The Art of Self-Defense (2019)

The Art of Self-Defense
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $2,410,914Details
International Box Office $3,604Details
Worldwide Box Office $2,414,518
Further financial details...

Synopsis

After he’s attacked on the street at night by a roving motorcycle gang, timid bookkeeper Casey joins a neighborhood karate studio to learn how to protect himself. Under the watchful eye of a charismatic instructor, Sensei, and hardcore brown belt Anna, Casey gains a newfound sense of confidence for the first time in his life. But when he attends Sensei’s mysterious night classes, he discovers a sinister world of fraternity, brutality and hyper-masculinity, presenting a journey that places him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$114,374 (4.7% of total gross)
Legs:2.23 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:99.9% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:7 opening theaters/550 max. theaters, 2.2 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $2,837,296

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Vudu:Vudu

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: July 12th, 2019 (Limited) by Bleecker Street
Video Release: October 8th, 2019 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R for violence, sexual content, graphic nudity and language.
(Rating bulletin 2546 (Cert #51831), 9/26/2018)
Running Time: 104 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Create your own comparison chart…
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Bleecker Street , End Cue
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Top 2019 Theater Average 71 $16,339 Jul 12, 2019 3

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 12, 2019 31 $114,374   7 $16,339   $114,374 1
Jul 19, 2019 13 $1,080,607 +845% 550 $1,965   $1,239,896 2
Jul 26, 2019 16 $328,352 -70% 550 $597   $2,072,571 3
Aug 2, 2019 31 $56,605 -83% 110 $515   $2,368,800 4

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Jul 12, 2019 - $46,902     7 $6,700   $46,902 1
Jul 13, 2019 - $37,836 -19%   7 $5,405   $84,738 2
Jul 14, 2019 - $29,636 -22%   7 $4,234   $114,374 3
Jul 15, 2019 - $11,912 -60%   7 $1,702   $126,286 4
Jul 16, 2019 - $11,792 -1%   7 $1,685   $138,078 5
Jul 17, 2019 - $12,705 +8%   7 $1,815   $150,783 6
Jul 18, 2019 - $8,506 -33%   7 $1,215   $159,289 7
Jul 19, 2019 12 $369,954 +4,249% +689% 550 $673   $529,243 8
Jul 20, 2019 14 $406,482 +10% +974% 550 $739   $935,725 9
Jul 21, 2019 13 $304,171 -25% +926% 550 $553   $1,239,896 10
Jul 22, 2019 12 $130,568 -57% +996% 550 $237   $1,370,464 11
Jul 23, 2019 12 $176,919 +35% +1,400% 550 $322   $1,547,383 12
Jul 24, 2019 14 $119,467 -32% +840% 550 $217   $1,666,850 13
Jul 25, 2019 - $77,369 -35% +810% 550 $141   $1,744,219 14
Jul 26, 2019 - $90,242 +17% -76% 550 $164   $1,834,461 15
Jul 27, 2019 - $130,286 +44% -68% 550 $237   $1,964,747 16
Jul 28, 2019 - $107,824 -17% -65% 550 $196   $2,072,571 17
Jul 29, 2019 - $59,450 -45% -54% 550 $108   $2,132,021 18
Jul 30, 2019 - $69,128 +16% -61% 550 $126   $2,201,149 19
Jul 31, 2019 15 $64,769 -6% -46% 550 $118   $2,265,918 20
Aug 1, 2019 - $46,277 -29% -40% 550 $84   $2,312,195 21
Aug 2, 2019 - $16,385 -65% -82% 110 $149   $2,328,580 22
Aug 3, 2019 - $21,007 +28% -84% 110 $191   $2,349,587 23
Aug 4, 2019 - $19,213 -9% -82% 110 $175   $2,368,800 24
Aug 5, 2019 - $11,587 -40% -81% 110 $105   $2,380,387 25
Aug 6, 2019 - $11,486 -1% -83% 110 $104   $2,391,873 26
Aug 7, 2019 - $10,962 -5% -83% 110 $100   $2,402,835 27
Aug 8, 2019 - $8,079 -26% -83% 110 $73   $2,410,914 28

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 12, 2019 35 $159,289   7 $22,756   $159,289 1
Jul 19, 2019 13 $1,584,930 +895% 550 $2,882   $1,744,219 2
Jul 26, 2019 16 $567,976 -64% 550 $1,033   $2,312,195 3
Aug 2, 2019 29 $98,719 -83% 110 $897   $2,410,914 4

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


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.

Leading Cast

Jesse Eisenberg    Casey
Alessandro Nivola    Sensei
Imogen Poots    Anna

Supporting Cast

Steve Terada    Thomas
David Zellner    Henry
Phillip Botello    Kennith
Mike Brooks    Steve
Jason Burkey    Alex
Justin Eaton    Lone Man
Dallas Edwards    Manny

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

Production and Technical Credits

Riley Stearns    Director
Riley Stearns    Screenwriter
Cody Ryder    Producer
Andrew Kortschak    Producer
Stephanie Whonsetler    Producer
Walter Kortschak    Producer
Andrew Karpen    Executive Producer
Munika Lay    Executive Producer
Kent Sanderson    Executive Producer
David Zellner    Executive Producer
Nathan Zellner    Executive Producer
Lisa Ciuffetti    Co-Producer
Camille Bertrand    Co-Producer
Michael Ragen    Director of Photography
Charlotte Royer    Production Designer
Sarah Beth Shapiro    Editor
Jami Villers    Costume Designer
Heather McIntosh    Composer

Home Market Releases for October 15th, 2019

October 17th, 2019

Crawl

It’s a really slow week with Crawl being the biggest release of the week, and it wasn’t a monster hit at the box office. Fortunately, it is also the best DVD / Blu-ray release of the week and was the only real contender for Pick of the Week. More...

Theater Averages: Lion King Can’t Be Dethroned

July 31st, 2019

The Lion King

The Lion King remained in first place on the overall chart and the theater average chart. It managed an average of $16,216 on the latter, putting it ahead of Honeyland, which landed in second place with an average of $15,000 in two theaters. The Farewell remained in the $10,000 club with an average of $11,246 in 135 theaters. Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood was the final film in the $10,000 club with an average of $11,228. More...

Theater Averages: Lion King Says Goodbye to the Competition

July 25th, 2019

The Lion King

The Lion King not only earned first place on the overall chart, but it topped the theater average chart with an average of $40,586. Last week’s winner, The Farewell, landed in second place with an average of $32,723. David Crosby: Remember My Name was the final film in the $10,000 club earning an average of $10,871 in four theaters. More...

Theater Averages: Endgame Bids Farewell to One of Its Records

July 18th, 2019

The Farewell

The Farewell topped the theater average chart with an average of $87,833 in four theaters. This was not only the best of the weekend, it overtook Avengers: Endgame for the best theater average of the year. Anytime a film does better than Endgame, it is serious reason to celebrate. The Art of Self-Defense was well back with an average of $16,339 in seven theaters. This is still a good start, but I don’t know if it is good enough for its planned wide expansion. The final film in the $10,000 club was Sword of Trust with an average of $11,256 in two theaters. More...

Weekend Estimates: Spider-Man Leads the Way, But Lion King Roars

July 14th, 2019

Stuber

As expected, Spider-Man: Far From Home is going to remain in first place at the box office this weekend. Fortunately for the box office as a whole, it is beating expectations in terms of dollars with an estimated haul of $45.3 million, which would give is a two-week total of $274.5 million. Internationally, the film is earning $100 million in 67 markets for totals of $573 million internationally and $847 million worldwide. It opened in first place in Italy over the weekend with $6.1 million. This is the film’s final market, but even coasting on holdovers won’t stop it from reaching $1 billion worldwide. More...

Limited and VOD Releases: The Art of Goodbyes and Swordplay

July 12th, 2019

Sword of Trust

For the first time in a while, there are a lot of limited releases to talk about. This includes a trio that have a real shot at mainstream success: The Art of Self-Defense, The Farewell, and Sword of Trust. It is very unlikely all three will thrive at the box office, but hopefully one of them will. More...


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

Synopsis

After he’s attacked on the street at night by a roving motorcycle gang, timid bookkeeper Casey joins a neighborhood karate studio to learn how to protect himself. Under the watchful eye of a charismatic instructor, Sensei, and hardcore brown belt Anna, Casey gains a newfound sense of confidence for the first time in his life. But when he attends Sensei’s mysterious night classes, he discovers a sinister world of fraternity, brutality and hyper-masculinity, presenting a journey that places him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$114,374 (4.7% of total gross)
Legs:2.23 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:99.9% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:7 opening theaters/550 max. theaters, 2.2 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $2,837,296

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Vudu:Vudu

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: July 12th, 2019 (Limited) by Bleecker Street
Video Release: October 8th, 2019 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R for violence, sexual content, graphic nudity and language.
(Rating bulletin 2546 (Cert #51831), 9/26/2018)
Running Time: 104 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Create your own comparison chart…
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Bleecker Street , End Cue
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Top 2019 Theater Average 71 $16,339 Jul 12, 2019 3

Leading Cast

Jesse Eisenberg    Casey
Alessandro Nivola    Sensei
Imogen Poots    Anna

Supporting Cast

Steve Terada    Thomas
David Zellner    Henry
Phillip Botello    Kennith
Mike Brooks    Steve
Jason Burkey    Alex
Justin Eaton    Lone Man
Dallas Edwards    Manny

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

Production and Technical Credits

Riley Stearns    Director
Riley Stearns    Screenwriter
Cody Ryder    Producer
Andrew Kortschak    Producer
Stephanie Whonsetler    Producer
Walter Kortschak    Producer
Andrew Karpen    Executive Producer
Munika Lay    Executive Producer
Kent Sanderson    Executive Producer
David Zellner    Executive Producer
Nathan Zellner    Executive Producer
Lisa Ciuffetti    Co-Producer
Camille Bertrand    Co-Producer
Michael Ragen    Director of Photography
Charlotte Royer    Production Designer
Sarah Beth Shapiro    Editor
Jami Villers    Costume Designer
Heather McIntosh    Composer

Home Market Releases for October 15th, 2019

October 17th, 2019

Crawl

It’s a really slow week with Crawl being the biggest release of the week, and it wasn’t a monster hit at the box office. Fortunately, it is also the best DVD / Blu-ray release of the week and was the only real contender for Pick of the Week. More...

Theater Averages: Lion King Can’t Be Dethroned

July 31st, 2019

The Lion King

The Lion King remained in first place on the overall chart and the theater average chart. It managed an average of $16,216 on the latter, putting it ahead of Honeyland, which landed in second place with an average of $15,000 in two theaters. The Farewell remained in the $10,000 club with an average of $11,246 in 135 theaters. Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood was the final film in the $10,000 club with an average of $11,228. More...

Theater Averages: Lion King Says Goodbye to the Competition

July 25th, 2019

The Lion King

The Lion King not only earned first place on the overall chart, but it topped the theater average chart with an average of $40,586. Last week’s winner, The Farewell, landed in second place with an average of $32,723. David Crosby: Remember My Name was the final film in the $10,000 club earning an average of $10,871 in four theaters. More...

Theater Averages: Endgame Bids Farewell to One of Its Records

July 18th, 2019

The Farewell

The Farewell topped the theater average chart with an average of $87,833 in four theaters. This was not only the best of the weekend, it overtook Avengers: Endgame for the best theater average of the year. Anytime a film does better than Endgame, it is serious reason to celebrate. The Art of Self-Defense was well back with an average of $16,339 in seven theaters. This is still a good start, but I don’t know if it is good enough for its planned wide expansion. The final film in the $10,000 club was Sword of Trust with an average of $11,256 in two theaters. More...

Weekend Estimates: Spider-Man Leads the Way, But Lion King Roars

July 14th, 2019

Stuber

As expected, Spider-Man: Far From Home is going to remain in first place at the box office this weekend. Fortunately for the box office as a whole, it is beating expectations in terms of dollars with an estimated haul of $45.3 million, which would give is a two-week total of $274.5 million. Internationally, the film is earning $100 million in 67 markets for totals of $573 million internationally and $847 million worldwide. It opened in first place in Italy over the weekend with $6.1 million. This is the film’s final market, but even coasting on holdovers won’t stop it from reaching $1 billion worldwide. More...

Limited and VOD Releases: The Art of Goodbyes and Swordplay

July 12th, 2019

Sword of Trust

For the first time in a while, there are a lot of limited releases to talk about. This includes a trio that have a real shot at mainstream success: The Art of Self-Defense, The Farewell, and Sword of Trust. It is very unlikely all three will thrive at the box office, but hopefully one of them will. More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 12, 2019 31 $114,374   7 $16,339   $114,374 1
Jul 19, 2019 13 $1,080,607 +845% 550 $1,965   $1,239,896 2
Jul 26, 2019 16 $328,352 -70% 550 $597   $2,072,571 3
Aug 2, 2019 31 $56,605 -83% 110 $515   $2,368,800 4

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Jul 12, 2019 - $46,902     7 $6,700   $46,902 1
Jul 13, 2019 - $37,836 -19%   7 $5,405   $84,738 2
Jul 14, 2019 - $29,636 -22%   7 $4,234   $114,374 3
Jul 15, 2019 - $11,912 -60%   7 $1,702   $126,286 4
Jul 16, 2019 - $11,792 -1%   7 $1,685   $138,078 5
Jul 17, 2019 - $12,705 +8%   7 $1,815   $150,783 6
Jul 18, 2019 - $8,506 -33%   7 $1,215   $159,289 7
Jul 19, 2019 12 $369,954 +4,249% +689% 550 $673   $529,243 8
Jul 20, 2019 14 $406,482 +10% +974% 550 $739   $935,725 9
Jul 21, 2019 13 $304,171 -25% +926% 550 $553   $1,239,896 10
Jul 22, 2019 12 $130,568 -57% +996% 550 $237   $1,370,464 11
Jul 23, 2019 12 $176,919 +35% +1,400% 550 $322   $1,547,383 12
Jul 24, 2019 14 $119,467 -32% +840% 550 $217   $1,666,850 13
Jul 25, 2019 - $77,369 -35% +810% 550 $141   $1,744,219 14
Jul 26, 2019 - $90,242 +17% -76% 550 $164   $1,834,461 15
Jul 27, 2019 - $130,286 +44% -68% 550 $237   $1,964,747 16
Jul 28, 2019 - $107,824 -17% -65% 550 $196   $2,072,571 17
Jul 29, 2019 - $59,450 -45% -54% 550 $108   $2,132,021 18
Jul 30, 2019 - $69,128 +16% -61% 550 $126   $2,201,149 19
Jul 31, 2019 15 $64,769 -6% -46% 550 $118   $2,265,918 20
Aug 1, 2019 - $46,277 -29% -40% 550 $84   $2,312,195 21
Aug 2, 2019 - $16,385 -65% -82% 110 $149   $2,328,580 22
Aug 3, 2019 - $21,007 +28% -84% 110 $191   $2,349,587 23
Aug 4, 2019 - $19,213 -9% -82% 110 $175   $2,368,800 24
Aug 5, 2019 - $11,587 -40% -81% 110 $105   $2,380,387 25
Aug 6, 2019 - $11,486 -1% -83% 110 $104   $2,391,873 26
Aug 7, 2019 - $10,962 -5% -83% 110 $100   $2,402,835 27
Aug 8, 2019 - $8,079 -26% -83% 110 $73   $2,410,914 28

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 12, 2019 35 $159,289   7 $22,756   $159,289 1
Jul 19, 2019 13 $1,584,930 +895% 550 $2,882   $1,744,219 2
Jul 26, 2019 16 $567,976 -64% 550 $1,033   $2,312,195 3
Aug 2, 2019 29 $98,719 -83% 110 $897   $2,410,914 4

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


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.