MaXXXine

Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for MaXXXine?

Directed by Ti West, with Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney leading the cast, MaXXXine was produced by A24 with a confirmed budget of $10,000,000, placing it in the low-budget category for horror films as part of the X Collection.

At $10,000,000, MaXXXine 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

▸ Practical Effects, Prosthetics & Makeup Horror productions invest disproportionately in practical effects — prosthetic applications, animatronics, blood and gore effects, and creature suits. A single hero creature suit can cost $50,000–200,000.

▸ Atmospheric Production Design & Cinematography Creating dread through environment is essential. Abandoned locations must be secured and dressed, lighting rigs designed for shadow and tension, and sets built to enable specific camera movements and reveals.

▸ Sound Design & Score Horror is arguably the most sound-dependent genre. Foley work, ambient textures, frequency manipulation, and jump-scare stingers require specialized sound designers working with unconventional techniques.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale Key roles: Mia Goth as Maxine Minx; Elizabeth Debicki as Elizabeth Bender; Moses Sumney as Leon; Michelle Monaghan as Detective Williams

DIRECTOR: Ti West CINEMATOGRAPHY: Eliot Rockett MUSIC: Tyler Bates EDITING: Ti West PRODUCTION: A24, Motel Mojave, Access Entertainment FILMED IN: United States of America

Box Office Performance

MaXXXine earned $15,097,632 domestically and $6,959,529 internationally, for a worldwide total of $22,057,161. The film skewed heavily domestic (68%), suggesting strong North American appeal.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), MaXXXine needed approximately $25,000,000 to break even. The film fell $2,942,839 short in theatrical revenue. Ancillary streams (home media, streaming, TV) may have bridged the gap.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $22,057,161 Budget: $10,000,000 Net: $12,057,161 ROI: 120.6%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Profitable

MaXXXine delivered a solid return, earning $22,057,161 worldwide on a $10,000,000 budget (121% ROI). Combined with ancillary revenue, the film was a financial positive for A24.

INDUSTRY IMPACT

Franchise: MaXXXine is part of the X Collection.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Summary: 8 nominations total