List of most expensive French films

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This is a non-definitive list of the most expensive French films, with budgets given in Euros, Francs, and US dollars. Only films with budgets exceeding US$20 million are listed here.

List[edit]

Most expensive French films
Title Primary language(s) Year Production costs (est.) Ref(s)
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets English 2017 $209 million (€197 million) [1][2]
Alexander[A] English 2004 $155 million [3][4]
Asterix at the Olympic Games French 2008 $113.5 million [5]
Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard English 2009 $96 million (€63 million) [6][7]
Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds English 2010 $91 million (€68.83 million) [8][9]
The Fifth Element English 1997 $90 million[a] [10]
The Three Musketeers[A] English 2011 $90 million (€58 million) [11][12]
Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie French 2023 $86 million (€80 million) [13][14][15]
Arthur and the Minimoys English 2006 $84.6 million (€63 million) [16][7]
Oceans French 2009 $80 million (€57.1 million) [17][18]
Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia French 2012 $78 million [19]
The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan
The Three Musketeers: Milady[b]
French 2023 $78 million (€72 million) [21][22]
The Little Prince English 2015 $77.5 million [23]
Hannibal Rising[A] English 2007 $75 million [24]
Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom French 2023 $72.4 million (€65 million) [25][26]
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc English 1999 $60 million (FRF390 million) [27][28]
Babylon A.D. French 2008 $60 million (€55 million) [29][30]
Mesrine French 2008 $60 million [31]
A Very Long Engagement French 2004 $58 million (€45 million) [32][33][34]
Two Brothers French 2004 €57.8 million [35]
Sur la piste du Marsupilami French 2012 $50 million (€40 million) [36]
From Paris with Love English 2010 $52 million (€29.1 million) [37][38]
Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar French 1999 $48.5 million (FRF275 million) [39]
Taken 3 English 2015 $48 million [40]
Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra French 2002 $47 million (€50 million) [41]
Taken 2 English 2012 $45 million [42]
Unleashed English 2005 $43 million (€25.6 million) [43][44]
The Count of Monte Cristo French 2024 €42.9 million [45]
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec French 2010 $40.8 million (€30 million) [46]
Lucy English 2014 $40–100 million[c] (€49.01 million) [48][49]
Colombiana English 2011 $40 million (€32.1 million) [50][12]
Black Gold English 2011 €38.5–40 million [51][52]
Wolf Totem[A] Mandarin, Mongolian 2015 $38 million [53]
Blueberry English 2004 €34.5 million [35]
Beauty and the Beast French 2014 €34.05 million [49]
Mr. Nobody[A] English 2009 €33 million [54]
Animal Kingdom: Let's Go Ape French 2015 €32 million [55]
Supercondriaque French 2014 €31.68 million [49]
The Ghost Writer English 2010 €30.8 million [38]
His Majesty Minor French 2007 €30.4 million [12]
The Family English 2013 $30 million (€28.37 million) [56][49]
The Young and Prodigious T. S. Spivet English 2013 $30 million (€26.8 million) [57][12]
Grace of Monaco English 2014 $30 million (€25.2 million) [58][12]
Anna English 2019 $30 million [59]
Seasons French 2016 €29.8 million [12]
Brotherhood of the Wolf French 2001 $29 million (FRF200 million) [60][61]
The Stone Council French 2008 $28 million (€20 million) [62][63]
Paris 36 French 2008 €28 million [12]
Empire of the Wolves French 2004 $27 million (€24.2 million) [64][35]
The Man with the Iron Heart French 2017 €27.8 million [12]
Bandidas English, Spanish 2006 €27.7 million [12]
A Perfect Plan French 2012 €26.3 million [12]
Les Dalton French 2004 €26.1 million [43]
A Monster in Paris French 2011 €28.2 million [12]
Ruby & Quentin French 2003 €26.7 million [35]
Lucky Luke French 2009 €26.2 million [38]
Camping 2 French 2010 €25.7 million [38]
The Visitors: Bastille Day French 2016 €24.75 million [38]
Emilia Pérez Spanish 2024 €25 million [65]
Micmacs French 2009 €23.8 million [38]
Bon Voyage French 2003 €24.1 million [35]
Crimson Rivers II: Angels of the Apocalypse French 2004 €23.8 million [35]
San-Antonio [fr] French 2004 €23.4 million [35]
Immortal English 2004 €22.5 million [35]
Double Zéro [fr] French 2004 €21.5 million [35]
Iznogoud [fr] French 2005 €21.4 million [43]
Little Nicholas French 2009 €21.4 million [38]
Man to Man English 2005 €21.2 million [43]
La Vie en Rose French 2007 $25 million (€20.7 million) [66][67]
Cinéman [fr] French 2009 €20.6 million [38]
The Crimson Rivers French 2000 $25 million (€14.4 million) [68][69]
Taken English 2008 $25 million (€19.4 million) [16][70]
The Wolf's Call French 2019 $23 million (€20 million) [71][72]
Jeanne du Barry French 2023 $22.4 million [73]
Rust and Bone French 2012 $22 million (€15 million) [74][75]
Le Boulet French 2002 $21.4 million (Ffr158 million) [76]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • A French co-production.
  1. ^ Conflicting sources stated the film's budget to be various figures between $50 million and $100 million. The most frequently cited figure and also the figure cited by Luc Besson in his book, The Story of The Fifth Element is $90 million.
  2. ^ Both films were shot simultaneously and split into two parts.[20]
  3. ^ On 5 August 2014, Variety wrote that Lucy had an estimated $100 million pricetag and was a record-setting investment for EuropaCorp,[47] but other sources and even previous articles published by Variety claim the film's budget is $40 million. France's CNC lists the budget as €49.01 million.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (10 April 2017). "283 feature films produced by France in 2016". Cineuropa.
  2. ^ "'Dunkirk' and 'Valerian' Bring Big Budgets to the Weekend, but Will They Bring Big Box Office?". Box Office Mojo. 20 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Alexander". American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  4. ^ Ettinger, Zoë (15 June 2020). "20 films no one expected to lose money at the box office". Insider Inc.
  5. ^ "Box Office History for Asterix Movies". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  6. ^ Silbert, Nathalie (30 June 2010). "Le studio de Luc Besson enregistre ses premières pertes". Les Echos (in French).
  7. ^ a b Hopewell, John (26 March 2008). "EuropaCorp-BNP ally on 'Revenge'". Variety.
  8. ^ Mintzer, Jordan (14 October 2010). "Review: 'Arthur and the War of Two Worlds'". Variety.
  9. ^ Bardinet, Elodie (27 July 2017). "Quels sont les 10 films français les plus chers de l'histoire ?". Première (in French).
  10. ^ Edelstein, David (11 May 1997). "Unmitigated Gaul: The Fifth Element and Irma Vep". Slate. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2024. The Fifth Element, at a reported cost of 90 million (dollars, not francs), is the most expensive French-financed film in history
  11. ^ McClintock, Pamela (21 October 2011). "Box Office Report: 'Paranormal Activity 3' on Course for Jaw-Dropping $45 Mil to $50 Mil Weekend". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Henni, Jamal (7 April 2016). "Les Visiteurs 3: 25 millions d'euros de budget dont 2 millions pour ses stars". BFM TV (in French).
  13. ^ Rivera, Damon (26 July 2023). "Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie - Everything You Need To Know". Looper.
  14. ^ ""Miraculous" a conquis la planète animée". Paris Match (in French). 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Questions LGBT+ et gros budget : «Miraculous le film», lesbien joué". Libération (in French). Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  16. ^ a b Silbert, Nathalie (6 March 2009). ""Taken", le film du studio de Luc Besson, au top du box-office américain". Les Echos (in French).
  17. ^ "Liste des 25 films documentaires agréés en 2010". CNC (in French). 16 March 2011. p. 91.
  18. ^ "Oceans (2010)". The Numbers. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  19. ^ Mintzer, Jordan (8 October 2012). "Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  20. ^ Nesselson, Lisa (4 April 2023). "The Three Musketeers - D'Artagnan: Review". Screen International. Part II, Milady, shot simultaneously, is due out in December
  21. ^ Franquebalme, Benoît (31 March 2023). "Décors, cascades, blessures… les secrets de tournage des « Trois Mousquetaires », super-héros à la française". Le Parisien (in French). Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. un budget total de 72 millions d'euros [a total budget of 72 million euros]
  22. ^ Loayza, Beatrice (28 December 2023). "'The Three Musketeers' and the Joy of Old-School Blockbusters". The New York Times. The two films in the franchise were completed on a budget of $78 million
  23. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (8 August 2016). "'The Little Prince:' How Director Mark Osborne Gave the Classic a Modern Update". The Hollywood Reporter.
  24. ^ Hofmann, Katja (27 November 2006). "Scout's report: 3 pix poised for multiplexes". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  25. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (18 January 2020). "Tresor Films Plots $72 Million 'Asterix & Obelix: The Silk Road". Variety.
  26. ^ Sonnet, Nicolas (8 June 2023). "« Astérix et Obélix : L'empire du Milieu » est-il un échec total ? On a fait les comptes". Le Nouvel Obs (in French).
  27. ^ "Les sorties de la semaine "Jeanne d'Arc" : un message revisité (photos)". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 17 December 1999.
  28. ^ Norberg, Kathryn (1 February 2000). "Joan on the Screen: Burned Again?". American Historical Association.
  29. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (1 July 2005). "55 M€ for Kassovitz and Babylon Babies". Cineuropa.
  30. ^ James, Alison (15 March 2007). "'Babylon' gets back on track". Variety.
  31. ^ Secher, Benjamin (28 July 2009). "Vincent Cassel interview for Mesrine". The Daily Telegraph.
  32. ^ "A Very Long Engagement - Interview with Audrey Tautou & Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2004)". YouTube. 26 May 2017.
  33. ^ Thomson, Desson (16 December 2004). "An 'Engagement' With Jeunet". The Washington Post.
  34. ^ "Amelie film-maker in court battle". BBC News. 12 November 2004.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Les coûts de production des films en 2005". CNC (in French). 1 March 2006. p. 40.
  36. ^ "Cinéma : «Le Marsupilami» sur la piste des 3 millions de spectateurs". Le Parisien (in French). 16 April 2012.
  37. ^ "From Paris With Love (2010)". The Numbers. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h "Films de fiction dont le coût est supérieur à 15 M€". CNC (in French). 16 March 2011. p. 90.
  39. ^ Meaux Saint Marc, Francoise (12 February 1999). "Asterix Opens In Blaze of Glory". Screen International. p. 43.
  40. ^ McNary, Dave (9 January 2015). "Box Office: 'Taken 3' Gunning for $37 Million Weekend". Variety.
  41. ^ Mandelbaum, Jacques (29 January 2002). "'Astérix et Obélix: mission Cléopâtre': la magie gauloise des duos antagonistes" ['Asterix and Obelix: Cleopatra mission': the Gallic magic of antagonistic duos]. Le Monde (in French). Archived from the original on 12 September 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024. [50 million euros]
  42. ^ Fritz, Ben (4 October 2012). "'Taken 2' shoots for a repeat of box office magic with Liam Neeson". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  43. ^ a b c d "Films dont le budget est supérieur à 7 M€". CNC (in French). 1 March 2006. p. 44.
  44. ^ "Danny the Dog (2005)". The Numbers. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  45. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (26 March 2024). "298 feature films produced by France in 2023". Cineuropa.
  46. ^ Mintzer, Jordan (18 April 2010). "The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec". Variety.
  47. ^ Foundas, Scott (5 August 2014). "Luc Besson Puts His EuropaCorp to the Test With 'Lucy'". Variety.
  48. ^ McNary, Dave (25 July 2014). "'Lucy' Beating Up 'Hercules' at Friday Box Office". Variety.
  49. ^ a b c d "La production cinématographique en 2013". CNC (in French). 28 March 2014. p. 19.
  50. ^ Hopewell, John; Keslassy, Elsa (13 May 2010). "EuropaCorp sets 'Colombiana'". Variety.
  51. ^ Belpêche, Stéphanie (23 March 2011). "Annaud au pays de l'"Or noir"". Le Journal du Dimanche (in French).
  52. ^ "France : "Intouchables", film le plus rentable de l'histoire". Le Point (in French). 17 February 2012.
  53. ^ Clarence Tsui (7 May 2013). "Cannes: French Co-Production 'Wolf Totem' Casts Chinese Stars in Lead Roles". The Hollywood Reporter.
  54. ^ Engelen, Aurore (13 January 2010). "Mr. Nobody finally hits screens". Cineuropa.
  55. ^ "Pathé a-t-il trop misé sur le film de Jamel Debbouze?". BFM TV (in French).
  56. ^ Kaufman, Amy (15 September 2013). "'Insidious: Chapter 2' is No. 1, as low-budget horror rules again". Los Angeles Times.
  57. ^ Pennington, Adrian (18 November 2013). "'Hugo' Stereographer Talks 'Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet' and Filming in 3D". The Hollywood Reporter.
  58. ^ Gibson, Megan (15 May 2014). "Grace of Monaco vs. Diana: Which Princess Biopic Is More Disastrous?". Time.
  59. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (18 June 2019). "'Toy Story 4' Will Cure Summer Sequelitis With $260M Global Infinity-And-Beyond Bow". Deadline Hollywood.
  60. ^ Fuchs, Cynthia (3 October 2002). "Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)". PopMatters.
  61. ^ Caravani, Marc (6 August 2021). "Aussi fou que cela puisse paraître, Le Pacte des Loups est un film culte aux Etats-Unis" [As crazy as it may seem, Brotherhood of the Wolf is a cult film in the United States]. GQ France (in French).
  62. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (23 September 2005). ""Turn over" for Le Concile de Pierre". Cineuropa.
  63. ^ Marshall, Lee (17 October 2006). "The Stone Council (Le Concile De Pierre)". Screen International.
  64. ^ James, Alison (5 November 2003). "Gaumont sees stars". Variety.
  65. ^ Cessac, Marjorie (18 May 2024). "Cannes 2024 : les maisons de luxe défilent dans les budgets des films". Le Monde (in French). Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Emilia Perez bénéficie d'un budget de 25 millions d'euros [Emilia Perez benefits from a budget of 25 millions euros]
  66. ^ Hohenadel, Kristin (2 July 2006). "Édith Piaf, the Little Sparrow, Takes Flight Again". New York Times. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  67. ^ Lermercier, Fabien (9 January 2007). "Dahan's La vie en Rose to open festival". Cineuropa.
  68. ^ Frater, Patrick (29 August 2003). "Gaumont lines up Reno for big-budget Empire". Screen International.
  69. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (23 September 2003). "Reno in the lair of the wolves". Cineuropa.
  70. ^ "Taken (2008)". The Numbers. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  71. ^ Mintzer, Jordan (12 March 2019). "'The Wolf's Call' ('Le Chant du loup'): Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  72. ^ Valentin, Michel (20 February 2019). ""Le Chant du loup» : «J'ai écrit beaucoup de choses sous l'eau"". Le Parisien (in French). Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  73. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (30 March 2023). "Female-Directed Films Hit Historic 33% Share In France But Women Struggle To Access High Budgets – CNC Study". Deadline Hollywood.
  74. ^ "Les plus gros budgets de films français de 2012". SensCritique (in French). Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  75. ^ John, Hopewell; Keslassy, Elsa (7 September 2011). "Marion Cotillard to topline 'Rust and Bone'". Variety. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  76. ^ Saint-Marc, Françoise Meaux (8 May 2001). "Warner boards most expensive French film of 2001". Screen International.

External links[edit]