Unbelievable! These 10 Movies Became Box Office Hits Out of Nowhere

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In an age where superhero series and blockbuster follow-ups seem to reign supreme, it might appear that only powerful intellectual properties and hefty budgets can conquer the theater box office. Yet, every now and then, a film emerges seemingly out of thin air, surpasses all predictions, and captivates audiences globally.

Instead, let’s zero in on films that defied expectations and emerged as unexpected blockbusters, even though we’re just as excited about Marvel, curious about Jurassic World’s future, and looking forward to new chapters in Star Wars.

These past years have seen a variety of films, from under-the-radar masterpieces and provocative horror movies to surprise successes, here’s a list of 10 unanticipated blockbusters that caught everyone off guard.

10
‘Cocaine Bear’ (2023)

Consider checking out our review for “Cocaine Bear”. Although it’s not the budget-friendly production some others are, with an estimated $30 million cost, it certainly proved its worth, earning a whopping $90 million at the box office. This film, starring the late and talented Ray Liotta, who tragically passed away before its release, follows through on its promise. Essentially, “Cocaine Bear” is about a bear gone wild after ingesting large quantities of cocaine that were hidden in the woods by a drug trafficker.

The Movie’s Outrageous Premise Helped Hype ‘Cocaine Bear’

With its succinct yet intriguing title and unique plotline, there was an unexpected wave of excitement leading up to its premiere. Thanks to a talented ensemble and skillful direction, the film became an incredibly entertaining blend of horror and comedy – and word of its excellence quickly traveled far and wide.

9
‘The Black Phone’ (2024)

1978 found me embodying the chilling character of “The Grabber” – a deranged kidnapper who snatches innocent children. But the narrative takes an unexpected twist: one of my captives discovers a mysterious phone that connects him to The Grabber’s deceased victims, offering him a means of communication and a chance at freedom.

Ethan Hawke Received Critical Acclaim for His Chilling Performance

Critics highly commended Ethan Hawke’s chilling portrayal of a complex and frightening villain, with some even calling it his best work in quite some time. The film surpassed expectations at the box office due to positive word-of-mouth, earning over $161 million while only costing approximately $16 million to produce.

8
‘Smile’ (2022)

Given the recent triumph of “Smile 2“, it’s noteworthy to reflect on just how remarkable the original film’s success truly was. In an industry where creating films from fresh ideas is often seen as a risk, and most blockbuster hits depend on powerful intellectual properties and extensive financial support from studios, “Smile” stood out as something unique.

‘Smile’ Benefited from Creative Marketing Tactics

In the film’s triumph, the eerie depiction of grinning images significantly contributed. Prior to its release, a clever marketing strategy made it seem like you couldn’t browse online without stumbling upon those overly wide, artificial-looking smiles—lacking warmth and instead emanating an unsettling blend of threat and madness.

One noteworthy viral prank involved employing actors to show up at notable venues, such as a Major League Baseball match, where they’d flash broad grins. This action ignited curiosity and debates on social media platforms, generating excitement that transcended conventional marketing boundaries.

7
‘Crawl’ (2019)

The film “Crawl” stands out among horror and action movies featuring alligators and crocodiles as antagonists due to its genuine ability to instill fear. Set in Florida, the movie revolves around a group of alligators that prey on a family and their pet dog during a storm causing widespread flooding. Although it may not be suitable for children, “Crawl” does not rely solely on graphic violence. Instead, it delivers intense action while maintaining an ever-present feeling of dread and anticipation, making the scenario portrayed in the movie, which is not unimaginable for many, all the more effective.

‘Crawl’ Gets the Coveted Tarantino Seal of Approval

Made by Sam Raimi, this film turned out to be a significant financial triumph, given its relatively small budget. Quentin Tarantino himself has expressed his admiration for it, even naming it as his preferred movie of 2019. Movie enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that, due to its widespread critical and box office success, rumors of a sequel are circulating.

6
‘M3GAN’ (2023)

On a shoestring budget of only $12 million, M3GAN caused quite the stir in 2022, earning an astounding $181 million at the box office. This film centers around the AI doll named M3GAN who unexpectedly develops self-awareness. As might be imagined, chaos ensues as she targets anyone who threatens her bond with her young companion.

Much of ‘M3GAN’s Success Was Down to Clever Marketing

The marketing team behind the movie significantly boosted its success, using the film’s subtle dark humor as a foundation for several social media promotions. For instance, they orchestrated an online feud with the rival “killer doll” Chucky, which caught viewers’ attention. The movie’s knack for embracing its own absurdity and cleverly poking fun at itself has undeniably boosted its popularity among audiences.

5
‘Longlegs’ (2024)

In a refreshing twist, the film titled Longlegs turned out to be the unexpected sensation of 2024. With elements reminiscent of timeless police procedural horror films such as Se7en, Angel Heart, and Silence of the Lambs, it narrates the tale of an FBI agent on a mission to capture an enigmatic, occultist serial killer, referred to as “Longlegs”. This role is brilliantly portrayed by Nicolas Cage.

Nicolas Cage Projects Are Unpredictable in More Ways Than One

Every Nic Cage film is an unpredictable adventure. Known for his eccentric acting style and sometimes questionable film choices, he’s given some of the most memorable performances in cinema history (as seen in films like “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Pig”). However, he’s also been part of movies that are infamously bad (such as “Left Behind” and “The Wicker Man”). Some of his performances fall into the gray area between brilliant and bizarre (like those in “Willy’s Wonderland” and “Drive Angry”).

It’s worth noting that Cage’s performance in the movie “Longlegs” is exceptionally well-received, falling into the superior category among his many roles. The fact that he was praised extensively for embodying the title character, a serial killer, significantly contributed to “Longlegs” being the top-grossing independent film of the year.

4
‘Sound of Freedom’ (2023)

In 2023, the movie titled “Sound of Freedom” was produced at a budget of $14.5 million. Surprisingly, it raked in an astounding $250 million at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing independent films ever. The narrative revolves around the liberation of children who were victims of sex trafficking. Jim Caviezel plays Tim Ballard, a character based on a real person who leads an anti-sex trafficking organization, and he embarks on a mission to rescue these children from their dire situation in Columbia.

Despite Mixed Reviews from Critics, It Found a Strong Following Among the Christian Community

This movie, often referred to as a “spiritual suspense drama,” gained significant popularity in certain regions of the U.S., largely due to its profound religious themes. Churches took it upon themselves to host screenings, inspire their members to watch, and utilize the film as a means for dialogue about moral obligations and social equity. Moreover, the movie garnered notable endorsements from several prominent figures such as Elon Musk, Mel Gibson, Ben Shapiro, and even Donald Trump.

3
‘Terrifier 2’ (2022)

Starting from the chilling exploits of the murderous clown named Art, who debuted in the 2008 short film “The 9th Circle” and later appeared in the horror anthology movie “All Hallows’ Eve“, the first “Terrifier” film was unveiled in 2015. Produced on a minimal budget of approximately $50,000, this slasher movie quickly became popular among fans of intense horror due to its excessive gore and imaginative kill scenes. With a modest profit and earnings exceeding $420,000, the greenlight was given for a sequel and an expanded budget of $250,000 was allocated for the project’s production.

Controversy Sells

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but share my experience with a movie that caused quite a stir upon its release. Initially screened in only 886 U.S. theaters, this film garnered an unprecedented level of attention due to its intensely graphic violence. Reports flooded in of audience members fainting, leaving early, and even being sickened by what they saw. This publicity, if you can call it that, fueled curiosity, with people clamoring to find out what all the fuss was about.

With this growing interest, the film was expanded to 1,550 U.S. theaters and a few international ones as well. The result? A staggering global gross of $15.7 million. It’s safe to say that this movie left an indelible mark on cinema, provoking strong reactions and captivating audiences worldwide.

Last year, I found myself drawn to the third installment of “Terrifier,” sensing it would be something special. True enough, it pushed boundaries and sparked controversy with its intense content. The buzz grew as people shared stories of their shocked reactions, and it surpassed all expectations, skyrocketing into one of the most successful films in recent memory. On a budget of just $2 million, it raked in nearly $90 million at the box office.

2
‘Anora’ (2024)

The film “Anora” narrates the tumultuous marriage between Anora, a youthful prostitute, and Vanya Zakharov, the offspring of a powerful Russian tycoon. The movie garnered unanimous acclaim, being lauded for its powerhouse acting, captivating plot, and distinctive mix of comedy and drama. This widespread admiration sparked public curiosity, leading to it earning more than $33 million at the box office on a production budget of merely $6 million.

‘Anora’ Is a Critical Darling, Up for Multiple Awards

Debuting at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and receiving the Palme d’Or, “Anora” is one of the most acclaimed films from last year. It has also been nominated for six awards at the 97th Academy Awards in categories such as Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director.

1
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

Initially perceived as a unique, quirky sci-fi comedy-drama, Everything Everywhere All at Once surpassed all predictions, striking a chord with viewers globally on an emotional and cultural plane. The film garnered universal critical praise for its creative storytelling, expansive multiverse plot, the transformative acting of Michelle Yeoh, and its groundbreaking visuals. However, it far outperformed commercial estimates, earning over $140 million worldwide on a production budget of approximately $25 million.

‘Everything Everywhere’ Is a Great Win of Originality

The movie, a captivating blend of witty absurdity, thrilling action, and deep emotion, garnered praise from both audiences and critics alike. It ultimately took home a record-breaking seven Oscars, earning it the title of the most-awarded film in Academy history. This triumph underscores the power of originality in an industry often overshadowed by the use of pre-existing intellectual properties and conventional storytelling patterns.

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2025-01-27 00:03