'' A Simple Plan '' premiered at the 23rd Toronto International Film Festival on September 11 , 1998 . On December 11 , 1998 , the film opened in limited release at 31 theaters , and grossed $ 390,563 in its first week , with an average of $ 12,598 per theater . More theaters were added during the limited run , and on January 22 , 1999 , the film officially entered wide release by screening in 660 theaters across North America . The film ended its North American theatrical run on May 14 , 1999 , having grossed $ 16,316,273 , below its estimated production budget of $ 17 million . The film was released on VHS and DVD on June 22 , 1999 , by Paramount Home Entertainment
23rd Toronto International Film Festival
1998 Toronto International Film Festival
A Simple Plan (film)