Not every film finds its audience the first time around. Some are ahead of their time, mismarketed, or simply misunderstood upon release. Box office performance can unfairly label a movie a failure, overshadowing its creative ambition, thematic depth, or unique storytelling. But cinematic history is filled with overlooked gems that deserve a second chance.
Ad Astra (2019)
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James Gray’s Ad Astra received rave reviews from critics, and it’s considered to be one of Brad Pitt’s best performances in recent years. However, unlike a similar film such as Interstellar, it wasn’t exactly appealing to the masses.
The movie cost $90 million to make, and 20th Century Fox funded it. However, Disney released it after the merger. Unfortunately, it only made $127 million worldwide, and just $50 million of that came from the U.S. box office.
Warrior (2011)
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This emotional sports drama, directed by Gavin O’Connor, stars Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte. The story follows two estranged brothers that end up sorting out their lives and relationship when they join a mixed martial arts tournament.
While it was well received by critics and Nolte earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars, the movie struggled at the box office. With a budget of $25 million, the movie was released in September and only grossed $13 million in the US.
The Master (2012)
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Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the most renowned directors alive. However, he also has had its flops at the box office. One of his most acclaimed films, “The Master” barely broke even, earning $16 million in the U.S. and only $28.3 million worldwide against a $32 million budget.
The period drama was well received by critics, and it is considered as one of the best movies of the 2010s and the 21st Century so far. Also, Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams all received Oscar nominations for their work.
West Side Story (2021)
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Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is considered to be the first “modern blockbuster,” however, that doesn’t mean that the renowned director hasn’t had some flops. One of the most recent, sadly, was his great remake of “West Side Story,” which is now considered one of the best musicals of all time.
The film was a critical darling and it received several awards nominations, including Best Picture, with Ariana DeBose winning Best Supporting Actress. However, being delayed a year due to the pandemic, the movie grossed $76 million against a $100 million production budget.
John Carter (2012)
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The sci-fi flick directed by Andrew Stanton was a major box office flop despite its massive $250 million budget. The film, based on the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, follows a former soldier transported to Mars, where he gets caught in a war between two factions. It grossed just $284 million globally, failing to cover its costs.
However, it is visually stunning with a rich, imaginative world that deserves recognition. The action is thrilling, and the performances, especially by Taylor Kitsch, give the story depth. Though it didn’t resonate with audiences at the time, it remains an underrated picture well worth watching.
The Lost City Of Z (2017)
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This adventure drama received positive reviews and it starred some big names such as Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller and Tom Holland. However, the film couldn’t break even at the worldwide box office.
Directed by James Gray, the film was produced by Amazon Studios, who spent nearly $30 million on it. However, the film only managed to earn $20 million at the worldwide box office and $8 million in the US.
