A Complete Unknown has crossed a major milestone at the global box office. Directed by James Mangold, the film explores the early life and rise to fame of renowned musician Bob Dylan, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. A Complete Unknown also features performances by Monica Barbaro, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Boyd Holbrook. The film earned a solid 80% Rotten Tomatoes score and has been an award darling this season, nabbing three Golden Globes nominations and eight Academy Award nominations.
According to The Numbers, A Complete Unknown has surpᴀssed $75 million at the global box office. The film has earned $64.2 million in the domestic market and $11.2 million internationally, particularly in the UK, adding up to a $75.4 million global total. It seems that the film’s surge in revenue can be attributed to its eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Chalamet.
What This Means for A Complete Unknown’s Performance
A Complete Unknown Is Not Exactly A Box Office Success
The latest box office achievement for A Complete Unknown indicates the audience’s interest, especially for Chalamet. However, with a budget that ranges between $50 million and $70 million, the movie has just scratched the surface of its production cost and is yet to reach profitable margins. That means that the biopic would need to reach around $140 million to at least break even. This is unlikely as the movie has already been in theaters for over a month, although it may get a boost closer to the 97th Academy Awards. Still, it may find success via streaming, but there are no current updates on its release.
Compared to other Oscar contenders, many films this year have been objectively more successful. Other Best Picture nominees like Dune: Part Two ($714.6 million), Wicked ($710.5 million), Conclave ($77.9 million), and The Substance ($76.5 million) have experienced more consistent box office growth. However, that doesn’t undermine the fact that A Complete Unknown has been an award favorite, particularly with Chalamet getting a lot of buzz as a potential Best Actor winner. Even if the box office runs short, it is unlikely to affect its award potential when the Academy Awards take place on March 2.
Our Take on A Complete Unknown’s Box Office Numbers
A Complete Unknown Becomes a Key Player
A Complete Unknown’s latest box office milestone is still a testament to the appeal of biographical dramas, but even more so to prestigious recognition. In an awards season dominated by various genres, its commercial performance stands as a clear indicator that audiences are still eager for stories rooted in real-life figures, especially when the cast and direction deliver. While A Complete Unknown‘s numbers may come short in its final run, it’s a movie that is gaining a lot of appeal ahead of the biggest award ceremony of the season.
Source: The Numbers
