Saw (2004) - $103 Million

Before James Wan became a multi-billion-dollar studio director, he and co-creator Leigh Whannell arrived in Hollywood with a neat indie thriller script. The gory, high-concept narrative follows two strangers who wake up chained inside a filthy, subterranean bathroom with a corpse between them, forced to play a series of sadistic, timed psychological games designed by a terminal serial killer known as Jigsaw who orders them to mutilate themselves to escape. The deeper philosophical meaning directly critiques societal apathy, entitlement, and the modern loss of gratitude, arguing that human beings are fundamentally incapable of appreciating the gift of basic existence until they are forced to bleed to keep it. Shot for just $1.2 million over a rapid 18 days, the production confined most of its story to the single room to save heavily on production costs. The film's shocking twist ending and visceral traps captivated audiences, pulling in over $103 million worldwide and launching an iconic multi-film cinematic franchise.