It is rare that low budget films become big hits as they are generally not appealing as their higher budget counterpart. Take a look at these five low budget films that became huge hits.
Paranormal Activity
With a budget of only $15,000, a standard home video camera, and two actors, Oren Peli directed and produced a horror film that went on to earn $193.4 million at the box office. The film is about a couple who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their home. The film was created for a festival screening in 2007, and was later picked up by Paramount Pictures, with a re-vamped the ending.
The Blair Witch Project
The 1999 horror film was written, directed, and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez. The film was developed during 1993, and the script began with a 35-page outline with space for improvised dialogue. The unscripted performances added to the realism and saved money as well. With only a budget of $25,000 the film hit the box office and earned a shocking $248.6 million; and created a new era for found footage style films.
Clerks
A 1994 black-and-white dark comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith which presented a day in the lives of two store clerks. With a budget of $27,575, the film was shot in a convenience and video store in which Kevin worked in. The movie grossed over $3 million and launched Kevin Smith’s “View Askew” cinematic universe. The film was shot in black and white to help save on production costs.
Open Water
A 2003 horror film that was loosely based on the true story of a couple that went on a scuba diving trip and were left behind because the dive-boat crew failed to do an accurate last minute check of how many were on the boat. With a budget of $130,000 dollars, it was purchased by Lions Gate Entertainment for $2.5 million at the Sundance Film Festival. Lions Gate spent roughly $8 million on marketing and advertising and the film grossed over $55 million worldwide.
Halloween
John Carpenter’s classic slasher film from 1978 was produced on a budget of $300,000 and grossed $70 million worldwide. It was the highest grossing independent movie of its time period. The film is about a six-year-old who murders his older sister and is sent to to a psychatric hospital where he stayed for fifteen years. He escapes to return home to continue his killing spree by following a young baby-sitter.