20 movies no one expected to bomb at the box office

Gabbi ShawMay 29, 2024, 14:09 IST

Brie Larson.Michael Kovac / Contributor/Getty Images

These movies had huge budgets that producers expected would turn in huge profits when released.
However, these films lost millions of dollars for studios after hitting theaters.

Though producers, directors, and cast members likely assumed these films would be box-office hits, their sales tell a different story.

In fact, the losses for many of the movies on this list are all in the tens of millions.

Among them is "The Marvels." When the movie was released in 2023, it was the latest addition to the most successful film franchise of all time: the MCU. However, it wound up losing Disney over $200 million, according to some estimates.

Take a look at the films that were surprise box-office bombs.

Zoë Ettinger contributed to a previous version of this story.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe had its first real bomb on its hands with 2023's "The Marvels."

Brie Larson as Captain Marvel in "The Marvels."Laura Radford/Marvel Studios

The 2001 Muhammad Ali biopic "Ali" starred A-lister Will Smith as the iconic boxer, but the film lost Sony millions of dollars.

Will Smith in "Ali."Columbia Pictures

In 2003, Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in the animated film "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas," but not even they could prevent the movie from losing $125 million at the box office.

"Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas."DreamWorks Pictures; YouTube

In 2003, Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in the animated film "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas," but not even they could prevent the movie from losing $125 million at the box office.

Based on the famous Macedonian king, the 2004 film "Alexander" starred Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie at the peak of their powers, but it lost about $71 million.

"Alexander."Warner Bros.

The 2004 film "Around the World in 80 Days" starred Jackie Chan straight from two successful "Rush Hour" films, but his popularity couldn't save the movie.

"Around the World in 80 Days."Buena Vista Pictures; YouTube

In 2005, A-listers Jamie Foxx, Josh Lucas, and Jessica Biel starred in "Stealth" — it was a notorious flop.

Jamie Foxx in "Stealth."Sony Pictures Releasing; YouTube

"Sahara" starred Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz, but it lost an estimated $78 million at the box office in 2005.

"Sahara."Paramount Pictures

In 2006, Kurt Russell starred in "Poseidon," which lost an estimated $69 million.

Kurt Russell in "Poseidon."Warner Bros. Pictures; YouTube

"Evan Almighty," the 2007 spin-off of the mega-hit "Bruce Almighty," lost an estimated $50 million.

Steve Carell in "Evan Almighty."Universal Pictures

Martin Scorsese's 2011 film "Hugo" lost an estimated $80 million at the box office.

"Hugo."Paramount Studios

"Green Lantern" co-starred Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, both beloved stars, but it had an estimated $75 million box-office loss in 2011.

"Green Lantern."Warner Bros.

"Pan," the 2015 reimagining of "Peter Pan," starred box office draw Hugh Jackman, but it ended up losing the studio up to $150 million.

Hugh Jackman in "Pan."Warner Bros.

The 2016 sequel "Alice Through the Looking Glass" which starred Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway, lost an estimated $70 million.

Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska in "Alice Through the Looking Glass."Disney

Steven Spielberg's 2016 adaptation of "The BFG," based on Roald Dahl's book of the same name, was estimated to have lost at least $90 million.

"The BFG."Disney

The 2017 film "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" is based on one of the most famous tales of all time, but it ended up losing an estimated $150 million.

Charlie Hunnam in "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword."Warner Bros.

"Justice League" had a star-studded cast and an unreal amount of hype, but it lost Warner Bros. somewhere between $50 and $100 million in 2017.

"Justice League."Warner Bros.

The 2018 fantasy would-be epic "A Wrinkle in Time" was based on a hit novel produced by Disney and starred Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling — but it still flopped.

"A Wrinkle in Time".Disney

The 2018 fantasy would-be epic "A Wrinkle in Time" was based on a hit novel produced by Disney and starred Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling — but it still flopped.

Though "Star Wars" films are usually a hit, 2018's "Solo: A Star Wars Story" reportedly lost an estimated $76 million.

"Solo: A Star Wars Story."Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Based on the hit musical, the 2019 adaptation of "Cats" was a box office flop, losing between $71 and $113 million.

"Cats."Universal Pictures

"Dolittle" was supposed to be Robert Downey Jr.'s follow-up to "Avengers," but it was the first big flop of 2020.

Robert Downey Jr. in "Dolittle."Universal Pictures

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20 movies no one expected to bomb at the box office

The Marvel Cinematic Universe had its first real bomb on its hands with 2023's "The Marvels."

The 2001 Muhammad Ali biopic "Ali" starred A-lister Will Smith as the iconic boxer, but the film lost Sony millions of dollars.

In 2003, Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in the animated film "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas," but not even they could prevent the movie from losing $125 million at the box office.

Based on the famous Macedonian king, the 2004 film "Alexander" starred Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie at the peak of their powers, but it lost about $71 million.

The 2004 film "Around the World in 80 Days" starred Jackie Chan straight from two successful "Rush Hour" films, but his popularity couldn't save the movie.

In 2005, A-listers Jamie Foxx, Josh Lucas, and Jessica Biel starred in "Stealth" — it was a notorious flop.

"Sahara" starred Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz, but it lost an estimated $78 million at the box office in 2005.

In 2006, Kurt Russell starred in "Poseidon," which lost an estimated $69 million.

"Evan Almighty," the 2007 spin-off of the mega-hit "Bruce Almighty," lost an estimated $50 million.

Martin Scorsese's 2011 film "Hugo" lost an estimated $80 million at the box office.

"Green Lantern" co-starred Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, both beloved stars, but it had an estimated $75 million box-office loss in 2011.

"Pan," the 2015 reimagining of "Peter Pan," starred box office draw Hugh Jackman, but it ended up losing the studio up to $150 million.

The 2016 sequel "Alice Through the Looking Glass" which starred Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway, lost an estimated $70 million.

Steven Spielberg's 2016 adaptation of "The BFG," based on Roald Dahl's book of the same name, was estimated to have lost at least $90 million.

The 2017 film "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" is based on one of the most famous tales of all time, but it ended up losing an estimated $150 million.

"Justice League" had a star-studded cast and an unreal amount of hype, but it lost Warner Bros. somewhere between $50 and $100 million in 2017.

The 2018 fantasy would-be epic "A Wrinkle in Time" was based on a hit novel produced by Disney and starred Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling — but it still flopped.

Though "Star Wars" films are usually a hit, 2018's "Solo: A Star Wars Story" reportedly lost an estimated $76 million.

Based on the hit musical, the 2019 adaptation of "Cats" was a box office flop, losing between $71 and $113 million.

"Dolittle" was supposed to be Robert Downey Jr.'s follow-up to "Avengers," but it was the first big flop of 2020.