Tombstone is a classic ’90s Western movie, but it wasn’t an immediate success at the box office due to its budget. When the dust settled on the set of Tombstone, audiences were left with a portrayal of the Wild West that was as gritty and authentic as the tales of yesteryear. The 1993 movie stars the charismatic Kurt Russell and the enigmatic Val Kilmer, and the film has become an essential of its genre. However, it wasn’t just the allure of the O.K. Corral shootout that drew audiences. The behind-the-scenes drama, with Russell reportedly ghost-directing Tombstone after original director Kevin Jarre wasn’t up to the task, added layers of intrigue.
On paper, Tombstone should have been a guaranteed hit. The era it depicted was rich in history, the script was electric, and its star-studded cast promised box office gold. However, crafting such an ambitious project would generally come with a huge price tag. Authentic costumes, meticulously designed sets, and the incredible Tombstone ending — these were just some of the elements that could have inflated the film’s budget. Furthermore, the whispers of on-set challenges and Russell’s uncredited directorial efforts wouldn’t have kept costs low. Nevertheless, the outcome was as much a work of passion as it was an audience pleaser.
Tombstone’s Budget Was $25 Million
In the world of film, the budget is often indicative of a movie’s scale and ambition. For Tombstone, a budget of $25 million was allocated, which was no small amount in the early ’90s. Using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, adjusted for inflation, $25 million in 1993 is over $50 million by today’s standards. This budget showcases just how much it costs to meticulously recreate an authentic-looking Wild West in the 1800s, from the detailed costumes to the sprawling sets that brought Tombstone, Arizona, to life. Hiring two of the biggest movie stars — Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer — would have eaten at the budget too.
While Russell’s salary for the Western hasn’t been disclosed, he was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood at the time. Russell earned $10 million for his role in Escape from L.A. (via L.A. Times), which was released just three years later, so it’s likely that his Tombstone salary was around the same figure. Additionally, the movie’s intense action sequences, including the much-talked-about gunfights, required painstaking planning, choreography, and resources, all of which added to the expenditure. However, it’s evident that every dollar of the budget was put to good use, contributing to the film’s visual and narrative grandeur.
How Much Tombstone Made Total At The Box Office
The financial success of a movie, especially one with a significant budget, is often gauged by its box office performance, and Tombstone didn’t disappoint. The rule of thumb for a movie to become profitable is that it needs to make, 2.5 times its budget, which factors in the marketing budget and other costs. While the movie had a lukewarm reception in its opening weekend, coming in third place behind The Pelican Brief and Mrs. Doubtfire, it achieved the impossible by making more in its second weekend. Thanks to word of mouth, the movie gradually gained momentum, drawing in audiences with its powerful storytelling and memorable performances.
In total, Tombstone made $56 million domestically (via The Numbers) and $73.2 million worldwide, which is just short of three times its budget, and adjusted for inflation, that number is $161.8 million today. The movie had an incredible domestic performance, but its international performance was low, accounting for just 22.8% of the movie’s total worldwide gross. However, that could be because the movie is so tied to American history. Either way, the movie was a success, and Tombstone has only grown in popularity in the three decades since its release, becoming a classic Western film.