LION has posted the 5th biggest opening weekend for an Australian film of all time and the biggest ever opening weekend for an independent Australian film.

With some cinemas still to report, the box office for the weekend of  $4,155,636 puts LION behind only the studio films The Great Gatsby, Australia, Happy Feet and Mad Max​: Fury Road in the opening weekend record books.  LION'S total box, including previews, now stands at $4,967,656.

LION is also taking the world by storm. The film has also opened at number 1 at the NZ box office, number 4 at the UK box office and in the US has already taken $14.5m before going into wide release, with strong releases also posted in Canada, Italy and other major territories

“It is exhilarating to see audiences both here and internationally engaging with this incredible true story.  The fact that it is an Australian story and an Australian film makes it all the more satisfying.  It is a privilege to be releasing this film on behalf of Saroo, his family and the filmmakers,” said Richard Payten and Andrew Mackie from Transmission Films.

LION was nominated for four Golden Globe awards, has received SAG, DGA, BAFTA and Critics Choice nominations and is the winner of more North American film festival awards than any other film this year.  Oscar nominations will be announced Tuesday US time.

LION stars Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Rooney Mara, David Wenham and the captivating Sunny Pawar as the young Saroo.  Adapted from the incredible true story “A Long Way Home” by Saroo Brierley, LION is directed by Garth Davis (TOP OF THE LAKE) from a screenplay by Luke Davies (CANDY, LIFE). The film was produced by See-Saw Films in association with Aquarius Films and Sunstar Entertainment. The producers are Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Angie Fielder with Andrew Fraser, Shahen Mekertichian and Daniel Levin executive producing.