Petite Maman Budget

What is the budget of Petite Maman?

"Petite Maman," a drama released in 2021, was directed by Céline Sciamma and stars Joséphine Sanz, Gabrielle Sanz. The production budget was $3,100,000, placing it in the micro-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.
• Production: In November 2020, it was announced Céline Sciamma would write and direct, with Bénédicte Couvreur serving as a producer, with Pyramide Distribution set to distribute. Principal photography began in soon after that month.

What were the major cost factors in Petite Maman?

Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "Petite Maman."

• 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 Petite Maman's Budget Compare to Similar Films?

At $3,100,000, Petite Maman sits in the micro-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:

• It's a Wonderful Life (1946): Budget $3,180,000, Worldwide Gross $9,644,124
• Ghost in the Shell (1995): Budget $3,000,000, Worldwide Gross $10,000,000
• Witness for the Prosecution (1957): Budget $3,000,000, Worldwide Gross $9,000,000
• Perfect Blue (1998): Budget $3,000,000, Worldwide Gross $683,666
• In the Mood for Love (2000): Budget $3,000,000, Worldwide Gross $15,867,968

The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2020s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.

Petite Maman Box Office Performance

"Petite Maman" earned $829,065 domestically and $1,024,575 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $3,100,000, 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 "Petite Maman," that break-even threshold was roughly $6,200,000. With worldwide earnings of $1,024,575, the film did not reach break-even in theatrical release.

• Production Budget: $3,100,000
• Worldwide Gross: $1,024,575
• Net Return: −$2,075,425
• ROI: approximately -66.9%

At -66.9%, "Petite Maman" did not recoup its production budget through theatrical release alone.

Awards and Recognition

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award9 wins & 37 nominations total

• Q110928924 (2021 San Sebastián International Film Festival)

Critical Reception

Petite Maman received critical acclaim. On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 93 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". English film critic Mark Kermode called it his favourite film of 2021, writing: "Whether you are six or 60, this astonishingly insightful and heartbreakingly hopeful cinematic poem will pierce your heart, broaden your mind and gladden your soul, even as you wipe away tears." In June 2025, IndieWire ranked the film at number 55 on its list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 2020s (So Far)."