The Biggest Box Office Flops by Stars

Hollywood history is filled with ambitious projects that failed to resonate with audiences despite featuring some of the biggest names in the industry. These high budget productions often faced significant financial losses due to poor critical reception or lack of public interest. While many of these actors went on to achieve great success these specific titles remain notable for their commercial struggles. Understanding the factors behind these failures provides insight into the unpredictable nature of the film business.

‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

John Travolta starred in this science fiction adaptation based on the novel by L. Ron Hubbard. The story follows a human rebellion against an alien race known as the Psychlos on a future Earth. It faced significant criticism for its production design and screenplay choices during its theatrical run. The film failed to recover its high production and marketing costs at the global box office.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

Eddie Murphy played the lead role in this science fiction comedy set on the moon. The plot involves a nightclub owner who refuses to sell his business to a local mobster. Production delays and extensive reshoots increased the budget significantly before the film reached theaters. It ultimately earned a small fraction of its costs and became one of the most notable financial failures of the era.

‘Gigli’ (2003)

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez starred in this romantic crime comedy directed by Martin Brest. The narrative centers on a low level mobster who is assigned to kidnap the brother of a federal prosecutor. Despite the high profile romance of its lead actors at the time the film received poor reception from audiences. It experienced a massive drop in ticket sales after its opening weekend and struggled to find a commercial audience.

‘Cutthroat Island’ (1995)

Geena Davis played a pirate captain in this swashbuckling adventure directed by Renny Harlin. The production was plagued by behind the scenes issues including script changes and difficult filming conditions. Its failure at the box office led to the closure of Carolco Pictures shortly after its release. This film remains a frequently cited example of a massive financial loss in the action genre.

‘John Carter’ (2012)

Taylor Kitsch starred as the title character in this epic adaptation of the stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The plot follows a Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars and becomes involved in a conflict between local tribes. Disney invested heavily in the special effects and marketing for this project. Despite finding some fans later on the initial theatrical performance resulted in a substantial write down for the studio.

‘The Lone Ranger’ (2013)

Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer took the lead roles in this big budget reimagining of the classic western hero. The story explores the origin of the masked lawman through the perspective of his companion Tonto. Production costs spiraled due to the scale of the action sequences and set designs. The movie failed to attract the international audience necessary to offset its massive investment.

’47 Ronin’ (2013)

Keanu Reeves led this fantasy action film based on a famous Japanese legend. The story combines historical elements with supernatural creatures and magic. Extensive reshoots and a lengthy post production process caused the budget to grow significantly. It struggled to compete at the box office and ended its run with a large financial deficit.

‘Jupiter Ascending’ (2015)

Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis starred in this original science fiction epic from the Wachowskis. The plot concerns a young woman who discovers she is the heir to an intergalactic royal dynasty. The film featured complex visual effects and an expansive world building narrative. It failed to connect with domestic audiences and did not meet the financial expectations of the studio.

‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ (2017)

Charlie Hunnam played the legendary British monarch in this stylized action film directed by Guy Ritchie. The movie attempted to launch a new franchise by offering a gritty and modern take on the classic mythology. It faced stiff competition from other summer blockbusters and received mixed reviews from critics. The high production costs were not covered by the disappointing global ticket sales.

‘Mortal Engines’ (2018)

Hera Hilmar and Hugo Weaving appeared in this adaptation of the novel by Philip Reeve. The story is set in a post apocalyptic world where entire cities move on giant wheels and consume smaller settlements. Despite being produced by Peter Jackson the film struggled to find a wide audience during its December release. It became one of the largest financial losses for a major studio in recent years.

‘The 13th Warrior’ (1999)

Antonio Banderas starred in this historical action film based on a novel by Michael Crichton. The plot follows an exiled ambassador who joins a group of Vikings on a quest to defeat a mysterious threat. The production faced numerous delays and underwent significant edits before its eventual release. It failed to earn back its massive budget and became a major loss for Touchstone Pictures.

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry took on the role of the famous DC Comics character in this standalone action movie. The story reimagined the character as a graphic designer who gains feline powers after a near death experience. It was met with largely negative reviews and failed to generate momentum at the box office. The film did not recoup its production and marketing expenses during its theatrical run.

‘Alexander’ (2004)

Colin Farrell played the historical figure Alexander the Great in this epic biography directed by Oliver Stone. The film attempted to cover the vast majority of the leader’s life and military campaigns. Despite an ensemble cast that included Angelina Jolie and Val Kilmer it underperformed in the United States. The movie required multiple home video versions to eventually find its footing with some viewers.

‘R.I.P.D.’ (2013)

Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges starred in this supernatural action comedy based on a comic book. The story involves two deceased police officers who work for the Rest In Peace Department to hunt malevolent spirits. It was often compared to other successful franchises but failed to achieve similar commercial heights. The film ended its theatrical run as a significant financial disappointment.

‘Stealth’ (2005)

Josh Lucas and Jamie Foxx played elite pilots in this high tech military thriller. The plot focuses on a specialized flight team that must stop an out of control artificial intelligence aircraft. Despite the use of advanced visual effects the movie did not appeal to the general public. It remains one of the most expensive films to result in a large net loss for its studio.

‘Evan Almighty’ (2007)

Steve Carell led this comedy sequel that shifted the focus from the original protagonist to a new character. The story follows a congressman who is instructed by God to build an ark for a coming flood. The large scale construction of the ark and the use of live animals pushed the budget to record levels for a comedy. It failed to match the box office success of its predecessor.

‘The Alamo’ (2004)

Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton starred in this historical drama about the famous siege in Texas. The filmmakers aimed for historical accuracy and a large scale depiction of the battle. It was released during a crowded season and failed to capture the interest of modern moviegoers. The studio experienced a heavy loss on the project relative to its production costs.

‘Green Lantern’ (2011)

Ryan Reynolds played the title character in this attempt to launch a new superhero franchise for DC. The story follows a test pilot who is granted a powerful ring by an extraterrestrial peacekeeper. While it had a strong opening the film suffered from poor word of mouth and declining ticket sales. It did not perform well enough to justify the planned sequels or the high cost of production.

‘Town & Country’ (2001)

Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton led an ensemble cast in this romantic comedy about aging socialites. The production was notoriously troubled and lasted for several years due to constant script revisions. By the time it reached theaters the budget had ballooned far beyond its initial projections. It earned only a tiny fraction of its total cost and was pulled from theaters quickly.

‘Mars Needs Moms’ (2011)

Seth Green provided the performance capture for the lead character in this animated adventure. The story involves a young boy who must rescue his mother after she is abducted by Martians. It utilized expensive motion capture technology that was popular at the time. The film suffered from a lack of audience interest and stands as one of the biggest losses in the history of animation.

‘After Earth’ (2013)

Will Smith and Jaden Smith starred in this science fiction film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The story is set on a hostile future Earth where a father and son must survive after a crash landing. Despite the star power of the lead actors the film received a lukewarm response from domestic audiences. It failed to reach the box office heights typical of a major summer release featuring its stars.

‘Dolittle’ (2020)

Robert Downey Jr. played the famous doctor who can talk to animals in this family adventure. The project underwent significant reshoots and changes during a long post production phase. While it performed better internationally than domestically the overall costs were too high to achieve profitability. It marked a difficult start for the actor following his departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Gemini Man’ (2019)

Will Smith played dual roles as an aging assassin and his younger clone in this technical showcase. Director Ang Lee used high frame rate technology and advanced digital de aging for the production. The film faced criticism for its story and failed to attract a large audience in many major markets. This resulted in a substantial financial loss for the participating studios.

‘Chaos Walking’ (2021)

Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley starred in this science fiction adaptation based on the novel by Patrick Ness. The plot involves a world where all living creatures can hear each other’s thoughts in a stream of images and words. After a difficult production history and multiple delays the film was released during a challenging time for theaters. It struggled to make an impact and did not come close to covering its budget.

‘Amsterdam’ (2022)

Christian Bale led a star studded cast in this period mystery directed by David O. Russell. The story follows three friends who become suspects in a murder and uncover a massive political conspiracy. Despite the inclusion of numerous Academy Award winners the film failed to connect with the general public. High marketing and production expenses led to a significant deficit for the studio.

‘Babylon’ (2022)

Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie starred in this epic drama about the transition from silent films to talkies in Hollywood. The film featured a long runtime and a highly stylized approach to the era’s excesses. It received polarising reviews and faced a difficult environment at the domestic box office. The ambitious project ended its theatrical run well below its estimated break even point.

‘The Flash’ (2023)

Ezra Miller played the lead role in this multiversal superhero adventure that featured the return of Michael Keaton as Batman. The production was delayed for years and went through several different creative teams. While it was highly anticipated the film underperformed significantly during its summer release. It stands as one of the most prominent recent examples of a high budget superhero failure.

‘Strange World’ (2022)

Jake Gyllenhaal voiced a lead character in this original animated adventure from Disney. The story follows a family of explorers as they travel into a mysterious land beneath their own world. It received positive reviews but failed to generate substantial interest during the holiday season. The film resulted in a massive financial loss for the studio’s animation department.

‘Dark Phoenix’ (2019)

James McAvoy and Sophie Turner starred in this final entry of the main X Men series produced by Fox. The story focused on the transformation of Jean Grey into a powerful and destructive force. Reshoots and a change in the release schedule impacted the final product and its marketing campaign. It earned the lowest box office total of the entire franchise and lost a significant amount of money.

‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ (2017)

Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne starred in this visually spectacular science fiction epic from Luc Besson. The film was based on a famous French comic series and featured a massive budget funded independently. While it was praised for its creative visuals the story did not resonate with a global audience. It failed to earn back the high costs required for such a large scale production.

‘Pan’ (2015)

Hugh Jackman played the pirate Blackbeard in this reimagining of the Peter Pan origin story. The film featured elaborate sets and a whimsical tone intended for family audiences. It was released during a competitive time and failed to capture a significant market share. The studio faced a large financial loss on the project after marketing costs were factored in.

‘Tomorrowland’ (2015)

George Clooney starred in this original science fiction mystery inspired by the Disney theme park land. The story explores a secret world of technological marvels and the people trying to save it. Despite the involvement of director Brad Bird the film struggled to define its target audience. It did not reach the high box office targets set by its large production budget.

‘Sahara’ (2005)

Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz starred in this action adventure based on the novel by Clive Cussler. The plot follows an explorer searching for a lost Civil War ship in the African desert. Legal battles and high production costs made it difficult for the film to achieve profitability. Even with decent ticket sales the expenses were so high that it remained a financial failure.

‘Deepwater Horizon’ (2016)

Mark Wahlberg led the cast of this drama based on the real life oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The filmmakers used a massive practical set to recreate the rig and the ensuing explosion. It received positive reviews for its realism and performances but failed to attract a large audience. The high cost of the production made it impossible to turn a profit.

‘Ben-Hur’ (2016)

Jack Huston and Morgan Freeman appeared in this remake of the classic biblical epic. The movie featured a modern approach to the famous chariot race and used extensive digital effects. It struggled to differentiate itself from the legendary 1959 version and failed to draw in younger viewers. The film was a major commercial disappointment for the studios involved.

‘Gods of Egypt’ (2016)

Gerard Butler starred as an Egyptian god in this stylized fantasy adventure directed by Alex Proyas. The film relied heavily on gold tinted visual effects and large scale mythological battles. It faced significant controversy regarding its casting choices before it even reached theaters. Domestic audiences largely ignored the film leading to a significant loss for the production company.

‘Black Adam’ (2022)

Dwayne Johnson spent years developing this project to introduce his character into the DC universe. The story follows an ancient antihero who is released into the modern world. While it earned a respectable total at the box office the high production and marketing costs meant it did not reach the profit threshold. The film ultimately did not lead to the planned sequels or changes in the franchise direction.

‘Moonfall’ (2022)

Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson starred in this disaster epic about the moon being knocked out of its orbit. Director Roland Emmerich used his signature style of large scale destruction for the independent production. It received a limited response from audiences and failed to gain traction during its theatrical run. The film stands as one of the most expensive independent movies to fail commercially.

‘Cats’ (2019)

Taylor Swift and Idris Elba were part of the ensemble cast in this adaptation of the famous stage musical. The film used digital fur technology to transform the actors into human sized felines. It became a viral sensation for its unusual visuals but failed to translate that attention into ticket sales. The production resulted in a large loss for Universal Pictures after a poor critical and commercial showing.

‘Wild Wild West’ (1999)

Will Smith followed his previous summer hits with this steampunk western action comedy. The movie featured high tech gadgets and a giant mechanical spider as the primary antagonist. While it performed reasonably well it did not meet the massive expectations set by its huge budget. It remains a notable example of a blockbuster that failed to spawn a franchise despite its stars.

‘Waterworld’ (1995)

Kevin Costner starred in this post apocalyptic adventure set on a world covered entirely by water. The production was famously difficult and faced numerous setbacks that caused the budget to skyrocket. At the time of its release it was the most expensive movie ever made. While it eventually broke even through international sales and home video it was initially considered a massive disappointment.

‘The Postman’ (1997)

Kevin Costner directed and starred in this epic drama about a man who inspires a community in a collapsed society. The long runtime and serious tone made it a difficult sell for audiences during the holiday season. It failed to match the success of the actor’s previous hits and was met with harsh critical reviews. The film earned back only a small fraction of its production costs.

‘Ishtar’ (1987)

Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty played a duo of untalented lounge singers in this comedy set in the Middle East. The production was marked by creative differences and went far over its intended budget. It became a symbol of Hollywood excess and faced negative press before it was even released. The film failed to find an audience and remains one of the most famous flops in history.

‘Heaven’s Gate’ (1980)

Kris Kristofferson starred in this western epic directed by Michael Cimino following his success with The Deer Hunter. The production was notorious for its extreme attention to detail and massive cost overruns. Its failure at the box office contributed to the eventual sale of United Artists. This film is often studied for its impact on the studio system and director control in Hollywood.

‘Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas’ (2003)

Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta Jones provided the voices for this traditional animated adventure from DreamWorks. The story follows the legendary sailor as he searches for a magical book to save a friend. It faced stiff competition from the rising popularity of computer animated films like Finding Nemo. The movie’s failure prompted the studio to move away from hand drawn animation entirely.

‘Titan A.E.’ (2000)

Matt Damon and Drew Barrymore voiced the lead characters in this science fiction animation about the search for a new home for humanity. It featured a blend of traditional and digital animation styles. The film was released by Fox Animation Studios but failed to attract a wide audience. Its poor performance led to the closure of the studio shortly after the release.

‘The Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1964)

Sophia Loren and Alec Guinness starred in this massive historical epic from the mid sixties. The production featured incredibly large sets and thousands of extras to depict the decline of Rome. Despite the high quality of the filmmaking the public interest in long historical epics was beginning to fade. The financial loss was so great that it significantly impacted the career of producer Samuel Bronston.

‘The Conqueror’ (1956)

John Wayne took on the unlikely role of Genghis Khan in this historical epic produced by Howard Hughes. The film was criticized for its casting and script during its initial release. It is also famous for being filmed near a nuclear test site which led to health concerns for the cast and crew. The movie did not perform well enough to cover its high production and promotional expenses.

‘How Do You Know’ (2010)

Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd starred in this romantic comedy directed by James L. Brooks. The high salary of the cast and the director along with a long production period led to an unusually large budget for the genre. It failed to attract audiences and did not come close to earning back its costs. This film remains one of the most expensive romantic comedies ever produced relative to its earnings.

‘Monster Trucks’ (2016)

Lucas Till and Jane Levy starred in this family adventure about a creature that lives inside a truck. The film underwent several delays and a massive financial write down before it even reached theaters. It struggled to find a target demographic and was ignored by the majority of moviegoers. The studio experienced a substantial loss on the project during the January release window.

Please share your thoughts on which of these films you think deserved more success in the comments.