Liam Neeson’s latest movie, HONEST THIEF, has scored an impressive debut at the Australian & NZ box office this week with a cumulative total of $1,205,130 for Rialto Distribution.

At a time when most major releases have been put on ice, audiences have embraced the big-screen action thriller which pairs superstar Liam Neeson with Kate Walsh (Private Practice, The Umbrella Academy) as a successful bank-robber whose love for a woman compels him to cut a deal with the FBI, only to be set-up for murder by two crooked agents (played by Jai Courtney and Anthony Ramos).

Released throughout Australia and New Zealand by Rialto Distribution as part of the Vertigo Rialto Strategic Alliance (read Screen Daily Article) – HONEST THIEF is the latest in a line of successful films that this bold local distributor has debuted at cinemas rather than deferring or sending straight to On Demand, including UK comedy drama LOVE SARAH, the animated tale RED SHOES AND THE SEVEN DWARFS and French charmer LA BELLE EPOQUE.

Rialto CEO, Kelly Rogers, noted, “With cinemas, alongside so many other industries facing the most turbulent time in their history, it’s incredibly heartening to see people supporting the big screen experience.  And we’re grateful to the many exhibitors who have, in turn, championed us throughout this difficult period, as we will all survive and flourish, as long as we all pull together.”

Whilst Vertigo Chief Rupert Preston added, “We’re thrilled with the Box Office results and it just shows that when you have strong distribution, great cinemas and real star power that people will come out and see movies on the big screen!”

And Solution partner Lisa Wilson said, “Congratulations to Rialto on a great result!  We are delighted to support our international partners with this movie, which was also released theatrically in the US on over 2500 screens and is currently the number one film at the US box office for the second week”.