The film was released in Spain on 22 March 2019 to positive reviews. It made its international debut at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d’Or; Banderas won the award for Best Actor and Alberto Iglesias won for Best Soundtrack. "Pain and Glory" was nominated as the Spanish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, with Banderas also being nominated for Best Actor. It was chosen by "Time" magazine as the best film of the year.