Why do movies cost so much to make?

Why do movies cost so much to make?
Why do movies cost so much to make?

2009 was an unpredictable year for the film industry. The $100 million Will Ferrell vehicle “Land of the Lost,” brought in a meager $65 million in worldwide box office receipts, while the sleeper hit “Paranormal Activity,” made for $10,000 in relative pocket change, broke the $ 100 million mark.

Why do movies cost so much?

Because they can

  • Budget budgets will always expand to “fully absorb the capital available,” whether or not that extra cash results in a better or better-selling product
  • During the economic boom of the mid-2000s, Hollywood was flush with cash
  • Wall Street hedge funds partnered with big investment banks like Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs to pump $15 billion into Hollywood films
  • Studios could spend less of their own cash on each film while still taking a 10 percent “distribution fee” off the top

2009 was an unpredictable year for the film industry

The $100 million Will Ferrell vehicle “Land of the Lost,” brought in a meager $65 million in worldwide box office receipts, while the sleeper hit “Paranormal Activity,” made for $10,000 in relative pocket change, broke the $100M mark

Why do movies cost so much?

Because they can

  • Budget budgets will always expand to “fully absorb the capital available,” whether or not that extra cash results in a better or better-selling product
  • During the economic boom of the mid-2000s, Hollywood was flush with cash
  • Wall Street hedge funds partnered with big investment banks like Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs to pump $15 billion into Hollywood films
  • Studios could spend less of their own cash on each film while still taking a 10 percent “distribution fee” off the top

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