Netflix shares its first box office numbers

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 19, 2026

Netflix revealed box office earnings for the first time with its Spanish-language film “La Bola Negra,” which earned $277,500 from a limited release in four theaters, achieving the second-highest per-screen average for a non-English film. The company plans to expand the film’s theatrical run to up to 300 locations before its December 2 streaming debut, aiming to boost subscriber engagement amid recent layoffs and leadership changes.

Netflix disclosed box office figures for the first time over the weekend with the limited theatrical release of its Spanish-language drama “La Bola Negra.” The film opened in just four theaters across Los Angeles and New York, generating $277,500. This amounted to an average of approximately $69,375 per screen, marking the second-highest per-screen average for a non-English-language film.

Produced with a budget estimated between $15 million and $17 million, “La Bola Negra” was acquired by Netflix at the Cannes Film Festival for around $5 million. Based in Los Gatos, California, the streaming company plans to expand the film’s theatrical run to as many as 300 locations nationwide in the coming weeks. Following its theatrical window, the film is scheduled to be available on Netflix starting December 2.

The company is positioning “La Bola Negra” as a key title, noting its success on the festival circuit where it secured six audience awards and has been selected as Spain’s official submission for the Academy Awards. However, this release comes amid broader challenges for Netflix. Last week, the company announced the largest round of layoffs in its history, cutting roughly 1,000 jobs, equivalent to about 6% of its workforce. Among those impacted was Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, who has been succeeded by former Disney executive Peter Rice.

Netflix’s leadership changes and workforce reductions come as the company faces pressure from shareholders to deliver more successful films and television series while boosting subscriber engagement. The company’s stock price has experienced a recent decline, intensifying the demand for results.

In other box office news, Paramount Pictures’ adaptation of the “Street Fighter” video game led the domestic box office with a $31 million opening. This release marks a significant first from Skydance under the newly completed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. A24’s documentary on Elizabeth Holmes, “You Can See Everything,” earned about $15 million from 855 screens, while Universal Pictures’ “Other Mommy” grossed $8.3 million. Additionally, Disney-owned 20th Century Studios’ “Whalefall” generated $8 million, and Focus Features’ “Sense and Sensibility,” also under Universal’s umbrella, brought in $7.2 million during the same period.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.