After Avatar topped Titanic in gross revenue, becoming the Highest Grossing Film of All Time, it made Avatar a real success? In terms of gross revenue, could be. How about audience, too. But looking like a investor, not really. With a public budget (could be higher) of 237 millions, Avatar had yet a gross revenue of 1.858 billion. Look the profit in that I get a 7.9%. It wasn´t a bad investment, but have better. Adding the marketing cost, not cheap, it would be worst.
In 2009, was launched Parnormal Activity, an independent movie with a $15,000 budget and a 141 millions worldwide revenue. With this movie I get a 9461.25% profit, a real winning. And where is the marketing? Probably just buzz marketing, not expensive.
Doing a ranking of budget versus worldwide revenue, Paranormal Activity is the number 1, follow by The Blair Witch (99), Tarnation (2004), Mad Max (80) and Super Size Me (2004). (Top 5)
Where is Avatar in all this? In 248th place. Not a good place for a champion stay. And Titanic, 186th. Tiny better.
Look at the complete ranking, using The Numbers Budget List.
Budget vs Revenue Spreadsheet.
Techdirt already talk about this point of view of Paranormal Activity. But look at the number.
For an investor, success is profit and the winner is Parnormal Activity.
