Movies are a form of art that has the power to transport viewers to different worlds and feel a wide range of emotions. They can also be a source of entertainment and a way for fans to escape reality. With so much riding on a movie's success, there is a lot of hype and anticipation surrounding a film's release. Of course, not every movie lives up to the expectations.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to a movie's success or failure. Sometimes, it's the premise that captures our attention, other times it's the all-star cast or the visually stunning trailer. However, despite all the build-up and excitement, some movies just don't deliver. Yet, what one person may consider a flop, another might see as a hidden gem. The beauty of movies is that they can be interpreted in so many ways, so a box office bomb might still become a cult favorite upon the home release.
Updated on July 31st, 2023 by Danilo Raul: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated with additional content.
15 The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
After Pitch Black became a sleeper hit, Vin Diesel wanted the next entry in the Riddick saga to be bigger, bolder, and more ambitious. While the character is suitable for smaller stories, the new direction didn't quite pan out as expected. The Chronicles of Riddick was a big summer tentpole from Universal Studios. David Twohy wrote and directed the script, focusing on a bigger threat in the form of the Necromonger cult.
The movie brought in the spectacular talents of Thandiwe Newton, Karl Urban, Alexa Davalos, Judie Dench, and Keith David. The film was scored by Graeme Revell, known for his great work in films such as The Crow, From Dusk Till Dawn, and Sin City. The marketing campaign was massive, and when premiere day came in, nobody showed up. The film had an estimated production budget of $120 million and barely managed to scrape $115 million during its theatrical run.
14 Ghostbusters (2016)
The much-maligned Ghostbusters 2016 could have been a forgettable gender-swapped remake with some decent earnings, but the film was derailed from the very start with multiple production issues. Sony Pictures cast a team of SNL alumni with Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, replacing the classic roles of the characters created by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Chris Hemsworth rounded out the cast by playing a clueless version of the team's secretary.
The casting choices didn't prove popular with fans. In a move that would become the regular standard for many studios, the specialized press and creatives behind the film attacked the fandom for being critical online. Things turned political as it was an election year, and most of the cast took a hard stance against the Republican candidate of the time. The film, which cost over $145 million, earned less than $200 million worldwide, not enough to cover production costs and marketing.
13 The Flash (2023)
The Flash was announced almost ten years ago in 2014, when the slate of films for the DCEU was threading on Zack Snyder's success with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While that movie was a financial success, it was critically panned, making Warner lose sight and chase trends by trying to replicate Marvel's formula. After changing directors and writers a few times, the studio finally settled on It''sAndy Muschietti to take the reins while Christina Hodson reworked the ideas of previous writers.
The final result is a convoluted film with a problematic lead star that had to rely on paid word of mouth from unlikely sources such as Stephen King and Tom Cruise to get some buzz around it. With a rumored production cost of $220 million, the film barely scraped $267 million. It's been reported to be the largest box office bomb in the superhero genre to date, and the worst box office bomb of 2023, with the studio reporting a loss of $200 million in one fell swoop.
12 Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (2023)
Disney will remember 2023 as the year they fell from grace with audiences. Producer Kathleen Kennedy brought in James Mangold (presumably for his incredible success with Logan in 2017) and gave him the last chapter in the Indiana Jones saga. The script, written by Mangold, was tweaked by David Koepp, Jez Butterworth, and John-Henry Butterworth, making it a much more expensive venture than it originally was.
Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is said to have a production budget of $300 million on the low end, with the final figure yet to be revealed. The film was a massive flop, barely scraping $335 million. Not even the goodwill of Harrison Ford was enough to get fans back to the theaters with this one, as many sites and established critics blasted the production for having a nonsensical story and an overreliance on VFX in a franchise well known for its practical stunts.
11 Blade Runner (1982)
A true classic of science fiction, Ridley Scott's Blade Runner was a highly-anticipated film that promised to bring the dark and gritty world of Philip K. Dick's short story to life on the big screen. Harrison Ford starred as Rick Deckard, a "blade runner" tasked with hunting down rogue replicants.
Critics and fans praised Blade Runner for its stunning visuals and complex themes, though studio cuts and additions weakened the initial theatrical cut of the film. Despite its critical success, Blade Runner did not perform well at the box office, leaving many to wonder if the public was ready for such a thought-provoking and introspective film. Thankfully, it developed a cult following which led to the release of Ridley Scott's original vision for the film.
10 Clue (1985)
1985's Clue was based on the popular board game of the same name and promised to be a comedic whodunit. Clue starred an all-star cast including Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Brennan, and Tim Curry, who brought the iconic characters of the game to life on the big screen.
The film's trailers promised a witty and clever film that would keep audiences guessing until the very end. The film even featured different endings that homaged the replayability of the game itself. However, Clue failed to live up to the hype. Despite the talented cast and the intriguing premise, it struggled to connect with audiences. Critics were divided, with some praising its clever humor, while others felt that it missed the mark. Clue was a box office bomb but is now considered a cult classic.
9 Mission: Impossible II (2000)
In 2000, Mission: Impossible II was one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. The first film in the franchise was a massive hit and the sequel promised to be even bigger and better. The movie starred Tom Cruise who returned as Ethan Hunt, and was directed by John Woo. The film's trailers promised intense action and mind-blowing stunts.
But Mission: Impossible II was a major disappointment. Despite the star power and big budget, the film received mixed reviews and failed to live up to the hype. Critics complained that the film was overly reliant on CGI and lacked the suspense and tension of the first film. Mission: Impossible II was a box office bomb and is now considered one of the weakest films in the franchise.
8 Mulholland Drive (2001)
Mulholland Drive was one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2001. The film was directed by David Lynch, the master of mind-bending and surreal storytelling. The movie starred Naomi Watts and Laura Harring in the lead roles. The trailers promised a tantalizing mystery that would keep audiences guessing until the very end.
Regardless of the talented cast and the intriguing premise, the movie struggled to connect with audiences. Critics were divided, with some praising its artful storytelling and others feeling that it was too obtuse and confusing. Mulholland Drive was a box office bomb but is now considered a cult classic, like much of David Lynch's sometimes divisive filmography.
7 Catwoman (2004)
With a star-studded cast led by Halle Berry, Catwoman was expected to be a hit with audiences and critics alike. The movie promised high-flying action and a fierce female protagonist, complete with sleek costume designs and special effects. However, the film was met with lukewarm reviews and underwhelming box office numbers. Critics lambasted the film for its poorly written script, wooden acting, and nonsensical plot. Despite the initial excitement, Catwoman ultimately fell short of expectations.
The failure of Catwoman can be attributed to a number of factors, from the convoluted storyline to the lack of chemistry between the lead actors. Despite the promise of a strong female-led action film, the movie failed to deliver on that front and ultimately left audiences feeling disappointed. While Catwoman may not have been the hit that many had hoped for, it remains a cautionary tale about the importance of strong writing and careful development in the superhero genre.
6 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The Fantastic Four franchise had already established a solid fanbase with the first two films, and the addition of Silver Surfer as the villain was expected to bring in new audiences and raise the bar even higher. The highly anticipated sequel featured an all-star cast, including Chris Evans as the Human Torch and Michael Chiklis as The Thing, as well as an impressive special effects budget.
Critics and audiences alike were unimpressed with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, citing a lack of character development and a poorly written script. The special effects, while impressive, couldn't save the film from its many shortcomings. The Silver Surfer was ultimately underutilized and failed to live up to the hype. The film's box office numbers were a disappointment and the franchise never recovered. It serves as a reminder that even high-profile sequels can fall short of expectations.
5 Hugo (2011)
Martin Scorsese's Hugo promised to be a visually stunning and emotionally impactful film. Based on a popular children's book, the movie promised to be a family-friendly adventure, complete with a star-studded cast including Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, and Ben Kingsley. Hugowas highly anticipated, with many expecting it to be a runaway hit. However, despite the high expectations, Hugo fell short of the mark.
Critics were divided on the film, with some praising its technical achievements, while others criticized its slow pace and convoluted storyline. Audiences were similarly underwhelmed, with many feeling that the movie failed to deliver on the promise of a heartwarming adventure. The film's box office numbers were a disappointment, and it ultimately failed to live up to the hype that had surrounded it.
4 John Carter (2012)
John Carter followed the titular Confederate soldier as he was transported to Mars to fight in a war between the planet's inhabitants. It was one of the most highly anticipated films of 2012 and was expected to kickstart a huge franchise that adapted the rest of Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic tales. With a budget of over $250 million and a star-studded cast that included Taylor Kitsch, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Strong, the film promised to be a cinematic spectacle.
The trailers were visually stunning and teased an epic adventure, but unfortunately, the movie failed to bring fans to the box office. Critics and audiences alike were underwhelmed by the film, and it was a box office disappointment, grossing just $284 million worldwide. Despite the high production value and talented cast, John Carter just couldn't seem to connect with audiences, and it remains a notable flop in the annals of cinema.
3 Steve Jobs (2015)
The release of the film Steve Jobs, which told the story of the iconic Apple co-founder, was met with high expectations. The film starred Michael Fassbender in the lead role, with a supporting cast that included Kate Winslet, Jeff Daniels, and Seth Rogen.
The trailers were intriguing and promised a deep dive into the mind of one of the most innovative and influential figures in technology. However, when the movie was finally released, it received mixed reviews and failed to impress audiences at the box office. Despite the strong performances from the cast and the interesting subject matter, Steve Jobs was unable to capture the public's imagination, and it ended up being a disappointment.
2 Suicide Squad (2016)
2016's Suicide Squad was a movie that had everything going for it: a talented cast, a unique storyline, and a built-in fanbase. The film, which followed a group of villains recruited by the government to take on dangerous missions, starred Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto, and was directed by David Ayer.
The trailers were action-packed and promised a wild ride, but when the movie was finally released, it fell short of expectations. Critics couldn't get behind the film and fans were let down after the much more impressive trailers. The existence of the highly-discussed Ayer Cut of Suicide Squad highlights some of the DCEU's early problems, as studio interference often ruined decent films, leading to huge commercial disappointments. Thankfully, 2021's The Suicide Squad fared much better when it hit HBO Max.
1 Black Adam (2022)
Black Adam was the highly-anticipated superhero film that promised to bring one of the most iconic and powerful characters in the DC universe to the big screen. The movie starred Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the titular role, who had been teasing his involvement in the project for years, building up excitement among fans.
However, when the movie was finally released, it bombed. Critics and audiences alike were disappointed by the film's lack of depth and character development. The action scenes were praised, but the story was criticized for being convoluted and unengaging. The film was also criticized for its lack of originality, and for feeling like a generic superhero film. Despite the star power of Dwayne Johnson, Black Adam failed to perform well at the box office and was considered a flop by many.
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