The film Patriots Day was released to the public in the United States through a staggered schedule. Its wide theatrical release, making it available nationwide, occurred on January 13, 2017. This was preceded by a limited theatrical release in select cities, including Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, which began on December 21, 2016.
The distribution strategy for the film commenced with its world premiere at the AFI Fest on November 17, 2016. Following this festival debut, the limited release in December 2016 was implemented. This approach is often utilized for films aiming for awards consideration, as it meets the eligibility criteria for major award ceremonies, such as the Academy Awards, before a broader public release.
Therefore, while the film became widely accessible to audiences in January 2017, its official release timeline began in late 2016. The specific date a viewer could have seen the film depended on their geographical location, with the December 2016 dates constituting an exclusive, awards-qualifying run ahead of the nationwide launch.
