Famous Musicians Who Tried Acting and Completely Bombed at the Box Office

Transitioning from the recording studio to the silver screen is a tempting path for many chart-topping artists. While some manage to carve out successful acting careers, others find that their musical charisma does not translate well to cinema. Studios often bank on the star power of these musicians to sell tickets, but a famous name is rarely enough to save a troubled production. The history of Hollywood is littered with vanity projects and ill-advised casting choices that resulted in financial disasters. This list explores the musicians who took a gamble on acting and faced rejection from moviegoers.

Madonna

The Queen of Pop has attempted to conquer Hollywood multiple times, but her starring role in ‘Swept Away’ stands out as a significant failure. Directed by her then-husband Guy Ritchie, this remake of an Italian classic was panned by critics and ignored by audiences. The chemistry between the leads felt nonexistent to viewers, and the film recouped only a fraction of its budget. This disaster effectively ended her run as a leading lady in major theatrical releases.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey dominated the airwaves in the nineties, but her semi-autobiographical film ‘Glitter’ arrived at the worst possible time. Released in September 2001, the movie suffered from a weak script and overwhelming negative press regarding the singer’s personal struggles. The soundtrack performed reasonably well, yet the film itself became a box office punchline. It took years for Carey to rebuild her acting reputation with a stripped-down role in ‘Precious’.

Kelly Clarkson

Following her victory on the inaugural season of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson was contractually obligated to star in ‘From Justin to Kelly’. The film attempted to capitalize on the reality show’s massive popularity but failed to deliver a coherent plot or engaging musical numbers. Audiences recognized it as a rushed marketing tool rather than a genuine movie. The box office returns were dismal, and Clarkson herself has frequently joked about how much she dislikes the project.

Vanilla Ice

Robert Van Winkle, known as Vanilla Ice, tried to transition his rap fame into movie stardom with ‘Cool as Ice’. The film featured him as a motorcycle-riding rebel in a plot that many critics found laughable. Universal Pictures hoped to attract his teen fanbase, but the movie grossed remarkably little during its theatrical run. It remains a cult artifact of early nineties pop culture excess rather than a serious cinematic endeavor.

Jennifer Lopez

While Jennifer Lopez has enjoyed a lucrative acting career, ‘Gigli’ remains a notorious blemish on her filmography. Starring alongside her real-life partner Ben Affleck, the crime comedy was plagued by bad buzz long before its release. The film suffered from a confusing tone and a script that critics universally derided. It is frequently cited as one of the biggest box office bombs in history relative to the star power involved.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is an undeniable force in the music industry, but her role in the film adaptation of ‘Cats’ confused audiences worldwide. The movie utilized “digital fur technology” that many viewers found unsettling rather than charming. Despite a star-studded cast, the musical failed to connect with families or theater fans and lost the studio millions. Swift has since moved toward directing, but this specific acting venture remains a critical and commercial low point.

Prince

Following the massive success of ‘Purple Rain’, Prince directed and starred in ‘Under the Cherry Moon’. The black-and-white romantic dramedy lacked the raw energy of his debut and confused fans with its European setting. Critics were harsh toward his performance and the self-indulgent nature of the production. The film bombed at the box office, proving that his musical genius did not automatically guarantee success behind the camera.

Paul McCartney

Even a Beatle is not immune to box office failure, as proven by ‘Give My Regards to Broad Street’. McCartney wrote and starred in this fictionalized day-in-the-life story that critics dismissed as a vanity project. While the soundtrack was successful, the film itself was criticized for having no plot and lacking dramatic tension. It vanished quickly from theaters and is rarely discussed today outside of its musical contributions.

Bob Dylan

Rock legend Bob Dylan tried his hand at acting in ‘Hearts of Fire’, playing a reclusive musician. The film was intended to be a gritty drama but was widely panned for its clichéd script and lackluster performances. It performed so poorly that it was sent directly to video in many territories instead of receiving a wide theatrical release. The failure demonstrated that Dylan’s enigmatic persona was better suited for songwriting than acting.

Mick Jagger

The Rolling Stones frontman took a lead role in the sci-fi action film ‘Freejack’, starring alongside Emilio Estevez and Anthony Hopkins. Critics felt Jagger looked out of place in the futuristic setting, and the plot was derided as nonsensical. The movie failed to recoup its budget and did not launch the acting career Jagger might have hoped for. He has since stuck to smaller supporting roles and producing.

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson attempted to pivot from reality TV star to movie actress with ‘Blonde Ambition’. The film was a romantic comedy that borrowed heavily from successful predecessors but failed to find its own voice. It was released theatrically in only a few states before being pushed to DVD, signaling a lack of faith from the studio. The box office numbers were virtually nonexistent, marking the end of her brief push for leading roles.

Lance Bass

NSYNC member Lance Bass produced and starred in the romantic comedy ‘On the Line’. The film was marketed heavily to the boy band’s fanbase but failed to attract a general audience. With a budget that far exceeded its gross, the movie was a certified flop. It highlighted the difficulty of translating pop group fandom into ticket sales for individual acting projects.

Miley Cyrus

Attempting to break away from her Disney Channel image, Miley Cyrus starred in the indie drama ‘LOL’. The film was a remake of a French hit but received almost no marketing support from its distributor. It opened in limited release to empty theaters and earned a shockingly low amount given her celebrity status. The failure was a stumbling block during her transition to a more mature artistic persona.

Rihanna

Rihanna made her major film debut in the big-budget board game adaptation ‘Battleship’. She played a weapons specialist in a movie that was criticized for its bloated runtime and lack of originality. The film underperformed significantly in the domestic market compared to its massive production costs. While Rihanna has had success in other ventures, this specific blockbuster attempt was a financial disappointment.

Usher

R&B superstar Usher took the lead role in ‘In the Mix’, a crime dramedy about a DJ protecting a mobster’s daughter. The premise felt dated to audiences, and the execution was widely criticized for being flat and uninspired. The film barely made a dent at the box office and disappeared from theaters quickly. Usher has since focused primarily on his music and television judging roles.

Chris Brown

Chris Brown starred in ‘Battle of the Year’, a dance drama that aimed to showcase breaking culture. Despite the impressive choreography, the film was criticized for its weak acting and formulaic script. Audiences did not turn up to support the release, resulting in a box office bomb. The film failed to capitalize on the dance movie trend that had been popular in previous years.

Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas joined the cast of the dystopian thriller ‘Chaos Walking’ alongside Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley. The production was plagued by delays and extensive reshoots that ballooned the budget to an unsustainable level. When it was finally released, it received poor reviews and recouped only a fraction of its costs. The failure was attributed more to studio mismanagement than Jonas specifically, but it remains a box office bomb on his resume.

Lady Gaga

While Lady Gaga achieved massive acclaim for ‘A Star Is Born’, her follow-up role in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ faced a harsh reality. The sequel attempted to blend gritty drama with musical elements, a choice that alienated fans of the original film. Box office returns plummeted in the second week, resulting in a massive financial loss for the studio. The film serves as a reminder that even the most talented artist cannot always save a polarizing concept.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige delivered a strong vocal performance in the adaptation of the stage musical ‘Rock of Ages’. However, the film itself was a commercial disaster that failed to capture the energy of the Broadway show. Audiences were uninterested in the glossy, sanitized version of eighties rock culture. The movie lost millions and halted the momentum of the musical genre in Hollywood for several years.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake has had several acting hits, but ‘Runner Runner’ was a significant misstep. He starred opposite Ben Affleck in this online gambling thriller that critics found tedious and predictable. The film had a substantial budget but failed to generate excitement domestically. It is often cited as a generic entry in the filmographies of both its lead actors.

Dua Lipa

Pop sensation Dua Lipa had a heavily marketed role in the spy action comedy ‘Argylle’. Despite an aggressive promotional campaign featuring her character, the film was a massive box office disappointment. The confusing plot and inflated budget led to substantial losses for the production company. It demonstrated that social media popularity does not always translate to ticket sales.

André 3000

André Benjamin of OutKast starred in the musical period piece ‘Idlewild’, which featured music from the duo. The film was visually stylish but suffered from pacing issues and a niche appeal that failed to draw mainstream audiences. It earned far less than its production budget, stalling the group’s cinematic ambitions. The project remains a cult curiosity rather than a commercial success.

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr took the lead in the slapstick comedy ‘Caveman’, playing a prehistoric outcast. The film relied on physical humor and a made-up language, which critics found tiresome rather than funny. While it has a small fan following today, it was not a box office hit upon release. It marked one of the final attempts to market Starr as a solo leading man in film.

David Bowie

David Bowie was a chameleon in music and film, but ‘Just a Gigolo’ was a nadir in his acting career. The film was panned for its disjointed editing and lack of narrative focus. Bowie himself later described the film as a disaster that he was ashamed of. It failed to find an audience and disappeared into obscurity shortly after its release.

Sting

Sting played the role of Baron Frankenstein in the gothic drama ‘The Bride’. The movie attempted to reimagine the classic horror story but was criticized for being dull and pretentious. Audiences ignored the release, leading to a poor box office performance. Sting continued to act occasionally but never found a vehicle that matched his musical success.

Kris Kristofferson

Country legend Kris Kristofferson starred in ‘Heaven’s Gate’, a film infamous for destroying the studio United Artists. The western’s production was marred by cost overruns and the director’s perfectionism. When it was finally released, it was a colossal financial failure that changed how Hollywood managed budgets. Kristofferson’s performance was overshadowed by the negative publicity surrounding the production.

Diana Ross

Diana Ross starred as Dorothy in ‘The Wiz’, an adaptation of the successful Broadway musical. Critics felt she was too old for the role, which changed the dynamic of the story significantly. The film was incredibly expensive to produce and failed to earn back its budget during its initial run. Despite its later cult status, it was considered a major flop at the time.

Bette Midler

Bette Midler played a character based on author Jacqueline Susann in ‘Isn’t She Great’. The film was marketed as a campy biography but failed to land its jokes or dramatic moments. It opened to scathing reviews and earned a pitiful amount at the box office. The movie is often ranked among the worst-performing wide releases for a star of her magnitude.

Ja Rule

Rapper Ja Rule had a supporting role in the action film ‘Half Past Dead’, starring alongside Steven Seagal. The movie was criticized for its incoherent plot and low production values. It performed poorly in theaters and did nothing to establish Ja Rule as a serious action star. The film is largely remembered as a generic entry in the decline of Seagal’s theatrical career.

50 Cent

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson starred in the war drama ‘Home of the Brave’ shortly after his musical peak. The film dealt with soldiers returning from Iraq but was criticized for its heavy-handed melodrama. It saw a very limited theatrical release and earned negligible box office returns. Jackson has since found much more success in television production than in theatrical acting.

Ice Cube

Ice Cube is a successful actor, but the sci-fi horror ‘Ghosts of Mars’ was a rare misfire. Directed by John Carpenter, the film was criticized for its cheap effects and repetitive action sequences. It failed to recoup its budget and halted Carpenter’s directing career for nearly a decade. Ice Cube rebounded quickly with other projects, but this space adventure remains a flop.

Debbie Harry

Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry starred in David Cronenberg’s ‘Videodrome’. While the film is now considered a masterpiece of body horror, it was a financial disaster upon release. Mainstream audiences in the eighties were repelled by the disturbing imagery and complex themes. It took years on the home video market for the film to find appreciation and profitability.

Tom Waits

Tom Waits composed the music and had a role in Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘One from the Heart’. The musical romance was visually spectacular but cost an exorbitant amount of money to produce. It earned a tiny fraction of its budget back, causing severe financial distress for Coppola’s studio. Waits continued to act in cult films, but this major studio attempt was a historic bomb.

Gene Simmons

KISS bassist Gene Simmons played the villain in the sci-fi thriller ‘Runaway’ opposite Tom Selleck. The film was intended to be a futuristic blockbuster but was overshadowed by other sci-fi hits of the era. Critics found the killer robot plot silly, and the box office returns were underwhelming. Simmons shifted his focus back to music and reality television following the lukewarm reception.

Cher

Cher is an Academy Award winner, but her film ‘Faithful’ was a critical and commercial failure. She played a woman who bonds with the hitman hired to kill her in a plot that audiences found implausible. The film grossed very little and is often forgotten in discussions of her otherwise impressive filmography. It served as a minor speed bump in a legendary career.

Roger Daltrey

The Who’s lead singer Roger Daltrey starred in the flamboyant musical biography ‘Lisztomania’. Directed by Ken Russell, the film was an excessive and bizarre take on the life of Franz Liszt. Critics and audiences were baffled by the surreal imagery, leading to poor ticket sales. It remains a polarizing film that failed to capture the general public’s imagination.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg starred in the horror film ‘Bones’, playing a murdered numbers runner who returns as a ghost. The movie paid homage to blaxploitation cinema but failed to scare or entertain mainstream horror fans. It performed poorly at the box office and was quickly relegated to the home video market. Snoop found better success with comedy roles and voice acting in later years.

Method Man

Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man appeared in the fantasy comedy ‘The Cobbler’ with Adam Sandler. The film was universally panned for its bizarre plot and lack of laughs. It holds the distinction of being one of the lowest-grossing films in Sandler’s career, receiving a very limited theatrical release. Method Man’s involvement could not save the project from being a critical and commercial disaster.

Jon Bon Jovi

Rock star Jon Bon Jovi played the lead in the romantic thriller ‘The Leading Man’. While his performance received some decent reviews, the film itself failed to secure a wide audience. It saw limited release in the United States and made almost no impact on the box office charts. He eventually transitioned to successful supporting roles in television and ensemble films.

Which of these musical crossover attempts do you think deserved a better chance at the box office? Share your thoughts in the comments.