Best of Enemies (2015)

Best of Enemies poster
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $892,802Details
International Box Office $48,134Details
Worldwide Box Office $940,936
Further financial details...

Synopsis

In the summer of 1968, television news changed forever. Dead last in the ratings, ABC hired two towering public intellectuals to debate each other during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. William F. Buckley, Jr. was a leading light of the new conservative movement. A Democrat and cousin to Jackie Onassis, Gore Vidal was a leftist novelist and polemicist. Armed with deep-seated distrust and enmity, Vidal and Buckley believed each other’s political ideologies were dangerous for America. Like rounds in a heavyweight battle, they pummeled out policy and personal insult—cementing their opposing political positions. Their explosive exchanges devolved into vitriolic name-calling. It was unlike anything TV had ever broadcast, and all the more shocking because it was live and unscripted. Viewers were riveted. ABC News’ ratings skyrocketed. And a new era in public discourse was born.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$50,738 (5.7% of total gross)
Legs:7.38 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:94.9% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$750,000 (worldwide box office is 1.3 times production budget)
Theater counts:3 opening theaters/69 max. theaters, 5.9 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $1,141,677

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: July 31st, 2015 (Limited) by Magnolia Pictures
International Releases: July 24th, 2015 (Wide), released as Best Of Enemies (United Kingdom)
MPAA Rating: R for some sexual content/nudity and language.
(Rating bulletin 2378, 6/17/2015)
Running Time: 87 minutes
Comparisons: vs. En kongelig affære
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: TV Industry, News, Political, Writing and Writers, Professional Rivalry, Voiceover/Narration, LGBTQ+, Sundance Film Festival 2015
Source:Based on Real Life Events
Genre:Documentary
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Factual
Production/Financing Companies: Tremolo Productions, Media Ranch Productions, Motto Pictures, ITVS
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Top 2015 Theater Average 71 $16,913 Jul 31, 2015 3

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 31, 2015 37 $50,738   3 $16,913   $50,738 1
Aug 7, 2015 36 $81,587 +61% 19 $4,294   $177,595 2
Aug 14, 2015 31 $120,986 +48% 47 $2,574   $341,675 3
Aug 21, 2015 35 $111,111 -8% 67 $1,658   $520,801 4
Aug 28, 2015 40 $86,855 -22% 69 $1,259   $667,349 5
Sep 4, 2015 47 $56,672 -35% 51 $1,111   $765,411 6
Sep 11, 2015 59 $27,651 -51% 53 $522   $826,164 7
Sep 18, 2015 73 $10,566 -62% 29 $364   $851,641 8
Sep 25, 2015 74 $7,486 -29% 17 $440   $866,035 9
Oct 2, 2015 88 $4,860 -35% 14 $347   $876,005 10
Oct 9, 2015 96 $828 -83% 5 $166   $879,249 11
Oct 16, 2015 93 $798 -4% 9 $89   $881,422 12
Oct 23, 2015 78 $2,408 +202% 11 $219   $884,342 13
Oct 30, 2015 76 $2,956 +23% 8 $370   $889,332 14
Nov 6, 2015 85 $2,230 -25% 5 $446   $891,997 15

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 31, 2015 41 $75,338   3 $25,113   $75,338 1
Aug 7, 2015 36 $124,681 +65% 19 $6,562   $220,689 2
Aug 14, 2015 30 $189,001 +52% 47 $4,021   $409,690 3
Aug 21, 2015 36 $170,804 -10% 67 $2,549   $580,494 4
Aug 28, 2015 41 $128,245 -25% 69 $1,859   $708,739 5
Sep 4, 2015 47 $89,774 -30% 51 $1,760   $798,513 6
Sep 11, 2015 59 $42,562 -53% 53 $803   $841,075 7
Sep 18, 2015 70 $17,474 -59% 29 $603   $858,549 8
Sep 25, 2015 72 $12,596 -28% 17 $741   $871,145 9
Oct 2, 2015 90 $7,276 -42% 14 $520   $878,421 10
Oct 9, 2015 90 $2,203 -70% 5 $441   $880,624 11
Oct 16, 2015 105 $1,310 -41% 9 $146   $881,934 12
Oct 23, 2015 82 $4,442 +239% 11 $404   $886,376 13
Oct 30, 2015 87 $3,391 -24% 8 $424   $889,767 14
Nov 6, 2015 92 $3,035 -10% 7 $434   $892,802 15

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
United Kingdom 7/24/2015 $11,317 6 6 6 $11,317 9/28/2015
 
Rest of World $36,817
 
International Total$48,134 9/28/2015

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.

Documentary Subject(s)

William F. Buckley, Jr. *    Himself
Gore Vidal    Himself

Interviewee(s)

Eric Alterman    Himself
Ginia Bellafante    Herself
Linda Bridges    Herself
Reid Buckley    Himself
Dick Cavett    Himself
Lee Edwards    Himself
Todd Gitlin    Himself
Brooke Gladstone    Herself

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

Production and Technical Credits

Robert Gordon    Director
Morgan Neville    Director
Robert Gordon    Producer
Morgan Neville    Producer
Clif Phillips    Executive Producer
Julie Goldman    Executive Producer
Aaron Wickenden    Editor
Eileen Meyer    Editor
Caryn Capotosto    Co-Producer
Jonathan Kirkscey    Composer

2015 - Awards Season: Independent Spirit Awards - Nominations

November 25th, 2015

Carol

Awards Season begins with the Independent Spirit Awards nominations. There were definitely some surprise nominees this year, but that also meant there were some unfortunate snubs as well. The overall leader was Carol, which just opened this past weekend. This is great timing and should help its box office numbers, as well as its chances throughout Awards Season. Its six nominations were one ahead of Beasts of No Nation and Spotlight. (One of Spotlight's was the Robert Altman Award, which has no nominations, just one winner.)

More...

Per Theater Chart: Strong Beginning for The End

August 4th, 2015

The End of the Tour

The End of the Tour is the latest success for A24, as it topped the per theater chart with an average of $30,810 in four theaters. Up next were a pair of documentaries, Best of Enemies and Listen to Me Marlon, with averages of $16,913 and $15,034 respectively. The overall number one film was next, as Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation earned an average of $14,034. The final film in the $10,000 club was Phoenix. Its theater count doubled, but its per theater average dropped just 20% to $12,004. That's amazing and it could be an omen that it will expand wide enough to earn some measure of mainstream success. More...

Limited and VOD Releases: Summer is Coming to an End

July 30th, 2015

The End of the Tour

It is a bad time of the year to release a limited release. It is too late into summer to think a limited release can expand wide enough to gain mainstream success before summer ends. At the same time, it is far too early for Awards Season buzz to have an effect at the box office. This partially explains why there are so few films on this week's list and fewer still have any chance at box office success. There are only two films on this week's list with strong buzz and overwhelmingly positive reviews. Best of Enemies and The End of the Tour. Both could do well on the Per Theater Chart this weekend, but The End of the Tour is the only film with a shot at expanding significantly. More...


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

Synopsis

In the summer of 1968, television news changed forever. Dead last in the ratings, ABC hired two towering public intellectuals to debate each other during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. William F. Buckley, Jr. was a leading light of the new conservative movement. A Democrat and cousin to Jackie Onassis, Gore Vidal was a leftist novelist and polemicist. Armed with deep-seated distrust and enmity, Vidal and Buckley believed each other’s political ideologies were dangerous for America. Like rounds in a heavyweight battle, they pummeled out policy and personal insult—cementing their opposing political positions. Their explosive exchanges devolved into vitriolic name-calling. It was unlike anything TV had ever broadcast, and all the more shocking because it was live and unscripted. Viewers were riveted. ABC News’ ratings skyrocketed. And a new era in public discourse was born.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$50,738 (5.7% of total gross)
Legs:7.38 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:94.9% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$750,000 (worldwide box office is 1.3 times production budget)
Theater counts:3 opening theaters/69 max. theaters, 5.9 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $1,141,677

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: July 31st, 2015 (Limited) by Magnolia Pictures
International Releases: July 24th, 2015 (Wide), released as Best Of Enemies (United Kingdom)
MPAA Rating: R for some sexual content/nudity and language.
(Rating bulletin 2378, 6/17/2015)
Running Time: 87 minutes
Comparisons: vs. En kongelig affære
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: TV Industry, News, Political, Writing and Writers, Professional Rivalry, Voiceover/Narration, LGBTQ+, Sundance Film Festival 2015
Source:Based on Real Life Events
Genre:Documentary
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Factual
Production/Financing Companies: Tremolo Productions, Media Ranch Productions, Motto Pictures, ITVS
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Top 2015 Theater Average 71 $16,913 Jul 31, 2015 3

Documentary Subject(s)

William F. Buckley, Jr. *    Himself
Gore Vidal    Himself

Interviewee(s)

Eric Alterman    Himself
Ginia Bellafante    Herself
Linda Bridges    Herself
Reid Buckley    Himself
Dick Cavett    Himself
Lee Edwards    Himself
Todd Gitlin    Himself
Brooke Gladstone    Herself

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

Production and Technical Credits

Robert Gordon    Director
Morgan Neville    Director
Robert Gordon    Producer
Morgan Neville    Producer
Clif Phillips    Executive Producer
Julie Goldman    Executive Producer
Aaron Wickenden    Editor
Eileen Meyer    Editor
Caryn Capotosto    Co-Producer
Jonathan Kirkscey    Composer

2015 - Awards Season: Independent Spirit Awards - Nominations

November 25th, 2015

Carol

Awards Season begins with the Independent Spirit Awards nominations. There were definitely some surprise nominees this year, but that also meant there were some unfortunate snubs as well. The overall leader was Carol, which just opened this past weekend. This is great timing and should help its box office numbers, as well as its chances throughout Awards Season. Its six nominations were one ahead of Beasts of No Nation and Spotlight. (One of Spotlight's was the Robert Altman Award, which has no nominations, just one winner.)

More...

Per Theater Chart: Strong Beginning for The End

August 4th, 2015

The End of the Tour

The End of the Tour is the latest success for A24, as it topped the per theater chart with an average of $30,810 in four theaters. Up next were a pair of documentaries, Best of Enemies and Listen to Me Marlon, with averages of $16,913 and $15,034 respectively. The overall number one film was next, as Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation earned an average of $14,034. The final film in the $10,000 club was Phoenix. Its theater count doubled, but its per theater average dropped just 20% to $12,004. That's amazing and it could be an omen that it will expand wide enough to earn some measure of mainstream success. More...

Limited and VOD Releases: Summer is Coming to an End

July 30th, 2015

The End of the Tour

It is a bad time of the year to release a limited release. It is too late into summer to think a limited release can expand wide enough to gain mainstream success before summer ends. At the same time, it is far too early for Awards Season buzz to have an effect at the box office. This partially explains why there are so few films on this week's list and fewer still have any chance at box office success. There are only two films on this week's list with strong buzz and overwhelmingly positive reviews. Best of Enemies and The End of the Tour. Both could do well on the Per Theater Chart this weekend, but The End of the Tour is the only film with a shot at expanding significantly. More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 31, 2015 37 $50,738   3 $16,913   $50,738 1
Aug 7, 2015 36 $81,587 +61% 19 $4,294   $177,595 2
Aug 14, 2015 31 $120,986 +48% 47 $2,574   $341,675 3
Aug 21, 2015 35 $111,111 -8% 67 $1,658   $520,801 4
Aug 28, 2015 40 $86,855 -22% 69 $1,259   $667,349 5
Sep 4, 2015 47 $56,672 -35% 51 $1,111   $765,411 6
Sep 11, 2015 59 $27,651 -51% 53 $522   $826,164 7
Sep 18, 2015 73 $10,566 -62% 29 $364   $851,641 8
Sep 25, 2015 74 $7,486 -29% 17 $440   $866,035 9
Oct 2, 2015 88 $4,860 -35% 14 $347   $876,005 10
Oct 9, 2015 96 $828 -83% 5 $166   $879,249 11
Oct 16, 2015 93 $798 -4% 9 $89   $881,422 12
Oct 23, 2015 78 $2,408 +202% 11 $219   $884,342 13
Oct 30, 2015 76 $2,956 +23% 8 $370   $889,332 14
Nov 6, 2015 85 $2,230 -25% 5 $446   $891,997 15

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 31, 2015 41 $75,338   3 $25,113   $75,338 1
Aug 7, 2015 36 $124,681 +65% 19 $6,562   $220,689 2
Aug 14, 2015 30 $189,001 +52% 47 $4,021   $409,690 3
Aug 21, 2015 36 $170,804 -10% 67 $2,549   $580,494 4
Aug 28, 2015 41 $128,245 -25% 69 $1,859   $708,739 5
Sep 4, 2015 47 $89,774 -30% 51 $1,760   $798,513 6
Sep 11, 2015 59 $42,562 -53% 53 $803   $841,075 7
Sep 18, 2015 70 $17,474 -59% 29 $603   $858,549 8
Sep 25, 2015 72 $12,596 -28% 17 $741   $871,145 9
Oct 2, 2015 90 $7,276 -42% 14 $520   $878,421 10
Oct 9, 2015 90 $2,203 -70% 5 $441   $880,624 11
Oct 16, 2015 105 $1,310 -41% 9 $146   $881,934 12
Oct 23, 2015 82 $4,442 +239% 11 $404   $886,376 13
Oct 30, 2015 87 $3,391 -24% 8 $424   $889,767 14
Nov 6, 2015 92 $3,035 -10% 7 $434   $892,802 15

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
United Kingdom 7/24/2015 $11,317 6 6 6 $11,317 9/28/2015
 
Rest of World $36,817
 
International Total$48,134 9/28/2015

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.