15 classic dramas that flopped when they first came out

Gabbi ShawJun 11, 2020, 22:04 IST

"The Shawshank Redemption" is iconic, but it didn't originally do well.Columbia Pictures

Not all classic movies are a box office success — some, in fact, are flops.
"Fight Club" made $37 million off a $63 million budget, but it remains an infinitely quotable classic.
"Donnie Darko" wasn't widely seen in theaters, but it found a following during its home release.

You may think that classic films like "Fight Club," "The Shawshank Redemption," and "Blade Runner" were box office smashes — they remain part of pop culture and are widely referenced and emulated decades after their releases. But, in fact, they were either total failures or barely able to break even.

These films are all highly regarded, but took years, decades in some cases, to earn the love of fans and critics.

Keep scrolling to see 15 classic dramas that were box office flops.

"Citizen Kane" has been called the greatest movie ever made, but it didn't originally resonate with audiences in 1941.

"Citizen Kane." Warner Bros screengrab

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" only made half of its budget back at the box office, but it now has a large fan following that organizes screenings.

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford." Warner Bros.

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" only made half of its budget back at the box office, but it now has a large fan following that organizes screenings.

"The Insider" was unable to recoup its budget, though it was nominated for seven Academy Awards.

"The Insider." Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Oprah has called the failure of "Beloved" a low point in her career, though the movie was well-received by critics.

"Beloved." Buena Vista Pictures

"Heaven's Gate" is a notorious flop, but its quality has been re-evaluated in recent years.

"Heaven's Gate." United Artists

"It's a Wonderful Life" is one of the all-time classic Christmas movies, but it wasn't a hit at first.

"It's a Wonderful Life." RKO Radio Films

"Blade Runner" is now considered one of the all-time greatest sci-fi classics, but at the time it was not a smash hit.

"Blade Runner." Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images

"Donnie Darko" has developed a cult following, but it barely made its money back at the box office.

"Donnie Darko." Pandora Cinema

"Fight Club" divided critics and was considered a box office flop, but it's one of the most quoted films of all time.

"Fight Club." Fox 2000 Pictures

"The Wizard of Oz" didn't make the studio any money until it was re-released years later — today it's an all-time classic.

"The Wizard of Oz." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

"The Shawshank Redemption" is the highest-rated movie on IMDb, but it reportedly debuted to empty movie theaters.

"The Shawshank Redemption." Columbia Pictures

"Vertigo" was originally considered unsuccessful by Alfred Hitchcock standards, but it has been re-evaluated.

"Vertigo." Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions

"Highlander" had enough of a following to spawn five sequels and a culturally enduring tagline, but it failed to make any money.

"Highlander." 20th Century Fox

"Empire Records" flopped, but it launched a number of successful careers and has become a cult hit.

"Empire Records." Warner Bros.

"Children of Men" was nominated for three Academy Awards, but it couldn't break even at the box office.

"Children of Men." Universal Pictures

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15 classic dramas that flopped when they first came out

"Citizen Kane" has been called the greatest movie ever made, but it didn't originally resonate with audiences in 1941.

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" only made half of its budget back at the box office, but it now has a large fan following that organizes screenings.

"The Insider" was unable to recoup its budget, though it was nominated for seven Academy Awards.

Oprah has called the failure of "Beloved" a low point in her career, though the movie was well-received by critics.

"Heaven's Gate" is a notorious flop, but its quality has been re-evaluated in recent years.

"It's a Wonderful Life" is one of the all-time classic Christmas movies, but it wasn't a hit at first.

"Blade Runner" is now considered one of the all-time greatest sci-fi classics, but at the time it was not a smash hit.

"Donnie Darko" has developed a cult following, but it barely made its money back at the box office.

"Fight Club" divided critics and was considered a box office flop, but it's one of the most quoted films of all time.

"The Wizard of Oz" didn't make the studio any money until it was re-released years later — today it's an all-time classic.

"The Shawshank Redemption" is the highest-rated movie on IMDb, but it reportedly debuted to empty movie theaters.

"Vertigo" was originally considered unsuccessful by Alfred Hitchcock standards, but it has been re-evaluated.

"Highlander" had enough of a following to spawn five sequels and a culturally enduring tagline, but it failed to make any money.

"Empire Records" flopped, but it launched a number of successful careers and has become a cult hit.

"Children of Men" was nominated for three Academy Awards, but it couldn't break even at the box office.