15 most expensive TV show episodes of all time

TV has become more of a cinema experience, with streaming services and networks investing tens of millions into productions. The days of low budgets for TV series are over, as some shows now compete with Hollywood blockbusters in terms of budget and magnitude. The appetite for complex CGI, A-list talent, over-the-top sets, and new technology has inflated production budgets to record levels.

From war sagas and fantasy epics to superhero franchises, studios are investing more than ever before in bringing immersive worlds to life that hook viewers. Series such as Game of Thrones and The Mandalorian have raised the industry bar with their epic battle scenes and cutting-edge special effects. In the meantime, streaming behemoths such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have broken new ground, crafting visually impressive shows such as Stranger Things and The Rings of Power, with per-episode budgets totaling mind-boggling figures.

Here, we count down the 15 most costly TV episodes ever produced, showcasing the enormous investments that made these shows possible. From recreating historical battlefields and virtual production to the highest-paid television actors of all time, these episodes show that television storytelling is now bigger and pricier than ever.

15. Sense8 – Reportedly $9 million per episode

As reported by Collider and other sources, the production of Sense8 costs $9 million per episode. The Wachowskis' sweeping Netflix show was a visual and storytelling wonder, with a worldwide cast and plotlines spread across continents. What made Sense8 so prohibitively expensive was its dedication to reality—each character's journey was shot where the character was reportedly based in the real world, from Nairobi to Mumbai, Berlin, and Seoul. The show reportedly required incessant global travel, sophisticated action choreography, and state-of-the-art cinematography. In addition, its dedication to diversity translated into working with different local crews, reportedly increasing production expenses.

14. Westworld – Approximately between $8-10 million per episode

HBO's Westworld began life as a sci-fi Western but developed into a sophisticated, AI-fueled dystopian state. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter and other sources, the production of Westworld costs between $8-10 million per episode. The big-budget price of the show was due in part to elaborate futuristic set construction, flamboyant costumes, and extensive CGI. The show's pioneering use of digital de-aging technology and realistic animatronics contributed to its budget. The fact that it was shot in various locations, such as Utah and California, also inflated the cost. Additionally, its star-studded cast, featuring legends such as Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris, reportedly earned fat paychecks.

13. Marco Polo – $10 million per episode

Netflix's Marco Polo was a lavish period drama set in 13th-century China, following the Venetian explorer as he ventured into the court of Kublai Khan. According to Variety and other reports, each episode of Marco Polo had a staggering $10 million budget. The show's budget went toward enormous, period-accurate sets, intricate costumes, and epic battle scenes. Production spanned Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Italy, adding to the logistical costs. Despite the expense, Marco Polo failed to attract a large enough audience, leading Netflix to drop it after two seasons. It remains one of the most costly historical dramas ever on streaming, proving that even extravagant productions can struggle with viewership.

12. Friends – $10 million per episode (Final Seasons)

While Friends began its run on a low budget, by its later years, it was among the most costly sitcoms ever produced. The reason? The enormous pay raises of the cast. By the last season, each of the six stars—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer—was reportedly paid $1 million per episode. Forbes and other industry sources have noted that the final seasons of Friends reached an astounding $10 million per episode. The show also invested heavily in its signature set, including the Central Perk coffee shop and various apartments. In spite of the expenditure, Friends remains one of the most successful programs ever made, raking in billions in revenue through syndication and streaming.

11. The Get Down – $11 million per episode

As detailed by The Hollywood Reporter and other industry analyses, The Get Down costs an estimated $11 million per episode. Baz Luhrmann's The Get Down was a visually spectacular journey through hip-hop's origins in the Bronx in the 1970s. The huge budget of the show came from its elaborate set designs, luxurious costumes, and considerable music licensing costs. Every episode combined real-life footage with a make-believe narrative, thus demanding careful editing and CGI effects. Also contributing to production costs were choreographed dance sequences and live musical performances. Though critically acclaimed, The Get Down did not fare well in terms of viewership, and Netflix canceled it after only one season.

10. Band of Brothers – $12.5 million per episode

Directed by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, Band of Brothers raised the bar for historical accuracy in war epics. Variety and other sources have highlighted that Band of Brothers had an unprecedented budget of $12.5 million per episode. The staggering expenditure per episode budget for the show was spent on big battle scenes, painstaking World War II-era set reproductions, and in-your-face practical effects such as actual explosions. The production went so far as to create a replica of an entire European village to add to the realism. Its expense was warranted by its critical success, winning several Emmys and a Golden Globe award. Even in 2001, when it first aired, Band of Brothers is still regarded as one of the most expensive and visually stunning war miniseries ever created.

9. ER – $13 million per episode (Final Seasons)

One of television's longest-running medical dramas, ER saw its budget balloon later in its run. According to The Hollywood Reporter and other industry sources, ER’s budget surged to $13 million per episode in its final seasons. The show began with realistic emergency room scenarios, but once it became a hit, salaries for stars skyrocketed—George Clooney, Noah Wyle, and others commanded top dollar. The realistic hospital sets, complex medical procedures, and practical effects were costly factors. ER also featured single-take scenes that required multiple rehearsals, further contributing to filming expenses. For all its cost, ER was one of the most impactful medical dramas, paving the way for shows such as Grey's Anatomy and The Good Doctor.

8. The Crown – $13 million per episode

Netflix's The Crown did not skimp on its depiction of the British royal family's past. With each season representing a different period, new actors were hired every two seasons, increasing expenditure. The series featured intricately designed sets, ranging from Buckingham Palace replicas to 20th-century London street scenes. Costumes, meticulously designed based on actual royal attire, also added to the expense. Location shooting at high costs across the UK and overseas further contributed to its expenditure. Reports from Variety and other sources indicate that The Crown carried a hefty price tag of $13 million per episode.

7. The Mandalorian – $15 million per episode

Disney+ rewrote the rules of television production with The Mandalorian by implementing revolutionary Stagecraft technology, with LED screens taking the place of green screens to project CGI real-time environments. This means seamlessly bringing the look of planetary landscapes and futuristic cityscapes without the burden of actual on-location filming. It was no cheap affair either, with the use of Grogu (Baby Yoda) animatronics, as this definitely added to the expenses. As detailed by The Verge and other reports, The Mandalorian cost an estimated $15 million per episode. Then, director-actors used to command large salaries, and in that cast would be included Pedro Pascal, bringing in one more element of budget-busting.

6. Game of Thrones (Season 8) – $15 million per episode

HBO's Game of Thrones began with a small budget but expanded to become one of television's priciest shows. Insights from The Guardian and other entertainment sources place Game of Thrones' final season at an estimated $15 million per episode, with heavy CGI, massive battle scenes, and large set pieces. The Battle of Winterfell took 55 nights to shoot—one of television's longest shoots in history. The dragons were entirely CGI, requiring state-of-the-art technology. Even with its shocking conclusion, Game of Thrones continues to be a cultural touchstone and one of HBO's top-rated series.

5. House of the Dragon – $20 million per episode

Capitalizing on the success of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon took it to the next level with even more CGI-intensive visuals. The show featured nine distinct dragon designs, each of which required extensive digital rendering. Grand medieval sets, intricate period costumes, and a star-studded cast contributed to the costs. Compared to its predecessor, the prequel boasted a more sophisticated CGI strategy, making dragon movements and battle scenes more realistic. As expensive as the series was, House of the Dragon became an overnight success, proving HBO’s investment was worthwhile. Industry reports from Variety and other outlets indicate that House of the Dragon had a budget of approximately $20 million per episode.

4. The Pacific – $20 million per episode

Here is another Spielberg-Hanks war epic that cost a fortune per episode and even surpassed Band of Brothers in expenses. While Band of Brothers was set in Europe, The Pacific required tropical battlefield reconstructions, significantly driving up costs. From massive battleships to real-life explosions and practical effects that simulated battle scenes worthy of Hollywood, everything was meticulously crafted. Costumes and props had to maintain historical accuracy for the Pacific Theater of World War II. Though often overshadowed by Band of Brothers, The Pacific remains one of the most visually and practically expensive war dramas ever made. According to The Hollywood Reporter and other sources, The Pacific costs an estimated $20 million per episode.

3. WandaVision – $25 million per episode

Marvel's first Disney+ show had a budget on par with big-budget blockbusters. Every episode emulated various decades of television, requiring specially designed sets, costumes, and camera techniques. Reports from Forbes and other industry analysts estimate that WandaVision had a budget of approximately $25 million per episode. The show's extensive CGI, especially in later episodes, matched the quality of big-screen Marvel movies. Wanda's reality-bending abilities meant entire townscapes had to be digitally manipulated. The presence of familiar MCU actors, such as Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, also contributed to high production costs. Despite its hefty price tag, WandaVision was a massive success, proving that the MCU could thrive in long-form content.

2. Stranger Things (Season 4) – $30 million per episode

According to Bloomberg and other financial reports, Stranger Things Season 4 had an estimated budget of $30 million per episode. Netflix spared no expense for Stranger Things Season 4, significantly increasing the budget to support its darker tone and cinematic-quality action sequences. The series made extensive use of CGI, particularly for the eerie landscapes of the Upside Down and Vecna's terrifying design. Actor salaries also soared, with Millie Bobby Brown and other top stars earning millions per episode. Complex practical effects, including real set destruction, further drove up costs. The season's cinematic scope blurred the line between television and film, proving that streaming shows can rival big-budget Hollywood productions.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – $58 million per episode

Amazon's The Rings of Power is the most expensive TV series to date, with an overall budget exceeding $1 billion—nearly four times the per-episode cost of Game of Thrones, as outlined in Variety and other reports. The show featured intricately detailed CGI environments, over a thousand handcrafted costumes, and massive practical sets. Amazon even spent $250 million to acquire the Lord of the Rings rights before production began. To create a fully immersive Middle-earth, the production utilized state-of-the-art technology and filmed extensively in New Zealand. Despite mixed reviews, the scale of the show remains unparalleled in television history.