From critically acclaimed masterpieces to potential blockbusters, some films just don't get the box office love they deserve. Join us as we explore fascinating stories of movies that shocked everyone by failing financially, despite their stellar casts, compelling stories, or eventual cult status.
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00:00I gotta tell someone. I should call someone. No, they'll panic. People always wig out and start shooting when they see something big like you.
00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for movies we couldn't believe tanked upon release.
00:13Maybe we should think about this.
00:14Think about what? Come on, we're Space Rangers. We finish the mission.
00:20Number 20. The Nice Guys
00:22The weird duo of Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe is nothing short of comedy gold in this flick.
00:27Mr. March, we're gonna play a game.
00:30I think you have the wrong house.
00:33It's called Shut Up Unless You're Me.
00:39I love that game.
00:40Nice Guys is a movie about the misadventures of one bumbling private detective and a hard-boiled special enforcer who searched for a missing woman, uncovering all sorts of mayhem.
00:50The odd couple pairing of Gosling and Crowe should have made it rain money at the box office, but that didn't happen.
00:55Jack Ely, don't get upset. I'm not here to hurt you.
00:59I just want to ask you a question.
01:01Hey.
01:02No.
01:03How stupid do you think I am?
01:05The movie earned around $70 million, which isn't much to write home about compared to its budget of $50 million.
01:11While an incredibly hilarious film, the amount of money the Nice Guys pulled in was ultimately not so nice.
01:17Munich.
01:20What?
01:20The guy without his balls is Munich.
01:28Munich is a city in Germany.
01:31Number 19.
01:32The Northman.
01:33The Northman is a Viking epic like no other.
01:36It centers around Prince Amleth, a man on a mission to get justice for his dead father and to rescue his mother.
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02:20million dollars. The fact that the movie went from theaters straight to video on demand barely a month
02:25after release didn't help their numbers. Prince Amleth conquered a lot of territories, but the
02:29box office was unfortunately not one of them. Number 18, Strange World. It's a real shame that
02:42this animated feature became such a flop. Strange World is about an entire family of explorers who
02:48have to survive a bizarre new land. This was an incredibly bold Disney movie, but it didn't do
03:01very well when it was released. That's actually a significant understatement. It only made about
03:06$73 million, and its budget was roughly $180 million. If we crunch the numbers, Strange World
03:13lost about $197 million. This makes it one of Disney's biggest box office blunders. It seems
03:26like Strange World was just too strange for some moviegoers. Number 17, The Fall Guy. What happens
03:40when you take one of the leads from Barbie, one of the leads from Oppenheimer, and put them in an
03:44action comedy? You get The Fall Guy. A blockbuster about a director and a stuntman thrust into a
04:01mystery when an important actor goes missing. Everyone's saying that you killed Henry. Ryder
04:06killed Henry. He framed me. There's footage of you. They defaked me. What? They do it all the time
04:11on the internet. Fall Guy had a solid story and a star-studded cast. So what went wrong? Well,
04:17the movie only grossed about $181 million on its $125 million budget. It also didn't spend much time
04:24in theaters, going to video on demand barely three weeks after releasing. Remember how much of a cultural
04:29phenomenon Barbenheimer was in 2023? Yeah, pretty baffling that a movie with both Ryan Gosling and
04:35Emily Blunt as co-leads couldn't attract enough attention. Wow, that's worse than I thought. Yeah,
04:40it's a really sad day for Notting Hill as well. That happily ever after stuff. Number 16, The Iron Giant.
04:46When a young boy meets a gigantic robot, an unlikely friendship blossoms. This is one of the most
04:51heartwarming and poignant animated movies there is. It's a classic that shows a sentient weapon
04:56choosing love and compassion over hate and destruction. Yet, as great as it is, The Iron
05:10Giant wasn't a giant moneymaker. It made a heartbreakingly low $31 million on its budget
05:16of $50 million. When the movie was released in 1999, it was a time when animation was largely looked
05:28down on by studios. People didn't expect an animated movie to tackle serious themes. Warner
05:33Brothers also barely marketed the film. While this was a box office flop, the legacy of The Iron Giant
05:38will stand the test of time. Number 15, The Matrix Resurrections. The Matrix has been a cultural
05:57juggernaut that few other franchises have rivaled. In 2021, Neo returned for Resurrections, but it didn't
06:05go as planned. The movie was a commercial flop and a pretty big one at that.
06:20You see, Resurrections cost $190 million to make, which is actually the largest budget a Matrix movie
06:26has ever had. Despite the big budget, the film received small returns. The total worldwide gross
06:32for Resurrections was under $160 million. I hate that name. My name is Trinity, and you better take
06:41your hands off of me. While it's disappointing, this dud can be explained pretty easily. At the same
06:54time this movie was in theaters, it was also released on streaming. Since this came out during
06:58the pandemic, we can be more forgiving of the bizarre release strategy, but the box office can't.
07:03Maybe I was afraid of this. Afraid of what might happen.
07:08Number 14, Amsterdam. Set in the early 1900s, Amsterdam is about a group of friends who accidentally
07:15discover a murder and become embroiled in a wild conspiracy. The conspiracy is based on the real-life
07:20business plot, a scheme to overthrow President FDR. Roosevelt is weak. We'd like you to speak on
07:26behalf of the veterans and new leadership. Well, that's what elections are for, Maguire.
07:31Besides that interesting tidbit, Amsterdam had a serious treasure trove of talent.
07:36Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington were all cast in leading roles.
07:41Even that wasn't enough to dominate the box office.
07:43We're veterans. We're respectable. We wouldn't be involved in any of this except to help.
07:50Amsterdam had a worldwide gross of only $31 million. Its budget, $80 million. When the dust
07:57settled, the movie reportedly lost close to $108 million. To add insult to injury, it was a critical
08:03flop too. Sometimes, even Academy Award-caliber actors can't save a movie.
08:07Who knows? Maybe I'll find a new life and a new love. I hope so.
08:13Number 13. Joker Fully Adieu. The eagerly anticipated sequel to the first Joker movie
08:18had everything going for it. A passionate fanbase, Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, a bold new direction
08:24for the story. What's the worst that can happen? Eh, pretty much everything.
08:28What happened? Well, you weren't even looking at me anymore. You were making it all about
08:35yourself. And, uh, the song is about loving me.
08:41Turns out that doing a whole movie about the man who becomes Joker, only to go,
08:45lol, he's actually not him, in the sequel is a bad idea. Fully Adieu made just over $205 million,
08:52and its budget was reportedly as high as $200 million. For comparison, the first movie cost
08:58around $55 million. Joker 2 might be one of 2024's biggest box office blunders. It ended
09:14up being a clunky mess that benefited no one. I just want to blow it all up and start a new life.
09:22Number 12. Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny. Indiana Jones made a thrilling return to the big
09:29screen in 2023. Well, at least he hoped to make a thrilling return. Thanks for putting up with me.
09:40Dial of Destiny didn't really do too hot, only making $384 million. Now, $384 million sure sounds
09:48like an impressive number, but this blockbuster's budget was reportedly anywhere from $295 to $387
09:54million. It's not just one of the most expensive films in the Indiana Jones franchise, it's also
10:00one of the most expensive movies ever made, period.
10:07Now what?
10:08When you also factor in the cost for marketing, that means Disney lost over $100 million with
10:13the style of Destiny. So, yeah, that worldwide gross is suddenly a lot less impressive.
10:27Number 11. Solo A Star Wars Story. Despite Star Wars being one of the biggest entertainment IPs of
10:33all time, the Disney batch of Star Wars movies has been a mixed bag. Case in point, Solo. The film
10:39followed a younger Han Solo, played by Alden Ehrenreich, embarking on a daring heist mission.
10:55Solo had an estimated budget of around $270 to $330 million, earning a disappointing $393 million.
11:04You find some way to square this. We still get our money? Maybe.
11:14At least they didn't go with a D.H. Harrison Ford for the film, but not having him still arguably
11:18hurt the movie's prospects. It also had a lackluster marketing campaign. You could also
11:23argue that fan reaction to the sequel soured its chances at the box office. Either way, Solo didn't
11:28soar very high.
11:29No, I'm telling you, it's going to be great. When have I ever steered you wrong?
11:42Number 10. Fight Club.
11:44Every evening I died, and every evening I was born again, resurrected.
11:52We were all Jack's sense of complete surprise when we found out that this dark comedy didn't do that
11:57well at first. Fight Club boasted an impressive cast that featured stars like Edward Norton,
12:02Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter. Its subversive humor and quotable lines made it memorable,
12:07and Fight Club features one of Hollywood's best twists. Despite all of the film's advantages,
12:12it lost somewhere around $24 to $28 million.
12:14Someone loved it intensely for one day, then tossed it.
12:21This may have been because critics were extremely split on the film's quality upon its release,
12:25or maybe audience members didn't talk it up because they were following the first rule of
12:29Fight Club. Either way, this Fincher film managed to stay relevant after losing the battle for the top
12:34of the box office.
12:35Tomorrow will be the most beautiful day for him in chaos's life.
12:39His breakfast will taste better than any meal you and I have ever tasted.
12:43Number 9. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
12:46Mr. Pilgrim!
12:49It is I, Matthew Patel.
12:53Consider our fight begun.
12:57It turns out that the 8-bit hero of this film had to fight seven evil exes,
13:01and low box office returns. On a budget that ranged from $60 to $85 million,
13:06Scott Pilgrim sadly made less than $50 million when it was first released.
13:10It's likely that audiences were just too unfamiliar with the character to give it a shot.
13:14If more moviegoers had shown up, they'd find fast-paced editing, unique visuals,
13:19and extremely catchy songs.
13:20We are Sex Bobob and we're here to make you think about death and get sad and stuff!
13:27They'd also see a cast that was jam-packed with future superstars.
13:31Since the film's release, the property had found massive success in mediums like video games and TV.
13:36It's hard to nail down why the world was against Scott Pilgrim when he first stepped on the stage.
13:40Am I dreaming?
13:44I'll leave you alone forever now. Thanks.
13:47Number 8. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
13:50Look, everyone, look, I've got it! The big golden ticket is mine!
13:53You're pulling our legs, Charlie.
13:56After the young Charlie Bucket found a golden ticket, he took us on a journey unlike any other.
14:01His Chocolate Factory tour captured our imaginations because of great production design
14:05and the unforgettable characters he found along the way.
14:08Speaking of icons, Gene Wilder's pitch-perfect performance as Willy Wonka
14:12managed to unnerve us and make us smile in equal measure.
14:15Yes, the danger must be growing for the rowers keep on rowing
14:21and they're certainly not showing any signs that they are slowing!
14:29But this sweet treat wasn't savored right away.
14:32While it cost a relatively small $4 million to make, it failed to double its original budget.
14:37The strong reviews didn't help bring people in either.
14:40Since Willy Wonka achieved massive popularity after TV airings and a major re-release,
14:44it's almost impossible to imagine a time when this movie was a financial failure.
14:48But I am different. I want it more than any of them.
14:51Charlie, you'll get your chance. One day things will change.
14:55Number 7. Furiosa, a Mad Max Saga.
14:59What do we have here?
15:02She's from a place of abundance.
15:03Nearly a decade after Fury Road raced its way into moviegoers' hearts,
15:07Warner Bros. released a high-octane prequel.
15:10The 2024 Furiosa-focused film delivered with an engrossing story
15:14that fleshed out the tough anti-heroine.
15:16It also contained impressive set pieces that could compete with Fury Road's best moments.
15:21Surprisingly, neither the well-reviewed story nor thrills were enough.
15:25When all was said and done, the film was calculated to have lost almost $120 million.
15:29Where did you think you were going?
15:35If you survive everything we take on together,
15:37you'll have all the skills you need to get wherever you want to go.
15:41Did Furiosa arrive too long after the initial hype for the franchise had died down?
15:45Or wasn't it a mistake to give it a slightly higher budget than its predecessor,
15:49since Fury Road barely turned a profit?
15:51Whatever the reason, Furiosa's stunning failure could spell trouble for the future of the Mad Max franchise.
15:56What was that?
15:58That is the darkest of angels.
16:04Number 6. Lightyear
16:06Despite it being all about a guy named Buzz Lightyear,
16:09the Lightyear movie left a lot of buzz at the box office.
16:12Are we ready to launch?
16:13We're all ready if you are, sir.
16:15A Toy Story spin-off slash prequel, Lightyear follows Buzz Lightyear.
16:19Well, to clarify, it's not about the sentient Buzz Lightyear action figure.
16:23Instead, it's about the Space Ranger whom the toy is based on.
16:26Does that sound a little bit confusing?
16:28Yeah, it does to us.
16:29And maybe that confusion is why the movie tanked.
16:32It earned around $220 million worldwide, but it cost about $200 million.
16:37This makes Lightyear one of Pixar's rare box office bombs.
16:40No, no, no, no!
16:41That's the surrender strength.
16:43You never pull back.
16:43There is no more shameful maneuver for a Space Ranger.
16:46Its commercial failure pierced the armor of an animation juggernaut that once seemed indestructible.
16:51I'm about to fix that.
16:53To infinity?
16:53And beyond.
16:56Number 5.
16:57Dread.
16:58Your crimes include multiple homicide and the attempted murder of a judge.
17:03If you do not comply, the sentence is death.
17:07In 2012, Carl Urban starred as the violent and no-nonsense Judge Dread.
17:12Whenever this officer went after a criminal, we knew we were in for brutal and stylized action.
17:17Dread was also surrounded by wonderful allies and truly intimidating villains.
17:21Although good word of mouth allowed the movie to open at number 1, it still lost approximately $20 million.
17:27If I don't come back and you get cornered, you might not want to get taken alive.
17:33A good chunk of the audiences may have avoided the film because the 1995 Dread film was so campy and terrible.
17:39At the same time, it's still a mystery as to why the 2012 movie was only showered with love from legions of fans after it left the theaters.
17:47She's a pass.
17:50I knew she would be.
17:52Number 4.
17:53Killers of the Flower Moon.
17:54A hefty price tag of $200 million meant the odds were stacked against this historical drama as soon as the budget was approved.
18:12However, there was a lot of faith that they could make it back.
18:15While Martin Scorsese was behind multiple aspects of production, talents like Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Lily Gladstone were busy giving towering performances.
18:25I don't even know if you love me anymore.
18:29Why?
18:30Of course I love you.
18:33I need you here.
18:35Their efforts seemed to be for naught when the film lost around $100 million.
18:39The poor returns were especially shocking in a year where the historical drama Oppenheimer broke box office records.
18:46Even though Killers of the Flower Moon earned more money after Oscar buzz surrounded it, the production couldn't recoup all of their losses.
18:52You're not going to give me that money.
18:53No, sir.
18:54Or you're going to regret this.
18:56Number 3.
18:57Blade Runner 2049.
18:59You're hurt.
19:00I'm not paying for that.
19:02I'll glue it.
19:03Although the first film in the sci-fi universe failed to light the box office on fire, no one was expecting history to repeat itself.
19:10Unfortunately, Blade Runner 2049 couldn't break even on its reported $150 million budget.
19:16The film's failure stunned so many because it gave audiences more of what they loved from the first go-around.
19:21Not only did the writers expand upon the futuristic world, but we also got to see it through a completely new point of view.
19:27I know it's real.
19:28The long-awaited sequel also answered lingering questions while setting enticing new mysteries.
19:41Sadly, none of the praise for 2049's production design or main performances translated into big box office receipts.
19:48Only I know you love pain.
19:52Number 2.
19:53The Thing.
19:54How you doing, old boy?
20:00I don't know who to trust.
20:02Whenever people talk about the greatest sci-fi films of all time, this John Carpenter masterpiece inevitably ends up in the conversation.
20:09The 10th story followed a group of researchers that discovered that a brutal and shape-shifting creature was hiding amongst them.
20:14Thanks to practical effects and skillful direction, the sci-fi tale felt surprisingly realistic.
20:20But the marriage of this dark tale initially kept people away.
20:23Both critics and audiences weren't fans of the violence, paranoia, and slow-burn plot.
20:28We're gonna find out who's The Thing.
20:32Watching Norris in there gave me the idea that...
20:35The negativity around The Thing also caused it to get frozen out of a prime box office spot.
20:39Thankfully, moviegoers were willing to give it a second chance after its stunning early failure.
20:43If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies.
20:50Nobody left to kill it.
20:53And then it's won.
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21:09Number 1.
21:12The Shawshank Redemption.
21:14Andy kept pretty much to himself at first.
21:17I guess he had a lot on his mind.
21:20Trying to adapt to life on the inside.
21:22This beloved Stephen King adaptation simply couldn't win when it was first released.
21:27In early test screenings, audiences showered the movie with heaps of praise.
21:30The prison struggles, plot twists, and character journeys all stuck with early viewers.
21:36Shawshank Redemption seemed poised for a great opening, before a horrific box office opening brought it all crashing down.
21:42During the initial theater run, Shawshank Redemption didn't make its $25 million budget back.
21:47A big Oscar campaign and successful TV reruns brought it back into the public consciousness in the next few years.
21:52It still routinely tops many lists of must-watch films for critics and audiences.
21:57It's safe to say, Shawshank Redemption overcame its shockingly bad debut.
22:02I suppose I could set it up for you.
22:03That would save you some money.
22:05If you get the forms, I'll prepare them for you.
22:07Nearly free of charge.
22:08Are there any other financial failures we missed?
22:11Let us know in the comments.
22:12Should I be writing this down?
22:14Yeah, write it down.
22:22Let us know in the comments.