There’s a lot to be said for a good-budget film. Not only do you get bang for your buck, but there are often hidden gems hidden within these flicks. For example, did you know that My Big Fat Greek Wedding spent only $5 million making it? That’s some serious talent behind the camera! Here are the highest-grossing budget films of all time:
1. Bad Moms
Bad Moms, released on July 29, 2016, is a comedy film directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. The film stars Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn as three mothers who are overwhelmed by the demands of parenting. After they’re encouraged to find some time for themselves by their wise friend Julie (Christina Applegate), the trio decides to stop being “good” and start getting a little bit bad.
The film is based on an original idea developed by Suzanne Todd and Bill Block. Filming took place in Atlanta in October 2015 before moving to Los Angeles shortly after; it ended in December of that same year.
Bad Moms was released in the United States on July 29, 2016, grossing $113.3 million in its first weekend with a total of $217 million worldwide, giving STX Entertainment their highest-ever opening weekend at that point.
2. Pink Panther
This is the highest-grossing film in the Pink Panther franchise, as well as the highest-grossing film of Peter Sellers’ career. It was produced on a budget of $2 million and eventually made over $40 million at the box office.
The film won the Academy Award for Best Writing and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Burt Kwouk), Original Song (Henry Mancini, Leslie Bricusse), Best Music, and Original Score.
3. The Blair Witch Project
The Blair Witch Project is the first to use the found footage technique and was released on July 30, 1999. Based on a legend that dates back to Maryland folklore in the 1800s, this movie centers around three documentary filmmakers looking for evidence of a supernatural entity called “Blair Witch”. They go into the woods and start getting strange feelings about what they’re filming. The movie ends with one of them being dragged off camera by something unknown.
The film was shot in just eight days and cost less than $1 million to make. It was distributed by Artisan Entertainment and made over $250 million at the box office.
4. Paranormal Activity
The highest-grossing budget film of all time is Paranormal Activity. Made on a budget of only $15,000, it grossed $193 million worldwide. In fact, this movie has such a low cost that it’s the most profitable film of all time!
5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which was written, directed, and produced by Nia Vardalos, is the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. It’s also one of the highest-grossing films ever made: it cost just $5 million to make but grossed $241 million in North America alone.
It’s also one of the most beloved movies of all time, and it’s considered a classic by many. It was nominated for three Golden Globes but didn’t win any.
6. Walking Dead
“Walking Dead” began airing on AMC in October 2010 and quickly became one of the most popular shows on television. Originally shot for just $3 million, “Walking Dead” has since earned over $1 billion in revenue. The series is based on a comic book series by Robert Kirkman and features an ensemble cast including Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Laurie Holden, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, Michael Cudlitz, and Chandler Riggs.
7. The Fault in Our Stars
“The Fault in Our Stars” was released in July 2013 and grossed over $307 million worldwide on a $12 million budget. The film stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort and follows two young cancer patients as they fall in love. “The Fault in Our Stars” was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 86th Academy Awards.
When it comes to budget films, there are pros and cons to consider. On one hand, these films can be more affordable to make and don’t require as many special effects or big star names. This means that they’re often more accessible to smaller theaters and can be picked up by new audiences. However, many budget films don’t receive the same critical acclaim or commercial success as their bigger-budget counterparts. Additionally, because these films tend to be made on a smaller scale, they can sometimes suffer from poorer production values and editing.
These are just some of the most profitable movies in history. It’s interesting to see how movies have evolved over time, and it shows that even if you don’t have an A-list cast, a good story and content can make a huge difference!
