Top 10 Most Unexpected Hit Movies of The 2000s
#10: “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008)
This film had the odds stacked against it from the get-go. An R-rated foreign film made up of relative unknowns? Yeah, that typically doesn’t translate to mainstream success when it comes to the film business. And yet, “Slumdog Millionaire” managed to take the world by storm. Perhaps we should have seen it coming, what with Danny Boyle occupying the director’s chair, but it nonetheless caught people off-guard. The film was a sleeper hit, earning more than $375 million at the box office and taking home eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. An underdog film about an underdog game show contestant… what are the odds?
#9: “Saw” (2004)
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With a budget of $1.2 million and a box office gross of over $100 million, we think it’s safe to say that “Saw” was one of the most unexpected hit movies of 2004. In that way the film’s success mirrored its plot, one that was loaded with shocking twists and bloody turns. Nowadays, “Saw” is synonymous with a horror franchise that has collectively grossed over $970 million and spawned seven additional films - with an 8th set for a 2021 release. But back in 2004, it was just an indie horror flick - one with the gall to take its audience on a gory thrill ride that stayed with them long after they’d left the theater.
#8: “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000)
To say that “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” took the film industry by surprise would be a gross understatement. A highly stylized martial arts flick made on what would now be considered a paltry budget of $17 million; the film ultimately took home more than $210 million at the box office, with 128 of those millions earned in the United States. This figure is made all the more impressive when you consider the fact that the film is entirely in Mandarin and made up of actors then basically unknown to western audiences, with the possible exception of Chow Yun-fat. In fact, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” remains the highest grossing foreign film in US history and took home 4 Oscars at the 73rd Academy Awards.
#7: “Brokeback Mountain” (2005)
The 2000s were clearly director Ang Lee’s decade. Not only did he direct this film, but he was also at the helm of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”! Considering the progress we’ve since made, it may be hard to imagine a film about forbidden love between two cowboys, played by the late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, NOT succeeding. But 2005 was a different time, and “Brokeback Mountain’s” unique narrative made it a risky project. Thankfully, the beauty of Lee’s direction, coupled with the performances turned in by the film’s lead actors, earned it the attention it so rightfully deserved. It was not only a financial success, but received 8 nominations at the 78th Academy Awards
#6: “Juno” (2007)
In retrospect, “Juno” seems like a surefire hit, what with its all-star cast, witty script and spot-on direction, but back in 2007 Elliott Page, Michael Cera and Jason Bateman were hardly the well-known commodities they are today; writer Diablo Cody was a relative unknown and director Jason Reitman had just one major film under his belt. With that in mind, hopefully you can understand why “Juno”’s critical and commercial success were considered so shocking when it was initially released. In the end, the little indie flick about a pregnant teenager struggling to navigate the predicament became a worldwide phenomenon, grossing hundreds of millions and winning a slew of awards.
#5: “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006)
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Small budgets and troubled productions rarely equal success in the film industry. Of course, “Little Miss Sunshine” wouldn’t be on our list unless it managed to surpass those expectations upon its release. Much of the film’s surprising accomplishments were due to its fantastically unique screenplay, brilliant ensemble cast and a whole lot of word of mouth. In fact, it took almost a full month before the film earned a wide release, having previously debuted in just seven theaters. It ultimately proved its doubters wrong when it took home over $100 million at the box office as well as two Academy Awards.
#4: “The 40-Year-Old-Virgin” (2005)
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Nowadays Judd Apatow could slap his name on a steaming pile of garbage and before you know it every studio in Hollywood would be fighting for the distribution rights. This was not the case back in 2005. “The 40-Year-Old-Virgin” was his directorial debut, and his decision to cast Steve Carell in the lead role was far from a home run. In fact, Universal Pictures put in a pin in the production just five days into filming because they felt Carell’s character looked like a serial criminal of the murdering kind. Of course, his performance is now the stuff of comedy legend and Apatow went on to direct and produce a slew of triumphs, including 2007’s equally unexpected hit, “Superbad”.
#3: “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)
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Ah yes, “Napoleon Dynamite”, the endlessly quotable indie film whose humor you and your buddies spent months trying to emulate. Made for just $400,000, the film would ultimately pull in $46.1 million and later spawned an animated series. While the combination of an unknown director and an unknown lead actor rarely leads to widespread success, “Napoleon Dynamite” was anything but normal. The film’s Midwestern setting, oddball characters and unique narrative probably didn’t feel like a winning recipe during production, but more than a decade later those are exactly the reasons why the film is considered a cult classic.
#2: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002)
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Who’d have thought that a story about two star-crossed lovers from different worlds falling for each other would be a hit? Well, anyone who’s read “Romeo & Juliet” and / or seen any of its many film adaptations. But that’s it! “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” wasn’t just an unexpected hit; it was the unexpected hit. Made for just $5 million, the film would ultimately gross more than $360 million en route to an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 75th Academy Awards. The indie rom-com was such a success that it produced both a TV series and a sequel. Unfortunately, neither generated the same amount of buzz as their predecessor. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Lost in Translation” (2003) Alienation & Romance in Tokyo with Bill Murray & Scarlett Johansson “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004) A Poignant Sci-Fi Comedy-Drama About a Relationship Between Jim Carrey & Kate Winslet
#1: “Paranormal Activity” (2007)
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The number of reasons why “Paranormal Activity” should have failed is seemingly endless. For starters, it was director Oren Peli’s first film. Second, lead actors Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat had appeared in a combined three films prior to starring in this one. And third, the film had a budget of just $15,000. You heard that last one correctly. $15,000. And yet, “Paranormal Activity” not only grossed more than $190 million; it ultimately spawned multiple sequels to the tune of nearly $900 million! You heard that last part correctly... $900 million. You know how they say don’t judge a book by its cover? Yeah, don’t judge a low-budget supernatural horror movie by its… well, everything.
