Directed by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, the Netflix epic is gaining momentum as a potential awards-season contender ahead of next year’s Academy Awards. Spanning three different timelines, including one set during the Spanish Civil War, La Bola Negra examines the meaning of being gay across different periods. The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May before receiving a limited theatrical release in North America on October 16.
The film’s theatrical run is now set to expand considerably. La Bola Negra will reach 465 theaters across North America starting November 6, a much wider release than Netflix initially anticipated. The streamer had originally expected the movie to screen in 200 to 300 theaters, but its strong reception has prompted a broader rollout. So far, it has earned $1.3 million at the North American box office.
Its opening weekend was particularly impressive, generating $69,375 per screen across just four theaters. That figure ranks as the second-highest opening per-screen average ever recorded by a non-English-language release in North America. More recently, between October 30 and November 1, the R-rated film brought in another $418,000 from 38 theaters. Its performance has been even stronger in Spain, where it ranks third on the country’s all-time box office chart for Spanish films and has secured a place among the 10 highest-grossing movies in the country’s history.
Although Netflix has generally favored streaming releases over traditional theatrical runs, an Oscar campaign often requires a film to meet specific theatrical exhibition criteria. The company has made exceptions for several previous titles, including Roma (2018), All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), Maestro (2023), and Frankenstein (2025). Each went on to receive Academy Award nominations or wins.
With its Netflix debut scheduled for December 2, La Bola Negra will spend 47 days in theaters before arriving on the platform. That marks the longest theatrical window ever given to a Netflix release, potentially signaling a shift in the company’s approach to cinema screenings.
One of the clearest indications of what this strategy could look like is Greta Gerwig’s Narnia. The fantasy adventure is scheduled to open widely and in IMAX on February 12, 2027, marking the first time a Netflix film will receive a full exclusive theatrical run before becoming available to stream. Its performance could influence the company’s plans for other major releases in the years ahead.
The film features an ensemble cast including Guitarricadelafuente, Lorenzo Zurzolo, Javier Butler, Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, Lola Dueñas, Carlos González, and Milo Quifes. Critics have also responded positively to the project, with La Bola Negra currently holding an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its audience rating is even stronger, with the Popcornmeter standing at 97%.
With awards season approaching, La Bola Negra is building a strong case for itself through its critical reception and growing theatrical reach. Whether that momentum will translate into Oscar recognition next year remains to be seen, but the film has already made a notable impression at the box office and with audiences.
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