Top 8 Most Profitable Movies Of All Time

1. “Paranormal Activity” (2007)

Made on a shoestring budget of about $15,000, it raked in nearly $193 million at the box office, which is an astounding ROI.

2. “The Blair Witch Project” (1999)

Another found-footage pioneer, it terrified audiences and cost a mere $60,000 to produce. It ended up grossing over $248 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful independent films ever.

3. “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)

With its quirky humor and unforgettable characters, this indie comedy had a budget of about $400,000 and earned over $46 million.

4. “Mad Max” (1979)

Before it was a franchise, it was a low-budget Australian film that cost around $350,000 to make. It zoomed to nearly $100 million in global ticket sales, turning a tidy profit and launching Mel Gibson’s career.

5. “El Mariachi” (1992)

Director Robert Rodriguez’s debut, famously made for $7,000, ended up grossing $2 million.

6. “Once” (2007)

This musical romance tells a low-key but enchanting story and was made for about €130,000. It captured hearts and earned around $23 million worldwide.

7. “The Full Monty” (1997)

This British comedy-drama danced its way to a $257 million box office return on a $3.5 million budget.