10 Low Budget Films That Reached Number One At The Box Office

3. She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

Dr Gordon Saw
Island Pictures

A charming and hilarious indie film which is etched in history as Spike Lee’s first feature film and his first time appearing as an actor in front of the camera. Telling the story of a promiscuous woman and her three lovers, She’s Gotta Have It was shot swiftly over just twelve days, and without retakes, in order to keep costs low.

This flick was crafted for $175,000 and made just $28,473 during its opening weekend. But then something happened. Its popularity grew exponentially and it found itself at the very top of the domestic box office for three days between August 15th and August 17 1986, one week after its initial release.

The film would go on to pull in over $7,000,000 during its run and launch the outstanding career of its director, who has gained exaltation for his consistently visceral and socially poignant pictures.

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