Box office

Listen to Me Marlon grossed £47,869^[7] (US$70,558) in the United Kingdom and $445,779 in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $516,337.^[8]

Critical response

Upon its premiere in 2015, the film received positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 96% based on 102 reviews, with an average rating of 8.0/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Listen to Me Marlon offers a fascinating look at the inner life of a Hollywood icon, told in his own words."^[9]

The Village Voice called it "a masterpiece"^[10] and David Edelstein lists it as "the greatest, most searching documentary of an actor ever put on film."^[11] According to Vanity Fair, it "is a compelling documentary about Marlon Brando compiled entirely from private audio tapes the actor recorded at home, in business meetings, during hypnosis, in therapy, and during press interviews."^[12]

Variety writes Brando's "complexity is limned as well as a documentary possibly could manage... Made with the full cooperation of the Brando estate, the pic is a superbly crafted collage whose soundtrack is as complexly textured as the curation and editing of visual elements."^[13] As Rolling Stone summed it up: "You want Brando Confidential? Fine, you've got it."^[14]