Budget: $15M
Even with Danny Boyle’s incredible reputation, no one foresaw the success of this 2008 heart-warming film coming. Especially not at that level of budget. It just goes to show you that’s a good film is not all about money. The touching story followed the harsh life of a young man who grows up in Mumbai and his search for his childhood love. It’s a film about destiny, overcoming hardships, and the power of true love.
Calling it a “sleeper hit” would be an understatement as the film grossed $82 million worldwide. The film was no doubt a critical and commercial success and outdid a bunch of blockbusters that year.
Fahrenheit 9/11
Budget: $6M
Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore had already created a reputation for himself as a controversial figure with his film "Bowling For Columbine." But nothing could compare to the documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11." While most documentaries have a more niche appeal, this one gained attention on an international scale as it covered the events leading up to and post 9/11.
The film's message created a heated international debate and even rivaled some 2004 blockbuster comedies and hit films like "Dodgeball," "The Terminal," and "Lemony Snicket." In the end it made $222,446,320. Nobody expected this film to do as well as it did
March of the Penguins
Budget: 8M
This documentary film became a mega-successful box office hit. While the film was not political or controversial, it still seemed to capture the hearts of millions around the world as it followed the life story of an emperor penguin. It was as delightful as any live-action feel-good film, and it didn't even star one human. It wasn't even animated either. This was all purely penguins.
For six weeks, the film stayed in the top ten until it slowly dropped to number six. Still pretty high. This was a real feat for a non-mainstream film and even made ended up making $127,392,693. Impressive!
The King's Speech
Budget: $15M
The 2010 four-time Oscar-winning film directed by Tom Hooper (ex "Eastenders" and "The Damned United") made quite a box-office splash. The film initially hit quite a low number in the opening weekend, but as the word grew, it slowly began to gain more and more attention until it eventually made $414,211,549 worldwide.
The film's success was also helped by the great Colin Firth, who perfectly embodied King George VI and his struggle to get through his stammering. Geoffery Rush's portrayal of Lionel Logue, the king's speech therapist, didn't hurt either.
Drive
Budget: $16M
The year 2011 was filled with some critically acclaimed films such as "Attack the Block" and "Troll Hunter," but these films failed to actually make money. When "Drive" came out, however, it was a different story. The film, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, tells the story of a stuntman and getaway driver who does whatever he can to protect the woman he falls in love with, even if it means breaking the law.
The film made $81.4 million, largely due to the rising status of Ryan Gosling, who was getting praise for his Golden Globe-nominated performances in "Blue Valentine" and "Crazy Stupid Love." While the film was marketed as an action-packed Fast and the Furious style film, it really ended up being more of a slow-burning and emotional drama.