Goodfellas Budget

1990

DramaCrime2h 25m

Updated April 25, 2026

Budget

$25,000,000

Domestic Box Office

$46,909,721

Worldwide Box Office

$47,072,327

Synopsis

"Goodfellas," directed by Martin Scorsese, is a gripping crime drama that chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a young man who becomes deeply entrenched in the world of organized crime. Based on the true story detailed in Nicholas Pileggi's book "Wiseguy," the film follows Henry's journey from a small-time hustler in Brooklyn to a key player in the mob.

As he navigates the treacherous landscape of the Mafia, Henry forms alliances with notorious figures like Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito, experiencing the allure of wealth and power. However, the glamorous lifestyle comes at a cost, leading to betrayal, violence, and ultimately, Henry's decision to turn informant.

Scorsese masterfully captures the complexities of loyalty and morality within the criminal underworld, showcasing the highs and lows of a life steeped in crime. With its iconic performances, sharp dialogue, and unforgettable soundtrack, "Goodfellas" remains a landmark film that explores the seductive nature of the gangster lifestyle and the inevitable consequences that follow.

What is the budget of Goodfellas?

"Goodfellas," a drama released in 1990, was directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta. The production budget was $25,000,000, 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 Goodfellas?

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

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 Goodfellas's Budget Compare to Similar Films?

At $25,000,000, Goodfellas sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:

1408 (2007): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $133,000,000
A Journal for Jordan (2021): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $6,700,000
Abandon (2002): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $10,719,357
All My Life (2020): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $2,000,000
August Rush (2007): Budget $25,000,000, Worldwide Gross $66,122,026

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

Goodfellas Box Office Performance

"Goodfellas" earned $46,909,721 domestically and $47,072,327 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $25,000,000, the film showed modest profitability in theatrical release.

A film typically needs to earn approximately twice its production budget to cover marketing and distribution costs. For "Goodfellas," that break-even threshold was roughly $50,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $47,072,327, the film fell short of that threshold but recouped its production costs in theatrical release.

Production Budget: $25,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $47,072,327
Net Return: $22,072,327
ROI: approximately 88.3%

At 88.3%, "Goodfellas" returned its production investment but margin was tight after marketing and distribution costs.