Secrets & Lies (1996)

Secrets & Lies
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $13,417,292Details
International Box Office $2,673,582Details
Worldwide Box Office $16,090,874
Home Market Performance
Est. Domestic Blu-ray Sales $18,390 Details
Total Est. Domestic Video Sales $18,390
Further financial details...

Synopsis

After her adoptive mother dies, Hortense, a successful black eye doctor, seeks out her birth mother. She’s shocked when her research leads her to a lower-class white woman, Cynthia. At first Cynthia denies the claim, but she eventually admits to birthing Hortense as a teenager, and the two begin to bond. However, when Cynthia invites Hortense to a family barbecue, Cynthia’s already tense relationship with her family becomes even more complicated.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$189,050 (1.4% of total gross)
Legs:21.98 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:83.4% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$4,500,000 (worldwide box office is 3.6 times production budget)
Theater counts:17 opening theaters/296 max. theaters, 13.2 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $32,075,028

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: September 28th, 1996 (Wide) by October Films
International Releases: May 24th, 1996 (Wide), released as Secrets And Lies (United Kingdom)
Video Release: March 30th, 2021 by Criterion
MPAA Rating: R for language
Running Time: 142 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Good Heart
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Comedy Drama, Adopted Family Seeking Reunion, Interracial Child, Dysfunctional Family, 1997 Oscars Best Picture Nominee
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Channel Four Films, Thin Man Films
Production Countries: United Kingdom
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Biggest 34th Weekend Limited Release 29 $20,501 May 16, 1997 233
Biggest 33rd Weekend Limited Release 21 $37,809 May 9, 1997 226
Biggest 32nd Weekend Limited Release 12 $50,238 May 2, 1997 219
Biggest 31st Weekend Limited Release 12 $85,167 Apr 25, 1997 212
Biggest 30th Weekend Limited Release 10 $132,351 Apr 18, 1997 205
Biggest 29th Weekend Limited Release 10 $163,464 Apr 11, 1997 198
Biggest 28th Weekend Limited Release 9 $222,676 Apr 4, 1997 191
Biggest 27th Weekend Limited Release 7 $369,474 Mar 28, 1997 184
Biggest Domestic 26th Weekend 35 $568,984 Mar 21, 1997 177
Biggest 26th Weekend Limited Release 5 $568,984 Mar 21, 1997 177
Biggest Domestic 25th Weekend 54 $418,600 Mar 14, 1997 170
Biggest 25th Weekend Limited Release 9 $418,600 Mar 14, 1997 170
Biggest Domestic 24th Weekend 61 $487,507 Mar 7, 1997 163
Biggest 24th Weekend Limited Release 9 $487,507 Mar 7, 1997 163
Biggest Domestic 23rd Weekend 65 $539,483 Feb 28, 1997 156
Biggest 23rd Weekend Limited Release 10 $539,483 Feb 28, 1997 156
Biggest Domestic 22nd Weekend 69 $610,507 Feb 21, 1997 149
Biggest 22nd Weekend Limited Release 12 $610,507 Feb 21, 1997 149
Biggest Domestic 21st Weekend 87 $550,999 Feb 14, 1997 142
Biggest 21st Weekend Limited Release 17 $550,999 Feb 14, 1997 142
Biggest 20th Weekend Limited Release 59 $158,583 Feb 7, 1997 135
Biggest 19th Weekend Limited Release 69 $161,313 Jan 31, 1997 128
Biggest 18th Weekend Limited Release 83 $170,954 Jan 24, 1997 121
Biggest 17th Weekend Limited Release 91 $191,241 Jan 17, 1997 114
Top 1996 Theater Average 74 $11,121 Oct 4, 1996 9
Never Wide Domestic 70 $13,417,292 Sep 28, 1996 0

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Oct 4, 1996 32 $189,050   17 $11,121   $294,677 2
Oct 11, 1996 18 $467,221 +147% 57 $8,197   $844,152 3
Oct 18, 1996 16 $413,940 -11% 77 $5,376   $1,342,409 4
Oct 25, 1996 19 $414,065 n/c 105 $3,943   $1,891,239 5
Nov 1, 1996 22 $472,260 +14% 112 $4,217   $2,494,589 6
Nov 8, 1996 19 $507,428 +7% 125 $4,059   $1,115,587 7
Nov 15, 1996 20 $402,314 -21% 145 $2,775   $3,622,818 8
Nov 22, 1996 17 $303,304 -25% 120 $2,528   $4,105,444 9
Nov 29, 1996 18 $368,853 +22% 114 $3,236   $4,474,297 10
Dec 6, 1996 18 $175,763 -52% 111 $1,583   $4,755,457 11
Dec 13, 1996 21 $105,047 -40% 75 $1,401   $4,928,155 12
Dec 20, 1996 29 $114,381 +9% 62 $1,845   $5,100,235 13
Dec 27, 1996 32 $145,063 +27% 69 $2,102   $5,343,011 14
Jan 3, 1997 26 $221,934 +53% 72 $3,082   $6,237,238 15
Jan 10, 1997 29 $183,402 -17% 94 $1,951   $6,511,605 16
Jan 17, 1997 34 $191,241 +4% 75 $2,550   $6,776,562 17
Jan 24, 1997 33 $170,954 -11% 88 $1,943   $7,025,943 18
Jan 31, 1997 36 $161,313 -6% 82 $1,967   $7,268,929 19
Feb 7, 1997 33 $158,583 -2% 93 $1,705   $7,500,294 20
Feb 14, 1997 24 $550,999 +247% 162 $3,401   $8,147,277 21
Feb 21, 1997 20 $610,507 +11% 272 $2,245   $8,930,000 22
Feb 28, 1997 20 $539,483 -12% 296 $1,823   $9,666,656 23
Mar 7, 1997 22 $487,507 -10% 229 $2,129   $10,359,338 24
Mar 14, 1997 22 $418,600 -14% 212 $1,975   $9,999,121 25
Mar 21, 1997 23 $568,984 +36% 240 $2,371   $11,768,875 26
Mar 28, 1997 23 $369,474 -35% 177 $2,087   $12,323,315 27
Apr 4, 1997 28 $222,676 -40% 155 $1,437   $12,678,732 28
Apr 11, 1997 33 $163,464 -27% 136 $1,202   $12,919,501 29
Apr 18, 1997 36 $132,351 -19% 125 $1,059   $13,108,119 30
Apr 25, 1997 42 $85,167 -36% 87 $979   $13,245,764 31
May 2, 1997 49 $50,238 -41% 54 $930   $13,330,136 32
May 9, 1997 50 $37,809 -25% 44 $859   $13,384,535 33
May 16, 1997 60 $20,501 -46% 30 $683   $13,417,292 34

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Oct 4, 1996 29 $271,304   17 $15,959   $376,931 2
Oct 11, 1996 18 $551,538 +103% 57 $9,676   $928,469 3
Oct 18, 1996 16 $548,705 -1% 77 $7,126   $1,477,174 4
Oct 25, 1996 18 $545,155 -1% 105 $5,192   $2,022,329 5
Nov 8, 1996 8 $2,612,345   125 $20,899   $3,220,504 7
Nov 15, 1996 18 $581,636 -78% 145 $4,011   $3,802,140 8
Nov 22, 1996 19 $303,304 -48% 120 $2,528   $4,105,444 9
Nov 29, 1996 16 $474,250 +56% 114 $4,160   $4,579,694 10
Dec 6, 1996 17 $243,414 -49% 111 $2,193   $4,823,108 11
Dec 13, 1996 20 $162,746 -33% 75 $2,170   $4,985,854 12
Dec 20, 1996 29 $212,094 +30% 62 $3,421   $5,197,948 13
Dec 27, 1996 22 $817,356 +285% 69 $11,846   $6,015,304 14
Jan 3, 1997 27 $312,899 -62% 72 $4,346   $6,328,203 15
Jan 10, 1997 29 $257,118 -18% 94 $2,735   $6,585,321 16
Jan 17, 1997 34 $269,668 +5% 75 $3,596   $6,854,989 17
Jan 24, 1997 31 $252,627 -6% 88 $2,871   $7,107,616 18
Jan 31, 1997 33 $234,095 -7% 82 $2,855   $7,341,711 19
Feb 7, 1997 30 $254,567 +9% 93 $2,737   $7,596,278 20
Feb 14, 1997 22 $723,215 +184% 162 $4,464   $8,319,493 21
Feb 21, 1997 18 $807,680 +12% 272 $2,969   $9,127,173 22
Feb 28, 1997 20 $744,658 -8% 296 $2,516   $9,871,831 23
Mar 14, 1997 18 $1,619,370   212 $7,639   $11,199,891 25
Mar 21, 1997 23 $753,950 -53% 240 $3,141   $11,953,841 26
Mar 28, 1997 23 $502,215 -33% 177 $2,837   $12,456,056 27
Apr 4, 1997 28 $299,981 -40% 155 $1,935   $12,756,037 28
Apr 11, 1997 34 $219,731 -27% 136 $1,616   $12,975,768 29
Apr 18, 1997 35 $184,829 -16% 125 $1,479   $13,160,597 30
Apr 25, 1997 41 $119,301 -35% 87 $1,371   $13,279,898 31
May 2, 1997 47 $66,828 -44% 54 $1,238   $13,346,726 32
May 9, 1997 51 $50,065 -25% 44 $1,138   $13,396,791 33

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
United Kingdom 5/24/1996 $0 0 1 1 $2,673,582 11/16/2021
 
International Total$2,673,582 11/16/2021

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


Uncategorized

Timothy Spall    Maurice Purley
Marianne Jean-Baptiste    Hortense Cumberbatch
Brenda Blethyn    Cynthia Rose Purley

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

Production and Technical Credits

Mike Leigh    Director
Mike Leigh    Screenwriter
Andrew Dickson    Composer

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

Synopsis

After her adoptive mother dies, Hortense, a successful black eye doctor, seeks out her birth mother. She’s shocked when her research leads her to a lower-class white woman, Cynthia. At first Cynthia denies the claim, but she eventually admits to birthing Hortense as a teenager, and the two begin to bond. However, when Cynthia invites Hortense to a family barbecue, Cynthia’s already tense relationship with her family becomes even more complicated.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$189,050 (1.4% of total gross)
Legs:21.98 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:83.4% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$4,500,000 (worldwide box office is 3.6 times production budget)
Theater counts:17 opening theaters/296 max. theaters, 13.2 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $32,075,028

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: September 28th, 1996 (Wide) by October Films
International Releases: May 24th, 1996 (Wide), released as Secrets And Lies (United Kingdom)
Video Release: March 30th, 2021 by Criterion
MPAA Rating: R for language
Running Time: 142 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Good Heart
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Comedy Drama, Adopted Family Seeking Reunion, Interracial Child, Dysfunctional Family, 1997 Oscars Best Picture Nominee
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Channel Four Films, Thin Man Films
Production Countries: United Kingdom
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Biggest 34th Weekend Limited Release 29 $20,501 May 16, 1997 233
Biggest 33rd Weekend Limited Release 21 $37,809 May 9, 1997 226
Biggest 32nd Weekend Limited Release 12 $50,238 May 2, 1997 219
Biggest 31st Weekend Limited Release 12 $85,167 Apr 25, 1997 212
Biggest 30th Weekend Limited Release 10 $132,351 Apr 18, 1997 205
Biggest 29th Weekend Limited Release 10 $163,464 Apr 11, 1997 198
Biggest 28th Weekend Limited Release 9 $222,676 Apr 4, 1997 191
Biggest 27th Weekend Limited Release 7 $369,474 Mar 28, 1997 184
Biggest Domestic 26th Weekend 35 $568,984 Mar 21, 1997 177
Biggest 26th Weekend Limited Release 5 $568,984 Mar 21, 1997 177
Biggest Domestic 25th Weekend 54 $418,600 Mar 14, 1997 170
Biggest 25th Weekend Limited Release 9 $418,600 Mar 14, 1997 170
Biggest Domestic 24th Weekend 61 $487,507 Mar 7, 1997 163
Biggest 24th Weekend Limited Release 9 $487,507 Mar 7, 1997 163
Biggest Domestic 23rd Weekend 65 $539,483 Feb 28, 1997 156
Biggest 23rd Weekend Limited Release 10 $539,483 Feb 28, 1997 156
Biggest Domestic 22nd Weekend 69 $610,507 Feb 21, 1997 149
Biggest 22nd Weekend Limited Release 12 $610,507 Feb 21, 1997 149
Biggest Domestic 21st Weekend 87 $550,999 Feb 14, 1997 142
Biggest 21st Weekend Limited Release 17 $550,999 Feb 14, 1997 142
Biggest 20th Weekend Limited Release 59 $158,583 Feb 7, 1997 135
Biggest 19th Weekend Limited Release 69 $161,313 Jan 31, 1997 128
Biggest 18th Weekend Limited Release 83 $170,954 Jan 24, 1997 121
Biggest 17th Weekend Limited Release 91 $191,241 Jan 17, 1997 114
Top 1996 Theater Average 74 $11,121 Oct 4, 1996 9
Never Wide Domestic 70 $13,417,292 Sep 28, 1996 0

Uncategorized

Timothy Spall    Maurice Purley
Marianne Jean-Baptiste    Hortense Cumberbatch
Brenda Blethyn    Cynthia Rose Purley

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

Production and Technical Credits

Mike Leigh    Director
Mike Leigh    Screenwriter
Andrew Dickson    Composer

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Oct 4, 1996 32 $189,050   17 $11,121   $294,677 2
Oct 11, 1996 18 $467,221 +147% 57 $8,197   $844,152 3
Oct 18, 1996 16 $413,940 -11% 77 $5,376   $1,342,409 4
Oct 25, 1996 19 $414,065 n/c 105 $3,943   $1,891,239 5
Nov 1, 1996 22 $472,260 +14% 112 $4,217   $2,494,589 6
Nov 8, 1996 19 $507,428 +7% 125 $4,059   $1,115,587 7
Nov 15, 1996 20 $402,314 -21% 145 $2,775   $3,622,818 8
Nov 22, 1996 17 $303,304 -25% 120 $2,528   $4,105,444 9
Nov 29, 1996 18 $368,853 +22% 114 $3,236   $4,474,297 10
Dec 6, 1996 18 $175,763 -52% 111 $1,583   $4,755,457 11
Dec 13, 1996 21 $105,047 -40% 75 $1,401   $4,928,155 12
Dec 20, 1996 29 $114,381 +9% 62 $1,845   $5,100,235 13
Dec 27, 1996 32 $145,063 +27% 69 $2,102   $5,343,011 14
Jan 3, 1997 26 $221,934 +53% 72 $3,082   $6,237,238 15
Jan 10, 1997 29 $183,402 -17% 94 $1,951   $6,511,605 16
Jan 17, 1997 34 $191,241 +4% 75 $2,550   $6,776,562 17
Jan 24, 1997 33 $170,954 -11% 88 $1,943   $7,025,943 18
Jan 31, 1997 36 $161,313 -6% 82 $1,967   $7,268,929 19
Feb 7, 1997 33 $158,583 -2% 93 $1,705   $7,500,294 20
Feb 14, 1997 24 $550,999 +247% 162 $3,401   $8,147,277 21
Feb 21, 1997 20 $610,507 +11% 272 $2,245   $8,930,000 22
Feb 28, 1997 20 $539,483 -12% 296 $1,823   $9,666,656 23
Mar 7, 1997 22 $487,507 -10% 229 $2,129   $10,359,338 24
Mar 14, 1997 22 $418,600 -14% 212 $1,975   $9,999,121 25
Mar 21, 1997 23 $568,984 +36% 240 $2,371   $11,768,875 26
Mar 28, 1997 23 $369,474 -35% 177 $2,087   $12,323,315 27
Apr 4, 1997 28 $222,676 -40% 155 $1,437   $12,678,732 28
Apr 11, 1997 33 $163,464 -27% 136 $1,202   $12,919,501 29
Apr 18, 1997 36 $132,351 -19% 125 $1,059   $13,108,119 30
Apr 25, 1997 42 $85,167 -36% 87 $979   $13,245,764 31
May 2, 1997 49 $50,238 -41% 54 $930   $13,330,136 32
May 9, 1997 50 $37,809 -25% 44 $859   $13,384,535 33
May 16, 1997 60 $20,501 -46% 30 $683   $13,417,292 34

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Oct 4, 1996 29 $271,304   17 $15,959   $376,931 2
Oct 11, 1996 18 $551,538 +103% 57 $9,676   $928,469 3
Oct 18, 1996 16 $548,705 -1% 77 $7,126   $1,477,174 4
Oct 25, 1996 18 $545,155 -1% 105 $5,192   $2,022,329 5
Nov 8, 1996 8 $2,612,345   125 $20,899   $3,220,504 7
Nov 15, 1996 18 $581,636 -78% 145 $4,011   $3,802,140 8
Nov 22, 1996 19 $303,304 -48% 120 $2,528   $4,105,444 9
Nov 29, 1996 16 $474,250 +56% 114 $4,160   $4,579,694 10
Dec 6, 1996 17 $243,414 -49% 111 $2,193   $4,823,108 11
Dec 13, 1996 20 $162,746 -33% 75 $2,170   $4,985,854 12
Dec 20, 1996 29 $212,094 +30% 62 $3,421   $5,197,948 13
Dec 27, 1996 22 $817,356 +285% 69 $11,846   $6,015,304 14
Jan 3, 1997 27 $312,899 -62% 72 $4,346   $6,328,203 15
Jan 10, 1997 29 $257,118 -18% 94 $2,735   $6,585,321 16
Jan 17, 1997 34 $269,668 +5% 75 $3,596   $6,854,989 17
Jan 24, 1997 31 $252,627 -6% 88 $2,871   $7,107,616 18
Jan 31, 1997 33 $234,095 -7% 82 $2,855   $7,341,711 19
Feb 7, 1997 30 $254,567 +9% 93 $2,737   $7,596,278 20
Feb 14, 1997 22 $723,215 +184% 162 $4,464   $8,319,493 21
Feb 21, 1997 18 $807,680 +12% 272 $2,969   $9,127,173 22
Feb 28, 1997 20 $744,658 -8% 296 $2,516   $9,871,831 23
Mar 14, 1997 18 $1,619,370   212 $7,639   $11,199,891 25
Mar 21, 1997 23 $753,950 -53% 240 $3,141   $11,953,841 26
Mar 28, 1997 23 $502,215 -33% 177 $2,837   $12,456,056 27
Apr 4, 1997 28 $299,981 -40% 155 $1,935   $12,756,037 28
Apr 11, 1997 34 $219,731 -27% 136 $1,616   $12,975,768 29
Apr 18, 1997 35 $184,829 -16% 125 $1,479   $13,160,597 30
Apr 25, 1997 41 $119,301 -35% 87 $1,371   $13,279,898 31
May 2, 1997 47 $66,828 -44% 54 $1,238   $13,346,726 32
May 9, 1997 51 $50,065 -25% 44 $1,138   $13,396,791 33

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
United Kingdom 5/24/1996 $0 0 1 1 $2,673,582 11/16/2021
 
International Total$2,673,582 11/16/2021

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records