Sometimes, even Hollywood’s most promising projects don’t make it past the finish line. Despite massive budgets, star-studded casts, and full studio backing, these films failed to connect with audiences and critics alike—losing millions in the process.
The Mummy
Source: IMDb
“The Mummy” was meant to launch Universal’s ambitious “Dark Universe” franchise, but instead became a cautionary tale. Despite Tom Cruise’s star power, the film was criticized for its muddled tone, overreliance on CGI, and a script that prioritized setting up future films over telling a coherent story.
Audiences and critics alike found it joyless and confusing, with little of the adventure-horror charm that made the 1999 version a hit. With a production budget reportedly around $195 million, it earned just $80 million domestically and $409 million worldwide—decent on the surface, but with massive marketing costs and backend deals, it failed to turn a profit and killed the franchise before it began.
Cats
Source: IMDb
When discussing the biggest box office failures of all time, many people’s first choice is likely “Cats”—and it’s no wonder why. The adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s acclaimed musical certainly boasted impressive talent, from Jennifer Hudson to Taylor Swift, but its visual effects gave audiences nightmares. As a result, the film grossed only $75.5 million on a budget of $80–100 million, leading to an estimated loss of $71 million after ancillary costs.
Space Jam: A New Legacy
Source: IMDb
Back in 1996, “Space Jam” was absolutely destroyed by critics but managed to achieve incredible box office numbers and later gained a cult following. It seems the producers of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” thought they could replicate that effect, but lightning wasn’t destined to strike twice. The LeBron James-led movie turned out to be a box office bomb, grossing $163 million worldwide against a $150 million production budget.
Flash
Source: IMDb
We’re still thinking about those CGI babies falling from a building. After Andy Muschietti showcased his directorial abilities in “Mama” and the “It” movies, there was a lot of expectation for what he could bring to the “Flash” universe. The truth is, some now wish he had never entered the franchise and had stuck to horror. The picture turned out to be a box-office bomb, grossing $271 million worldwide against a budget of $200–220 million.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Source: IMDb
When discussing cinema controversies of 2024, “Joker: Folie à Deux” has certainly provided plenty of material for gossip. From the infamous video of Joaquin Phoenix seemingly saying the movie was terrible after the first screening, to rumors of Todd Phillips having feuds with Christopher Nolan to alter the legacy of Heath Ledger, the film faced problems from start to finish. However, one of the most notable issues was its box office performance. It was a commercial failure, grossing $206.4 million worldwide on a $190–200 million budget.
Tenet
Source: IMDb
Despite his recent Oscar success with “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan has a dark spot on his résumé that will never be forgotten: “Tenet.” Although it was a project very close to the director’s heart—taking him nine years to write the script—it received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences.
The negative feedback was especially harsh, with some even calling it his worst work ever. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t help either, as the title was the first major Hollywood tentpole to open in theaters during that time. The film grossed $365 million worldwide on a $205 million budget, just barely managing to break even.
Gattaca
Source: IMDb
With its sleek design, cerebral premise, and rising stars like Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, “Gattaca” had all the makings of a sci-fi hit. But despite critical praise, the film struggled to find an audience and earned just $12 million domestically against a $36 million budget. Over time, it gained cult status as a visionary tale of genetic discrimination far ahead of its time.
Wish
Source: IMDb
Not only are those who grew up with 1990s and 2000s Disney films tired of the company’s most recent animated pictures, but it seems that today’s generations are nowhere near as interested in these productions as previous ones were. “Wish” is solid proof of this, lacking the brilliant storytelling the studio had in its golden age. The picture grossed roughly $255 million worldwide on a production budget of $175–200 million.
The Pope’s Exorcist
Source: IMDb
While it has been quite some time since Russell Crowe took on a role that truly showcased his incredible acting skills, the public still believes he can shine no matter the part. This was the case with “The Pope’s Exorcist,” a film that, despite being clearly deficient from the moment its trailer was released, had many believing that the A-list actor could salvage it. However, this was far from the truth. In fact, the movie grossed only $20 million in the United States and Canada, barely surpassing its $18 million budget.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Source: IMDb
“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” had all the makings of a cult phenomenon — a visionary director in Edgar Wright, a charismatic lead in Michael Cera, and a stylish fusion of video game aesthetics, comic book flair, and indie-rock energy. Critics praised its inventiveness and humor, but mainstream audiences didn’t connect with its niche tone. Despite a $60 million budget, it grossed less than half worldwide. Over time, however, it gained a devoted following, becoming a beloved cult classic that far outlived its initial box office disappointment.
