Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for The Call?

Directed by Brad Anderson, with Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut leading the cast, The Call was produced by TriStar Pictures with a confirmed budget of $13,000,000, placing it in the low-budget category for crime films.

At $13,000,000, The Call 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

▸ 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: Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund, David Otunga Key roles: Halle Berry as Jordan Turner; Abigail Breslin as Casey Welson; Morris Chestnut as Officer Paul Phillips; Michael Eklund as Michael Foster

DIRECTOR: Brad Anderson CINEMATOGRAPHY: Thomas Yatsko MUSIC: John Debney EDITING: Avi Youabian PRODUCTION: TriStar Pictures, WWE Studios, Troika Pictures, Stage 6 Films, Amasia Entertainment FILMED IN: United States of America

Box Office Performance

The Call earned $51,872,378 domestically and $16,700,000 internationally, for a worldwide total of $68,572,378. The film skewed heavily domestic (76%), suggesting strong North American appeal.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), The Call needed approximately $32,500,000 to break even. The film surpassed this threshold by $36,072,378.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $68,572,378 Budget: $13,000,000 Net: $55,572,378 ROI: 427.5%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Highly Profitable

The Call was a clear financial success, generating $68,572,378 worldwide against a $13,000,000 production budget — a 427% ROI. After estimated marketing costs, the film still delivered substantial profit to TriStar Pictures.