Moon ($5 million budget)
Moon is a great example of how a fantastic storyline and stellar acting can carry a film, especially one with such a small budget. Sam Rockwell takes on the role of Sam Bell, an astronaut who is tasked with the lone mission of bringing an energy source back to Earth.
At the time, Rockwell wasn’t known for taking on leading roles, but the move to cast him was such paid off. The director, Duncan Jones, was credited for making the indie film into mainstream success.