It is not surprising that making movies is going to cost a pretty penny. The film industry is a machine that invests a significant amount of money to help produce movies that are hopefully going to be a success. With more streaming services such as Hulu, HBO Max, and Netflix investing in creating original projects, it will not come as a shock that millions of dollars are put into them. Especially for a streaming platform as huge and incredibly successful as Netflix, the budget for creating Netflix originals is fitting.
Netflix has taken the movie industry by storm. Especially after the pandemic hit, streaming services were responsible for keeping things pushing, getting movies to audiences as well as creating new ones to look forward to. With this sudden spike in popularity, Netflix has been continuously investing in itself and its projects. Of course, the amount of money you spend will not guarantee the success of the movie, but it definitely helps. Whether it be large-production action films with big-name actors to even animated films, here is a list of the 10 most expensive original movies ever made by Netflix.
10 Army of the Dead — $90 million
The Stone Quarry
Streaming services in this day and age are masters at providing content, both shows and films, that cover a wide expanse of genres. In fact, Netflix, as one of the most popular streaming services today, has it in the bag. Army of the Dead is a 2021 zombie heist action movie that is definitely out of the box. This film follows a group of people attempting an incredibly difficult heist after a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas. This movie stars Dave Bautista, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ella Purnell, and Huma Qureshi. With a budget of $90 million, this zombie action film is definitely one to check out.
9 The Midnight Sky — $100 million
Netflix
The Midnight Sky is a drama released by Netflix in 2020. Of course, with a cast that includes the likes of George Clooney and Felicity Jones, the movie’s budget and quality is sure to reflect the star-studded cast. The Midnight Sky is originally based on Lily Brooks-Dalton’s book Good Morning, Midnight. In this movie, Clooney plays the scientist Augustine who is looking to help contact astronauts who are returning home and the world is not as they left it.
8 Bright — $106 million
In 2017, Netflix released the movie Bright starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton. This action fantasy movie depicts a world that is not at all like we see it today. This alternate reality shows other creatures such as orcs, elves, and fairies, and they all exist together in this world. With the special effects as well as big-name actors as key parts of this project, it is evident that a big budget is needed to make this movie happen. This film is definitely a change of pace from a typical action movie, so it may be worth taking a look at.
7 The Mitchells vs. The Machines — $110 million
Now stunts, insanely intricate costumes, filming locations, and even special effects all contribute to a movie’s budget. However, the cost of making an animated film is often overlooked. The time it takes to execute an animated movie is something that not a lot of people are aware of, and, per Variety, this one had a huge $110 million budget. The Mitchells vs. The Machines came out on Netflix in 2021 and features the voices of Abbi Jacobson, Maya Rudolph, Olivia Colman, and many more. This comedic animated movie has all the family fun, adventure, and silliness you could possibly want. What’s not to love about a wholesome family road trip, some robots, and a mission to save the planet?
6 Triple Frontier — $115 million
Now, by this point in the list, action films are a common theme. An action movie requires a large budget in order to make scenes and stunts believable to an audience. Triple Frontier was released on Netflix in 2019 and features a recognizable cast consisting of Ben Affleck, Pedro Pascal, Garrett Hedlund, and Adria Arjona. The action film is set in South America and follows a group of former Special Forces operatives trying to execute a heist. Definitely check this one out on Netflix if you haven’t already!
5 Outlaw King — $120 million
A large movie budget is almost a given with a big-name cast under its belt. In 2018, Netflix released Outlaw King, which had a striking $120 million budget. From costumes and the cast to set design, this movie is rightfully high on this list. This film had the stars lined up with some notable names such as Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, Billy Howle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Stephan Delane. This story follows Robert the Bruce (Pine), an exiled warrior who is dedicated to taking back what was once his: the throne.
4 6 Underground — $150 million
6 Underground is an action thriller that was released on Netflix in 2019. This movie takes six people, the best of the best in each of their respective skill sets, who all get hired by a billionaire to carry out an insane mission. This movie had a budget of $150 million and stars Ryan Reynolds as One.
3 The Irishman — $160 million
The Irishman is probably the most highly acclaimed movie on this list, making the insane $160 million budget worth it. The Irishman is a crime drama film that came out on Netflix in 2019. Set in America in the 1950s, this film has crime families, hitmen, organized crime, and much more. However, the biggest selling point would probably be the fact that it stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino.
2 Red Notice — $200 million
Movie genres are sometimes meant to be mixed. Red Notice is a wonderful and thrilling mix between action and comedy. The film surrounds international crime at its finest in a hunt for the “world’s most wanted” thief. The movie has some of the most notable names in Hollywood today, like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, and with its incredible $200 million budget, it was a huge release for Netflix in 2021.
1 The Gray Man — $200 million
Three names: Ryan Gosling, Regé-Jean Page, and Chris Evans. Yes, you read that right. These three will be starring alongside each other in the action thriller The Gray Man on Netflix, according to GQ, with a whopping $200 million budget. This movie is set to make a splash during the summer and the anticipation continues to grow with a notable cast and the involvement of acclaimed directors Joe and Anthony Russo. The Gray Man is set to release on July 15 of this year.
