Disney movies, whether animated or live-action, are an essential part of our lives, bringing joy and entertainment to audiences of all ages. These films often come with high production costs and expectations. While some have not performed well at the box office, they have still managed to accumulate impressive budgets. If you’ve ever wondered about the process of making a film, our list of the 21 most expensive Disney movies ever made will provide some insight.

The world of entertainment has undergone significant changes over the years. From the Lumière brothers’ first projection of moving pictures to the rise of movies, television, live streaming, and subscription-based services like Netflix and Disney+, the industry has evolved in terms of filming methods, sound processing, editing, and technology. Today’s movies and shows are a testament to this constant evolution, captivating audiences with their wonders.

As the quality of films improves, so do the budgets and costs involved. Disney’s first full-length traditionally animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, had a budget of USD 1,488,422.74 when it was released in 1937. While this was a significant sum at the time, it pales in comparison to the budgets of today’s productions. For example, Disney’s upcoming release Wish has a budget of USD 200 million, and it’s not even the studio’s most expensive film to date.

With massive budgets and high expectations, it’s no surprise that Disney has produced some of the highest-grossing movies in recent years. In 2023 alone, two of the top 10 highest-grossing movies were distributed by Disney. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 earned USD 845.6 million, The Little Mermaid earned USD 569.6 million, and Avengers: Endgame holds the record as the second highest-grossing movie of all time, earning USD 2.798 billion. Despite their box office success, these three movies had a combined production cost of USD 903 million.

While all productions strive to stay within budget, overspending is not uncommon in the complex world of moviemaking. In the 2023 fiscal year, Disney spent USD 27 billion on content and plans to reduce its spending by at least USD 2 billion in 2024. While some big-budget movies have proven to be successful investments, others have flopped. The question of whether the end result justifies the cost will always be debated, but there’s no denying that quality comes with a hefty price tag.

Now let’s take a look at some of Disney’s most expensive movies:

1. Tangled – Released in 2010, Tangled is Disney’s most expensive animated movie to date, with a budget of USD 260 million. The film tells the story of Rapunzel and her quest to see floating lanterns on her birthday. It received positive reviews and grossed USD 592.5 million worldwide. Watch here.
2. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – Released in 2023, this movie had a budget of around USD 295 to 300 million but only grossed USD 384 million. It follows Indiana Jones on a treasure hunt for the Dial of Destiny and received mixed reviews. Watch a sneak peek here.
3. The Little Mermaid – Another 2023 release, Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid became one of its most expensive movies ever made. With a budget initially set at USD 250 million, it ended up costing USD 297 million and grossed USD 569 million worldwide. Watch here.
4. John Carter – Released in 2012, John Carter had a budget of USD 300 million but only grossed USD 284.1 million. It is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novel A Princess of Mars and was intended to be the first installment in a trilogy. Watch here.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – The third film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, At World’s End had a budget of USD 300 million and grossed USD 963.4 million worldwide when it was released in 2007. Watch here.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Released in 2011, this film is the fourth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and cost USD 410 million to make. It grossed USD 1.046 billion worldwide. Watch here.
7. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens – Released in 2015, this film holds the record as Disney’s most expensive movie ever made with a budget of USD 447 million. It grossed USD 2.07 billion worldwide and received critical acclaim from fans and critics alike. Watch here.

These are just a few examples of Disney’s most expensive movies. Each one showcases the studio’s commitment to creating visually stunning and captivating films, even if they come with a hefty price tag.