20 Iconic Films That Flopped On Their Face in Theaters
We don’t always see movies the day they are released, so when we like something, we assume everyone did so. This is doubly so when we find out that a lot of people liked the same film; that means it must’ve been a success! And oftentimes, the truth is not so simple.
Due to any number of things, like not finding their niche audience or budgets impossible to recover from, these following films didn’t do too good in box office terms. And yet, they remain incredibly good movies, showing that flopping in theaters isn’t the end for all of them.
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont directed this prison drama, and it is now considered one of the greatest movies ever made. However, it earned a measly $16 million against a $25 million production budget during its initial theatrical run.
It’s a Wonderful Life
While Frank Capra delivered the ultimate holiday classic in 1946, audiences at the time were not feeling the festive spirit. The film grossed about $3.3 million against a $3.18 million budget, falling far short of its theatrical break-even point.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Gene Wilder brought the eccentric candy maker to life in this strange musical fantasy. It seems crazy today, but the movie was a complete commercial dud, earning roughly $4 million worldwide against a $3 million production cost.
Children of Men
Alfonso Cuarón directed this acclaimed dystopian thriller, which is now praised for its incredible single-take action sequences. Sadly, the grim storyline kept audiences away, and it grossed approximately $70 million worldwide against a $76 million budget.
The Iron Giant
Brad Bird made his animated feature debut in 1999 with this beautiful story about a boy and his robot. The marketing was such a failure, though, that it led it to gross only $31.3 million worldwide against a hefty $50 million budget.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Edgar Wright adapted the popular comic series into a fast-paced 2010 visual feast that completely failed to find an audience. It grossed just $47.8 million worldwide against an estimated production budget of $60 million to $85 million.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Before it became a midnight screening phenomenon, this musical initially bombed in standard release. It managed to gross just over $1 million domestically on a $1.5 million budget before the cult following finally saved it entirely.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Terry Gilliam took on this wild Hunter S. Thompson adaptation in 1998, but sadly, mainstream moviegoers completely rejected the bizarre trip. It was a commercial failure, taking in $13.7 million worldwide against an $18.5 million budget.
The King of Comedy
Martin Scorsese teamed up with Robert De Niro for this dark 1982 satire about celebrity obsession. The uncomfortable tone pushed audiences away, and it flopped hard in theaters, grossing a measly $2.5 million against a $19 million budget.
Once Upon a Time in America
Sergio Leone directed this sweeping crime epic, but severe studio edits ruined the initial North American release. The confusing theatrical cut flopped instantly, grossing roughly $5.3 million against a substantial $30 million production budget.
Big Trouble in Little China
John Carpenter directed this fantasy action comedy that eventually became a legendary rental tape. During its initial theatrical run, it grossed just $11.1 million in North America, falling well short of its $19 million to $25 million budget.
Wet Hot American Summer
David Wain gathered an incredible cast for his 2001 camp comedy, and even then, nobody bought a ticket. The film earned a meager $295,206 at the global box office against its $1.8 million budget before gaining immense cult status later.
Under the Skin
Jonathan Glazer cast Scarlett Johansson in this eerie 2013 sci-fi film that left audiences completely bewildered. The quiet atmosphere resulted in empty theaters, and it grossed only $7.2 million worldwide against an estimated $13.3 million budget.
The Boondock Saints
Troy Duffy saw his crime film get an incredibly limited release in just 5 theaters. It earned roughly $30,000 domestically before finding massive success on video shelves, where it eventually became a staple for college students everywhere.
The Road to El Dorado
DreamWorks released this beautiful animated musical comedy in 2000, and the internet has since turned it into a beloved meme factory. However, it only grossed $76.4 million worldwide, completely failing to recoup its $95 million production budget.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Terry Gilliam is famous for his chaotic productions, and this ambitious 1988 fantasy film was no exception. It was a disaster at the box office, grossing only $8.1 million worldwide against a massive $46.6 million budget.
The Hudsucker Proxy
Joel and Ethan Coen created a unique corporate screwball comedy in 1994. The stylized dialogue missed the mark with audiences, and it grossed only $2.8 million domestically against an estimated production budget of $25 to $40 million.
Sweet Smell of Success
Alexander Mackendrick directed this sharp 1957 film noir, which is now considered a brilliant piece of cinema. It severely underperformed at the box office, with an estimated loss of at least $400,000 on its initial release.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Guy Ritchie brought plenty of slick style to this 2015 spy action film, and even that wasn’t enough to kick start a franchise. The reboot grossed $110 million worldwide against a production budget of $75 million to $84 million, killing any sequel hopes.
The Nice Guys
Shane Black paired Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe for this fantastic buddy cop comedy. Despite incredible reviews and great chemistry, it only made $62.8 million worldwide on a $50 million budget, making it a frustrating financial miss.