This is a non-definitive list of the least expensive films, not adjusted for inflation

Inflation

In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...

. Only movies with costs of not more than 40,000 U.S. dollars are listed.

The list includes only films already released to the general public at the time of inclusion, not films that are still in production, post-production or just announced because their costs can change during the production process. Most studios will not provide production costs, so only estimates by professional researchers and movie industry writers are available. These include those from the Internet Movie Database

Internet Movie Database

Internet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...

, Box Office Mojo

Box Office Mojo

Box Office Mojo is a website that tracks box office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. Brandon Gray started the site in 1999. In 2002, Gray partnered with Sean Saulsbury and they grew the site to nearly two million readers when, in July 2008, the company was purchased by Amazon.com through...

 and The Numbers.

Promotional and distribution costs (i.e. advertisements, commercials, posters, film prints etc.) are not included.

Only films which are notable enough to have received significant mention in independent sources are included.

Least expensive films (not adjusted for inflation)

List of least expensive films

Movie name	Year	Production Costs (est.)
Colin Colin (film) Colin is a 2008 English zombie film which, after a successful run in a number of film festivals, went on to be shown at Cannes in 2009. Applauded for its success despite its low budget, the total cost of production was reportedly £45...	2008	£45 (~$74 Sept '09)
Midground	2009	$150.00
The Legend of Action Man The Legend of Action Man The Legend of Action Man is a 2010 film created by the comedy group Dingoman Productions. The story/screenplay was written by Derek Papa and Andy Young, based on a short film they made in high school... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1711507/	2010	$200
Tarnation	2003	$218.32
Ennui http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1586745/	2009	£200 (~$332 Nov '09)
Restless Dust http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1911620/	2011	£500 (~$804 Mar '11)
The Last Broadcast The Last Broadcast (film) The Last Broadcast is a 1998 American horror film made by Stefan Avalos and Lance Weiler. The film was produced digitally using inexpensive PC-based hardware and software.-Synopsis:...	1998	$900
My Date with Drew My Date with Drew My Date with Drew is a 2004 documentary film starring Brian Herzlinger. Since he first saw E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as a child, he has had a crush on its star Drew Barrymore. Now, more than 20 years later, Herzlinger combines his passions for filmmaking and Drew Barrymore to document his quest...	2005	$1,100
The Final Sacrifice The Final Sacrifice The Final Sacrifice is a low-budget Canadian horror film released in 1990. It was directed by Tjardus Greidanus, and stars Christian Malcolm as Troy McGreggor and Bruce J. Mitchell as Zap Rowsdower.-Plot:...	1990	$1,500
It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books is the first feature film by Richard Linklater, filmed on Super 8 and edited at a public-access television cable TV station, with Linklater starring and handling all production duties....	1988	$3,000
Return to the Land of Wonders	2005	$5,000
The Right Way	2004	$6,500
The Mongol King	2004	$7,000
El Mariachi El Mariachi El Mariachi is a 1992 Mexican-American action film that is the debut of writer/director Robert Rodriguez. The Spanish language film was shot in the northern Mexican bordertown of Ciudad Acuña with a mainly amateur cast...	1992	$7,500
Primer Primer (film) Primer is a 2004 American science fiction drama film about the accidental discovery of a means of time travel. The film was written, directed, and produced by Shane Carruth and was completed on a budget of $7,000...	2004	$7,000
Fighting Nirvana	2009	$10,000
Pink Flamingos Pink Flamingos Pink Flamingos is a 1972 transgressive black comedy film written, produced, composed, shot, edited, and directed by John Waters. When the film was initially released, it caused a huge degree of controversy and thus became one of the most notorious cult films ever made. It made an underground star...	1972	$10,000
Murder Inside of Me	2006	$10,000
Birdemic: Shock and Terror Birdemic: Shock and Terror Birdemic: Shock and Terror is a 2008 independent horror film written, directed, and produced by James Nguyen. The leading cast is made up of Alan Bagh and Whitney Moore...	2008	$10,000
The Puffy Chair The Puffy Chair The Puffy Chair is a 2005 comedy film written and directed by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass. It screened at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the 2005 SXSW Film Festival. It is considered part of the mumblecore movement...	2005	$15,000
Paranormal Activity	2007	$15,000
The Other Side	2005	$15,000
Eegah Eegah Eegah! is a 1962 horror film starring Arch Hall, Jr., Arch Hall, Sr., Marilyn Manning and Richard Kiel in the titular role....	1962	$15,000
Robot Monster Robot Monster Robot Monster is a 1953 American science fiction film made in 3-D by Phil Tucker. It is frequently considered one of the worst films ever made.- Plot :...	1953	$16,000
Player 1/2	2006	$17,500
Flywheel Flywheel (film) Flywheel is an American Christian drama film about a car salesman who intentionally overcharges his customers until reaching a turning point in his life where he decides to end his shady business practices and become a Christian. Alex Kendrick both directed the film and starred in the lead role,...	2003	$20,000
Eraserhead Eraserhead Eraserhead is a 1977 American surrealist film and the first feature film of David Lynch, who wrote, produced and directed. Lynch began working on the film at the AFI Conservatory, which gave him a $10,000 grant to make the film after he had begun working there following his 1971 move to Los Angeles...	1977	$20,000
Zero Day	2000	$20,000
Deep Throat Deep Throat (film) Deep Throat is a 1972 American pornographic film written and directed by Gerard Damiano and produced by Louis Peraino and starring Linda Lovelace ....	1972	$22,500
Slacker Slacker (film) Slacker is an American independent film written and directed by Richard Linklater, who also appears in the film. Slacker was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize - Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival in 1991.-Plot summary:...	1991	$23,000
The Brothers McMullen The Brothers McMullen The Brothers McMullen is a 1995 American comedy-drama film directed, written, produced by, and starring Edward Burns. It deals with the lives of the three Irish Catholic McMullen brothers from Long Island, New York, over three months, as they grapple with basic ideas and values — love, sex,...	1995	$23,800
In the Company of Men In the Company of Men In the Company of Men is a 1997 Canadian/American black comedy written and directed by Neil LaBute and starring Aaron Eckhart, Matt Malloy, and Stacy Edwards...	1997	$25,000
The Blair Witch Project The Blair Witch Project The Blair Witch Project is a 1999 American horror film pieced together from amateur footage. The film was produced by the Haxan Films production company. The film relates the story of three student filmmakers The Blair Witch Project is a 1999 American horror film pieced together from amateur...	1999	$25,000
Manos: The Hands of Fate Manos: The Hands of Fate Manos: The Hands of Fate is an American horror film written, directed, produced by, and starring Harold P. Warren. It is widely recognized to be one of the worst films ever made...	1966	$26,000
Clerks Clerks Clerks is a 1994 independent comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, who also appears in the film as Silent Bob. Starring Brian O'Halloran as Dante Hicks and Jeff Anderson as Randal Graves, it presents a day in the lives of two store clerks and their acquaintances...	1994	$27,575
Red Zone Cuba Red Zone Cuba Red Zone Cuba, also known as Night Train to Mundo Fine, is a 1966 American drama film directed by Coleman Francis, who also wrote, produced, and played the starring role...	1966	$30,000
The Beast of Yucca Flats The Beast of Yucca Flats The Beast of Yucca Flats is a B horror film released in 1961. The film stars Swedish former wrestler Tor Johnson and was both written and directed by Coleman Francis...	1961	$34,000
Basket Case Basket Case (film) Basket Case is an American horror film, written and directed by Frank Henenlotter, that was released in 1982. It has two sequels, Basket Case 2 and Basket Case 3: The Progeny by the same director. It is notable for its low budget and over-the-top violence...	1982	$35,000

External links

• The Number's Movie Budget Records