The Costliest Movie Scenes Ever Filmed

Studios are known for investing large sums of money in single movie scenes that play a crucial role in the plot. Some of these scenes become famous for their creativity and attention to detail. When a scene becomes iconic in cinematic history, the high cost can be justified.

However, there are instances where studios have spent excessive amounts of money on scenes that ultimately did not meet expectations. This often occurs in action movies focused on spectacle rather than a strong storyline. Investing in a movie is a risky endeavor, and many directors and producers have taken chances on scenes they hoped would be the standout moment in their films.

Tom Cruise In Times Square Scene

Vanilla Sky (2001)

David runs through an empty Times Square in Vanilla Sky - Vanilla Sky (2001) - Tom Cruise In Times Square Scene

Director Cameron Crowe reportedly spent $1 million to shut down Times Square for a key scene in his movie Vanilla Sky. In this memorable scene, Tom Cruise's character David experiences a surreal moment as he runs through the empty "Crossroads of the World" with a fitting soundtrack. Crowe paid the NYPD to block off the area, keeping tourists and traffic out for a short period to capture a scene that lasts less than a minute.

Brooklyn Bridge Collapse Scene

I Am Legend (2007)

Nevill (Will Smith) lies on the street looking startled, but defended by his dog in I Am Legend. - I Am Legend (2007) - Brooklyn Bridge Collapse Scene

According to Travis Yates (via SlashFilm), the scene in I Am Legend where the Brooklyn Bridge is destroyed was quite a costly production, ringing in at around $5 million. This hefty price tag covered expenses like paying 1,000 extras, 160 National Guard members, and a 250-person production team. The crew also had to light up the actual Brooklyn Bridge and create replicas of certain sections. The end result is a chilling flashback scene where Will Smith's character races to save his family from a vampire virus outbreak in New York City.

Freeway Chase Scene

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Morpheus standing on a truck during the freeway chase scene in The Matrix Reloaded - The Matrix Reloaded (2003) - Freeway Chase Scene

Trinity was warned by Morpheus to avoid the freeway in The Matrix Reloaded. It turns out that the creators, the Wachowskis, spent a hefty sum to create a fake freeway scene. Instead of using CGI or filming on a real freeway, they shelled out $2.5 million to build a replica at an abandoned naval base in California. This doesn't even include the expenses for special effects, practical effects, and wrecked vehicles.

The Pearl Harbor bombing scene is another example of a costly scene in the Matrix. The scene required a significant amount of CGI work, costing around $40 million. This high cost was likely because the Matrix team had to create the CGI from scratch. Despite the expense, filming this scene today would probably be more affordable.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

the moment the bombs start to fall in pearl harbour - Pearl Harbor (2001) - Pearl Harbor Bombing Scene

Director Michael Bay chose to use practical effects for the Pearl Harbor bombing scene, spending $5.5 million to destroy six inactive Navy ships. Some debate whether this was a worthwhile decision. The movie Pearl Harbor, centered around a love triangle during World War II, earned nearly $450 million worldwide, surpassing its $140 million budget. However, despite meeting the 2.5 rule for profitability, the film has faced heavy criticism for its inaccuracies and is considered one of the worst war movies ever made.

The 2.5 rule states that a movie must earn two and a half times its budget to cover marketing and other post-production expenses and break even.

Superman Returns To Krypton Scene

Superman Returns (2006)

Brandon Routh in Superman Returns. - Superman Returns (2006) - Superman Returns To Krypton Scene

The original opening scene of Superman Returns was meant to show Clark Kent/Superman visiting the remains of the planet Krypton. This scene, costing a reported $10 million to produce, focused mainly on production design. Despite the film's underwhelming performance at the box office, Superman Returns is still considered one of the better Superman movies. It's disappointing to think that so much money was spent on a scene that was eventually cut because it didn't contribute much to the story, which mainly took place on Earth.

D-Day Landing Scene

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

The D-Day sequence of Saving Private Ryan showing soldiers in water - Saving Private Ryan (1998) - D-Day Landing Scene

Saving Private Ryan is often praised for its depiction of war and is considered one of the most realistic war movies ever made. The iconic D-Day Landing scene alone cost approximately $12 million to produce and featured a massive cast of 750 individuals. The scene was filmed over a span of four weeks at Curracloe Strand, located on the east coast of Ireland. Director Steven Spielberg shared his thoughts on shooting this pivotal scene, stating that it was a challenging yet rewarding experience.

I had to film this scene step by step, just like how the Rangers advanced on the beach inch by inch. This allowed me to create the sequence spontaneously as I went along. I didn't plan out every shot in advance, but rather improvised in the moment, adding a touch of chaos and unpredictability.

Considering the significant cultural impact and the scene's iconic status, most Hollywood insiders would agree that the investment was worthwhile. It effectively lays the foundation for Spielberg's intense war film.

Flying Bus Scene

Swordfish (2001)

A close up shot of John Travolta holding a phone to his ear in the movie Swordfish - Swordfish (2001) - Flying Bus Scene

Dominic Cena and his team opted to use practical effects for a scene in Swordfish. The scene involved a group of terrorists escaping in a bus lifted by a helicopter, resulting in an aerial pursuit. This extravagant sequence cost $15 million. Unfortunately, Swordfish received negative reviews, failed at the box office, and did not please general audiences. Despite the star power of John Travolta, Don Cheadle, Halle Berry, and Hugh Jackman, the movie was unable to redeem itself.

Junkyard Scene

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Junkyard scene in Transformers The Last Knight - Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) - Junkyard Scene

Bay once again went all out for a movie, resulting in staggering costs. For the junkyard scene in Transformers: The Last Knight, a 10-day shoot was set up at Deer Valley Airport in Arizona. This involved hiring a large crew and covering their hotel expenses. The scene alone cost $15 million, not including the additional CGI expenses. It seems like a huge investment for a film that didn't do well with critics.

Cruise Ship Crash Scene

Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)

Ship crash in Speed 2 - Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997) - Cruise Ship Crash Scene

Speed 2: Cruise Control may not have lived up to the success of "Die Hard on a bus" due to the absence of Keanu Reeves, but it did bring back Sandra Bullock's character. The movie's main highlight is the intense scene where a cruise ship crashes into a coastal town. To create this scene, a portion of the cruise ship was built and then destroyed, costing the production $25 million. According to production designer Joseph Nemec III (as reported by The New York Times), using CGI for the entire scene would have skyrocketed the budget to $500 million. Thankfully, they managed to keep the costs down for this less popular sequel.

Car Chase Through Rome Scene

Spectre (2015)

Daniel Craig as Bond in a car in Spectre - Spectre (2015) - Car Chase Through Rome Scene

Destroying vehicles in movies can quickly eat up a big chunk of the budget. In the case of Spectre, a whopping $32 million was spent just on the cars that were wrecked during production. The movie's car chase scene in the streets of Rome saw some automobiles meeting their demise. Among the expensive cars featured in Spectre is the Aston Martin DB10. Even though the car damage in the chase scene was minimal, seven out of the 10 DB10s used in the film were destroyed.

Chariot Race Scene

Ben-Hur (1959)

The chariot race sequence in Ben-Hur - Ben-Hur (1959) - Chariot Race Scene

In the 1959 remake of the 1925 silent film "Ben-Hur," a standout moment is the thrilling nine-minute chariot race. This iconic scene, costing a whopping $4 million back then, which would equal around $42 million today, involved a massive production and thousands of people (Looper). "Ben-Hur" is hailed as a classic in the historical epic genre and stands out as one of the top films set in ancient Rome. Despite its high cost, this movie wouldn't be the same without this pivotal sequence.

Battle Of Borodino Scene

War And Peace (1967)

War and Peace 1967 Battle Movie Explosions - War And Peace (1967) - Battle Of Borodino Scene

The reenactment of the Battle of Borodino in War and Peace sparks debate on whether it qualifies as a scene. Lasting an hour, it is just a fraction of the movie's total runtime of six and a half hours. The impressive production involved thousands of extras, elaborate costumes, props, and practical effects, all done without the use of CGI. According to Looper, the estimated cost of this scene would be a whopping $100 million in today's currency, making it the most expensive scene ever filmed.

Source: SlashFilm, Looper, cinelix.com, dga.org, FarOut, The New York Times

Editor's P/S:

The article explores the fascinating world of iconic movie scenes that come with hefty price tags. It showcases a diverse range of films, from action-packed blockbusters to historical epics, highlighting the creative vision and financial risks involved in crafting these memorable moments.

While some scenes, like the Times Square scene in "Vanilla Sky," have become etched in cinematic history, others, like the Superman Returns scene set on Krypton, have faced criticism for their excessive costs. The article also raises questions about the return on investment for these expensive scenes, with some failing to meet expectations or justify their budgets. Ultimately, the article serves as a testament to the passion, ambition, and financial gambles that go into creating the scenes that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on cinema.