Comedy
|
1994
|
United States
Director:
Kevin Smith
Starring:
Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Jason Mewes
Distribution:
Miramax Films
Platform:
Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Max
Budget:
$24,000
Gross:
$3,147,000
ROI:
131×
You don’t need big stars or gear — you need tension, timing, and a story people talk about. Peli shot this entirely in his home with a consumer camcorder and built terror from atmosphere. The film’s viral word-of-mouth campaign redefined how indie horror could reach audiences.
Spawned a billion-dollar franchise, revived found-footage horror, and proved that creative storytelling can outperform CGI-heavy blockbusters. A landmark example for filmmakers on how to leverage simplicity and authenticity into massive profit.
⭐ IMDB:
/ 10
📊
+
Audience Ratings
Its honesty, low-budget aesthetic, and snarky dialogue resonated with audiences tired of Hollywood polish, making it the ultimate DIY success story.
Kevin Smith financed the $27,000 budget with personal credit cards, filming overnight in the convenience store where he worked.
It’s available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Max.
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