Here at FTS we want to give a random weekly top 10 list about..well whatever we want. (List by Jess) Top 10 Box Office Bombs of the Last Decade (2001-2011)*
10. Ballistics: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)
Total Gross: $19,924,033 Budget: $90 million
Never heard of this? Yeah, me neither. After checking out its IMDb page, it seems like a take on Spy vs. Spy with Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu in a role that did not seem to fare well for her career. It currently sits at a very sad 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Never heard of this? Yeah, me neither. After checking out its IMDb page, it seems like a take on Spy vs. Spy with Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu in a role that did not seem to fare well for her career. It currently sits at a very sad 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.
9. Treasure Planet (2002)
Total Gross: $109,578,115 Budget: $180 million
This Disney film updated the old novel Treasure Island in a space setting with the lead character voiced surprisingly by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Why this was such a flop seems to be a fluke, considering its fairly positive reviews and Oscar nomination. Audiences apparently just were not interested. 8. Green Lantern (2011)
This Disney film updated the old novel Treasure Island in a space setting with the lead character voiced surprisingly by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Why this was such a flop seems to be a fluke, considering its fairly positive reviews and Oscar nomination. Audiences apparently just were not interested. 8. Green Lantern (2011)
Total Gross: $219,851,172 Budget: $325 million
The most recent movie on this list is also the one with the biggest box office numbers, however it’s budget was huge overkill, with an insane marketing budget that failed. Obvious proof that you can’t always rely on the superhero trend of the past few years to carry your movie.
The most recent movie on this list is also the one with the biggest box office numbers, however it’s budget was huge overkill, with an insane marketing budget that failed. Obvious proof that you can’t always rely on the superhero trend of the past few years to carry your movie.
7. Stealth (2005)
Total Gross: $76,932,872 Budget: $170 million
Attempting to capture what director Rob Cohen brought to the screen in the successful The Fast and the Furious and XXX, this movie just didn’t stand up. The bloated, overdone action movie was negatively compared as a Top Gun knock off, but maybe what it really needed was just a little Vin Diesel.
Attempting to capture what director Rob Cohen brought to the screen in the successful The Fast and the Furious and XXX, this movie just didn’t stand up. The bloated, overdone action movie was negatively compared as a Top Gun knock off, but maybe what it really needed was just a little Vin Diesel.
6. Speed Racer (2008)
Total Gross: $93,945,766 Budget: $200 million
This movie was stuck in development limbo for 16 years before someone thought that it would be a good idea to attach the Wachowski brothers to direct this flashy, substance-less adaptation of a show that would be completely lost on its target audience of little kids. Obviously this was a horrible idea that cost the studios in the end. 5. Town & Country (2001)
This movie was stuck in development limbo for 16 years before someone thought that it would be a good idea to attach the Wachowski brothers to direct this flashy, substance-less adaptation of a show that would be completely lost on its target audience of little kids. Obviously this was a horrible idea that cost the studios in the end. 5. Town & Country (2001)
Total Gross: $10,372,291 Budget: $105 million
This is honestly the most surprising movie on this list of action blockbuster hopefuls and animated features. How it possibly had a budget that high is unfathomable! Several things apparently went against this film, including a production schedule that managed to span intermittently over 3 years. Old as hell Warren Beatty was a huge diva on set and constantly demanded retakes that stretched the shooting while other cast members left and returned after completing other projects. The cast in general was just sort of irrelevant besides Josh Hartnett in his short-lived prime and Diane Keaton who’s long-lasting career was able to escape this tarnish. This really just never needed to be made.
This is honestly the most surprising movie on this list of action blockbuster hopefuls and animated features. How it possibly had a budget that high is unfathomable! Several things apparently went against this film, including a production schedule that managed to span intermittently over 3 years. Old as hell Warren Beatty was a huge diva on set and constantly demanded retakes that stretched the shooting while other cast members left and returned after completing other projects. The cast in general was just sort of irrelevant besides Josh Hartnett in his short-lived prime and Diane Keaton who’s long-lasting career was able to escape this tarnish. This really just never needed to be made.
4. Mars Needs Moms (2011)
Total Gross: $38,992,758 Budget: $175 million
A movie about the dangers of disobeying your parents didn’t really strike a chord with kids–how shocking. It effectually killed Robert Zemeckis’ film studio ImageMovers Digital, and became one of the biggest animated movie bombs. It also gave more proof that motion capture animation just looks creepy.
A movie about the dangers of disobeying your parents didn’t really strike a chord with kids–how shocking. It effectually killed Robert Zemeckis’ film studio ImageMovers Digital, and became one of the biggest animated movie bombs. It also gave more proof that motion capture animation just looks creepy.
3. Sahara (2005)
Total Gross: $119,269,486 Budget: $241 million
By any normal standards, this film should have been an easy success, but because of the terrible budget management (it was originally supposed to cost $80 million) studied by the LA Times in this in-depth article it became one of the biggest bombs. Some of the budget included bribes to Moroccan businesses and government to ensure locations and timing, outlandish perks for the 3 star leads (while the then-unknown Rainn Wilson was paid only $45,000 for 3 months of work as a main character), and huge mistakes like a $2 million scene that was cut in the editing room.
By any normal standards, this film should have been an easy success, but because of the terrible budget management (it was originally supposed to cost $80 million) studied by the LA Times in this in-depth article it became one of the biggest bombs. Some of the budget included bribes to Moroccan businesses and government to ensure locations and timing, outlandish perks for the 3 star leads (while the then-unknown Rainn Wilson was paid only $45,000 for 3 months of work as a main character), and huge mistakes like a $2 million scene that was cut in the editing room.
2. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)
Total Gross: $7,103,973 Budget: $120 million
Perhaps Robot Chicken said it best in this video about Pluto Nash Day.
Perhaps Robot Chicken said it best in this video about Pluto Nash Day.
1. The Alamo (2004)
Total Gross: $25,820,000 Budget: $145 millionThis movie seems to serve a lesson that no one wants to watch a dramatized version of their high school history class lecture–especially if it’s not even historically accurate. The movie just sounds boring and unnecessary. To make things even more depressing, it came out 4th in the box office its opening weekend behind the critically panned Johnson Family Vacation, commercial flop Hellboy, and The Passion of the Christ in its 7th week in theaters!
*This list was arranged based on the losses adjusted for inflation! Budgets include both production & marketing costs.
Do you defend any of these films? Any other big bombs not on this list? Can you think of any better ways these budgets could have been spent?