While some movies are touted as major box office successes based on their flashy marketing and initial excitement, not all of them turn a profit in the long run. Despite the outward appearance of a blockbuster, some films end up being considered flops when you factor in production costs, marketing and other expenses. Here are 12 blockbusters that secretly struggled to make back their investments, showing that high box office numbers do not always tell the full story.
John Carter, 2012
Despite its massive budget of $250 million, John Carter flopped with a worldwide gross of $284 million. The film’s marketing failed to connect with audiences and despite being based on a classic sci-fi novel, it was deemed one of the biggest box office failures of all time, costing Disney millions in losses.
The Lone Ranger, 2013
The reboot of The Lone Ranger, starring Johnny Depp, had a production budget of around $225 million, but it only grossed $260 million worldwide. It struggled to connect with audiences and the film’s production costs and extensive marketing left Disney with a significant financial loss.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, 2017
This visually stunning but poorly received film from Guy Ritchie had a production budget of $175 million but only earned $148 million worldwide. Despite its action packed sequences and star power with Charlie Hunnam, it struggled to find an audience, especially internationally.
The Dark Tower, 2017
Based on Stephen King’s beloved book series, The Dark Tower seemed like a surefire hit with its $60 million budget. However, it grossed only $113 million worldwide, falling short of expectations, especially considering its large fanbase and franchise potential.
Solo: A Star Wars Story, 2018
Despite being a part of the iconic Star Wars franchise, Solo had an estimated budget of $275 million and earned only $213 million worldwide, making it the lowest grossing film in the Star Wars saga. Production issues, including extensive reshoots, contributed to its underperformance.
The 47 Ronin, 2013
Keanu Reeves’ action fantasy film had a budget of $175 million but only made $151 million at the box office. Despite heavy marketing and a large budget, 47 Ronin failed to resonate with audiences and its lackluster performance led to major financial losses for Universal.
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Tomorrowland, 2015
Starring George Clooney and directed by Brad Bird, Tomorrowland had an estimated budget of $190 million but grossed only $209 million worldwide. The film’s overly ambitious premise and lack of audience connection led to a disappointment for Disney, despite being marketed as a family friendly blockbuster.
The Astronaut’s Wife, 1999
With a budget of around $75 million, The Astronaut’s Wife only made about $19 million worldwide. Despite starring Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron, its lackluster reception and failure to connect with audiences caused it to underperform significantly at the box office.
Pacific Rim, 2013
While Pacific Rim earned $411 million globally, it cost around $190 million to produce, with an additional $100 million in marketing. Given the film’s overseas success, it managed to scrape by, but it still did not generate the profit expected from its massive budget and the hopes for a franchise.
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The Legend of Hercules, 2014
With a budget of $70 million, this action adventure film only earned around $61 million worldwide. Despite starring Kellan Lutz and attempting to capitalize on the success of other mythological epics like 300, it failed to draw audiences, making it a financial loss for Lionsgate.
Speed Racer, 2008
Despite its bold visuals and high energy direction from the Wachowskis, Speed Racer was a box office failure. With a $120 million budget, it only grossed $93 million worldwide. Its unique visual style did not resonate with mass audiences and it became a cult classic rather than a commercial success.
Gods of Egypt, 2016
Gods of Egypt had a budget of $140 million but earned only $150 million globally. Despite its star studded cast and impressive visual effects, the film was panned for its over the top performances and cultural missteps, resulting in a disappointing box office performance.
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While these films may have had all the hallmarks of a blockbuster, big stars, high budgets and flashy marketing, their underwhelming box office returns reveals that even the most hyped movies can fail to make an impact. These movies serve as a reminder that a successful box office run is more than just about opening weekend numbers; it is about staying power, audience connection and most importantly profitability.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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Read it here:15 Highly Anticipated Movies That Shockingly Flopped At the Box Office
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Read it here:15 Box Office Bombs That Made You Wish You Could Get A Refund
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