Not every hit movie needs an astronomical budget and A-list stars to resonate with audiences. Check out some films that succeeded despite (and sometimes because of) the built-in limitations of being low on cash.
"The Purge"
Budget: $3 million
Opening Weekend: $34 million
Armed with little more than Ethan Hawke and a wickedly provocative concept, The Purge surprised studios by handily winning its opening weekend. The horror movie is about a future United States that allows a 12-hour period of lawlessness every year.
"Once"
Budget: $150,000
Domestic Gross: $9.4 million
This low-budget musical stunned critics when it was first released in Ireland in 2006, and continued to win them over after it traveled overseas. The story of a street musician and a pianist who find love and make music together was acted out by two real-life musicians (Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová), who were not trained actors.
"The Full Monty"
Budget: $3.5 million
Domestic Gross: $50 million
This British movie about down-on-their-luck blue collar workers turned strippers had a little budget, but that didn't keep it from hauling in an impressive $257.9 million in worldwide box offices. It was also nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture, and won the BAFTA for Best Picture despite competition from Titanic.
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