In the movie industry, money
matters, but not always. Promising directors may spend years trying to get
enough finances to bring their ideas to life but ultimately give up, shoot
something with very little money, and lose hope of ever showing the world their
creation. But viewers and movie critics don’t always have perfect judgment and
a film that wasn’t taken seriously at first may end up being a real hit.
matters, but not always. Promising directors may spend years trying to get
enough finances to bring their ideas to life but ultimately give up, shoot
something with very little money, and lose hope of ever showing the world their
creation. But viewers and movie critics don’t always have perfect judgment and
a film that wasn’t taken seriously at first may end up being a real hit.
We at Bright Side think that
an interesting idea and good acting can easily compensate for a lack of money.
Today’s compilation is about films with a low budget that still managed to win
the love of movie fans around the world.
an interesting idea and good acting can easily compensate for a lack of money.
Today’s compilation is about films with a low budget that still managed to win
the love of movie fans around the world.
1.
Whiplash (2014)
Whiplash (2014)
This dramatic film about a
determined drummer won 3 Oscars and 1 Golden Globe Award. In the beginning,
nobody really believed in Damien Chazelle’s idea. But later, he shot the famous
La La Land: a musical thriller that seemed to have zero future. Producers
thought that viewers wouldn’t be interested in trying to understand the
intricacies of a relationship between a 19-year-old drummer and the head of a
jazz band.
determined drummer won 3 Oscars and 1 Golden Globe Award. In the beginning,
nobody really believed in Damien Chazelle’s idea. But later, he shot the famous
La La Land: a musical thriller that seemed to have zero future. Producers
thought that viewers wouldn’t be interested in trying to understand the
intricacies of a relationship between a 19-year-old drummer and the head of a
jazz band.
But Chazelle decided to make a
short film with one of the scenes from his future movie and it was the right
decision: he won an award at the Sundance Film Festival! After that, his
long-time attempts to turn Whiplash into a full-length film finally worked out.
The film turned out to be a real hit and it was even on the list of 10 best
films of 2014. The film ended up being way more intense than it was expected to
be (after all, it’s about how new talent arises). But the story didn’t feel too
sweet which often happens in films like this one. The characters were amazingly
charismatic and realistic.
short film with one of the scenes from his future movie and it was the right
decision: he won an award at the Sundance Film Festival! After that, his
long-time attempts to turn Whiplash into a full-length film finally worked out.
The film turned out to be a real hit and it was even on the list of 10 best
films of 2014. The film ended up being way more intense than it was expected to
be (after all, it’s about how new talent arises). But the story didn’t feel too
sweet which often happens in films like this one. The characters were amazingly
charismatic and realistic.
2.
Get Out (2017)
Get Out (2017)
This low-budget satire
detective film from an amateur director managed to get a lot of awards,
including an Oscar for “Best Script” as well as nominations for “Best Actor”
and “Best Director.” Initially, nobody believed in the idea since the story was
a mix of different genres: a dark comedy melded with both a thriller and a
horror theme. It also touched on inequality issues which is usually categorized
as a social drama.
detective film from an amateur director managed to get a lot of awards,
including an Oscar for “Best Script” as well as nominations for “Best Actor”
and “Best Director.” Initially, nobody believed in the idea since the story was
a mix of different genres: a dark comedy melded with both a thriller and a
horror theme. It also touched on inequality issues which is usually categorized
as a social drama.
It’s hard to characterize such
a film and it wasn’t entirely clear what the target audience would be. For
example, action film fans would think that this movie was too long since there
was only 1 twist during the entire runtime and it occurred right before the
ending. But viewers and the critics not only embraced the mix of genres but they
also thought it was a real masterpiece in the thriller category.
a film and it wasn’t entirely clear what the target audience would be. For
example, action film fans would think that this movie was too long since there
was only 1 twist during the entire runtime and it occurred right before the
ending. But viewers and the critics not only embraced the mix of genres but they
also thought it was a real masterpiece in the thriller category.
3.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
This crime drama is based on a
bestselling book written by an Indian writer and diplomat named Vikas Swarup.
The book tells the story about a young guy without an education that was lucky
enough to take part in a TV quiz where he could win money.
bestselling book written by an Indian writer and diplomat named Vikas Swarup.
The book tells the story about a young guy without an education that was lucky
enough to take part in a TV quiz where he could win money.
The original idea was quite
out there. The director, Danny Boyle, who you might remember from Trainspotting
and The Beach, decided to mix Hollywood with Bollywood. It turned out to be a
classic tale about a poor but honest man who achieves a lot — it was sort of a
Cinderella story. But the film about dreams coming true earned its creators a
lot of awards. They won several Oscars, Golden Globes, and an award from the
Screen Actors Guild. The creators managed to combine both the drama from the
Indian slums and fairy-tale-like wonder that made viewers hopeful about the
future.
out there. The director, Danny Boyle, who you might remember from Trainspotting
and The Beach, decided to mix Hollywood with Bollywood. It turned out to be a
classic tale about a poor but honest man who achieves a lot — it was sort of a
Cinderella story. But the film about dreams coming true earned its creators a
lot of awards. They won several Oscars, Golden Globes, and an award from the
Screen Actors Guild. The creators managed to combine both the drama from the
Indian slums and fairy-tale-like wonder that made viewers hopeful about the
future.
4.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
The creators of this film
managed to shoot a simple, romantic comedy that turned out to be interesting
not only to its target audience but to people who weren’t even Greek. The story
itself isn’t very original: all the events revolve around a young Greek girl
that falls in love with an American man which comes as a bit of a shock to her
big family. So, her new boyfriend is then expected to adapt to the new culture.
managed to shoot a simple, romantic comedy that turned out to be interesting
not only to its target audience but to people who weren’t even Greek. The story
itself isn’t very original: all the events revolve around a young Greek girl
that falls in love with an American man which comes as a bit of a shock to her
big family. So, her new boyfriend is then expected to adapt to the new culture.
The characters in the film are
quite cartoonish and the huge wedding at the end wasn’t very detailed. However,
all the clichés were compensated with great humor that both viewers and critics
loved. Also, no matter where you’re from, a huge wedding with all the
accompanying drama is something that everyone has seen at least once in their
lives which is what made the movie extremely relatable. This is the secret of
the so-called “movie magic” which made the creators of My Big Fat Greek Wedding
rich even though the initial budget was pretty small and the plot didn’t have
any huge twists.
quite cartoonish and the huge wedding at the end wasn’t very detailed. However,
all the clichés were compensated with great humor that both viewers and critics
loved. Also, no matter where you’re from, a huge wedding with all the
accompanying drama is something that everyone has seen at least once in their
lives which is what made the movie extremely relatable. This is the secret of
the so-called “movie magic” which made the creators of My Big Fat Greek Wedding
rich even though the initial budget was pretty small and the plot didn’t have
any huge twists.
5.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Paranormal Activity (2007)
This low-budget horror film
was shot in a pseudo-documentary style. Its creators didn’t really hope for
huge success, after all, the genre isn’t something a lot of people like. The
production was very simple: all the shooting took place in the director’s house
and only lasted for 1 week.
was shot in a pseudo-documentary style. Its creators didn’t really hope for
huge success, after all, the genre isn’t something a lot of people like. The
production was very simple: all the shooting took place in the director’s house
and only lasted for 1 week.
But it was the
pseudo-documentary style that made Paranormal Activity so thrilling. The
seemingly simple horror film earned a ton of money and a lot of respect. As
this review says, “Paranormal Activity is one of the scariest movies of all
time. YOU WILL BE AFFECTED as it’s hard to ignore the imprint it leaves on your
psyche. You know it’s fake, and yet, you can’t shake it. Nightmares are
guaranteed.”
pseudo-documentary style that made Paranormal Activity so thrilling. The
seemingly simple horror film earned a ton of money and a lot of respect. As
this review says, “Paranormal Activity is one of the scariest movies of all
time. YOU WILL BE AFFECTED as it’s hard to ignore the imprint it leaves on your
psyche. You know it’s fake, and yet, you can’t shake it. Nightmares are
guaranteed.”
6.
Split (2016)
Split (2016)
This complicated psychological
thriller that had nothing to do with the word “blockbuster” was received
incredibly well, worldwide. And it was because true professionals worked on the
film. M. Night Shyamalan, who you might know from Stuart Little, The Sixth
Sense, and After Earth, directed the film starring actor James McAvoy who
already had experience playing a character with a multiple personality disorder
from his movie, Filth.
thriller that had nothing to do with the word “blockbuster” was received
incredibly well, worldwide. And it was because true professionals worked on the
film. M. Night Shyamalan, who you might know from Stuart Little, The Sixth
Sense, and After Earth, directed the film starring actor James McAvoy who
already had experience playing a character with a multiple personality disorder
from his movie, Filth.
The story is about a character
named Billy Milligan and it’s very interesting. The director of the film
managed to not only to tell a unique story about a person that had already been
covered by many documentaries, but he also was able to reconstruct an
intriguing story from a disease. It’s really hard to believe that this hit had
such a small budget, isn’t it?
named Billy Milligan and it’s very interesting. The director of the film
managed to not only to tell a unique story about a person that had already been
covered by many documentaries, but he also was able to reconstruct an
intriguing story from a disease. It’s really hard to believe that this hit had
such a small budget, isn’t it?
7.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Lost in Translation (2003)
The story of how 2 lonely
people met, portrayed by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, absolutely bombed
in festivals around the world. In fact, it’s really hard to define the genre of
Lost in Translation: it doesn’t have enough funny scenes for a comedy, it’s too
realistic for a romantic flick, and it’s not really a drama. However, there’s a
whole lot of emotion and moving dialogue.
people met, portrayed by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, absolutely bombed
in festivals around the world. In fact, it’s really hard to define the genre of
Lost in Translation: it doesn’t have enough funny scenes for a comedy, it’s too
realistic for a romantic flick, and it’s not really a drama. However, there’s a
whole lot of emotion and moving dialogue.
Despite this, critics said
that director Sophia Coppola managed to create a controversial but harmonious
movie that had enough room for both humor and serious topics. The reason for
its success was that it was able to depict life as it is: the characters don’t
look perfect and they don’t try to show love that doesn’t exist. You can see
these kinds of people in the street every day and such relationships happen all
the time.
that director Sophia Coppola managed to create a controversial but harmonious
movie that had enough room for both humor and serious topics. The reason for
its success was that it was able to depict life as it is: the characters don’t
look perfect and they don’t try to show love that doesn’t exist. You can see
these kinds of people in the street every day and such relationships happen all
the time.
8.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Good Will Hunting (1997)
This drama about a talented
mathematician was included in IMDb’s top 250 best films and won 9 Oscars. In
general, classic Hollywood films always portrayed the “smart guy” as either a
crazy genius or a mafia gang member, and because Matt Damon’s character was
neither, nobody had really high hopes for the film. But the plot, which implies
that being gifted doesn’t mean your problems magically disappear (but often
only makes your life harder), was very interesting to movie fans. People rushed
to theatres to learn more about the genius, everyday man who rarely left his
therapist’s office.
mathematician was included in IMDb’s top 250 best films and won 9 Oscars. In
general, classic Hollywood films always portrayed the “smart guy” as either a
crazy genius or a mafia gang member, and because Matt Damon’s character was
neither, nobody had really high hopes for the film. But the plot, which implies
that being gifted doesn’t mean your problems magically disappear (but often
only makes your life harder), was very interesting to movie fans. People rushed
to theatres to learn more about the genius, everyday man who rarely left his
therapist’s office.
9.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
This wasn’t a very promising
film because the plot wasn’t very original or new. It’s about an entire family
coming together in order to make a girl’s dream come true. The characters and
the events were all movie clichés: an angry teenage boy, a person that teaches
everyone to be successful in their lives, a road trip, problems with the
police, etc. In other words, these scenes were in plenty of other movies.
film because the plot wasn’t very original or new. It’s about an entire family
coming together in order to make a girl’s dream come true. The characters and
the events were all movie clichés: an angry teenage boy, a person that teaches
everyone to be successful in their lives, a road trip, problems with the
police, etc. In other words, these scenes were in plenty of other movies.
However, everyone that took
part in creating this film was critically acclaimed: the film got awards for
best script, best actor, and best soundtrack. The main actress even got a
special award in her age category of actors under 10 years old. In general, the
film was successful because of 2 factors: the great acting performed by Abigail
Breslin and the comical portrayal of a beauty contest.
part in creating this film was critically acclaimed: the film got awards for
best script, best actor, and best soundtrack. The main actress even got a
special award in her age category of actors under 10 years old. In general, the
film was successful because of 2 factors: the great acting performed by Abigail
Breslin and the comical portrayal of a beauty contest.
10.
The Purge (2013)
The Purge (2013)
Even though modern viewers
aren’t very fond of anti-utopia films, this sci-fi flick starring Ethan Hawke
interested movie fans around the world. The director that was inspired by the
works of Stanley Kubrick, David Fincher, and the Star Trek franchise managed to
tell a gripping story about the terrible consequences of the economic crisis in
the US.
aren’t very fond of anti-utopia films, this sci-fi flick starring Ethan Hawke
interested movie fans around the world. The director that was inspired by the
works of Stanley Kubrick, David Fincher, and the Star Trek franchise managed to
tell a gripping story about the terrible consequences of the economic crisis in
the US.
11.
Don’t Breathe (2016)
Don’t Breathe (2016)
This low-budget thriller
turned out to be an unexpected hit and won 3 awards. The director of the film
was Federico Alvarez who actually made a reboot of the iconic horror film, The
Evil Dead several years ago. The plot of Don’t Breathe violates the laws of the
genre: it doesn’t invoke any empathy toward the characters that are in the
tight space. Why would we be empathetic toward them if they stole money from a
lonely Iraq war veteran?
turned out to be an unexpected hit and won 3 awards. The director of the film
was Federico Alvarez who actually made a reboot of the iconic horror film, The
Evil Dead several years ago. The plot of Don’t Breathe violates the laws of the
genre: it doesn’t invoke any empathy toward the characters that are in the
tight space. Why would we be empathetic toward them if they stole money from a
lonely Iraq war veteran?
The film is also full of very
ordinary movie elements such as a hero-like nerd, a scared girl, and a
mysteriously terrifying house. But all the drawbacks are compensated by the
great acting chops of Stephen Lang that could save just about any film. In
addition, the events in the film were pretty dynamic.
ordinary movie elements such as a hero-like nerd, a scared girl, and a
mysteriously terrifying house. But all the drawbacks are compensated by the
great acting chops of Stephen Lang that could save just about any film. In
addition, the events in the film were pretty dynamic.
12.
The VVitch: A New England Folktale (2015)
The VVitch: A New England Folktale (2015)
A movie about mysterious
events that took place in the US during the 17th century doesn’t seem that
exciting. And this low-budget film was the first movie director Robert Eggers
ever made. But the Sundance Film Festival really helped with the film’s
publicity. The director managed to find an independent film distributor and
then he found a bigger worldwide distribution company.
events that took place in the US during the 17th century doesn’t seem that
exciting. And this low-budget film was the first movie director Robert Eggers
ever made. But the Sundance Film Festival really helped with the film’s
publicity. The director managed to find an independent film distributor and
then he found a bigger worldwide distribution company.
It seems that very low-budget
horror films are becoming a global trend these days. It’s worth noting, the
creative team was very meticulous about the film. In order to appear more
realistic, they used only natural light like candles, for example, and in order
to create the costumes, they only used materials that really existed at that
time. The tight budget forced the team to learn about the smallest details from
this time period since they had to reduce costs as much as possible.
horror films are becoming a global trend these days. It’s worth noting, the
creative team was very meticulous about the film. In order to appear more
realistic, they used only natural light like candles, for example, and in order
to create the costumes, they only used materials that really existed at that
time. The tight budget forced the team to learn about the smallest details from
this time period since they had to reduce costs as much as possible.
Do you know of any other films
that became hits even though their initial budget was very low?
that became hits even though their initial budget was very low?
BRIGHTSIDE
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.