Could you guess which TV show shadowed the bank with a mind-blowing budget of $58 million per episode? Brace yourself as we dive into the extravagant world of the 10 most expensive TV series ever. From fantasy realms to the gritty corners of space, these series aren’t just shows; they’re Mammoth Productions that redefine television standards.
List of Most Expensive TV Series Ever
Friends (1994-2004)
Surprisingly ranking among the most expensive TV series, Friends had a $10 million per episode budget across its 236 episodes, solidifying its place as a cultural icon and a profitable asset in television syndication and streaming platforms worldwide. Despite its simple setting, the high cost was largely driven by the salaries of its star-studded cast, ensuring its place among the most expensive TV series in sitcom history.
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Game of Thrones transformed into a global television phenomenon with an increasing budget that peaked at $15 million per episode across its 73 episodes, making it one of the most expensive TV series ever produced. The significant investment was crucial to bring the vast world of Westeros to life, maintaining the show’s reputation for visual splendor and narrative depth.
Stranger Things (2016-present)
Stranger Things has escalated from a nostalgic nod to the 1980s to a broad-scale dark sci-fi series with a substantial budget increase for its fourth season, solidifying its position as one of the most expensive TV series in the realm of science fiction.
The Crown (2016-2023)
Netflix’s The Crown, with a budget of $13 million per episode across 60 episodes, epitomizes the extravagance required to authentically depict historical narratives on screen, positioning it among the most expensive TV series dedicated to historical drama.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
Amazon Prime’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power commanded an unprecedented $58 million per episode budget over its 16 episodes, making it indisputably the most expensive TV series ever. This massive investment surpasses the expenditure of the original Lord of the Rings film trilogy, enriching Tolkien’s expansive universe.
The Morning Show (2019)
With a budget of $15 million per episode across its 31 episodes, The Morning Show leverages star power to delve into the dynamics of a network morning news program. It effectively dramatizes the challenges faced by individuals working behind the scenes, solidifying its position as one of the most expensive TV series in the realm of drama.
The Mandalorian (2019)
The Mandalorian, with a budget of $15 million per episode, highlights Disney Plus’s early ventures into exclusive content, ranking it among the most expensive TV series of its genre. Notably, the series pioneers the use of stagecraft technology, setting a new standard for storytelling within the expansive Star Wars universe.
See (2019-2022)
With a budget of $15 million per episode over its 24-episode span, See presents a unique dystopian vision where humans have lost their sight. The show’s significant investment is attributed to high-profile contributors like Jason Momoa and Francis Lawrence, making it one of the most expensive TV series of its time.
Citadel (2023)
Despite commanding $50 million per episode over seven episodes, Citadel has met with mixed critical reception, solidifying its place among the most expensive TV series. The series featuring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra unfolds a narrative of espionage and assumed identities, occasionally prioritizing aesthetics over a solid storyline.
WandaVision (2021)
WandaVision boasts a staggering budget of $25 million per episode across its nine episodes, making it one of the most expensive TV series in recent memory. It exemplifies Marvel’s ambitious foray into serialized television following the cinematic crescendo of Avengers Endgame. Marvel’s strategy to maintain a robust content flow captivates audiences worldwide, as seen with other major titles like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, and Hawkeye.