Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ Is the Most Profitable Film of 2017
Discover how Jordan Peele's 'Get Out' achieved unprecedented profitability with a 630% ROI in 2017.
Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ Becomes 2017’s Most Profitable Film
In a remarkable achievement that defied Hollywood expectations, Jordan Peele’s directorial debut “Get Out” has been officially declared the most profitable movie of 2017. This low-budget comedy-horror film, which explores themes of racism in America, achieved an extraordinary 630% return on investment—a feat unmatched by any other theatrical release that year. The film’s unprecedented success demonstrates the power of innovative storytelling and strategic production planning in the entertainment industry.
“Get Out” represents a watershed moment for independent filmmaking and socially conscious horror cinema. The film’s commercial success, combined with its critical acclaim and cultural impact, established Jordan Peele as a major creative force in Hollywood and validated the business model employed by its production company, Blumhouse Productions. This article explores the financial breakdown, production journey, and significance of this groundbreaking film.
The Financial Breakdown: Turning a Small Budget into a Box Office Phenomenon
Production and Marketing Investment
The financial success of “Get Out” begins with its remarkably modest production budget. Blumhouse Productions allocated just $4.5 million for the film’s production—a sum that would be considered a rounding error for most major studio productions. Additionally, the film required approximately $30 million for marketing and distribution efforts, bringing the total investment to approximately $34.5 million.
This conservative approach to budgeting would prove to be a masterstroke. By keeping production costs minimal while maintaining creative quality, the filmmakers ensured that even a modest box office performance would generate substantial returns. The decision to invest in targeted marketing rather than lavish production design proved effective in building anticipation and reaching the right audience segments.
Box Office Performance and Profitability
The returns on this investment far exceeded industry expectations. “Get Out” grossed an impressive $252,434,250 worldwide, comprising $175,837,935 in domestic box office revenue and $76,459,470 from international markets. This worldwide gross translated to a staggering $217 million in pure profit—a figure that places the film in rarefied air regarding return on investment metrics.
The 630% return on investment represents the highest ROI achieved by any theatrical release in 2017. To put this in perspective, this means that for every dollar invested in the production and marketing of “Get Out,” the film generated $7.30 in profit. This exceptional ratio demonstrates the film’s universal appeal and the effectiveness of its marketing campaign in driving audience engagement across multiple demographics and geographic markets.
Comparative Analysis: Get Out vs. Other 2017 Releases
The Competition in Profitability
While Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” remake achieved the highest gross box office revenue of 2017 with $1.26 billion worldwide, “Get Out” remained significantly more profitable. The Emma Watson-led adaptation, directed by Bill Condon, required a production budget of $160 million to achieve its box office returns, resulting in an ROI of approximately 400%—substantially lower than “Get Out’s” performance.
This comparison illustrates a fundamental principle in film economics: gross box office revenue does not necessarily correlate with profitability. While “Beauty and the Beast” earned five times more at the box office than “Get Out,” the significantly higher production costs meant lower profit margins and return on investment.
Other Notable Releases
“Get Out” wasn’t the only Blumhouse production to dominate the 2017 profitability rankings. M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split,” also produced by Blumhouse, claimed the second-place position with a 610% ROI. Made on a $9 million budget, “Split” grossed $277 million worldwide, generating approximately $268 million in profit. The close proximity of these two films in the profitability rankings underscores Blumhouse’s effective business strategy of pairing tight budgets with compelling scripts.
Blumhouse Productions: The Architect of Profitability
A Unique Business Model
Both “Get Out” and “Split” emerged from Blumhouse Productions, the production company founded and led by Jason Blum. Blumhouse has built its reputation on a distinctive business model: combining potentially risky or unconventional scripts with strict budgetary constraints. This approach has consistently generated impressive profit margins, even when individual films don’t achieve blockbuster status.
The success of “Get Out” and “Split” in 2017 provided compelling evidence that Blumhouse’s strategy works exceptionally well when coupled with strong creative talent and relevant cultural messaging. By investing in emerging directors like Jordan Peele and established filmmakers like M. Night Shyamalan, while maintaining disciplined production budgets, Blumhouse has created a sustainable model for profitability in an increasingly expensive industry.
Impact on the Horror Genre
Blumhouse’s success with “Get Out” and “Split” demonstrated that horror films need not rely on massive budgets or established franchises to achieve commercial success. The company’s slate includes other profitable horror properties such as “The Purge” franchise and the “Paranormal Activity” series, each built on similar principles of controlled costs and strategic marketing.
Get Out: Critical and Cultural Significance
Critical Reception
Beyond its financial achievements, “Get Out” earned widespread critical acclaim. The film achieved a near-perfect 99% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating nearly universal praise from professional film critics. This critical validation enhanced the film’s prestige and contributed to strong word-of-mouth recommendations that sustained box office performance.
Notable Achievement: Highest-Grossing Original Screenplay Debut
“Get Out” holds another significant distinction: it became the highest-grossing feature film written and directed by a single filmmaker making their directorial debut with an original screenplay. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by “The Blair Witch Project,” which had been considered a benchmark for independent horror success for nearly two decades.
This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy because it reflects the film’s ability to attract audiences without relying on established intellectual property, star power, or recognizable franchises. The success relied entirely on the strength of Peele’s original concept and execution.
Cast and Production Details
An Unconventional Ensemble
“Get Out” featured a cast composed largely of actors who were not major box office draws at the time of the film’s release. The male lead was Daniel Kaluuya, a British actor who was relatively unknown in American cinema. The film also featured Allison Williams, known primarily for her role in the HBO series “Girls,” and Bradley Whitford, whose career had been defined largely by his supporting role in the acclaimed television series “The West Wing.”
The absence of A-list movie stars in the lead roles forced the production to rely on strong storytelling and marketing rather than on star power or established fan bases. This creative necessity likely contributed to the film’s appeal, as it allowed audiences to engage with characters without preconceived notions based on an actor’s previous film roles.
Thematic Content and Cultural Context
Exploring Racism in America
“Get Out” functions as what Peele himself describes as a “social thriller”—a horror film that uses genre conventions to explore contemporary social issues. The film directly confronts themes of racism in America and the persistence of racial tension despite the election of the nation’s first Black president.
In interviews with outlets including the New York Times, Peele explained that the film was conceived as “a weapon to combat the lie that America had become post-racial.” The critical response recognized the film’s ambitious thematic scope; The New Yorker’s Anthony Lane described it as “an all-out attack on a rainbow,” acknowledging both its satirical edge and its serious engagement with social commentary.
Post-Racial America and Political Context
The Obama presidency created a cultural moment in which some Americans believed that the country had moved beyond racial divisions. Peele’s film deliberately challenges this narrative, using horror genre conventions to expose persistent racial anxieties and violence. The film’s timing—released in 2017, just months into the Trump administration—gave it additional cultural resonance, as the political environment had shifted considerably from the Obama era when the film’s conception began.
Box Office Performance by the Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $252,434,250 |
| Domestic Gross | $175,837,935 |
| International Gross | $76,459,470 |
| Production Budget | $4.5 million |
| Marketing Budget | $30 million (estimated) |
| Total Investment | $34.5 million |
| Total Profit | $217 million |
| Return on Investment | 630% |
| Opening Weekend | $33,377,060 |
| Domestic Box Office Rank (2017) | 9th |
Industry Implications and Future Prospects
Validation of Independent Filmmaking
The success of “Get Out” provided powerful validation for independent filmmaking and the producer-driven model employed by companies like Blumhouse. The film demonstrated that audiences remain hungry for original stories with meaningful content, even when those stories come from relatively unknown filmmakers and feature non-A-list talent.
Jordan Peele’s Trajectory
Following the phenomenal success of “Get Out,” Jordan Peele’s career trajectory shifted dramatically. The filmmaker subsequently signed a two-year deal with Universal Pictures, providing resources and distribution infrastructure for future projects. This arrangement represents a common pathway for independent filmmakers who achieve significant commercial and critical success—moving from scrappy independent productions to partnerships with major studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was “Get Out” so profitable compared to bigger-budget films?
A: “Get Out” achieved higher profitability because its modest $4.5 million production budget and $30 million marketing investment meant that even strong (but not record-breaking) box office performance generated substantial profit margins. Larger films require significantly higher grosses just to break even on production and marketing costs.
Q: How did “Get Out” compare to “Beauty and the Beast” at the 2017 box office?
A: While “Beauty and the Beast” earned significantly more at the box office ($1.26 billion compared to “Get Out’s” $252 million), “Get Out” was more profitable. “Beauty and the Beast” required a $160 million production budget, resulting in lower overall profit margins despite the higher gross revenue.
Q: What was unique about “Get Out’s” cast?
A: The film featured largely unknown or supporting actors rather than major box office stars. Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Bradley Whitford were not established film stars at the time, which allowed the film to succeed based entirely on its storytelling rather than star power.
Q: How does Blumhouse Productions maintain profitability?
A: Blumhouse uses a distinctive business model combining controlled budgets with original or compelling scripts. By limiting production costs and focusing on strong storytelling and marketing, the company consistently generates high returns on investment.
Q: What was the cultural significance of “Get Out”?
A: “Get Out” addressed themes of racism and challenged the narrative of post-racial America. Released during the Trump era, the film provided social commentary on persistent racial tensions and violence in American society.
References
- Get Out (2017) – Box Office and Financial Information — The Numbers. 2017. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Get-Out-(2017)
- Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ Is the Most Profitable Film of 2017 — Money.com. August 2017. https://money.com/get-out-jordan-peele-most-profitable-movie-2017/
- Get Out Is the Most Profitable Movie of 2017 — Complex. August 4, 2017. https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/julia-pimentel/get-out-jordan-peele-most-profitable-movie-2017
- Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ Is Most Profitable Film of 2017 — Essence. August 2017. https://www.essence.com/entertainment/jordan-peeles-get-out-most-profitable-film-2017/
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