welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten low-budget movies it’s really not much
low-budget movies it’s really not much
low-budget movies it’s really not much of a scratch I don’t think it’s even the
of a scratch I don’t think it’s even the
of a scratch I don’t think it’s even the size in question here for this list
size in question here for this list
size in question here for this list we’ll be taking a look at films that
we’ll be taking a look at films that
we’ll be taking a look at films that were made by major studios or
were made by major studios or
were made by major studios or independent investors with a budget no
independent investors with a budget no
independent investors with a budget no greater than 1 million dollars and these
greater than 1 million dollars and these
greater than 1 million dollars and these films not only earned huge returns at
films not only earned huge returns at
films not only earned huge returns at the box office they also became cult
the box office they also became cult
the box office they also became cult favorites launching the careers of some
favorites launching the careers of some
favorites launching the careers of some of Hollywood’s most profitable directors
of Hollywood’s most profitable directors
of Hollywood’s most profitable directors in the process looking I’ll kick your
in the process looking I’ll kick your
in the process looking I’ll kick your fuckin ass shit yeah dude I’m off call
fuckin ass shit yeah dude I’m off call
fuckin ass shit yeah dude I’m off call me ten bucks
me ten bucks
me ten bucks number ten Napoleon Dynamite last week
number ten Napoleon Dynamite last week
number ten Napoleon Dynamite last week Japanese scientist explains place
Japanese scientist explains place
Japanese scientist explains place explosive detonators at the bottom of
explosive detonators at the bottom of
explosive detonators at the bottom of lake loch ness if you think featuring
lake loch ness if you think featuring
lake loch ness if you think featuring no-name actors and spending little to no
no-name actors and spending little to no
no-name actors and spending little to no money on advertising or good ways to
money on advertising or good ways to
money on advertising or good ways to break into the film industry then you
break into the film industry then you
break into the film industry then you have a lot in common with Napoleon
have a lot in common with Napoleon
have a lot in common with Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess I see you
Dynamite director Jared Hess I see you
Dynamite director Jared Hess I see you drinking 1% is that because you think
drinking 1% is that because you think
drinking 1% is that because you think you’re fat with a $400,000 budget has
you’re fat with a $400,000 budget has
you’re fat with a $400,000 budget has this comedy debut about an awkward teen
this comedy debut about an awkward teen
this comedy debut about an awkward teen and his equally awkward family and
and his equally awkward family and
and his equally awkward family and friends has made a staggering 46 point 1
friends has made a staggering 46 point 1
friends has made a staggering 46 point 1 million dollars and that doesn’t even
million dollars and that doesn’t even
million dollars and that doesn’t even include the massive sales on all those
include the massive sales on all those
include the massive sales on all those vote for Pedro t-shirts Pedro just
vote for Pedro t-shirts Pedro just
vote for Pedro t-shirts Pedro just listen to your heart that’s what I do
listen to your heart that’s what I do
listen to your heart that’s what I do but what the film brought to starring
but what the film brought to starring
but what the film brought to starring actor Jon Heder is something money can’t
actor Jon Heder is something money can’t
actor Jon Heder is something money can’t buy
buy
buy mad props for his epic dance skills and
mad props for his epic dance skills and
mad props for his epic dance skills and nobility status in meme history it’s
nobility status in meme history it’s
nobility status in meme history it’s just too bad he didn’t have the gift of
just too bad he didn’t have the gift of
just too bad he didn’t have the gift of foresight when he agreed to star in the
foresight when he agreed to star in the
foresight when he agreed to star in the film for a mere $1,000 don’t worry they
film for a mere $1,000 don’t worry they
film for a mere $1,000 don’t worry they paid him more later number 9 clerks
paid him more later number 9 clerks
paid him more later number 9 clerks 37 my girlfriend stuck 37 dicks in a row
37 my girlfriend stuck 37 dicks in a row
37 my girlfriend stuck 37 dicks in a row who would ever want to watch a film
who would ever want to watch a film
who would ever want to watch a film about a day in the lives of two
about a day in the lives of two
about a day in the lives of two convenience store clerks that would be
convenience store clerks that would be
convenience store clerks that would be like coming into work twice but clerks
like coming into work twice but clerks
like coming into work twice but clerks had perfect timing because the 90s were
had perfect timing because the 90s were
had perfect timing because the 90s were a decade where movies about two guys
a decade where movies about two guys
a decade where movies about two guys just talking were perfectly acceptable
just talking were perfectly acceptable
just talking were perfectly acceptable but they brought into bendiga
but they brought into bendiga
but they brought into bendiga none that thing plumbers aluminum ciders
none that thing plumbers aluminum ciders
none that thing plumbers aluminum ciders roofers not just appearance is that what
roofers not just appearance is that what
roofers not just appearance is that what you’re getting exactly just like slacker
you’re getting exactly just like slacker
you’re getting exactly just like slacker from which Kevin Smith drew his
from which Kevin Smith drew his
from which Kevin Smith drew his inspiration the film cost under $30,000
inspiration the film cost under $30,000
inspiration the film cost under $30,000 to make and has managed to become a cult
to make and has managed to become a cult
to make and has managed to become a cult classic it garnered 3.2 million dollars
classic it garnered 3.2 million dollars
classic it garnered 3.2 million dollars at the box office through nothing but
at the box office through nothing but
at the box office through nothing but subdued charm and static camerawork
subdued charm and static camerawork
subdued charm and static camerawork launching Kevin Smith’s directing career
launching Kevin Smith’s directing career
launching Kevin Smith’s directing career and making sure the iconic duo Jay and
and making sure the iconic duo Jay and
and making sure the iconic duo Jay and Silent Bob had the chance to strike
Silent Bob had the chance to strike
Silent Bob had the chance to strike again and again in Smith’s subsequent
again and again in Smith’s subsequent
again and again in Smith’s subsequent films all you motherfuckers are gonna
films all you motherfuckers are gonna
films all you motherfuckers are gonna pay you are the ones who are the ball
pay you are the ones who are the ball
pay you are the ones who are the ball lickers number eight the Evil Dead
lickers number eight the Evil Dead
lickers number eight the Evil Dead oh god we’re gonna miss some do comedy
oh god we’re gonna miss some do comedy
oh god we’re gonna miss some do comedy some do horror but only Sam Raimi can do
some do horror but only Sam Raimi can do
some do horror but only Sam Raimi can do both like the perfect grilled cheese
both like the perfect grilled cheese
both like the perfect grilled cheese sandwich the marriage of two understated
sandwich the marriage of two understated
sandwich the marriage of two understated ingredients creates something
ingredients creates something
ingredients creates something stupendously cheesy
stupendously cheesy
stupendously cheesy [Music]
[Music]
[Music] when the film screened at the 1982 can
when the film screened at the 1982 can
when the film screened at the 1982 can Film Festival it sparked the
Film Festival it sparked the
Film Festival it sparked the appreciation of many horror fans
appreciation of many horror fans
appreciation of many horror fans including the master himself Stephen
including the master himself Stephen
including the master himself Stephen King and though it’s now a beloved cult
King and though it’s now a beloved cult
King and though it’s now a beloved cult classic it took a few good decades and
classic it took a few good decades and
classic it took a few good decades and international exposure for the film to
international exposure for the film to
international exposure for the film to gross over 29 million dollars aside from
gross over 29 million dollars aside from
gross over 29 million dollars aside from cementing the dreaded cabin in the woods
cementing the dreaded cabin in the woods
cementing the dreaded cabin in the woods cliche in horror history the film also
cliche in horror history the film also
cliche in horror history the film also became a self-referential media
became a self-referential media
became a self-referential media franchise with film sequels video games
franchise with film sequels video games
franchise with film sequels video games comic books and more recently a TV
comic books and more recently a TV
comic books and more recently a TV series number 7 Night of the Living Dead
annoyed at the number of zombie themed
annoyed at the number of zombie themed movies Hollywood has been pumping out
movies Hollywood has been pumping out
movies Hollywood has been pumping out lately
lately
lately you can thank George a Romero this film
you can thank George a Romero this film
you can thank George a Romero this film started the zombie genre and is
started the zombie genre and is
started the zombie genre and is considered one of the most influential
considered one of the most influential
considered one of the most influential in horror history purposely shot to
in horror history purposely shot to
in horror history purposely shot to conserve every bit of the 114 thousand
conserve every bit of the 114 thousand
conserve every bit of the 114 thousand dollar budget
dollar budget
dollar budget Romero carefully thought-out each aspect
Romero carefully thought-out each aspect
Romero carefully thought-out each aspect of production along with the
of production along with the
of production along with the socio-political undertones attributed to
socio-political undertones attributed to
socio-political undertones attributed to the film it sparked controversy due to
the film it sparked controversy due to
the film it sparked controversy due to its graphic nature it is tough for the
its graphic nature it is tough for the
its graphic nature it is tough for the kid that her old man is so stupid now to
kid that her old man is so stupid now to
kid that her old man is so stupid now to get the hell down in the cellar we can
get the hell down in the cellar we can
get the hell down in the cellar we can be the boss down there I’m boss up here
be the boss down there I’m boss up here
be the boss down there I’m boss up here however it was a critical success
however it was a critical success
however it was a critical success worldwide making an estimated 30 million
worldwide making an estimated 30 million
worldwide making an estimated 30 million dollars at the box office
it probably would have made more if it
it probably would have made more if it weren’t for a copyright oversight on
weren’t for a copyright oversight on
weren’t for a copyright oversight on behalf of the distributor which
behalf of the distributor which
behalf of the distributor which registered the film under public domain
registered the film under public domain
registered the film under public domain and made it the internet archive’s most
and made it the internet archive’s most
and made it the internet archive’s most downloaded film number six hi 12:45
downloaded film number six hi 12:45
downloaded film number six hi 12:45 restate my assumptions one mathematics
restate my assumptions one mathematics
restate my assumptions one mathematics is the language of nature Darren
is the language of nature Darren
is the language of nature Darren Aronofsky’s directorial debut into
Aronofsky’s directorial debut into
Aronofsky’s directorial debut into surreal territory won him the directing
surreal territory won him the directing
surreal territory won him the directing award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival
award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival
award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival though most people know Aronofsky for
though most people know Aronofsky for
though most people know Aronofsky for requiem for a dream that films box
requiem for a dream that films box
requiem for a dream that films box office earnings weren’t even twice its
office earnings weren’t even twice its
office earnings weren’t even twice its budget high on the other hand has been
budget high on the other hand has been
budget high on the other hand has been extremely successful making 3.2 million
extremely successful making 3.2 million
extremely successful making 3.2 million at the box office with a budget of
at the box office with a budget of
at the box office with a budget of 68,000 and limited distribution give
68,000 and limited distribution give
68,000 and limited distribution give hear of Kabbalah no Jewish mysticism
hear of Kabbalah no Jewish mysticism
hear of Kabbalah no Jewish mysticism look I’m kind of busy right here I
look I’m kind of busy right here I
look I’m kind of busy right here I understand as if math weren’t enough to
understand as if math weren’t enough to
understand as if math weren’t enough to induce paranoia in the average viewer
induce paranoia in the average viewer
induce paranoia in the average viewer the combination of religious themes and
the combination of religious themes and
the combination of religious themes and mysticism contributed to the bleak and
mysticism contributed to the bleak and
mysticism contributed to the bleak and uneasy atmosphere that is now considered
uneasy atmosphere that is now considered
uneasy atmosphere that is now considered Aronofsky’s signature style it’s
Aronofsky’s signature style it’s
Aronofsky’s signature style it’s mathematics numbers ideas number five
mathematics numbers ideas number five
mathematics numbers ideas number five Mad Max look any longer out on that road
Mad Max look any longer out on that road
Mad Max look any longer out on that road and I’m one of them you know a terminal
and I’m one of them you know a terminal
and I’m one of them you know a terminal crazy back in the day Mel Gibson was
crazy back in the day Mel Gibson was
crazy back in the day Mel Gibson was just an Aussie actor trying to break
just an Aussie actor trying to break
just an Aussie actor trying to break into Hollywood when he starred in Mad
into Hollywood when he starred in Mad
into Hollywood when he starred in Mad Max with a three hundred and fifty
Max with a three hundred and fifty
Max with a three hundred and fifty thousand dollar budget a very modest one
thousand dollar budget a very modest one
thousand dollar budget a very modest one by industry standards it was an
by industry standards it was an
by industry standards it was an astounding success that brought a near
astounding success that brought a near
astounding success that brought a near 100 million dollar return
that impressive budget to earnings ratio
that impressive budget to earnings ratio also nabbed it the Guinness World Record
also nabbed it the Guinness World Record
also nabbed it the Guinness World Record for most profitable film ever made if
for most profitable film ever made if
for most profitable film ever made if you’re lucky you can heck through your
you’re lucky you can heck through your
you’re lucky you can heck through your ankle
ankle
ankle well almost it held that title for 20
well almost it held that title for 20
well almost it held that title for 20 years until another film on our list
years until another film on our list
years until another film on our list beat its record more on that later
beat its record more on that later
beat its record more on that later Mad Max is post-apocalyptic theme
Mad Max is post-apocalyptic theme
Mad Max is post-apocalyptic theme inspired several sequels including fury
inspired several sequels including fury
inspired several sequels including fury road starring Tom Hardy a man who is no
road starring Tom Hardy a man who is no
road starring Tom Hardy a man who is no stranger to high grossing indie films
number 4 El Mariachi special effects in
number 4 El Mariachi special effects in cinematography aren’t cheap but in the
cinematography aren’t cheap but in the
cinematography aren’t cheap but in the hands of a magician a little imagination
hands of a magician a little imagination
hands of a magician a little imagination goes a long way in his directorial debut
goes a long way in his directorial debut
goes a long way in his directorial debut Robert Rodriguez was able to create
Robert Rodriguez was able to create
Robert Rodriguez was able to create magic with a mere seven thousand dollars
magic with a mere seven thousand dollars
magic with a mere seven thousand dollars just twenty three years old at the time
just twenty three years old at the time
just twenty three years old at the time Rodriguez shot the film in Mexico with
Rodriguez shot the film in Mexico with
Rodriguez shot the film in Mexico with limited resources and Columbia Pictures
limited resources and Columbia Pictures
limited resources and Columbia Pictures executives were so impressed they
executives were so impressed they
executives were so impressed they decided to distribute it in the US the
decided to distribute it in the US the
decided to distribute it in the US the gamble was worth every penny as El
gamble was worth every penny as El
gamble was worth every penny as El Mariachi made around two million dollars
Mariachi made around two million dollars
Mariachi made around two million dollars at the box office windows ds-10 esto lo
at the box office windows ds-10 esto lo
at the box office windows ds-10 esto lo al Rado 10 completely later later
al Rado 10 completely later later
al Rado 10 completely later later the Western action flick was inducted
the Western action flick was inducted
the Western action flick was inducted into the Library of Congress for its
into the Library of Congress for its
into the Library of Congress for its national significance and inspired
national significance and inspired
national significance and inspired subsequent sequels the total box office
subsequent sequels the total box office
subsequent sequels the total box office earnings for the Mexico trilogy one
earnings for the Mexico trilogy one
earnings for the Mexico trilogy one hundred and twenty five million dollars
hundred and twenty five million dollars
hundred and twenty five million dollars [Music]
number three the Blair Witch Project in
number three the Blair Witch Project in the torso of each man the intestines had
the torso of each man the intestines had
the torso of each man the intestines had been torn out crudely love it or hate it
been torn out crudely love it or hate it
been torn out crudely love it or hate it the Blair Witch Project is almost solely
the Blair Witch Project is almost solely
the Blair Witch Project is almost solely responsible for the found-footage genre
responsible for the found-footage genre
responsible for the found-footage genre and in the age of the selfie stick this
and in the age of the selfie stick this
and in the age of the selfie stick this genre is only too happy to make a
genre is only too happy to make a
genre is only too happy to make a comeback with the gimmick that real
comeback with the gimmick that real
comeback with the gimmick that real witches live in our national forests it
witches live in our national forests it
witches live in our national forests it easily duped audiences into shelling out
easily duped audiences into shelling out
easily duped audiences into shelling out two hundred and forty eight million
two hundred and forty eight million
two hundred and forty eight million dollars at the box office the real
dollars at the box office the real
dollars at the box office the real mystery is how the film costs sixty
mystery is how the film costs sixty
mystery is how the film costs sixty thousand dollars to make when all it
thousand dollars to make when all it
thousand dollars to make when all it took was three actors a shaky camera and
took was three actors a shaky camera and
took was three actors a shaky camera and some camping equipment
some camping equipment
some camping equipment Heather that is so not cool I know it’s
Heather that is so not cool I know it’s
Heather that is so not cool I know it’s not that is so not cool no it’s not cool
not that is so not cool no it’s not cool
not that is so not cool no it’s not cool despite this the Blair Witch Project
despite this the Blair Witch Project
despite this the Blair Witch Project crew has the undying gratitude of any
crew has the undying gratitude of any
crew has the undying gratitude of any independent filmmaker for discovering a
independent filmmaker for discovering a
independent filmmaker for discovering a winning B horror formula the shaky or
winning B horror formula the shaky or
winning B horror formula the shaky or the camera the bigger their revenues and
the camera the bigger their revenues and
the camera the bigger their revenues and it’s not because I made that we’re here
it’s not because I made that we’re here
it’s not because I made that we’re here o hungry cold and hunted number two
o hungry cold and hunted number two
o hungry cold and hunted number two Halloween
Halloween
Halloween Michael
this film and its antagonist might as
this film and its antagonist might as well be known as the sucker that just
well be known as the sucker that just
well be known as the sucker that just won’t die with seven sequels for the
won’t die with seven sequels for the
won’t die with seven sequels for the franchise and what seems like near
franchise and what seems like near
franchise and what seems like near eternal immortality for Michael
eternal immortality for Michael
eternal immortality for Michael Halloween was put together with a
Halloween was put together with a
Halloween was put together with a $300,000 budget and made 70 million
$300,000 budget and made 70 million
$300,000 budget and made 70 million dollars at the box office
dollars at the box office
dollars at the box office the film’s horror elements rely very
the film’s horror elements rely very
the film’s horror elements rely very little on special effects instead opting
little on special effects instead opting
little on special effects instead opting to build tension through editing and a
to build tension through editing and a
to build tension through editing and a haunting musical score composed by
haunting musical score composed by
haunting musical score composed by director John Carpenter himself
carpenter admitted to being inspired by
carpenter admitted to being inspired by another low-budget slasher The Texas
another low-budget slasher The Texas
another low-budget slasher The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series which also made
Chainsaw Massacre series which also made
Chainsaw Massacre series which also made a killing at the box office before we
a killing at the box office before we
a killing at the box office before we unveil our number one pick here are some
unveil our number one pick here are some
unveil our number one pick here are some honorable mentions there was value in
honorable mentions there was value in
honorable mentions there was value in the thing clearly that they were certain
the thing clearly that they were certain
the thing clearly that they were certain huh but what is the application in a
huh but what is the application in a
huh but what is the application in a matter of hours they’ve granted it to
matter of hours they’ve granted it to
matter of hours they’ve granted it to everything from mass transit to
everything from mass transit to
everything from mass transit to satellite launching now stand aside
satellite launching now stand aside
satellite launching now stand aside worthy adversary tis but a scratch a
worthy adversary tis but a scratch a
worthy adversary tis but a scratch a scratch your arms off no it isn’t but
scratch your arms off no it isn’t but
scratch your arms off no it isn’t but what’s that
what’s that
what’s that [Music]
number one paranormal activity you can
number one paranormal activity you can either buy a second-hand car or you can
either buy a second-hand car or you can
either buy a second-hand car or you can make another paranormal activity movie
make another paranormal activity movie
make another paranormal activity movie it took director Oren Peli a handheld
it took director Oren Peli a handheld
it took director Oren Peli a handheld camera a budget of $15,000 and a week
camera a budget of $15,000 and a week
camera a budget of $15,000 and a week off work to create what is now known as
off work to create what is now known as
off work to create what is now known as the most profitable horror film of all
the most profitable horror film of all
the most profitable horror film of all time who’s that
time who’s that
time who’s that hey come inside with the power of the
hey come inside with the power of the
hey come inside with the power of the World Wide Web
World Wide Web
World Wide Web word of mouth an interesting marketing
word of mouth an interesting marketing
word of mouth an interesting marketing strategy and some wishful thinking
strategy and some wishful thinking
strategy and some wishful thinking Paranormal Activity pulled in a whopping
Paranormal Activity pulled in a whopping
Paranormal Activity pulled in a whopping 193 million dollars at the box office
193 million dollars at the box office
193 million dollars at the box office Haley Haley breathing heavy and spawned
Haley Haley breathing heavy and spawned
Haley Haley breathing heavy and spawned a never-ending stream of equally
a never-ending stream of equally
a never-ending stream of equally lucrative sequels for a combined total
lucrative sequels for a combined total
lucrative sequels for a combined total of 889 million dollars but not only did
of 889 million dollars but not only did
of 889 million dollars but not only did it bring home the bacon paranormal
it bring home the bacon paranormal
it bring home the bacon paranormal activity also scared the bejesus out of
activity also scared the bejesus out of
activity also scared the bejesus out of everyone do you agree with our list link
everyone do you agree with our list link
everyone do you agree with our list link seems pretty good what’s your favorite
seems pretty good what’s your favorite
seems pretty good what’s your favorite low-budget movie
for more cinematic top 10s published
for more cinematic top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to
every day be sure to subscribe to
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watchmojo.com hey try not to suck any
watchmojo.com hey try not to suck any dick on the way to the parking lot
dick on the way to the parking lot
dick on the way to the parking lot hey hey you get back here
hey hey you get back here
hey hey you get back here [Music]
”
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