10 Low Budget Hits Of The Past Decade

9. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Budget: $400,000. Worldwide Box Office: $46,118,099

Napoleon Dynamite was a 2004 film written and directed by Jared Hess and features Jon Heder as the eponymous geek who helps his friend win the class president elections. The film, while not an overwhelming success critically, has since develop a cult following due to its subtle humour and charm. It€™s quirky, slightly abnormal depiction of rural America and a wonderfully geeky protagonist struck a chord with audiences and thus the film made over 100 times its budget, earning a total of $46 million from its initial production budget of only $400,000. While certainly not the biggest box office surprise hit of the year, that accolade would go to the Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, Napoleon Dynamite represents the strength word of mouth can have on the outcome of such a small, independent film.

Other notable 2004 hits:

Saw €“ Budget: $1,200,000. Worldwide Box Office $103,096,345 Fahrenheit 9/11 €“ Budget: $6,000,000. Worldwide Box Office: $222,446,320 Super Size Me €“ Budget: $1,000,000. Worldwide Box Office: $30,000,000