The movie business is a big money-maker, this we know. Many movies have made over a billion at the box office by this point so it’s no secret that movies can bring in the big bucks - but in order to make money you need to spend money. A lot of money.
While some films can be made on tiny budgets of a few million - yes, that really is tiny in the movie industry - others require a much larger production, and that costs.We wouldn’t imagine that movies like Avatar or Black Panther come cheap but we certainly didn’t expect the numbers we’ve found while doing some research.

Ever wondered what the most expensive film of all time is? Well, it’s on this list.

In fact, most of the most expensive films ever made have been made since 2000, so without further ado...

Toy Story 3

One of the most highly-anticipated movies of this century, Toy Story 3, was the long-awaited sequel that arrived 11 years after Toy Story 2. As technology rapidly evolved in the years following the second movie’s release, the possibilities for its sequel seemed limitless - although this also meant it was going to cost a lot more than the first two films. With a production cost of $224 million, Toy Story 3 is only the 45th most expensive movie ever made. Just think how high these numbers are going to get.

The Dark Knight Rises

Moving up to the 20s, the 28th most expensive movie ever made is The Dark Knight Rises, a film that was also the third of its series. Following the massive success of the critically acclaimed The Dark Knight, it’s follow-up was met with major hype and - after the loss of Heath Ledger - they had to make sure it was a worthy sequel. Was it worth the $245 million? Every. Single. Dime.

Avatar

Avatar.The highest-grossing movie of'all time'. How much does it cost to make a movie like that? One that grosses almost 3'b''illion'US dollars? It's less than one might think, as it comes only 14th on the list at$270 millionin production costs. Not too shabby, if you ask me.

Spider-Man 3

The third Spider-Man movie of the original series -not to get confused with The Amazing Spider-Man or Spider-Man: Homecoming - starring Tobey Maguire makes the top 10 of most expensive movies ever made! Who knew they were so expensive? We certainly got a little surprise at this one, which costa staggering $304 million. Alexa, play 'Wow' by Kylie Minogue.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

AND NOW... TIME FOR THE TOP 3. In third place, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is - wait for it - the'third'in the Pirates franchise. How come the third movie always costs so much money? What gives? Anywho, At World's End cost $354 million to make. Don't worry, though, it makes almost $1 billion at the box office so it's no biggie.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Okay, this is a little spooky. The second most expensive film to ever be made in the history of life on Planet Earth is Avengers: Age of Ultron, a.k.a the'second'Avengers movie. Crazy, right?! Yes,'crazy'. The movie cost a reported $377 million to produce, just a fraction of what it grossed at the box office. Age of Ultron made a sickening $1.4'b''illion'when it was released. Brb, sobbing.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Number'one?!''PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN?'The'FOURTH'movie? Yes, we can hardly believe it either. The budgets over in Pirateville just kept going up, apparently, as the single most expensive movie to ever be produced is Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. You know the one, it's the first without Keira Knightley or Orlando Bloom, when they gotPenélope Cruz in to distract everyone from their absence.

It cost $412 millionto make!Pretty impressive - and it made even more money than the third as it actually cracked the $1 billion mark! Drinks all round, folks.

And there you have it! Now Google, play 'Money, Money, Money' by ABBA.

Words: Ross McNeilage