“Anora” and “The Brutalist” Highlights Film Investment as a Non-Correlated Alternative Investment

• Mar 8, 2025
• Yuri Rutman
• no comments

The remarkable achievements of Anora and The Brutalist at the 2025 Oscars, alongside the surprising box office triumph of Terrifier 3, underscore a growing trend: media and entertainment are emerging as top-tier, non-correlated alternative investments. These films, financed by unconventional sources like ex-founders of companies, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), demonstrate how smart structuring can mitigate risk while offering multiple profitable exit strategies—something traditional investors in stocks, startups, or real estate often overlook.

Anora: A Cinderella Story with Unknown Talent

Anora, directed by Sean Baker, took the 2025 Oscars by storm, winning five awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. Shot on a modest budget of $6 million, the film leaned heavily on relatively unknown actors, with Mikey Madison—previously a supporting player in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream—delivering a star-making performance as a Brooklyn sex worker. The supporting cast, including Mark Eydelshteyn as the impulsive Russian heir and Yura Borisov as a conflicted henchman, were also lesser-known talents who brought raw authenticity to the screen. This gamble paid off handsomely: Anora grossed $41 million worldwide, a 6.8x return on its budget, proving that undiscovered talent can drive both critical acclaim and financial success.

The Brutalist: Architectural Ambition Pays Off

The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, secured three Oscars in 2025: Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography, and Best Score. Made for $9.6 million, this 3.5-hour epic about a troubled architect featured a cast led by the established but not A-list Brody, alongside lesser-known actors like Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones. Its gritty, unconventional narrative resonated with audiences and critics, earning $41.4 million globally—a 4.3x return. The film’s success post-Oscar nominations, with expanded theater runs, highlights how awards buzz can amplify box office performance, offering investors a clear exit strategy.

Terrifier 3: Indie Horror’s Bloody Triumph

Terrifier 3, an ultra-low-budget horror film (estimated at under $2 million), shocked the industry with its box office haul of over $80 million worldwide in 2024. Building on the cult following of its predecessors, the film relied on practical effects and a niche audience rather than big-name stars, with David Howard Thornton’s Art the Clown becoming a horror icon. Distributed by Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting, its success—yielding a staggering 40x return—shows how genre films can tap into dedicated fanbases for outsized profits, even without traditional Hollywood backing.

Why This Matters for Investors

What many investors new to this space don’t realize is that film investments can be structured to eliminate most risks. Through tax incentives, pre-sales to distributors, and staggered revenue streams (theatrical, streaming, international rights), downside exposure is minimized. Exit strategies abound: a theatrical hit, an awards sweep, or a lucrative streaming deal can each turn a profit. Unlike the stock market’s volatility, startup unpredictability, or real estate’s cyclical nature, media investments like these offer stability and diversification, often uncorrelated to broader economic trends. The involvement of ex-founders, family offices, and HNWIs in financing these projects signals a shift toward savvy, high-upside opportunities