Buzz
What differentiates a blockbuster from a box-office flop? Is it the promotional campaigns and previews? The caliber of the cast? Or could it simply depend on the audience's preferences at the time? However, if these films are any indication, the quality of the movie itself often has little bearing on its financial success.
Today, many cinephiles regard these films as cult favorites. Some are even strong candidates for being hailed as some of the finest movies ever created. Yet, none managed to draw enough viewers during their original theatrical releases to avoid being labeled as box-office failures.
10. The Big Lebowski (1998)
You might assume that any film directed by the Coen Brothers is bound to succeed. They have consistently delivered timeless classics, such as No Country for Old Men and Fargo. However, one of their most humorous and cherished works, The Big Lebowski, failed to generate significant buzz during its initial release, despite featuring an ensemble of renowned actors.
The movie, chronicling the escapades of The Dude (Jeff Bridges), earned approximately $18 million against a $15 million budget—far from the biggest flop on this list but still below studio projections. A lackluster trailer and tepid critical reception likely contributed to its underwhelming performance. However, the film's memorable quotes, eccentric humor, and endearing anti-hero eventually won over audiences after its home release.
9. Treasure Planet (2002)
Directors Ron Clements and John Musker had been advocating for Treasure Planet since 1985, facing rejection from executives three times. However, after delivering hits like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, they leveraged their contract negotiations to secure Disney's approval in the early 2000s. Sadly, the studio quickly realized the film was a financial failure, earning only $109.6 million against a $140 million budget, leading to the cancellation of a planned sequel.
Pinpointing the exact reasons for its failure is challenging. Likely, it was a combination of factors, such as competition from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets during its opening week and the growing preference for CGI animation. Nevertheless, Treasure Planet has much to admire. It reimagines Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island in a space setting, offering a captivating universe, distinctive visuals, and a relatable protagonist. Plus, who didn’t want to try “space surfing” after watching it?
8. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
This cult favorite, centered on a slacker musician named Scott (Michael Cera) who fights his girlfriend’s exes, has since become a cultural phenomenon, even inspiring an anime series a decade after its debut. However, when Scott Pilgrim vs. the World first hit theaters in 2010, it fell far short of financial expectations, failing to earn $50 million against a budget ranging from $60 to $80 million.
The exact reasons for its initial failure are unclear. It might have been due to director Edgar Wright’s distinctive comedic style, which was challenging to capture in a trailer. However, the film’s cast, including Kieran Culkin, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Michael Cera, Brie Larson, and Chris Evans, have since achieved remarkable success, helping Scott Pilgrim vs. the World find the audience it deserved.
7. Donnie Darko (2001)
With its surreal visuals, intricate storyline, and themes exploring 1980s politics, mental health, and time travel, Donnie Darko was always a tough sell for mainstream audiences. However, its failure is easily explained: the film revolves around a plane crash and was released in October 2001, just one month after the 9/11 attacks.
Unsurprisingly, distributors hesitated to invest heavily in promoting the film following such a tragic event. As a result, it quietly left theaters with little fanfare. Fortunately, it was later rediscovered and gained a devoted cult following.
6. Heathers (1989)
Heathers centers on Veronica (Winona Ryder), a high school outsider who joins the most popular clique but despises their mean-spirited behavior. Her life takes a dark turn when she meets J.D. (Christian Slater), a mysterious new student with a deadly plan to dismantle the clique and the school’s social hierarchy.
On the surface, Heathers might seem like a typical teen drama, but it’s actually a sharp, satirical B-movie that subverts the genre. Its biting humor and unique screenplay garnered critical acclaim and awards, though its edgy tone limited its mainstream appeal. Winona Ryder’s agent even warned her against taking the role, fearing it would harm her career. Despite earning only £1.1 million against a £3 million budget, the film eventually achieved the cult classic status it deserved.
5. The Iron Giant (1999)
Adapted from Ted Hughes’ 1968 sci-fi novel, The Iron Giant follows the bond between a young boy named Hogarth and a massive alien robot targeted by the U.S. military. Directed by Brad Bird, who later helmed Ratatouille and The Incredibles, the film was praised by critics and audiences who saw it. However, its box office performance was disappointing, earning just $31.3 million globally against a $50 million budget.
What led to its underperformance? One possible reason is its stark deviation from the traditional Disney formula, abandoning musical numbers, fairy tales, and royal characters for a Cold War backdrop.
Another factor was Warner Bros’ reluctance to invest heavily in marketing after the failure of Quest for Camelot (a film not featured here). It wasn’t until The Iron Giant hit the home video market that Warner Bros recognized its potential and began promoting it. Combined with word-of-mouth buzz and critical acclaim, the film eventually gained the recognition it deserved.
4. Fight Club (1999)
Today, Fight Club is undeniably a cultural icon. However, in 1999, it was considered a niche film by Fox executives and underperformed at the box office, earning $37 million domestically against a $65 million budget. While it eventually broke even globally, it was initially deemed a commercial failure.
Both Edward Norton and director David Fincher have commented on the film’s rocky start, citing 20th Century Fox’s inability to market it effectively. Fincher recalled an executive saying, “Men don’t want to see Brad Pitt shirtless—it makes them insecure. And women don’t want to see him bloodied. So, who is this movie for?”
3. Citizen Kane (1941)
Orson Welles’s directorial debut, in which he also starred and co-wrote, is widely regarded by filmmakers, critics, and fans as one of the greatest films ever made. However, in the 1940s, this was far from the consensus, as Citizen Kane struggled to recover its costs at the box office and quickly faded from public consciousness.
A significant factor in its initial failure was media mogul William Randolph Hearst, who inspired much of the film’s script. Hearst took offense at the satirical portrayal and banned the movie from being mentioned in any of his newspapers.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that Citizen Kane began to regain attention. Its frequent airings on late-night television and a reevaluation by critics worldwide helped cement its status as a cinematic masterpiece. Since then, it has consistently topped lists of the greatest films of all time.
2. Blade Runner (1982) & Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
It’s rare for a box office flop to achieve cult status, but it’s even rarer for the same franchise to do so twice. Yet, that’s precisely what happened with Blade Runner.
The 1982 original united director Ridley Scott and actor Harrison Ford, both riding high from their roles in iconic sci-fi films (Alien and Star Wars, respectively). Despite this, Blade Runner’s deliberate pacing, neo-noir style, and bleak dystopian world didn’t resonate with audiences accustomed to fast-paced action and laser battles. While it wasn’t a total box office failure, its cult status only emerged years after its theatrical run.
By the 2010s, studios were willing to take a chance on a sequel. However, despite high expectations, Blade Runner 2049 struggled financially, leading to the cancellation of planned follow-ups. Yet, history repeated itself, and the sequel is now celebrated as a modern cult classic, much like the original.
1. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
This revisionist western, helmed by Andrew Dominik, faced numerous challenges before its release. Dominik initially envisioned a three-hour epic set for 2006, but studio interference led to a shorter runtime and a delayed release, pushing it to September 2007.
Upon its release, The Assassination of Jesse James garnered critical acclaim. Despite its star-studded cast and accolades during award season, the film underperformed commercially, earning just $4 million domestically against a $30 million budget. Even its $15 million global earnings couldn’t salvage its financial failure. However, a dedicated fanbase emerged, championing the film through grassroots efforts like the “Jesse James Revival,” which organized special screenings to celebrate its legacy.
