The Reader (2008)
| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $34,194,407 | Details |
| International Box Office | $78,770,468 | Details |
| Worldwide Box Office | $112,964,875 | |
| Domestic Physical Disc Sales | ||
| DVD Sales (estimated) | $13,226,566 | |
| Total | $13,226,566 | |
| OpusData ID: 16620100 More info... | ||
| Further financial details... | ||
Synopsis
When he falls ill on his way home from school, 15 year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. The two begin an unexpected and passionate affair only for Hanna to suddenly and inexplicably disappear. Eight years later, Michael, now a young law student observing Nazi war trials, meets his former lover again, under very different circumstances. Hanna is on trial for a hideous crime, and as she refuses to defend herself, Michael gradually realizes his boyhood love may be guarding a secret she considers to be more shameful than murder.
Metrics
| Opening Weekend: | $168,051 (0.5% of total gross) |
| Legs: | 11.95 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 30.3% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Production Budget: | $32,500,000 (worldwide box office is 3.5 times production budget) |
| Theater counts: | 8 opening theaters/1,203 max. theaters, 8.8 weeks average run per theater |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $54,667,629 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | December 10th, 2008 (Limited) by Weinstein Co. |
| International Releases: | March 26th, 2009 (Limited) (South Korea) |
| Video Release: | April 14th, 2009 by Weinstein Co./Genius |
| MPA Rating: | R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity |
| Running Time: | 122 minutes |
| Award nomination: | 2009 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Plot point: | February / May Romance, Illiteracy / Learning to Read, Suicide |
| Social setting: | Holocaust |
| Subgenre: | Romantic Drama |
| Time period setting: | 1950s, 1960s, 1980s |
| Source: | Based on Fiction Book/Short Story |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Production/Financing Companies: | Mirage Enterprises, Neunte Babelsberg Films GmbH |
| Production Countries: | Germany, United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2008 | 25 | $168,051 | 8 | $21,006 | $179,970 | 1 | |
| Dec 19, 2008 | 29 | $92,790 | -45% | 8 | $11,599 | $349,240 | 2 |
| Dec 26, 2008 | 22 | $664,013 | +616% | 116 | $5,724 | $1,243,690 | 3 |
| Jan 2, 2009 | 17 | $1,598,472 | +141% | 398 | $4,016 | $3,553,578 | 4 |
| Jan 9, 2009 | 18 | $1,346,742 | -16% | 507 | $2,656 | $5,510,453 | 5 |
| Jan 16, 2009 | 20 | $1,285,036 | -5% | 417 | $3,082 | $7,575,034 | 6 |
| Jan 23, 2009 | 20 | $1,403,410 | +9% | 367 | $3,824 | $9,661,121 | 7 |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 15 | $2,380,376 | +70% | 1,002 | $2,376 | $12,655,858 | 8 |
| Feb 6, 2009 | 14 | $2,275,489 | -4% | 862 | $2,640 | $16,033,070 | 9 |
| Feb 13, 2009 | 15 | $2,209,080 | -3% | 742 | $2,977 | $19,157,194 | 10 |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 14 | $2,642,770 | +20% | 962 | $2,747 | $23,011,596 | 11 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 13 | $2,860,429 | +8% | 1,203 | $2,378 | $26,949,964 | 12 |
| Mar 6, 2009 | 12 | $1,925,918 | -33% | 1,175 | $1,639 | $29,860,949 | 13 |
| Mar 13, 2009 | 14 | $1,309,669 | -32% | 1,175 | $1,115 | $31,887,248 | 14 |
| Mar 20, 2009 | 18 | $535,983 | -59% | 704 | $761 | $32,900,557 | 15 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | 19 | $308,495 | -42% | 324 | $952 | $33,484,347 | 16 |
| Apr 3, 2009 | 21 | $192,085 | -38% | 232 | $828 | $33,807,465 | 17 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | 29 | $105,107 | -45% | 132 | $796 | $34,006,517 | 18 |
| Apr 17, 2009 | 38 | $55,229 | -47% | 105 | $526 | $34,111,418 | 19 |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 56 | $20,822 | -62% | 55 | $379 | $34,157,651 | 20 |
| May 1, 2009 | 65 | $13,546 | -35% | 35 | $387 | $34,180,954 | 21 |
| May 8, 2009 | 80 | $4,366 | -68% | 16 | $273 | $34,192,652 | 22 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 25, 2008 | - | $174,778 | 116 | $1,507 | $579,866 | 16 | ||
| Jan 2, 2009 | - | $530,958 | 398 | $1,334 | $2,486,064 | 24 | ||
| Jan 3, 2009 | - | $653,152 | +23% | 398 | $1,641 | $3,139,216 | 25 | |
| Jan 4, 2009 | - | $414,362 | -37% | 398 | $1,041 | $3,553,578 | 26 | |
| Jan 19, 2009 | 22 | $233,135 | 417 | $559 | $7,808,169 | 41 | ||
| Feb 2, 2009 | 11 | $239,638 | 1,002 | $239 | $12,895,496 | 55 | ||
| Feb 3, 2009 | 11 | $278,614 | +16% | 1,002 | $278 | $13,174,110 | 56 | |
| Feb 4, 2009 | 11 | $287,287 | +3% | 1,002 | $287 | $13,461,397 | 57 | |
| Feb 5, 2009 | 11 | $296,184 | +3% | 1,002 | $296 | $13,757,581 | 58 | |
| Feb 6, 2009 | 14 | $603,322 | +104% | 862 | $700 | $14,360,903 | 59 | |
| Feb 7, 2009 | 14 | $1,019,614 | +69% | 862 | $1,183 | $15,380,517 | 60 | |
| Feb 8, 2009 | 13 | $652,553 | -36% | 862 | $757 | $16,033,070 | 61 | |
| Feb 9, 2009 | 13 | $207,071 | -68% | -14% | 862 | $240 | $16,240,141 | 62 |
| Feb 10, 2009 | 12 | $240,812 | +16% | -14% | 862 | $279 | $16,480,953 | 63 |
| Feb 11, 2009 | 12 | $235,267 | -2% | -18% | 862 | $273 | $16,716,220 | 64 |
| Feb 12, 2009 | 12 | $231,894 | -1% | -22% | 862 | $269 | $16,948,114 | 65 |
| Feb 13, 2009 | 15 | $475,407 | +105% | -21% | 742 | $641 | $17,423,521 | 66 |
| Feb 14, 2009 | 15 | $954,737 | +101% | -6% | 742 | $1,287 | $18,378,258 | 67 |
| Feb 15, 2009 | 14 | $778,936 | -18% | +19% | 742 | $1,050 | $19,157,194 | 68 |
| Feb 16, 2009 | 14 | $461,757 | -41% | +123% | 742 | $622 | $19,618,951 | 69 |
| Feb 17, 2009 | 13 | $247,113 | -46% | +3% | 742 | $333 | $19,866,064 | 70 |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 13 | $240,405 | -3% | +2% | 742 | $324 | $20,106,469 | 71 |
| Feb 19, 2009 | 13 | $262,357 | +9% | +13% | 742 | $354 | $20,368,826 | 72 |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 14 | $780,413 | +197% | +64% | 962 | $811 | $21,149,239 | 73 |
| Feb 21, 2009 | 14 | $1,314,318 | +68% | +38% | 962 | $1,366 | $22,463,557 | 74 |
| Feb 22, 2009 | 15 | $620,039 | -53% | -20% | 962 | $645 | $23,083,596 | 75 |
| Feb 23, 2009 | 11 | $275,295 | -56% | -40% | 962 | $286 | $23,358,891 | 76 |
| Feb 24, 2009 | 10 | $301,486 | +10% | +22% | 962 | $313 | $23,660,377 | 77 |
| Feb 25, 2009 | 11 | $247,555 | -18% | +3% | 962 | $257 | $23,907,932 | 78 |
| Feb 26, 2009 | 11 | $253,603 | +2% | -3% | 962 | $264 | $24,089,535 | 79 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 13 | $768,536 | +203% | -2% | 1,203 | $639 | $24,858,071 | 80 |
| Feb 28, 2009 | 13 | $1,318,914 | +72% | n/c | 1,203 | $1,096 | $26,176,985 | 81 |
| Mar 1, 2009 | 12 | $772,979 | -41% | +25% | 1,203 | $643 | $26,949,964 | 82 |
| Mar 2, 2009 | 13 | $228,890 | -70% | -17% | 1,203 | $190 | $27,178,854 | 83 |
| Mar 3, 2009 | 12 | $273,841 | +20% | -9% | 1,203 | $228 | $27,452,695 | 84 |
| Mar 4, 2009 | 11 | $248,271 | -9% | n/c | 1,203 | $206 | $27,700,966 | 85 |
| Mar 5, 2009 | 12 | $234,065 | -6% | -8% | 1,203 | $195 | $27,935,031 | 86 |
| Mar 6, 2009 | 12 | $529,725 | +126% | -31% | 1,175 | $451 | $28,464,756 | 87 |
| Mar 7, 2009 | 12 | $889,295 | +68% | -33% | 1,175 | $757 | $29,354,051 | 88 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | 10 | $506,898 | -43% | -34% | 1,175 | $431 | $29,860,949 | 89 |
| Mar 9, 2009 | 10 | $151,457 | -70% | -34% | 1,175 | $129 | $30,012,406 | 90 |
| Mar 10, 2009 | 9 | $205,857 | +36% | -25% | 1,175 | $175 | $30,218,263 | 91 |
| Mar 11, 2009 | 9 | $182,806 | -11% | -26% | 1,175 | $156 | $30,401,069 | 92 |
| Mar 12, 2009 | 10 | $176,510 | -3% | -25% | 1,175 | $150 | $30,577,579 | 93 |
| Mar 13, 2009 | 14 | $350,915 | +99% | -34% | 1,175 | $299 | $30,928,494 | 94 |
| Mar 14, 2009 | 14 | $610,731 | +74% | -31% | 1,175 | $520 | $31,539,225 | 95 |
| Mar 15, 2009 | 13 | $348,023 | -43% | -31% | 1,175 | $296 | $31,887,248 | 96 |
| Mar 16, 2009 | 14 | $114,448 | -67% | -24% | 1,175 | $97 | $32,001,696 | 97 |
| Mar 17, 2009 | 13 | $118,524 | +4% | -42% | 1,175 | $101 | $32,120,220 | 98 |
| Mar 18, 2009 | 15 | $120,035 | +1% | -34% | 1,175 | $102 | $32,240,255 | 99 |
| Mar 19, 2009 | 15 | $124,319 | +4% | -30% | 1,175 | $106 | $32,364,574 | 100 |
| Mar 20, 2009 | 18 | $149,411 | +20% | -57% | 704 | $212 | $32,513,985 | 101 |
| Mar 21, 2009 | 18 | $244,666 | +64% | -60% | 704 | $348 | $32,758,651 | 102 |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 17 | $141,906 | -42% | -59% | 704 | $202 | $32,900,557 | 103 |
| Mar 23, 2009 | 16 | $60,404 | -57% | -47% | 704 | $86 | $32,960,961 | 104 |
| Mar 24, 2009 | 14 | $79,129 | +31% | -33% | 704 | $112 | $33,040,090 | 105 |
| Mar 25, 2009 | 16 | $68,051 | -14% | -43% | 704 | $97 | $33,108,141 | 106 |
| Mar 26, 2009 | 17 | $67,711 | n/c | -46% | 704 | $96 | $33,175,852 | 107 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | - | $82,481 | +22% | -45% | 324 | $255 | $33,258,333 | 108 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | - | $141,194 | +71% | -42% | 324 | $436 | $33,399,527 | 109 |
| Mar 29, 2009 | - | $84,820 | -40% | -40% | 324 | $262 | $33,484,347 | 110 |
| Mar 30, 2009 | - | $27,990 | -67% | -54% | 324 | $86 | $33,512,337 | 111 |
| Mar 31, 2009 | - | $35,547 | +27% | -55% | 324 | $110 | $33,547,884 | 112 |
| Apr 1, 2009 | - | $33,414 | -6% | -51% | 324 | $103 | $33,581,298 | 113 |
| Apr 2, 2009 | - | $34,082 | +2% | -50% | 324 | $105 | $33,615,380 | 114 |
| Apr 3, 2009 | - | $54,722 | +61% | -34% | 232 | $236 | $33,670,102 | 115 |
| Apr 4, 2009 | - | $89,197 | +63% | -37% | 232 | $384 | $33,759,299 | 116 |
| Apr 5, 2009 | - | $48,166 | -46% | -43% | 232 | $208 | $33,807,465 | 117 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | - | $19,748 | -59% | -29% | 232 | $85 | $33,827,213 | 118 |
| Apr 7, 2009 | - | $25,080 | +27% | -29% | 232 | $108 | $33,852,293 | 119 |
| Apr 8, 2009 | - | $24,077 | -4% | -28% | 232 | $104 | $33,876,370 | 120 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2008 | 66 | $11,919 | 1 | $11,919 | $11,919 | 1 | |
| Dec 12, 2008 | 25 | $244,531 | +1,952% | 8 | $30,566 | $256,450 | 2 |
| Dec 19, 2008 | 31 | $364,416 | +49% | 8 | $45,552 | $579,866 | 3 |
| Dec 26, 2008 | 21 | $1,375,429 | +277% | 116 | $11,857 | $1,955,106 | 4 |
| Jan 2, 2009 | 17 | $2,208,605 | +61% | 398 | $5,549 | $4,163,711 | 5 |
| Jan 9, 2009 | 16 | $2,126,287 | -4% | 507 | $4,194 | $6,289,998 | 6 |
| Jan 16, 2009 | 20 | $1,967,713 | -7% | 417 | $4,719 | $8,257,711 | 7 |
| Jan 23, 2009 | 19 | $2,017,771 | +3% | 367 | $5,498 | $10,275,482 | 8 |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 15 | $3,482,099 | +73% | 1,002 | $3,475 | $13,757,581 | 9 |
| Feb 6, 2009 | 13 | $3,190,533 | -8% | 862 | $3,701 | $16,948,114 | 10 |
| Feb 13, 2009 | 14 | $3,420,712 | +7% | 742 | $4,610 | $20,368,826 | 11 |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 14 | $3,720,709 | +9% | 962 | $3,868 | $24,089,535 | 12 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 14 | $3,845,496 | +3% | 1,203 | $3,197 | $27,935,031 | 13 |
| Mar 6, 2009 | 12 | $2,642,548 | -31% | 1,175 | $2,249 | $30,577,579 | 14 |
| Mar 13, 2009 | 14 | $1,786,995 | -32% | 1,175 | $1,521 | $32,364,574 | 15 |
| Mar 20, 2009 | 18 | $811,278 | -55% | 704 | $1,152 | $33,175,852 | 16 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | 18 | $439,528 | -46% | 324 | $1,357 | $33,615,380 | 17 |
| Apr 3, 2009 | 21 | $286,030 | -35% | 232 | $1,233 | $33,901,410 | 18 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | 30 | $154,779 | -46% | 132 | $1,173 | $34,056,189 | 19 |
| Apr 17, 2009 | 38 | $80,640 | -48% | 105 | $768 | $34,136,829 | 20 |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 57 | $30,579 | -62% | 55 | $556 | $34,167,408 | 21 |
| May 1, 2009 | 64 | $20,878 | -32% | 35 | $597 | $34,188,286 | 22 |
| May 8, 2009 | 83 | $6,121 | -71% | 16 | $383 | $34,194,407 | 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 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 3/26/2009 | $0 | 0 | 29 | 35 | $2,603,752 | 4/4/2026 | |||
| Rest of World | $76,166,716 | |||||||||
| International Total | $78,770,468 | 4/4/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Kate Winslet | Hanna Schmitz | |
| Ralph Fiennes | Michael Berg |
Supporting
| David Kross | Young Michael Berg | |
| Lena Olin | Rose Mother / Ilana Mather | |
| Bruno Ganz | Professor Rohl | |
| Jeanette Hain | Brigitte | |
| Susanne Lothar | Carla Berg | |
| Alissa Wilms | Emily Berg | |
| Florian Bartholomai | Thomas Berg | |
| Friederike Becht | Angela Berg | |
| Matthias Habich | Peter Berg | |
| Frieder Venus | Doctor | |
| Marie Anne Fliegel | Hanna's Neighbour | |
| Hendrik Arnst | Woodyard Worker | |
| Rainer Sellien | Teacher | |
| Torsten Michaelis | Sports Master | |
| Moritz Grove | Holger | |
| Joachim Tomaschewsky | Stamp Dealer | |
| Barbara Philipp | Waitress | |
| Hans Hohlbein | Clerk | |
| Juergen Tarrach | Gerhard Bade | |
| Kirsten Block | Female Judge | |
| Vijnessa Ferkic | Sophie | |
| Vanessa Berthold | Sophie's Friend | |
| Benjamin Trinks | Holger's Friend | |
| Fritz Roth | Tram Supervisor | |
| Hannah Herzsprung | Julia | |
| Jaqueline Macaulay | Heidelberg Lecturer | |
| Volker Bruch | Dieter | |
| Karoline Herfurth | Marthe | |
| Max Mauff | Rudolf | |
| Ludwig Blochberger | Seminar Group Student | |
| Jonas Jagermeyr | Seminar Group Student | |
| Alexander Kraspik | Seminar Group Student | |
| Burghart Klaussner | Judge | |
| Sylvester Groth | Prosecuting Council | |
| Fabian Busch | Hanna's Defence Council | |
| Margarita Broich | Co-Defendant | |
| Marie Gruber | Co-Defendant | |
| Lena Lessing | Co-Defendant | |
| Merelina Kendall | Co-Defendant | |
| Hildegard Schroedter | Co-Defendant | |
| Alexandra Maria Lara | Young Ilana Mather | |
| Martin Brambach | Remand Prison Guard | |
| Michael Schenk | Remand Prison Guard | |
| Ava Eusepi-Harris | Young Julia | |
| Nadja Engel | Mail Room Guard | |
| Anne-Kathrin Grummich | Mail Room Guard | |
| Carmen-Maja Antoni | Prison Librarian | |
| Petra Hartung | Head Prison Guard | |
| Linda Bassett | Ms. Brenner | |
| Beata Lehmann | Ms. Brenner's Secretary | |
| Heike Hanold-Lynch | Prison Guard | |
| Bettina Scheuritzel | Gate Guard | |
| Robin Lyn Gooch | Ilana's Maid |
Production and Technical Credits
| Stephen Daldry | Director | |
| David Hare | Screenwriter | |
| Bernhard Schlink | Based on the book "Der Vorleser" | |
| Anthony Minghella | Producer | |
| Sydney Pollack | Producer | |
| Donna Gigliotti | Producer | |
| Redmond Morris | Producer | |
| Bob Weinstein | Executive Producer | |
| Harvey Weinstein | Executive Producer | |
| Jason Blum | Co-Executive Producer | |
| Chris Menges | Director of Photography | |
| Roger Deakins | Director of Photography | |
| Brigitte Broch | Production Designer | |
| Claire Simpson | Editor | |
| Nico Muhly | Composer | |
| Ann Roth | Costume Designer | |
| Jina Jay | Casting Director | |
| Simone Baer | Casting Director | |
| Henning Molfenter | Co-Producer | |
| Carl L. Woebcken* | Co-Producer | |
| Christoph Fisser | Co-Producer | |
| Michael Simon de Normier | Associate Producer | |
| Tarik Karam | Associate Producer | |
| Nora Skinner | Associate Producer | |
| Marieke Spencer | Associate Producer | |
| Arno Neubauer | Line Producer | |
| Sabine Schenk | Line Producer (New York Unit) | |
| Marianna Rowinska | Line Producer (Poland Unit) | |
| Richard Styles | Assistant Director | |
| Josh Newport | Assistant Director (New York) | |
| Tarik Karam | Second Unit Director | |
| Aaron Levine | Production Manager (New York Unit) | |
| Paulina Czech | Production Manager (Poland Unit) | |
| Jasmina Torbati | Production Manager (Czech Unit) | |
| Christian M. Goldbeck | Supervising Art Director | |
| Erwin W. Prib | Art Director | |
| Stefan Hauck | Art Director | |
| Yeshim Zolan | Art Director | |
| Anja Fromm | Art Director (Cologne) | |
| Anu Schwartz | Art Director (New York) | |
| Eva Marie Stiebler | Set Decorator | |
| Donna Maloney | Costume Designer | |
| Heike Hutt | Costume Supervisor | |
| Antonio Arroyo | Production Sound Mixer (New York Unit) | |
| Manfred Banach | Recordist | |
| Jim Greenhorn | Additional Recordist | |
| Michael Barry | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Lee Dichter | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Andy Kris | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Blake Leyh | Supervising Sound Editor | |
| Heather Gross | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Blake Leyh | Sound Designer | |
| Eliza Paley | Supervising Dialogue Editor | |
| Jac Rubenstein | Dialogue Editor | |
| Sylvia Menno | Dialogue Editor | |
| Annette Kudrak | Music Editor | |
| Jim Flatto | Associate Music Editor | |
| Michael Feiser | Associate Music Editor | |
| Anna Von Gwinner | Makeup | |
| Annett Schulze | Makeup (Kate Winslet) | |
| Gabriele Kent-Horspool | Makeup | |
| Linda Melazzo | Makeup | |
| Peter Owen | Hairstylist (Wig Designer) | |
| Ivana Primorac | Make-up and Hair Designer | |
| Pauline Flowers | Special Effects Makeup (Chief Prosthetic Supervisor) | |
| Matthew Weston Smith | Special Effects Makeup (Prosthetic Designer) | |
| Vokhart Buff | Stunt Coordinator |
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.
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
When he falls ill on his way home from school, 15 year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. The two begin an unexpected and passionate affair only for Hanna to suddenly and inexplicably disappear. Eight years later, Michael, now a young law student observing Nazi war trials, meets his former lover again, under very different circumstances. Hanna is on trial for a hideous crime, and as she refuses to defend herself, Michael gradually realizes his boyhood love may be guarding a secret she considers to be more shameful than murder.
Metrics
| Opening Weekend: | $168,051 (0.5% of total gross) |
| Legs: | 11.95 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 30.3% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Production Budget: | $32,500,000 (worldwide box office is 3.5 times production budget) |
| Theater counts: | 8 opening theaters/1,203 max. theaters, 8.8 weeks average run per theater |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $54,667,629 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | December 10th, 2008 (Limited) by Weinstein Co. |
| International Releases: | March 26th, 2009 (Limited) (South Korea) |
| Video Release: | April 14th, 2009 by Weinstein Co./Genius |
| MPA Rating: | R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity |
| Running Time: | 122 minutes |
| Award nomination: | 2009 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Plot point: | February / May Romance, Illiteracy / Learning to Read, Suicide |
| Social setting: | Holocaust |
| Subgenre: | Romantic Drama |
| Time period setting: | 1950s, 1960s, 1980s |
| Source: | Based on Fiction Book/Short Story |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Production/Financing Companies: | Mirage Enterprises, Neunte Babelsberg Films GmbH |
| Production Countries: | Germany, United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2008 | 25 | $168,051 | 8 | $21,006 | $179,970 | 1 | |
| Dec 19, 2008 | 29 | $92,790 | -45% | 8 | $11,599 | $349,240 | 2 |
| Dec 26, 2008 | 22 | $664,013 | +616% | 116 | $5,724 | $1,243,690 | 3 |
| Jan 2, 2009 | 17 | $1,598,472 | +141% | 398 | $4,016 | $3,553,578 | 4 |
| Jan 9, 2009 | 18 | $1,346,742 | -16% | 507 | $2,656 | $5,510,453 | 5 |
| Jan 16, 2009 | 20 | $1,285,036 | -5% | 417 | $3,082 | $7,575,034 | 6 |
| Jan 23, 2009 | 20 | $1,403,410 | +9% | 367 | $3,824 | $9,661,121 | 7 |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 15 | $2,380,376 | +70% | 1,002 | $2,376 | $12,655,858 | 8 |
| Feb 6, 2009 | 14 | $2,275,489 | -4% | 862 | $2,640 | $16,033,070 | 9 |
| Feb 13, 2009 | 15 | $2,209,080 | -3% | 742 | $2,977 | $19,157,194 | 10 |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 14 | $2,642,770 | +20% | 962 | $2,747 | $23,011,596 | 11 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 13 | $2,860,429 | +8% | 1,203 | $2,378 | $26,949,964 | 12 |
| Mar 6, 2009 | 12 | $1,925,918 | -33% | 1,175 | $1,639 | $29,860,949 | 13 |
| Mar 13, 2009 | 14 | $1,309,669 | -32% | 1,175 | $1,115 | $31,887,248 | 14 |
| Mar 20, 2009 | 18 | $535,983 | -59% | 704 | $761 | $32,900,557 | 15 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | 19 | $308,495 | -42% | 324 | $952 | $33,484,347 | 16 |
| Apr 3, 2009 | 21 | $192,085 | -38% | 232 | $828 | $33,807,465 | 17 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | 29 | $105,107 | -45% | 132 | $796 | $34,006,517 | 18 |
| Apr 17, 2009 | 38 | $55,229 | -47% | 105 | $526 | $34,111,418 | 19 |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 56 | $20,822 | -62% | 55 | $379 | $34,157,651 | 20 |
| May 1, 2009 | 65 | $13,546 | -35% | 35 | $387 | $34,180,954 | 21 |
| May 8, 2009 | 80 | $4,366 | -68% | 16 | $273 | $34,192,652 | 22 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 25, 2008 | - | $174,778 | 116 | $1,507 | $579,866 | 16 | ||
| Jan 2, 2009 | - | $530,958 | 398 | $1,334 | $2,486,064 | 24 | ||
| Jan 3, 2009 | - | $653,152 | +23% | 398 | $1,641 | $3,139,216 | 25 | |
| Jan 4, 2009 | - | $414,362 | -37% | 398 | $1,041 | $3,553,578 | 26 | |
| Jan 19, 2009 | 22 | $233,135 | 417 | $559 | $7,808,169 | 41 | ||
| Feb 2, 2009 | 11 | $239,638 | 1,002 | $239 | $12,895,496 | 55 | ||
| Feb 3, 2009 | 11 | $278,614 | +16% | 1,002 | $278 | $13,174,110 | 56 | |
| Feb 4, 2009 | 11 | $287,287 | +3% | 1,002 | $287 | $13,461,397 | 57 | |
| Feb 5, 2009 | 11 | $296,184 | +3% | 1,002 | $296 | $13,757,581 | 58 | |
| Feb 6, 2009 | 14 | $603,322 | +104% | 862 | $700 | $14,360,903 | 59 | |
| Feb 7, 2009 | 14 | $1,019,614 | +69% | 862 | $1,183 | $15,380,517 | 60 | |
| Feb 8, 2009 | 13 | $652,553 | -36% | 862 | $757 | $16,033,070 | 61 | |
| Feb 9, 2009 | 13 | $207,071 | -68% | -14% | 862 | $240 | $16,240,141 | 62 |
| Feb 10, 2009 | 12 | $240,812 | +16% | -14% | 862 | $279 | $16,480,953 | 63 |
| Feb 11, 2009 | 12 | $235,267 | -2% | -18% | 862 | $273 | $16,716,220 | 64 |
| Feb 12, 2009 | 12 | $231,894 | -1% | -22% | 862 | $269 | $16,948,114 | 65 |
| Feb 13, 2009 | 15 | $475,407 | +105% | -21% | 742 | $641 | $17,423,521 | 66 |
| Feb 14, 2009 | 15 | $954,737 | +101% | -6% | 742 | $1,287 | $18,378,258 | 67 |
| Feb 15, 2009 | 14 | $778,936 | -18% | +19% | 742 | $1,050 | $19,157,194 | 68 |
| Feb 16, 2009 | 14 | $461,757 | -41% | +123% | 742 | $622 | $19,618,951 | 69 |
| Feb 17, 2009 | 13 | $247,113 | -46% | +3% | 742 | $333 | $19,866,064 | 70 |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 13 | $240,405 | -3% | +2% | 742 | $324 | $20,106,469 | 71 |
| Feb 19, 2009 | 13 | $262,357 | +9% | +13% | 742 | $354 | $20,368,826 | 72 |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 14 | $780,413 | +197% | +64% | 962 | $811 | $21,149,239 | 73 |
| Feb 21, 2009 | 14 | $1,314,318 | +68% | +38% | 962 | $1,366 | $22,463,557 | 74 |
| Feb 22, 2009 | 15 | $620,039 | -53% | -20% | 962 | $645 | $23,083,596 | 75 |
| Feb 23, 2009 | 11 | $275,295 | -56% | -40% | 962 | $286 | $23,358,891 | 76 |
| Feb 24, 2009 | 10 | $301,486 | +10% | +22% | 962 | $313 | $23,660,377 | 77 |
| Feb 25, 2009 | 11 | $247,555 | -18% | +3% | 962 | $257 | $23,907,932 | 78 |
| Feb 26, 2009 | 11 | $253,603 | +2% | -3% | 962 | $264 | $24,089,535 | 79 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 13 | $768,536 | +203% | -2% | 1,203 | $639 | $24,858,071 | 80 |
| Feb 28, 2009 | 13 | $1,318,914 | +72% | n/c | 1,203 | $1,096 | $26,176,985 | 81 |
| Mar 1, 2009 | 12 | $772,979 | -41% | +25% | 1,203 | $643 | $26,949,964 | 82 |
| Mar 2, 2009 | 13 | $228,890 | -70% | -17% | 1,203 | $190 | $27,178,854 | 83 |
| Mar 3, 2009 | 12 | $273,841 | +20% | -9% | 1,203 | $228 | $27,452,695 | 84 |
| Mar 4, 2009 | 11 | $248,271 | -9% | n/c | 1,203 | $206 | $27,700,966 | 85 |
| Mar 5, 2009 | 12 | $234,065 | -6% | -8% | 1,203 | $195 | $27,935,031 | 86 |
| Mar 6, 2009 | 12 | $529,725 | +126% | -31% | 1,175 | $451 | $28,464,756 | 87 |
| Mar 7, 2009 | 12 | $889,295 | +68% | -33% | 1,175 | $757 | $29,354,051 | 88 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | 10 | $506,898 | -43% | -34% | 1,175 | $431 | $29,860,949 | 89 |
| Mar 9, 2009 | 10 | $151,457 | -70% | -34% | 1,175 | $129 | $30,012,406 | 90 |
| Mar 10, 2009 | 9 | $205,857 | +36% | -25% | 1,175 | $175 | $30,218,263 | 91 |
| Mar 11, 2009 | 9 | $182,806 | -11% | -26% | 1,175 | $156 | $30,401,069 | 92 |
| Mar 12, 2009 | 10 | $176,510 | -3% | -25% | 1,175 | $150 | $30,577,579 | 93 |
| Mar 13, 2009 | 14 | $350,915 | +99% | -34% | 1,175 | $299 | $30,928,494 | 94 |
| Mar 14, 2009 | 14 | $610,731 | +74% | -31% | 1,175 | $520 | $31,539,225 | 95 |
| Mar 15, 2009 | 13 | $348,023 | -43% | -31% | 1,175 | $296 | $31,887,248 | 96 |
| Mar 16, 2009 | 14 | $114,448 | -67% | -24% | 1,175 | $97 | $32,001,696 | 97 |
| Mar 17, 2009 | 13 | $118,524 | +4% | -42% | 1,175 | $101 | $32,120,220 | 98 |
| Mar 18, 2009 | 15 | $120,035 | +1% | -34% | 1,175 | $102 | $32,240,255 | 99 |
| Mar 19, 2009 | 15 | $124,319 | +4% | -30% | 1,175 | $106 | $32,364,574 | 100 |
| Mar 20, 2009 | 18 | $149,411 | +20% | -57% | 704 | $212 | $32,513,985 | 101 |
| Mar 21, 2009 | 18 | $244,666 | +64% | -60% | 704 | $348 | $32,758,651 | 102 |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 17 | $141,906 | -42% | -59% | 704 | $202 | $32,900,557 | 103 |
| Mar 23, 2009 | 16 | $60,404 | -57% | -47% | 704 | $86 | $32,960,961 | 104 |
| Mar 24, 2009 | 14 | $79,129 | +31% | -33% | 704 | $112 | $33,040,090 | 105 |
| Mar 25, 2009 | 16 | $68,051 | -14% | -43% | 704 | $97 | $33,108,141 | 106 |
| Mar 26, 2009 | 17 | $67,711 | n/c | -46% | 704 | $96 | $33,175,852 | 107 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | - | $82,481 | +22% | -45% | 324 | $255 | $33,258,333 | 108 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | - | $141,194 | +71% | -42% | 324 | $436 | $33,399,527 | 109 |
| Mar 29, 2009 | - | $84,820 | -40% | -40% | 324 | $262 | $33,484,347 | 110 |
| Mar 30, 2009 | - | $27,990 | -67% | -54% | 324 | $86 | $33,512,337 | 111 |
| Mar 31, 2009 | - | $35,547 | +27% | -55% | 324 | $110 | $33,547,884 | 112 |
| Apr 1, 2009 | - | $33,414 | -6% | -51% | 324 | $103 | $33,581,298 | 113 |
| Apr 2, 2009 | - | $34,082 | +2% | -50% | 324 | $105 | $33,615,380 | 114 |
| Apr 3, 2009 | - | $54,722 | +61% | -34% | 232 | $236 | $33,670,102 | 115 |
| Apr 4, 2009 | - | $89,197 | +63% | -37% | 232 | $384 | $33,759,299 | 116 |
| Apr 5, 2009 | - | $48,166 | -46% | -43% | 232 | $208 | $33,807,465 | 117 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | - | $19,748 | -59% | -29% | 232 | $85 | $33,827,213 | 118 |
| Apr 7, 2009 | - | $25,080 | +27% | -29% | 232 | $108 | $33,852,293 | 119 |
| Apr 8, 2009 | - | $24,077 | -4% | -28% | 232 | $104 | $33,876,370 | 120 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2008 | 66 | $11,919 | 1 | $11,919 | $11,919 | 1 | |
| Dec 12, 2008 | 25 | $244,531 | +1,952% | 8 | $30,566 | $256,450 | 2 |
| Dec 19, 2008 | 31 | $364,416 | +49% | 8 | $45,552 | $579,866 | 3 |
| Dec 26, 2008 | 21 | $1,375,429 | +277% | 116 | $11,857 | $1,955,106 | 4 |
| Jan 2, 2009 | 17 | $2,208,605 | +61% | 398 | $5,549 | $4,163,711 | 5 |
| Jan 9, 2009 | 16 | $2,126,287 | -4% | 507 | $4,194 | $6,289,998 | 6 |
| Jan 16, 2009 | 20 | $1,967,713 | -7% | 417 | $4,719 | $8,257,711 | 7 |
| Jan 23, 2009 | 19 | $2,017,771 | +3% | 367 | $5,498 | $10,275,482 | 8 |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 15 | $3,482,099 | +73% | 1,002 | $3,475 | $13,757,581 | 9 |
| Feb 6, 2009 | 13 | $3,190,533 | -8% | 862 | $3,701 | $16,948,114 | 10 |
| Feb 13, 2009 | 14 | $3,420,712 | +7% | 742 | $4,610 | $20,368,826 | 11 |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 14 | $3,720,709 | +9% | 962 | $3,868 | $24,089,535 | 12 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 14 | $3,845,496 | +3% | 1,203 | $3,197 | $27,935,031 | 13 |
| Mar 6, 2009 | 12 | $2,642,548 | -31% | 1,175 | $2,249 | $30,577,579 | 14 |
| Mar 13, 2009 | 14 | $1,786,995 | -32% | 1,175 | $1,521 | $32,364,574 | 15 |
| Mar 20, 2009 | 18 | $811,278 | -55% | 704 | $1,152 | $33,175,852 | 16 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | 18 | $439,528 | -46% | 324 | $1,357 | $33,615,380 | 17 |
| Apr 3, 2009 | 21 | $286,030 | -35% | 232 | $1,233 | $33,901,410 | 18 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | 30 | $154,779 | -46% | 132 | $1,173 | $34,056,189 | 19 |
| Apr 17, 2009 | 38 | $80,640 | -48% | 105 | $768 | $34,136,829 | 20 |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 57 | $30,579 | -62% | 55 | $556 | $34,167,408 | 21 |
| May 1, 2009 | 64 | $20,878 | -32% | 35 | $597 | $34,188,286 | 22 |
| May 8, 2009 | 83 | $6,121 | -71% | 16 | $383 | $34,194,407 | 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 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 3/26/2009 | $0 | 0 | 29 | 35 | $2,603,752 | 4/4/2026 | |||
| Rest of World | $76,166,716 | |||||||||
| International Total | $78,770,468 | 4/4/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Kate Winslet | Hanna Schmitz | |
| Ralph Fiennes | Michael Berg |
Supporting
| David Kross | Young Michael Berg | |
| Lena Olin | Rose Mother / Ilana Mather | |
| Bruno Ganz | Professor Rohl | |
| Jeanette Hain | Brigitte | |
| Susanne Lothar | Carla Berg | |
| Alissa Wilms | Emily Berg | |
| Florian Bartholomai | Thomas Berg | |
| Friederike Becht | Angela Berg | |
| Matthias Habich | Peter Berg | |
| Frieder Venus | Doctor | |
| Marie Anne Fliegel | Hanna's Neighbour | |
| Hendrik Arnst | Woodyard Worker | |
| Rainer Sellien | Teacher | |
| Torsten Michaelis | Sports Master | |
| Moritz Grove | Holger | |
| Joachim Tomaschewsky | Stamp Dealer | |
| Barbara Philipp | Waitress | |
| Hans Hohlbein | Clerk | |
| Juergen Tarrach | Gerhard Bade | |
| Kirsten Block | Female Judge | |
| Vijnessa Ferkic | Sophie | |
| Vanessa Berthold | Sophie's Friend | |
| Benjamin Trinks | Holger's Friend | |
| Fritz Roth | Tram Supervisor | |
| Hannah Herzsprung | Julia | |
| Jaqueline Macaulay | Heidelberg Lecturer | |
| Volker Bruch | Dieter | |
| Karoline Herfurth | Marthe | |
| Max Mauff | Rudolf | |
| Ludwig Blochberger | Seminar Group Student | |
| Jonas Jagermeyr | Seminar Group Student | |
| Alexander Kraspik | Seminar Group Student | |
| Burghart Klaussner | Judge | |
| Sylvester Groth | Prosecuting Council | |
| Fabian Busch | Hanna's Defence Council | |
| Margarita Broich | Co-Defendant | |
| Marie Gruber | Co-Defendant | |
| Lena Lessing | Co-Defendant | |
| Merelina Kendall | Co-Defendant | |
| Hildegard Schroedter | Co-Defendant | |
| Alexandra Maria Lara | Young Ilana Mather | |
| Martin Brambach | Remand Prison Guard | |
| Michael Schenk | Remand Prison Guard | |
| Ava Eusepi-Harris | Young Julia | |
| Nadja Engel | Mail Room Guard | |
| Anne-Kathrin Grummich | Mail Room Guard | |
| Carmen-Maja Antoni | Prison Librarian | |
| Petra Hartung | Head Prison Guard | |
| Linda Bassett | Ms. Brenner | |
| Beata Lehmann | Ms. Brenner's Secretary | |
| Heike Hanold-Lynch | Prison Guard | |
| Bettina Scheuritzel | Gate Guard | |
| Robin Lyn Gooch | Ilana's Maid |
Production and Technical Credits
| Stephen Daldry | Director | |
| David Hare | Screenwriter | |
| Bernhard Schlink | Based on the book "Der Vorleser" | |
| Anthony Minghella | Producer | |
| Sydney Pollack | Producer | |
| Donna Gigliotti | Producer | |
| Redmond Morris | Producer | |
| Bob Weinstein | Executive Producer | |
| Harvey Weinstein | Executive Producer | |
| Jason Blum | Co-Executive Producer | |
| Chris Menges | Director of Photography | |
| Roger Deakins | Director of Photography | |
| Brigitte Broch | Production Designer | |
| Claire Simpson | Editor | |
| Nico Muhly | Composer | |
| Ann Roth | Costume Designer | |
| Jina Jay | Casting Director | |
| Simone Baer | Casting Director | |
| Henning Molfenter | Co-Producer | |
| Carl L. Woebcken* | Co-Producer | |
| Christoph Fisser | Co-Producer | |
| Michael Simon de Normier | Associate Producer | |
| Tarik Karam | Associate Producer | |
| Nora Skinner | Associate Producer | |
| Marieke Spencer | Associate Producer | |
| Arno Neubauer | Line Producer | |
| Sabine Schenk | Line Producer (New York Unit) | |
| Marianna Rowinska | Line Producer (Poland Unit) | |
| Richard Styles | Assistant Director | |
| Josh Newport | Assistant Director (New York) | |
| Tarik Karam | Second Unit Director | |
| Aaron Levine | Production Manager (New York Unit) | |
| Paulina Czech | Production Manager (Poland Unit) | |
| Jasmina Torbati | Production Manager (Czech Unit) | |
| Christian M. Goldbeck | Supervising Art Director | |
| Erwin W. Prib | Art Director | |
| Stefan Hauck | Art Director | |
| Yeshim Zolan | Art Director | |
| Anja Fromm | Art Director (Cologne) | |
| Anu Schwartz | Art Director (New York) | |
| Eva Marie Stiebler | Set Decorator | |
| Donna Maloney | Costume Designer | |
| Heike Hutt | Costume Supervisor | |
| Antonio Arroyo | Production Sound Mixer (New York Unit) | |
| Manfred Banach | Recordist | |
| Jim Greenhorn | Additional Recordist | |
| Michael Barry | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Lee Dichter | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Andy Kris | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Blake Leyh | Supervising Sound Editor | |
| Heather Gross | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Blake Leyh | Sound Designer | |
| Eliza Paley | Supervising Dialogue Editor | |
| Jac Rubenstein | Dialogue Editor | |
| Sylvia Menno | Dialogue Editor | |
| Annette Kudrak | Music Editor | |
| Jim Flatto | Associate Music Editor | |
| Michael Feiser | Associate Music Editor | |
| Anna Von Gwinner | Makeup | |
| Annett Schulze | Makeup (Kate Winslet) | |
| Gabriele Kent-Horspool | Makeup | |
| Linda Melazzo | Makeup | |
| Peter Owen | Hairstylist (Wig Designer) | |
| Ivana Primorac | Make-up and Hair Designer | |
| Pauline Flowers | Special Effects Makeup (Chief Prosthetic Supervisor) | |
| Matthew Weston Smith | Special Effects Makeup (Prosthetic Designer) | |
| Vokhart Buff | Stunt Coordinator |
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.
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.