10 Low Budget Movies That OWNED the Box Office This Decade

You don't always need billions to make a blockbuster! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for films released from 2020 and beyond that reached significant box office milestones on a budget of no more than $30 million. Our countdown includes movies “Sound of Freedom”, “M3GAN”, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and more! Which low-budget film did you find the most priceless? Let us know in the comments!
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#lowbudget #movies #boxoffice #success #godzilla #fnaf #horror #indie #film #hollywood

[@WatchMojo]

Which low-budget film did you find the most priceless? Let us know in the comments! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmS9h5V9ha2Coqs Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@Reaperguy67]

@@_dr.greenthumb_ they don't care if you are and you don't get anything for a pointless comment number

[@Therandomboiiii]

@@Reaperguy67gees mate calm down

[@Reaperguy67]

@@Therandomboiiii I been chill, it's called telling him the truth. Dr greenthumb is a spammer and has spammed immature comments before. Whats sad he thinks bots are his friends.

[@the.notifier]

​@@Reaperguy67just to let you know Greenthumbs spam replying to bots in new video

[@Reaperguy67]

@@the.notifier wow. He needs to stop and it's sad that he doesn't know what a bot is

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

‘Everything Everywhere All At Once.’ Budget = Under 30 million US dollars. Made more than 141 million worldwide. Won all SEVERAL Oscars, including “Best Picture”, “Best Supporting Actress”, “Best Supporting Actor”, and “Best Actress.” 😃👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@celieboo]

I was pleasantly surprised. It was a really good movie.

[@shizukagozen777]

An overrated, bad and boring movie.

[@justnahayo8490]

@@shizukagozen777😂😂😂

[@shizukagozen777]

@@justnahayo8490 😅😋

[@michaelmonthey5974]

Correction, it didn’t win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

[@trinaq]

"Everything Everywhere" was an unexpected surprise for me, I didn't expect to adore it as much as I did.

[@randomguypostanimeupdates6703]

The movie is really great and good one for me I really love it so much a

[@dameducksauce7992]

it was so good, i swear there wasnt a dry eye in the theater.

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

‘Godzilla Minus One’ officially one of the best movies of 2023! 😁👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@marybison3668]

with the low budget of Godzilla Minus One And Five Nights At Freddy's Those two movies only become one of the highest gross movies of 2023 even though fnaf critics is low but Many fans sure loves it.

[@bluegold1026]

The FNAF movie was made for the fans, not for the critics.

[@marybison3668]

@@bluegold1026 like i said even though critics hates it the fans loves it. because that movie is made for the fans not for critics get it?.

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

The budget for ’M3GAN’ was indeed 12 million US dollars, and made over $181 million worldwide. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@jojogarlin8369]

Impressive

[@ttsp1383]

I don’t understand the hype over it. I seriously didn’t think it was good horror movie.

[@ydcee3123]

​@@ttsp1383Different strokes..

[@craftreesie]

The marketing for it was phenomenal.

[@jamiejameskingofgames4648]

@@ttsp1383I agree it was…ok at best. It’s just famous for the dance thing.

[@vani_the_dark_kaiju]

Incredibly surprised that Demon Slayer: Mugen Train had the same budget as Godzilla Minus One, these two practically dominated the box office in their release years. FNAF definitely deserves my love and appreciation due to being a FNAF fanatic since it came out in 8th Grade of my time.

[@Stephen-to7jx]

Blair Witch Project made $250,000,000 on a $100,000 budget. Paranormal Activity made over $190,000,000 on a budget less than $20,000.

[@paballomolata8844]

It's almost as if the budget has been used correctly and wasn't overpaying actors and having people take up useless positions in production

[@kershabeaver3312]

Facts

[@Nightwalker065]

Small correction for the thumbnail, whoever made it there was a slight error. The Freddy Fazbear used wasn't the official one but instead from a fan game named "Five Nights at Freddy's Plus", just wanted to make this comment as I know many fans of the games might try and bash the video just for this small error.

[@Spiralredd]

Since when are thumbnails for these ever accurate

[@Gomu9680]

What’s wrong with the Freddy fazbear

[@Spiralredd]

@@Gomu9680 it's from a fan game called FNAF plus.

[@Nightwalker065]

@@Spiralredd this is the first time I noticed this.

[@donrightgaming1455]

Does it really matter it looks just like him

[@KGBSpyGeorgeCostanza]

FNAF movie did pretty well ngl, plus the Matthew Lillard scene was a bonus, I say, a cinematic masterpiece, it's amazing like the game

[@MultiRole214]

Spitting facts you are

[@Spiralredd]

Yeah it's not perfect but it's definitely good. Just wish we got to see more of the animatronics doing what they do best

[@Greco4915]

@@Spiralredd I couldn't agree more. I loved the FNAF movie but I wish we had more of the Fab 4 doing what they do best.

[@Spiralredd]

@@Greco4915 how awesome would it be to see them actually stuff the first guard in the suit instead of that offbrand Saw trap

[@SokMunkie]

I'm not a gamer but I liked it

[@davidrose5632]

Theory(s) as to "why" these movies did so well and in no particular order...lesser known actors cost less/well known actors willing to work more affordably, less effects heavy productions, better stories, and the desire to see something fresh versus another sequel/prequel.

[@novadyaomah3168]

Never expected Demon Slayer to be #1 in this list

[@randomguypostanimeupdates6703]

Unexpected right.. to all weebs xd a

[@lachecastle531]

Same!

[@jenniferst.george810]

Mugen train was good. It was a good arc as a stand alone movie and I believe it was when demon slayer was at its peak.

[@Eris04]

Jokes on you, I didn’t know Demon Slayer count as low budget movie

[@kruellzer0877]

@@Eris04tbf, anime is a lot cheaper to make than majority of animation here in the west

[@keithmichael112]

I wonder if Hollywood will figure out that making mid or even low budget films can be pretty smart

[@thephantomsplit]

I find it crazy that the Five Nights at Freddy's movie broke so many box office records last year. From the highest grossing horror movie of 2023, to Blumhouse's biggest opening for their movies, hell, to even having slightly better Thursday screenings opening than Oppenheimer, it really is impressive to see what it was able to accomplish! Yeah, the film has its flaws, but I absolutely loved it! I'm excited to see the sequel, and hopefully, it'll be better than the first movie!

[@isabelcalmelat18]

Well, it's A well-known franchise, bad or not, it's ganja do great.

[@thephantomsplit]

​​@isabelcalmelat18 oh absolutely, Hell, I'm a major fan of the franchise, and even then I wasn't fully expecting it to break a ton of records Mainly since it's a "love it or hate it" game franchise, that's why I was pretty shocked by the results

[@isabelcalmelat18]

@@thephantomsplit Win-win for companies and consumers, I guess.

[@SupaRush]

A24 has been dominating movies lately, i hope they never change or corporate greed takes over and ruins its authentic charm. 🙏

[@chansesArmstrong]

Demon slayer making over half a billion is insanity. Put some respect on anime

[@Markimark151]

This is more proof that moviegoers just want better story, not generic superhero movies with big budget special effects! I love M3GAN, FNAF, and Sound of Freedom, because these low budget thriller and horror movies are about their moviegoers, not for the film critics!

[@kershabeaver3312]

We are tired of the same storylines. Remake reboots. And sequels and prequels

[@Markimark151]

@@kershabeaver3312 that’s why I mostly see low budget and indie films lately, because tired of sequels and reboots since the 2010s!

[@Denis-89]

LOlm and then you mention Sound of Freedom which is an average generic action flick. The controversy around it is more interesting..

[@kershabeaver3312]

@@Markimark151 I just saw a the bob Marley one love movie first movie I have since the second stars prequel. 2016-2017. Plus movies way to expensive now

[@jenniferst.george810]

I would also add most of these films had banger scripts and great direction.

[@samuelblack7314]

Minus One was nominated for 105 awards, winning 35 of them in the process. That's exactly a third of its nominations. And it was all done with a budget of $15,000,000 or less. I loved it, everyone who watched it loved it, and my own mother, who is normally a Hunger Games fan, said it was one of her favorite movies. Bravo, Takashi Yamazaki. Bra-vo.

[@phantomrequim]

ME3GAN and Five Night's at Freddy's was amazing! Good job!

[@slothachunk]

The only anomaly about the Sound of Freedom was how a ton of sold-out shows had completely empty theaters. Reminds me of how companies buy back their shares to inflate their stock.

[@ctrlsilk]

That’s a lie.

[@MajesticalHonky]

@@ctrlsilk No, it really isn't. It was something that people noticed.

[@MajesticalHonky]

@@slothachunk I'm sorry you can't read a simple thread, chunk. I was agreeing with you, Stop liking your own posts.

[@slothachunk]

@@ctrlsilk The truth can be inconvenient, I feel sorry for you that you can't handle it when it's said.

[@slothachunk]

@@MajesticalHonky that's Captain Chunk to you.

[@juandefreitas6586]

I can't believe we are already reaching the mid of 2020s. How fast time fly.

[@gustyko8668]

Wow, I've never expected WatchMojo to talk positively about Sound of Freedom!!! 😮

[@myfathersson3751]

Loved the black phone.

[@DarkFr3ak101]

It was in my top 5 favorite movies I saw in theaters

[@ivarcifre5476]

The supreme leader of these types of low budget-high gross will always be The Blair Witch Project... They spent around 30k, created a new movie genre and made more than 250 million.

[@calebsoria1777]

13:36 that was the GOAT!!!!

[@calebsoria1777]

3:24 I just recently saw this movie and it blew my mind!!! it was so gooood. BUT THIS WAS A LOW BUDGET FILM!?!?!?!?

[@MADBD619]

Whether they be small low budget films, or high octane big budget films, if a movie is powerful enough to shake up the entire theater audience landscape, than it’s all the more worthy to watch these films again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again……………………………………………………………………………………….

[@anhurtorrez]

Interesting how you have Sound of Freedom is on this list since not many people saw it, since certain people bought all the tickets to make it seem people was going to it. There are many times on the net showing empty seats for a movie that was sold out. People complaining that they couldn't get tickets because all the show times was sold out and empty seats.

[@ctrlsilk]

That’s true but a lot of people bought tickets for others. It doesn’t matter how many cinemagoers but how many tickets bought

[@tonycoleman6797]

Anyone But You should've been on this list for sure!!! It was a $25 million romantic comedy with Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney and it started off small, and then it expanded in a big way and was a hit nobody saw coming!

[@Jose-ht2lw]

Everything everywhere.... was one of my first post corona movie at the theater after they opened. Holds a special place in my heart. ❤ loved it!

[@khurstonsanders1088]

Low-Budget Movies that I've seen and loved this decade: M3GAN Evil Dead Rise Five Nights at Freddy's The Whale Jackass Forever The Iron Claw The Black Phone Plus, I can't wait to see M3GAN 2.0 to come out next year and I would love to see how that can make even more box office sales than the first one.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Five Nights at Freddy's was a surprisingly good Video Game Adaptation...of course it still had some people say it wasn't totally accurate to all of it's source material.

[@POPINCONEJO88]

this list proves Hollywood does not need to spend hundreds of million on a movie

[@ReynaReactsandReviews]

Love the background music

[@BlenderStudy]

Thank you for the update, WatchMojo..!! Demon Slayer anime looks awesome. I've got to watch that..!!

[@CobraRaptor]

Feeling like Thanksgiving should have been included in the list, at least in the honorable mentions. Afterall it had a budget of 15 million and grossing 46 million.

[@calebsoria1777]

🎶FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDYSSSS IS THIS WHERE YOU WANT TO BE I JUST DONT GET IT!!!! 🎶

[@donrightgaming1455]

absolutely loved five nights at Freddy’s it was so good and the cameos of the KZbinrs were well done

[@alifuller1658]

let just say this I really like your channel because it cout down the most oddest options of any between the right or whatever sometimes I really don't know what iam talking about but anyway you get my point 😏

[@noahatkinson2477]

Five Nights At Freddy’s should’ve been the #1 pick.

[@jenniferst.george810]

You underestimate the power of Demon Slayer. It makes sense.

[@LadyKattrina84]

"A smash with the kids." It wasn't kids who were going in droves to see FnaF, it was the people who grew up with FnaF, the adults and teens.

[@tambyrreed7823]

Black Phone was very very well done.

[@travisladecker]

I like that you only add to subscribe at the later pointing videos that's very nice

[@Gor85]

I'm go glad they're so extremely successful.Everything everywhere,Talk to me,Godzilla Minus One.Godzilla is epic!demon Slayer looks like good anime.Haven't seen these. Good video

[@AFC2022]

Whoever did that thumbnail needs to change that FNAF pic That’s for a canceled Fanverse game called, FNAF Plus

[@Yundoraphus004]

The Producer of M3ghan made a better job on FNAF than on M3ghan!

[@calebsoria1777]

1:20 YEAHHHHHHH THIS MOVIE ROCKS!!!!

[@grandthanatos]

I guess Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey gets a dishonorable mention? 😂

[@grahamdamberger7130]

Thee movies show that you don't need to throw money in the hundreds of millions towards sets, costumes, explosions, and big name/top tier actors and actresses for them to be a success at the box office. While many of the films listed here were affected by the pandemic (both in production and upon release), they still found ways to be successful despite the limitations theaters placed on attendances.

[@calebsoria1777]

11:37 yeah this is so emotionally goood

[@Robbery_InCanada]

I would've been upset if Godzilla Minus One wasn't mentioned. Glad its on there.

[@dreamguardian8320]

Now that they've made a movie of Five Nights at Freddy's, I wonder if they'll make movie versions of Poppy Playtime, Choo Choo Charles, Until Dawn, and the upcoming game Zoochosis in the future.

[@chazzy98]

"demon slayers scurrying around inside me" then flashing to that scene had to be intentional...

[@nowayjose1313]

I've seen all of these movies and as a movie...Godzilla Minus One is the best one.

[@angelasilvi9090]

Smile differently flipped the script on horror movies. It is something completely different, it's not a scary man chasing you in your nightmare or a masked man with a knife. No it's the fear in our minds that we can't escape!

[@theywouldnthavetocensormei9231]

I really wish "Big George Foreman" got more love and attention, it's so damn good, it was my favorite film of '23. I don't know the numbers, but I can't imagine it costed a whole lot, but it's genuinely a must see, don't be deterred if you aren't into boxing or sports movies, it's so much more than that, it's a biopic about perseverance, overcoming the enemies within yourself, and finding God.

[@JamesAnderson-nz1ro]

The Five Nights at Freddy's movie was pretty good for such a low budget hit . 👌💯

[@isaacmartinez6904]

Godzilla Minus One and Drive My Car are amazing Japanese movies that are made by a small budget.

[@jpichardostitch8806]

The fact demon slayer takes the cake, means, give anime films more time to play in theaters! I remember some of the early times i couldnt get to go to some cause family wouldnt want to see them, but let them get some more time and we can see more anime do so. At least. Now i wonder where both Gurren Laggan films landed after thier theater runs(which were only 2 days, one per language you caught) in the 2 wks in January

[@user-kf2oy8xb7s]

Those are clear examples that your don't need a high-budget, but a good history. Maybe that point must be remembered in Hollywood.

[@futseb]

It says a lot that nowdays 30 Millions budget is considered apparently the limit of low budget movies. There are a tons of video critics on youtube talking about how and why Hollywood movies got so expensive. Movie stars paycheck, overuse of expensive CGI and constant reshoots are on the top of that list. Almost every movie on that list are horror movies. It's like suggest don't show is just as effective and not nearly as expensive to make, than blown out CGI action scenes.

[@abellewis3062]

Talk To Me 2 is coming soon to theaters. Yes. They already announced a sequel is coming. That's how good the first movie is. Enough said.

[@sosterday123]

The invisible man was the last film I saw before COVID because the lead male actor was in the Haunting of Blr House

[@G1Grimlock94]

Godzilla Minus One great CGI

[@darrencepoucette2990]

Godzilla Minus One should have been at number one!! It's the only one that's worth watching again and again

[@user-ih1bm9me5u]

The film Horor in Mystery and Broken home!😊

[@drunkunkle8077]

Without even watching this video, napoleon dynamite better be number one or two with blair witch

[@calebsoria1777]

2:30 Wait this movie was made from youtubers???? ohhh this i got to seee

[@calebsoria1777]

0:26 plus it’s a concert/documentary not a movie

[@HikazePrincess]

I'm not a horror movie fan but I really did like The Black Phone.....I pitched it to my dad but I was honestly intrigued by the premise

[@xArchxAngelx18]

M3GAN was hilarious...

[@myfathersson3751]

Godzilla minus one was great.

[@NatalieRiffe]

I love Demon Slayer so much, and the Mugen Train Arc was soooo good! 😊 I'm so glad it did so well! Can't wait for the next season! 😭

[@gabrielm925]

Number one should’ve been Winnie, Winnie the Pooh, blood and honey a a beloved, classic turn horror, and basically made millions after whatever and spawn a sequel and a franchise

[@gregjaro-mk7zs]

ASIDE FROM THE CULT CLASSIC B-MOVIES OR EVEN INDIE MOVIES, THESE LOW BUDGET MOVIES ARE A PRICELESS MASTERPIECES NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS... PLEASE DO THE TOP 10 OR 20 BEST LOW BUDGET MOVIES OF ALL TIME, ASAP! 🎞️🎬🎥💯🙏

[@user-tg9jf8oo1x]

I have watched “Everything, Everywhere…” multiple times. It is a great movie.

[@lordaminkin]

watched almost all of it in theatre except for Godzilla Minus One since it didn't even opened in my country

[@that.canadian.vaper.guyTCVG]

Was not expecting Demon Slayer Mugen Train to be on here 😳😳 but happy to see it 😃😃

[@user-jf1vp3sc2i]

Godzilla munis one was my favorite

[@CrodolookslikeFrody]

Skinamarink should’ve at least been an honorable mention. It had a budget of $15k and made $2m at the box office.

[@JohnVKaravitis]

0:35 Godzilla: Minus One STANK TO HIGH HEAVEN. 1:51 Talk to Me was very good. I hope they can make it a franchise. 7:54 Smile had potential, but it dropped the ball by really going nowhere, and not really explaining things. 12:55 Terrifier movies were TERRIBLE.

[@jean-francoismorette5068]

What about the low budget ''' Paranormal Activity ''' ??? Paranormal Activity was quite a thing with a VERY low budget for A LOT of profit at the end :s Kinda Sad there is no one this list

[@pradeepmalar327]

I honestly didn't expect an anime movie appearance in this video, forget the top spot. But, Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Mugen Train deserves it, and it's still surprising to see that the budget is only $15.7 million

[@wellw7006]

M3gan ❤

[@shadowslayer1985]

Come on, no Saw X that movie made $110 million on a budget of $13 million

[@tabcat]

Godzilla Minus One is the first Godzilla movie where Godzilla is actually scary.

[@matteomascaropennacchi2220]

Hey, I watched both sound of freedom and Fnaf movie, man I wish I had watched Godzilla minus one

[@sonicjrjr14]

#3 & #2 not bombing makes me sad...

[@EerieAndShadows]

CONTENT IS KING 👑

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

FNAF is awesome 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Reaperguy67]

​@@_dr.greenthumb_ why are you spam replying again

[@SeahorsePancakes]

Never heard her mention Bruce when introducing megan

[@abellewis3062]

Smile 2 coming soon to theaters on October 18, 2024. Yes. There is a sequel coming to Smile.

[@jenniferst.george810]

Hmm most of these movies are good horror movies. Low budget with a good script. Hollywood should really be taking notes, especially the mcu and the rebooting dceu.

[@arlfiftyfourtd8132]

I hope that FNAF would be the top pick because I loved it so much but a second pick is alright for me

[@MaverickX578]

Yeah, mugen train definitely deserves number one

[@Izzy-co8hs]

im so glad you guys excluded taylors eras movie

[@CharlieOkayasu]

FNaF, but I've been a fan since the first game

[@goth9224]

I LOVED FNAF. Can't wait for the sequel

[@MaverickX578]

I’m not gonna go ahead and complain that Godzilla Minus One should be number one, it’s on this list, so that’s good enough