Classic Sleepers
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For clues to what makes an unlikely box office hit, check out these past examples of movies that rose above low expectations.
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 Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
It took five years and two VW vans to turn a dysfunctional family’s road trip into a hit 2006 comedy and two Oscars. Helping matters was the good fortune to cast little-known actor Steve Carell just in time to ride his 40-Year-Old Virgin and The Office coattails. |
 There's Something About Mary (1998)
Even people who hate gross-out comedies were mysteriously drawn to Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller in this 1998 Farrelly Brothers, uh, masterpiece. This surprisingly sweet flick make $13.7 million on its opening weekend and ended up grossing $176 million. |
 Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Though its hot topic meant everyone knew about this 2005 film, few expected “the gay cowboy movie” to score outside the Castro and maybe Montana. But after a $500,000 opening weekend and a deluge of critical raves, this classic romance roped in $83 million and loads of awards. |
 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
After a soft theatrical opening in 1997, word of mouth propelled Mike Myers’ first outing as Austin to a respectable $44 million in North American receipts. But it was the movie’s smash status on home VCRs that generated enough interest to turn two sequels into blockbusters.
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 My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
A dramatic example from 2002 that grossed a staggering $368 million worldwide. Not bad for a $5 million film that was never the No. 1 movie in America. Warner Bros. wisely hosted screenings for Greek community groups to jumpstart word of mouth. |
 Clueless (1995)
OMG, who’d have thought a Beverly Hills teen remake of Jane Austen’s Emma would become a smash 1995 hit and cultural touchstone? Writer-director Amy Heckerling, of Fast Times at Ridgemont High fame, even spun off a “Clueless” TV series. |
 Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
This 2004 comedy tried very hard to incorporate the classic elements of a cult favorite: quirky characters, catch phrases and a retro soundtrack. And the strategy worked like crazy, with some teens seeing the movie several times to memorize dialogue. |
 Dirty Dancing (1987)
Baby boomers ate up this 1987 romance to the tune of $300 million in global box office. A key factor was the oldies soundtrack, enhanced with new hit singles such as “She’s Like the Wind” and “The Time of My Life.” Inspired a Broadway musical, too. |
 The Full Monty (1997)
When a film’s title becomes a popular expression, consider it a success. This low-budget English import about six unemployed steel workers who take it off, all off, for a fund-raiser really did raise funds: $43 million in the United States alone. |
 The Blair Witch Project
One of the first flicks to tap the marketing power of the Internet, this 1999 mockumentary was reportedly made for $35,000 with a cast of unknowns and a proudly DIY aesthetic. It scared up millions, plus plenty of debate about what was real or just real scary. |
