How ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ Became a Cinematic Phenomenon

How ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ Became a Cinematic Phenomenon \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Mike Cheslik’s Hundreds of Beavers is a $150,000 microbudget indie comedy that has gained a cult following with its inventive storytelling and slapstick charm. Filmed in the snowy Northwoods of Wisconsin, this wordless, black-and-white film about a 19th-century applejack salesman battling mascot-suited beavers has garnered critical acclaim and $500,000 in earnings through grassroots screenings and video-on-demand. With an encore theatrical tour and Blu-ray release on the way, Hundreds of Beavers is inspiring filmmakers to embrace DIY creativity in a Hollywood-dominated landscape.

Hundreds of Beavers: Quick Looks

• Unique Premise: A 19th-century applejack salesman battles beavers in a silent, slapstick black-and-white comedy.
• Microbudget Roots: Made for $150,000 in Wisconsin’s Northwoods with a crew of just four to six.
• Grassroots Success: Self-distributed with roadshow screenings, earning $500,000 despite limited theatrical release.
• Industry Recognition: Praised by Everything Everywhere All at Once co-director Daniel Scheinert as “the future of cinema.”
• Encore Tour: Set for a December re-release in 70 theaters as “A Northwoods Christmas.”

Deep Look

When filmmaker Mike Cheslik began crafting Hundreds of Beavers in the snowy forests of Wisconsin, his aim wasn’t to revolutionize cinema. The project, built on a modest $150,000 budget, was more about having fun with his small crew and longtime collaborator, Ryland Tews. Yet, what started as a quirky, lo-fi passion project has since grown into an indie film phenomenon, challenging Hollywood’s risk-averse, big-budget paradigm and reinvigorating the DIY spirit of filmmaking.

The Premise: Slapstick in the Snow

Hundreds of Beavers is a wordless black-and-white comedy set in the 19th century. It follows a hapless applejack salesman, played by Tews, who finds himself at war with an army of beavers, all portrayed by actors in oversized mascot costumes. With its mix of slapstick humor, inventive visuals, and absurdist charm, the film has been likened to the work of Buster Keaton and The Naked Gun.

The opening scene sets the tone: Tews’ character stumbles through the snow, crafting Rube Goldberg-style traps for his furry foes. With more than 1,500 visual effects painstakingly created by Cheslik on his home computer, the film channels the playful energy of vintage cartoons while embracing the limitations of its budget.

“No one would call Hundreds of Beavers expensive-looking,” Cheslik admits, “but it’s definitely more inventive than a lot of what Hollywood is churning out.”

A DIY Approach to Success

After struggling to attract interest from major distributors, Cheslik and his team took matters into their own hands. They launched Hundreds of Beavers through a series of roadshow screenings, complete with carnival-like presentations that celebrated the film’s offbeat sensibilities. Starting in January 2023, the film played in at least one theater every week, reaching 33 locations at its peak.

Despite its limited theatrical footprint, the movie earned $500,000 in ticket sales, with half of that coming after its release on video-on-demand platforms. On Dec. 5, the team will launch “A Northwoods Christmas,” an encore theatrical run at 70 locations—the widest release yet for the indie hit.

Critical Praise and Industry Recognition

Hundreds of Beavers has received widespread acclaim for its humor, creativity, and inventive approach to filmmaking. Daniel Scheinert, co-director of the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, called it “the future of cinema.” His endorsement resonated across film blogs and social media, bringing additional attention to Cheslik’s offbeat creation.

For Cheslik, the praise is both gratifying and surreal. “When we were shooting, I kept thinking: It would be so stupid if this got mythologized,” he jokes, reflecting on the film’s humble beginnings.

A Film Industry in Transition

The rise of Hundreds of Beavers comes at a time when the movie industry is undergoing significant changes. North American box office revenues remain 25% below pre-pandemic levels, and many films struggle to make an impact in theaters. According to Franchise Entertainment Research, 41 wide releases in 2024 grossed less than $3 million—nearly triple the number from 2019.

Hollywood’s escalating production and marketing costs are also creating barriers for smaller projects. For example, Paramount Pictures recently spent unprecedented sums promoting Gladiator II, running its trailer simultaneously across 4,000 platforms to generate buzz for the $250 million epic.

In this environment, Cheslik’s success with Hundreds of Beavers serves as a beacon for filmmakers seeking alternative paths. The film’s grassroots approach and modest budget highlight the viability of microbudget projects, especially when paired with innovative distribution strategies.

A Return to Creativity

Filmmakers like Cheslik aren’t the only ones advocating for leaner budgets and more imaginative storytelling. Directors such as Sean Baker (Tangerine) and Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) have argued that smaller budgets can foster greater artistic freedom. Baker’s Anora, shot for $6 million, has been hailed as one of the year’s best films, proving that financial constraints don’t have to limit creative ambition.

“Right now, it’s panic in LA,” Baker said in an earlier interview. “I’m like: We don’t have to make films for that much. They don’t have to cost as much.”

A Victory Lap for Beavers

As Hundreds of Beavers gears up for its December re-release, Cheslik and his team see the encore tour as both a celebration and a call to action for aspiring filmmakers. The success of the film, they believe, underscores the importance of embracing creativity, resourcefulness, and the nitty-gritty aspects of DIY filmmaking.

“You can still do whatever you want,” Cheslik says. “No one’s going to stop you if you take a phone and make a 90-minute timeline instead of a 30-second timeline.”

The Legacy of Hundreds of Beavers

Hundreds of Beavers is more than just a quirky indie hit—it’s a testament to the resilience and inventiveness of independent cinema. By leaning into its lo-fi charm and refusing to bow to Hollywood’s conventions, Cheslik has crafted a film that resonates with audiences and filmmakers alike.

As the film industry grapples with economic and creative challenges, projects like Hundreds of Beavers offer a glimpse of what’s possible when ambition meets ingenuity. For Cheslik, Tews, and their team, the journey of Hundreds of Beavers isn’t just about one movie—it’s about proving that the future of cinema can be as daring, playful, and unconventional as its creators dare to imagine.

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