Special Report

Movies That Made the Most Money With the Fewest Dollars

Paramount Pictures / Moviepix via Getty Images

“The Sound of Music,” the heart-warming 1965 musical starring Julie Andrews, and “Get Out,” the 2017 horror film written and directed by Jordan Peele, have something in common: They are both among the 75 movies that made the most money with the smallest budgets.

High-budget movies often make headlines. The most expensive production ever (thus far), Disney’s “Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides,” cost $376.5 million, after a tax credit, in 2011, and grossed $1 billion worldwide. While a profit of $623.5 million may look impressive, the return on investment is quite low. The film made only $2.70 for every dollar in the production budget. (These are the 50 top-grossing movies of all time.)

24/7 Tempo reviewed the worldwide gross for every dollar in the production budget using data from The Numbers, an online movie database owned by consulting firm Nash Information Services. We obtained photos from IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon. 

The movies on the list below returned at least $29 for every dollar in the production budget.

“The Sound of Music,” which had a production budget of $8.2 million, ran for four and a half years in its initial theatrical release. Its amazing longevity helped it build up its worldwide gross of $286.2 million.

More than five decades after that movie was released, “Get Out,” with a budget only 55% of the musical’s (not adjusted for inflation), returned $50.50 for every dollar it cost. (Here are 25 of the Oscars’ most egregious snubs.)

Click here to see movies that made the most money with the fewest dollars

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

75. The Sting (1973)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $29.00
> Worldwide profit: $154.1 million — #691 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $5.5 million — #3,040 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $159.6 million — #976 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $159.6 million — #334 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Lionsgate

74. Sinister (2012)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $29.20
> Worldwide profit: $84.7 million — #1,151 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $3.0 million — #3,220 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $87.7 million — #1,546 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $48.1 million — #1,525 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Focus Features

73. Lost in Translation (2003)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $29.30
> Worldwide profit: $113.1 million — #917 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $4.0 million — #3,149 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $117.1 million — #1,254 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $44.6 million — #1,623 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

72. Lights Out (2016)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $29.80
> Worldwide profit: $143.8 million — #737 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $5.0 million — #3,052 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $148.8 million — #1,050 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $67.3 million — #1,089 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

71. The Purge (2013)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $30.40
> Worldwide profit: $88.3 million — #1,119 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $3.0 million — #3,220 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $91.3 million — #1,513 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $64.5 million — #1,145 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Lions Gate Films

70. Saw II (2005)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $30.60
> Worldwide profit: $147.9 million — #717 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $5.0 million — #3,052 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $152.9 million — #1,016 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $87.0 million — #814 out of 3,469

Courtesy of The Criterion Collection

69. Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $30.60
> Worldwide profit: $35.5 million — #1,806 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.2 million — #3,371 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $36.7 million — #2,410 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $24.7 million — #2,314 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

68. Young Frankenstein (1974)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $30.80
> Worldwide profit: $83.5 million — #1,154 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $2.8 million — #3,261 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $86.3 million — #1,568 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $86.3 million — #817 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

67. Pretty Woman (1990)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $30.90
> Worldwide profit: $418.6 million — #192 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $14.0 million — #2,527 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $432.6 million — #261 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $178.4 million — #263 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

66. Split (2016)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $31.00
> Worldwide profit: $269.8 million — #364 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $9.0 million — #2,830 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $278.8 million — #508 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $138.1 million — #426 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

65. Home Alone (1990)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $31.80
> Worldwide profit: $461.7 million — #166 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $15.0 million — #2,425 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $476.7 million — #224 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $285.8 million — #102 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of E Stars Films

64. Dangal (2016)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $32.10
> Worldwide profit: $295.6 million — #324 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $9.5 million — #2,820 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $305.1 million — #460 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $12.4 million — #2,790 out of 3,469

Courtesy of FilmDistrict

63. Insidious Chapter 2 (2013)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $32.40
> Worldwide profit: $156.9 million — #678 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $5.0 million — #3,052 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $161.9 million — #955 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $83.6 million — #850 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

62. Juno (2007)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $33.10
> Worldwide profit: $224.5 million — #464 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $7.0 million — #2,932 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $231.5 million — #640 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $143.5 million — #401 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Miramax

61. Swingers (1996)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $33.10
> Worldwide profit: $6.4 million — #2,597 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $200,000 — #3,455 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $6.6 million — #3,226 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $4.5 million — #3,113 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

60. The Sound of Music (1965)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $34.90
> Worldwide profit: $278.0 million — #346 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $8.2 million — #2,874 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: — #499 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $163.2 million — #320 out of 3,469

Courtesy of American International Pictures

59. The Last House on the Left (1972)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $35.60
> Worldwide profit: $3.0 million — #2,719 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $87,000 — #3,464 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $3.1 million — #3,343 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $3.1 million — #3,200 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Warner Bros.

58. The Exorcist (1973)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $35.70
> Worldwide profit: $416.2 million — #195 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $12.0 million — #2,614 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $428.2 million — #268 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $230.3 million — #152 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Trimark Pictures

57. Cube (1997)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $35.90
> Worldwide profit: $8.7 million — #2,517 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $250,000 — #3,451 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $9.0 — #3,146 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $489,220 — #3,362 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Walt Disney Productions

56. Fantasia (1940)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $36.50
> Worldwide profit: $81.0 million — #1,173 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $2.3 million — #3,286 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $83.3 million — #1,595 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $83.3 million — #856 out of 3,469

Courtesy of United Film Distribution Company

55. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $36.70
> Worldwide profit: $53.5 million — #1,520 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.5 million — #3,342 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $55.0 million — #2,028 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $5100,000 — #3,094 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Productions

54. Pinocchio (1940)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $36.80
> Worldwide profit: $82.0 million — #1,167 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $2.3 million — #3,285 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $84.3 million — #1,588 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $84.3 million — #839 out of 3,469

Courtesy of United Artists

53. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $37.10
> Worldwide profit: $158.9 million — #667 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $4.4 million — #3,144 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $163.3 million — #944 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $109.0 million — #615 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

52. Crocodile Dundee (1986)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $37.30
> Worldwide profit: $319.4 million — #284 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $8.8 million — #2,856 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $328.2 million — #414 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $174.8 million — #280 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

51. The Godfather (1972)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $38.40
> Worldwide profit: $261.5 million — #380 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $7.0 million — #2,932 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $268.5 million — #531 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $135.0 million — #440 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Lionsgate

50. The Last Exorcism (2010)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $39.00
> Worldwide profit: $68.4 million — #1,334 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.8 million — #3,326 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $70.2 million — #1,782 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $41.0 million — #1,720 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

49. Jaws (1975)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $39.20
> Worldwide profit: $458.7 million — #167 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $12.0 million — #2,614 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $470.7 million — #229 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $260.0 million — #117 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of United Artists

48. From Russia With Love (1963)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $39.50
> Worldwide profit: $76.9 million — #1,221 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $2.0 million — #3,291 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $78.9 million — #1,663 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $24.8 million — #2,310 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

47. Annabelle (2014)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $39.50
> Worldwide profit: $250.4 million — #407 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $6.5 million — #2,973 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $256.9 million — #564 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $84.3 million — #840 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Zeitgeist Films

46. Following (1998)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $40.10
> Worldwide profit: $234,495 — #2,836 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $6,000 — #3,469 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $240,495 — #3,450 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $48,482 — #3,435 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

45. Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $40.60
> Worldwide profit: $79.2 million — #1,193 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $2.0 million — #3,291 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $81.2 million — #1,635 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $11.3 million — #2,829 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

44. Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $41.40
> Worldwide profit: $202.0 million — #515 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $5.0 million — #3,052 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $207.0 million — #733 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $104.0 million — #655 out of 3,469

Courtesy of United Artists

43. Goldfinger (1964)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $41.60
> Worldwide profit: $121.9 million — #871 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $3.0 million — #3,220 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $124.9 million — #1,197 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $51.1 million — #1,452 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

42. Chernobyl Diaries (2012)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $42.40
> Worldwide profit: $41.4 million — #1,705 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.0 million — #3,389 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $42.4 million — #2,267 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $18.1 million — #2,540 out of 3,469

Courtesy of A24

41. Moonlight (2016)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $43.40
> Worldwide profit: $63.7 million — #1,394 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.5 million — #3,342 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $65.2 million — #1,849 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $27.9 million — #2,179 out of 3,469

Courtesy of The Weinstein Company

40. Les Intouchables (2011)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $44.90
> Worldwide profit: $474.1 million — #162 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $10.8 million — #2,706 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $484.9 million — #221 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $13.2 million — #2,750 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

39. Blazing Saddles (1974)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $46.00
> Worldwide profit: $116.9 million — #896 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $2.6 million — #3,268 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $119.5 million — #1,235 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $119.5 million — #539 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Universal Pictures

38. National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $47.20
> Worldwide profit: $138.6 million — #770 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $3.0 million — #3,220 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $141.6 million — #1,078 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $141.6 million — #407 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

37. Get Out (2017)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $50.50
> Worldwide profit: $247.5 million — #413 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $5.0 million — #3,052 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $252.5 million — #573 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $176.0 million — #275 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures

36. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $54.00
> Worldwide profit: $238.4 million — #429 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $4.5 million — #3,128 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $242.9 million — #605 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $52.7 million — #1,408 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Freestyle Releasing

35. God’s Not Dead (2014)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $55.50
> Worldwide profit: $62.6 million — #1,407 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.2 million — #3,382 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $63.8 million — #1,871 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $60.8 million — #1,211 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

34. Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $59.20
> Worldwide profit: $174.5 million — #599 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $3.0 million — #3,220 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $177.5 million — #857 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $84.8 million — #835 out of 3,469

Courtesy of United Artists

33. Dr. No (1962)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $59.60
> Worldwide profit: $58.6 million — #1,456 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.0 million — #3,389 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $59.6 million — #1,941 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $16.1 million — #2,636 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Miramax

32. Chasing Amy (1997)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $60.60
> Worldwide profit: $14.9 million — #2,329 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $250,000 — #3,451 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $15.2 million — #2,964 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $12.0 million — #2,809 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

31. Unfriended (2014)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $64.40
> Worldwide profit: $63.4 million — #1,395 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.0 million — #3,389 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $64.4 million — #1,860 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $32.8 million — #2,004 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

30. Grease (1978)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $64.60
> Worldwide profit: $381.5 million — #221 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $6.0 million — #2,993 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $387.5 million — #304 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $181.8 million — #251 out of 3,469

Courtesy of FilmDistrict

29. Insidious (2010)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $66.60
> Worldwide profit: $98.4 million — #1,044 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.5 million — #3,342 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $99.9 million — #1,407 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $54.0 million — #1,373 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Live Film & Mediaworks Inc.

28. Pi (1998)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $68.80
> Worldwide profit: $4.6 million — #2,659 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $68,000 — #3,465 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $4.7 million — #3,289 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $3221152.0 million — #3,191 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

27. Star Wars Ep. IV: A New Hope (1977)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $70.50
> Worldwide profit: $764.4 million — #63 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $11.0 million — #2,678 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $775.4 million — #96 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $461.0 million — #19 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

26. The Full Monty (1997)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $74.60
> Worldwide profit: $257.7 million — #387 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $3.5 million — #3,189 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $261.2 million — #553 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $46.0 million — #1,581 out of 3,469

Courtesy of IFC Films

25. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $75.00
> Worldwide profit: $369.9 million — #230 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $5.0 million — #3,052 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $374.9 million — #324 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $241.4 million — #138 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Universal Pictures

24. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $75.50
> Worldwide profit: $782.5 million — #60 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $10.5 million — #2,711 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $793.0 million — #89 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $435.1 million — #23 out of 3,469

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

23. The Evil Dead (1981)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $78.40
> Worldwide profit: $29.0 million — #1,948 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $375,000 — #3,445 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $29.4 million — #2,585 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $2400,000 — #3,237 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Screen Gems

22. Searching (2018)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $86.00
> Worldwide profit: $74.8 million — #1,250 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $880,000 — #3,419 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $75.6 million — #1,713 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $26.0 million — #2,253 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Lions Gate Films

21. Saw (2004)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $86.60
> Worldwide profit: $102.7 million — #1,005 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.2 million — #3,371 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $103.9 million — #1,361 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $56.0 million — #1,327 out of 3,469

Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

20. Cinderella (1950)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $90.90
> Worldwide profit: $260.7 million — #382 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $2.9 million — #3,258 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $263.6 million — #547 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $85.0 million — #833 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

19. Gone with the Wind (1939)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $100.10
> Worldwide profit: $386.6 million — #218 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $3.9 million — #3,182 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $390.5 million — #301 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $198.7 million — #214 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

18. The Devil Inside (2012)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $101.80
> Worldwide profit: $100.8 million — #1,020 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.0 million — #3,389 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $101.8 million — #1,389 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $53.3 million — #1,395 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

17. Friday the 13th (1980)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $108.60
> Worldwide profit: $59.2 million — #1,446 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $550,000 — #3,432 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $59.8 million — #1,937 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $39.8 million — #1,757 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Lions Gate Films

16. Open Water (2003)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $111.00
> Worldwide profit: $55.0 million — #1,502 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $500,000 — #3,433 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $55.5 million — #2,019 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $30.5 million — #2,098 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

15. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $115.30
> Worldwide profit: $45.7 million — #1,639 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $400,000 — #3,443 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $46.1 million — #2,199 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $44.5 million — #1,625 out of 3,469

[in-text-ad]

Courtesy of THINKFilm

14. Primer (2004)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $120.30
> Worldwide profit: $834926.0 million — #2,808 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $7,000 — #3,467 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $841,926 — #3,414 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $424760.0 million — #3,370 out of 3,469

Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

13. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $124.30
> Worldwide profit: $183.4 million — #572 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.5 million — #3,365 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $184.9 million — #822 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $184.9 million — #240 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Miramax

12. Clerks (1994)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $144.20
> Worldwide profit: $3.9 million — #2,691 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $27,000 — #3,466 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $3.9 million — #3,315 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $3.0 million — #3,203 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

11. Once (2007)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $154.30
> Worldwide profit: $23.0 million — #2,088 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $150,000 — #3,459 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $23.2 million — #2,747 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $9.4 million — #2,904 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

10. American Graffiti (1973)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $180.20
> Worldwide profit: $139.2 million — #765 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $777,000 — #3,424 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $140.0 million — #1,093 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $115.0 million — #571 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Bryanston Distributing

9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $189.80
> Worldwide profit: $26.4 million — #2,003 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $140,000 — #3,460 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $26.6 million — #2,661 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $26.6 million — #2,233 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of Aquarius Releasing

8. Halloween (1978)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $216.20
> Worldwide profit: $69.9 million — #1,311 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $325,000 — #3,447 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $70.3 million — #1,778 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $47.3 million — #1,552 out of 3,469

Courtesy of United Artists

7. Rocky (1976)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $225.00
> Worldwide profit: $224.0 million — #465 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $1.0 million — #3,389 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $225.0 million — #657 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $117.2 million — #555 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Walter Reade Organization

6. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $263.90
> Worldwide profit: $30.0 million — #1,928 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $114,000 — #3,462 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $30.1 million — #2,568 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $12.1 million — #2,805 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

5. El Mariachi (1992)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $291.70
> Worldwide profit: $2.0 million — #2,764 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $7,000 — #3,467 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $2.0 million — #3,376 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $2.0 million — #3,261 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

4. Bambi (1942)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $312.40
> Worldwide profit: $267.1 million — #369 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $858,000 — #3,420 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $268.0 million — #534 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $102.8 million — #667 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Artisan Entertainment

3. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $413.80
> Worldwide profit: $247.7 million — #412 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $600,000 — #3,430 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $248.3 million — #584 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $140.5 million — #412 out of 3,469

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

2. Paranormal Activity (2009)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $431.50
> Worldwide profit: $193.7 million — #541 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $450,000 — #3,440 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $194.2 million — #784 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $107.9 million — #625 out of 3,469

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Courtesy of American International Pictures

1. Mad Max (1979)
> Avg return for every dollar in production budget: $498.80
> Worldwide profit: $99.6 million — #1,030 out of 3,469
> Production budget: $200,000 — #3,455 out of 3,469
> Worldwide gross: $99.8 million — #1,409 out of 3,469
> Domestic gross: $8.8 million — #2,932 out of 3,469

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