The Low Budget Movies That Made Big Box Office Earnings

Kevin Smith’s Clerks became a benchmark of indie cinema thanks to its gritty honesty and unapologetic dialogue. Shot on a tiny $27,000 budget using maxed-out credit cards, the film focused on a day in the life of two convenience store clerks.

Its black-and-white style, pop culture rants, and slice-of-life narrative hit home with Gen X viewers. Despite its bare-bones production, Clerks was picked up by Miramax and quickly gained traction in the indie scene. It grossed over $3 million at the box office and launched Smith’s filmmaking career.