When it comes to science fiction, bigger often means pricier — and nowhere is that more apparent than in the budgets of Hollywood’s most ambitious space odysseys and futuristic adventures. Featuring jaw-dropping special effects and intergalactic battle scenes, these films spared no expense in bringing their glitzy cosmic visions to life.
Take a look at the 11 most expensive sci-fi movies ever made according to Orbital Today, plus insights into how much it cost to launch them into cinematic history.
1. ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’
Release Date: December 16, 2022
Budget: $460 million
Director: James Cameron
Box Office: $2.32 billion worldwide
2. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’
Release Date: December 18, 2015
Budget: $447 million
Director: J.J. Abrams
Box Office: $2.07 billion worldwide
3. ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’
Release Date: June 22, 2018
Budget: $432 million
Director: J.A. Bayona
Box Office: $1.31 billion worldwide
4. ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’
Release Date: December 20, 2019
Budget: $416 million
Director: J.J. Abrams
Box Office: $1.07 billion worldwide
5. ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
Release Date: May 1, 2015
Budget: $365 million
Director: Joss Whedon
Box Office: $1.4 billion worldwide
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6. ‘Avengers: Endgame’
Release Date: April 26, 2019
Budget: $356 million
Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo
Box Office: $2.798 billion worldwide
7. ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’
Release Date: May 6, 2022
Budget: $351 million
Director: Sam Raimi
Box Office: $955 million worldwide
8. ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’
Release Date: February 17, 2023
Budget: $330 million
Director: Peyton Reed
Box Office: $476 million worldwide
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9. ‘The Electric State’
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Budget: Estimated at $320 million
Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo
Box Office: $320 million worldwide
10. John Carter
Release Date: March 9, 2012
Budget: $264 million
Director: Andrew Stanton
Box Office: $284 million worldwide
11. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Release Date: July 21, 2017
Budget: $209 million
Director: Luc Besson
Box Office: $226 million worldwide
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