Kill the Messenger (2014)
| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $2,450,846 | Details |
| International Box Office | $4,205,859 | |
| Worldwide Box Office | $6,656,705 | |
| Domestic Physical Disc Sales | ||
| DVD Sales (estimated) | $2,249,925 | |
| Blu-ray Sales (estimated) | $1,136,705 | |
| Total | $3,386,630 | |
| Further financial details... | ||
Synopsis
Gary Webb was a real-life dedicated reporter for The San Jose Mercury-News. In the 1990s, Webb uncovered the Central Intelligence Agency’s role in importing cocaine into California that was sold to raise money for the Nicaraguan Contras rebel army. Supported by his wife and children, Webb pursued the story and went public with his evidence. When targeted for a vicious smear campaign by the CIA and rival journalists, Webb found himself fighting for his reputation and his family.
Metrics
| Opening Weekend: | $941,809 (38.4% of total gross) |
| Legs: | 2.60 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 36.8% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Production Budget: | $5,000,000 (worldwide box office is 1.3 times production budget) |
| Theater counts: | 374 opening theaters/427 max. theaters, 2.8 weeks average run per theater |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $3,587,773 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | October 10th, 2014 (Limited) by Focus Features October 17th, 2014 (Expands Wide) by Focus Features |
| International Releases: | October 31st, 2014 (Wide), released as Kill The Messenger (Australia)
February 20th, 2015 (Wide) (Russia (CIS)) April 10th, 2015 (Wide) (Mexico) June 18th, 2015 (Wide) (Italy) September 10th, 2015 (Wide) (Germany) |
| Video Release: | February 10th, 2015 by Universal Home Entertainment |
| MPA Rating: | R for language and drug content. (Rating bulletin 2325, 6/4/2014) |
| Running Time: | 112 minutes |
| Plot point: | C.I.A., Government Corruption, Investigative Journalist, Narcotics, News, Smuggler, Whistleblowers |
| Subgenre: | Crime Thriller |
| Source: | Based on Real Life Events |
| Genre: | Thriller/Suspense |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Dramatization |
| Production/Financing Companies: | Bluegrass Films |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2014 | 15 | $941,809 | 374 | $2,518 | $941,809 | 1 | |
| Oct 17, 2014 | 19 | $481,784 | -49% | 427 | $1,128 | $1,846,417 | 2 |
| Oct 24, 2014 | 26 | $148,644 | -69% | 211 | $704 | $2,223,563 | 3 |
| Oct 31, 2014 | 46 | $57,169 | -62% | 75 | $762 | $2,352,073 | 4 |
| Nov 7, 2014 | 55 | $22,640 | -60% | 32 | $708 | $2,402,888 | 5 |
| Nov 14, 2014 | 62 | $9,629 | -57% | 18 | $535 | $2,425,958 | 6 |
| Nov 21, 2014 | 71 | $3,084 | -68% | 11 | $280 | $2,433,609 | 7 |
| Nov 28, 2014 | 81 | $970 | -69% | 8 | $121 | $2,436,161 | 8 |
| Dec 5, 2014 | 62 | $8,343 | +760% | 27 | $309 | $2,445,646 | 9 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2014 | 15 | $304,374 | 374 | $814 | $304,374 | 1 | ||
| Oct 11, 2014 | - | $396,599 | +30% | 374 | $1,060 | $700,973 | 2 | |
| Oct 12, 2014 | 14 | $240,836 | -39% | 374 | $644 | $941,809 | 3 | |
| Oct 13, 2014 | 15 | $137,703 | -43% | 374 | $368 | $1,079,512 | 4 | |
| Oct 14, 2014 | 14 | $105,632 | -23% | 374 | $282 | $1,185,144 | 5 | |
| Oct 15, 2014 | 14 | $96,157 | -9% | 374 | $257 | $1,281,301 | 6 | |
| Oct 16, 2014 | 14 | $83,332 | -13% | 374 | $223 | $1,364,633 | 7 | |
| Oct 17, 2014 | - | $144,087 | +73% | -53% | 427 | $337 | $1,508,720 | 8 |
| Oct 18, 2014 | - | $212,272 | +47% | -46% | 427 | $497 | $1,720,992 | 9 |
| Oct 19, 2014 | - | $125,425 | -41% | -48% | 427 | $294 | $1,846,417 | 10 |
| Oct 20, 2014 | - | $55,003 | -56% | -60% | 427 | $129 | $1,901,420 | 11 |
| Oct 21, 2014 | - | $65,405 | +19% | -38% | 427 | $153 | $1,966,825 | 12 |
| Oct 22, 2014 | - | $57,837 | -12% | -40% | 427 | $135 | $2,024,662 | 13 |
| Oct 23, 2014 | - | $50,257 | -13% | -40% | 427 | $118 | $2,074,919 | 14 |
| Oct 24, 2014 | - | $40,274 | -20% | -72% | 211 | $191 | $2,115,193 | 15 |
| Oct 25, 2014 | - | $64,449 | +60% | -70% | 211 | $305 | $2,179,642 | 16 |
| Oct 26, 2014 | - | $43,921 | -32% | -65% | 211 | $208 | $2,223,563 | 17 |
| Oct 27, 2014 | - | $17,368 | -60% | -68% | 211 | $82 | $2,240,931 | 18 |
| Oct 28, 2014 | - | $19,308 | +11% | -70% | 211 | $92 | $2,260,239 | 19 |
| Oct 29, 2014 | - | $17,145 | -11% | -70% | 211 | $81 | $2,277,384 | 20 |
| Oct 30, 2014 | - | $17,520 | +2% | -65% | 211 | $83 | $2,294,904 | 21 |
| Oct 31, 2014 | - | $13,158 | -25% | -67% | 75 | $175 | $2,308,062 | 22 |
| Nov 1, 2014 | - | $27,023 | +105% | -58% | 75 | $360 | $2,335,085 | 23 |
| Nov 2, 2014 | - | $16,988 | -37% | -61% | 75 | $227 | $2,352,073 | 24 |
| Nov 3, 2014 | - | $6,209 | -63% | -64% | 75 | $83 | $2,358,282 | 25 |
| Nov 4, 2014 | - | $6,989 | +13% | -64% | 75 | $93 | $2,365,271 | 26 |
| Nov 5, 2014 | - | $7,456 | +7% | -57% | 75 | $99 | $2,372,727 | 27 |
| Nov 6, 2014 | - | $7,521 | +1% | -57% | 75 | $100 | $2,380,248 | 28 |
| Nov 7, 2014 | - | $6,348 | -16% | -52% | 32 | $198 | $2,386,596 | 29 |
| Nov 8, 2014 | - | $9,829 | +55% | -64% | 32 | $307 | $2,396,425 | 30 |
| Nov 9, 2014 | - | $6,463 | -34% | -62% | 32 | $202 | $2,402,888 | 31 |
| Nov 10, 2014 | - | $2,916 | -55% | -53% | 32 | $91 | $2,405,804 | 32 |
| Nov 11, 2014 | - | $4,404 | +51% | -37% | 32 | $138 | $2,410,208 | 33 |
| Nov 12, 2014 | - | $2,999 | -32% | -60% | 32 | $94 | $2,413,207 | 34 |
| Nov 13, 2014 | - | $3,122 | +4% | -58% | 32 | $98 | $2,416,329 | 35 |
| Nov 14, 2014 | - | $2,509 | -20% | -60% | 18 | $139 | $2,418,838 | 36 |
| Nov 15, 2014 | - | $4,782 | +91% | -51% | 18 | $266 | $2,423,620 | 37 |
| Nov 16, 2014 | - | $2,338 | -51% | -64% | 18 | $130 | $2,425,958 | 38 |
| Nov 17, 2014 | - | $828 | -65% | -72% | 18 | $46 | $2,426,786 | 39 |
| Nov 18, 2014 | - | $1,233 | +49% | -72% | 18 | $69 | $2,428,019 | 40 |
| Nov 19, 2014 | - | $1,225 | -1% | -59% | 18 | $68 | $2,429,244 | 41 |
| Nov 20, 2014 | - | $1,281 | +5% | -59% | 18 | $71 | $2,430,525 | 42 |
| Nov 21, 2014 | - | $1,127 | -12% | -55% | 11 | $102 | $2,431,652 | 43 |
| Nov 22, 2014 | 36 | $1,332 | +18% | -72% | 11 | $121 | $2,432,984 | 44 |
| Nov 23, 2014 | - | $625 | -53% | -73% | 11 | $57 | $2,433,609 | 45 |
| Nov 24, 2014 | - | $512 | -18% | -38% | 11 | $47 | $2,434,121 | 46 |
| Nov 25, 2014 | - | $334 | -35% | -73% | 11 | $30 | $2,434,455 | 47 |
| Nov 26, 2014 | - | $660 | +98% | -46% | 10 | $66 | $2,435,115 | 48 |
| Nov 27, 2014 | - | $76 | -88% | -94% | 10 | $8 | $2,435,191 | 49 |
| Nov 28, 2014 | - | $372 | +389% | -67% | 8 | $47 | $2,435,563 | 50 |
| Nov 29, 2014 | - | $355 | -5% | -73% | 8 | $44 | $2,435,918 | 51 |
| Nov 30, 2014 | - | $243 | -32% | -61% | 8 | $30 | $2,436,161 | 52 |
| Dec 1, 2014 | - | $229 | -6% | -55% | 8 | $29 | $2,436,390 | 53 |
| Dec 2, 2014 | - | $204 | -11% | -39% | 8 | $26 | $2,436,594 | 54 |
| Dec 3, 2014 | - | $450 | +121% | -32% | 8 | $56 | $2,437,044 | 55 |
| Dec 4, 2014 | - | $259 | -42% | +241% | 8 | $32 | $2,437,303 | 56 |
| Dec 5, 2014 | - | $2,535 | +879% | +581% | 27 | $94 | $2,439,838 | 57 |
| Dec 6, 2014 | - | $3,345 | +32% | +842% | 27 | $124 | $2,443,183 | 58 |
| Dec 7, 2014 | - | $2,463 | -26% | +914% | 27 | $91 | $2,445,646 | 59 |
| Dec 8, 2014 | - | $1,028 | -58% | +349% | 27 | $38 | $2,446,674 | 60 |
| Dec 9, 2014 | - | $1,426 | +39% | +599% | 27 | $53 | $2,448,100 | 61 |
| Dec 10, 2014 | - | $1,200 | -16% | +167% | 27 | $44 | $2,449,300 | 62 |
| Dec 11, 2014 | - | $1,546 | +29% | +497% | 27 | $57 | $2,450,846 | 63 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2014 | 15 | $1,364,633 | 374 | $3,649 | $1,364,633 | 1 | |
| Oct 17, 2014 | 17 | $710,286 | -48% | 427 | $1,663 | $2,074,919 | 2 |
| Oct 24, 2014 | 25 | $219,985 | -69% | 211 | $1,043 | $2,294,904 | 3 |
| Oct 31, 2014 | 47 | $85,344 | -61% | 75 | $1,138 | $2,380,248 | 4 |
| Nov 7, 2014 | 54 | $36,081 | -58% | 32 | $1,128 | $2,416,329 | 5 |
| Nov 14, 2014 | 64 | $14,196 | -61% | 18 | $789 | $2,430,525 | 6 |
| Nov 21, 2014 | 71 | $4,666 | -67% | 10 | $467 | $2,435,191 | 7 |
| Nov 28, 2014 | 84 | $2,112 | -55% | 8 | $264 | $2,437,303 | 8 |
| Dec 5, 2014 | 60 | $13,543 | +541% | 27 | $502 | $2,450,846 | 9 |
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.
Synopsis
Gary Webb was a real-life dedicated reporter for The San Jose Mercury-News. In the 1990s, Webb uncovered the Central Intelligence Agency’s role in importing cocaine into California that was sold to raise money for the Nicaraguan Contras rebel army. Supported by his wife and children, Webb pursued the story and went public with his evidence. When targeted for a vicious smear campaign by the CIA and rival journalists, Webb found himself fighting for his reputation and his family.
Metrics
| Opening Weekend: | $941,809 (38.4% of total gross) |
| Legs: | 2.60 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 36.8% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Production Budget: | $5,000,000 (worldwide box office is 1.3 times production budget) |
| Theater counts: | 374 opening theaters/427 max. theaters, 2.8 weeks average run per theater |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $3,587,773 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | October 10th, 2014 (Limited) by Focus Features October 17th, 2014 (Expands Wide) by Focus Features |
| International Releases: | October 31st, 2014 (Wide), released as Kill The Messenger (Australia)
February 20th, 2015 (Wide) (Russia (CIS)) April 10th, 2015 (Wide) (Mexico) June 18th, 2015 (Wide) (Italy) September 10th, 2015 (Wide) (Germany) |
| Video Release: | February 10th, 2015 by Universal Home Entertainment |
| MPA Rating: | R for language and drug content. (Rating bulletin 2325, 6/4/2014) |
| Running Time: | 112 minutes |
| Plot point: | C.I.A., Government Corruption, Investigative Journalist, Narcotics, News, Smuggler, Whistleblowers |
| Subgenre: | Crime Thriller |
| Source: | Based on Real Life Events |
| Genre: | Thriller/Suspense |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Dramatization |
| Production/Financing Companies: | Bluegrass Films |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2014 | 15 | $941,809 | 374 | $2,518 | $941,809 | 1 | |
| Oct 17, 2014 | 19 | $481,784 | -49% | 427 | $1,128 | $1,846,417 | 2 |
| Oct 24, 2014 | 26 | $148,644 | -69% | 211 | $704 | $2,223,563 | 3 |
| Oct 31, 2014 | 46 | $57,169 | -62% | 75 | $762 | $2,352,073 | 4 |
| Nov 7, 2014 | 55 | $22,640 | -60% | 32 | $708 | $2,402,888 | 5 |
| Nov 14, 2014 | 62 | $9,629 | -57% | 18 | $535 | $2,425,958 | 6 |
| Nov 21, 2014 | 71 | $3,084 | -68% | 11 | $280 | $2,433,609 | 7 |
| Nov 28, 2014 | 81 | $970 | -69% | 8 | $121 | $2,436,161 | 8 |
| Dec 5, 2014 | 62 | $8,343 | +760% | 27 | $309 | $2,445,646 | 9 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2014 | 15 | $304,374 | 374 | $814 | $304,374 | 1 | ||
| Oct 11, 2014 | - | $396,599 | +30% | 374 | $1,060 | $700,973 | 2 | |
| Oct 12, 2014 | 14 | $240,836 | -39% | 374 | $644 | $941,809 | 3 | |
| Oct 13, 2014 | 15 | $137,703 | -43% | 374 | $368 | $1,079,512 | 4 | |
| Oct 14, 2014 | 14 | $105,632 | -23% | 374 | $282 | $1,185,144 | 5 | |
| Oct 15, 2014 | 14 | $96,157 | -9% | 374 | $257 | $1,281,301 | 6 | |
| Oct 16, 2014 | 14 | $83,332 | -13% | 374 | $223 | $1,364,633 | 7 | |
| Oct 17, 2014 | - | $144,087 | +73% | -53% | 427 | $337 | $1,508,720 | 8 |
| Oct 18, 2014 | - | $212,272 | +47% | -46% | 427 | $497 | $1,720,992 | 9 |
| Oct 19, 2014 | - | $125,425 | -41% | -48% | 427 | $294 | $1,846,417 | 10 |
| Oct 20, 2014 | - | $55,003 | -56% | -60% | 427 | $129 | $1,901,420 | 11 |
| Oct 21, 2014 | - | $65,405 | +19% | -38% | 427 | $153 | $1,966,825 | 12 |
| Oct 22, 2014 | - | $57,837 | -12% | -40% | 427 | $135 | $2,024,662 | 13 |
| Oct 23, 2014 | - | $50,257 | -13% | -40% | 427 | $118 | $2,074,919 | 14 |
| Oct 24, 2014 | - | $40,274 | -20% | -72% | 211 | $191 | $2,115,193 | 15 |
| Oct 25, 2014 | - | $64,449 | +60% | -70% | 211 | $305 | $2,179,642 | 16 |
| Oct 26, 2014 | - | $43,921 | -32% | -65% | 211 | $208 | $2,223,563 | 17 |
| Oct 27, 2014 | - | $17,368 | -60% | -68% | 211 | $82 | $2,240,931 | 18 |
| Oct 28, 2014 | - | $19,308 | +11% | -70% | 211 | $92 | $2,260,239 | 19 |
| Oct 29, 2014 | - | $17,145 | -11% | -70% | 211 | $81 | $2,277,384 | 20 |
| Oct 30, 2014 | - | $17,520 | +2% | -65% | 211 | $83 | $2,294,904 | 21 |
| Oct 31, 2014 | - | $13,158 | -25% | -67% | 75 | $175 | $2,308,062 | 22 |
| Nov 1, 2014 | - | $27,023 | +105% | -58% | 75 | $360 | $2,335,085 | 23 |
| Nov 2, 2014 | - | $16,988 | -37% | -61% | 75 | $227 | $2,352,073 | 24 |
| Nov 3, 2014 | - | $6,209 | -63% | -64% | 75 | $83 | $2,358,282 | 25 |
| Nov 4, 2014 | - | $6,989 | +13% | -64% | 75 | $93 | $2,365,271 | 26 |
| Nov 5, 2014 | - | $7,456 | +7% | -57% | 75 | $99 | $2,372,727 | 27 |
| Nov 6, 2014 | - | $7,521 | +1% | -57% | 75 | $100 | $2,380,248 | 28 |
| Nov 7, 2014 | - | $6,348 | -16% | -52% | 32 | $198 | $2,386,596 | 29 |
| Nov 8, 2014 | - | $9,829 | +55% | -64% | 32 | $307 | $2,396,425 | 30 |
| Nov 9, 2014 | - | $6,463 | -34% | -62% | 32 | $202 | $2,402,888 | 31 |
| Nov 10, 2014 | - | $2,916 | -55% | -53% | 32 | $91 | $2,405,804 | 32 |
| Nov 11, 2014 | - | $4,404 | +51% | -37% | 32 | $138 | $2,410,208 | 33 |
| Nov 12, 2014 | - | $2,999 | -32% | -60% | 32 | $94 | $2,413,207 | 34 |
| Nov 13, 2014 | - | $3,122 | +4% | -58% | 32 | $98 | $2,416,329 | 35 |
| Nov 14, 2014 | - | $2,509 | -20% | -60% | 18 | $139 | $2,418,838 | 36 |
| Nov 15, 2014 | - | $4,782 | +91% | -51% | 18 | $266 | $2,423,620 | 37 |
| Nov 16, 2014 | - | $2,338 | -51% | -64% | 18 | $130 | $2,425,958 | 38 |
| Nov 17, 2014 | - | $828 | -65% | -72% | 18 | $46 | $2,426,786 | 39 |
| Nov 18, 2014 | - | $1,233 | +49% | -72% | 18 | $69 | $2,428,019 | 40 |
| Nov 19, 2014 | - | $1,225 | -1% | -59% | 18 | $68 | $2,429,244 | 41 |
| Nov 20, 2014 | - | $1,281 | +5% | -59% | 18 | $71 | $2,430,525 | 42 |
| Nov 21, 2014 | - | $1,127 | -12% | -55% | 11 | $102 | $2,431,652 | 43 |
| Nov 22, 2014 | 36 | $1,332 | +18% | -72% | 11 | $121 | $2,432,984 | 44 |
| Nov 23, 2014 | - | $625 | -53% | -73% | 11 | $57 | $2,433,609 | 45 |
| Nov 24, 2014 | - | $512 | -18% | -38% | 11 | $47 | $2,434,121 | 46 |
| Nov 25, 2014 | - | $334 | -35% | -73% | 11 | $30 | $2,434,455 | 47 |
| Nov 26, 2014 | - | $660 | +98% | -46% | 10 | $66 | $2,435,115 | 48 |
| Nov 27, 2014 | - | $76 | -88% | -94% | 10 | $8 | $2,435,191 | 49 |
| Nov 28, 2014 | - | $372 | +389% | -67% | 8 | $47 | $2,435,563 | 50 |
| Nov 29, 2014 | - | $355 | -5% | -73% | 8 | $44 | $2,435,918 | 51 |
| Nov 30, 2014 | - | $243 | -32% | -61% | 8 | $30 | $2,436,161 | 52 |
| Dec 1, 2014 | - | $229 | -6% | -55% | 8 | $29 | $2,436,390 | 53 |
| Dec 2, 2014 | - | $204 | -11% | -39% | 8 | $26 | $2,436,594 | 54 |
| Dec 3, 2014 | - | $450 | +121% | -32% | 8 | $56 | $2,437,044 | 55 |
| Dec 4, 2014 | - | $259 | -42% | +241% | 8 | $32 | $2,437,303 | 56 |
| Dec 5, 2014 | - | $2,535 | +879% | +581% | 27 | $94 | $2,439,838 | 57 |
| Dec 6, 2014 | - | $3,345 | +32% | +842% | 27 | $124 | $2,443,183 | 58 |
| Dec 7, 2014 | - | $2,463 | -26% | +914% | 27 | $91 | $2,445,646 | 59 |
| Dec 8, 2014 | - | $1,028 | -58% | +349% | 27 | $38 | $2,446,674 | 60 |
| Dec 9, 2014 | - | $1,426 | +39% | +599% | 27 | $53 | $2,448,100 | 61 |
| Dec 10, 2014 | - | $1,200 | -16% | +167% | 27 | $44 | $2,449,300 | 62 |
| Dec 11, 2014 | - | $1,546 | +29% | +497% | 27 | $57 | $2,450,846 | 63 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2014 | 15 | $1,364,633 | 374 | $3,649 | $1,364,633 | 1 | |
| Oct 17, 2014 | 17 | $710,286 | -48% | 427 | $1,663 | $2,074,919 | 2 |
| Oct 24, 2014 | 25 | $219,985 | -69% | 211 | $1,043 | $2,294,904 | 3 |
| Oct 31, 2014 | 47 | $85,344 | -61% | 75 | $1,138 | $2,380,248 | 4 |
| Nov 7, 2014 | 54 | $36,081 | -58% | 32 | $1,128 | $2,416,329 | 5 |
| Nov 14, 2014 | 64 | $14,196 | -61% | 18 | $789 | $2,430,525 | 6 |
| Nov 21, 2014 | 71 | $4,666 | -67% | 10 | $467 | $2,435,191 | 7 |
| Nov 28, 2014 | 84 | $2,112 | -55% | 8 | $264 | $2,437,303 | 8 |
| Dec 5, 2014 | 60 | $13,543 | +541% | 27 | $502 | $2,450,846 | 9 |
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.