Every now and then, along comes a low-budget film that — if we’re really being honest — no one expected to be a hit at the box office. The people making the movie were likely just hoping to break even, and hey, maybe take home a few dollars at the end of the day. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, it blows up in the best possible way, making major bank and becoming a pop-culture phenomenon. Fifteen years ago, it happened when Tom Hanks turned Nia Vardalos’ small family play into My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and there are many more examples over the years.
‘Rocky’
This 1976 rags-to-riches story of a working-class boxer who gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship, Rocky only cost $1.1 million to make. However, it went on to spawn an impressive $225 million and inspire six (count ’em, six!) sequels.
‘Saw’
When this horrifying film about a sadistic killer named Jigsaw first debuted in 2004, it received mixed (but mostly negative) reviews by critics. The public disagreed, though, catapulting the $1.2 million-budget movie to over $104 million at the box office. Since then, six sequels have been made and the franchise has banked $873 million.
‘Open Water’
Loosely based on a real-life story, the 2003 film brought a terrifying fear to the big screen: being abandoned at sea and picked off by sharks. The filming style was minimalistic, which makes sense with a budget of only $500,000. But Open Water was gripping in how gritty it felt, adding a distinctive element of psychological torture. All told, the movie managed to bring in sizable return of over $54 million.
‘There’s Something About Mary’
Could anyone argue that There’s Something About Mary isn’t a cult classic? Unlikely. This film, which helped Cameron Diaz shoot to stardom, never gets old. At $23 million, it wasn’t exactly cheap to make. However, what it cost pales in comparison to the beaucoups bucks it brought in: $369.9 million at the box office.
‘The Blair Witch Project’
The Blair Witch Project wasn’t really on anyone’s radar when it hit theaters in 1999. The premise was alarmingly simple: The footage had been found in the woods after a few documentary filmmakers went missing. As such, the film was largely shaky, amateur-style camera shots akin to something you might wind up with after a family camping trip (gone horribly wrong). Amazingly, audiences loved the psychological horror film. Having been made for only $60,000, it banked $248.6 million at the box office and kicked off the found-footage genre.
‘The Purge’
At the time of its release in 2013, The Purge was the lowest-budget film to hit the top of the box office charts since 1988. While other sleeper hits enjoyed a slow-burn style of return, this dystopian horror movie wasted little time bringing in almost $90 million — far exceeding its $3 million price tag.
‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’
Julia Roberts starred in My Best Friend’s Wedding during a rare lull in her career during the mid-’90s. And, well, it worked — made for $46 million, the movie came in strong at the box office opening weekend and hovered at the top for six straight weeks. Ultimately, it has earned $299 million at the box office. Plus, it’ll forever be a favorite Julia Roberts flick for fans.
‘Juno’
Who would’ve thought that this 2008 film about a witty pregnant teen would be such a smashing success? Made with a budget of only $6.5 million, Juno made that amount alone back in a mere 20 days. It ultimately went on to earn $231 million at the box office, become Fox Searchlight’s first movie to surpass $100 million and really put Ellen Page on the map.
‘Ghost’
You’ve gotta admit — the storyline of the 1990 film Ghost seemed kind of… out there. A man gets killed during a seemingly random mugging, but his ghost hangs around when he realizes his best friend was actually responsible for the murder. Then a psychic helps bring his spectral figure out so he can kiss his heartbroken girlfriend. But hey, audiences loved (and still love) it. Made with a budget of only $22 million, it raked in over $500 million and became one of the highest-grossing films of its time.
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’
It’s hard to believe this film turns 15 this year! It was produced by Tom Hanks in 2002 after his wife, Rita Wilson, watched the Nia Vardalos play and suspected it would be a hit. With a budget of only $5 million, it went on to become the highest-grossing romantic comedy ever, earning $368.7 million worldwide.
‘Paranormal Activity’
File this under things that still scare the shit out of everyone! A found-footage film in the vein of The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity told the story of a young couple who suspects a supernatural presence in their home. What they ultimately document with their home cameras is a demonic possession, and audiences literally had no chill watching the terrifying events unfold. Made for only $15,000, the movie banked just shy of $200 million.
‘Slumdog Millionaire’
Called the “feel-good film of the decade,” Slumdog Millionaire was set and filmed in India to the tune of $15 million. And, well, the filmmakers definitely had a hit on their hands! Praised by both audiences and critics alike, the movie raked in a whopping $377.9 million worldwide. Plus, the soundtrack is still one of the best of the best, IMHO.
‘Get Out’
Perhaps it was because it was Jordan Peele’s directorial debut. Or maybe it was because the movie was made for only $4.5 million. Whatever the case, no one expected 2017’s Get Out to burst onto the scene the way it did. The film has already grossed $252.4 million against its paltry budget, and it quickly became a cultural touchstone.
‘Napoleon Dynamite’
‘Twas the movie that launched a zillion Halloween costumes emblazoned with “Vote for Pedro!” This 2004 film about some seriously socially awkward teens could not have been more quirky — or low budget. Jon Heder, who plays the title character, was initially only paid $1,000 for the role, and the overall budget was only $400,000. However, against all odds, the indie film went on to make more than $46 million… and become an oft-quoted cult classic.
‘Sleepless in Seattle’
I mean, right?? You can’t get much more iconic where romantic comedies are concerned than Sleepless in Seattle. Yet the film only cost $21 million to make and was met with praise by the public and by critics… even though some didn’t want to, calling the film formulaic. Still, no one could deny that it worked. In total, it has grossed $227.8 million.
‘Superbad’
This may not be one of the higher-grossing sleeper hits on the list, but no one can deny its meteoric rise to popularity. When the teen comedy hit theaters in 2007, it became an instant hit. Fun fact: It was co-written by Seth Rogen, who starred in it alongside then-up-and-comers Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Bill Hader and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin). Made for $20 million, Superbad was a success at the box office, bringing in $169.9 million.
‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’
Directed by Ang Lee, internationally co-produced and featuring a Chinese cast speaking Mandarin, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a true cultural collaboration. Made on a budget of only $17 million USD, it went on to become the highest-grossing foreign-language film in American history. The haul? $213.5 million. Not to mention it won over 40 awards.
‘Little Miss Sunshine’
Aw, remember how tiny and weird Abigail Breslin was in this 2006 film? Despite an all-star cast including (in addition to Breslin) Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano and Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine boasted a budget of only $8 million. However, it brought in over $100 million and wound up receiving two Academy Awards and a slew of other accolades.
‘It Comes at Night’
Just as the title suggests, this 2017 psychological horror film kind of crept up on American audiences. Released on June 9, It Comes at Night was made with a reported budget of less than $5 million. Already, it has raked in over $17 million, making it (alongside Get Out) one of the biggest sleeper hits of the year. Can we also point out that everyone was talking about this flick when it hit theaters?
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