Imitation of Life (1959)
| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $14,000,000 | Details |
| International Box Office | $20,717 | Details |
| Worldwide Box Office | $14,020,717 | |
| OpusData ID: 31700100 More info... | ||
| Further financial details... | ||
Metrics
| Domestic Share: | 99.9% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | April 30th, 1959 (Wide) |
| International Releases: | June 12th, 1959 (Limited) (Australia)
May 8th, 1999 (Limited) (South Korea) June 11th, 2023 (Limited) (Australia) March 28th, 2025 (Limited), released as Imitation of Life (悲しみは空の彼方に) (Japan) October 7th, 2026 (Limited) (South Korea) ... Show all releases |
| Video Release: | January 12th, 2012 by Universal Home Entertainment |
| MPA Rating: | Not Rated |
| Running Time: | 125 minutes |
| Cast, crew, or production detail: | Whitewashed Casting |
| Plot point: | African Americans, Aspiring Actress / Actor, Bigotry, Dysfunctional Family, Interracial Child, Relationships Gone Wrong, Widow/Widower, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent |
| Subgenre: | Life Drama |
| Time period setting: | 1940s, 1950s |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Historical Fiction |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
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 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 6/12/1959 | $0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | $365 | 12/29/2020 | |||
| South Korea | 5/8/1999 | $0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | $20,352 | 10/14/2026 | |||
| International Total | $20,717 | 10/14/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
| Bess Flowers | Geraldine Moore | |
| Daniel O’Herlihy | David Edwards | |
| Lana Turner | Lora Meredith | |
| Sandra Dee | Susie, age 16 |
Production and Technical Credits
| Douglas Sirk | Director | |
| Eleanore Griffin | Screenwriter | |
| Allan Scott | 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.
Metrics
| Domestic Share: | 99.9% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | April 30th, 1959 (Wide) |
| International Releases: | June 12th, 1959 (Limited) (Australia)
May 8th, 1999 (Limited) (South Korea) June 11th, 2023 (Limited) (Australia) March 28th, 2025 (Limited), released as Imitation of Life (悲しみは空の彼方に) (Japan) October 7th, 2026 (Limited) (South Korea) ... Show all releases |
| Video Release: | January 12th, 2012 by Universal Home Entertainment |
| MPA Rating: | Not Rated |
| Running Time: | 125 minutes |
| Cast, crew, or production detail: | Whitewashed Casting |
| Plot point: | African Americans, Aspiring Actress / Actor, Bigotry, Dysfunctional Family, Interracial Child, Relationships Gone Wrong, Widow/Widower, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent |
| Subgenre: | Life Drama |
| Time period setting: | 1940s, 1950s |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Historical Fiction |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
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 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 6/12/1959 | $0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | $365 | 12/29/2020 | |||
| South Korea | 5/8/1999 | $0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | $20,352 | 10/14/2026 | |||
| International Total | $20,717 | 10/14/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
| Bess Flowers | Geraldine Moore | |
| Daniel O’Herlihy | David Edwards | |
| Lana Turner | Lora Meredith | |
| Sandra Dee | Susie, age 16 |
Production and Technical Credits
| Douglas Sirk | Director | |
| Eleanore Griffin | Screenwriter | |
| Allan Scott | 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.