'' The Big Lebowski '' received its world premiere at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival on January 18 , 1998 , at the 1,300-capacity Eccles Theater . It was also screened at the 48th Berlin International Film Festival before opening in North America on March 6 , 1998 in 1,207 theaters . It grossed USD $ 5.5 million on its opening weekend , grossing US$ 17 million in the United States , just above its US$ 15 million budget . The film 's worldwide gross outside of the US was $ 28 million , bringing its worldwide gross to $ 46,189,568
48th Berlin International Film Festival
48th Berlin International Film Festival
The Big Lebowski