"Hearts in Atlantis" is a poignant drama that intertwines the themes of childhood innocence and the complexities of adult life. Set in the 1960s, the story follows a young boy named Bobby Garfield, who discovers a mysterious new neighbor, Ted Brautigan. Ted possesses extraordinary abilities, including the power to read minds, which captivates Bobby and his friends. As their friendship deepens, Bobby learns about the burdens of Ted's past and the dark forces that seek to exploit his gifts. The film explores the bittersweet nature of growing up, the impact of loss, and the enduring power of love and friendship. Through a blend of nostalgia and fantasy, "Hearts in Atlantis" invites viewers to reflect on the magic of childhood and the inevitable transition into adulthood.

What is the budget of Hearts in Atlantis?

"Hearts in Atlantis," a drama released in 2001, was directed by Scott Hicks and stars Anthony Hopkins, Anton Yelchin. The production budget was $31,000,000, 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.

What were the major cost factors in Hearts in Atlantis?

Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "Hearts in Atlantis."

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 Hearts in Atlantis's Budget Compare to Similar Films?

At $31,000,000, Hearts in Atlantis sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:

Arachnophobia (1990): Budget $31,000,000, Worldwide Gross $53,200,000
Arlington Road (1999): Budget $31,000,000, Worldwide Gross $41,100,000
Birth of the Dragon (2017): Budget $31,000,000, Worldwide Gross $7,220,490
Dangerous Liaisons (2012): Budget $31,000,000
Extraordinary Measures (2010): Budget $31,000,000, Worldwide Gross $15,134,293

The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2000s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.

Hearts in Atlantis Box Office Performance

"Hearts in Atlantis" earned $24,185,781 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $31,000,000, 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 "Hearts in Atlantis," that break-even threshold was roughly $62,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $24,185,781, the film did not reach break-even in theatrical release.

Production Budget: $31,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $24,185,781
Net Return: −$6,814,219
ROI: approximately -22%

At -22%, "Hearts in Atlantis" did not recoup its production budget through theatrical release alone.