Eric Bana Film 'The Dry' 'Cementing Its Place In History Books Of Australian Cinema'

Australian film The Dry is climbing its way up the local cinema history books following news today that the movie has passed $20 million at the box office. 

The Eric Bana-led mystery drama - based on the popular 2016 novel by Jane Harper - was only released this past January but has already surpassed other local classics like Priscilla, Queen of The Desert, Muriel’s Wedding and The Dish to become one of the top highest grossing Australian films of all time.

The news comes after The Dry had the fifth highest opening day for a local film at the Aussie box office upon its 1 January release, joining a prestigious list that includes 2006 animation Happy Feet and 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road.

The highest grossing Australian production remains 1986's Crocodile Dundee which raked in almost $48 million. 

“The astounding success of The Dry confirms what Roadshow has always known, that there will always be an appetite for quality Australian productions which can without a doubt rival their Hollywood counterparts at the box office," Roadshow Films CEO Joel Pearlman said.

“We will continue working with local industry and our partners in exhibition to deliver these crowd favourites to the big screen.”

Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason added, “We are thrilled The Dry has today reached $20 million at the local box office, cementing its place in the history books of Australian cinema.

"Audiences around the country flocked to the cinema to enjoy this quintessential Australian story starring Eric Bana on the big screen and this outstanding box office result places The Dry in the company of Australian classics like Mad Max: Fury Road and Red Dog.

"Congratulations to Made Up Stories, Roadshow Films, director Robert Connolly, the entire crew and cast, on this momentous milestone.”

Bana and Connolly called for more support for the Australian film industry during an appearance on The Green Room with Neil Griffiths podcast to promote The Dry late last year.

"There were some big productions that were up and running in Australia at the time and some of our crew had been offered very big long running contracts with some of these productions who chose to say no and to come and work on our film for a much shorter period of time in the middle of nowhere," Bana told host Neil Griffiths.

"That was really heartening to us and it was a real show that people are making life decisions with regards to their work as well.

"There is a balance to be struck here. Films like The Dry need to be able to get a crew of this standard. We can't just have every great cinematographer and every great production manager and art director on a massive film that's then not available to a film like this."

Listen to the full episode The Green Room episode with Bana and Connolly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (below) or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.