Greenlight.

Why movies that gross millions still lose money

Breakeven Calculator

Adjust sliders to see how hidden costs move the breakeven — or pick a real film from the ticker above.

Then browse 133 real films' books or run your own studio.

$ M
Above-the-line & Below-the-line costs.
$ M
Prints & Advertising (Marketing costs).
%
%
Global Box Office Breakeven ? Total worldwide ticket sales needed to cover all studio costs (Production + P&A + Overhead) after theaters take their exhibitor cut.

The "Hollywood Accounting" Reality

To break even on a film, it must gross worldwide. Why? Because after spending in total (including P&A and Overheads), the studio only keeps of ticket sales; the rest stays with the theaters!

Actual Global Gross vs your what-if costs

Reported
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Total Sunk Costs ? The cumulative total investment made by the studio that must be recouped: Production Budget + P&A Spend + Studio Overhead Fee. Budget + P&A + Overhead
Studio Revenue Share After exhibitor cut

Welcome to the Executive Suite

You are the new Head of Production. You have 10 film pitches on your desk. Review the package, budget, and marketing costs. Decide whether to Greenlight or Pass based on required breakeven limits.

Previous Slate:

Your Studio Career

Day Streak
Games Played
Films Released
Best Bankroll
Lifetime P/L
Favorite Genre
Times Fired

GREENLIGHTING YOUR SLATE

— Slate /10
Hits
W-L
Qtr

🗞️ Breaking News

No more scripts on your desk.

Advance the quarter until all productions are released.

Production Slate

Promotion Earned

Welcome to your new role. The board expects bigger results.

  • Studio Overhead is now .
  • Exhibitors (Theaters) now take of gross.
  • You must manage up to concurrent Board Mandates.
🥂
Slate Completed

Excellent Work.

Current Bankroll

Profitable Films This Slate

🔥

You're Fired.

Your run as Studio Head has ended abruptly.

Career Duration

Profit/Loss

Termination Reason:

Your Social Score

Pulling Global Averages...

Global Run Stats

Avg Net
Fired Rate

Final Performance Review

Net Profit
Career Span

Your Social Score

Pulling Global Averages...

Global Run Stats

Avg Net
Fired Rate

📖 Studio Handbook

Termination Risk

Do NOT let your Studio Bankroll fall below $0. If you run out of liquidity while waiting for your films to finish production, you will be instantly fired.

The Pipeline & Costs

You have exactly 3 production slots. When you Greenlight a film, the production cost is instantly deducted from your bankroll. The slot clears and pays you box-office returns only when the production timer successfully counts down to 0.

Time Mechanics

Blockbuster Sci-Fi/Action films take 3 Quarters to make. Dramas take 1. Hit the Advance Quarter button whenever you have no remaining scripts or your slots are full to roll the calendar forward.

Board Directives

Every 3 films you release, the Board issues a mandatory target for your NEXT upcoming release. If the Board demands Profit, your very next box-office report must be profitable or you will be terminated.

Cinema Vault

Real films' books, run through the same Hollywood Accounting math as the calculator above — budget, box office, and ROI, sourced and sortable.

Source: The Numbers ticket-price data ↗

Verdict
Year
Budget
Box office
Studio
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Genre
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Film Term Glossary

Settings & Reference

Reference Glossary

Detailed definitions for industry terms like "Waterfall", "P&A", and more.

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🎬

Welcome to the C-Suite

You've been appointed as the Head of Studio. Your goal is simple: Grow your $500M bankroll into a cinematic empire through 10 script decisions.

Pro Tip: If your bankroll hits zero, the board fires you instantly.
📄

Reading the Slate

Every script has an upfront Sunk Cost. This includes the Production Budget, Marketing (P&A), and fixed Studio Overhead.

Greenlight Deducts cost immediately. Film enters pipeline.
Pass Costs $0. You move to the next script.
🕒

Timing your Release

Greenlit films take time to produce. Select a Release Strategy (Winter, Summer, etc.) to determine when your film hits theaters.

Advance Quarters to move time forward and unlock occupied pipeline slots.

📜

Board Mandates

Every 3 films, the board issues a Mandate Memo. These are mandatory rules (e.g., "Profit Next") that bind to your next greenlit movie.

FAILING a mandate results in immediate termination!

Trophy Case

Every distinct career ending you've reached is a trophy.

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