Netflix reports $277,500 opening for ‘La Bola Negra’ in four U.S. theaters

The streaming giant said the limited release earned $69,375 per screen, the second‑highest average for a non‑English title.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 18 Oct 2026 19:36:38 GMT

Netflix disclosed that its limited‑release drama “La Bola Negra” earned $277,500 from four U.S. theaters over its opening weekend, according to Variety and the Los Angeles Times.

What happened

The film opened in two cities – Los Angeles and New York – on October 18, 2026. Four theaters screened the movie, generating a total box‑office gross of $277,500, which works out to an average of $69,375 per screen.

What the reports add

Variety noted that the per‑screen average is the second‑highest ever recorded for a non‑English language film, trailing only the 2019 South Korean hit “Parasite,” which opened to $131,072 per screen from three theaters. The outlet also compared the figure to Neon’s recent release “Fjord,” which earned $31,000 per location.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the film’s production budget is estimated at $15‑$17 million and that Netflix plans to expand the rollout to as many as 300 theaters in the coming weeks. Both sources said the movie will become available on Netflix on December 2, 2026.

What was said

Variety quoted the film’s directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (known as Los Javis) as saying the Cannes‑standing‑ovation response justified the theatrical strategy, though the exact wording was not reproduced in the article.

The Los Angeles Times mentioned that Netflix’s chief content officer Bela Bajaria was recently replaced by former Disney executive Peter Rice, a change that coincided with a 6 % workforce reduction, but no direct comment from the company was included.

How it came about

“La Bola Negra” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 16‑minute standing ovation and tied for the best‑director prize. Netflix acquired U.S. rights for roughly $5 million, according to both outlets. The film had already opened in Spain in late September before its U.S. limited release.

Netflix’s decision to report box‑office numbers publicly marks a shift in its usual practice, reflecting a broader industry trend of streaming platforms testing theatrical windows. Earlier this month, Felo News covered the overall health of the box‑office market in its article “Universal Hits $5B Global Box Office Milestone in 2026,” which highlighted strong theatrical performance despite streaming growth.

Key facts

Netflix reported a $277,500 opening gross for La Bola Negra from four U.S. theaters. (variety.com)
The per‑screen average was $69,375, the second‑highest for a non‑English film. (variety.com)
Netflix plans to expand the film to up to 300 theaters in the coming weeks. (latimes.com)
The film will be available on Netflix on Dec. 2, 2026. (latimes.com)