Detroit Budget

What is the budget of Detroit?

"Detroit," a drama released in 2017, was directed by Kathryn Bigelow and stars John Boyega, Will Poulter. The production budget was $34,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget range for drama productions of its era.

Key Budget Allocation Categories

While specific budget breakdowns are not publicly available, typical cost drivers for a drama production like this include:

• Above-the-Line Talent: Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances.
• Location Filming & Period Production Design: Authentic locations , whether contemporary or historical , require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period.
• Post-Production, Color Grading & Score: The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone.
• Filming & Locations: It was reported at the end of July 2016 that the film had commenced principal photography in Boston during the previous week.

What were the major cost factors in Detroit?

Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "Detroit."

• Above-the-Line Talent: Above-the-Line Talent is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.
• Location Filming: Location Filming & Period Production Design is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.
• Post-Production: Post-Production, Color Grading & Score is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.

How Does Detroit's Budget Compare to Similar Films?

At $34,000,000, Detroit sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:

• Baby Driver (2017): Budget $34,000,000, Worldwide Gross $226,945,087
• Chill Factor (1999): Budget $34,000,000, Worldwide Gross $11,263,966
• Greenland (2020): Budget $34,000,000, Worldwide Gross $52,300,000
• I Dreamed of Africa (2000): Budget $34,000,000, Worldwide Gross $14,400,327
• Moonraker (1979): Budget $34,000,000, Worldwide Gross $210,308,099

The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2010s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.

Detroit Box Office Performance

"Detroit" earned $23,400,000 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $34,000,000, the film faced challenges in theatrical release. Home video, streaming, and ancillary revenue may have contributed to its overall performance.

A film typically needs to earn approximately twice its production budget to cover marketing and distribution costs. For "Detroit," that break-even threshold was roughly $68,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $23,400,000, the film did not reach break-even in theatrical release.

• Production Budget: $34,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $23,400,000
• Net Return: −$10,600,000
• ROI: approximately -31.2%

At -31.2%, "Detroit" did not recoup its production budget through theatrical release alone.

Detroit Production History

It was reported at the end of July 2016 that the film had commenced principal photography in Boston during the previous week. Scenes were filmed inside Dedham District Court, as well as at other locations in Dorchester and Brockton, Massachusetts. In addition, the movie filmed in Detroit during October 2016.

Critical Reception

The film received praise for its direction, script, and performances, especially those of Poulter, Boyega, and Smith. On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 77 out of 100, based on 49 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it an 86% overall positive score and a 63% "definite recommend".