Box Office Performance and Production Budget
The Color of Money, the 1986 American drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise, earned approximately 52.3 million dollars at the domestic box office according to The Numbers, with a production budget reported at 13.5 million dollars, making it a profitable commercial release for its studio and investors The Numbers.
The film's worldwide gross combined with home video and television licensing revenues created long-tail income for its rights holders, and its enduring availability on streaming platforms continues to generate recurring licensing fees for the studio behind the title.
Main Cast, Characters, and Financial Storyline
Paul Newman reprised his role as Fast Eddie Felson, a former pool hustler who mentors Vincent Lauria, played by Tom Cruise, as the two men navigate high-stakes pool games and the psychology of risk, a narrative that mirrors real-world trading and investment behavior IMDb.
The storyline centers on Eddie's calculated approach to hustling, where bankroll management, opponent profiling, and emotional control determine outcomes, concepts that parallel modern quantitative trading strategies and risk-adjusted return frameworks used by professional investors.
Production Companies, Distribution, and Industry Context
The Color of Money was produced by Lorimar Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, with the film entering the market during a period of strong demand for adult dramas and sports-themed narratives in the mid-1980s SEC EDGAR.
The film's financial success contributed to the broader 1980s Hollywood trend of investing in star-driven adult dramas, and its enduring cultural relevance is evidenced by continued references in discussions about skill-based competition and the psychology of money Forbes.