Budget: $8M
Quentin Tarantino’s crime-thriller masterpiece “Pulp Fiction” came out in 1994 and wowed critics and audiences around the world. The unique and seedy film about the underground world of mobsters, gangsters, and the women they love was created using a budget of only $8 million but ended up making $212 million at the box office.
Multiple critics throughout the years have called it one of the greatest films to ever be made. Perhaps the fact that it was full of stars like John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson contributed to its outrageous success in theatres. Whatever the reason, “Pulp Fiction” rightfully earned its place on this list. It was nominated for 7 Oscars and won 1 for Best Original Screenplay.
Rocky
Budget: $1M
Rocky is a classic fighting movie from 1976, starring Sylvester Stallone as a boxer fighting his way through tough times in Philadelphia. Stallone’s popularity increased tenfold as a result of this film, which wound up grossing around $200 million, an impressive feat, considering the small budget director John Avildsen had to work with. The film was so popular that it’s resulted in 7 sequels, the latest being "Creed II" in 2018.
In 1977, "Rocky" was not only nominated for 7 Academy Awards but won 3 others, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. Among the numerous nominations were the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Writing, and Best Music/Original Song.
Split
Budget: $9M
"Split" is a strange and yet very interesting movie, which received somewhat mixed reviews among some critics and audiences. The dark and twisted movie stars James McAvoy as the mind of more than 20 different people living inside one body (with multiple personality syndrome, aka split personality disorder). He kidnaps a few teenage girls, and chaos ensues as his personalities battle each other, and he struggles to find himself in the 2017 film that was produced for $9M. Despite the mixed reviews, the film brought home nearly $270 million.
The drama/thriller was created by horror master M. Night Shyamalan, which explains why it’s so creepy and odd but also unquestionably brilliant. And McAvoy’s performance alone is worth watching the film for. On Rotten Tomatoes, "Split" has a certified fresh score of 77%. Not too shabby.
Goldfinger
Budget: $3M
"Goldfinger" is one in a series of James Bond films, in which the late Sean Connery plays the dashing and daring 007. The movie was filmed for a modest (by Hollywood standards) $3 million and was hailed as being one of the best in the franchise. And, it seemed as though audiences agreed with critics, seeing as though the film grossed nearly $126 million, which was pretty substantial for the 1960s.
The movie was based on the book written by Ian Fleming, which was first published in Europe about 5 years before the 1964 silver screen debut. There are now more than 20 films in the James Bond Franchise.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Budget: $1.5M
Wes Craven’s "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is arguably one of the best horror movies ever made. It is the ultimate cult classic that launched an incredible franchise — and Johnny Depp’s career. Who could possibly forget the bedroom scene with a teenage Johnny? If you haven’t seen the classic and you actually needed another reason, there it is!
The film, which centers around a psychopathic madman who kills teenagers in their dreams, was produced with a budget of $1.5 million and grossed over $25 million after its release in 1984. The movie forever solidified Wes Craven’s place in the horror hall of fame as one of the greatest (and most twisted) minds of all time. Now, there are 11 movies in the super successful franchise.