In a staggering new report from Forbes journalist Caroline Reid, Disney has officially revealed that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker cost $593.7 million to produce—making it the third most expensive movie ever made. That number places it behind only The Force Awakens and Jurassic World: Dominion in the all-time rankings of cinematic spending.
Even more remarkable? Despite nearly reaching the $600 million mark, the movie actually came in under budget.
A Galaxy of Expenses
Reid’s report sheds light on something most fans rarely see: the real cost of blockbuster filmmaking. Because Disney filmed the sequel trilogy in the United Kingdom, the production’s financial records were made public through the UK’s mandatory company filings. Those records revealed that The Rise of Skywalker’s production company, Foodles Production (UK) Ltd, had its total costs rise by another $10.1 million last year—pushing the final tally to $593.7 million.
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian in Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker – YouTube, Jedi Master Van
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That puts it just a hair below the £452 million ($595 million) spent on The Force Awakens and only slightly behind Jurassic World: Dominion, which cost £453.6 million.
The unique transparency of the UK film system is the reason we know these numbers at all. As Reid explains, “Studios filming in the U.K. get a reimbursement of up to 25.5% of the money they spend in the country provided that at least 10% of the movie’s core costs are incurred there.” To qualify, they must file legally binding financial statements that disclose their total expenses—a financial treasure trove for reporters and analysts.
Coming In Under Budget
While many assumed The Rise of Skywalker went dramatically over budget due to its rushed production and controversial reshoots, the filings tell a different story. According to the documents, the movie was “in line with the budget” by the end of principal photography in early 2019 and ultimately came in below the expected cost by year’s end.
Adam Driver as Ben Solo kisses Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm
How? Editor Maryann Brandon provided the answer during an appearance on The Rough Cut podcast. She revealed that the post-production schedule was accelerated, shaving three months off the normal editing timeline. The decision came from Disney leadership, who insisted the film meet its December 2019 release date—no matter what. Delaying it would have meant additional months of labor and post-production expenses.
Director J.J. Abrams added another clue when he told Entertainment Weekly that the movie required fewer reshoots than The Force Awakens. The first film had been a test case for whether the cast and characters could even carry a modern Star Wars movie. By the time The Rise of Skywalker rolled around, the studio knew what worked and what didn’t.
Together, these factors helped Disney finish the film faster and cheaper than expected—though critics might say the compressed timeline came at the expense of storytelling clarity.
The Cost of a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Reid’s reporting also details how Disney recouped some of that staggering spend. Thanks to the UK’s film reimbursement program, the studio received $103.8 million back from the British government, lowering its net outlay to $489.9 million.
At the global box office, The Rise of Skywalker earned $1.077 billion, which—on the surface—appears profitable. But theaters keep roughly half of all ticket sales. Using industry consultant Stephen Follows’ 50/50 estimate, Disney’s take would have been around $538.5 million. That means Rise of Skywalker’s box office profit was only about $48.6 million before factoring in other costs or revenue streams.
Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm
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That slim margin doesn’t even touch on marketing, which often adds another $150–$200 million to a blockbuster’s tab. Disney, as usual, keeps its promotional costs secret. On the other hand, the movie continued generating revenue through Blu-ray, streaming, and Star Wars merchandise—though, as Reid notes, most products are branded under the overall franchise rather than specific films.
All of that makes it impossible to calculate a precise profit or loss. Still, the data shows how dangerously thin the margins can be for billion-dollar blockbusters.
The Bigger Picture: A Franchise in Retreat
Despite its mild global box office success, The Rise of Skywalker marked a major turning point for Star Wars. Reid’s piece ends on a sobering note: the film’s profit wasn’t enough to make Star Wars “a force to be reckoned with,” and the series has remained absent from theaters ever since.
Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm
Instead, Lucasfilm pivoted to Disney+ shows such as The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka—productions with smaller budgets and lower financial risk. The next theatrical outing, The Mandalorian & Grogu, is due next year, testing whether moviegoers still have the appetite for a galaxy far, far away.
Disney’s accounting transparency also reveals how the studio’s cinematic strategy has evolved since Bob Iger’s return. Even modest “under-budget” hits like The Rise of Skywalker cost nearly half a billion dollars to produce, meaning any box office disappointment could wipe out years of profit.
A Warning for Hollywood’s Future
When a studio spends $593.7 million to make a film that nets under $50 million in theatrical profit, it’s a cautionary tale—not just for Disney, but for Hollywood at large. The blockbuster arms race has pushed budgets to unsustainable levels, leaving even successful films barely breaking even without major merchandising or streaming support.
Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm
As Reid’s Forbes report demonstrates, The Rise of Skywalker may have ended its trilogy under budget, but its legacy is a warning: spectacle alone doesn’t guarantee profit, and billion-dollar box offices won’t always mean billion-dollar paydays.
With The Mandalorian & Grogu preparing for lift-off in 2026, Disney will soon find out whether audiences are ready to return—or if the Force is still flickering.
Are you surprised at the cost for Rise of Skywalker? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
How ironic. The fall of skywalker, actually.
[…] movies aren’t faring much better. A recent Forbes report by journalist Caroline Reid revealed that The Rise of Skywalker actually lost money despite grossing over $1 billion. With a […]