Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for Longlegs?

Directed by Osgood Perkins, with Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood leading the cast, Longlegs was produced by C2 Motion Picture Group with a confirmed budget of $10,000,000, placing it in the low-budget category for crime films.

At $10,000,000, Longlegs was produced on a modest budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $25,000,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• By the Sea (2015): Budget $10,000,000 | Gross $3,727,746 → ROI: -63% • Eye for an Eye (2025): Budget $10,000,000 | Gross N/A • Goal! (2005): Budget $10,000,000 | Gross $27,610,873 → ROI: 176% • Phantom (2013): Budget $10,000,000 | Gross $1,197,759 → ROI: -88% • War of the Worlds (2025): Budget $10,000,000 | Gross N/A

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Talent & Director Compensation Thrillers depend on compelling lead performances to sustain tension, making cast compensation a primary budget concern. Directors with proven thriller credentials command premium fees.

▸ Cinematography & Location Photography Thriller aesthetics demand specific visual languages — surveillance-style photography, claustrophobic framing, or expansive location work across multiple cities or countries.

▸ Editorial & Sound Post-Production Precision editing — controlling information flow, building suspense through pacing, and orchestrating reveals — requires extended post-production schedules.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt, Michelle Choi-Lee Key roles: Maika Monroe as Agent Lee Harker; Nicolas Cage as Longlegs; Blair Underwood as Agent Carter; Alicia Witt as Ruth Harker

DIRECTOR: Osgood Perkins CINEMATOGRAPHY: Andres Arochi MUSIC: Elvis Perkins, Osgood Perkins EDITING: Graham Fortin, Greg Ng PRODUCTION: C2 Motion Picture Group, Saturn Films, Oddfellows Entertainment, Traffic., Range Media Partners FILMED IN: Canada, United States of America

Box Office Performance

Longlegs earned $74,346,140 domestically and $53,615,796 internationally, for a worldwide total of $127,961,936. Revenue was split 58% domestic / 42% international.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), Longlegs needed approximately $25,000,000 to break even. The film surpassed this threshold by $102,961,936.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $127,961,936 Budget: $10,000,000 Net: $117,961,936 ROI: 1179.6%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Highly Profitable

Longlegs was a clear financial success, generating $127,961,936 worldwide against a $10,000,000 production budget — a 1180% ROI. After estimated marketing costs, the film still delivered substantial profit to C2 Motion Picture Group.