Some movies or shows may not be expected to become a hit due to their low budget. But some scripts have proved this thinking so wrong. In this blog, we’re going to list some web series and movies that became surprise hits despite their low budget and average cast. They are so loved by the audience, made massive revenue at the box office, and are still loved by viewers.
Let’s discover what’s on our hit list:
Dream Productions
The first episode of Pixar’s Dream Productions spun 5.6 million views in just five days. The record blew past X-Men ’97’s five-day tally of 4M views in five days. With this number, Dream Productions became the streamer’s most-watched and highest-grossing animated premiere since Marvel’s What If…? in 2021.
If not accessible in your country, you can download a VPN to watch Dream Productions. The four-episode miniseries follows the story of a director and a daydream director to create a tween-dream hit for Riley. While watching this, you’ll explore the inner workings of the studio behind Riley’s dreams.
Adolescence
Inspired by real-life cases, Adolescence depicts youth violence in four-part limited stories. The Netflix series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for murdering his classmate. It started driving interest with the press release of Adolescene announcing the show.
The series best highlights the most overlooked forces shaping today’s youth, including social media and toxic masculinity. The blockbuster British limited series hit 114 million views in only 24 days. It’s not just for entertainment but a conversation starter among parents and parenting experts.
Paranormal Activity
On a mere $15K shooting budget, Paranormal Activity became the scariest movie ever made. Oren Peli, a software programmer and a novice movie director, put aside $15K to shoot a horror film in his home—with a small cast and crew. And, the DIY project became a massive success.
Finally, on September 25, 2009, Paranormal Activity premiered in theaters, grossing around $200 million at the domestic box office. Shortly after its premiere, Peli’s became one of the century’s most successful franchises.
American Primeval
Set in 1857, Peter Berg’s American Primeval is the third most-watched series in America right now. The series follows the story of a mother and son who try to escape their troubled past, all while surviving the brutal expanse of the American West, which threatens their journey.
The six-episode series blends gory violence, chaotic warfare, and historical drama, which immerses and engages viewers from start to end. Some acts may be frightening and too terrifying to watch. Expect a visceral and authentic recreation of that era, which is sure to strike a chord with viewers. The series has garnered 24.7M views since its debut.
Wednesday
Starring Jenna Ortega, Netflix’s Wednesday is about a morbid teen in pop culture history, and her name is Wednesday Addams. Soon after its premiere in 2022, Wednesday quickly dominated Netflix viewership stats. Within a few days, the shows became a viral hit on TikTok and other social media channels, especially the clips recreating Ortega’s dance moves.
Although Ortega comes from Gen Z. So, one might think that the show attracts only younger audiences. But in reality, Wednesday has derived the interest of almost all generations.
The Night Agent
Following Season 1 in 2023, Season 2 of The Night Agent became the most watched Netflix series between January 20-26, this year. The Season debuted with a massive 13.9 million views just within the first four days of its release. The success of Season 2 also drove new viewership to Season 1 of the show.
Starring Gabriel Basso, The Night Agent is inspired by the novel (with the same name) written by Matthew Quirk. In the first season, FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Basso) is appointed at the White House under the highly confidential Night Agent program. During his work, Sutherland is pulled into a conspiracy revealing that a mole is lurking within the government.
Other shows that became surprise streaming hits
The following are some of the low-budget web series that became streaming hits, surprisingly. These include The Office (US), Fleabag, BoJack Horseman, High Maintenance, Carmilla, Lost in Space, Doctor Who, to name a few. Honestly, there are many more to this list. But we hope we have helped narrow down your research process. Enjoy!If its necessary, We can increase the article to reach the minimum number of characters.If its necessary, We can increase the article to reach the minimum number of characters.If its necessary, We can increase the article to reach the minimum number of characters.If its necessary, We can increase the article to reach the minimum number of characters.If its necessary, We can increase the article to reach the minimum number of characters.
