"Gettysburg" is a historical drama that vividly depicts the pivotal battle of the American Civil War, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863. The film centers on the intense conflict between the Union and Confederate armies, showcasing key figures such as Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and Confederate General Robert E. Lee. As the two sides clash in a struggle for control over the town of Gettysburg, the narrative explores themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of war. Through powerful performances and meticulous attention to historical detail, "Gettysburg" captures the emotional and strategic complexities of one of the war's most significant battles, ultimately highlighting the profound impact it had on the course of American history.

What is the budget of Gettysburg?

"Gettysburg," a drama released in 1993, was directed by Ronald F. Maxwell and stars Jeff Daniels, Tom Berenger. The production budget was $20,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget range for drama productions of the 1990s.

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.

What were the major cost factors in Gettysburg?

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

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 Gettysburg's Budget Compare to Similar Films?

At $20,000,000, Gettysburg sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:

12 Years a Slave (2013): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $187,000,000
21 Grams (2003): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $60,427,839
3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $11,798,854
A Guy Thing (2003): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $17,400,000
A Most Violent Year (2014): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $12,007,070

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

Gettysburg Box Office Performance

"Gettysburg" earned $10,769,960 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $20,000,000, 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 "Gettysburg," that break-even threshold was roughly $40,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $10,769,960, the film did not reach break-even in theatrical release.

Production Budget: $20,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $10,769,960
Net Return: −$9,230,040
ROI: approximately -46.2%

At -46.2%, "Gettysburg" did not recoup its production budget through theatrical release alone.