Margot Robbie Mary Queen of Scots Film Financial Overview
The film Mary Queen of Scots, starring Margot Robbie as Queen Elizabeth I, was produced by Film4 and Focus Features with a reported production budget of approximately $25 million. The project was backed by Film4, the British film funding body, and distributed internationally by Focus Features, a division of NBCUniversal. The film was directed by Josie Rourke and written by Beau Willimon. For more on Focus Features, see Focus Features.
The film had a global theatrical release in late 2018. According to box office tracking sources, the film earned roughly $38 million in the United States and Canada and approximately $45 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of around $83 million. The film's marketing and distribution costs were handled by Focus Features, which is part of the NBCUniversal corporate structure under Comcast. For more on Film4, see Film4.
Production Companies and Key Financial Data
Film4, the UK's public film funder, provided a significant portion of the financing for Mary Queen of Scots. Film4 is operated by the UK Film Council and Channel 4, and it supports films with budgets typically under $30 million. Focus Features acquired international distribution rights and managed the theatrical rollout in multiple markets. The production also involved Working Title Films, a British production company known for multiple Oscar-winning and nominated projects.
Budget Breakdown and Revenue Streams
The reported production budget of around $25 million included cast salaries, crew costs, location fees, and post-production. Margot Robbie's compensation for the role was not officially disclosed, but actors in similar period dramas typically receive between $1 million and $5 million depending on backend participation. The film generated revenue from theatrical tickets, home entertainment licensing, and streaming deals with platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in various regions.
Box Office Performance and Market Context
Mary Queen of Scots opened in limited release before expanding to a wide domestic audience. The film competed with other historical dramas and holiday-season blockbusters during its theatrical window. Box office analysts noted that the film's performance was solid for a mid-budget period piece, though it did not reach the tier of blockbuster historical epics. The film's global gross of around $83 million placed it in the moderate success category for a specialty release.
International Market Reception
The film performed strongest in the United Kingdom and other European markets where historical royal dramas have a built-in audience. Focus Features coordinated the international release strategy, working with local distributors in France, Germany, Australia, and other territories. The film received multiple award nominations, including Academy Award nods for costume design and makeup, which helped sustain interest during its theatrical and home video windows. For more on the box office tracking, see Box Office Mojo.