12 Movies in Production Right Now With Outrageous Budgets

12 Movies in Production Right Now With Outrageous Budgets

Hollywood has never been shy about spending big, but the budgets of upcoming films are climbing to levels that feel almost unreal. From reimagined fairy tales to superhero finales that could rival the GDP of small countries, these projects prove that the movie industry is still willing to gamble hundreds of millions for a shot at box office glory.

1. The Bride ($80–100 Million)

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s second outing as a director isn’t just ambitious—it’s a total reinvention of a classic horror tale. With Christian Bale as the mysterious scientist and Jessie Buckley as his tragic creation, this isn’t your grandmother’s Bride of Frankenstein.

The budget, floating between $80 and $100 million, is unusually high for a horror film. Most scary movies are made on shoestring budgets and rake in profits, but this one is going full Hollywood spectacle. Lavish sets, elaborate costumes, and top-tier special effects are all part of the mix.

The real gamble? Horror audiences love a good scare, but will they show up for a prestige monster movie that costs as much as a superhero flick?

2. Ramayana ($100–110 Million)

Indian cinema is stepping boldly onto the world stage with this massive adaptation of the Hindu epic. The Ramayana is one of the oldest and most revered stories in human history, and bringing it to the screen at this scale is no small feat.

At a budget of roughly $100–110 million, it’s the most expensive Indian film ever made. Audiences can expect elaborate world-building, huge battle sequences, and some of the most advanced visual effects seen in South Asian cinema.

While the cultural importance of the tale ensures a built-in audience, the challenge is making it resonate with international viewers. If it succeeds, Ramayana could set a new standard for global blockbusters outside of Hollywood.

3. One Battle After Another ($115 Million)

Paul Thomas Anderson isn’t exactly known for making flashy, expensive films. Yet his latest project, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, comes with a budget of $115 million—his biggest ever.

The film is a loose adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, with reports suggesting it involves large-scale set pieces and IMAX filming. For a director who usually thrives on intimate character studies, that’s a bold step into blockbuster territory.

Fans are eager to see how PTA balances his signature style with the demands of a nine-figure budget. If he can pull it off, this could be the rare film that satisfies both critics and mainstream audiences—and proves that thoughtful cinema can be just as costly as superhero battles.

4. Michael ($155 Million)

A biopic about Michael Jackson was never going to be cheap, but $155 million is staggering even by Hollywood standards. The production aims to capture the King of Pop’s entire life—from the Jackson 5 days to his reign as a global superstar.

Recreating Jackson’s concerts alone requires monumental stage setups, choreography, and visual effects. Add to that licensing fees for music, lavish costumes, and a sweeping narrative, and the budget quickly skyrockets.

Biopics usually lean on performances rather than spectacle, but this one is designed as an international event. It’s as much a celebration of pop culture history as it is a movie. Whether audiences embrace it or criticize it will depend on how sensitively the film handles Jackson’s complicated legacy.

5. Heat 2 ($170 Million)

Almost 30 years after the original became a crime classic, Michael Mann is returning with Heat 2. The sequel is set to explore the fallout of the first film’s explosive heist drama, and it’s pulling out all the stops.

With a budget of $170 million, Mann is clearly aiming for epic scale. Expect sprawling cityscapes, high-octane chase sequences, and the gritty realism he’s famous for. Fans of the original know that Mann doesn’t do things halfway.

The big question is whether audiences today are as hungry for an intense, slow-burn crime saga as they were in the ’90s. If Heat 2 delivers both action and emotional weight, it could be one of the most impressive (and expensive) sequels ever made.

6. Masters of the Universe ($200 Million)

He-Man is finally coming back to the big screen, and this time Hollywood is sparing no expense. With a $200 million budget, this adaptation aims to transform the campy ’80s cartoon into a full-blown fantasy epic.

The cast includes Nicholas Galitzine, Idris Elba, and Jared Leto—names that signal this won’t just be nostalgia bait. Lavish sets, detailed world-building, and heavy VFX work are expected to dominate the production.

The challenge is balancing the franchise’s inherent cheesiness with the serious tone audiences now expect from blockbusters. If it works, Masters of the Universe could resurrect a beloved brand and join the ranks of other billion-dollar fantasy franchises. If it doesn’t, it risks becoming a very expensive punchline.

7. The Adventures of Cliff Booth ($200 Million)

Netflix is betting big—really big—on this continuation of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Partnering with David Fincher, the project reportedly carries a $200 million budget and brings Brad Pitt back as stuntman Cliff Booth.

What makes this collaboration fascinating is the mix of Tarantino’s dialogue-driven style with Fincher’s precision and flair for tension. Throw in a massive budget, and you get a film that defies categorization.

It’s a risky gamble for Netflix, which has poured billions into prestige projects with mixed results. Still, with Pitt, Tarantino, and Fincher together, it’s hard to imagine cinephiles not tuning in. Whether casual audiences bite is another story entirely.

8. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery ($210 Million)

Detective Benoit Blanc is back, and this time his mystery comes with a $210 million price tag. Netflix shelled out a massive deal for Knives Out sequels, and this one is set to be the most expensive yet.

Rian Johnson’s whodunit formula thrives on ensemble casts, and the third installment is no exception. Expect A-list stars, exotic filming locations, and elaborate production design—all adding up to blockbuster-level costs.

It’s rare for a murder mystery to carry this kind of budget, but Netflix is banking on Knives Out as its crown jewel franchise. If it delivers both intrigue and laughs, it could prove that audiences are willing to follow Benoit Blanc anywhere.

9. Deeper ($275 Million)

At $275 million, Deeper is one of the most expensive sci-fi thrillers ever attempted. Starring Idris Elba and Emilia Clarke, the story follows an astronaut exploring extreme environments where survival is uncertain.

The production leans heavily on groundbreaking special effects and elaborate set design, which explains the ballooning cost. Creating believable “unknown worlds” has never been cheap, but this film is going all in.

For sci-fi fans, the concept is tantalizing. However, history has shown that original science fiction with massive budgets can be a tough sell at the box office. If Deeper connects, it could become the next Inception—but if not, it risks sinking under its own weight.

10. The Odyssey ($250 Million)

Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic isn’t just another adaptation of Homer’s story—it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest films of his career. With a $250 million budget, the project will be shot entirely on IMAX, promising breathtaking visuals.

The cast includes Matt Damon and Zendaya, ensuring star power alongside Nolan’s signature practical effects. Unlike many blockbusters, this won’t rely solely on CGI but on large-scale, real-world set pieces.

Nolan has proven time and again that audiences trust him with ambitious ideas. The question is whether general audiences will embrace a mythological epic with the same enthusiasm as they did with Oppenheimer or Inception.

11. Wicked Part Two ($350 Million)

The Broadway musical that became a phenomenon is now a two-part cinematic event. Together, the films carry a massive $350 million budget, making this one of the most expensive musicals in history.

Part Two will wrap up the story of Elphaba and Glinda with even more elaborate sets, costumes, and musical numbers. Universal clearly believes the fanbase is strong enough to justify the enormous investment.

If successful, Wicked could set a new benchmark for how musicals are adapted to the big screen. If not, it will stand as one of the riskiest bets in Hollywood’s recent history. Either way, it’s destined to be a spectacle.

12. Avengers: Doomsday ($500+ Million)

Marvel’s upcoming Avengers film isn’t just another superhero movie—it’s a cinematic event that may carry the highest budget in Hollywood history. Estimates put the cost north of $500 million, which is mind-blowing even by Marvel standards.

This film is expected to bring together countless characters across the multiverse, with battle sequences and special effects on a scale never seen before. It’s both the crown jewel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the ultimate gamble.

Fans are already speculating how the studio can possibly recoup the costs. But if Avengers: Doomsday delivers the payoff Marvel promises, it could dominate the box office and secure its place in movie history.