The film became a box office success, grossing $95 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. It was theatrically released in the United States on 23 November 2018 by Fox Searchlight Pictures, and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 1 January 2019. The Favourite premiered on 30 August 2018 at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for Colman. Co-produced by studios based in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States, principal photography lasted from March to May 2017 and took place at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and at Hampton Court Palace. Set in early 18th century Great Britain, the film's plot examines the relationship between cousins Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough ( Rachel Weisz) and Abigail Masham ( Emma Stone), who are vying to be court favourite of Queen Anne ( Olivia Colman). The Favourite is a 2018 period black comedy film co-produced and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, from a screenplay by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara.
