'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Limited funding can be a challenge in filmmaking, but creativity always finds a way. Case in point, low-budget movies. It is no secret that even the most accomplished directors in the industry have had to work with tight budgets at one time or another. Low-budget movies are also the go-to for new filmmakers who are still in the process of making a mark that would improve their standing for sizeable funds.
Generally, people tend to associate inferior quality with cheap goods, but that is not necessarily the case with films. Many low-budget movies have won over viewers for their offbeat plots and experimental cinematography. In addition to critical acclaim, several low-budget movies have even outdone big-budget feature films in terms of box office collections.
In this list, we look at some notable low-budget movies turned blockbusters that cinephiles will have a hard time believing were made on shoe-string budgets.
Trending
Disclaimer: This list was compiled using data from various sources. The information contains some spoilers.
Mad Max, Halloween and eight other low-budget movies that made millions at the box office
1) Paranormal Activity (2007): $15,000 approx budget
Oren Peli's film showcases a young couple played by Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat who move into a new house that seems to be haunted. They set up cameras around the house and that footage is primarily used to take the narrative forward.
Shot in the span of a week, the actors worked without a detailed script. During the scenes, they were only given outlines of the story and they had to improvise their lines. The realistic way the leads reacted to the strange happenings and the believability factor heightened by the camera footage helped make it chilling enough to keep viewers hooked.
Originally, this low-budget movie was shot for $15,000. After it was acquired by Paramount Pictures, some changes were made, which raised the budget by $200,000. In terms of global collection, it made around $194.2 million.
Where to watch: Paranormal Activity can be streamed on Prime Video.
2) Clerks (1994): $27,575 approx budget
For many filmmakers, quality low-budget movies became their ticket to fame. For Kevin Smith, it was Clerks that put him on the map. His filming expenses only came to around $27,575 as it was shot in convenience and video stores where Smith worked in real life.
At first, the idea of watching two store clerks working their shifts doesn't seem appealing enough but Clerks finds a way to make it comical and engaging. Because of the tight budget, the cast consists mostly of Smith's personal connections, such as his friends and family.
What Clerks lacked in production value, it made up for in witty dialogue and realistic acting. This low-budget movie made around $4.4 million worldwide. In the U.S. alone, it grossed over $3 million, even when it was played in less than 100 theatres.
Where to watch: This comedy classic can be streamed on Prime Video.
3) The Blair Witch Project (1999): $60,000 approx budget
This low-budget movie currently holds the Guinness World Record for the highest box-office-to-budget ratio of any motion picture. Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez knew what they were doing when they decided to take the "found footage" route.
Albeit fictional, the cinematic style of this low-budget movie makes it seem like the strange occurrences that happen to three student filmmakers investigating a local myth deep in the Black Hills are actually true. The promotional marketing campaign also added to the hype by listing the actors as either "missing" or "deceased."
The filming, which lasted only eight days, cost about $60,000. The final budget was estimated to be around $200,000–750,000 after post-production edits. This low-budget movie grossed around $248.6 million worldwide.
Where to watch: This horror movie is available on Apple TV and Prime Video.
4) Open Water (2003): $120,000–500,000 approx budget
When it comes to raising viewer anticipation, there is nothing quite like a shark attack. A point that Steven Spielberg made abundantly clear in Jaws (1975). In this low-budget movie by Chris Kentis, a couple joins a group of scuba divers but a mistake in the headcount leaves them stranded in shark-infested waters.
As it is loosely based on the true story of Tom and Eileen Lonergan, there is already a sense of anticipation that the director maintains throughout the narrative. The filmmaking style is simple, yet it adds to the intensity of emotions experienced by the characters on screen.
This low-budget movie ended up making around $55.5 million in terms of box office collection. There are only a handful of engaging shark films that never grow old, and Open Water is one of them.
Where to watch: This thrilling movie is available for streaming on Apple TV and Prime Video.
5) Halloween (1978): $300,000–325,000 approx budget
The flick is centred around a psychotic killer, Michael Myers, a mental patient who murdered his sister on Halloween when he was young. After escaping the sanitarium where he was admitted, he returns to his hometown. Myers starts stalking a babysitter Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her friends, all the while evading capture by his psychiatrist.
Director John Carpenter had a tough time getting big names to sign up for the project because of the budget. The talented Curtis was paid around $8,000 for her role, which marked her film debut. Most of the wardrobe and props were made with cheap items or could be acquired for free. In fact, Michael Myers' mask was made from a Captain Kirk mask that cost only $1.98.
Back in the day, slasher movies weren't quite in demand among the masses, but some inspired titles helped change that, including this low-budget movie. It earned around $70 million worldwide.
Where to watch: Halloween is available for streaming on Apple TV.
6) Mad Max (1979): $350,000–400,000 approx budget
When it comes to must-watch dystopian movies, this low-budget movie by George Miller certainly makes the list. In the lead is Mel Gibson, who plays cop turned vigilante Max Rockatansky in a reality where law and order have collapsed. He clashes with a motorbike gang member who ends up dying, which puts Max on the radar of the ruthless gang leader.
Even though Mad Max has become a classic over the years, critics were divided when the film first came out because of its mature themes. Despite its low budget, the movie didn't take any shortcuts when it came to the thrilling action scenes that perfectly captured the chaos and destruction reminiscent of a dystopian world.
It earned around $100 million worldwide and held the Guinness World Record for the highest box-office-to-budget ratio of any motion picture before losing to another title on this list.
Where to watch: Mad Max can be streamed on Prime Video and Apple TV.
7) Napoleon Dynamite (2004): $400,000 approx budget
Generally, action or superhero movies tend to win big at the box office, but that doesn't mean comedy films don't make the cut. This low-budget movie by Jared Hess doesn't rely on over-the-top special effects or industry big-wigs to entice movie-goers. Instead, it uses wacky characters and witty dialogue to keep them entertained.
Watching Jon Heder's socially awkward character Napoleon Dynamite navigate romance, high school dynamics and an eccentric family is nothing short of enjoyable. Given the movie's budget, Hess got most of his friends to play different roles.
Hess was also lucky that the helpful people of Preston lent a hand when they shot on location by providing food and housing for crew members. This low-budget movie made around $46.1 million in global earnings. Originally, Heder earned only $1,000 for his role, but he renegotiated once the film became profitable.
Where to watch: This hilarious coming-of-age movie can be viewed on Prime Video.
8) Friday the 13th (1980): $550,000 approx budget
Director Sean S. Cunningham was inspired to make this low-budget movie after the success of Halloween. He wanted to make a visually appealing movie with plenty of shock factor and he certainly delivered on that front. The violent deaths that occur when a group of teen camp counselors attempt to re-open an abandoned camp with a troubled past are nothing short of horrifying.
This low-budget movie went on to make around $59.8 million at the box office. Fans of this classic will be interested to know that Friday the 13th became the first independent slasher film to be acquired by a major motion picture studio when Paramount Pictures purchased the domestic distribution rights. This successful low-budget movie has more than ten sequels.
Where to watch: Friday the 13th can be viewed on Prime Video.
9) Rocky (1976): $860,000 approx budget
After having written the screenplay, Sylvester Stallone knew he had a potential winner on his hands. This is why his agents insisted on casting him as the lead. Stallone also played smart by keeping the budget low enough so that producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff would be tempted to greenlight the project.
In this movie by John G. Avildsen, Stallone's character, Rocky is a small-time boxer who gets an opportunity to fight for glory at the world heavyweight championship. Although his path is rife with challenges, the underdog protagonist manages to make the most of his moment in the spotlight.
A gritty low-budget movie, Rocky earned approximately $225 million at the box office. It helped make Stallone a household name and spawned five successful sequels that consistently performed well at the box office.
Where to watch: This Sylvester Stallone starrer can be streamed on Prime Video, Apple TV and MUBI.
10) My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002): $5 million approx budget
Well-made rom-coms generally do well at the box office, but this low-budget movie by Joel Zwick really knocked it out of the park. What started as a one-woman 45-minute monologue workshop by Nia Vardalos evolved into a media franchise after the success of this low-budget movie.
Romantics couldn't get enough of Toula (Vardalos), a young Greek-American woman struggling to strike a balance between her roots and her love for a non-Greek man. The relatable characters certainly played a big part in its success.
Even though this movie's budget is significantly higher than a few others on this list, it is still lower than Hollywood's average rate. At the box office, this low-budget movie earned close to $368.7 million, making it one of the most successful rom-coms of all time.
Where to watch: This delightful rom-com can be streamed on Prime Video.
These low-budget movies prove that the quality of a movie is not directly proportional to its budget. Sometimes a little money and plenty of creativity can go a long way.
