- 6 weeks ago
Timing can make or break a film's success. We're diving into movies that missed their moment, launching at just the wrong time and suffering box office disappointment. From animated adventures and supernatural comedies to holiday flicks and superhero epics, these titles faced tough competition, poor scheduling, or unexpected events that overshadowed their debuts. Which of these films do you think deserved a hit release window?
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00:00Hello, Salo! My name's Wilfred! What's y'all?
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the flicks that came out at the worst moment and flopped because of it.
00:13I am a drag on your life.
00:17Please don't ever say that to me again.
00:22Number 10, Haunted Mansion.
00:24No, we're out.
00:25Not everything is meant to be a mid-year blockbuster.
00:32Considering the beloved source material and its star-studded cast,
00:362023's Haunted Mansion could have been an easy slam dunk at the box office.
00:40Unfortunately, it ended up earning below its budget instead.
00:44It came out during a perfect storm of pop culture moments.
00:47Barbenheimer and the SAG-AFTRA strike.
00:50Both meant the film was getting only a fraction of the publicity it needed to succeed.
00:54I summon!
00:55Additionally, the spooky story and special effects made little sense for a summer release.
01:04Had they waited a few more months and dropped it during the Halloween season,
01:07it could have had a better chance at standing out and being properly promoted by its cast.
01:11I can show you what happened, but it will cost you...
01:16Three dollars.
01:20What?
01:20It's hiring a robbery!
01:22Finally!
01:23Number 9, Treasure Planet.
01:24You may think that releasing a film during one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year would be a cheat code.
01:30In this case, it proved to be a detriment.
01:33So, uh...
01:35How'd that happen, anyway?
01:36Treasure Planet had everything it needed to succeed, including a compelling story and gorgeous animation.
01:50Unfortunately, it came out just after three huge franchises released their newest installments, giving it steep competition.
01:56You hear that?
01:57You must be getting close.
01:58You must be getting close.
01:59Hold on.
02:00It came out just a day before Thanksgiving of that year, meaning viewers were likely too busy celebrating that and Black Friday to prioritize the movie.
02:08All in all, it made just over 16 million dollars during that first long weekend.
02:13A summer debut would have made more sense for this underrated family flick, and given it a chance to properly shine.
02:27You got the makings of greatness in you, but you gotta take the helm and charge your own course.
02:34Stick to it, no matter the squalls.
02:36Number 8, Surviving Christmas.
02:39Considering it's less than favorable reviews from audiences and critics alike, it's hard to say just how much more successful this movie could have been.
02:47I forgive you.
02:52Holy moly, this joke...
02:54However, Surviving Christmas was doomed from the start with an October release, rather than a winter one.
03:00It came out at a time when horror movies usually rain, and before people even want to be reminded of the season.
03:06With this hat on, my dad always used to wear a Santa hat when we went on a Christmas tree show.
03:12In public?
03:13Nah.
03:14Yeah, that would be no.
03:15As such, hardly anyone went out of their way to go see it, resulting in a disappointing first weekend.
03:21Moreover, it ended up leaving theaters just before Thanksgiving, meaning it missed the entire holiday season.
03:27If the studio had waited another month, they could have taken advantage of people's elevated Christmas cheer and had a better chance at turning a profit.
03:34Save your big, expensive gestures for some girl who's impressed by them, all right?
03:39And when you find her, hold on to her.
03:41Because otherwise, you are looking at a lifetime of lonely Christmases.
03:45Number 7, The Frighteners.
03:47This is proof that you should usually go with your first instinct.
03:50Look, if you're trying to freak me out, it's not going to work, okay?
03:53You know what he's trying to do?
03:54He's trying to get more money out of us is what he's trying to do.
03:57The Michael J. Fox-led The Frighteners was initially scheduled for an October release date, which would have all but guaranteed its success with horror fans.
04:05Unfortunately, higher-ups at the studio loved it so much that they decided to take a chance and drop it during the height of summer.
04:11What's the matter, Judge? You look a little pale.
04:13Though their intentions were good, it would end up being the reason behind its failure.
04:18The hilarious story and groundbreaking special effects were completely overshadowed by the other blockbusters and that year's Olympics.
04:25Had they just stuck to their guns and waited until the fall, they could have capitalized on the Halloween market and made a killing.
04:31Benny?
04:32Ow! My man Benny Stewart!
04:34It's my boy here, Benny, man!
04:36Hey, Benny, but I'm your friend, man.
04:37Seriously, three words.
04:38Shower with soap.
04:40Number 6, Onward.
04:42Sad, dragon.
04:43Back to your lair.
04:45Happy birthday, Mr. Adult Man.
04:48No, Mom.
04:49Hey, buddy, don't wipe off my kisses.
04:52Unexpected life events can derail any project, no matter how good it is.
04:56With its wholesome, family-centered plot and A-list voice cast, Onward had all the right pieces to become Pixar's next biggest hit.
05:03Whatever it takes, I am gonna meet my dad.
05:06You hear that, dad?
05:07We're going on a quest!
05:09It's March 2020 premiere meant that it took an instant backseat to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions that followed.
05:17After just two weeks of being out, theaters across the world had to close, severely limiting its financial growth almost immediately.
05:24It was disappointing, especially for a movie that had spent six years in development.
05:29A theatrical debut just a few months sooner, followed by a March streaming release, could have helped it be seen both before and during the global crisis.
05:36I never had a dad, but I always had you.
05:41Number 5.
05:42The Thing.
05:43Its influence is undeniable now, but one would never guess that based on its premiere.
05:47Is that a man in there?
05:49Or something?
05:51Whatever it is, they burn it up in a hurry.
05:54The cards were stacked against The Thing from the beginning, with a study that showed that interest in horror flicks had sharply declined.
06:01Still, the studio persevered and committed to a June release, only for it to be slapped down by the much more wholesome E.T. the Extraterrestrial.
06:09The family-friendly alien representation dominated that summer, providing a cheery and optimistic foil to bleak pictures like The Thing and Blade Runner.
06:17A new life awaits you in the off-world colonies.
06:22The chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure.
06:27The former's legacy proves it had what it took to be successful, and it being slotted for an autumn drop instead could have helped that reflect in the box office numbers.
06:36This is pure nonsense.
06:38It doesn't prove a thing.
06:40I thought you'd feel that way, Gary.
06:42You were the only one that could have got to that blood.
06:45We'll do you last.
06:46Number 4.
06:47Hocus Pocus.
06:48The Sanderson sisters may be magic, but even they're powerless against an inopportune theatrical premiere.
07:05Hocus Pocus is practically synonymous with Halloween, and has become a cult favorite.
07:09It's the one night of the year where the spirits of the dead can return to Earth.
07:13You'd think a film centered around three witches would be perfect for an October debut.
07:18Instead, it was released at the height of the summer in an attempt to capitalize on kids being home from school.
07:24This caused it to go relatively unnoticed at the time, leaving it to rely on TV airings to help gain the fan base it has today.
07:30I put a spell on you, and now you're gone, my planet fell on you, and it was strong, so strong, so strong.
07:43It's proof that some movies were made to be seasonally successful, and how forcing them outside of that box can lead to their financial downfall.
07:51Number 3.
07:52Justice League.
07:53Prep the jet, we're going north tonight.
07:55Good.
07:56It's time then.
07:57The superhero movie boom of the 2010s should have helped propel this ensemble to the top of the box office.
08:03Yet, Justice League struggled compared to its counterparts.
08:06It coming out in November of 2017 put it in a tricky spot, forcing it to go up against award winners and direct competition alike.
08:14Hey! Hey! We know each other. He's a friend from work.
08:19Its biggest issue is that it had always been intended to be a summer blockbuster, with an original release planned for 2015.
08:26The extended production time made that initial date impossible, and further reshoots in 2017 made them miss their chance at a mid-year debut then.
08:36Thus, it was sentenced to a fall drop, making it miss the most profitable time of year.
08:41How many of you are there?
08:44Not enough.
08:45Number 2.
08:46Glitter.
08:46Some productions are doomed from the start.
08:48Mariah Carey's glitter was already facing rough odds when it was delayed due to her health concerns.
08:54You have amazing gifts, and you gotta use it. Your mom's gave you this gift.
08:58What?
08:58Why would you bring up my mom? There you go.
09:01It had been rescheduled for September of 2001.
09:05Unfortunately, the soundtrack album's release date ended up being the 11th, the same day as the horrific attacks on the Twin Towers.
09:12I don't want to go, mom.
09:14No, baby.
09:16But I will come and get you as soon as possible, I promise.
09:20This led to it being rightfully overshadowed by the national disaster.
09:24The movie itself came out a few weeks later, but people were still so shell-shocked by the catastrophe that it made less than a million dollars on its opening night.
09:32Don't blame me for your failure.
09:35My failure?
09:36Though the tragedy couldn't have been predicted, sticking with the originally planned August debut, or withholding the film for several months after the soundtrack fiasco, could have helped its odds.
09:46Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
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10:02Number 1.
10:03Ants
10:03Going up against a huge name was always going to be an uphill battle.
10:08This is just a lawsuit waiting to happen.
10:10Hang on, here we go!
10:12Despite the witty dialogue and the impressive voice acting, Ants had a huge hurdle in its path to success.
10:18Pixar's A Bug's Life.
10:19Panic! Do not panic!
10:22We are trained professionals!
10:24Now stay calm, we are going around the leaf!
10:27The two were neck and neck in terms of production, even sparking a battle between the studios.
10:32DreamWorks seemed to get the upper hand by rescheduling it to release in October of 1998, rather than spring of 1999.
10:40In the heat of battle, there's very little time to think, you know, one must attack, attack, attack!
10:46This move may have initially helped them top the box office, but Pixar dropped their more family-friendly insect-centered film in November,
10:54capitalizing off the Thanksgiving long weekend and surpassing their competitor.
10:57Had the former stuck to their original plan and waited a few more months, then they might have surpassed their opponent.
11:04All right, all right!
11:06You're a genius.
11:07Let's eat.
11:08Which movie do you think would have been better received had it been released at a different time?
11:12Let us know in the comments below.
11:13And now you're free!
11:15Free to return to the ghost realm!
11:17Go on!
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