Paprika box office: Japan, US, and worldwide
Satoshi Kon's final film had a small theatrical footprint. Most of its influence and revenue came later, through home video and its impact on filmmakers.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Paprika was released in Japan in 2006, directed by Satoshi Kon and produced by Madhouse. Box Office Mojo records a lifetime worldwide theatrical gross of $2,506,128, with North America contributing $882,267 and international markets $1,619,891. The Numbers reports that Sony Pictures Classics distributed the film in North America with a limited opening of $35,593 on two screens in May 2007.
Japan theatrical performance
Paprika premiered in Japan in 2006. Public English-language box office trackers do not provide a separate Japan total for the film, likely because the Japanese gross was reported within the aggregated international figure. The film was not a top-ten commercial hit in Japan on the scale of Ghibli or Shinkai releases.
The film's premiere at the Venice Film Festival in 2006 generated critical attention before its Japanese release. Its domestic commercial performance, however, was modest relative to its budget and reputation.
Worldwide and territory totals
Box Office Mojo reports a lifetime worldwide gross of $2,506,128 for Paprika. North America accounts for $882,267, or about 35 percent. International markets contributed $1,619,891, though the territory breakdown is sparse: New Zealand leads reported international territories at $527,756, followed by Singapore at $36,743 and Italy at $17,966.
The worldwide total includes the original 2007 North American release and small re-releases in 2021, 2024, and 2026. Box Office Mojo classifies the 2024 New Zealand re-release and the 2026 Australian re-release within the international total.
Paprika lifetime box office by selected territory. Source: Box Office Mojo as of 2026.| Territory | Lifetime gross | Share of worldwide |
|---|
| North America | $882,267 | 35.2% |
| New Zealand | $527,756 | 21.1% |
| Singapore | $36,743 | 1.5% |
| Italy | $17,966 | 0.7% |
| Other international | $1,037,426 | 41.5% |
| Worldwide total | $2,506,128 | 100% |
North American release by Sony Pictures Classics
Sony Pictures Classics released Paprika in North America on May 25, 2007. The Numbers reports an opening weekend of $35,593 on two screens, with a domestic total of $881,302. Box Office Mojo records a slightly higher North American lifetime total of $882,267.
The film's North American run was typical for a limited-release foreign animated feature in the 2000s. It expanded gradually, reaching a maximum of 37 theaters, and finished with a per-theater average that reflected a dedicated arthouse audience rather than mainstream crossover.
Gross type definition: Box office figures are theatrical gross revenue reported by distributors and tracking services, not studio net revenue or profit. Overseas totals are in US dollars at prevailing exchange rates.
Context and influence
Paprika was Satoshi Kon's final feature film. Its dream-state visual language has been widely cited as an influence on Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010), though the scale of that influence is often debated. The film's theatrical performance, however, was modest in every territory.
The movie's commercial life has been primarily on home video and streaming. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the DVD in November 2007, and the film has remained in circulation as a cult title. No public source reports total home video revenue.
What the public numbers leave out
Public sources do not report Paprika's home video, streaming, or merchandise revenue. Madhouse and Sony Pictures Classics have not disclosed per-title lifetime financials. The worldwide theatrical total is small compared to the film's cultural footprint.
For analysts, the most useful public figures are the Box Office Mojo worldwide total and The Numbers domestic release details. Paprika is best understood as a critical and influential title rather than a theatrical commercial success.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Paprika make at the box office?
Box Office Mojo records a lifetime worldwide theatrical gross of $2,506,128, with North America at $882,267.
Who distributed Paprika in the US?
Sony Pictures Classics distributed Paprika in North America, opening it on two screens in May 2007.
Was Paprika a box office hit?
No. It had a small theatrical run and modest grosses. Its larger impact came through home video, critical acclaim, and influence on other filmmakers.
When was Paprika released in Japan?
Paprika premiered in Japan in 2006 after debuting at the Venice Film Festival.
Sources and methodology
- Paprika (2006), Box Office Mojo. Lifetime worldwide, North America, and territory theatrical grosses, plus release-group breakdown through 2026.
- Paprika (2007), The Numbers. Domestic box office details including distributor Sony Pictures Classics, opening weekend, and theater counts.