Crank

Chev Chelios, a hit man wanting to go straight, lets his latest target slip away. Then he awakes the next morning to a phone call that informs him he has been poisoned and has only an hour to live unless he keeps adrenaline coursing through his body while he searches for an antidote.

Despite its modest budget of $12.0M, Crank became a solid performer, earning $42.9M worldwide—a 258% return. The film's unconventional structure resonated with audiences, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.