What Is The Big Sick and Why It Matters
The Big Sick is a 2017 romantic comedy-drama written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, directed by Michael Showalter, and produced by FilmNation Entertainment and IAC Films. The film is loosely based on the real-life relationship between Nanjiani and Gordon, who faced cultural and family pressures while navigating love and a serious health crisis. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2017 and was released theatrically in the United States on July 14, 2017 by Amazon Studios and Lionsgate. The movie is widely cited as a modern example of a cross-cultural romantic comedy that blends humor with medical and family drama. For current box office and financial details, see The Numbers and the film's official studio pages The Big Sick financial data.
The Big Sick received widespread critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Nanjiani and Gordon. It holds a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, reflecting strong audience and critic reception. The film is frequently referenced in discussions about representation in Hollywood, intercultural relationships, and independent comedy dramas. Its commercial success helped demonstrate the viability of adult-oriented romantic comedies in the post-streaming era. The movie's themes of family expectation, identity, and medical crisis continue to resonate with viewers and analysts of contemporary film trends.
Box Office Performance and Financial Overview
The Big Sick earned approximately $23.6 million worldwide at the box office, with the majority of its revenue coming from the North American market. Its production budget was reported at around $5 million, making it a profitable independent release. The film performed strongly in limited release during its opening weekend and expanded gradually as word-of-mouth grew. Amazon Studios leveraged the theatrical run to build awareness for its streaming platform, where the film became a prominent title shortly after its theatrical window. Detailed box office figures and weekly charts are available on Box Office Mojo The Big Sick box office data.
In terms of profitability, The Big Sick is considered a successful independent film that outperformed typical mid-budget comedies of its type. Its earnings are frequently used as a case study in film finance courses and industry analyses of the independent theatrical market. The movie's financial performance also highlighted the growing role of streaming platforms in financing and distributing prestige comedies. Investors and industry observers note that the film's modest budget and strong return on investment made it an attractive project for studios and streamers alike. The film's financial trajectory is often compared to other breakout independent hits from the same period.
Cast, Characters, and Streaming Availability
The main cast of The Big Sick includes Kumail Nanjiani as a fictionalized version of himself, Zoe Kazan as Emily Gardner (based on Emily V. Gordon), Holly Hunter as Beth Gardner, and Ray Romano as Terry Gardner. The ensemble also features Anupam Kher, Adeel Akhtar, and Aidy Bryant in supporting roles that received praise for authenticity and emotional depth. The film's dialogue-heavy script and naturalistic performances are central to its appeal, with many reviewers highlighting the chemistry between Nanjiani and Kazan. Casting choices emphasized a mix of established actors and performers with roots in the communities portrayed on screen.
As of the latest available data, The Big Sick is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the United States and other regions where Amazon holds licensing rights. Viewers can also rent or purchase the film through major digital platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Physical media releases include DVD and Blu-ray editions with bonus features like commentary tracks and behind-the-scenes featurettes