In 2009, director James Cameron’s ground-breaking Avatar made headlines around the world thanks to the eye-watering $237 million it cost to make.
Thirteen years later, as Cameron returns with Avatar: The Way of Water, that figure seems not exactly quaint, but almost a bargain as it doesn't even make the list of the 10 costliest films of all time. The long-awaited sequel came in about $13 million to make.
It’s also a little-known fact to audiences that while Marvel Studios' $325 million budget for Avengers: Infinity War in 2018 may seem huge, Hollywood production companies often spend the same amount again on marketing. It’s no wonder then that modern mega-movies need to hit the billion-dollar mark to break even.
Here are the 10 most expensive films of all time…
10. John Carter, 2012, $264 million
The sci-fi movie was supposed to kick off an entire franchise for Disney, but it flopped dramatically at the box office, panned by audiences and critics alike.
Grossing only $73 million after a $264 million budget, it had been attempted to make the film — which was based on the comic book created by Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs — since the 1930s.
With Friday Night Lights actor Taylor Kitsch starring in the title role, the film's marketing campaign was blamed for its failure as audiences were left confused about the story.
Joint 8. Solo: A Star Wars Story, 2018, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, 2019, $275 million
Both Star Wars films clocked in with the same budget.
Solo: A Star Wars Story was the origin story of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, with actor Alden Ehrenreich in the title role of Han Solo.
However, its worldwide gross of $393.2 million was considered a box office failure after the billion dollar-plus grossing Star Wars: The Last Jedi. However, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker grossed more than $1 billion just before the pandemic wreaked havoc on movie-making and cinemas around the world.
Joint 6. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, 2007, and Justice League, 2017, $300 million
The third film in the popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise starring Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp more than made back its budget, scoring more than $960 million at the global box office and becoming the highest-grossing film of 2007.
On the other hand, Justice League, which would become the subject of negative press after Joss Whedon took over from director Zack Snyder, ended up losing Warner Bros Pictures an estimated $60 million when it failed to recoup its massive budget.
5. Avengers: Infinity War, 2018, $325 million
Audiences can argue until they’re blue in the face about whether or not Chris Pratt’s Star Lord was ultimately to blame for Thanos’ finger snap, but one thing that isn’t up for debate is how successful the film was.
Infinity War earned more than $2 billion worldwide, making the estimated $150 million advertising spent mere pocket change.
4. Avatar: The Way of Water, 2022, $350 million
Director Cameron has revealed that the movie will need to make $2 billion to break even, following in the footsteps of 2009’s Avatar which made $2.9 billion and remains the highest-grossing film in history.
With the trailer racking up 148 million views in 24 hours when it was released back in May, the film catches up with Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana’s Jake Sully and Neytiri 10 years later, as they and their five children try to evade the humans who have returned for Jake.
3. Avengers: Endgame, 2019, $356 million
The film was shot back-to-back with its predecessor Infinity War and made $2.7 billion at the box office.
Holding the title of the highest-grossing film of all time from July 2019 until March last year, audiences were wowed by the famous battle scene in which all those who Thanos had reduced to ash returned to battle the villain, and for film fans to say a poignant farewell to one of the superheroes.
2. Avengers: Age of Ultron, 2015, $365 million
Thanks to its special effects in which an entire city was lifted off the ground, Age of Ultron cost millions to make, but also grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide.
The Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson-starrer became the fourth-highest-grossing movie of 2015, with filming taking place in locations including South Africa, England, Italy, South Korea, Bangladesh and New York.
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, 2011, $379 million
Depp returned as Captain Jack Sparrow for the fourth instalment of the franchise, which was also the most expensive despite the fact Disney had stipulated a lower budget for the film than its predecessors.
Despite spending on 10 visual effects companies and commissioning 50 different fountains of youth to choose from, On Stranger Tides became the third highest-grossing film of 2011, bringing in $1.04 billion.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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more from Janine di Giovanni
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5