The film was screened at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival . According to Hanson , Warner did not want it shown at Cannes because they felt that there was an " anti-studio bias ... So why go and come home a loser ? " However , Hanson wanted to debut the film at a high-profile international venue like Cannes . He and other producers bypassed the studio and sent a print directly to the festival 's selection committee , which loved it . Ellroy saw the film and said , " I understood in 40 minutes or so that it is a work of art on its own level . It was amazing to see the physical incarnation of the characters . " '' L.A. Confidential '' was released on September 19 , 1997 , in 769 theaters , grossing $ 5.2 million on its opening weekend . On October 3 , it was given an expanded release in 1,625 theaters . It went on to make $ 64.6 million in North America and $ 61.6 million in the rest of the world , for a worldwide total of $ 126.2 million
1997 Cannes Film Festival
1997 Cannes Film Festival
L.A. Confidential (film)