Outsider Pictures frames the acquisition as a celebration of authentic auteur cinema reaching new audiences. Paul Hudson called it 'a film that stays with you long after it's over, it never preaches to the audience and stays true to the characters.' Le Pacte's Romain Rancurel expressed confidence that American moviegoers will finally discover what global audiences already love.
Industry insiders note this deal comes with real teeth—a commitment to theatrical release in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets, including New York and Los Angeles. That's not a token rollout; that's confidence from Outsider Pictures that 'Sundays' has crossover appeal beyond the art-house crowd. The question now: can a Spanish-language drama about religious vocation break through?
The film grossed €4.9 million ($5.8 million) in Spain, making it the third biggest Spanish release of 2025 per distributor Bteam. At Spain's 40th Goya Awards, 'Sundays' swept five major categories: Best Picture, Best Director (Alauda Ruíz de Azúa), Best Actress (Patricia López Arnaiz), Best Supporting Actress (Nagore Aranburu), and Best Original Screenplay.
After conquering Spain and selling to half the world's major markets, Alauda Ruíz de Azúa's acclaimed drama finally gets its American moment. Outsider Pictures isn't playing it safe—this is a theatrical commitment with real muscle behind it.
Alauda Ruíz de Azúa's 'Sundays' ('Los Domingos') has been acquired for U.S. distribution by Outsider Pictures, Variety reports, bringing one of Spain's most decorated films of recent years to American theaters this fall. The announcement arrives just weeks after the film dominated Spain's 40th Goya Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and three acting/screenplay categories—a sweep that cemented Ruíz de Azúa as one of Spanish cinema's most commanding voices. The deal represents a significant milestone for both the director and Outsider Pictures.
Romain Rancurel, head of international sales at Le Pacte—the French company handling worldwide sales—closed the agreement with Paul Hudson of Outsider Pictures. 'Having acquired director Alauda Ruiz de Azua's previous film 'Lullaby,' I was excited to see 'Sundays,'' Hudson said. The acquisition comes with a substantial theatrical commitment: minimum release in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets this fall, including New York and Los Angeles.
'Sundays' has already proven its commercial firepower in Spain, grossing €4.9 million ($5.8 million) for distributor Bteam—making it the third biggest Spanish release of 2025. By last December, Le Pacte had sold the film to half the major movie markets worldwide. Film Affinity España even ranked it among the Top 10 Spanish films ever made—a rare feat for a relatively new release.
The drama centers on Ainara, a 17-year-old student at a religious school in northern Spain who seriously considers embracing life as a cloistered nun through the local Betinas convent order. Her flamboyant aunt Maite and struggling restaurateur father Iñaki are blindsided by her vocation, each viewing her decision through their own self-interest or egocentrism rather than genuine understanding of what Ainara actually needs. Ruíz de Azúa's achievement extends beyond 'Sundays.' Last year she also captured the top prize at Series Mania—Europe's biggest television festival—with 'Querer,' marking a remarkable same-year double that few directors accomplish.
The film is co-produced by Movistar Plus+, Spain's largest pay TV and SVOD operator, alongside an impressive roster including Buenapinta Media ('The Mole Agent'), Encanta Films ('Wounded'), Sayaka Producciones ('Daniela Forever'), Colosé Producciones ('Society of the Snow'), Think Studio ('Mirage'), and Los Desencuentros Película. Now American audiences will finally have the chance to discover what the rest of the world already knows: Ruíz de Azúa is a force, and 'Sundays' is the kind of film that lingers long after the credits roll.
