1

Paul Bunyan

Image: Abby Savage

Paul Bunyan , the colossal lumberjack of American folklore, is said to have cleared forests from the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest. With his blue ox, Babe , he performed incredible feats of strength, like carving out the Grand Canyon just by dragging his axe behind him, and creating the Great Lakes with his footprints.

Originating in oral traditions among lumberjacks, Bunyan’s exaggerated exploits gained momentum with the American westward expansion during the 19th century and soon became deeply ingrained in the popular imagination.

2

Johnny Appleseed

Image: Aarón Blanco Tejedor

Born John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed wandered the American frontier planting apple trees and spreading goodwill in the early 19th century. A devout Christian, he became a folk hero for his kindness, environmentalism, and pioneering spirit.

Contrary to the popular image of Johnny Appleseed randomly scattering apple seeds, he was a skilled nurseryman who meticulously planted apple tree nurseries. Each nursery was carefully fenced to shield the saplings from livestock and wildlife. After establishing these nurseries, he entrusted them to neighbors but revisited them periodically.

3

Pecos Bill

Image: JosephHershMedia

Pecos Bill , a fictional cowboy raised by coyotes in the wilds of Texas, became a larger-than-life figure known for taming cyclones and roping tornadoes. His adventures, first popularized in the early 20th century, embody the frontier spirit and Texas mythology, blending humor with tales of rugged individualism.

Among his many tales, one credits him with creating the Gulf of Mexico . According to legend, during a severe drought in Texas, Pecos Bill lassoed a storm cloud in California and brought it to Texas. The resulting deluge caused extensive flooding, ultimately forming the Gulf.

4

Davy Crockett

Image: Joseph Corl

Davy Crockett , known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," was a real-life frontiersman later turned politician whose exploits were mythologized even during his lifetime. Born in East Tennessee, he quickly gained fame for his sharp hunting skills and captivating storytelling.

During his time in the U.S. Congress, he staunchly opposed many of President Andrew Jackson’s policies, particularly the Indian Removal Act, and championed the rights of small landowners. Crockett’s life ended with valor at the Battle of the Alamo , solidifying his folk legend as a symbol of courage and patriotism. His legacy remains an enduring part of American history.

5

Calamity Jane

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Martha Jane Canary, better known by her alias Calamity Jane, was a frontierswoman and scout famed for her sharpshooting skills and daredevil exploits. During her youth, she stepped up to provide for her large family, taking on various jobs, from ox team driver to scout for Fort Russell. Eventually, she embraced the rough and adventurous lifestyle that made her a legend.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Calamity Jane was compassionate and often helped those in need. Her adventures in the Wild West alongside figures like Wild Bill Hickok cemented her status as a legend of the American frontier.

6

Molly Pitcher

Image: Garry T

Molly Pitcher, the nickname given to Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, became famous for her bravery during the American Revolutionary War. Although several historical figures are known by this moniker for similar deeds, Mary Ludwig Hays distinguished herself during the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, where she served as a water carrier for the soldiers.

When her husband, an artilleryman in the Continental Army, fell to enemy fire, she took his place, swabbing and loading the cannon with such bravery and determination that she earned a commendation from George Washington.

7

Daniel Boone

Image: Scott Longerbeam

Daniel Boone was a legendary frontiersman and explorer who blazed trails through the Appalachian Mountains and into Kentucky. Born in 1734, Boone became famous for his expert hunting and survival skills, as well as his role in establishing the Wilderness Road, a trail that facilitated westward migration through the Cumberland Gap.

After serving as a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, he was briefly taken in by the Shawnees in the Northeastern Woodlands. After a few years, he returned and continued to help protect the Kentucky settlements.

8

Buffalo Bill

Image: Judy Beth Morris

William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a legendary figure of the American West, known for his Wild West shows that toured the United States and Europe. Born in 1846, Cody was a skilled buffalo hunter, Army scout, and showman who brought cowboy skills and frontier life to audiences worldwide.

He earned his nickname after the Civil War by providing Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with buffalo meat, hunting record numbers of the animal. He even engaged in hunting competitions with his partner, Bill Comstock. His legendary figure has been frequently portrayed in film and television, especially during the height of the Western genre in the 1960s.

9

Wild Bill Hickok

Image: Pablò

James Butler Hickok, famously known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a legendary figure of the American Old West. Born in 1837, Hickok gained fame as a skilled marksman, gambler, and lawman.

Though his exploits were certainly exaggerated by the outlandish tales he told about himself, he was involved in several notorious gunfights during his life. Most notably, he dueled with Davis Tutt, a local gambler with whom he had various disagreements, particularly over their mutual affection for the same woman.

10

John Henry

Image: Lucio Patone

John Henry was a legendary steel-driving man whose man-against-machine tale epitomized the strength and resilience of the American worker. An African American freedman, his dangerous job involved hammering steel drills into rocks to create holes for explosives used to blast open railroad tunnels.

According to the legend, John Henry's prowess was tested in a race against a steam-powered drill. He won the race but tragically died after victory, hammer in hand when his heart gave out from the immense physical stress.

1

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Image: Dante Muñoz

Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man had been one of the most successful hits of the 2000s . That’s why, when Spider-Man 3 (2007) began production in 2005, it was given the highest budget of any movie in history at the time: around $258 million.

If you’ve seen this movie, you might have guessed that the biggest portion of the budget went into special effects for its three different villains. The New Goblin, Venom, and Sandman were three separate challenges for the visual effects team, particularly Sandman , played by Thomas Haden Church. Groundbreaking technology had to be developed to animate explosive sand fists and parting bodies of sand, making the character’s action scenes cost millions of dollars each.

2

Titanic (1997)

Image: Derek Oyen

To begin with, building the full-scale ship model and massive water tank for Titanic (1997) cost over $150 million. Director James Cameron was very particular about authenticity, so the ship’s interior design was meticulously designed to match that of the original Titanic. At the time, it was also the most expensive movie ever made. But one might argue it was all worth it.

The CGI, stunts, and practical effects used for replicating the sinking sequence were especially costly. Bear in mind that Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were already known young talents by the time they were cast for this movie, so they took a small share of the fortune—around $5 million between them. Famously, though, James Cameron forfeited his paycheck to keep the movie under budget, much like Jack climbing down from the door to keep Rose afloat. It worked out in the end because he earned $97 million from backend profits.

3

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Image: André Volkmann

Balancing the stories of all of these superheroes was just as challenging as paying all the corresponding actors. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) had an estimated budget of almost $400 million. Who could forget the battle scenes filled with as many timeless superheroes as A-list actors? Reportedly, Robert Downey Jr. alone took home around $75 million after backend deals.

This two-hour-and-a-half movie had over 2,500 visual effects shots, which included the destruction of a planet and a ship, as well as an epic battle in the fictional Wakanda . Not to mention the advanced motion-capture technology required for Josh Brolin’s portrayal of Thanos, the villain of the film.

4

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Image: Igor Bumba

When Avengers: Infinity War was released, it became the highest-grossing superhero film in history, amassing over $2 billion at the box office. But that title lasted it around a year, until its sister sequel Avengers: Endgame (2019) surpassed it. The sequel cost roughly the same as the previous installment but came just shy of earning $3 billion .

Just like the previous ones, this Avengers installment had a star-studded cast that included Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth. A feast of 3 hours worth of cameos, the movie ended with a climactic final battle scene, where almost every hero from the Marvel Cinematic Universe assembled. Making this movie involved hundreds of extras, an enormous amount of CGI, masterful choreography, and an unprecedented skill for star scheduling .

5

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

Image: cottonbro studio

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End had a budget of around $300 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever at the time of its 2007 release. Whoever watched this film will remember a waterfall at the edge of the world or a massive final battle between two ships over a maelstrom. Those takes relied heavily on CGI, but not entirely. As with previous productions in the franchise, filming required large-scale water sets and multiple ships to be built. The cost of both practical and visual effects for these scenes was astronomical.

Admittedly, a significant portion of the budget went to the ensemble cast, particularly Johnny Depp, who received a notable pay bump following the massive success of the first two films. Keith Richards , the Rolling Stones guitarist, was also famously featured, adding to the film’s star power.

6

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Image: Deepak Rastogi

Surprise! The Avengers movie with the most colossal budget was the least liked of the four. It sometimes puzzles fans to learn that it cost $365 million in 2015, which, adjusted for inflation, would be over $430 million today.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) had to use massive amounts of CGI to create cinematic takes on the levitating fictional city of Sokovia. Destruction, flying characters, drones, and explosions contributed significantly to the costs. More importantly, filming on location and flying so many celebrities around the globe added to the expense. This movie showed scenes filmed all over the world, including the U.S., South Africa, Italy, South Korea, and England.

7

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Image: LJ

Lightsaber battles have never been cheap. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) had a reported production budget of around $275 million. It was the third Star Wars movie produced by Disney, and while the budget had decreased compared to the previous installments, it was still a financial success.

The final battle sequence on the Sith planet Exegol required a fortune, but it needed to: as it served as the climax of Disney’s trilogy. Special effects even included the scenes of characters like General Leia, played by the late Carrie Fisher . The film faced the unique challenge of incorporating footage of Fisher filmed for previous Star Wars movies after her passing in 2016.

8

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

Image: Pixabay

Even though the 4th installment of the Pirates franchise had relatively low reviews, it became the second film in the saga to surpass a billion dollars in box office revenue. Released in 2011, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides had a staggering budget of $379 million.

Mermaids, zombies, splitting ships, boats on fire, and a Fountain of Youth all required the coordination of several visual effects teams. The salaries of new stars like Penélope Cruz , along with filming locations across Hawaii, the UK, California, and Puerto Rico, added to the costs. Also, this was the first movie in the franchise to be shot for 3D screenings .

9

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Image: Nick Wehrli

A movie that revolves around dinosaurs fleeing from a volcanic eruption , Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), received an estimated budget of around $432 million. How are dinosaurs created? Much like the earlier films of the saga, this one used a mix of CGI and animatronics , especially for the more up-close, intimate scenes involving Velociraptors and an Indoraptor.

For the dinosaur auction scene, a whole large-scale set was built. Filming also took place in Hawaii, England, and Spain. The stars of the Jurassic World trilogy, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, reportedly earned around $10 million each.

10

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Image: Rod Long

When Disney acquired the rights to produce movies from Lucasfilm , it proceeded to give the first installment of their Star Wars reboot the biggest budget it had ever given. That was over $447 million in 2015.

With J.J. Abrams directing a Star Wars movie after so long, he could indulge in creating a full-size Millennium Falcon , animatronic creatures, and remote-controlled puppetry. The Starkiller Base destruction sequence was one of the most expensive scenes. Not to mention that the legendary face of Star Wars , Mark Hamill, had a very short cameo at the end of this movie; that one-minute feature alone earned him $3 million .

1

A night at the drive-in

Going to the movies was already a Saturday-night classic when Richard Hollingshead Jr. opened the first patented drive-in theater in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933. His idea offered something indoor theaters couldn't: families and couples could watch a movie from the comfort and relative privacy of their cars .

Drive-ins boomed after World War II alongside car ownership and suburban growth, reaching more than 4,000 locations by 1958. The experience was half the attraction: a speaker clipped to the car window, trips to the concession stand, playgrounds for the kids, and often a double feature. For millions of Americans, the parking lot was part of the show.

2

Meeting friends at the bowling alley

Bowling alleys weren't always the polished entertainment centers people remember. Human pinboys once had to clear fallen pins and set them up again by hand. Automatic pinsetters helped change everything, and bowling exploded during the postwar years: the number of lanes in America jumped from about 65,000 in 1957 to nearly 160,000 in 1962.

New bowling centers offered hot food, bars, children's areas, and bright modern interiors designed to attract entire families . Leagues made bowling a weekly social commitment, while casual groups could spend an inexpensive Saturday night together.

3

Skating at the roller rink

The roller rink was a Saturday-night institution for generations of Americans. In fact, skating crazes came and went long before the classic postwar rink: the Library of Congress traces one enormous boom to 1905, when new rinks appeared from New England and New Jersey all the way to communities on the Pacific Coast.

Later generations added their own soundtracks. Rinks went from organ music and couples skating to rock and pop, and eventually to the flashing lights and disco sounds of the 1970s . But the basic attraction remained remarkably similar: skate a few laps, meet your friends by the rail, show off a little, and hope the right person asked you to skate.

4

Going dancing

There was a time when going dancing meant literally going somewhere built for it. New York's legendary Savoy Ballroom, which opened in Harlem in 1926, stretched across nearly an entire city block. It featured two bandstands and a spring-loaded wooden dance floor, and its checkrooms alone could accommodate as many as 5,000 patrons.

The Savoy helped make the Lindy Hop famous, but America's dance-hall culture extended far beyond New York. At Maryland's Spanish Ballroom, crowds danced to Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, and later Bill Haley and His Comets. Musical fashions changed from swing to rock and roll, disco, and beyond.

5

Cruising Main Street

Sometimes there was no destination at all. Especially after World War II, young Americans climbed into their cars and simply cruised the same streets over and over . Main Street, the local boulevard, a drive-in restaurant, or a favorite parking lot could become an unofficial meeting place once Saturday night arrived.

Part of the fun was seeing, and being seen by, everyone else. Cars themselves became expressions of personality, from hot rods to meticulously customized lowriders. You might drive past the same people several times before finally pulling over to talk. It sounds inefficient by today's standards, but efficiency was beside the point. The drive was the entertainment.

6

Playing cards

A deck of cards could keep a Saturday-night gathering going for hours. Friends and neighbors gathered around kitchen or dining-room tables to play bridge, poker, pinochle, rummy, and whatever other game happened to be fashionable . It required no reservations, and left plenty of room for conversation between hands.

Occasionally, a new game became a national obsession. Canasta, developed in South America, swept into the U.S. around 1949 and quickly became a social phenomenon. But the particular game mattered less than the ritual: snacks on the table, coffee in the pot, perhaps an ashtray nearby, and friends.

7

Listening to records

Before you could instantly text a song to a friend, hearing someone's new record might require visiting their house. RCA Victor introduced the 45-rpm record in 1949, and those little discs soon became fixtures of teenage life. By the 1950s, records, Top 40 radio, and shows like American Bandstand were helping define a new youth culture .

Teenagers were particularly enthusiastic buyers of singles. In fact, RCA initially considered Elvis Presley's first LP, Elvis Presley , from 1956, something of a gamble because young listeners were so accustomed to buying 45s.

8

Hanging out at the diner

You didn't necessarily need much money to make a diner, luncheonette, or soda fountain your Saturday-night headquarters. Order a burger, fries, a milkshake, or a Coke, squeeze into a booth with your friends, and stay awhile . In some places, you didn't even have to leave the table to choose the music.

Tabletop jukebox selectors let customers drop in a coin and pick songs right from their booths . By around 1950, an estimated 400,000 jukeboxes were operating across America.

9

Theme parks

Long before families planned entire vacations around giant theme parks, many Americans had an amusement park practically in their backyard . Beginning around the turn of the 20th century, streetcar companies even built parks at the ends of their lines, giving customers a reason to buy tickets and ride somewhere on evenings and weekends.

These "trolley parks" offered carousels, roller coasters, dance pavilions, games, food stands, and other inexpensive diversions . Maryland's Glen Echo Park, for example, was developed as an amusement park after a railway company acquired it in 1911; its 1921 carousel survives today. By the 1960s, however, many smaller local parks were losing crowds to newer forms of entertainment.

10

The local community hall

Saturday-night entertainment didn't always require a commercial venue. American towns once had a dense network of Grange halls, American Legion posts, VFW halls, church halls, lodges, and community centers. Besides meetings, these buildings hosted dances, dinners, bingo games, fundraisers, holiday parties, and other events that could draw much of the neighborhood .

The gatherings were often remarkably simple. Historical accounts describe town celebrations with homemade food, games, music, and dancing , while photographs preserve dances held at VFW halls. These weren't glamorous nightspots, but that was precisely their appeal. Before social networks became digital, the local hall was one of the places where an actual social network gathered in person.