TV shows used to be the cheaper alternative to movies. That’s definitely not the case anymore. These days, some expensive TV shows cost as much as, or even more than, major blockbuster films. Whether it’s fantasy epics, sci-fi worlds, or prestige dramas, the price tags on these shows might surprise you more than the plot twists.
10. The Witcher (Netflix) – Nearly $300 Million (First 3 Seasons)
High fantasy almost always means high costs, and ‘The Witcher‘ is no exception. The series follows monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, Princess Ciri, and sorceress Yennefer across a dangerous and magical world. Between the elaborate costumes, CGI monsters, battle scenes, and big-name cast, expenses added up fast. Across its first three seasons alone, Netflix reportedly spent close to $300 million. That number grows even more once you factor in animated spin-offs and prequel series.
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9. Citadel (Prime Video) – Approx. $310 Million (Season 1)
‘Citadel‘ is one of those shows where the budget is more shocking than the story itself. Amazon reportedly spent about $310 million on just six episodes, largely due to behind-the-scenes problems. The spy thriller, produced by the Russo brothers, went through major reshoots, creative disagreements, and even multiple versions of the show before Amazon settled on one. That alone pushed costs through the roof. On top of that, Amazon expanded the universe with international spin-offs, bringing the total franchise spending close to $500 million.
8. The Boys (Prime Video) – Over $350 Million
‘The Boys‘ flips the superhero genre by showing what happens when heroes abuse their power and fame. From the start, it leaned heavily into graphic effects, large action scenes, and celebrity cameos. The first season already cost about $11 million per episode, and each season since has grown more ambitious. Across multiple seasons and spin-offs, Amazon has spent over $350 million so far.
7. See (Apple TV+) – Approx. $360 Million
‘See‘ is set in a future where humans have lost the ability to see, and society has completely reshaped itself around that reality. Jason Momoa plays a tribal leader protecting children who are born with sight, something considered dangerous in this world. The show relied heavily on outdoor locations, intense fight choreography, and large-scale production design. Reports suggest Apple spent around $15 million per episode, putting the first two seasons near $240 million.
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6. The Sopranos (HBO) – Approx. $456 Million
‘The Sopranos‘ was surprisingly expensive. The show focused on conversations, family drama, and therapy sessions, yet budgets ranged from $2 million to $6 million per episode. A big reason costs went up was actor salaries, especially James Gandolfini, who reportedly earned about $26 million per season in later years. When adjusted for today’s money, the total cost of the series comes to roughly $456 million.
5. Andor (Disney+) – Approx. $645 Million
‘Andor‘ is incredibly expensive without having the usual Star Wars flash. There are fewer lightsabers and aliens, but far more attention is given to realistic sets, political storytelling, and grounded world-building. Each season runs for 12 episodes, which is longer than most Disney+ series and naturally drives costs higher. Across two seasons, the total budget reportedly reached around $645 million.
4. Game of Thrones (HBO) – Over $700 Million
There’s no way ‘Game of Thrones‘ wouldn’t make this list. While the first season was expensive but manageable, later seasons went all out with dragons, massive battles, and complex visual effects. Episode budgets climbed to $10-15 million, and even though the final season had fewer episodes, it reportedly cost more than the entire first season. By the end of its eight-season run, HBO had spent over $700 million.
3. Stranger Things (Netflix) – Over $700 Million
‘Stranger Things‘ started off fairly modest, but it didn’t stay that way for long. Early episodes cost around $7 million each, but as the show got bigger, darker, and more effects-heavy, the budget exploded. By season four, Netflix was spending close to $30 million per episode, with that season alone costing about $270 million. Add rising actor salaries and increasingly cinematic episodes, and the total budget has already crossed $700 million.
2. The Crown (Netflix) – Over $780 Million
‘The Crown‘ was incredibly expensive to make. The series is about Queen Elizabeth II’s reign across decades, with different actors stepping in as the characters age. Every era required new costumes, sets, and detailed recreations of royal events. Each episode reportedly cost more than $14 million, and each season hovered around $130 million. By the time the show ended after six seasons, total spending had crossed $780 million.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Prime Video) – Over $1 Billion
From the moment Amazon announced ‘The Rings of Power‘, it was clear cost wouldn’t be an issue. Season one alone reportedly cost over $700 million, and season two pushed the total budget past $1 billion. Massive sets, heavy CGI, and long-term planning all contributed to the staggering price tag. Adjusted for inflation, estimates place the cost at over $1.03 billion so far.
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