The film Patriots Day was released in the year 2016. It had a limited theatrical run in select cities late in that year before its nationwide release in early 2017.
The film's release schedule began with a premiere at the AFI Fest on November 17, 2016. Following this, it was given a limited theatrical release in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston on December 21, 2016. This strategy ensured the film qualified for the 89th Academy Awards and other year-end film awards. The wide release, making the film available to audiences across the United States, occurred on January 13, 2017.
For official cataloging, filmography records, and awards eligibility purposes, the release year is recognized as 2016. This is determined by its initial qualifying commercial run, not the date of its wider distribution. Therefore, despite many viewers seeing it in 2017, 2016 is its official year of release.
