Still searching for a place to settle down after the cataclysmic events of The Croods (2013), the overprotective prehistoric patriarch, Grug, leads his family to the great unknown. Hoping for the best in an increasingly dangerous world, while trying to come to terms with Eep and Guy's budding romance, Grug stumbles upon a secluded Eden of plenty, containing everything that they have been seeking. However, there is a catch. This verdant heaven on Earth is already occupied by the significantly more evolved Bettermans: Phil, Hope, and their daughter, Dawn. Now, as tensions boil over between the antagonistic clans, a new menace threatens the future of both families. Can the Croods and the Bettermans put aside their differences to fight the common enemy, and live to tell the tale?

Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for The Croods: A New Age?

Directed by Joel Crawford, with Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds leading the cast, The Croods: A New Age was produced by DreamWorks Animation with a confirmed budget of $65,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget category for animation films as part of the The Croods Collection.

With a $65,000,000 budget, The Croods: A New Age sits in the mid-range of studio releases. Marketing costs for a wide release at this level typically add $30–60 million, putting the break-even point near $162,500,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• 300 (2007): Budget $65,000,000 | Gross $456,082,343 → ROI: 602% • A Knight's Tale (2001): Budget $65,000,000 | Gross $117,487,473 → ROI: 81% • Collateral (2004): Budget $65,000,000 | Gross $220,239,925 → ROI: 239% • Eyes Wide Shut (1999): Budget $65,000,000 | Gross $162,100,000 → ROI: 149% • Marty Supreme (2025): Budget $65,000,000 | Gross $274,459,312 → ROI: 322%

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Animation Production Pipeline The bulk of an animated film's budget funds the multi-year production pipeline: storyboarding, character modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering, and compositing. Major studio animated features employ 300–600 artists over 3–5 years.

▸ Voice Talent Celebrity voice casting has become standard for studio animation, with A-list actors earning $5–15 million for voice roles.

▸ Music, Songs & Sound Design Original songs and orchestral scores are central to animated storytelling. Sound design for animated worlds must be created entirely from scratch.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman Key roles: Nicolas Cage as Grug (voice); Emma Stone as Eep (voice); Ryan Reynolds as Guy (voice); Catherine Keener as Ugga (voice)

DIRECTOR: Joel Crawford MUSIC: Mark Mothersbaugh EDITING: James Ryan PRODUCTION: DreamWorks Animation FILMED IN: United States of America

Box Office Performance

The Croods: A New Age earned $58,568,815 domestically and $157,337,000 internationally, for a worldwide total of $215,905,815. International markets drove the majority of revenue (73%), indicating strong global appeal.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), The Croods: A New Age needed approximately $162,500,000 to break even. The film surpassed this threshold by $53,405,815.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $215,905,815 Budget: $65,000,000 Net: $150,905,815 ROI: 232.2%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Profitable

The Croods: A New Age delivered a solid return, earning $215,905,815 worldwide on a $65,000,000 budget (232% ROI). Combined with ancillary revenue, the film was a financial positive for DreamWorks Animation.