A $200 Chinese Movie Just Became the Most Profitable Film in History

Niu Lai has become an unexpected box-office success after reportedly being produced for just $200. The Chinese animated movie initially had a modest theatrical run before gaining widespread attention and attracting a much larger audience. It has since gone on to earn millions of dollars, making its performance notable.

Niu Lai creates history by earning millions on a less than $1000 budget

Chinese animated film Niu Lai has generated more than $4 million at the box office despite being produced for less than $1,000. Reuters reported that the film had earned the equivalent of more than $4 million as of Thursday, placing it directly behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day in China’s daily box-office rankings. 

The film’s earnings are particularly notable given its reported production cost. While the movie was initially said to have been made for about $1,000, a newer report by Happy Mag has put the budget at approximately $200. At that reported cost, Niu Lai has generated more than 15,000 times its production budget in ticket sales.

Niu Lai was released in Chinese theaters on August 5 after five years of production by mother-son duo Xin Yumeng and Sun Lifang. The film earned slightly more than $1,000 during its first week, according to local media reports. However, social media and local media coverage helped turn the film into a viral subject. 

According to Reuters, its unexpected success has prompted the creation of toys, memes and cosplay. Meanwhile, even companies with the word “bull” in their names experienced a rise in share prices. International releases are also reportedly being considered as interest in the film continues to grow.

Niu Lai revolves around a newborn calf, his mother, and a leopard cub as they travel with their herd. Their journey takes a difficult turn when the group faces danger while searching for greener pastures.

Source: Comingsoon.net