The Top 11 Most Profitable Films in Box Office History

3. Slumdog Millionaire

And every once in awhile, along comes a low budget film that possesses more power than can be possibly be contained by a box office. Danny Boyle solidified his indelible mark in cinematic history when he took the reins of the incomparable Slumdog Millionaire. The marketing budget for this gem was next to nothing, and like the greatest of things, it relied on word of mouth to fill theater seats. This phenomenon may have been one of the last of its kind… but let’s hope not. The $15 million budget translated to an eventual $378 million gross, and launched the careers of Dev Patel and the gorgeous Freida Pinto. The Academy of Arts and Sciences ensured Slumdog Millionaire‘s place in history, nominating the film for 10 Oscars. It won eight, including Best Picture. As the film beautifully stated: some things are just meant to be.