20 Horror Movies WAY More Successful Than Anyone Expected
14. One Cut of the Dead
One Cut of the Dead centres around a frustrated director who's trying to make a zombie flick called True Fear. Unimpressed by the actors, he forces them to face real ghouls, believing it'll be more convincing.
Even though the Japanese zomcom is hilarious and incredibly imaginative, the chances of mainstream success seemed slim. Shot for around $25,000 with a cast of unknown actors, it premiered quietly on the festival circuit. Early audiences were charmed by One Cut of the Dead's subversive structure, but nobody involved anticipated more than an adequate run.
However, One Cut of the Dead is so unique, positive word-of-mouth turned this zany zomedy into a must-see experience. Buzz spread across the world - especially about its bonkers twist - compelling even casual horror fans to check it out.
In the end, One Cut of the Dead grossed $31 million. That doesn't sound like much, but the fact that this gem earned over a thousand times its production budget is outrageous. Because of this, One Cut of the Dead's transition from obscure student-level project to international phenomenon should be considered one of the most impressive underdog stories in modern horror.