   $46,038,719 18
Sep 30, 2008 3 $601,342 +28% -34% 2,649 $227   $46,640,061 19
Oct 1, 2008 3 $514,309 -14% -35% 2,649 $194   $47,154,370 20
Oct 2, 2008 4 $403,604 -22% -46% 2,649 $152   $47,557,974 21
Oct 3, 2008 7 $1,262,603 +213% -23% 2,397 $527   $48,820,577 22
Oct 4, 2008 7 $1,904,812 +51% -38% 2,397 $795   $50,725,389 23
Oct 5, 2008 8 $952,714 -50% -36% 2,397 $397   $51,678,103 24
Oct 6, 2008 7 $316,479 -67% -33% 2,397 $132   $51,994,582 25
Oct 7, 2008 6 $337,402 +7% -44% 2,397 $141   $52,331,984 26
Oct 8, 2008 6 $382,693 +13% -26% 2,397 $160   $52,714,677 27
Oct 9, 2008 7 $367,075 -4% -9% 2,397 $153   $53,081,752 28
Oct 10, 2008 - $629,772 +72% -50% 1,406 $448   $53,711,524 29
Oct 11, 2008 13 $943,054 +50% -50% 1,406 $671   $54,654,578 30
Oct 12, 2008 13 $522,821 -45% -45% 1,406 $372   $55,177,399 31
Oct 13, 2008 14 $298,595 -43% -6% 1,406 $212   $55,475,994 32
Oct 14, 2008 14 $188,907 -37% -44% 1,406 $134   $55,664,901 33
Oct 15, 2008 13 $161,732 -14% -58% 1,406 $115   $55,826,633 34
Oct 16, 2008 14 $194,740 +20% -47% 1,406 $139   $56,021,373 35
Oct 17, 2008 - $346,452 +78% -45% 708 $489   $56,367,825 36
Oct 18, 2008 - $495,504 +43% -47% 708 $700   $56,863,329 37
Oct 19, 2008 - $255,590 -48% -51% 708 $361   $57,118,919 38
Oct 20, 2008 - $94,574 -63% -68% 708 $134   $57,213,493 39
Oct 21, 2008 - $109,565 +16% -42% 708 $155   $57,323,058 40
Oct 22, 2008 - $103,606 -5% -36% 708 $146   $57,426,664 41
Oct 23, 2008 - $102,680 -1% -47% 708 $145   $57,529,344 42
Oct 24, 2008 - $232,770 +127% -33% 422 $552   $57,762,114 43
Oct 25, 2008 - $337,858 +45% -32% 422 $801   $58,099,972 44
Oct 26, 2008 - $173,847 -49% -32% 422 $412   $58,273,819 45
Oct 27, 2008 - $57,227 -67% -39% 422 $136   $58,331,046 46
Oct 28, 2008 - $66,373 +16% -39% 422 $157   $58,397,419 47
Oct 29, 2008 - $61,145 -8% -41% 422 $145   $58,458,564 48
Oct 30, 2008 - $60,918 n/c -41% 422 $144   $58,519,482 49
Oct 31, 2008 - $93,450 +53% -60% 327 $286   $58,612,932 50
Nov 1, 2008 - $242,254 +159% -28% 327 $741   $58,855,186 51
Nov 2, 2008 - $120,874 -50% -30% 327 $370   $58,976,060 52
Nov 3, 2008 - $37,582 -69% -34% 327 $115   $59,013,642 53
Nov 4, 2008 - $34,544 -8% -48% 327 $106   $59,048,186 54
Nov 5, 2008 - $41,996 +22% -31% 327 $128   $59,090,182 55
Nov 6, 2008 - $47,484 +13% -22% 327 $145   $59,137,666 56
Nov 7, 2008 - $107,717 +127% +15% 270 $399   $59,245,383 57
Nov 8, 2008 - $166,642 +55% -31% 270 $617   $59,412,025 58
Nov 9, 2008 - $89,487 -46% -26% 270 $331   $59,501,512 59
Nov 10, 2008 - $39,360 -56% +5% 270 $146   $59,540,872 60
Nov 11, 2008 - $56,009 +42% +62% 270 $207   $59,596,881 61
Nov 12, 2008 - $29,952 -47% -29% 270 $111   $59,626,833 62
Nov 13, 2008 - $28,213 -6% -41% 270 $104   $59,655,046 63
Nov 14, 2008 - $61,058 +116% -43% 207 $295   $59,716,104 64
Nov 15, 2008 - $90,974 +49% -45% 207 $439   $59,807,078 65
Nov 16, 2008 - $43,716 -52% -51% 207 $211   $59,850,794 66
Nov 17, 2008 - $14,622 -67% -63% 207 $71   $59,865,416 67
Nov 18, 2008 - $17,486 +20% -69% 207 $84   $59,882,902 68
Nov 19, 2008 - $16,518 -6% -45% 207 $80   $59,899,420 69
Nov 20, 2008 - $17,565 +6% -38% 207 $85   $59,916,985 70
Nov 21, 2008 - $34,138 +94% -44% 134 $255   $59,951,123 71
Nov 22, 2008 - $53,090 +56% -42% 134 $396   $60,004,213 72
Nov 23, 2008 - $25,379 -52% -42% 134 $189   $60,029,592 73
Nov 24, 2008 - $12,156 -52% -17% 134 $91   $60,041,748 74
Nov 26, 2008 - $12,138   -27% 97 $125   $60,069,293 76
Nov 27, 2008 - $13,595 +12% -23% 97 $140   $60,082,888 77
Nov 28, 2008 - $34,240 +152% n/c 97 $353   $60,117,128 78
Nov 29, 2008 - $35,633 +4% -33% 97 $367   $60,152,761 79
Nov 30, 2008 - $17,027 -52% -33% 97 $176   $60,169,788 80
Dec 1, 2008 - $7,345 -57% -40% 97 $76   $60,177,133 81
Dec 2, 2008 - $8,290 +13%   97 $85   $60,185,423 82
Dec 5, 2008 - $14,598   -57% 78 $187   $60,214,171 85
Dec 6, 2008 - $19,815 +36% -44% 78 $254   $60,233,986 86
Dec 7, 2008 - $11,001 -44% -35% 78 $141   $60,244,987 87
Dec 8, 2008 - $6,412 -42% -13% 78 $82   $60,251,399 88
Dec 9, 2008 - $6,084 -5% -27% 78 $78   $60,257,483 89
Dec 10, 2008 - $5,702 -6%   78 $73   $60,263,185 90
Dec 11, 2008 - $5,914 +4%   78 $76   $60,269,099 91
Dec 12, 2008 - $10,348 +75% -29% 57 $182   $60,279,447 92
Dec 13, 2008 - $14,116 +36% -29% 57 $248   $60,293,563 93
Dec 14, 2008 - $8,017 -43% -27% 57 $141   $60,301,580 94
Dec 15, 2008 - $5,389 -33% -16% 57 $95   $60,306,969 95
Dec 16, 2008 - $4,783 -11% -21% 57 $84   $60,311,752 96
Dec 17, 2008 - $5,563 +16% -2% 57 $98   $60,317,315 97
Dec 18, 2008 - $5,262 -5% -11% 57 $92   $60,322,577 98
Dec 19, 2008 - $5,081 -3% -51% 44 $115   $60,327,658 99
Dec 20, 2008 - $6,152 +21% -56% 44 $140   $60,333,810 100
Dec 21, 2008 - $5,081 -17% -37% 44 $115   $60,338,891 101
Dec 22, 2008 - $4,001 -21% -26% 44 $91   $60,342,892 102
Dec 23, 2008 - $4,186 +5% -12% 44 $95   $60,347,078 103
Dec 24, 2008 - $3,380 -19% -39% 44 $77   $60,350,458 104
Dec 25, 2008 - $4,889 +45% -7% 44 $111   $60,355,347 105

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Sep 12, 2008 1 $25,106,964   2,651 $9,471   $25,106,964 1
Sep 19, 2008 2 $14,264,158 -43% 2,657 $5,369   $39,371,122 2
Sep 26, 2008 5 $8,186,852 -43% 2,649 $3,091   $47,557,974 3
Oct 3, 2008 7 $5,523,778 -33% 2,397 $2,304   $53,081,752 4
Oct 10, 2008 14 $2,939,621 -47% 1,406 $2,091   $56,021,373 5
Oct 17, 2008 17 $1,507,971 -49% 708 $2,130   $57,529,344 6
Oct 24, 2008 20 $990,138 -34% 422 $2,346   $58,519,482 7
Oct 31, 2008 23 $618,184 -38% 327 $1,890   $59,137,666 8
Nov 7, 2008 24 $517,380 -16% 270 $1,916   $59,655,046 9
Nov 14, 2008 32 $261,939 -49% 207 $1,265   $59,916,985 10
Nov 21, 2008 37 $165,903 -37% 134 $1,238   $60,082,888 11
Nov 28, 2008 35 $116,685 -30% 97 $1,203   $60,199,573 12
Dec 5, 2008 36 $69,526 -40% 78 $891   $60,269,099 13
Dec 12, 2008 45 $53,478 -23% 57 $938   $60,322,577 14
Dec 19, 2008 61 $16,456 -69% 44 $374   $60,355,347 15

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date		 Opening
Weekend		 Opening
Weekend
Screens		 Maximum
Screens		 Theatrical
Engagements		 Total
Box Office		 Report
Date
Australia 4/29/2021 $2,489 3 3 3 $7,612,328 5/4/2021
 
Rest of World $100,200,123
 
International Total$107,812,451 5/4/2021

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,007 $107,812,451
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 601-700) 679 $107,812,451
Top 2008 Movies at the International Box Office 33 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 401-500) 446 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 701-800) 706 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400) 353 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Black Comedy Movies 4 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 101-200) 191 $107,812,451
All Time International Box Office for Focus Features Movies 3 $107,812,451

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,118 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 701-800) 780 $168,167,798
Top 2008 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 40 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 401-500) 491 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 801-900) 816 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 425 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Black Comedy Movies 5 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 201-300) 246 $168,167,798
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Focus Features Movies 4 $168,167,798

Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Dec 28, 20084629,146 629,146$10,689,191$10,689,1911
Jan 4, 20097198,594-68% 827,740$3,374,112$14,063,3032
Jan 11, 20092567,981-66% 895,721$1,154,997$15,218,3003
Jan 18, 20092256,318-17% 952,039$956,843$16,175,1434
Jan 25, 20092549,523-12% 1,001,562$841,396$17,016,5395

Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.