The History of Sound Budget | Collection | Hit/Flop

The History of Sound is a Hollywood period romance drama film, released in India on 23 January 2026 (following its 2025 US limited release), starring Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, and Greta Bellamacina in lead roles, with supporting performances from Barry Keoghan and others. Directed by Oliver Hermanus and produced by End Cue, the narrative is based on Ben Shattuck’s short stories, following two young men, Lionel and David, who embark on a cross-country journey to record the lives, voices, and music of their fellow Americans during World War I, forging a profound bond amid themes of love, loss, and auditory heritage.

The film’s evocative cinematography and score capture the era’s melancholy, emphasizing emotional intimacy over spectacle. The movie initiated its Indian theatrical run with subdued pre-release interest, particularly in urban markets like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, where art-house dramas occasionally draw niche audiences during holiday weekends. Advance bookings approximated ₹0.02 crore gross nationwide, reflecting limited promotional reach and competition from action-oriented releases such as Border 2. Morning occupancy averaged 5-8% in select multiplexes, indicating sparse initial turnout influenced by its introspective tone and limited release strategy.

Early projections suggest a Day 1 India net collection of ₹0.02 crore, potentially supported by word-of-mouth in afternoon sessions but constrained by broader appeal to mainstream viewers. Worldwide, as a delayed international rollout following its 2025 US debut, cumulative earnings stand at approximately $1.08 million (₹9 crore), with modest additions expected from new markets like India. Social media platforms, including X, yielded no significant reports of high or low occupancy specific to Indian theaters; discussions focused on thematic praise rather than attendance.

Distributed across 100-200 screens in India, the emphasis on literary adaptation and queer narrative aims to attract discerning crowds over the Republic Day period. Comparative to similar indie dramas like All of Us Strangers, which opened modestly amid acclaim, The History of Sound’s emotional depth positions it for gradual accumulation if critical reception sustains, though the absence of star-driven hype suggests a challenging start in mass circuits.

The History of Sound 2026 Overview

The History of Sound Box Office Collection

The History of Sound is a Hit or Flop
Flop

What is the budget of The History of Sound
Around ₹150 crore.

The History of Sound Ott release date

• OTT Platform: TBA
• OTT date: Expected 8 weeks post-theatrical.

Our Review

The History of Sound unfolds as a poignant period drama that delicately intertwines themes of love, memory, and the auditory tapestry of early 20th-century America, directed by Oliver Hermanus with a subtle, introspective lens. Paul Mescal delivers a nuanced performance as Lionel, a sound archivist whose vulnerability shines through in quiet moments of connection, while Josh O’Connor complements this with a restrained portrayal of David, capturing the unspoken tensions of wartime camaraderie turning romantic.

Greta Bellamacina adds emotional layers as a supporting figure, enriching the narrative’s exploration of loss amid historical upheaval. The film’s technical prowess, including evocative sound design that immerses viewers in the era’s sonic landscape and cinematography by Jamie D. Ramsay that contrasts vast American vistas with intimate interiors, elevates its literary origins.

Early critical acclaim, averaging 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, praises its faithful adaptation and atmospheric subtlety, though some note a deliberate pacing that may test mainstream patience, drawing parallels to Brokeback Mountain in thematic resonance but with a unique focus on auditory heritage. Box office performance has been underwhelming since its September 2025 US premiere, amassing just over $1 million worldwide against an estimated $18 million budget, reflecting limited commercial appeal for indie queer dramas in a blockbuster-dominated market.

In India, the January 23, 2026 release coincides with Republic Day, projecting a modest ₹0.02 crore net opener, driven by urban art-house interest but hampered by competition and minimal marketing. Compared to All of Us Strangers’ $4 million global haul amid similar acclaim, The History of Sound’s niche storytelling and lack of action elements constrain broader traction, with occupancy trends at 6% suggesting potential for slight weekend growth in metros.

Worldwide, its Cannes 2025 Palme d’Or nomination boosted festival buzz, yet theatrical runs have favored streaming prospects over cinema dominance. Projections indicate a global lifetime gross of $5-8 million, likely classifying it as a flop commercially despite artistic merits, contingent on awards season momentum to enhance VOD revenue. Its exploration of queer history through sensory innovation marks it as a standout in 2026’s diverse slate, akin to Moonlight’s introspective success but facing evolving audience preferences for spectacle.

While not poised for mass appeal, the film’s emotional authenticity and stellar performances could cultivate a dedicated following, underscoring Hollywood’s capacity for meaningful narratives amid financial challenges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer:

1. Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
2. The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
3. These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
4. Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
5. All financial figures are stated in Indian Rupees (INR) and represented in crores, unless specified otherwise.
6. All dates and times mentioned follow Indian Standard Time (IST) (UTC +5:30).

Reference:

Times of India

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