Motherless Brooklyn Budget
DramaThriller2h 25mUpdated
Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, "Motherless Brooklyn" follows Lionel Essrog (Norton), a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome, as he ventures to solve his friend's murder. Armed only with a few clues and the powerful engine of his obsessive mind, Lionel unravels closely-guarded secrets that hold the fate of the whole city in the balance.
What is the budget of Motherless Brooklyn?
"Motherless Brooklyn," a drama released in 2019, was directed by Edward Norton and stars Edward Norton, Bruce Willis. The production budget was $26,000,000, placing it in the mid-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.
What were the major cost factors in Motherless Brooklyn?
Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "Motherless Brooklyn."
- 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 Motherless Brooklyn's Budget Compare to Similar Films?
At $26,000,000, Motherless Brooklyn sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:
- Flatliners (1990): Budget $26,000,000, Worldwide Gross $61,489,265
- Freaky Friday (2003): Budget $26,000,000, Worldwide Gross $160,846,332
- Emilia Pérez (2024): Budget $26,000,000, Worldwide Gross $16,317,120
- Judas and the Black Messiah (2021): Budget $26,000,000, Worldwide Gross $6,416,063
- Self/less (2015): Budget $26,000,000, Worldwide Gross $31,807,156
The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2010s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.
Motherless Brooklyn Box Office Performance
"Motherless Brooklyn" earned $9,277,736 domestically and $18,377,736 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $26,000,000, 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 "Motherless Brooklyn," that break-even threshold was roughly $52,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $18,377,736, the film did not reach break-even in theatrical release.
- Production Budget: $26,000,000
- Worldwide Gross: $18,377,736
- Net Return: −$7,622,264
- ROI: approximately -29.3%
At -29.3%, "Motherless Brooklyn" did not recoup its production budget through theatrical release alone.
Awards and Recognition
2 wins & 15 nominations total
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did it cost to make Motherless Brooklyn (2019)?
The production budget was $26,000,000, covering principal photography, cast and crew salaries, locations, sets, post-production, and music. Marketing and distribution (P&A) costs are estimated at an additional $13,000,000 - $20,800,000, bringing the total studio investment to approximately $39,000,000 - $46,800,000.
How much did Motherless Brooklyn (2019) earn at the box office?
Motherless Brooklyn grossed $9,277,736 domestic, $9,100,000 international, totaling $18,377,736 worldwide.
Was Motherless Brooklyn (2019) profitable?
The film did not break even theatrically, earning $18,377,736 against an estimated $65,000,000 needed. Ancillary revenue may have improved the picture.
What were the biggest costs in producing Motherless Brooklyn?
The primary cost drivers were above-the-line talent (Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw); talent compensation, authentic period production design, and meticulous post-production.
How does Motherless Brooklyn's budget compare to similar drama films?
At $26,000,000, Motherless Brooklyn is classified as a low-budget production. The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2010s ranges from $30 - 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles. Comparable budgets: Flatliners (1990, $26,000,000); Freaky Friday (2003, $26,000,000); Emilia Pérez (2024, $26,000,000).
Did Motherless Brooklyn (2019) go over budget?
There are no widely reported accounts of significant budget overruns for this production. However, studios rarely disclose precise budget overrun figures publicly. The reported production budget reflects the final estimated cost.
What was the return on investment (ROI) for Motherless Brooklyn?
The theatrical ROI was -29.3%, calculated as ($18,377,736 − $26,000,000) ÷ $26,000,000 × 100. This measures gross revenue against production budget only - it does not account for P&A or exhibitor shares.
What awards did Motherless Brooklyn (2019) win?
2 wins & 15 nominations total.
Who directed Motherless Brooklyn and who were the key crew members?
Directed by Edward Norton, written by Edward Norton, shot by Dick Pope, with music by Daniel Pemberton, edited by Joe Klotz.
Where was Motherless Brooklyn filmed?
Motherless Brooklyn was filmed in United States of America.
Filmmakers
Motherless Brooklyn
Official Trailer
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