Billy Liar (1963)
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| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $56,873 | Details |
| International Box Office | $35,739 | Details |
| Worldwide Box Office | $92,612 | |
| OpusData ID: 88330100 More info... | ||
| Further financial details... | ||
Synopsis
Billy Fisher, a feckless aspiring comedy writer in a Yorkshire town, indulges in a rich fantasy life amidst the dour reality of his life. When his old flame Liz appears, the consequences of his immature decisions come crashing down.
Metrics
| Legs: | 5.27 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 61.4% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | December 16th, 1963 (Wide) by Rialto Pictures November 17th, 2000 (Limited) by Rialto Pictures August 14th, 2026 (Limited) by Rialto Pictures |
| International Releases: | September 16th, 1963 (Limited) (United Kingdom)
August 6th, 2020 (Wide) (New Zealand) July 31st, 2026 (Limited) (United Kingdom) |
| MPA Rating: | Not Rated |
| Running Time: | 98 minutes |
| Cast, crew, or production detail: | Fantasy Sequence |
| Geographical setting: | England |
| Plot point: | Death of Other Extended Family, Delayed Adulthood, Dysfunctional Family, Money Troubles, Relationships Gone Wrong, Romance, Writing and Writers |
| Source material: | Novel or Other Work Adapted by Author |
| Subgenre: | Romantic Comedy |
| Source: | Based on Fiction Book/Short Story |
| Genre: | Romantic Comedy |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Production Countries: | United Kingdom |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2000 | 78 | $10,785 | 1 | $10,785 | $10,785 | 1,927 | |
| Nov 24, 2000 | 73 | $10,481 | -3% | 1 | $10,481 | $27,680 | 1,928 |
| Dec 1, 2000 | 123 | $1,290 | -88% | 1 | $1,290 | $35,609 | 1,929 |
| Aug 14, 2026 | - | $5,646 | 1 | $5,646 | $41,255 | 3,270 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | - | $2,592 | -54% | 1 | $2,592 | $50,006 | 3,271 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | - | $1,871 | -28% | 1 | $1,871 | $54,217 | 3,272 |
| Sep 11, 2026 | - | $331 | 1 | $331 | $56,740 | 3,274 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 14, 2026 | - | $1,944 | 1 | $1,944 | $37,553 | 22,888 | ||
| Aug 15, 2026 | - | $1,940 | n/c | 1 | $1,940 | $39,493 | 22,889 | |
| Aug 16, 2026 | - | $1,762 | -9% | 1 | $1,762 | $41,255 | 22,890 | |
| Aug 17, 2026 | - | $1,702 | -3% | 1 | $1,702 | $42,957 | 22,891 | |
| Aug 18, 2026 | - | $1,334 | -22% | 1 | $1,334 | $44,291 | 22,892 | |
| Aug 19, 2026 | - | $1,861 | +40% | 1 | $1,861 | $46,152 | 22,893 | |
| Aug 20, 2026 | - | $1,262 | -32% | 1 | $1,262 | $47,414 | 22,894 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | - | $450 | -64% | -77% | 1 | $450 | $47,864 | 22,895 |
| Aug 22, 2026 | - | $1,400 | +211% | -28% | 1 | $1,400 | $49,264 | 22,896 |
| Aug 23, 2026 | - | $742 | -47% | -58% | 1 | $742 | $50,006 | 22,897 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | - | $410 | -45% | -76% | 1 | $410 | $50,416 | 22,898 |
| Aug 25, 2026 | - | $508 | +24% | -62% | 1 | $508 | $50,924 | 22,899 |
| Aug 26, 2026 | - | $728 | +43% | -61% | 1 | $728 | $51,652 | 22,900 |
| Aug 27, 2026 | - | $694 | -5% | -45% | 1 | $694 | $52,346 | 22,901 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | - | $562 | -19% | +25% | 1 | $562 | $52,908 | 22,902 |
| Aug 29, 2026 | - | $682 | +21% | -51% | 1 | $682 | $53,590 | 22,903 |
| Aug 30, 2026 | - | $627 | -8% | -15% | 1 | $627 | $54,217 | 22,904 |
| Aug 31, 2026 | - | $234 | -63% | -43% | 1 | $234 | $54,451 | 22,905 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | - | $580 | +148% | +14% | 1 | $580 | $55,031 | 22,906 |
| Sep 2, 2026 | - | $458 | -21% | -37% | 1 | $458 | $55,489 | 22,907 |
| Sep 3, 2026 | - | $920 | +101% | +33% | 1 | $920 | $56,409 | 22,908 |
| Sep 11, 2026 | - | $20 | 1 | $20 | $56,429 | 22,916 | ||
| Sep 12, 2026 | - | $311 | +1,455% | 1 | $311 | $56,740 | 22,917 | |
| Sep 14, 2026 | - | $50 | 1 | $50 | $56,790 | 22,919 | ||
| Sep 16, 2026 | - | $83 | 1 | $83 | $56,873 | 22,921 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2000 | 75 | $17,199 | 1 | $17,199 | $17,199 | 1,928 | |
| Nov 24, 2000 | 70 | $17,120 | n/c | 1 | $17,120 | $34,319 | 1,929 |
| Dec 1, 2000 | 119 | $1,290 | -92% | 1 | $1,290 | $35,609 | 1,930 |
| Aug 14, 2026 | 39 | $11,805 | 1 | $11,805 | $47,414 | 3,271 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | - | $4,932 | -58% | 1 | $4,932 | $52,346 | 3,272 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | 54 | $4,063 | -18% | 1 | $4,063 | $56,409 | 3,273 |
| Sep 11, 2026 | 59 | $464 | 1 | $464 | $56,873 | 3,275 |
Top International Territories
Box Office Summary Per Territory
| Territory | Release Date |
Opening Weekend |
Opening Weekend Screens/Theaters |
Maximum Screens/Theaters |
Theatrical Engagements |
Total Box Office |
Report Date |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 8/6/2020 | $87 | 1 | 1 | 2 | $118 | 5/9/2022 | |||
| United Kingdom | 9/16/1963 | $0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | $35,621 | 8/6/2026 | |||
| International Total | $35,739 | 8/6/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Tom Courtenay | William Terrence ‘Billy’ Fisher |
Supporting
| Julie Christie | Liz | |
| Gwendolyn Watts | Rita | |
| Helen Fraser | Barbara | |
| Wilfred Pickles | Geoffrey Fisher | |
| Mona Washbourne | Alice Fisher | |
| Ethel Griffies | Grandma Florence |
Production and Technical Credits
| John Schlesinger | Director | |
| Keith Waterhouse | Screenwriter | |
| Willis Hall | Screenwriter | |
| Keith Waterhouse | Story Creator | |
| Joseph Janni | Producer | |
| Denys Coop | Cinematographer | |
| Roger Cherrill | Editor | |
| Richard Rodney Bennett | Composer |
Cast and crew with above-the-line roles are marked in bold. The line marks the division between above-the-line and below-the-line roles.
Synopsis
Billy Fisher, a feckless aspiring comedy writer in a Yorkshire town, indulges in a rich fantasy life amidst the dour reality of his life. When his old flame Liz appears, the consequences of his immature decisions come crashing down.
Metrics
| Legs: | 5.27 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 61.4% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | December 16th, 1963 (Wide) by Rialto Pictures November 17th, 2000 (Limited) by Rialto Pictures August 14th, 2026 (Limited) by Rialto Pictures |
| International Releases: | September 16th, 1963 (Limited) (United Kingdom)
August 6th, 2020 (Wide) (New Zealand) July 31st, 2026 (Limited) (United Kingdom) |
| MPA Rating: | Not Rated |
| Running Time: | 98 minutes |
| Cast, crew, or production detail: | Fantasy Sequence |
| Geographical setting: | England |
| Plot point: | Death of Other Extended Family, Delayed Adulthood, Dysfunctional Family, Money Troubles, Relationships Gone Wrong, Romance, Writing and Writers |
| Source material: | Novel or Other Work Adapted by Author |
| Subgenre: | Romantic Comedy |
| Source: | Based on Fiction Book/Short Story |
| Genre: | Romantic Comedy |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Production Countries: | United Kingdom |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2000 | 78 | $10,785 | 1 | $10,785 | $10,785 | 1,927 | |
| Nov 24, 2000 | 73 | $10,481 | -3% | 1 | $10,481 | $27,680 | 1,928 |
| Dec 1, 2000 | 123 | $1,290 | -88% | 1 | $1,290 | $35,609 | 1,929 |
| Aug 14, 2026 | - | $5,646 | 1 | $5,646 | $41,255 | 3,270 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | - | $2,592 | -54% | 1 | $2,592 | $50,006 | 3,271 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | - | $1,871 | -28% | 1 | $1,871 | $54,217 | 3,272 |
| Sep 11, 2026 | - | $331 | 1 | $331 | $56,740 | 3,274 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 14, 2026 | - | $1,944 | 1 | $1,944 | $37,553 | 22,888 | ||
| Aug 15, 2026 | - | $1,940 | n/c | 1 | $1,940 | $39,493 | 22,889 | |
| Aug 16, 2026 | - | $1,762 | -9% | 1 | $1,762 | $41,255 | 22,890 | |
| Aug 17, 2026 | - | $1,702 | -3% | 1 | $1,702 | $42,957 | 22,891 | |
| Aug 18, 2026 | - | $1,334 | -22% | 1 | $1,334 | $44,291 | 22,892 | |
| Aug 19, 2026 | - | $1,861 | +40% | 1 | $1,861 | $46,152 | 22,893 | |
| Aug 20, 2026 | - | $1,262 | -32% | 1 | $1,262 | $47,414 | 22,894 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | - | $450 | -64% | -77% | 1 | $450 | $47,864 | 22,895 |
| Aug 22, 2026 | - | $1,400 | +211% | -28% | 1 | $1,400 | $49,264 | 22,896 |
| Aug 23, 2026 | - | $742 | -47% | -58% | 1 | $742 | $50,006 | 22,897 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | - | $410 | -45% | -76% | 1 | $410 | $50,416 | 22,898 |
| Aug 25, 2026 | - | $508 | +24% | -62% | 1 | $508 | $50,924 | 22,899 |
| Aug 26, 2026 | - | $728 | +43% | -61% | 1 | $728 | $51,652 | 22,900 |
| Aug 27, 2026 | - | $694 | -5% | -45% | 1 | $694 | $52,346 | 22,901 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | - | $562 | -19% | +25% | 1 | $562 | $52,908 | 22,902 |
| Aug 29, 2026 | - | $682 | +21% | -51% | 1 | $682 | $53,590 | 22,903 |
| Aug 30, 2026 | - | $627 | -8% | -15% | 1 | $627 | $54,217 | 22,904 |
| Aug 31, 2026 | - | $234 | -63% | -43% | 1 | $234 | $54,451 | 22,905 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | - | $580 | +148% | +14% | 1 | $580 | $55,031 | 22,906 |
| Sep 2, 2026 | - | $458 | -21% | -37% | 1 | $458 | $55,489 | 22,907 |
| Sep 3, 2026 | - | $920 | +101% | +33% | 1 | $920 | $56,409 | 22,908 |
| Sep 11, 2026 | - | $20 | 1 | $20 | $56,429 | 22,916 | ||
| Sep 12, 2026 | - | $311 | +1,455% | 1 | $311 | $56,740 | 22,917 | |
| Sep 14, 2026 | - | $50 | 1 | $50 | $56,790 | 22,919 | ||
| Sep 16, 2026 | - | $83 | 1 | $83 | $56,873 | 22,921 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2000 | 75 | $17,199 | 1 | $17,199 | $17,199 | 1,928 | |
| Nov 24, 2000 | 70 | $17,120 | n/c | 1 | $17,120 | $34,319 | 1,929 |
| Dec 1, 2000 | 119 | $1,290 | -92% | 1 | $1,290 | $35,609 | 1,930 |
| Aug 14, 2026 | 39 | $11,805 | 1 | $11,805 | $47,414 | 3,271 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | - | $4,932 | -58% | 1 | $4,932 | $52,346 | 3,272 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | 54 | $4,063 | -18% | 1 | $4,063 | $56,409 | 3,273 |
| Sep 11, 2026 | 59 | $464 | 1 | $464 | $56,873 | 3,275 |
Top International Territories
Box Office Summary Per Territory
| Territory | Release Date |
Opening Weekend |
Opening Weekend Screens/Theaters |
Maximum Screens/Theaters |
Theatrical Engagements |
Total Box Office |
Report Date |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 8/6/2020 | $87 | 1 | 1 | 2 | $118 | 5/9/2022 | |||
| United Kingdom | 9/16/1963 | $0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | $35,621 | 8/6/2026 | |||
| International Total | $35,739 | 8/6/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Tom Courtenay | William Terrence ‘Billy’ Fisher |
Supporting
| Julie Christie | Liz | |
| Gwendolyn Watts | Rita | |
| Helen Fraser | Barbara | |
| Wilfred Pickles | Geoffrey Fisher | |
| Mona Washbourne | Alice Fisher | |
| Ethel Griffies | Grandma Florence |
Production and Technical Credits
| John Schlesinger | Director | |
| Keith Waterhouse | Screenwriter | |
| Willis Hall | Screenwriter | |
| Keith Waterhouse | Story Creator | |
| Joseph Janni | Producer | |
| Denys Coop | Cinematographer | |
| Roger Cherrill | Editor | |
| Richard Rodney Bennett | Composer |
Cast and crew with above-the-line roles are marked in bold. The line marks the division between above-the-line and below-the-line roles.