- 8 months ago
Hollywood's biggest financial disasters have cost studios hundreds of millions! Join us as we explore the blockbuster films that crashed and burned at the box office despite massive budgets, star power, and marketing campaigns. From swashbuckling adventures to sci-fi epics, these movies represent the riskiest bets that studios have ever made—and lost.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we're counting down our picks for those films that
00:12suffer the widest profit-loss margins, taking into account things like budget and marketing
00:17costs.
00:18Number 10, Cutthroat Island, $217 million, it's the film that allegedly threw Hollywood
00:34off of pirate-themed pictures for years, yet Cutthroat Island had a lot going for it
00:48on paper.
00:49Director Rennie Harlan was an experienced hand at delivering exciting, action-focused films.
00:54Gina Davis and Matthew Modi were marketable names for the marquee.
00:57All right, I'm going, but no tricks, and hurry.
01:01So why did Cutthroat Island flounder at the box office to the tune of $217 million?
01:08This was supposed to be a way of saving Coralco pictures from going under, but it ended up
01:12doing the exact opposite.
01:14The casting was marred by tons of back and forth, crew members were fired, delays occurred,
01:19and overall chaos was the norm.
01:21It's sort of a shame because the end results, as troubled as they were, remain fun enough
01:26today.
01:27Number 9, King Arthur, Legend of the Sword, $144 to $197 million, the name of Guy Ritchie
01:41didn't mean what it used to mean back in 2017 when King Arthur, Legend of the Sword hit theaters.
01:46The writer slash director had enjoyed hits like Snatch back in the 90s, but this adaptation
01:59of Arthurian legend arrived with a price tag between $144 and $197 million.
02:05The Guardian reported at the time how the screenplay stitched together elements of various other
02:09Arthur-adjacent scripts to create its story.
02:16There was also allegedly an intention for multiple sequels and a shared Arthurian cinematic universe.
02:22Alas, mixed reviews and low box office receipts put a kibosh on that plan.
02:27The film still hasn't broken even at the time of this writing.
02:40Number 8, Pan, $114 to $199 million, was 2015 the year where audiences were clamoring for
02:48a prequel to Peter Pan?
03:01Apparently not, because this film reportedly lost distributors' Warner Brothers between
03:05$114 and $199 million.
03:09This was despite actors such as Hugh Jackman, Rooney Mara and Amanda Seyfried attached to the
03:14project.
03:15Many times I am not to be disturbed when I'm at the rejuvenation!
03:20Fans and critics were mixed at best to the final results, a film that utilized a lot of CGI,
03:26but seemed to add little to the established lore of Peter Pan.
03:29Additionally, the film's screenplay, which had initially earned praise on the Hollywood blacklist
03:34of potential features, didn't come across that way on screen.
03:37This isn't a game.
03:38You've seen what Blackbeard has done to Neverland already.
03:41Pan does have some critical defenders, but that mattered little to the receipts of its theatrical
03:46release.
03:47Number 7, Strange World, $193 to $212 million.
03:52Strange World was Walt Disney Animation's first feature to include a LGBTQIA plus character
03:57in the lead role, but some feel this decision may have contributed to its lackluster box office.
04:03Strange World was pulled in some markets due to this creative choice, despite critical appraisal
04:07of the film generally being positive.
04:09Strange World's source material of Hopi adventure novels may not have been a good fit for its
04:34target audience, which may have contributed to its financial loss.
04:37In addition, audiences had become accustomed to waiting for animated films to stream rather
04:42than going to theaters, thanks to the COVID pandemic.
04:45Are you serious?
04:46This world is dying.
04:47I need your help.
04:48This film was one of that year's biggest bombs, reportedly costing the studio between $193
04:54and $212 million.
04:56Number 6, Sinbad, Legend of the Seven Seas, $214 million.
05:00The stories of Sinbad the Sailor used to be the home of box office gold back in the 1950s,
05:0760s and 70s.
05:08Those were live action productions, however, and Sinbad Legend of the Seven Seas attempted
05:11to revitalize the brand via animation.
05:13The end results unfortunately blew up in the face of Dreamworks, to the tune of $214 million.
05:26Critics were mixed at the time of the film's release, largely praising the visuals and music,
05:31but less so other important elements such as story.
05:35You're welcome.
05:36No problem.
05:37Don't worry about it.
05:38I won't.
05:39Good.
05:40Dreamworks almost didn't recover from the loss, and Sinbad Legend of the Seven Seas remains
05:43a black mark within the company's history.
05:46Number 5, Mortal Engines, $219 million.
05:49Could the steampunk subculture translate onto the silver screen?
05:53Hollywood seemed to think so back in 2018 with Mortal Engines.
05:56Give me everything you have!
06:00Peter Jackson co-wrote and co-produced the film, which was based upon a book series.
06:05Audiences, however, didn't respond to Mortal Engines in quite the same way as Jackson's
06:09journeys to Middle Earth.
06:11I've heard that before.
06:12I just need a little more time.
06:14Always assure yourself.
06:16The film ended up at a $219 million failure to Universal and its co-production companies,
06:22in Jackson's wingnut films.
06:24Mortal Engines, like many bombs, had its defenders, while also retaining some very familiar criticism.
06:29You failed.
06:30Failed?
06:31You really don't know me, do you?
06:35The picture was flashy to be sure, but didn't seem to have what it took in terms of worldbuilding
06:40or originality to translate into a new and successful franchise.
06:45Number 4, The Thirteenth Warrior, $130 to $243 million.
06:50Nobody stays on top forever.
06:52Director John McTiernan was responsible for some of the most influential films in the pop culture
06:57zeitgeist, including Predator and Die Hard.
06:59Author Michael Crichton was the man who brought us Jurassic Park.
07:03So why did this otherwise awesome film about a stranger in a strange land flop with such force?
07:08Advertising for The Thirteenth Warrior was everywhere back in 99, resulting in a budget estimated
07:13between $100 and $160 million.
07:17What is he saying?
07:18Hurry to meet death before your place is taken.
07:21Yet, McTiernan's film only mustered a paltry $61.7 million in receipts.
07:26Today, The Thirteenth Warrior possesses a cult following with movie fans.
07:31At the time, however, we're talking about a loss of between $130 and $243 million.
07:37I pray thee, God, for forgiveness.
07:41Number 3, The Marvels, $245 million.
07:45It seemed inconceivable at one point.
07:47Even imagined Marvel coming up short at the box office.
07:50I'm really sorry for the way I spoke to you.
07:53Nothing good lasts forever, though, and audiences were definitely feeling tired of superhero fare by 2023.
08:00Marvel's increasingly divisive creative decisions didn't help The Marvels when it was released at this time,
08:05despite containing a script that brought Captain and Ms. Marvel to the big screen.
08:09Let's fly this thing.
08:10I actually don't have the key.
08:12I'm just looking after it.
08:14Some blamed a culture of fandom that rejected the Marvel's female-led story and creative team,
08:19while still others just called it a bad movie with a bad script and questionable CGI.
08:24Firefly.
08:25Nightlight.
08:26Countess Marvel.
08:27Mistress Marvel.
08:28Doctor.
08:29Marvel.
08:30Doctor Bright.
08:31Professor Marvel.
08:32Whatever the case, the glory days of Marvel Studios certainly seemed to be in the rear view in 2023,
08:38and several subsequent Marvel films have also fallen short at the box office.
08:43Number 2.
08:44The Lone Ranger.
08:45$216 to $256 million.
08:48Some characters retain their historical place within pop culture, while others fade away into that great cinematic sunset.
08:55The Lone Ranger from 2013 seemed to follow in the footsteps of its equally infamous forebear from 1981,
09:02with its historic box office flop.
09:04Sources alleged at the time of the former's release that it was going to take Disney a $650 million return in order to break even on their investment.
09:12In that case, not so good.
09:14This all takes into account the huge marketing budget, combined with the production totals.
09:23When all was said and done, however, The Lone Ranger lost Disney between $216 and $256 million bucks.
09:31Could be worse.
09:33Worse.
09:34How could this be worse?
09:37Before we unveil our top pick, there are a few honorable mentions.
09:40The Adventures of Pluto Nash.
09:42$168 million.
09:44Eddie Murphy's infamous box office bomb.
09:46Junk?
09:47What do you mean junk?
09:48This is called inventory, alright?
09:49Battleship.
09:50$79 to $205 million.
09:53This one sunk at screen.
09:55Incoming, headed for the John Paul Jones.
09:58Joker Fully Adele.
10:00$125 to $200 million.
10:02Some sour notes for this musical disaster.
10:05Mr. Puddles.
10:08Gary Puddles?
10:12Tell me, sir, is that your God-given name?
10:17Jungle Cruise, $174 million.
10:20Not even The Rock could right this ship.
10:23After 400 years, I found it.
10:27Mars Needs Moms, $140 to $201 million.
10:31An interstellar movie misstep.
10:33Whoa!
10:34You didn't eat your broccoli.
10:37Broccoli makes me barf.
10:40Snow White, $115 million.
10:43Hi-ho, hi-ho.
10:45On a sad walk to the bank we go.
10:47People need some kindness.
10:49You know, I really don't remember you being this opinionated.
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11:08We'll probably never know whether or not Edgar Rice Burroughs' character, John Carter of Mars, could have carried a movie franchise.
11:23The source material certainly remains fascinating, and the story of John Carter is another one where some have revisited it and come back with a more sympathetic view.
11:36Captain John Carter, Virginia.
11:46However, the extra money afforded to John Carter for both production and marketing once again created a gap that proved insurmountable by Disney.
11:54A $600-plus million gross was allegedly needed for the House of Mouse to make a profit on their investment.
12:01This predictably didn't occur, and John Carter wound up costing Disney between $153 and $274 million by the time everything was all said and done.
12:11I cannot live without all my conscience. I do have one, Princess.
12:15Did critics and audiences get any of these wrong? Let us know in the comments down below.
12:19Ian, check it out! This is an ancient drawbridge. We lower that bad boy, and we are on our way to Raven's Point.
12:41Our view is more sensitive than he is most intellectual and a daddy.
12:46If I did like any!"
12:47sarà be
13:01rushing to live with stars, the only thing he made after the musical cannon.
13:04So you can easily magnify the movie.
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