Palme d'Or has honoured artistic talent in filmmaking and offer an intriguing window into how audiences around the world react
Over the last six years, the Palme d’Or, the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the world’s oldest and most popular film festival, has not only honoured artistic talent in filmmaking but also offered an intriguing window into how audiences around the world react to daring, auteur-driven productions. With the media from all over the world present the 15-day long film festival, many film producers and directors hope that the worldwide coverage of their films provide them valuable, free advertising which should draw the crowds when the films make it to the theatres for commercial release.
Here is a look at the box office performance of the most recent Palme d’Or winners, from 2019 to 2024.
2019: Parasite – Bong Joon-ho
The film’s deft fusion of dark humour and social commentary were found to be compelling
The first South Korean film to win the top prize at Cannes, Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, was a landmark win at the 2019 Palme d’Or. Its influence continued after that. A rare accomplishment for a non-English language film, Parasite went on to become a global sensation, earning over USD 250 million globally. Both critics and viewers found the film’s deft fusion of dark humour and social commentary to be compelling and it went on to win an Oscar for Best Picture.
2021: Titane – Julia Ducournau
Despite the hype, Titane only made about USD 5 million worldwide
With Julia Ducournau’s Titane winning the Palme d’Or, Cannes returned in 2021 following its cancellation due to the pandemic in 2020. Only the second woman to receive the award, Ducournau’s body-horror thriller divided audiences with its bold narrative. Despite the hype, Titane only made about USD 5 million worldwide from its theatrical run. The movie’s arthouse sensibility and difficult subject matter made it less popular with the general public, but it soon became a cult favourite and did well at festivals and online.
2022: Triangle of Sadness – Ruben Östlund
Although it wasn’t a huge hit, its witty banter and social commentary made it a topic of conversation
Triangle of Sadness, directed by Ruben Östlund of Sweden, carried on the tradition of controversial Palme d’Or winners in 2022. The film, a scathing critique of privilege and class, found a sympathetic audience in Europe and did well during its limited run, earning about USD 21 million worldwide. Although it wasn’t a huge hit, its witty banter and social commentary made it a topic of conversation among moviegoers and festival goers and it continued to be shown regularly in art house theatres.
2023: Anatomy of a Fall – Justine Triet
With a global box office total of over USD 35 million, the movie was a noteworthy success
The 2023 Palme d’Or went to Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall. With its complex plot and gripping performances, this French courtroom drama enthralled critics. With a global box office total of over USD 35 million, the movie was a noteworthy success for a French-language drama. It became a favourite on the awards circuit and maintained a lengthy theatrical run, particularly in Europe, thanks to its strong word-of-mouth and festival accolades.
2024: Anora – Sean Baker
Anora had a successful limited run at the box office, grossing about USD 10 million worldwide
The 2024 Palme d’Or victory for Sean Baker’s Anora was a major accomplishment for the American independent filmmaker. The film received critical acclaim for its unvarnished realism and sympathetic depiction of under-represented characters. Anora had a successful limited run at the box office, grossing about USD 10 million worldwide, which is impressive for an independent movie.
2025: Un Simple Accident – Jafar Panahi
Un Simple Accident by Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi receives Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival
The most recent Palme d’Or winner, Un Simple Accident by Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi, was awarded in May 2025. Given its recent release, comprehensive box office data is not yet available. However, Panahi’s films traditionally perform modestly in theaters due to distribution challenges but often find a wider audience through international festivals and streaming platforms.
Although the Palme d’Or is a potent symbol of cinematic brilliance, its winners frequently struggle at the box office worldwide. As the rare exception, Parasite succeeded both critically and commercially by overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers. Other winners have impacted filmmakers, influenced cinematic discourse and broadened the parameters of what viewers anticipate from films, despite occasionally having modest box office returns.