Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time?

Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, Mahiro Maeda, Katsuichi Nakayama, Hideaki Anno, with Megumi Ogata, Yuko Miyamura, Maaya Sakamoto leading the cast, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time was produced by khara with a confirmed budget of $29,700,000, placing it in the low-budget category for animation films as part of the Rebuild of Evangelion Collection.

At $29,700,000, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time was produced on a modest budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $74,250,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• A Hologram for the King (2016): Budget $30,000,000 | Gross $9,169,507 → ROI: -69% • A Lot Like Love (2005): Budget $30,000,000 | Gross $42,886,719 → ROI: 43% • Big Momma's House (2000): Budget $30,000,000 | Gross $173,959,438 → ROI: 480% • Crazy Rich Asians (2018): Budget $30,000,000 | Gross $238,539,198 → ROI: 695% • Doomsday (2008): Budget $30,000,000 | Gross $22,472,631 → ROI: -25%

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Animation Production Pipeline The bulk of an animated film's budget funds the multi-year production pipeline: storyboarding, character modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering, and compositing. Major studio animated features employ 300–600 artists over 3–5 years.

▸ Voice Talent Celebrity voice casting has become standard for studio animation, with A-list actors earning $5–15 million for voice roles.

▸ Music, Songs & Sound Design Original songs and orchestral scores are central to animated storytelling. Sound design for animated worlds must be created entirely from scratch.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Megumi Ogata, Yuko Miyamura, Maaya Sakamoto, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi Key roles: Megumi Ogata as Shinji Ikari (voice); Yuko Miyamura as Asuka Shikinami Langley (voice); Maaya Sakamoto as Mari Makinami Illustrious (voice); Megumi Hayashibara as Rei Ayanami / Yui Ikari (voice)

DIRECTOR: Kazuya Tsurumaki, Mahiro Maeda, Katsuichi Nakayama, Hideaki Anno CINEMATOGRAPHY: Toru Fukushi, Nanae Hirabayashi MUSIC: Shiro Sagisu EDITING: Emi Tsujita PRODUCTION: khara FILMED IN: Japan

Box Office Performance

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time earned $810,744 domestically and $93,071,709 internationally, for a worldwide total of $93,882,453. International markets drove the majority of revenue (99%), indicating strong global appeal.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time needed approximately $74,250,000 to break even. The film surpassed this threshold by $19,632,453.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $93,882,453 Budget: $29,700,000 Net: $64,182,453 ROI: 216.1%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Profitable

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time delivered a solid return, earning $93,882,453 worldwide on a $29,700,000 budget (216% ROI). Combined with ancillary revenue, the film was a financial positive for khara.