Almost every year at least one low-budget film is released that captivates not with special effects and star actors, but with interesting stories. Here is a selection of good films that cost almost nothing to make. 
We are accustomed to the fact that when it comes to filming full-length films, which are then shown in cinemas, sums measured in millions of dollars are heard. And if they don’t sound, how can you even expect the film to be watchable? Nowadays, even chamber stories require a budget of six zeros or more, because people are accustomed to quality spectacle on the big screen and are not particularly eager to give it up.
However, almost every year at least one low-budget film comes out that breaks the system and touches the viewer’s heartstrings not with special effects, accurate historical costumes or luxury actors, but with interesting stories (but without a large number of locations) and good acting (but by little-known people) .
Here are films whose budget was less than $1 million. It just so happens that this list includes several debut films of currently successful directors. Therefore, it is worth concluding that the plot, actors and talented direction > big money. And you can shoot on your phone, your friends and in your own barn.
Fruitvale Station (2013) 
Budget: $900,000
IMDb: 7.5
Based on real events, a film about police brutality in the United States. The film shows one day of the main character Oscar Grant, which will end with sad events at Fruitvale Station.
American Graffiti (1973) 
Budget: $777,000
IMDb: 7.4
The film is about the nostalgic, even at the time of the film's release, 1960s in the United States - before the Vietnam War and other shocking events. The second feature film directed by George Lucas.
Duel (1971) 
Budget: $450,000
IMDb: 7.6
Steven Spielberg's first feature film! It was a low-budget action thriller in the style of Stephen King about a mysterious driver of a huge fuel truck who is chasing the main character for no reason.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) 
Budget: $400,000
IMDb: 8.2
Legendary British comedians from Monty Python and their second and most successful feature film. The limited budget is emphasized by the use of coconuts to sound the clatter of horses' hooves and the sudden ending, which, by the way, fits perfectly into the style of the comedy group.
Halloween (1978) 
Budget: $325,000
IMDb: 7.7
A symbol of the cheapness and genius of the film is the easy-to-make, but at the same time legendary mask of Michael Myers.
Man from Earth (2007) 
Budget: $200,000
IMDb: 7.8
Finally, a film in one location, where the characters just talk interestingly. The main character, a teacher, says goodbye to his colleagues because he is leaving for another city. For what? The reason at first becomes a reason for the obvious skepticism of those gathered, but then they realize that they are faced with something shockingly incredible.
Once Upon a Time (2007) 
Budget: $150,000
IMDb: 7.8
A little-known but very heartfelt romantic story of two lost souls on the streets of Dublin. Happy Oscar for Best Song.
Another Earth (2011) 
Budget: $100,000
IMDb: 6.9
Despite the tiny budget by the standards of a feature film, the creators were able to show another planet on the screen. How? And here!
Pi (1997) 
Budget: $60,000
IMDb: 7.3
Darren Aronofsky's debut film, which looks like a low-budget film from the 1960s rather than the late 90s. But this is probably what the world of brilliant mathematicians looks like, who believe that everything in the world can be comprehended with the help of numbers.
Communication (2012) 
Budget: $50,000
IMDb: 7.5
And another film in a confined space. A group of friends gathers at the table, and just at that moment a comet flies past the Earth. First, the cellular connection simply disappears, and then the heroes suddenly encounter a company... of themselves. That is, their clones in exactly the same house next door. How many such houses are there around, and how many duplicates of heroes has this space anomaly created?
Pursuit (1998) 
Budget: $6,000
IMDb: 7.5
Christopher Nolan's debut feature film. The black-and-white thriller lasts only 70 minutes, but all the director's signature tricks with clever narration and plot twists are already recognizable in it. If you've suddenly watched all of Nolan's films (because he's a genius) except this one, then you're missing out.
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