The Most Expensive Television Shows of All Time, Ranked

3. Once Upon a Time – $4.5 Million per Episode

As a result, period pieces are expensive. Imagine a show that transports viewers to whole new realms filled with iconic characters and strange creatures. This is the premise of ABC's Once Upon A Time. A fantasy kingdom and the real world are both featured in this show based on many fairy tales and Disney classics. The price is quite high, as you might expect! It costs ABC quite a bit to create Once Upon a Time's costumes and creatures since they come from a fantasy world. To bring the outlandish world to life, it costs 4.5 million per episode! It's important to remember, however, that Once Upon a Time still ranks high among all TV shows when it comes to budget.