Kristi Noem
Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC BY-SA 4.0

Kristi Noem continues to face backlash over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advertisement she starred in last year. The one-minute clip, centred on the importance of entering the US legally, reportedly cost $220 million (approximately £165 million) to produce.

Noem has been accused of using taxpayer funds to finance the spot, with reports since showing that the budget surpassed that of several major Hollywood films.

Below are eight movies that earned blockbuster status and rave reviews from fans that didn't have to cost as much as Noem's ad.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2'

Released in 2011, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2' had a reported production budget of $125 million (approximately £93.6 million). The film grossed over $300 million (approximately £224.7 million) domestically and more than $1 billion (approximately £748.9 million) internationally. It was the final instalment in the eight-film franchise.

'Top Gun: Maverick'

Released in 1999 and directed by the Wachowskis, 'The Matrix' had a production budget of approximately $63 million (approximately £47.2 million) and earned $460 million (approximately £344.5 million) worldwide. The film won four Academy Awards and is widely regarded as one of the most influential science fiction films ever made.

The 'Hunger Games' Films

'The Hunger Games', starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, had an estimated production budget of $78 million to $88 million (approximately £58 million to £66 million) when it was released in 2012.

Subsequent instalments carried higher budgets: 'Catching Fire' at approximately $130 million (approximately £97.4 million); 'Mockingjay — Part 1' at $125 million (approximately £93.6 million); 'Mockingjay — Part 2' at $160 million (approximately £119.8 million); and 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' at $100 million (approximately £74.9 million).

The first four films in the franchise grossed a combined $3.3 billion (approximately £2.47 billion) at the worldwide box office.

'Iron Man'

The original 'Iron Man', released in 2008, was produced on a budget of $140 million (approximately £104.8 million) and grossed over $585 million (approximately £438.1 million) worldwide. 'Iron Man 2' had an estimated budget of $170 million to $200 million (approximately £127 million to £149.8 million), while the third film in the franchise was made for $200 million (approximately £149.8 million).

'The Matrix'

Released in 1999, 'The Matrix' had a production budget of approximately $63 million (approximately £47.2 million) and earned $460 million (approximately £344.5 million) worldwide.

'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'

'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' was produced for approximately $94 million (approximately £70.4 million) and grossed $1.46 billion (approximately £1.09 billion) worldwide. The film also won 11 Academy Awards.

'Barbie'

The 2023 film 'Barbie', starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Will Ferrell, had a production budget of $145 million (approximately £108.6 million). Both its domestic and worldwide box office receipts exceeded the production budget. Directed by Greta Gerwig, it became the highest-grossing film ever directed by a woman at the time of its release.

'Oppenheimer'

Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy, 'Oppenheimer' had an estimated production budget of $100 million (approximately £74.9 million) and earned $975 million (approximately £730.2 million) in worldwide box office gross. It won seven Academy Awards at the 2024 ceremony, including Best Picture and Best Director.

What the Ad Actually Delivered

Each of the films above earned substantially more than it cost to make. By contrast, reports indicate the DHS advertisement's return was limited: some individuals who had entered the US without authorisation were encouraged to depart voluntarily, while broader immigration challenges remain unresolved.

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