Universal's Jurassic World: Dominion Becomes the Most Expensive Film Ever Made

Newly disclosed financial filings, reported by Fortune, show that Jurassic World: Dominion cost Universal about $658.8 million to make, making it the most expensive film ever produced. It surpassed the previous record holder, Disney's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which cost about $638.9 million.

The huge budget was driven largely by production during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming was delayed for months, and the studio had to keep paying for sound stages, equipment, crew, and cast even while work was paused under strict health protocols.

During quarantine, the movie's stars, including Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, and Sam Neill, stayed in a luxury hotel in Britain for about five months. Although the upfront cost was enormous, Universal benefited from generous UK tax incentives because the film was shot there.

Those government rebates totaled about $127.8 million, cutting the net production cost to roughly $531 million. The 2022 film went on to earn nearly $1 billion worldwide, and later brought in more revenue through streaming, home entertainment sales, and merchandise.