Mary Queen of Scots Budget
DramaHistory2h 4mUpdated
Synopsis
A film that explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth 1. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones—and change the course of history.
What is the budget of Mary Queen of Scots?
"Mary Queen of Scots," a drama released in 2018, was directed by Josie Rourke and stars Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie. The production budget was $25,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget range for drama productions of its era.
Key Budget Allocation Categories
While specific budget breakdowns are not publicly available, typical cost drivers for a drama production like this include:
- Above-the-Line Talent: Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances.
- Location Filming & Period Production Design: Authentic locations , whether contemporary or historical , require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period.
- Post-Production, Color Grading & Score: The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone.
- Production: The film was originally planned to be a Scarlett Johansson vehicle, scheduled to begin shooting in mid-2007 on a $25 to 30 million budget.
What were the major cost factors in Mary Queen of Scots?
Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "Mary Queen of Scots."
- Above-the-Line Talent: Above-the-Line Talent is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.
- Location Filming: Location Filming & Period Production Design is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.
- Post-Production: Post-Production, Color Grading & Score is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.
How Does Mary Queen of Scots's Budget Compare to Similar Films?
At $25,000,000, Mary Queen of Scots sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:
- 1408 (2007): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $133,000,000
- A Journal for Jordan (2021): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $6,700,000
- Abandon (2002): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $10,719,357
- All My Life (2020): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $2,000,000
- August Rush (2007): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $66,122,026
The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2010s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.
Mary Queen of Scots Box Office Performance
"Mary Queen of Scots" earned $16,468,499 domestically and $46,712,809 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $25,000,000, the film showed modest profitability in theatrical release.
A film typically needs to earn approximately twice its production budget to cover marketing and distribution costs. For "Mary Queen of Scots," that break-even threshold was roughly $50,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $46,712,809, the film fell short of that threshold but recouped its production costs in theatrical release.
- Production Budget: $25,000,000
- Worldwide Gross: $46,712,809
- Net Return: $21,712,809
- ROI: approximately 86.9%
At 86.9%, "Mary Queen of Scots" returned its production investment but margin was tight after marketing and distribution costs.
Mary Queen of Scots Production History
Max Richter provided a fairly-modern musical score blending with the 16th century periodic music, as Rourke gave him creative freedom to experiment on the score. The score consisted of instruments with a "female voice" such as the cor anglais,being used for Mary's voice,the viol and harp, while drums, bass and percussion were used for the male characters and their quest in the battlefield. The score, recorded at the Air Studios in London and performed by 110-piece orchestra and 12-member female choir from London Voices, released by Deutsche Grammophon on 7 December 2018..
Awards and Recognition
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 8 wins & 31 nominations total
Critical Reception
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of based on reviews, with an average rating of . The website's critical consensus reads, "Mary Queen of Scots delivers uneven period political thrills while offering a solid showcase for the talents of its well-matched leads." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 60 out of 100, based on 47 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by PostTrak gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, with 38% saying they would definitely recommend it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Mary Queen of Scots (2018) cost to make?
The production budget was $25,000,000. Focus Features and Working Title Films co-financed the period drama, drawing on extensive prior Working Title period-piece infrastructure honed across projects like Elizabeth (1998) and Anna Karenina (2012).
How much did Mary Queen of Scots earn at the box office?
The film grossed $16,696,732 domestically and $29,400,000 internationally, for a worldwide total of approximately $46,100,000. It opened to $193,000 on December 7, 2018, in just four theaters, before expanding wide on December 21 to a modest $3,300,000.
Who stars in Mary Queen of Scots?
Saoirse Ronan stars as Mary Stuart and Margot Robbie plays Queen Elizabeth I. Supporting cast includes Jack Lowden as Lord Darnley, Joe Alwyn as Robert Dudley, David Tennant as John Knox, Guy Pearce as William Cecil, and Gemma Chan as Bess of Hardwick.
Who directed Mary Queen of Scots?
Josie Rourke directed the film, making her feature directorial debut. Rourke was the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse theatre in London from 2012 to 2019, and brought a stage-trained approach to the dialogue-heavy chamber scenes between Mary and Elizabeth.
Did Mary and Elizabeth ever actually meet?
No. The famous face-to-face confrontation between the two queens in the film is historical fiction. Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I never met in person despite years of correspondence; the dramatized meeting has appeared in stage and film adaptations since Friedrich Schiller's 1800 play Maria Stuart.
Where was Mary Queen of Scots filmed?
Principal photography took place across Scotland and England in 2017, including locations in the Scottish Highlands, Glen Coe, Glen Feshie, Aberdour Castle in Fife, and Gloucester Cathedral. The UK Film Tax Relief program provided meaningful production support.
What did critics think of Mary Queen of Scots?
Reviews were mixed, with a 61% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 60 out of 100 score on Metacritic. Critics praised the dual performances of Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie but objected to historical liberties and pacing.
Did Mary Queen of Scots win any awards?
The film received two Academy Award nominations, for Best Costume Design (Alexandra Byrne) and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Saoirse Ronan received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Drama, and Margot Robbie was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.
Was Mary Queen of Scots profitable?
The theatrical performance was at or near break-even. Against the $25,000,000 production budget and an estimated $20,000,000 to $25,000,000 in marketing spend, the worldwide gross of $46,100,000 fell short of the 2.5x rule for theatrical profitability. Streaming and home video revenue closed the gap.
How does Mary Queen of Scots compare to other Working Title period dramas?
Mary Queen of Scots underperformed compared with Working Title's Elizabeth (1998, $30,000,000 budget, $82,200,000 worldwide), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007, $50,000,000 budget, $74,200,000 worldwide), and Atonement (2007, $30,000,000 budget, $129,500,000 worldwide). It tracks closer to the disappointing results of The Other Boleyn Girl (2008, $35,000,000 budget, $78,200,000 worldwide).
Official Trailer
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