12 Low-Budget Films That Proved Money Isn't Everything

In today's film industry, a budget of $2-3 million seems modest, often overshadowed by blockbuster expectations. Yet, some low-budget films defy the odds, capturing audiences with compelling stories rather than flashy effects. Movies like "Dirty Dancing," "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," and "Rocky" prove that a tight budget doesn't prevent a film from becoming a box office hit. Here are 12 such films that surprised everyone with their success.

Here’s the list sorted by the return on investment (ROI) in descending order:

1. "Paranormal Activity" (2007)
- Budget: $15,000
- Box Office: $193 million
- ROI: 1,286,566%
2. "The Blair Witch Project" (1999)
- Budget: $60,000
- Box Office: $248 million
- ROI: 413,233%
3. "Mad Max" (1979)
- Budget: $350,000
- Box Office: $100 million
- ROI: 28,471%
4. "Night of the Living Dead" (1968)
- Budget: $114,000
- Box Office: $30 million
- ROI: 26,228%
5. "Rocky" (1976)
- Budget: $1 million
- Box Office: $225 million
- ROI: 22,400%
6. "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974)
- Budget: $140,000
- Box Office: $30 million
- ROI: 21,329%
7. Clerks" (1994)
- Budget: $27,575
- Box Office: $3,2 million
- ROI: 11,497%
8. "Napoleon Dynamite" (2004)
- Budget: $400,000
- Box Office: $46 million
- ROI: 11,400%
9. "Open Water" (2003)
- Budget: $500,000
- Box Office: $55.5 million
- ROI: 11,000%
10. "Friday the 13th" (1980)
- Budget: $550,000
- Box Office: $59.8 million
- ROI: 10,764%
11. "Saw" (2004)
- Budget: $1.2 million
- Box Office: $103 million
- ROI: 8,483%
12. "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" (1998)
- Budget: $1.35 million
- Box Office: $28.3 million
- ROI: 2,096%

This list now reflects the films sorted by their ROI percentages, showcasing the most profitable low-budget films in cinematic history.