16 Films A24 Was Able to Make From The Same Money As Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans Starred ‘Red One’

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Hollywood loves a good spectacle, and Red One,

starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, is no exception. But did you know the jaw-dropping budget of over $200 million for this one single action-packed blockbuster could fund sixteen films from A24? Yes, that very studio behind indie gems like Everything Everywhere All At Once

and Hereditary

really knows how to stretch every dollar while delivering unforgettable cinematic experiences.

Imagine the varied worlds, the great stories, and the daring risks that could be taken with the same amount of money that one explosion-filled holiday adventure took to make. You do not have to go to far into your imagination as here are some exciting A24’s films which put together reach the big budget!

I Saw the TV Glow

In I Saw the TV Glow

, the movie by Jane Schoenbrun, two outsiders in a high school – Owen and Maddy – find themselves immersed in an eerie late-night television show that appears to be the duplicate of their real lives. It is a surrealist horror that explores questions about identity, escape, and where reality blurs into fiction. 

Viewers have appreciated the film for its distinct storyline and powerful performances from Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine. Despite this, I Saw the TV Glow

has not done too well in terms of its commercial performance, having made around $5 million on a budget of $10 million.

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Heretic

In Heretic

, A24 brings in a spine-tingling film based on the themes of faith and the supernatural, following two Mormon missionaries, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, who come across an isolated man, Mr. Reed, played by Hugh Grant. Their missionary work with him takes a dark turn when they discover the evil secrets beneath his facade. On a budget of only $10 million, Heretic

managed to gross more than $45 million worldwide, proving to be one of A24’s more successful films. 

Love Lies Bleeding

Love Lies Bleeding

follows the story of Kristen Stewart in the role of Lou as she falls deeply for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder played by Katy O’Brian. Their intense romance pulls them into a web of crime and violence, bringing in interesting twists and turns that captivate the viewers. This romantic thriller with a reported budget of $25 million is a good example of A24’s production, with compelling narratives without the need for blockbuster budgets. 

Babygirl

A new passion sparks in powerful CEO Romy Mathis played by Nicole Kidman in Babygirl,

 who ends up leading quite an adventure when she falls head-over-heels with Samuel, the young intern brought to life on screen by Harris Dickinson in this erotic thriller with Halina Reijn. Distributed by A24 with a production budget of $20, the film received considerable attention after it opened in theaters. 

We Live in Time

We Live in Time

is quite the tearjerker

that tells a poignant tale of love through the fleeting moments of life. The movie shines through with the fine performances of Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, cast as Almut and Tobias in a non-linear narrative of relationships. The actors powerfully convey Almut and Tobias’s happiness and sorrow throughout their journey. The result of this was more than $30 million in worldwide returns from a budget of just about $15 million, proving the appeal of the film to many.

Civil War

In Civil War, 

one of A24’s most ambitious project to date, director Alex Garland takes viewers on an exhilarating ride through a dystopian America in the near future, ravaged by conflict. The movie follows war photographer Lee Smith, played by Kirsten Dunst, as she moves through the chaos with her protégée, Jessie documenting the country’s fall into chaos while racing against time. 

With a production budget of $50 million, Civil War

stands as one of A24’s expensive films at that time which reflects the studio’s commitment to delivering high-quality, thought-provoking cinema. 

MaXXXine

MaXXXine

is set back in 1980s Hollywood, where Mia Goth plays the role of Maxine Minx, who had a past doing adult films and was aiming to get out of it. This film, the third in Ti West’s horror trilogy, is estimated to cost around $11 million in terms of production budget. Despite its low budget, MaXXXine

was a major box office hit, grossing over $20 million. 

Queer

In Queer

, Daniel Craig drops his 007 persona to play an American expatriate in 1950s Mexico City, caught up in a complicated relationship with a younger man. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, this film explores themes of identity and desire. With a production budget of around $53 million, Queer

is one of A24’s more significant investments that demonstrated some bold storytelling.

The Brutalist

The Brutalist

follows Adrien Brody, playing the great role of László Tóth, the Hungarian-Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust. It is an epic period drama that tells his life story from the 1940s to the 1980s, focusing on his personal and professional struggles for the American Dream. Even though The Brutalist

boasts a big scale and critical acclaim, this film produced with a relatively modest budget of about $6 million did not do very well commercially.

Tuesday

Tuesday

weaves a heart-wrenching tale between a mother and daughter as they explore themes of mortality, love, and loss. As the story unfolds, death comes knocking at the door, forcing the characters to face their deepest fears and emotions. With a low-end budget, Tuesday

is not grand visuals or epic landscapes but instead the raw, emotional storytelling that touches close to home with fantasy and drama blending smoothly with reality.

Problemista

In Problemista

, Julio Torres plays Alejandro, a Salvadoran aspiring toy designer navigating the bustling streets of New York City. This indie film has got critical acclaim with its modest budget of $12 million due to its inventive story and colorful vision. While it stayed low commercially, overall Problemista

is an enjoyable and creative watch.

Y2K

Directed by Kyle Mooney, Y2K

follows two high school juniors, Eli and Laura who decide to crash a New Year’s Eve party when their night takes a wild turn as a Y2K bug causes all technology to malfunction, leading to a series of comedic and thrilling events. A24 produced the movie starring Jaeden Martell as Eli and Rachel Zegler as Laura, on a budget of around $15 million; however, its box office performance was quite underwhelming.

A Different Man

A Different Man

follows Edward, played by Sebastian Stan who here is an aspiring actor undergoing a radical procedure to change his facial appearance in order to land coveted roles. His new identity leads to unforeseen consequences and an unhealthy obsession to becoming his original self again. A Different Man

 produced on a modest budget takes up themes of identity, self-perception, as it narrates how far a person can go for their dreams.

The Front Room

In The Front Room

, A24 brings forth a thriller of a script that keeps you on the edge. The movie narrates the tale of Belinda, a lady whose life comes to a drastic end when an estranged mother-in-law moves into her house due to her being pregnant. While the budget for this movie stood at $3.2 million with good reviews, it stayed low on the commercial end of success.

Sing Sing

Sing Sing

is the story of a group of imprisoned men who find freedom not to escape but in art. Directed by Greg Kwedar, Sing Sing

stars Colman Domingo

and Paul Raci as the characters create a theatrical stage show, changing their lives and their community. With a budget of only about $2 million, Sing Sing

stands tall as one of A24 productions. 

Janet Planet

Janet Planet

is a story of development and growth of Janet who becomes the center of attention for three visitors who are drawn to her captivating nature. With a small budget of around $1 million, this small-scale film shows the blurring lines between reality and fantasy with vivid imagination and visuals that make it a noteworthy mention. 

A24 has proven that creativity can beat deep pockets. Yes, Red One

may pack blockbuster energy with stars like Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, but A24 being able to deliver sixteen unforgettable films that amount to the budget of one film is something indeed! From heart-pounding horrors to heartfelt dramas with these masterpieces are worth a watch too

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Which of these films have you watched or is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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