Robert De Niro’s 1985 Film ‘Brazil’ Went from Box Office Flop to Being Ranked One of the ‘Best Movies of All Time’
Throughout Robert De Niro’s career, he starred in a slew of wildly successful movies, which often made it seem like everything he touched turned to gold. Films like The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Deer Hunter were all immediate box office and critical hits. However, one strikingly unusual box office flop starring the actor grew to become a cult classic that is now ranked as one of the greatest films ever made.
Robert De Niro’s 1985 Film ‘Brazil’ Flopped at the Box Office Amid a Troubled Release
In 1985, Universal Pictures released the film Brazil, which starred Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Ian Richardson, Peter Vaughan, and Kim Greist. Unfortunately for everyone involved in the making of the movie, it was a box office flop. According to IMDb, the film was produced for an estimated $15 million, excluding distribution and marketing expenses, and brought in just $9,953,708 at the worldwide box office.
In May 2023, Brazil’s director Terry Gilliam discussed the film’s troubled release when he appeared on The Hollywood Reporter’s It Happened in Hollywood podcast. During that discussion, he explained that the head of Universal Pictures at the time, Sid Sheinberg, “hated” the movie. As a result, the studio wouldn’t even release it in North America at the time unless major changes were made.
After refusing to transform his own film, Gilliam launched a campaign attempting to force the film’s release. For example, he took out a full-page ad in Variety with a simple message: “Dear Sid Sheinberg: When are you going to release my film, ‘Brazil‘? Terry Gilliam.” He also publicly encouraged members of the media to see the film internationally and push for its domestic release.
The director even enlisted Robert De Niro to help call for the movie to come out when they arranged to appear on Good Morning America together. Ultimately, the film only hit theaters after the LA Film Critics Association voted Brazil best picture, best screenplay, and Gilliam best director of 1985, which resulted in Sheinberg relenting.
The delay was so bad that Brazil was released on December 18, 1985, in the United States after it came out in France on February 20, 1985. It was also allowed into theaters in several other international countries before American audiences were given their first chance to see it. The film didn’t even come out until 1986 in Canada, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Robert De Niro’s ‘Brazil’ Ranked One of the ‘Best Movies of All Time’
Even though Brazil wasn’t embraced by the studio that produced it or moviegoers at the time of its release, it definitely found its audience. The film developed a dedicated fan following, which Criterion celebrated by listing it among the “cult movies” the company has released remastered copies of. As time progressed, the film garnered more mainstream accolades, including currently being listed on Rotten Tomatoes’ dynamic “Best Movies of All Time” ranking. Additionally, Empire Magazine ranked Brazil at No. 83 on its “Greatest Movies of All Time” list in 2008.
There are many reasons why Brazil has been ranked among the best films of all time by widely respected outlets like those. One obvious factor in its garnering praise is that it is a singular film and visual masterpiece from the mind of Terry Gilliam. Easily one of the most unique mainstream directors ever, the former Monty Python member has helmed other acclaimed but strange movies like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and 12 Monkeys.
The sci-fi comedy presents a captivating dystopian future in which incompetence and bureaucratic indifference make life comically difficult for everyone. Beyond its narrative, the film stands as a highly influential work thanks to retro-futuristic visuals that left a lasting mark on pop culture and society. Another factor that shouldn’t be ignored is that Robert De Niro gave one of the most memorably unusual performances of his career in his small but iconic role. Without giving spoilers, the movie features an ending that is legitimately stunning.
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Aug 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.