Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for Ordinary Angels?

Directed by Jon Gunn, with Hilary Swank, Alan Ritchson, Emily Mitchell leading the cast, Ordinary Angels was produced by Kingdom Story Company with a confirmed budget of $13,000,000, placing it in the low-budget category for drama films.

At $13,000,000, Ordinary Angels was produced on a modest budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $32,500,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• Miss Sloane (2016): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $9,101,546 → ROI: -30% • RoboCop (1987): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $53,424,681 → ROI: 311% • The Godfather Part II (1974): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $102,600,000 → ROI: 689% • The Holdovers (2023): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $42,513,270 → ROI: 227% • In the Name of the Father (1993): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $65,796,862 → ROI: 406%

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Above-the-Line Talent Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances. Securing award-caliber actors and experienced directors represents the single largest budget line item, often consuming 30–40% of the total production budget.

▸ 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. Period dramas add the cost of era-accurate props, vehicles, and set decoration.

▸ Post-Production, Color Grading & Score The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone. Color grading, a nuanced musical score, and detailed sound mixing are critical to achieving the emotional resonance that defines the genre.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Hilary Swank, Alan Ritchson, Emily Mitchell, Skywalker Hughes, Nancy Travis Key roles: Hilary Swank as Sharon Stevens; Alan Ritchson as Ed Schmitt; Emily Mitchell as Michelle Schmitt; Skywalker Hughes as Ashley Schmitt

DIRECTOR: Jon Gunn CINEMATOGRAPHY: Maya Bankovic MUSIC: Pancho Burgos-Goizueta EDITING: Parker Adams PRODUCTION: Kingdom Story Company, Vertigo Entertainment, Stampede Ventures FILMED IN: United States of America

Box Office Performance

Ordinary Angels earned $19,174,421 domestically and $1,397,113 internationally, for a worldwide total of $20,571,534. The film skewed heavily domestic (93%), suggesting strong North American appeal.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), Ordinary Angels needed approximately $32,500,000 to break even. The film fell $11,928,466 short in theatrical revenue. Ancillary streams (home media, streaming, TV) may have bridged the gap.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $20,571,534 Budget: $13,000,000 Net: $7,571,534 ROI: 58.2%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Modestly Profitable

Ordinary Angels earned $20,571,534 against a $13,000,000 budget (58% ROI). Full profitability was likely achieved through ancillary revenue streams.

INDUSTRY IMPACT

PRODUCTION NOTES

▸ Production

Dave Matthews pitched the story to Jon Berg who brought the story to Lionsgate who brought it to Kevin Downes and the team at Kingdom Story Company. In March 2022, the film was officially announced with Swank and Ritchson starring, with Jon Gunn directing and writing the most recent draft of the script with Jon Erwin. Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig contributed an earlier draft and received writing credit. Filming occurred in Winnipeg in April 2022 and Albany, New York, in June 2022.