EXPENSIVE MOVIES NOT GIVEN A WIDE THEATRICAL RELEASE IN THE U.S.
by rogerdemarco30 | created - 02 Aug 2016 | updated - 17 hours ago | PublicThese are expensive movies that were either dumped onto video.... premiered on a streaming service.... or received a very limited theatrical release (Less than 600 screens) in the U.S. Most of these cases involve a studio trying to minimize its losses by not investing additional money into what they perceived to be a doomed project. While the budgets of these movies are not what one would consider to be of a blockbuster caliber.... they are still healthy enough to be above the normal group of low budget (Less than $15 million) movies that premiere on video. These movies have to mainly rely on VOD/DVD sales and worldwide distribution to make their money back. I'm not criticizing any of the movies on the list.... nor will I refer to them as box-office bombs or financial disasters. Although they might not recoup their budgets right away.... studios tend to think that are able to do it in the long run by sometimes implementing a VOD/limited theater release. There are some movies on this list however.... that were made in other countries.... and their U.S. release was mainly an afterthought.
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1. Tetris (2023)
R | 118 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story of how one of the world's most popular video games found its way to players around the globe. Businessman Henk Rogers and Tetris inventor Alexey Pazhitnov join forces in the USSR, risking it all to bring it to the masses.
Director: Jon S. Baird | Stars: Taron Egerton, Mara Huf, Miles Barrow, Rick Yune
Votes: 82,277
$80 million budget. The film bypassed U.S. theaters altogether and premiered on Apple+ instead.
2. The Ritual Killer (2023)
92 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
A detective on the verge of retirement teams with a professor of African Studies to track down a serial killer who is performing the ancient black magic practice of Muti.
Director: George Gallo | Stars: Talia Asseraf, Bob Bowersox, Dru Bramblett, Luke Cannella
Votes: 6,672
$17 million budget. The film had a very limited theatrical release (although no exact theater count has been released) and premiered simultaneously on demand and as a Redbox exclusive. However.... it did manage to gross $244,407 from other countries.
3. Extraction II (2023)
R | 122 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
After barely surviving his grievous wounds from his mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tyler Rake is back, and his team is ready to take on their next mission.
Director: Sam Hargrave | Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Tornike Gogrichiani
Votes: 145,136
$105 million budget. The film bypassed U.S. theaters altogether and premiered on Netflix instead.
4. The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
R | 128 min | Crime, Horror, Mystery
A world-weary detective is hired to investigate the murder of a West Point cadet. Stymied by the cadets' code of silence, he enlists one of their own to help unravel the case - a young man the world would come to know as Edgar Allan Poe.
Director: Scott Cooper | Stars: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Simon McBurney, Timothy Spall
Votes: 123,335
$72 million budget. The film bypassed U.S. theaters altogether and premiered on Netflix instead.
5. Slumberland (2022)
PG | 117 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.
Director: Francis Lawrence | Stars: Jason Momoa, Marlow Barkley, Chris O'Dowd, Kyle Chandler
Votes: 32,773
$150 million budget. The film bypassed theaters altogether and was released on Netflix.
6. Samaritan (I) (2022)
PG-13 | 102 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
A young boy learns that a superhero who was thought to have died after an epic battle twenty-five years ago may in fact still be alive.
Director: Julius Avery | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Javon 'Wanna' Walton, Pilou Asbæk, Dascha Polanco
Votes: 54,761
$100 million budget. The film bypassed U.S. theaters altogether and premiered on Netflix instead.
7. Day Shift (2022)
R | 113 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
A hard-working, blue-collar dad just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted 10-year-old daughter. His mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income: hunting and killing vampires.
Director: J.J. Perry | Stars: Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Meagan Good
Votes: 89,241
$100 million budget. The film bypassed a theatrical release in the U.S. and premiered on Netflix instead.
8. The Contractor (2022)
R | 103 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
A discharged U.S. Special Forces sergeant, James Harper, risks everything for his family when he joins a private contracting organization.
Director: Tarik Saleh | Stars: Chris Pine, Gillian Jacobs, Sander Thomas, Toby Dixon
Votes: 28,304
$50 million budget. The film grossed $1,035,265 from no more than 489 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S. It grossed $1,077,335 from other countries however.
9. Guns Akimbo (2019)
R | 98 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A guy relies on his newly-acquired gladiator skills to save his ex-girlfriend from kidnappers.
Director: Jason Howden | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Samara Weaving, Ned Dennehy, Natasha Liu Bordizzo
Votes: 69,395
$15 million budget. The film was released in a handful of U.S. theaters before premiering on demand. It grossed $1,034,769 from other countries however.
10. The Ice Road (2021)
PG-13 | 109 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
After a remote diamond mine collapses in far northern Canada, a 'big-rig' ice road driver must lead an impossible rescue mission over a frozen lake to save the trapped miners.
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh | Stars: Liam Neeson, Marcus Thomas, Laurence Fishburne, Amber Midthunder
Votes: 47,318
$30+ million budget. The film bypassed U.S. theaters and premiered on Netflix instead. It did bring in $7,492,398 from other countries however.
*When I originally added this film to this list....various sources cited that the budget was $18 million. Upon further investigation however....that seems to be the amount that Netflix spent to purchase the rights. The average budget for a Liam Neeson actioner has been running between $30 - $40 million lately....but I will update this listing if I come across any additional information.
11. Force of Nature (2020)
R | 91 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
A gang of thieves plan a heist during a hurricane and encounter trouble when a cop tries to force everyone in the building to evacuate.
Director: Michael Polish | Stars: Emile Hirsch, Mel Gibson, David Zayas, Kate Bosworth
Votes: 13,222
$23 million budget. The film bypassed U.S. theaters altogether and premiered on DVD instead. It did manage to take in $638,399 from other countries however.
12. Extraction (2020)
R | 116 min | Action, Thriller
Tyler Rake, a fearless black market mercenary, embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he's enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord.
Director: Sam Hargrave | Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Bryon Lerum, Ryder Lerum, Rudhraksh Jaiswal
Votes: 261,134
$65 million budget. The film bypassed theaters altogether and premiered on Netflix instead.
13. Freaks of Nature (2015)
R | 92 min | Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi
In the town of Dillford, humans, vampires and zombies were all living in peace - until the alien apocalypse arrived. Now three teenagers - one human, one vampire, and one zombie - have to team up to figure out how to get rid of the visitors.
Director: Robbie Pickering | Stars: Nicholas Braun, Mackenzie Davis, Josh Fadem, Denis Leary
Votes: 13,308
$33 million budget. The film grossed $70,958 from no more than 107 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S.
14. 6 Underground (2019)
R | 128 min | Action, Thriller
Six individuals from all around the globe, each the very best at what they do, have been chosen not only for their skill, but for a unique desire to delete their pasts to change the future.
Director: Michael Bay | Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Mélanie Laurent, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ben Hardy
Votes: 195,435
$150 million budget. The film bypassed theaters altogether and premiered on Netflix. It is the second most expensive film ever produced....that did not receive a major theatrical release.
15. In Hell (2003)
R | 98 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
A man must survive a prison where hardened criminals battle to the death for the wardens' entertainment.
Director: Ringo Lam | Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lawrence Taylor, Lloyd Battista, Carlos Gómez
Votes: 21,407
$17 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S. It did gross $24,730,700 from rentals however.
16. The Red Baron (2008)
PG-13 | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
German biopic loosely based on the World War I fighter ace Manfred Von Richthofen, nicknamed the Red Baron by friend and foe alike.
Director: Nikolai Müllerschön | Stars: Matthias Schweighöfer, Lena Headey, Til Schweiger, Joseph Fiennes
Votes: 13,129 | Gross: $0.04M
$20 million budget (Estimated). The German-British film grossed a paltry $36,569 from the U.S. in it's limited release. Additional financial data is unknown at this time.
17. Man-Thing (2005)
R | 97 min | Action, Adventure, Horror
Agents of an oil tycoon vanish while exploring a swamp marked for drilling. The local sheriff investigates and faces a Seminole legend come to life: Man-Thing, a shambling swamp-monster whose touch burns those who feel fear.
Director: Brett Leonard | Stars: Jack Thompson, Matthew Le Nevez, Steve Bastoni, Rachael Taylor
Votes: 7,002 | Gross: $0.14M
$30 million budget. The film premiered on the SyFy channel before ultimately enjoying a quick death on DVD. It did manage to gross $1,123,136 from three countries however.
18. American Renegades (2017)
PG-13 | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
A team of Navy SEALs discover an underwater treasure in a Bosnian lake of Nazi stolen Gold. An updated Kellys heroes.
Director: Steven Quale | Stars: Sullivan Stapleton, Charlie Bewley, Sylvia Hoeks, Joshua Henry
Votes: 10,862
$77.5 million budget. No major theatrical showings in the U.S....as the film was released via On Demand. It has made $2.2 million from other countries however.
19. Outlaw King (2018)
R | 121 min | Action, Biography, Drama
A true David vs. Goliath story of how the 14th century Scottish 'Outlaw King' Robert the Bruce used cunning and bravery to defeat the much larger and better equipped occupying English army.
Director: David Mackenzie | Stars: Chris Pine, Stephen Dillane, Rebecca Robin, Billy Howle
Votes: 80,469
$120 million budget. The film premiered on Netflix....with some limited theatrical showings.
20. Da hong zha (2018)
R | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During World War II, five different Chinese people fight their way through Japanese Air Force attacks to protect an important military machine in Chongqing, 1940.
Director: Xiao Feng | Stars: Ye Liu, Bruce Willis, Song Seung-heon, William Chan
Votes: 4,770
$65 million budget. The Chinese production (with some English speaking actors) was originally scheduled to have a major theatrical release in 2018....but due to a recent scandal....it was decided that the film would have a limited release to coincide with it's premiere On Demand. It is unknown how many theaters it is actually playing in....or whether or not it will get an expanded release....but given the fact that you can watch it via On Demand.... I highly doubt it. No box office data has been made available as of yet....but I will update it when it does.
21. Last Knights (2015)
R | 115 min | Action, Drama, History
A fallen warrior rises against a corrupt and sadistic ruler to avenge his dishonored master.
Director: Kazuaki Kiriya | Stars: Clive Owen, Morgan Freeman, Aksel Hennie, Payman Maadi
Votes: 45,454
$40 million budget. The film received a limited theatrical release and the only financial information I could uncover....was that it grossed $3,548,450. It is unknown whether or not that is the worldwide tally or if that includes any axillary revenue.
22. Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018)
R | 96 min | Action, Crime, Mystery
Years after he fought his way out of an inescapable prison, Ray Breslin has organized a new top-notch security force. But when one of his team members goes missing, Breslin must return to the hell he once escaped from.
Director: Steven C. Miller | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, Xiaoming Huang, Jesse Metcalfe
Votes: 35,119
$45 million budget (Estimated). The film went straight to DVD in the U.S. It grossed $16.7 million from other countries however.
23. Wild Card (2015)
R | 92 min | Action, Crime, Drama
When a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal skills and a gambling problem gets in trouble with the mob, he has one last play...and it's all or nothing.
Director: Simon West | Stars: Jason Statham, Michael Angarano, Dominik Garcia, Milo Ventimiglia
Votes: 59,806 | Gross: $0.00M
$30 million budget. Had a limited release in theaters in conjunction with it's same day VOD release. It grossed $6 million worldwide.
24. A Hologram for the King (2016)
R | 98 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A failed American sales rep looks to recoup his losses by traveling to Saudi Arabia and selling his company's product to a wealthy monarch.
Director: Tom Tykwer | Stars: Tom Hanks, Omar Elba, Sarita Choudhury, Ben Whishaw
Votes: 47,328 | Gross: $4.20M
$30 million budget. The film grossed $4,198,126 from no more than 523 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S.
25. The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans (2009)
R | 122 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Terence McDonagh is a drug- and gambling-addled detective in post-Katrina New Orleans investigating the killing of five Senegalese immigrants.
Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Russell M. Haeuser, Val Kilmer
Votes: 80,690 | Gross: $1.70M
$20 million budget. It grossed $1,697,956 from it's limited theatrical release in the U.S.
26. Behind the Candelabra (2013)
TV-MA | 118 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson.
Director: Steven Soderbergh | Stars: Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Eric Zuckerman
Votes: 45,298
$23 million budget. Premiered on cable in the U.S. The film did manage to take in $13.4 million in other countries however.
27. Bordertown (2007)
R | 112 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
A journalist investigates a series of murders near American-owned factories on the border of Juarez and El Paso.
Director: Gregory Nava | Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Antonio Banderas, Maya Zapata, Irineo Alvarez
Votes: 11,363
$21 million budget. No major theatrical release in the U.S....but it did manage to take in $8,329,799 from other countries however.
28. DOA: Dead or Alive (2006)
PG-13 | 87 min | Action, Adventure, Mystery
The world's best fighters are invited to DOA, an invitational martial arts contest. There, four female rival fighters will have to work together to uncover the secret that the organizer of the tournament is trying to hide.
Director: Corey Yuen | Stars: Jaime Pressly, Devon Aoki, Sarah Carter, Holly Valance
Votes: 46,233 | Gross: $0.48M
$21 million budget. The film grossed $480,314 from no more than 505 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S.
29. Dragon Blade (2015)
R | 127 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
When corrupt Roman leader Tiberius arrives with a giant army to claim the Silk Road, Huo An teams up his army with an elite Legion of defected Roman soldiers led by General Lucius to protect his country and his new friends.
Director: Daniel Lee | Stars: Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Choi Siwon
Votes: 21,197 | Gross: $0.07M
$65 million budget. The Chinese production grossed $72,413 from it's limited theatrical release in the U.S. It grossed $120 million however in China alone.
30. Eye See You (2002)
R | 96 min | Crime, Thriller
A lead detective being stalked by a serial killer is asked to check into a clinic treating law enforcement officials who can't face their jobs.
Director: Jim Gillespie | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Charles S. Dutton, Polly Walker, Kris Kristofferson
Votes: 29,357 | Gross: $0.08M
$55 million budget. It grossed $79,161 from it's limited theatrical release in the U.S. It did manage to take in $6,337,141 from other countries however.
31. Legionnaire (1998)
R | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Alain is a boxer in 1925 Marseille, France. When he doesn't take the dive paid to take by a mob boss, he has to split. He joins the Foreign Legion and is sent to Morocco. He makes 3 friends and they watch each other's backs.
Director: Peter MacDonald | Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Steven Berkoff, Nicholas Farrell
Votes: 25,658
$20 million budget (Although some sites claim it is as high as $35 million). Went straight to video in the U.S. It did manage to gross $8,162,450 from other countries however. Another interesting tidbit is that I read an article around the time of the film's release stating that someone had purchased the rights to make a television series based on the movie for several million dollars.
32. Lolita (1997)
R | 137 min | Drama, Romance
An English professor falls for a minor, and has to face the consequences of his actions.
Director: Adrian Lyne | Stars: Jeremy Irons, Dominique Swain, Melanie Griffith, Frank Langella
Votes: 66,118 | Gross: $1.40M
$58 million budget. It grossed $1,060,056 from it's limited theatrical release in the U.S.
33. Mutant Chronicles (2008)
R | 111 min | Action, Adventure, Mystery
28th century soldier Mitch Hunter leads a fight against an army of underworld Mutants.
Director: Simon Hunter | Stars: Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, Devon Aoki, Sean Pertwee
Votes: 27,103 | Gross: $0.01M
$25 million budget. The movie grossed $6,820 from no more than 2 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S. and made $2,131,057 worldwide.
34. Theodore Rex (1995)
PG | 92 min | Action, Comedy, Family
In an alternate futuristic society, a tough female police detective is paired with a talking dinosaur to find the killer of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals leading them to a mad scientist bent on creating a new Armageddon.
Director: Jonathan R. Betuel | Stars: Whoopi Goldberg, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Juliet Landau, Bud Cort
Votes: 4,841
$33 million budget. Went straight to video in the U.S.
35. Replicant (2001)
R | 100 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Scientists create a genetic clone of a serial killer in order to help catch the killer, teaming up with two cops.
Director: Ringo Lam | Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michael Rooker, Catherine Dent, Brandon James Olson
Votes: 15,655
$17 million budget. Went straight to video in the U.S.
36. The Flock (2007)
R | 96 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A hyper-vigilant employee of the department of public safety, while training his young female replacement, has to track down a missing girl who he is convinced is connected to a paroled sex offender he is investigating.
Director: Andrew Lau | Stars: Richard Gere, Claire Danes, KaDee Strickland, Ray Wise
Votes: 12,213
$35 million budget. Went straight to DVD in the U.S. It did manage to gross $5,359,167 from other countries however.
37. Outlander (2008)
R | 115 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
During the reign of the Vikings, Kainan, a man from a far-off world, crash lands on Earth, bringing with him an alien predator known as the Moorwen. Though both man and monster are seeking revenge for violence committed against them, Kainan leads the alliance to kill the Moorwen by fusing his advanced technology with the Viking's Iron Age weaponry.
Director: Howard McCain | Stars: Jim Caviezel, Sophia Myles, Ron Perlman, Jack Huston
Votes: 78,505 | Gross: $0.16M
$50 million budget. The film grossed a total of $160,641 from no more than 81 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S.
38. Nomad: The Warrior (2005)
R | 112 min | Drama, History, War
A historical epic set in 18th-century Kazakhstan, where a young man is destined to unite the country's three warring tribes.
Directors: Sergei Bodrov, Ivan Passer | Stars: Kuno Becker, Jason Scott Lee, Jay Hernandez, Doskhan Zholzhaksynov
Votes: 3,969 | Gross: $0.08M
$25 million budget. It grossed $73,369 from no more than 60 screens during it's limited release in the U.S.
39. Outcast (I) (2014)
Not Rated | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A mysterious warrior teams up with the daughter and son of a deposed Chinese Emperor to defeat their cruel brother, who seeks their deaths.
Director: Nick Powell | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Hayden Christensen, Alexandre Bailly, Bozhao Wang
Votes: 14,250
$25 million budget. No major theatrical release in the U.S.
40. Rage (2014)
Not Rated | 92 min | Action, Thriller
When the daughter of a reformed criminal is kidnapped, he rounds up his old crew and seeks his own brand of justice.
Director: Paco Cabezas | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Rachel Nichols, Max Ryan, Michael McGrady
Votes: 25,448
$21 million budget. No major theatrical release in the U.S.
41. Seeking Justice (2011)
R | 105 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After his wife is assaulted, a husband enlists the services of a vigilante group to help him settle the score. Then he discovers they want a 'favor' from him in return.
Director: Roger Donaldson | Stars: Nicolas Cage, January Jones, Guy Pearce, Harold Perrineau
Votes: 47,870 | Gross: $0.04M
$30 million budget. It grossed $249,465 from no more than 240 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S. It did manage to gross $12.2 million from other countries however. Some sites peg the budget at around $17 million....but that seems highly unlikely since Nicholas Cage was paid $12 million to star in the film.
42. Stolen (2012)
R | 96 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A former thief frantically searches for his missing daughter, who has been kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a taxi.
Director: Simon West | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Malin Akerman, Josh Lucas, Danny Huston
Votes: 46,349 | Gross: $0.30M
$35 million budget. It grossed $304,318 from it's limited theatrical release in the U.S.
43. Survivor (I) (2015)
PG-13 | 96 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A Foreign Service Officer in London tries to prevent a terrorist attack set to hit New York City, but is forced to go on the run when she is framed for crimes she did not commit.
Director: James McTeigue | Stars: Milla Jovovich, Pierce Brosnan, Dylan McDermott, Paddy Wallace
Votes: 35,629
$20 million budget. No major theatrical release in the U.S.
44. The Body (2001)
PG-13 | 109 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance
A crucified body dated back to the first century A.D is uncovered at an ancient cave in Jerusalem. Trouble ensues as word spreads.
Director: Jonas McCord | Stars: Antonio Banderas, Olivia Williams, John Shrapnel, Derek Jacobi
Votes: 9,464 | Gross: $0.03M
$30 million budget. The film grossed $36,845 from no more than 11 screens in it's limited release in the U.S. It made €3,146,391 in Spain alone however.
45. The Contract (2006)
R | 96 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A father and his son attempt to bring in an assassin to the authorities, but his dangerous associates have other plans.
Director: Bruce Beresford | Stars: John Cusack, Morgan Freeman, Jamie Anderson, Alice Krige
Votes: 25,985
$25 million budget. Released straight to DVD in the U.S.
46. The Factory (V) (2012)
R | 104 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
An obsessed cop is on the trail of a serial killer prowling the streets of Buffalo, N.Y. but when his teenage daughter disappears, he drops any professional restraint to get the killer.
Director: Morgan O'Neill | Stars: John Cusack, Dallas Roberts, Vincent Messina, Jennifer Carpenter
Votes: 11,771
$25 million budget. No major theatrical release in the U.S.
47. The Frozen Ground (2013)
R | 105 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.
Director: Scott Walker | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack, Dean Norris
Votes: 67,061
$27.2 million budget. No major theatrical release in the U.S.
48. The Hunting Party (2007)
R | 101 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
A young journalist, a seasoned cameraman and a discredited war correspondent embark on an unauthorized mission to find the No.1 war criminal in Bosnia. However, their extremely dangerous target decides to come after them.
Director: Richard Shepard | Stars: Richard Gere, Terrence Howard, Jesse Eisenberg, Gordana Vukres
Votes: 25,962 | Gross: $0.97M
$25 million budget. The film grossed $969,869 from no more than 300 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S.
49. Trespass (2011)
R | 91 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
As they're held for ransom, a husband and wife's predicament grows more dire amid the discovery of betrayal and deception.
Director: Joel Schumacher | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Cam Gigandet, Ben Mendelsohn
Votes: 45,403 | Gross: $0.02M
$35 million budget....of which $7 million went to Nicholas Cage alone. It grossed $16,816 in it's limited theatrical release in the U.S.
50. The Prince (I) (2014)
R | 93 min | Action, Thriller
When his daughter is kidnapped, a retired assassin is drawn back into the life he gave up. To rescue her, he must confront his former rival.
Director: Brian A. Miller | Stars: Jason Patric, Bruce Willis, John Cusack, Jessica Lowndes
Votes: 19,164
$18 million budget. No major theatrical release in the U.S.
51. The Interview (II) (2014)
R | 112 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapaport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight". When they land an interview with a surprise fan, North Korean dictator Jong-Un Kim, they are recruited by the CIA to assassinate him.
Directors: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen | Stars: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan
Votes: 353,223 | Gross: $6.11M
$44 million budget. Rogen and Franco were reported to have been paid $8.4 million and $6.5 million respectively. The movie grossed $6,105,175 from it's limited theatrical run in the U.S. It did however manage to gross an additional $11.3 million worldwide....as well as a healthy $40 million in digital revenue alone.
52. Out of Reach (2004 Video)
R | 86 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A retired covert agent turned survivalist discovers that the foster program he is using to help a young orphan is actually a human trafficking network. He travels overseas to find the girl and shut down the operation.
Director: Po-Chih Leong | Stars: Steven Seagal, Ida Nowakowska, Agnieszka Wagner, Matt Schulze
Votes: 5,208
$20 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
53. The Patriot (1998)
R | 90 min | Action, Thriller
A respected doctor must race against time to find a cure for a lethal virus unleashed by a paramilitary militia leader.
Director: Dean Semler | Stars: Steven Seagal, L.Q. Jones, Gailard Sartain, Silas Weir Mitchell
Votes: 13,268
$25 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
54. The Foreigner (2003)
R | 95 min | Action, Thriller
A freelance agent must transport a package for a mysterious employer, leading him into a web of betrayal and deceit.
Director: Michael Oblowitz | Stars: Steven Seagal, Harry Van Gorkum, Max Ryan, Jeffrey Pierce
Votes: 7,289
$16.7 million budget. Was actually supposed to get a theatrical release in the U.S....but after Seagal's film 'Half Past Dead' fizzled at the box-office....it was dumped onto video instead.
55. Avenging Angelo (2002)
R | 97 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A woman who has just discovered she is the daughter of a murdered Mafia chieftain seeks revenge, with the aide of her father's faithful bodyguard.
Director: Martyn Burke | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Madeleine Stowe, Anthony Quinn, Raoul Bova
Votes: 10,008
$17 million budget....although the actual budget could be much higher....since at the time of the film's release....Stallone was still pulling in $20 million paychecks for each film. The film went straight to video in the U.S.
56. Man of Tai Chi (2013)
R | 105 min | Action, Drama
A young martial artist's unparalleled Tai Chi skills land him in a highly lucrative underworld fight club.
Director: Keanu Reeves | Stars: Tiger Hu Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen Mok, Hai Yu
Votes: 40,884 | Gross: $0.10M
$25 million budget. It grossed $100,144 from 110 theaters in it's limited U.S. release.
57. The Flowers of War (2011)
R | 146 min | Drama, History, Romance
An American finds refuge during the 1937 Japanese invasion of Nanking in a church with a group of women. Posing as a priest, he attempts to lead the women to safety.
Director: Yimou Zhang | Stars: Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Xinyi Zhang, Tianyuan Huang
Votes: 55,538 | Gross: $0.01M
$94 million budget. The Chinese production grossed $311,434 in it's limited U.S. theatrical release....but it did manage to gross $95 million from China alone.
58. Ripley's Game (2002)
R | 110 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A dying family man in need of money is persuaded to assassinate a European crime boss.
Director: Liliana Cavani | Stars: John Malkovich, Dougray Scott, Lena Headey, Ray Winstone
Votes: 19,244
$30 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
59. Serena (I) (2014)
R | 109 min | Drama, History, Romance
In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton's timber empire becomes complicated when he marries Serena.
Director: Susanne Bier | Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Rhys Ifans, Toby Jones
Votes: 30,404 | Gross: $0.18M
$30 million budget. It grossed $176,305 from no more than 59 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S.
60. The Son of No One (2011)
R | 90 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A young cop is assigned to a precinct in the working class neighborhood where he grew up, and an old secret threatens to destroy his life and his family.
Director: Dito Montiel | Stars: Channing Tatum, Al Pacino, Juliette Binoche, James Ransone
Votes: 17,887 | Gross: $0.03M
$15 million budget. It grossed $28,870 from no more than 11 theaters in it's limited run in the U.S. It did manage to gross $1.3 million from other countries however.
61. Shortcut to Happiness (2003)
PG-13 | 106 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A down-and-out writer sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for fame and fortune.
Director: Alec Baldwin | Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alec Baldwin, Dan Aykroyd
Votes: 6,121
$25 million budget. No major theatrical release in the U.S.
62. Shattered (2007)
R | 95 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A perfect family's dynamic is ruined by a kidnapper's brutally efficient plot.
Director: Mike Barker | Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Maria Bello, Gerard Butler, Emma Karwandy
Votes: 33,505
$20 million budget. No theatrical release in the U.S. It did manage to gross $7,432,482 from other countries however.
63. Equilibrium (2002)
R | 107 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
In an oppressive future where all forms of feeling are illegal, a man in charge of enforcing the law rises to overthrow the system and state.
Director: Kurt Wimmer | Stars: Christian Bale, Sean Bean, Emily Watson, Taye Diggs
Votes: 345,999 | Gross: $1.20M
$20 million budget. It grossed $1,203,974 from no more than 301 theaters during it's limited run in the U.S.
64. Edison (2005)
R | 99 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Upon discovering a den of corrupt policemen, a fresh-faced journalist makes shaky allies in a jaded reporter and investigator for a powerful district attorney.
Director: David J. Burke | Stars: Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J
Votes: 16,193
$25.1 million budget. Went straight to video in the U.S.
65. Texas Rangers (2001)
PG-13 | 90 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A ragtag group of youngsters band together after the American Civil War to form the Texas Rangers, a group charged with the dangerous, ruthless duty of cleaning up the West.
Director: Steve Miner | Stars: James Van Der Beek, Rachael Leigh Cook, Ashton Kutcher, Dylan McDermott
Votes: 6,301 | Gross: $0.62M
$38 million budget. The movie grossed $623,374 from 404 theaters during it's limited theatrical run.
66. Hurricane Season (2009)
PG-13 | 102 min | Drama, Sport
Al, a basketball coach at a New Orleans high school, finally has a winning team when Hurricane Katrina happens. He tries to build a winning team anew after the hurricane.
Director: Tim Story | Stars: Forest Whitaker, Isaiah Washington, Shad Moss, Taraji P. Henson
Votes: 3,202
$15 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S.
67. Cradle Will Rock (1999)
R | 132 min | Drama
A true story of politics and art in the 1930s U.S., focusing on a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.
Director: Tim Robbins | Stars: Hank Azaria, Rubén Blades, Joan Cusack, John Cusack
Votes: 9,516 | Gross: $2.90M
$32 million budget. The movie grossed $2,903,404 from no more than 506 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S.
68. Foodfight! (2012)
PG | 91 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The evil Brand X joins a supermarket that becomes a city after closing time.
Director: Lawrence Kasanoff | Stars: Hilary Duff, Haylie Duff, Charlie Sheen, Eva Longoria
Votes: 11,810
$45 million budget (Although some claim it is closer to $65 million). Straight to DVD in the U.S.
69. Heavy Metal 2000 (2000)
R | 88 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
After surviving an invasion on her peaceful homeworld, a beautiful avenger must stop a powerful psychopath from gaining immortality and rescue her kidnapped sister.
Directors: Michael Coldewey, Michel Lemire | Stars: Michael Ironside, Julie Strain, Billy Idol, Pier Paquette
Votes: 9,273
$15 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
70. Give 'em Hell Malone (2009)
R | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
A tough as nails private investigator (Malone) squares off with gangsters and their thugs to protect a valuable secret. Malone goes through hell to protect the information but he dishes some hell as well.
Director: Russell Mulcahy | Stars: Thomas Jane, Ving Rhames, Elsa Pataky, French Stewart
Votes: 6,623
$15 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S.
71. Chaos (II) (2005)
R | 106 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Two cops, a rookie and a grizzled vet, pursue an accomplished bank robber.
Director: Tony Giglio | Stars: Jason Statham, Ryan Phillippe, Wesley Snipes, Henry Czerny
Votes: 57,678
$20 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S. It did manage to gross $7,000,248 from other countries however.
72. The Detonator (2006 Video)
R | 96 min | Action, Thriller
Sonni Griffith, a top US Secret Agent must protect a witness as he crosses Europe.
Director: Po-Chih Leong | Stars: Wesley Snipes, William Hope, Tim Dutton, Silvia Colloca
Votes: 4,525
$15 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S.
73. The Contractor (2007 Video)
R | 99 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
Ex-C.I.A. Agent James Dial (Wesley Snipes) is asked to take out terrorist Ali Mahmud Jahar (Nikolai Sotirov), only to realize he's been set up by his former employer, Jeremy Collins (Ralph Brown).
Director: Josef Rusnak | Stars: Wesley Snipes, Eliza Bennett, Lena Headey, Ralph Brown
Votes: 9,954
$18 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S.
74. Day of the Dead (2008 Video)
R | 86 min | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
When a small Colorado town is overrun by the flesh hungry dead a small group of survivors try to escape in a last ditch effort to stay alive.
Director: Steve Miner | Stars: Mena Suvari, Nick Cannon, Michael Welch, AnnaLynne McCord
Votes: 21,765
$18 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S. It did manage to gross $301,771 from other countries however.
75. Get the Gringo (2012)
R | 96 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
A career criminal nabbed by Mexican authorities is placed in a tough prison where he learns to survive with the help of a young boy.
Director: Adrian Grunberg | Stars: Mel Gibson, Kevin Balmore, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Jesús Ochoa
Votes: 111,446
$20 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S. It did manage to gross $7,378,034 from other countries however.
76. Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007)
R | 126 min | Action, Biography, Drama
The story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan who was a slave before going on to conquer half the world in 1206.
Director: Sergei Bodrov | Stars: Tadanobu Asano, Amadu Mamadakov, Khulan Chuluun, Honglei Sun
Votes: 49,007 | Gross: $5.70M
$20 million budget. The film was a co-production between companies in Russia, Germany and Kazakhstan. The film grossed $5,705,761 from no more than 253 theaters in it's limited released in the U.S. It did manage to gross $20,821,749 from other countries however.
77. Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011)
PG-13 | 97 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Railroad executive Dagny Taggart and steel mogul Henry Rearden form an alliance to fight the increasingly authoritarian government of the United States.
Director: Paul Johansson | Stars: Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Edi Gathegi
Votes: 14,293 | Gross: $4.75M
$20 million budget. The movie grossed $4,752,353 from no more than 465 theaters in it's limited release in the U.S.
78. Blast (2004)
R | 92 min | Action, Thriller
A terrorist posing as environmentalist hijacks an oil rig off the coast of California with the intent of detonating an electromagnetic bomb over the US.
Director: Anthony Hickox | Stars: Eddie Griffin, Vinnie Jones, Breckin Meyer, Soup
Votes: 1,710
$20 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
79. Sub Down (1997 TV Movie)
PG-13 | 93 min | Drama
A team of scientists are accompanying the crew of a nuclear submarine in the arctic. When a disaster at sea sinks the nuclear sub, these scientists (and their mini submersible) become the crew's only hope for survival.
Director: Gregg Champion | Stars: Stephen Baldwin, Gabrielle Anwar, Tom Conti, Chris Mulkey
Votes: 759
$17 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
80. Diplomatic Siege (1999)
R | 90 min | Action, Thriller
Terrorists take over the US embassy in Bucharest, executing one hostage every hour until a war criminal is released. Plus - 2 specialists are there trying to disarming a secret nuclear bomb.
Director: Gustavo Graef Marino | Stars: Peter Weller, Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger, Adrian Pintea
Votes: 1,555
$45 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S. This is an odd one to say the least....as the budget has been quoted at $45 million for close to 17 years. Now all of sudden someone has decided to change it on here to $10 million. I'm going to leave it as is for now until I can do some further research on the matter.
81. Desert Heat (1999)
R | 95 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
A man (JCVD) drives out in the desert where some men steal his motorcycle and leave him for dead. He survives and no longer thinks of suicide as he now has a purpose in life: revenge and getting his bike back.
Director: John G. Avildsen | Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Pat Morita, Danny Trejo, Gabrielle Fitzpatrick
Votes: 10,634
$15 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S....where it grossed $14,400,000 in video rentals alone.
82. Derailed (2002)
R | 89 min | Action, Thriller
On an out of control train holding hostages and high-tech bio-weapons agent Kristoff (Van Damme) becomes a one man army to derail the terrorists and save the lives of everyone on board!
Director: Bob Misiorowski | Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tomas Arana, Laura Harring, Susan Gibney
Votes: 8,539
$18 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
83. The Ridiculous 6 (2015)
TV-14 | 119 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
An outlaw who was raised by Native Americans discovers that he has five half-brothers. Together the men go on a mission to find their wayward, deadbeat dad.
Director: Frank Coraci | Stars: Adam Sandler, Terry Crews, Jorge Garcia, Taylor Lautner
Votes: 53,381
$60 million budget. Released on Netflix as a part of their deal with Adam Sandler. It has since been the most viewed movie on the service ever.
84. Bandidas (2006)
PG-13 | 93 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
In turn-of-the-century Mexico, two very different women become a bank-robbing duo in an effort to combat a ruthless enforcer terrorizing their town.
Directors: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg | Stars: Penélope Cruz, Salma Hayek, Steve Zahn, Dwight Yoakam
Votes: 37,191
$35 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S. It did gross $18,381,890 from other countries however.
85. Solar Crisis (1990)
PG-13 | 112 min | Sci-Fi, Thriller
A huge Solar flare is predicted to fry Earth. Astronauts must fly to the sun to drop a talking bomb (Freddy) at the right time so the flare will point somewhere else. Giant IXL Corp C.E.O. ... See full summary »
Directors: Richard C. Sarafian, Arthur Marks | Stars: Tim Matheson, Charlton Heston, Peter Boyle, Annabel Schofield
Votes: 2,052
$55 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
86. Sunshine (2007)
R | 107 min | Sci-Fi, Thriller
A team of international astronauts is sent on a dangerous mission to reignite the dying Sun with a nuclear fission bomb in 2057.
Director: Danny Boyle | Stars: Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, Cliff Curtis
Votes: 266,164 | Gross: $3.68M
$40 million budget. Grossed $3,675,753 from no more than 409 theaters during it's limited release in the U.S. It did manage to gross $28,342,050 from other countries however.
87. eXistenZ (1999)
R | 97 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.
Director: David Cronenberg | Stars: Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ian Holm, Willem Dafoe
Votes: 106,756 | Gross: $2.84M
$15 million budget. It grossed $2,856,712 from no more than 256 theaters in it's limited release in the U.S.
88. Beowulf (1999)
R | 95 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
In a besieged land, Beowulf must battle against the hideous creature Grendel and his vengeance seeking mother.
Director: Graham Baker | Stars: Christopher Lambert, Rhona Mitra, Oliver Cotton, Götz Otto
Votes: 12,516
$20 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S. There seems to be some debate over the actual budget. Some sites claim $20 million....while Christopher Lambert claims that it's much closer to $3.5 million. I'm going to leave it at $20 million for now....since that it is the figure that was listed when the film was originally announced. The film managed to gross $102,744 in Italy however.
89. The Accidental Spy (2001)
PG-13 | 87 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
At a Hong Kong shopping center, Buck Yuen's (Jackie Chan's) intuition warns him. He saves a robbery's loot and gets on television, ends up in Istanbul via South Korea, and accidentally becomes a spy. Fortunately, he knows Kung Fu.
Director: Teddy Chan | Stars: Jackie Chan, Min Kim, Eric Tsang, Vivian Hsu
Votes: 18,604
$25 million budget. The Hong Kong production went straight to video in the U.S. It did manage to gross $3.8 million from other countries however.
90. Chinese Zodiac (2012)
PG-13 | 109 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A man searches the world for a set of mystic artifacts. The twelve bronze heads of the animals from the Chinese zodiac.
Director: Jackie Chan | Stars: Jackie Chan, Shu Qi, Xingtong Yao, Kwon Sang-woo
Votes: 24,392
$26 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S. This was a Hong Kong production and the movie went on to gross over $145 million there.
91. 1911 (2011)
R | 99 min | Drama, History, War
A historical drama based on the founding of the Republic of China when nationalist forces led by Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
Directors: Tao Hai, Wei Li, Guoqiang Tang, Li Zhang, Jackie Chan | Stars: Jackie Chan, Winston Chao, Bingbing Li, Chun Sun
Votes: 6,513 | Gross: $0.13M
$30 million budget (Some sites claim that it is closer to $18 million though). The Chinese film grossed $135,739 from no more than 33 theaters in it's limited run in the U.S. It did manage to take in $79,778,561 from other countries however.
92. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016)
PG-13 | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A story of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption.
Director: Woo-Ping Yuen | Stars: Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh, Harry Shum Jr., Natasha Liu Bordizzo
Votes: 20,833
$20 million budget. Premiered on Netflix.
93. Maps to the Stars (2014)
R | 111 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
A tour into the heart of a Hollywood family chasing celebrity, one another and the relentless ghosts of their pasts.
Director: David Cronenberg | Stars: Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson, John Cusack
Votes: 42,765 | Gross: $0.35M
$15 million budget. The film grossed $347,648 from no more than 66 theaters during in it's limited release in the U.S.
94. Molly (1999)
PG-13 | 102 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A bachelor becomes the unwilling guardian of his autistic, intellectually disabled sister; then an experimental treatment works a dramatic change in her brain and his attitude.
Director: John Duigan | Stars: Elisabeth Shue, Aaron Eckhart, Jill Hennessy, Thomas Jane
Votes: 3,122 | Gross: $0.02M
$21 million budget. Grossed $17,650 from 12 theaters in it's limited release in the U.S.
95. Black Dawn (2005 Video)
R | 96 min | Action
Jonathan Cold returns, this time he goes undercover to stop a group of terrorists before they bomb Los Angeles.
Director: Alexander Gruszynski | Stars: Steven Seagal, Tamara Davies, John Pyper-Ferguson, Julian Stone
Votes: 4,025
$15 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
96. Mama's Boy (2007)
PG-13 | 93 min | Comedy, Drama
A twenty-nine year-old slacker who lives with his mom realizes his sweet set-up is threatened when she hears wedding bells with her self-help guru beau.
Director: Tim Hamilton | Stars: Diane Keaton, Jon Heder, Jeff Daniels, Anna Faris
Votes: 5,918
$15 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S.
97. Under Suspicion (2000)
R | 110 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A wealthy attorney in San Juan comes to the police station for "10 minutes" of follow-up questions to finding a 12-year-old girl's body in a park. Another young girl was also raped and murdered weeks earlier and the evidence points to him.
Director: Stephen Hopkins | Stars: Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Thomas Jane, Monica Bellucci
Votes: 27,524 | Gross: $0.26M
$25 million budget. Grossed $258,691 from no more than 19 theaters in it's limited release in the U.S.
98. Solomon Kane (2009)
R | 104 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A ruthless mercenary renounces violence after learning his soul is bound for hell. When a young girl is kidnapped and her family slain by a sorcerer's murderous cult, he is forced to fight and seek his redemption slaying evil.
Director: M.J. Bassett | Stars: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Pete Postlethwaite
Votes: 76,136
$45 million budget. Straight to DVD in the U.S. It did gross $19,439,975 internationally however.
99. North Star (1996)
R | 88 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Set during the Alaskan gold rush of the late 1800s. In his efforts to gain control of a small mining town, Sean McLennon is buying up every mining claim that becomes available, usually ... See full summary »
Director: Nils Gaup | Stars: James Caan, Christopher Lambert, Catherine McCormack, Burt Young
Votes: 1,352
$18 million budget. Straight to video in the U.S.
100. Southland Tales (2006)
R | 145 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
During a three-day heat wave just before a huge 4th of July celebration, an action star stricken with amnesia meets up with a porn star who is developing her own reality TV project, and a policeman who holds the key to a vast conspiracy.
Director: Richard Kelly | Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seann William Scott, Carlos Amezcua
Votes: 40,530 | Gross: $0.28M
$17 million budget. It grossed $275,380 from no more than 63 theaters in it's limited U.S. release. The film did gross $99,363 from other countries however.
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