Experts have updated the list of the most profitable films in the history of cinema. It includes six horror films, two dramas, and two action movies. The ranking is based on the ratio of the film's box office earnings to its production budget. The marketing budget was not taken into account. The ranking of the most profitable films in the world is as follows: "Paranormal Activity" / Paranormal Activity, 2007 — recouped 12,867 times. "The Blair Witch Project" / The Blair Witch Project, 1999 — recouped 11,318 times. "Obsession" / Obsession, 2026 — recouped 537 times. "El Mariachi" / El Mariachi, 1993 — recouped 286 times. "Night of the Living Dead" / Night of the Living Dead, 1968 — recouped 263 times. "Mad Max" / Mad Max, 1979 — recouped 262 times. "Rocky" / Rocky, 1976 — recouped 225 times. "Halloween" / Halloween, 1978 — recouped 145 times. "Clerks" / Clerks, 1994 — recouped 119 times. "Saw" / Saw, 2004 — recouped 86 times. 1. Leading the list is "Paranormal Activity" — the absolute record holder. The production budget of the film was $15,000, and almost all responsibilities — from cinematographer to editor — were taken on by director Oren Peli. The filming location was his home. The story of a young couple who set up a camera in their bedroom when they encounter a demonic entity was shot in 10 days and grossed $193 million (almost 13,000 times its budget). Thanks to its commercial success, the film turned into a franchise: the eighth installment will be released in 2027. 2. In second place is "The Blair Witch Project." With a budget of $22,000, the film grossed $249 million worldwide. The plot revolves around three student filmmakers who venture into the woods to make a documentary about an urban legend and disappear without a trace. The success was ensured by an innovative marketing campaign: the filmmakers distributed flyers with photos of the missing students and maintained a website where the story was presented as real events. The film signaled the start of an entire genre of horror films in the found footage format. 3. In third place is "Obsession," a new release from 2026. The film tells the story of a guy who finds a magical artifact and wishes for a girl to love him. The wish is granted, but too literally: the chosen one becomes obsessed and dangerous, turning his dream into a nightmare. Director Curry Barker started as a YouTuber: his short film, made for $800, caught the attention of producers, but instead of adapting that work, Barker proposed the script for "Obsession." Ultimately, the debut of the 26-year-old blogger was shot for $750,000, and worldwide box office earnings exceeded $400 million and continue to grow. 4. In fourth place is "El Mariachi," the debut film of Robert Rodriguez, which launched his career. This dynamic Spanish-language action film is about a wandering musician who accidentally gets caught up in a war with the mafia. The shooting budget was only $7,000. Legend has it that this was the money Rodriguez and his friend earned by testing experimental cholesterol-lowering drugs: they tested the drugs on themselves. The film grossed $2 million in theaters, recouping 286 times, and was added to the National Film Registry of the United States. Two sequels followed: "Desperado" and "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." 5. The fifth film in the ranking is "Night of the Living Dead." A group of people takes refuge in a farmhouse during a zombie invasion and gradually loses their sanity from fear and hunger. George Romero shot the film on black-and-white film — a decision related to both the low budget and creative intent. Due to a lack of funds, chocolate syrup was used instead of fake blood. Many actors were recruited from local theaters, including the lead actor Dwayne Jones. Ultimately, the film was made for $114,000 and grossed $30 million. "Night of the Living Dead" not only recouped its budget multiple times but also became the progenitor of the zombie horror genre. 6. The sixth position is held by "Mad Max." In a post-apocalyptic world, former police officer Max Rockatansky faces off against a gang of ruthless bikers to avenge the death of his family. Filming took place under strict budget constraints: many stunts were performed without insurance, chase cars were borrowed from private owners, and extras were paid in beer. With a budget of $380,000, the film grossed $99.7 million worldwide. The film's success allowed George Miller to make a sequel and turn "Mad Max" into one of the main post-apocalyptic sagas in cinema history. 7. Seventh is "Rocky" — the legendary sports drama about the underdog boxer Rocky Balboa, who gets a chance to fight the world champion. Sylvester Stallone wrote the script in three days and insisted on playing the lead role. Producers allocated $1 million, and to stay within budget, the creators had to reduce the number of shooting days, rent sports gear instead of buying it, and use friends and relatives as extras. For example, Stallone's parents can be seen in the film. Ultimately, "Rocky" grossed $225 million, won three Academy Awards, and launched one of the most successful franchises in history. 8. Eighth place goes to John Carpenter's "Halloween" — a film that defined the rules of the slasher genre. Maniac Michael Myers, who escaped from a psychiatric hospital, terrorizes his hometown on Halloween night. To save on logistics, the film was shot in a small town, repeatedly using the same houses and streets as locations. Actors and producers worked for minimal pay, and to save on a composer, Carpenter wrote the film's music himself. With a budget of $325,000, the film grossed $47 million. The final profitability of 145 times made "Halloween" one of the most profitable independent films of its time. 9. Ninth place goes to "Clerks" — the debut of Kevin Smith, shot for $27,000 on black-and-white film. The film tells the story of two clerks at a convenience store who spend the day discussing life, pop culture, and their failures while trying to navigate their relationships with girls. To find money, Smith sold his comic book collection and opened several credit cards, and the film was shot right in the store where the director worked. The film grossed $3.2 million, recouping the project 119 times. The film itself became an anthem for the 1990s generation. 10. Closing the top ten is "Saw: The Game of Survival" — the feature debut of James Wan and Leigh Whannell. Two men wake up in a dirty bathroom, chained, and must solve the riddle of a maniac who sets up a deadly game for them. The film was made for $1.2 million in one location — on the grounds of an abandoned factory. Initially, the film was prepared for a direct-to-DVD release, but after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, it was released in theaters. Ultimately, "Saw" grossed $103 million worldwide, recouping 86 times, and laid the foundation for one of the main horror franchises of the 21st century.