For proof that money doesn’t make the man–or in this case, the film–look no further than these masterpieces created with plenty of creativity–and without much money.Following: Before Christopher Nolan was renowned for his stylish and intricate interpretations of Batman, he created this black and white thriller. The film is about a man who finds himself drawn into a world of crime by simply following people around London. A simple technique and a smart script make this film a low-budget masterpiece.

El Mariarchi: Yet another thriller, Robert Rodriguez’s independent movie is one of the most famous low-budget films of all time. With only $7,000 and nearly every scene shot in a single take, this opus opened the door for films like Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Desperado.

Napoleon Dynamite: Who could ever forget dorky liger-expert Napoleon Dynamite, his faithful sidekick Pedro and the rest of the cast of this sleeper comedy hit? This film, which grossed over 100 times its own budget, launched John Heder’s acting career.

Clerks: A cult following of this film that exists to this day proves the success of Kevin Smith’s offbeat dark comedy about two slacker clerks and a day in their lives. Nearly completed in a single location and shot in black and white, it’s yet one more example in a long series of successful low-budget, simple but effective films.