Huge Box Office Disappointments in Hollywood History

Hollywood is known for its blockbuster hits, but not every film manages to capture the audience’s imagination or achieve financial success. From highly anticipated sequels to star-studded productions, some movies have fallen far short of expectations at the box office. These box office disappointments highlight the challenges of filmmaking, where high expectations, large budgets, and star power do not always guarantee success. Each of these films faced unique issues ranging from production problems to poor critical reception, leading to their place in Hollywood’s history of financial flops. While some of these movies may have found a second life in other forms or through home media, their initial box office failures serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the film industry. Here’s a look at ten of the biggest box office disappointments in Hollywood history, and why they failed to make a splash.

John Carter (2012)

Budget: $250 million
Box Office Gross: $284 million

Why It Disappointed: “John Carter,” based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ iconic science fiction novel “A Princess of Mars,” was a high-profile project with a massive budget. Despite a strong marketing campaign and advanced special effects, the film struggled with confusing plotlines and a lack of audience connection. The movie’s poor reception led to significant losses for Disney, marking it as one of the most expensive flops in history.

©Walt Disney Co./Everett Collection

The Lone Ranger (2013)

Budget: $225 million
Box Office Gross: $260 million

Why It Disappointed: A reboot of the classic Western TV show, “The Lone Ranger” boasted a star-studded cast including Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. However, its convoluted storyline and expensive production costs led to a substantial financial loss. The film’s lackluster reception and critical reviews further compounded its disappointing box office performance.

©Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Jerry Bruckheimer Inc.

Cats (2019)

Budget: $95 million
Box Office Gross: $75 million

Why It Disappointed: Adapted from the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, “Cats” was expected to be a major hit. However, its unsettling visual effects and baffling storyline failed to resonate with audiences. The film was widely criticized for its CGI and incoherent plot, leading to a significant financial flop despite its high-profile cast and extensive marketing.

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Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Budget: $275 million
Box Office Gross: $213 million

Why It Disappointed: “Solo,” a spin-off of the “Star Wars” franchise, faced numerous production challenges and director changes. While it had the advantage of the Star Wars brand, it struggled to attract audiences and failed to live up to the franchise’s high expectations. The film’s lukewarm reception and expensive production costs led to a financial disappointment for Disney.

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The 13th Warrior (1999)

Budget: $160 million
Box Office Gross: $61 million

Why It Disappointed: Despite being based on Michael Crichton’s novel and starring Antonio Banderas, “The 13th Warrior” faced numerous production problems and delays. The film’s poor reviews and lack of coherent marketing led to its failure at the box office, making it one of the most significant flops of the late 1990s.

Touchstone Pictures 

Waterworld (1995)

Budget: $175 million
Box Office Gross: $264 million

Why It Disappointed: “Waterworld” was once the most expensive film ever made, with grand expectations set for its success. Despite impressive visuals and action sequences, the film struggled with a confusing plot and was criticized for its length and pacing. The film’s box office performance, while not a total disaster, was insufficient to cover its massive production costs.

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The Golden Compass (2007)

Budget: $180 million
Box Office Gross: $372 million

Why It Disappointed: Based on Philip Pullman’s popular fantasy novel, “The Golden Compass” had high expectations and a significant budget. However, it faced criticism for its deviation from the source material and poor execution, leading to a disappointing box office performance. The film’s failure hindered the planned adaptations of the remaining books in the series.

New Line Cinema

Gigli (2003)

Budget: $75 million
Box Office Gross: $7 million

Why It Disappointed: “Gigli,” starring Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, was anticipated to be a major romantic comedy hit. However, its poor script, lack of chemistry between the leads, and overall execution led to its infamous status as a colossal flop. The film’s disastrous box office performance and critical reception have cemented its place in Hollywood history as one of the biggest flops.

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The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)

Budget: $100 million
Box Office Gross: $7 million

Why It Disappointed: Starring Eddie Murphy, “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” was a sci-fi comedy that failed to connect with audiences. The film’s expensive production, coupled with a weak plot and humor, led to its financial failure. The film’s massive budget and poor performance at the box office made it one of the most notable flops of the early 2000s.

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A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

Budget: $100 million
Box Office Gross: $132 million

Why It Disappointed: Based on Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved novel, “A Wrinkle in Time” had high hopes for both critical acclaim and box office success. Despite a strong cast and considerable marketing efforts, the film struggled with its execution and failed to appeal to audiences. The film’s underperformance at the box office was disappointing given the substantial investment and high expectations.

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