Disney no longer holds one of Hollywood’s biggest records. Universal has officially taken the crown for the most expensive movie ever made.
Universal Pictures has officially surpassed Disney in the Hollywood record books.
According to Fortune, Universal’s Jurassic World Dominion has become the most expensive film ever produced, overtaking Disney’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which previously held the record for nearly a decade. The eye-popping production cost highlights just how expensive filmmaking became during the COVID-19 pandemic and gives Universal a new milestone in blockbuster movie history.
New financial documents filed in the United Kingdom reveal that Jurassic World Dominion carried a total production cost of approximately $658.8 million, making it the most expensive movie ever made.
That officially surpasses Disney and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, whose total production cost reached approximately $638.9 million. Both films were produced in the U.K., where detailed financial filings provide a clearer picture of their final production costs than is typically available for major Hollywood releases.
Why Was the Budget So High?
Much of Jurassic World Dominion was filmed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant production delays and increased expenses.
According to the financial filings, Universal faced months of added costs while maintaining production readiness. Those expenses included keeping soundstages, equipment, and sets available during shutdowns, paying key crew members to remain attached to the project, and implementing extensive health and safety protocols throughout filming.
The cast also remained together during lengthy quarantine periods near the filming locations, further contributing to the record-breaking budget.
The U.K. Tax Credit Helped Offset Costs
Although the total production cost reached nearly $659 million, Universal benefited from the United Kingdom’s film incentive program.
The studio reportedly received approximately $127.8 million through the country’s Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit program, reducing Universal’s net production cost to roughly $531 million. Even with that rebate, Jurassic World Dominion still stands as the most expensive film production on record.
A Billion-Dollar Box Office Hit
Despite its enormous budget, Jurassic World Dominion proved to be a commercial success.
The film grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide, making it one of Universal’s biggest theatrical releases. While theatrical revenue alone may not have fully covered its net production costs, additional income from home entertainment, streaming, television licensing, and merchandise has continued to generate revenue for the studio.
A New Hollywood Milestone
For years, Disney held the distinction of producing the most expensive movie ever made. Now, that title belongs to Universal Pictures, underscoring just how dramatically production costs escalated during one of the most challenging periods in modern filmmaking.
Whether the record will stand for years to come remains to be seen, but Jurassic World Dominion has officially earned its place in Hollywood history.
We’ll continue bringing you the latest Disney, Universal, and entertainment industry news, including movie announcements, box office milestones, and behind-the-scenes stories. Be sure to check back often for more updates.
Leave a Reply