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Small Budget Films That Went on to Have Huge Success
Big box office winners and film awards don't always require sky-high production budgets. In fact, some of the most acclaimed and beloved films in history were made for less than $20 million, and many more for far less. These films not only made their budgets back many times over, but also earned major accolades in the process.
Some of these low-budget films even walked away with Academy Awards, despite being produced for a fraction of what most Hollywood blockbusters cost. Each one made a major impact on the industry, and in many cases, on culture at large. But what are some of the lowest-budget, award-winning films of our modern era?
247 Tempo reviewed budget and award data from IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo, and Backstage, focusing exclusively on films with production budgets under $20 million. Each movie included here won at least one major film award. Here's how movie magic can still manifest on a modest budget.
"Whiplash" (2014)
With a tight budget of just $3.3 million, Whiplash stunned audiences and critics alike. The intense drama about a young jazz drummer and his brutal instructor earned $49 million at the box office and widespread acclaim. It was nominated for five Academy Awards and won three, including Best Supporting Actor for J.K. Simmons.
"The Farewell" (2019)
The Farewell, directed by Lulu Wang, had a modest budget of around $3 million and earned over $23 million globally. Based on Wang's personal experience, this dramedy explores cultural clashes and family ties through the story of a Chinese-American woman returning to China for a fake wedding. The film won Best Feature at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards and also earned Awkwafina a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.
"Paranormal Activity" (2007)
"Paranormal Activity" might not have won an Oscar, but it has won multiple awards on a tiny budget. This found-footage paranormal film only cost about $215,000 to produce and yet earned $194.2 million at the box office. The film won a Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie in the Horror/Thriller genre.
"Nomadland" (2020)
"Nomadland" wasn't as low budget as "Paranormal Activity," but did extremely well on a smaller budget of $5 million. This drama earned $39.5 million at the box office and won 109 awards including three Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress).
"Juno" (2007)
"Juno" had a higher budget than both "Paranormal Activity" and "Nomadland," but it's still pretty impressive. On a budget of around $7 million, this coming-of-age movie made $232.3 million at the box office and has earned the title of being a cult classic. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
"Rocky" (1976)
Did you know that "Rocky" didn't have the highest budget? This classic sports drama was produced on a budget of $1.1 million. The producers made back their money by a lot, earning $225 million at the box office. "Rocky" was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning three.
"A Separation" (2011)
"A Separation" was made on a budget of less than $1 million. It tells the story of an Iranian couple as they separate and how their separation impacts those around them. This drama earned $24.4 million at the box office and an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
"The King's Speech" (2010)
"The King's Speech" has one of the highest budgets on this slideshow, but is worth a mention because of how popular and well-loved it is. This film was made on a $15 million budget and yet made a jaw-dropping $427.4million at the box office. The film received 185 award nominations and won 70, including four Academy Awards.
"Marty" (1955)
"Marty," the oldest movie on our list, proves that a budget doesn't have to be high for a movie to be good. This film, released in 1955, had a budget of around $350,000. It quickly made over $2 million. "Marty" won countless awards including an Academy Award for Best Motion Picture, a British Academy Film Award for Best Foreign Actress, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
"Napoleon Dynamite" (2004)
"Napoleon Dynamite" didn't win an Academy Award or a Golden Globe, but its budget and reach are impressive. This Indie comedy cost about $400,000 to make and earned $46.1 million at the box office. Decades later, it's even more loved compared to when it first came out. The film won various awards, including a 2005 Golden Trailer Award for Best Comedy and the 2004 Film Discovery Jury Award for Best Feature.
"Moonlight" (2016)
Also on our list is "Moonlight," which told a powerful story on a budget under $4 million. The movie earned $65.2 million, making back its budget. This powerful film received 288 award nominations and won 161. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning three, including Best Picture.
"The Blair Witch Project" (1999)
Last but not least is "The Blair Witch Project." It had a tiny budget of about $200,000–750,000. Even with this tiny budget, the film won awards and is a cult classic. At the box office, "The Blair Witch Project" earned $248.6 million. At the 15th Independent Spirit Awards, this horror film won the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award.