Kill the Messenger (2014)

Kill the Messenger poster
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $2,450,846Details
International Box Office $4,205,859Details
Worldwide Box Office $6,656,705
Home Market Performance
Est. Domestic DVD Sales $2,210,763 Details
Est. Domestic Blu-ray Sales $1,124,091 Details
Total Est. Domestic Video Sales $3,334,854
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 $3,233,795

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 7,701-7,800) 7,746 $2,450,846
All Time International Box Office (Rank 7,001-7,100) 7,035 $4,205,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 9,101-9,200) 9,120 $6,656,705
All Time Domestic Highest Grossing Limited Release Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 973 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 2,801-2,900) 2,810 $2,450,846
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,740 $4,205,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 2,601-2,700) 2,656 $6,656,705

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play, Google Play
Vudu:Vudu

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)
... Show all releases
Video Release: February 10th, 2015 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R for language and drug content.
(Rating bulletin 2325, 6/4/2014)
Running Time: 112 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Infiltrator
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Whistleblowers, Narcotics, C.I.A., Smuggler, Government Corruption, News, Investigative Journalist
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

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 7,701-7,800) 7,746 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 7,401-7,500) 7,459 $3,233,795
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 6,901-7,000) 6,902 $2,450,846
Top 2014 Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 175 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Highest Grossing Limited Release Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 973 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office for Limited Release Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,063 $3,233,795
Top 2014 Limited Release Movies at the Domestic Box Office 47 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 501-600) 561 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 6,901-7,000) 6,928 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 601-700) 615 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 701-800) 713 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 2,801-2,900) 2,810 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Focus Features Movies (Rank 101-200) 143 $2,450,846

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
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

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
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

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
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

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date		 Opening
Weekend		 Opening
Weekend
Screens		 Maximum
Screens		 Theatrical
Engagements		 Total
Box Office		 Report
Date
Australia 10/31/2014 $104,658 54 55 109 $194,595 10/11/2017
Germany 9/10/2015 $0 0 35 58 $107,577 11/3/2015
Hong Kong 1/28/2016 $17,528 7 7 9 $26,151 11/15/2018
Italy 6/18/2015 $157,826 170 170 171 $209,575 10/13/2015
Mexico 4/10/2015 $132,946 0 0 0 $318,698 8/30/2018
Russia (CIS) 2/20/2015 $34,374 65 65 65 $34,374 11/19/2018
 
Rest of World $3,314,889
 
International Total$4,205,859 11/19/2018

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 7,001-7,100) 7,035 $4,205,859
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 6,101-6,200) 6,136 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 401-500) 494 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 5,801-5,900) 5,834 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 401-500) 494 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 601-700) 644 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,740 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Focus Features Movies (Rank 101-200) 105 $4,205,859

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 9,101-9,200) 9,120 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 8,001-8,100) 8,071 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 601-700) 615 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 7,901-8,000) 7,902 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 601-700) 649 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 801-900) 810 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 2,601-2,700) 2,656 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Focus Features Movies (Rank 101-200) 128 $6,656,705

Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Feb 15, 20151935,098 35,098$596,666$596,6661

Weekly US Blu-ray Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Feb 15, 20151521,319 21,319$438,535$438,5351

Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. The market share is converted into a weekly sales estimate based on industry reports on the overall size of the market, including reports published in Media Play News.

For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey.

We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. In particular, we adjust weekly sales figures for the quarter once the total market estimates are published by the Digital Entertainment Group. Figures will therefore fluctuate each week, and totals for individual titles can go up or down as we update our estimates.

Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles.

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.

Leading Cast

Jeremy Renner    Gary Webb

Supporting Cast

Rosemarie DeWitt    Sue Webb
Ray Liotta    John Cullen
Tim Blake Nelson    Alan Fenster
Barry Pepper    Russell Dodson
Oliver Platt    Jerry Ceppos
Michael Sheen    Fred Weil
Michael Kenneth Williams    Ricky Ross
Mary Elizabeth Winstead    Anna Simons
Andy Garcia    Norwin Meneses
Joshua Close    Rich Kline
Lucas Hedges    Ian Webb
Robert Patrick    Ronald J. Quail
Paz Vega    Coral Baca
Jena Sims    Quail's Girlfriend
Robert Pralgo    L.A. Sheriff
Hajji Golightly    DEA Agent
Ted Huckabee    Bob
Matthew Lintz    Eric Webb
Parker Douglas    Christine Webb
Kai Schmoll    Sacramento Journalist
Aaron Farb    Rafael Cornejo
Tom Jordan    San Francisco Judge
Clay Kraski    DEA Agent Jones
Yul Vazquez    Danilo Blandon
Jen Harper    Ricky Ross Trial Judge
Manuel Rodriguez    Guard
Brett Rice    Hansjorg Baier
Jonathan Fritschi    Soldier
Gil Bellows    DEA Agent Miller
Steve Coulter    Anonymous Agent
Kenny Alfonso    Marc Mansfield
Dan Futterman    Leo Wolinsky
Susan Walters    Los Angeles Times Editor
Richard Schiff    Richard Zuckerman
David DeVries    Washington Post Editor
David Lee Garver    Doug Farah
Rhoda Griffis    Female Anchor
Andrew Masset    Jose Mercury News Editor
Brik Berkes    Outside Counsel
E. Roger Mitchell    Detective
Kevin Harrison    Man in Suit
Michael H. Cole    Pete

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Michael Cuesta    Director
Peter Landesman    Screenwriter
Nick Schou    Inspired by the Bood 'Kill the Messanger'
Gary Webb    Inspired by the Book Dark Alliance
Scott Stuber    Producer
Jeremy Renner    Producer
Naomi Despres    Producer
Peter Landesman    Executive Producer
Don Handfield    Executive Producer
Michael Bederman    Executive Producer
Pamela Abdy    Executive Producer
Sean Bobbitt    Director of Photography
John Paino    Production Designer
Brian A. Kates    Editor
Nathan Johnson    Composer
Jim Black    Music Supervisor
Avy Kaufman    Casting Director
Michael Bederman    Unit Production Manager
David A. Ticotin    First Assistant Director
Amir R. Khan    Second Assistant Director
Scott Anderson    Art Director
Nicole LeBlanc    Set Decorator
Mari J.T. Wilson*    Script Supervisor
Matthew Booras    First Assistant Editor
Aleks Gezentsvey    Assistant Editor
Christopher Rand    Assistant Editor
Aron Siegel    Sound Mixer
Drew Fuller    Costume Supervisor
Felicity Bowring    Make up
Kimberly Jones    Make up
Michael White    Hairstylist
Lawrence Davis    Hairstylist
Monty Schuth    Hairstylist
Kathy Tonkin    Special Effects Coordinator
Gigi Causey    Production Supervisor
Jayme Long    Set Designer
Paul Hsu    Supervising Sound Editor
Branka Mrkic-Tana    Dialogue Editor
Rich Bologna    Sound Effects Editor
Luciano Vignola    Assistant Sound Editor
Paul Hsu    Re-recording Mixer
Michael Bederman    Second Unit Director
Anthony Molinari    Stunt Coordinator
Cal Johnson    Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD Sales: Alexander's Really Good, Wonderful, Amazing Start on DVD

March 1st, 2015

There were a lot of new releases in the top 30 of the DVD sales chart. However, there were only two new releases in the top five. Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day earned first place, as it sold 345,000 units and generated $5.98 million during its first week of release. More...

Blu-ray Sales: That's a Lot of Spots

March 1st, 2015

The Blu-ray sales chart was led by a very old new release. 101 Damlatians made its Blu-ray debut earning first place with 339,000 units / $7.69 million. This is a little lower than The Jungle Book opened with last year. More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for February 10th, 2015

February 11th, 2015

I can't wait till the winter blockbusters start coming out, because I've run out of ways to say, "It is a slow week on the home market." without repeating myself. There are some releases that are certainly worth picking up, like the Blu-ray debut for 101 Dalmatians, but there are also releases that I would call filler on the first page of Amazon.com's list of new releases. There are a number of releases that are worth picking, including Force Majeure (DVD or Blu-ray); Laggies (DVD or Blu-ray); Nightcrawler (DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack); and Rosewater (DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack). However, the only real contender for Pick of the Week was 101 Dalmatians. More...

Per Theater Chart: Birdman Still Soars

October 28th, 2014

Birdman poster

Despite growing its theater count to 50, Birdman was able to remain in top spot on the per theater chart with a powerful average of $27,593. Next up was CitizenFour, which was really close behind with an average of $25,264 in five theaters. This is excellent for a documentary, but as a documentary, it's chances of expanding significantly are limited. Laggies will likely expand somewhat after opening with an average of $14,828, also in five theaters. It has a much more mainstream appeal, so it if does expand, it could do well. Then again, this is never an easy strategy and I'm sure the studio will be happy with a strong home market run. Force Majeure was the final film in the $10,000 club with an average of $11,655 in two theaters. More...

Per Theater Chart: Bird is the Word, and that Word is Awards Season

October 21st, 2014

Birdman poster

Birdman debuted in first place on the Per Theater Chart with an amazing average of $106,099. This is the best per theater average since The Grand Budapest Hotel opened with just over $200,000 for its per theater average. It wasn't the only film in the $10,000 club, as Dear White People opened with an average of $31,633 in eleven theaters. The Tale of Princess Kaguya was surprisingly strong during its opening weekend earning an average of $18,305 in three theaters. God the Father earned $15,037 in one theater. The final film in the $10,000 club was Listen Up Philip, which earned an average of $11,642 in two theaters. Diplomacy might have made it in the $10,000 club if it opened on Friday. However, it opened on Wednesday earning $8,518 in one theater over the weekend for a total opening of $12,750. More...

Per Theater Chart: Whiplash has a Saintly Opening

October 15th, 2014

St. Vincent poster

There were a trio of new limited releases topping the per theater chart, led by St. Vincent with an average of $27,470 in four theaters. Whiplash was close behind with an average of $22,565 in six theaters. The final film in the $10,000 club was Awake: The Life of Yogananda with an opening of $18,885 in one theater. More...

Limited Releases: Whipped into Shape

October 10th, 2014

Whiplash poster

We have a rather long list of limited releases this week, but sadly only three of them are earning overwhelmingly positive reviews. Unfortunately, two of these films will likely not do well in theaters. Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead is a horror film, which is one strike against it, while it is also playing on Video on Demand. I Am Ali is a documentary, so it could do well in art house circuits, but its chances of expanding significantly are very limited. Finally there's Whiplash, which could lead the way on the Per Theater Chart. More...


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Full Financials
  7. Cast & Crew
  8. Trailer

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 $3,233,795

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 7,701-7,800) 7,746 $2,450,846
All Time International Box Office (Rank 7,001-7,100) 7,035 $4,205,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 9,101-9,200) 9,120 $6,656,705
All Time Domestic Highest Grossing Limited Release Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 973 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 2,801-2,900) 2,810 $2,450,846
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,740 $4,205,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 2,601-2,700) 2,656 $6,656,705

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play, Google Play
Vudu:Vudu

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)
... Show all releases
Video Release: February 10th, 2015 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R for language and drug content.
(Rating bulletin 2325, 6/4/2014)
Running Time: 112 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Infiltrator
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Whistleblowers, Narcotics, C.I.A., Smuggler, Government Corruption, News, Investigative Journalist
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

Leading Cast

Jeremy Renner    Gary Webb

Supporting Cast

Rosemarie DeWitt    Sue Webb
Ray Liotta    John Cullen
Tim Blake Nelson    Alan Fenster
Barry Pepper    Russell Dodson
Oliver Platt    Jerry Ceppos
Michael Sheen    Fred Weil
Michael Kenneth Williams    Ricky Ross
Mary Elizabeth Winstead    Anna Simons
Andy Garcia    Norwin Meneses
Joshua Close    Rich Kline
Lucas Hedges    Ian Webb
Robert Patrick    Ronald J. Quail
Paz Vega    Coral Baca
Jena Sims    Quail's Girlfriend
Robert Pralgo    L.A. Sheriff
Hajji Golightly    DEA Agent
Ted Huckabee    Bob
Matthew Lintz    Eric Webb
Parker Douglas    Christine Webb
Kai Schmoll    Sacramento Journalist
Aaron Farb    Rafael Cornejo
Tom Jordan    San Francisco Judge
Clay Kraski    DEA Agent Jones
Yul Vazquez    Danilo Blandon
Jen Harper    Ricky Ross Trial Judge
Manuel Rodriguez    Guard
Brett Rice    Hansjorg Baier
Jonathan Fritschi    Soldier
Gil Bellows    DEA Agent Miller
Steve Coulter    Anonymous Agent
Kenny Alfonso    Marc Mansfield
Dan Futterman    Leo Wolinsky
Susan Walters    Los Angeles Times Editor
Richard Schiff    Richard Zuckerman
David DeVries    Washington Post Editor
David Lee Garver    Doug Farah
Rhoda Griffis    Female Anchor
Andrew Masset    Jose Mercury News Editor
Brik Berkes    Outside Counsel
E. Roger Mitchell    Detective
Kevin Harrison    Man in Suit
Michael H. Cole    Pete

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Michael Cuesta    Director
Peter Landesman    Screenwriter
Nick Schou    Inspired by the Bood 'Kill the Messanger'
Gary Webb    Inspired by the Book Dark Alliance
Scott Stuber    Producer
Jeremy Renner    Producer
Naomi Despres    Producer
Peter Landesman    Executive Producer
Don Handfield    Executive Producer
Michael Bederman    Executive Producer
Pamela Abdy    Executive Producer
Sean Bobbitt    Director of Photography
John Paino    Production Designer
Brian A. Kates    Editor
Nathan Johnson    Composer
Jim Black    Music Supervisor
Avy Kaufman    Casting Director
Michael Bederman    Unit Production Manager
David A. Ticotin    First Assistant Director
Amir R. Khan    Second Assistant Director
Scott Anderson    Art Director
Nicole LeBlanc    Set Decorator
Mari J.T. Wilson*    Script Supervisor
Matthew Booras    First Assistant Editor
Aleks Gezentsvey    Assistant Editor
Christopher Rand    Assistant Editor
Aron Siegel    Sound Mixer
Drew Fuller    Costume Supervisor
Felicity Bowring    Make up
Kimberly Jones    Make up
Michael White    Hairstylist
Lawrence Davis    Hairstylist
Monty Schuth    Hairstylist
Kathy Tonkin    Special Effects Coordinator
Gigi Causey    Production Supervisor
Jayme Long    Set Designer
Paul Hsu    Supervising Sound Editor
Branka Mrkic-Tana    Dialogue Editor
Rich Bologna    Sound Effects Editor
Luciano Vignola    Assistant Sound Editor
Paul Hsu    Re-recording Mixer
Michael Bederman    Second Unit Director
Anthony Molinari    Stunt Coordinator
Cal Johnson    Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD Sales: Alexander's Really Good, Wonderful, Amazing Start on DVD

March 1st, 2015

There were a lot of new releases in the top 30 of the DVD sales chart. However, there were only two new releases in the top five. Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day earned first place, as it sold 345,000 units and generated $5.98 million during its first week of release. More...

Blu-ray Sales: That's a Lot of Spots

March 1st, 2015

The Blu-ray sales chart was led by a very old new release. 101 Damlatians made its Blu-ray debut earning first place with 339,000 units / $7.69 million. This is a little lower than The Jungle Book opened with last year. More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for February 10th, 2015

February 11th, 2015

I can't wait till the winter blockbusters start coming out, because I've run out of ways to say, "It is a slow week on the home market." without repeating myself. There are some releases that are certainly worth picking up, like the Blu-ray debut for 101 Dalmatians, but there are also releases that I would call filler on the first page of Amazon.com's list of new releases. There are a number of releases that are worth picking, including Force Majeure (DVD or Blu-ray); Laggies (DVD or Blu-ray); Nightcrawler (DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack); and Rosewater (DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack). However, the only real contender for Pick of the Week was 101 Dalmatians. More...

Per Theater Chart: Birdman Still Soars

October 28th, 2014

Birdman poster

Despite growing its theater count to 50, Birdman was able to remain in top spot on the per theater chart with a powerful average of $27,593. Next up was CitizenFour, which was really close behind with an average of $25,264 in five theaters. This is excellent for a documentary, but as a documentary, it's chances of expanding significantly are limited. Laggies will likely expand somewhat after opening with an average of $14,828, also in five theaters. It has a much more mainstream appeal, so it if does expand, it could do well. Then again, this is never an easy strategy and I'm sure the studio will be happy with a strong home market run. Force Majeure was the final film in the $10,000 club with an average of $11,655 in two theaters. More...

Per Theater Chart: Bird is the Word, and that Word is Awards Season

October 21st, 2014

Birdman poster

Birdman debuted in first place on the Per Theater Chart with an amazing average of $106,099. This is the best per theater average since The Grand Budapest Hotel opened with just over $200,000 for its per theater average. It wasn't the only film in the $10,000 club, as Dear White People opened with an average of $31,633 in eleven theaters. The Tale of Princess Kaguya was surprisingly strong during its opening weekend earning an average of $18,305 in three theaters. God the Father earned $15,037 in one theater. The final film in the $10,000 club was Listen Up Philip, which earned an average of $11,642 in two theaters. Diplomacy might have made it in the $10,000 club if it opened on Friday. However, it opened on Wednesday earning $8,518 in one theater over the weekend for a total opening of $12,750. More...

Per Theater Chart: Whiplash has a Saintly Opening

October 15th, 2014

St. Vincent poster

There were a trio of new limited releases topping the per theater chart, led by St. Vincent with an average of $27,470 in four theaters. Whiplash was close behind with an average of $22,565 in six theaters. The final film in the $10,000 club was Awake: The Life of Yogananda with an opening of $18,885 in one theater. More...

Limited Releases: Whipped into Shape

October 10th, 2014

Whiplash poster

We have a rather long list of limited releases this week, but sadly only three of them are earning overwhelmingly positive reviews. Unfortunately, two of these films will likely not do well in theaters. Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead is a horror film, which is one strike against it, while it is also playing on Video on Demand. I Am Ali is a documentary, so it could do well in art house circuits, but its chances of expanding significantly are very limited. Finally there's Whiplash, which could lead the way on the Per Theater Chart. More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 7,701-7,800) 7,746 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 7,401-7,500) 7,459 $3,233,795
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 6,901-7,000) 6,902 $2,450,846
Top 2014 Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 175 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Highest Grossing Limited Release Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 973 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office for Limited Release Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,063 $3,233,795
Top 2014 Limited Release Movies at the Domestic Box Office 47 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 501-600) 561 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 6,901-7,000) 6,928 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 601-700) 615 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 701-800) 713 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 2,801-2,900) 2,810 $2,450,846
All Time Domestic Box Office for Focus Features Movies (Rank 101-200) 143 $2,450,846

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
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

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
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

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
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

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date		 Opening
Weekend		 Opening
Weekend
Screens		 Maximum
Screens		 Theatrical
Engagements		 Total
Box Office		 Report
Date
Australia 10/31/2014 $104,658 54 55 109 $194,595 10/11/2017
Germany 9/10/2015 $0 0 35 58 $107,577 11/3/2015
Hong Kong 1/28/2016 $17,528 7 7 9 $26,151 11/15/2018
Italy 6/18/2015 $157,826 170 170 171 $209,575 10/13/2015
Mexico 4/10/2015 $132,946 0 0 0 $318,698 8/30/2018
Russia (CIS) 2/20/2015 $34,374 65 65 65 $34,374 11/19/2018
 
Rest of World $3,314,889
 
International Total$4,205,859 11/19/2018

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 7,001-7,100) 7,035 $4,205,859
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 6,101-6,200) 6,136 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 401-500) 494 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 5,801-5,900) 5,834 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 401-500) 494 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 601-700) 644 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,740 $4,205,859
All Time International Box Office for Focus Features Movies (Rank 101-200) 105 $4,205,859

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 9,101-9,200) 9,120 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 8,001-8,100) 8,071 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 601-700) 615 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 7,901-8,000) 7,902 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 601-700) 649 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 801-900) 810 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 2,601-2,700) 2,656 $6,656,705
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Focus Features Movies (Rank 101-200) 128 $6,656,705

Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Feb 15, 20151935,098 35,098$596,666$596,6661

Weekly US Blu-ray Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Feb 15, 20151521,319 21,319$438,535$438,5351

Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. The market share is converted into a weekly sales estimate based on industry reports on the overall size of the market, including reports published in Media Play News.

For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey.

We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. In particular, we adjust weekly sales figures for the quarter once the total market estimates are published by the Digital Entertainment Group. Figures will therefore fluctuate each week, and totals for individual titles can go up or down as we update our estimates.

Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles.

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.