

Gosford Park Budget
Updated
Synopsis
"Gosford Park," directed by Robert Altman, is a captivating murder mystery set in the 1930s that intertwines the lives of the British aristocracy and their servants during a weekend shooting party at a grand estate. As guests gather for leisure and sport, tensions simmer beneath the surface, revealing class divisions and hidden secrets. When a murder occurs, the intricate web of relationships among the guests and staff comes to light, prompting a detective to unravel the truth. The film masterfully blends dark humor with social commentary, showcasing the complexities of human nature against the backdrop of a lavish yet suffocating world. With an ensemble cast featuring notable actors like Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, and Clive Owen, "Gosford Park" offers a rich tapestry of intrigue and drama, ultimately questioning the very fabric of society.
What is the budget of Gosford Park?
"Gosford Park," a drama released in 2001, was directed by Robert Altman and stars Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon. The production budget was $19,800,000, placing it in the low-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.
What were the major cost factors in Gosford Park?
Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "Gosford Park."
- 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 Gosford Park's Budget Compare to Similar Films?
At $19,800,000, Gosford Park sits in the low-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:
- Bird Box (2018): Budget $19,800,000
- The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008): Budget $19,700,000, Worldwide Gross $26,937,355
- 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
The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2000s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.
Gosford Park Box Office Performance
"Gosford Park" earned $41,308,615 domestically and $87,754,044 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $19,800,000, the film performed strongly at the box office.
A film typically needs to earn approximately twice its production budget to cover marketing and distribution costs. For "Gosford Park," that break-even threshold was roughly $39,600,000. With worldwide earnings of $87,754,044, the film cleared that threshold comfortably.
- Production Budget: $19,800,000
- Worldwide Gross: $87,754,044
- Net Return: $67,954,044
- ROI: approximately 343.2%
At 343.2%, "Gosford Park" earned roughly $4.43 for every $1 invested in production.
Awards and Recognition
Won 1 Oscar. 36 wins & 74 nominations total
- Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay: Julian Fellowes (74th Academy Awards)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did it cost to make Gosford Park (2001)?
The production budget was $19,800,000, covering principal photography, cast and crew salaries, locations, sets, post-production, and music. Marketing and distribution (P&A) costs are estimated at an additional $9,900,000 - $15,840,000, bringing the total studio investment to approximately $29,700,000 - $35,640,000.
How much did Gosford Park (2001) earn at the box office?
Gosford Park grossed $41,308,615 domestic, $46,445,429 international, totaling $87,754,044 worldwide.
Was Gosford Park (2001) profitable?
Yes. Against a production budget of $19,800,000 and estimated total costs of ~$49,500,000, the film earned $87,754,044 theatrically - a 343% ROI on production costs alone.
What were the biggest costs in producing Gosford Park?
The primary cost drivers were above-the-line talent (Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas); talent compensation, authentic period production design, and meticulous post-production; international production across Italy, United States of America.
How does Gosford Park's budget compare to similar drama films?
At $19,800,000, Gosford Park is classified as a low-budget production. The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2000s ranges from $30 - 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles. Comparable budgets: Bird Box (2018, $19,800,000); The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, $19,700,000); 12 Years a Slave (2013, $20,000,000).
Did Gosford Park (2001) go over budget?
There are no widely reported accounts of significant budget overruns for this production. However, studios rarely disclose precise budget overrun figures publicly. The reported production budget reflects the final estimated cost.
What was the return on investment (ROI) for Gosford Park?
The theatrical ROI was 343.2%, calculated as ($87,754,044 − $19,800,000) ÷ $19,800,000 × 100. This measures gross revenue against production budget only - it does not account for P&A or exhibitor shares.
What awards did Gosford Park (2001) win?
Won 1 Oscar. 36 wins & 74 nominations total.
Who directed Gosford Park and who were the key crew members?
Directed by Robert Altman, written by Julian Fellowes, shot by Andrew Dunn, with music by Patrick Doyle, edited by Tim Squyres.
Where was Gosford Park filmed?
Gosford Park was filmed in Italy, United States of America. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Filmmakers
Gosford Park
Official Trailer








































































Budget Templates
Build your own production budget
Create professional budgets with industry-standard feature film templates. Real-time collaboration, no spreadsheets.
Start Budgeting Free
