Budget: $12M
This shoe-string budget 2012 movie is chronicled by high school kid Andrew who starts taping everything on his camcorder, a hobby he initially got into to catch his abusive father threatening his much-loved mother, who is dying of cancer. This is the source of the found footage filming.
With school buddies Matt and Steve, the trio discovers a mysterious cavern that transfers telekinetic powers to them. The powers allow the otherwise normal teens superpowers. They can move large objects like cars with their mind. Too much power is bound to cause trouble. “Chronicle” pulled in $126.6 million from a relatively scant budget.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Budget: $25M
With a budget of $25 million, "Mrs. Doubtfire" had significant financial backing. But the number is low compared to its box office success. With totals at $441.3 million, this film brought 20th Century Fox an 1160% return on investment.
Other contributors were, of course, producers Robin Williams, his wife Marsha Garces William, and writers Randi Mayem Singer and Leslie Dixon. It was the highest-grossing movie in the world in 1993. It’s an adorable tale about a man whose wife, played by Sally Field, divorces him. To be with his kids, he tricks his ex-wife by dressing up as a nanny.
Do the Right Thing
Budget: $6M
Spike Lee’s seminal film "Do the Right Thing" showcased his acting, directing, producing, and writing prowess. It was his third movie but the one that brought him national acclaim. The audacious, brave film deals with questions of culture and ethnic background in an authentic way.
The best way to approximate the influence it had, "Do the Right Thing," is the movie Michelle and Barack Obama went to see on their first date, and they loved the way it portrayed the community.
Donnie Darko
Budget: $6M
Drew Barrymore and Jake Gyllenhaal pitched in for this psychedelic sci-fi before Gyllenhaal was famous and after Barrymore’s star power faded. It flopped on release but earned $10 million in home movie sales.
The late 80s tale about a creepy time-traveling rabbit named Frank brainwashing Donnie Darko into committing crimes plays out to a new wave music soundtrack composed by inconnu Michael Andrews. It features “Mad World” by Tears for Fears and songs by Joy Division, Duran Duran, The Church, and Echo and the Bunnymen. The nostalgic tunes helped make it a cult classic.
Tarnation
Budget: $218K
"Tarnation" is a micro-budget film that was edited entirely on iMovie. Backed by indie filmmaker Gus Van Sant, the movie ultimately gained notice. It brought in $1.2 million in tickets.
"Tarnation" is essentially an autobiographical story of Jonathan Caouette’s childhood. The compilation of VHS and Super 8 footage, as well as photographs and other documents, show a boy growing up with a single mom who suffers from mental illness and brain damage. Caouette is a self-taught filmmaker. The film won notice at Sundance and received international acclaim after screening at Cannes.