Upon its 1994 release, Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption disappointed at the box office. Despite garnering critical acclaim and earning seven Oscar nominations at the 67th Academy Awards, the film fell short commercially, grossing only $18 million against a $25 million budget.
However, after getting praised by the Academy and receiving seven nominations, the film was re-released and reportedly earned an additional $10 million in revenue. Beyond its theatrical resurgence, it also gained significant traction among audiences, becoming the most rented movie of 1995.
It has since become one of the most beloved films of all time. And while it failed to make it big at the box office initially, the cast of the film has continued to benefit from residual earnings, with Bob Gunton even ensuring that his daughter will receive checks for years to come.
The Shawshank Redemption Became a Way of a Steady Income For its Cast
Starring an ensemble cast including Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, and Bob Gunton, The Shawshank Redemption follows banker Andy Dufresne, who is convicted of murder and forms a bond with fellow inmate Ellis Redding as they navigate life in Shawshank State Penitentiary.
The film has almost completed 30 years and according to reports, it still provides a steady income for its cast through residuals. In a 2014 conversation with The Wall Street Journal, actor Bob Gunton, known for his role as the prison warden, shared insights into these residual earnings.
The actor shared that even 20 years after the release of the film, he has continued to make a significant amount of money from the film’s residuals. He shared that he received “close to six figures by the film’s 10th anniversary in 2004.”
And he has continued to receive “a very substantial income” since its 10th anniversary, something that is considered uncommon decades after a film’s release. Gunton also shared that at this rate his daughter would continue to get the residual checks for years to come.
“I suspect my daughter, years from now, will still be getting checks,” he told The Wall Street Journal, as per Business Insider. As the film set out to celebrate its 30th anniversary, recent residual figures remain uncertain, but the enduring financial impact of the film persists.
Morgan Freeman Expressed Gratitude for The Shawshank Redemption’s Enduring Legacy
Celebrating the 26th anniversary of The Shawshank Redemption, Morgan Freeman took to X (Twitter) to express his gratitude for the 1994 film, which is still considered one of the best performances of the 86-year-old actor. Acknowledging its initial box office disappointment, the actor said,
“It has been 26 years since #ShawshankRedemption came out in theaters and I’m still thankful to everyone who made our box office flop one of the most beloved movies of all time.”
Director Frank Darabont has also praised the actor for his performance in the film, even stating that Freeman’s character Red often overshadowed Tim Robbins’ Andy Dufresne. “The more I revisit the film the more I find that I’m really focusing on him and noticing the work he’s doing there,” he told Deadline.
Though Freeman’s earnings from the film remain unconfirmed, reportso suggest he received $300,000. Given Bob Gunton’s ongoing residuals, Freeman and Robbins are likely to also benefit substantially from the film’s enduring success.
The Shawshank Redemption is available to stream on Prime Video.
