Breaking the Waves (1996)
| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $4,040,691 | Details |
| International Box Office | $31,437 | Details |
| Worldwide Box Office | $4,072,128 | |
| Domestic Physical Disc Sales | ||
| Blu-ray Sales (estimated) | $483,425 | |
| Total | $483,425 | |
| OpusData ID: 49010100 More info... | ||
| Further financial details... | ||
Synopsis
In a small and religious coastal town, a simple, devoutly religious Scottish woman, Bess McNeill, finds a partner in an oil rig worker from Norway, Jan Nyman. However, the relationship grows strained when Nyman breaks his neck in a horrific work accident on the rig and becomes paralyzed. Unable to perform sexually and suffering mentally from the accident as well, Jan convinces Bess to have sex with other men, which she comes to believe is God’s work.
Metrics
| Legs: | 21.72 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 99.2% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $10,082,311 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | November 13th, 1996 (Wide) by October Films |
| International Releases: | February 19th, 2021 (Wide), released as Рассекая волны (Russia (CIS))
July 1st, 2022 (Limited), released as Rompiendo las olas (Spain) August 4th, 2023 (Limited) (4K Restoration) (United Kingdom) July 10th, 2024 (Limited), released as Breaking the Waves (브레이킹 더 웨이브) (South Korea) June 23rd, 2025 (Limited), released as Le Onde del Destino (Re-release) (Italy) ... Show all releases |
| Video Release: | April 15th, 2014 by Criterion |
| MPA Rating: | R for strong graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some violence |
| Running Time: | 156 minutes |
| Subgenre: | Erotic Drama |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Production Countries: | Denmark |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 1996 | 42 | $60,426 | 9 | $6,714 | $110,741 | 2 | |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 30 | $150,216 | +149% | 26 | $5,778 | $283,383 | 3 |
| Dec 6, 1996 | 24 | $112,158 | -25% | 25 | $4,486 | $440,914 | 4 |
| Dec 13, 1996 | 27 | $69,993 | -38% | 18 | $3,889 | $541,519 | 5 |
| Dec 20, 1996 | 27 | $128,200 | +83% | 40 | $3,205 | $706,386 | 6 |
| Dec 27, 1996 | 34 | $135,585 | +6% | 45 | $3,013 | $929,773 | 7 |
| Jan 3, 1997 | 30 | $179,520 | +32% | 47 | $3,820 | $1,328,006 | 8 |
| Jan 10, 1997 | 30 | $179,716 | n/c | 53 | $3,391 | $1,647,907 | 9 |
| Jan 17, 1997 | 35 | $185,055 | +3% | 51 | $3,629 | $1,907,339 | 10 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | 35 | $158,465 | -14% | 54 | $2,935 | $2,123,247 | 11 |
| Jan 31, 1997 | 32 | $171,593 | +8% | 59 | $2,908 | $2,365,249 | 12 |
| Feb 7, 1997 | 32 | $166,470 | -3% | 68 | $2,448 | $2,596,897 | 13 |
| Feb 14, 1997 | 38 | $186,003 | +12% | 77 | $2,416 | $2,854,107 | 14 |
| Feb 21, 1997 | 36 | $143,845 | -23% | 78 | $1,844 | $3,053,347 | 15 |
| Feb 28, 1997 | 37 | $110,134 | -23% | 65 | $1,694 | $3,213,778 | 16 |
| Mar 7, 1997 | 37 | $96,476 | -12% | 75 | $1,286 | $3,369,303 | 17 |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 41 | $93,850 | -3% | 77 | $1,219 | $3,387,427 | 18 |
| Mar 21, 1997 | 39 | $94,550 | +1% | 70 | $1,351 | $3,628,302 | 19 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | 48 | $65,392 | -31% | 53 | $1,234 | $3,720,841 | 20 |
| Apr 4, 1997 | 49 | $69,266 | +6% | 54 | $1,283 | $3,818,138 | 21 |
| Apr 11, 1997 | 49 | $60,441 | -13% | 53 | $1,140 | $3,895,487 | 22 |
| Apr 18, 1997 | 56 | $38,299 | -37% | 44 | $870 | $3,955,041 | 23 |
| May 2, 1997 | 59 | $27,872 | 26 | $1,072 | $4,040,691 | 25 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 1996 | 37 | $82,852 | 9 | $9,206 | $133,167 | 3 | |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 29 | $195,589 | +136% | 26 | $7,523 | $328,756 | 4 |
| Dec 6, 1996 | 24 | $142,770 | -27% | 25 | $5,711 | $471,526 | 5 |
| Dec 13, 1996 | 26 | $106,660 | -25% | 18 | $5,926 | $578,186 | 6 |
| Dec 20, 1996 | 28 | $216,002 | +103% | 40 | $5,400 | $794,188 | 7 |
| Dec 27, 1996 | 33 | $354,298 | +64% | 45 | $7,873 | $1,148,486 | 8 |
| Jan 3, 1997 | 25 | $319,705 | -10% | 47 | $6,802 | $1,468,191 | 9 |
| Jan 10, 1997 | 30 | $254,093 | -21% | 53 | $4,794 | $1,722,284 | 10 |
| Jan 17, 1997 | 35 | $242,498 | -5% | 51 | $4,755 | $1,964,782 | 11 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | 34 | $228,874 | -6% | 54 | $4,238 | $2,193,656 | 12 |
| Jan 31, 1997 | 32 | $236,771 | +3% | 59 | $4,013 | $2,430,427 | 13 |
| Feb 7, 1997 | 31 | $237,677 | n/c | 68 | $3,495 | $2,668,104 | 14 |
| Feb 14, 1997 | 36 | $241,398 | +2% | 77 | $3,135 | $2,909,502 | 15 |
| Feb 21, 1997 | 35 | $194,142 | -20% | 78 | $2,489 | $3,103,644 | 16 |
| Feb 28, 1997 | 36 | $169,183 | -13% | 65 | $2,603 | $3,272,827 | 17 |
| Mar 7, 1997 | 52 | $20,750 | -88% | 75 | $277 | $3,293,577 | 18 |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 33 | $240,175 | +1,057% | 77 | $3,119 | $3,533,752 | 19 |
| Mar 21, 1997 | 42 | $121,697 | -49% | 70 | $1,739 | $3,655,449 | 20 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | 48 | $93,423 | -23% | 53 | $1,763 | $3,748,872 | 21 |
| Apr 4, 1997 | 52 | $86,174 | -8% | 54 | $1,596 | $3,835,046 | 22 |
| Apr 11, 1997 | 49 | $81,696 | -5% | 53 | $1,541 | $3,916,742 | 23 |
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 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia (CIS) | 2/19/2021 | $282 | 7 | 7 | 9 | $25,107 | 10/19/2022 | |||
| Spain | 7/1/2022 | $0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | $3,546 | 9/15/2022 | |||
| United Kingdom | 8/4/2023 | $2,784 | 7 | 7 | 7 | $2,784 | 8/9/2023 | |||
| International Total | $31,437 | 8/9/2023 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Emily Watson | Bess |
Supporting
| Stellan Skarsgård | Jan | |
| Katrin Cartlidge | Dodo | |
| Jean-Marc Barr | Terry | |
| Udo Kier | Man on the Trawler | |
| Adrian Rawlins | Dr. Richardson | |
| Jonathan Hackett | Minister | |
| Sandra Voe | Bess' Mother | |
| Mikkel Gaup | Pits | |
| Roef Ragas | Pim | |
| Phil McCall | Grandfather | |
| Robert Robertson | Chairman | |
| Desmond Reilly | Elder | |
| Sarah Grudgeon | Sybilla | |
| Finlay Welsh | Coroner | |
| David Gallacher | Glasgow Doctor | |
| Ray Jeffries | Man on Bus | |
| Owen Kavanaugh | Man at Lighthouse | |
| Bob Dogherty | Man on Boat | |
| David Bateson | Young Sailor | |
| Callum Cuthbertson | Radio Operator | |
| Gavin Mitchell | Police Officer | |
| Brian Smith | Police Officer | |
| Iain Agnew | Praying Man | |
| Charles Kearney | Praying Man | |
| Steven Leach | Praying Man | |
| Dortie Romer | Nurse | |
| Anthony O'Donnell | Boy | |
| John Wark | Boy | |
| Ronnie McKellaig | Precenter |
Production and Technical Credits
| Lars Von Trier | Director | |
| Lars Von Trier | Screenwriter | |
| Per Kirkeby | Chapter Sequences | |
| Anders Refn | Editor | |
| Per Streit | Sound Designer | |
| Manon Rasmussen | Costume Designer | |
| Karl Juliusson | Art Director | |
| Joyce Nettles | Casting Director | |
| Morten Arnfred | Assistant Director | |
| Ray Williams | Executive Music Producer | |
| Lars Jonsson | Executive Producer | |
| Peter Aalbaek Jensen | Producer | |
| Vibeke Windelov | Producer | |
| Robby Müller | Cinematographer | |
| Axel Helgeland | Co-Producer | |
| Peter van Vogelpoel | Co-Producer | |
| Rob Langestraat | Co-Producer | |
| Marianne Slot | Co-Producer | |
| Kristoffer Nyholm | Second Unit Director | |
| Leif Mohlin | Unit Production Manager | |
| Lene Nielsan | Unit Production Manager | |
| Eric Kress | Second Unit Camera | |
| Kristian Eidnes Anderson | Supervising Sound Editor | |
| Peter Schultz | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Hans Moller | Dialogue Editor | |
| Jennifer Jorfald | Makeup | |
| Sanne Gravfort | Makeup | |
| Morten Jacobsen | Special Make-up Effects | |
| Peter Asmussen | Screenwriter |
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
In a small and religious coastal town, a simple, devoutly religious Scottish woman, Bess McNeill, finds a partner in an oil rig worker from Norway, Jan Nyman. However, the relationship grows strained when Nyman breaks his neck in a horrific work accident on the rig and becomes paralyzed. Unable to perform sexually and suffering mentally from the accident as well, Jan convinces Bess to have sex with other men, which she comes to believe is God’s work.
Metrics
| Legs: | 21.72 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 99.2% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $10,082,311 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | November 13th, 1996 (Wide) by October Films |
| International Releases: | February 19th, 2021 (Wide), released as Рассекая волны (Russia (CIS))
July 1st, 2022 (Limited), released as Rompiendo las olas (Spain) August 4th, 2023 (Limited) (4K Restoration) (United Kingdom) July 10th, 2024 (Limited), released as Breaking the Waves (브레이킹 더 웨이브) (South Korea) June 23rd, 2025 (Limited), released as Le Onde del Destino (Re-release) (Italy) ... Show all releases |
| Video Release: | April 15th, 2014 by Criterion |
| MPA Rating: | R for strong graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some violence |
| Running Time: | 156 minutes |
| Subgenre: | Erotic Drama |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Production Countries: | Denmark |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 1996 | 42 | $60,426 | 9 | $6,714 | $110,741 | 2 | |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 30 | $150,216 | +149% | 26 | $5,778 | $283,383 | 3 |
| Dec 6, 1996 | 24 | $112,158 | -25% | 25 | $4,486 | $440,914 | 4 |
| Dec 13, 1996 | 27 | $69,993 | -38% | 18 | $3,889 | $541,519 | 5 |
| Dec 20, 1996 | 27 | $128,200 | +83% | 40 | $3,205 | $706,386 | 6 |
| Dec 27, 1996 | 34 | $135,585 | +6% | 45 | $3,013 | $929,773 | 7 |
| Jan 3, 1997 | 30 | $179,520 | +32% | 47 | $3,820 | $1,328,006 | 8 |
| Jan 10, 1997 | 30 | $179,716 | n/c | 53 | $3,391 | $1,647,907 | 9 |
| Jan 17, 1997 | 35 | $185,055 | +3% | 51 | $3,629 | $1,907,339 | 10 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | 35 | $158,465 | -14% | 54 | $2,935 | $2,123,247 | 11 |
| Jan 31, 1997 | 32 | $171,593 | +8% | 59 | $2,908 | $2,365,249 | 12 |
| Feb 7, 1997 | 32 | $166,470 | -3% | 68 | $2,448 | $2,596,897 | 13 |
| Feb 14, 1997 | 38 | $186,003 | +12% | 77 | $2,416 | $2,854,107 | 14 |
| Feb 21, 1997 | 36 | $143,845 | -23% | 78 | $1,844 | $3,053,347 | 15 |
| Feb 28, 1997 | 37 | $110,134 | -23% | 65 | $1,694 | $3,213,778 | 16 |
| Mar 7, 1997 | 37 | $96,476 | -12% | 75 | $1,286 | $3,369,303 | 17 |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 41 | $93,850 | -3% | 77 | $1,219 | $3,387,427 | 18 |
| Mar 21, 1997 | 39 | $94,550 | +1% | 70 | $1,351 | $3,628,302 | 19 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | 48 | $65,392 | -31% | 53 | $1,234 | $3,720,841 | 20 |
| Apr 4, 1997 | 49 | $69,266 | +6% | 54 | $1,283 | $3,818,138 | 21 |
| Apr 11, 1997 | 49 | $60,441 | -13% | 53 | $1,140 | $3,895,487 | 22 |
| Apr 18, 1997 | 56 | $38,299 | -37% | 44 | $870 | $3,955,041 | 23 |
| May 2, 1997 | 59 | $27,872 | 26 | $1,072 | $4,040,691 | 25 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 1996 | 37 | $82,852 | 9 | $9,206 | $133,167 | 3 | |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 29 | $195,589 | +136% | 26 | $7,523 | $328,756 | 4 |
| Dec 6, 1996 | 24 | $142,770 | -27% | 25 | $5,711 | $471,526 | 5 |
| Dec 13, 1996 | 26 | $106,660 | -25% | 18 | $5,926 | $578,186 | 6 |
| Dec 20, 1996 | 28 | $216,002 | +103% | 40 | $5,400 | $794,188 | 7 |
| Dec 27, 1996 | 33 | $354,298 | +64% | 45 | $7,873 | $1,148,486 | 8 |
| Jan 3, 1997 | 25 | $319,705 | -10% | 47 | $6,802 | $1,468,191 | 9 |
| Jan 10, 1997 | 30 | $254,093 | -21% | 53 | $4,794 | $1,722,284 | 10 |
| Jan 17, 1997 | 35 | $242,498 | -5% | 51 | $4,755 | $1,964,782 | 11 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | 34 | $228,874 | -6% | 54 | $4,238 | $2,193,656 | 12 |
| Jan 31, 1997 | 32 | $236,771 | +3% | 59 | $4,013 | $2,430,427 | 13 |
| Feb 7, 1997 | 31 | $237,677 | n/c | 68 | $3,495 | $2,668,104 | 14 |
| Feb 14, 1997 | 36 | $241,398 | +2% | 77 | $3,135 | $2,909,502 | 15 |
| Feb 21, 1997 | 35 | $194,142 | -20% | 78 | $2,489 | $3,103,644 | 16 |
| Feb 28, 1997 | 36 | $169,183 | -13% | 65 | $2,603 | $3,272,827 | 17 |
| Mar 7, 1997 | 52 | $20,750 | -88% | 75 | $277 | $3,293,577 | 18 |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 33 | $240,175 | +1,057% | 77 | $3,119 | $3,533,752 | 19 |
| Mar 21, 1997 | 42 | $121,697 | -49% | 70 | $1,739 | $3,655,449 | 20 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | 48 | $93,423 | -23% | 53 | $1,763 | $3,748,872 | 21 |
| Apr 4, 1997 | 52 | $86,174 | -8% | 54 | $1,596 | $3,835,046 | 22 |
| Apr 11, 1997 | 49 | $81,696 | -5% | 53 | $1,541 | $3,916,742 | 23 |
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 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia (CIS) | 2/19/2021 | $282 | 7 | 7 | 9 | $25,107 | 10/19/2022 | |||
| Spain | 7/1/2022 | $0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | $3,546 | 9/15/2022 | |||
| United Kingdom | 8/4/2023 | $2,784 | 7 | 7 | 7 | $2,784 | 8/9/2023 | |||
| International Total | $31,437 | 8/9/2023 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Emily Watson | Bess |
Supporting
| Stellan Skarsgård | Jan | |
| Katrin Cartlidge | Dodo | |
| Jean-Marc Barr | Terry | |
| Udo Kier | Man on the Trawler | |
| Adrian Rawlins | Dr. Richardson | |
| Jonathan Hackett | Minister | |
| Sandra Voe | Bess' Mother | |
| Mikkel Gaup | Pits | |
| Roef Ragas | Pim | |
| Phil McCall | Grandfather | |
| Robert Robertson | Chairman | |
| Desmond Reilly | Elder | |
| Sarah Grudgeon | Sybilla | |
| Finlay Welsh | Coroner | |
| David Gallacher | Glasgow Doctor | |
| Ray Jeffries | Man on Bus | |
| Owen Kavanaugh | Man at Lighthouse | |
| Bob Dogherty | Man on Boat | |
| David Bateson | Young Sailor | |
| Callum Cuthbertson | Radio Operator | |
| Gavin Mitchell | Police Officer | |
| Brian Smith | Police Officer | |
| Iain Agnew | Praying Man | |
| Charles Kearney | Praying Man | |
| Steven Leach | Praying Man | |
| Dortie Romer | Nurse | |
| Anthony O'Donnell | Boy | |
| John Wark | Boy | |
| Ronnie McKellaig | Precenter |
Production and Technical Credits
| Lars Von Trier | Director | |
| Lars Von Trier | Screenwriter | |
| Per Kirkeby | Chapter Sequences | |
| Anders Refn | Editor | |
| Per Streit | Sound Designer | |
| Manon Rasmussen | Costume Designer | |
| Karl Juliusson | Art Director | |
| Joyce Nettles | Casting Director | |
| Morten Arnfred | Assistant Director | |
| Ray Williams | Executive Music Producer | |
| Lars Jonsson | Executive Producer | |
| Peter Aalbaek Jensen | Producer | |
| Vibeke Windelov | Producer | |
| Robby Müller | Cinematographer | |
| Axel Helgeland | Co-Producer | |
| Peter van Vogelpoel | Co-Producer | |
| Rob Langestraat | Co-Producer | |
| Marianne Slot | Co-Producer | |
| Kristoffer Nyholm | Second Unit Director | |
| Leif Mohlin | Unit Production Manager | |
| Lene Nielsan | Unit Production Manager | |
| Eric Kress | Second Unit Camera | |
| Kristian Eidnes Anderson | Supervising Sound Editor | |
| Peter Schultz | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Hans Moller | Dialogue Editor | |
| Jennifer Jorfald | Makeup | |
| Sanne Gravfort | Makeup | |
| Morten Jacobsen | Special Make-up Effects | |
| Peter Asmussen | Screenwriter |
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.