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The Costliest Movies in History

The Costliest Movies in History

Updated: by

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

100. Men in Black II (2002)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

99. Troy (2004)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

98. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

97. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

96. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

95. Poseidon (2006)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

94. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Source: Caroline McCredie / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

93. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

92. Die Another Day (2002)

Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation

91. True Lies (1994)

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

90. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

89. Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

88. Monsters University (2013)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

87. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

86. The 13th Warrior (1999)

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

85. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

84. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

83. Alexander (2004)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

82. Dante's Peak (1997)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

81. WALL·E (2008)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

80. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

79. Skyfall (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

78. Green Lantern (2011)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

77. Cars 2 (2011)

Source: 2011 Disney Parks / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

76. A Christmas Carol (2009)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

75. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

74. TRON: Legacy (2010)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

73. Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

72. Toy Story 3 (2010)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

71. Evan Almighty (2007)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

70. Jurassic World (2015)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

69. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)

Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

68. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

67. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

66. The Dark Knight (2008)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

65. Iron Man (2008)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

64. Rush Hour 3 (2007)

Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema

63. Robin Hood (2010)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

62. Godzilla (1998)

Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures

61. Terminator Salvation (2009)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

60. 2012 (2009)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

59. The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Source: Getty Images / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

58. Pearl Harbor (2001)

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

57. Men in Black 3 (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

56. Batman & Robin (1997)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

55. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Source: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

54. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

53. The Little Mermaid (2023)

Source: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

52. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 (2023)

Source: Jason Merritt / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

51. Van Helsing (2004)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

50. The Polar Express (2004)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

49. Battleship (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

48. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Corporation

47. The Lone Ranger (2013)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

46. Man of Steel (2013)

Source: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

45. The Fate of the Furious (2017)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

44. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

43. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

42. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

41. The Avengers (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

40. The Lion King (2019)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

39. Tarzan (1999)

Source: Getty Images / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

38. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

37. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

36. The Golden Compass (2007)

Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema

35. Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

34. Armageddon (1998)

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

33. The Marvels (2023)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

32. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

31. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

30. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

29. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

28. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

27. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

26. Avatar (2009)

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

25. Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Source: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

24. Quantum of Solace (2008)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

23. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

22. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

21. King Kong (2005)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

20. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

19. Tangled (2010)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

18. John Carter (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Motion Pictures

17. Justice League (2017)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

16. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

15. Wild Wild West (1999)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

14. Superman Returns (2006)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

13. Spectre (2015)

Source: Sean Gallup / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

12. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

11. Fast X (2023)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

10. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

9. Waterworld (1995)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

8. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

7. Titanic (1997)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

6. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

5. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

4. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

2. Cleopatra (1963)

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

1. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

100. Men in Black II (2002)
99. Troy (2004)
98. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
97. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
96. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
95. Poseidon (2006)
94. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
93. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
92. Die Another Day (2002)
91. True Lies (1994)
90. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
89. Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
88. Monsters University (2013)
87. Iron Man 3 (2013)
86. The 13th Warrior (1999)
85. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
84. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
83. Alexander (2004)
82. Dante's Peak (1997)
81. WALL·E (2008)
80. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
79. Skyfall (2012)
78. Green Lantern (2011)
77. Cars 2 (2011)
76. A Christmas Carol (2009)
75. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)
74. TRON: Legacy (2010)
73. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
72. Toy Story 3 (2010)
71. Evan Almighty (2007)
70. Jurassic World (2015)
69. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
68. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
67. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
66. The Dark Knight (2008)
65. Iron Man (2008)
64. Rush Hour 3 (2007)
63. Robin Hood (2010)
62. Godzilla (1998)
61. Terminator Salvation (2009)
60. 2012 (2009)
59. The World Is Not Enough (1999)
58. Pearl Harbor (2001)
57. Men in Black 3 (2012)
56. Batman & Robin (1997)
55. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
54. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
53. The Little Mermaid (2023)
52. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 (2023)
51. Van Helsing (2004)
50. The Polar Express (2004)
49. Battleship (2012)
48. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
47. The Lone Ranger (2013)
46. Man of Steel (2013)
45. The Fate of the Furious (2017)
44. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
43. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
42. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
41. The Avengers (2012)
40. The Lion King (2019)
39. Tarzan (1999)
38. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
37. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
36. The Golden Compass (2007)
35. Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
34. Armageddon (1998)
33. The Marvels (2023)
32. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
31. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
30. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
29. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
28. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
27. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
26. Avatar (2009)
25. Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
24. Quantum of Solace (2008)
23. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
22. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
21. King Kong (2005)
20. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
19. Tangled (2010)
18. John Carter (2012)
17. Justice League (2017)
16. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
15. Wild Wild West (1999)
14. Superman Returns (2006)
13. Spectre (2015)
12. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
11. Fast X (2023)
10. Spider-Man 3 (2007)
9. Waterworld (1995)
8. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
7. Titanic (1997)
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
5. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
4. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
2. Cleopatra (1963)
1. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

All studios have a budget, whether a paltry amount that only totals a few thousand dollars or astronomical amounts exceed what seems possible. Certain films, like "Paranormal Activity," which had a budget of only $15,000, can get away with lower costs because of how they are made, with limited cast and crew, where many of the same people starred and worked on the film. That film went on to gross more than 190 million dollars. Yet, not every movie can get by with a tiny budget. From production, location, talent, and special effects costs, the prices of many films are driven so high that they become the costliest movies in history.

A large portion of movie budgets are also dedicated to marketing and advertising to ensure the film gets proper exposure. If a movie has a massive budget, like "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," the studio expects to make back at least double in ticket sales. This projection doesn't always prove accurate though as many films fail to make back their outlandish budget. (Also See The Highest Grossing Movies of All Time.)

To determine the costliest movies in history, 24/7 Tempo reviewed historical data on production costs from the film industry site The Numbers. Movies were ranked based on the total reported production budget, adjusted for inflation. Data on the worldwide box office is also from The Numbers. Production budget and box office figures were adjusted for inflation using historical ticket data from the National Association of Theatre Owners. Supplemental data on IMDb user rating is current as of June 2024.

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