Release Date and Theatrical Run in the United States
On the Basis of Sex had its limited United States release on December 25, 2018, before expanding wide on January 11, 2019, according to data reported by major studio tracking sources. The film opened across 1,083 theaters in its wide weekend and played in U.S. cinemas for a standard 16-week window before leaving most locations by mid-May 2019.
Domestic box office data shows the film earned approximately $24.7 million in the United States and Canada, with a global total near $57 million, as tracked by leading industry analytics platforms. The opening weekend in the United States generated roughly $3.8 million, placing it in the mid-tier for adult dramas during the holiday season.
Streaming Availability and Home Release in the United States
Digital and Physical Release Windows
On the Basis of Sex became available for digital purchase and rental in the United States approximately 17 weeks after its wide theatrical release, with the home video premiere occurring in the spring of 2019. Physical media, including Blu-ray and DVD, followed shortly after, with the disc release handled by a major studio distribution partner.
As of the latest available platform data, On the Basis of Sex streams on multiple major services in the United States, with availability rotating between subscription and transactional models. Current streaming rights are held by platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and the film can also be rented or purchased directly through digital storefronts like Apple TV and Google Play.
Legal and Cultural Impact of the Film
The Real Case Behind the Movie
The film dramatizes the early career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, focusing on the 1970s case of Charles Moritz v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, which challenged gender-based tax discrimination. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Moritz in 1972, and the decision became a landmark in the American Civil Liberties Union's strategic litigation campaign against sex-based classifications.
On the Basis of Sex was produced by Participant Media and Focus Features, with distribution managed by Universal Pictures in the United States. The film's release coincided with a period of heightened public attention on gender equity in the judiciary, and it contributed to broader cultural conversations about representation on the federal bench, as noted by legal commentary and coverage from major outlets.