Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for Caught Stealing?

Directed by Darren Aronofsky, with Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz leading the cast, Caught Stealing was produced by Protozoa Pictures with a confirmed budget of $40,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget category for crime films.

With a $40,000,000 budget, Caught Stealing sits in the mid-range of studio releases. Marketing costs for a wide release at this level typically add $30–60 million, putting the break-even point near $100,000,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• 42 (2013): Budget $40,000,000 | Gross $95,020,213 → ROI: 138% • A Few Good Men (1992): Budget $40,000,000 | Gross $243,240,178 → ROI: 508% • Big Trouble (2002): Budget $40,000,000 | Gross $8,493,890 → ROI: -79% • Boomerang (1992): Budget $40,000,000 | Gross $131,052,444 → ROI: 228% • Fifty Shades of Grey (2015): Budget $40,000,000 | Gross $569,651,467 → ROI: 1324%

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Talent & Director Compensation Thrillers depend on compelling lead performances to sustain tension, making cast compensation a primary budget concern. Directors with proven thriller credentials command premium fees.

▸ Cinematography & Location Photography Thriller aesthetics demand specific visual languages — surveillance-style photography, claustrophobic framing, or expansive location work across multiple cities or countries.

▸ Editorial & Sound Post-Production Precision editing — controlling information flow, building suspense through pacing, and orchestrating reveals — requires extended post-production schedules.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber Key roles: Austin Butler as Hank Thompson; Regina King as Detective Roman; Zoë Kravitz as Yvonne; Matt Smith as Russ

DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky CINEMATOGRAPHY: Matthew Libatique MUSIC: Rob Simonsen EDITING: Andrew Weisblum PRODUCTION: Protozoa Pictures, TSG Entertainment, Columbia Pictures FILMED IN: United States of America

Box Office Performance

Caught Stealing earned $19,005,242 domestically and $13,698,052 internationally, for a worldwide total of $32,703,294. Revenue was split 58% domestic / 42% international.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), Caught Stealing needed approximately $100,000,000 to break even. The film fell $67,296,706 short in theatrical revenue. Ancillary streams (home media, streaming, TV) may have bridged the gap.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $32,703,294 Budget: $40,000,000 Net: $-7,296,706 ROI: -18.2%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Unprofitable (Theatrical)

Caught Stealing earned $32,703,294 against a $40,000,000 budget (-18% ROI), falling short of theatrical profitability. Ancillary revenue may have reduced the deficit.