Summary

The summer blockbuster seasonis usually when studios roll out their most ambitious and expensive moving-picture show , hoping to capture big audiences and crease in substantive profits . However , for everyAvengersorJurassic Park , there are monumental misfires that leave studios and audiences alike scratching their head . Such films hail in with vast budgets and star - laden plaster bandage , yet end upbombing at the box bureau .

These films , with all their invested resources , give way to recover the money from theaters and get great fiscal loss . Factors such as poor timing , misdirected marketing strategies , or audience tiredness are to charge . These flops are interestingly strike case studies of how the best - laid plans can go improper . Some of these picture have since gained cultus followings or been reevaluated as more meritable , but when they came out , they were considered nothing less than disastrous .

Financial winner has never been a dependable measure of a movie ’s succeeder , and some of the best movies of the 1990s failed to move around a profit .

Imagery-from-The-Big-Lebowski-and-True-Romance

10The Lone Ranger (2013)

Budget:$225 Million |Box Office Gross:$260.5 Million

Cast

Based on the eccentric of the same name , The Lone Ranger watch John Reid ( Armie Hammer ) , A.K.A. The Lone Ranger , and his aboriginal American fellow traveller Tonto ( Johnny Depp ) . Narrated by Tonto , The Lone Ranger recite the span ’s early attempt to bring public security and justice to the Old West , apprehending various unscrupulous characters . Alongside Depp and Hammer , The Lone Ranger stars   Tom Wilkinson , William Fichtner ,   Barry Pepper ,   James Badge Dale , and Helena Bonham Carter .

Disney’sThe Lone Rangerwas an ambitious attempt to reboot the classic Western sub for modern audience . The film , with Johnny Depp playing Tonto and Armie Hammer as the titular fictional character , was suppose to be a vainglorious hit . With yield delays and a ballooning budget provoke it , pair with a lukewarm critical reception , it did not quite find its way of life into audiences , provide the action - humor - bizarre tonic shifts brew rather dissatisfactory at the box position .

The monetary red ofThe Lone Rangerwas so severe that it prompted Disney to reconsider its scheme regarding big - budget films . This resulted in the studio putting a hold on the development of comparable smash hit labor for a while . Although it gross over $ 260 million worldwide , the massive budget of $ 225 million , along with marketing , practically conk out it even , and Disney lost an estimated $ 160 million . It also got panned by the critic , with too much of a unconnected plotline and trust on Depp ’s eccentric performance .

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword banner

Category

detail

Production Budget

Johnny-Depp-Cutthroat-Island

$ 215 million

Marketing cost

Estimated $ 160 million ( part of full $ 375 million )

10 Biggest Summer Box Office Flops in History Fantastic Four and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Custom Image by Katelynn Humbles

North America Gross

$ 89.3 million

International Gross

Headshot Of Armie Hammer

Based on the character of the same name, The Lone Ranger follows John Reid (Armie Hammer), A.K.A. The Lone Ranger, and his Native American companion Tonto (Johnny Depp). Narrated by Tonto, The Lone Ranger recounts the duo’s early efforts to bring peace and justice to the Old West, apprehending various unscrupulous characters. Alongside Depp and Hammer, The Lone Ranger stars Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, and Helena Bonham Carter.

$ 171.2 million

Worldwide full Gross

$ 260.5 million

Headshot Of Helena Bonham Carter In The 2024 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises

9John Carter (2012)

Budget:$263 Million |Box Office Gross:$284.1 Million

adapt from Edgar Rice Burroughs ' A Princess of Mars , Disney ’s John Carter brings the author ’s Barsoom serial to life . When American Confederate Civil War captain John Carter accidentally transports himself to Mars , he soon becomes entangled in the planet ’s own internal power struggle . Using the increased strength and speed afford to him by Mars ' ambience , Carter fights to achieve peace on the distant planet known by the natives as Barsoom .

conform from the Edgar Rice Burroughs scientific discipline fable serial publication , John Carterwas the cancel would - be franchise launcher for Disney– a film about a whisked - away Civil War veteran to Mars andembroiled in a conflict between war factions . For all of its epical scope and optical effect innovation , John Cartersimply never found an hearing , and its overall selling safari was arguably best described as confusing and off - put for most .

The film gross $ 284.1 million worldwide , but against a staggering budget of $ 263 million plus merchandising price , it fall far scant of profitableness , leave to an estimated loss of more than $ 200 million . This flop was a significant reversal to Disney , with the resignation of then - studio head Rich Ross in its backwash .

Headshot Of Johnny Depp In The UK premiere of Jeanne Du Barry

8Battleship (2012)

Budget:$209 Million |Box Office Gross:$303 Million

Rihanna , Liam Neeson , and Taylor Kitsch ace in the 2012 action pic adjustment of the board game Battleship . They toy a radical of Navy SEALs who confront an encroach upon fleet of alien ship . As human race ’s only hope , they must expend all their training and resources to fight the alien encroachment and hold get to the satellite .

battlewagon , promiscuous as it was , represents Universal Pictures ' attempt at churning out a blockbuster franchise by way of meld naval warfare with alien encroachment . The movie sported a really nice cast , sport Liam Neeson and tonic adept Rihanna , and had really telling special outcome . It has , however , been wide pan for its fragile plot , lack of character development , and over - the - top action at law sequences .

Battleshipraked in $ 303 million worldwide , which , by some estimate , may sound respectable , but against the budget of $ 209 million and marketing , that simply was n’t enough to turn away loss . Something big , like missing this mark on such an expectedly big photographic film franchise , was a miss for Universal .

Headshot Of Ruth Wilson In The New York premiere of Showtime’s ‘The Woman In The Wall’

7King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Budget:$175 Million |Box Office Gross:$148.7 Million

King Arthur : Legend of the Sword is a 2017 legal action - risky venture movie directed by Guy Ritchie . After being robbed of his patrimony , Arthur , play by Charlie Hunnam , is able to draw a sword from the Harlan Fisk Stone and re-start his journey toward his dead on target bequest . Along the style , Arthur goes up against King Vortigern , who is play by Jude Law .

Guy Ritchie’sKing Arthur : Legend of the Swordwas an ambitious take on the legend of Arthur , blending medieval tradition with his trademark modern flair . With Charlie Hunnam in the lead as Arthur , it was to be the first of six films that would explore the lore of Camelot . It came into a crowded marketplace and take in poor reassessment , being met with cosmopolitan disinterest in the reimagined narrative .

King Arthurpartially founder due to its acquittance just one hebdomad afterGuardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2 . , which dominated at the box bureau .

Taylor Kitsch as John Carter in John Carter

With a ecumenical receipts of only $ 148.7 million against a $ 175 million budget , the movie qualified asone of the large flops of the year . This underperformance was so severe that it shoot down any idea relate future installation for the advise series .

Guy Ritchie ’s King Arthur : Legend of the Sword has bomb at the box role - was it bad timing , too big a budget , or just plain lack of interest ?

6The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)

Budget:$100 Million |Box Office Gross:$7.1 Million

The Adventures of Pluto Nash is a science - fiction comedy asterisk Eddie Murphy as Pluto Nash , a nightclub owner on the Moon . Released in 2002 , the flick follows Nash as he battles to protect his nightclub from the mafia while uncover a larger conspiracy . Rosario Dawson and Randy Quaid co - star in this futuristic adventure set in a 2087 lunar colony .

Eddie Murphy’sThe Adventures of Pluto Nashis a sci - fi comedy that has gone down in history as one of the largest box office turkey ever . rig in the year 2087 , it is about a nightclub proprietor on the moonshine who gets embroiled in a engagement against the mob . Despite the futuristic scene and the bearing of stars within the film , Pluto Nashwasa critical and commercial-grade disaster .

Pluto Nashhas often been mention as an example of a film that seemed to be doomed right on from its concept , give the tumultuous production and a premise that was ill - conceptualize .

Headshot Of Mark Strong

Adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, Disney’s John Carter brings the author’s Barsoom series to life. When American Confederate Civil War captain John Carter accidentally transports himself to Mars, he soon becomes entangled in the planet’s own internal power struggles. Using the increased strength and speed afforded to him by Mars' atmosphere, Carter fights to achieve peace on the distant planet known by the natives as Barsoom.

Coming in with a budget of $ 100 million and only pull in $ 7.1 million at the box office , The Adventures of Pluto Nashlost nearly $ 100 million , making it one of the largest flops financially in cinematic history . This off Eddie Murphy intemperately in his life history , and it would take eld for him to recover from the failure .

5Fantastic Four (2015)

Budget:$120-155 Million |Box Office Gross:$167.9 Million

Fantastic Four is a 2015 superhero picture centered on four young outsiders who benefit startling abilities after teleporting to a perfidious creation . As their life are transformed , the team must harness their new powers to protect Earth from a former friend who becomes their resister .

The 2015 reboot ofFantastic Fourwas to take a breath unexampled life-time into Marvel ’s first fellowship come two campy , lackluster lineament - celluloid adaptations . This time , under Josh Trank ’s helm , it would run into the dark with a little bit of grounding . But for some cause , the fans just did n’t take it very well ; in fact , the critic were pretty abrasive . The troubled yield , with bruit on - set feud and last - moment reshoots , must have understand badly into a disjointed final merchandise that lead hearing unsatisfied .

The failure was an enormous bump to 20th - century Fox and obliterated any chance of a continuation .

Headshot Of Willem Dafoe

Fantastic Fouropened to $ 167.9 million worldwide , which was agency below expectations for a movie in the $ 120 - 155 million budget image . The bankruptcy was an enormous blow to 20th Century Fox and veil any chances of a sequel .

Film

U.S. Release Date

Headshot Of Taylor Kitsch In The 29th Annual Critics' Choice Awards

Other Territories Gross

Worldwide Gross

terrific Four(2005 )

Headshot Of Lynn Collins In The Amazon Red Carpet Premiere Screening

July 8 , 2005

$ 154,696,080

$ 178,839,854

Taylor Kitsch In Battleship

$ 333,535,934

$ 87.5–100 million

Fantastic Four : Rise of the Silver Surfer(2007 )

Headshot Of Alexander Skarsgard

June 15 , 2007

$ 131,921,738

$ 169,991,393

Headshot Of Rihanna

$ 301,913,131

$ 120–130 million

Fantastic Four(2015 )

Headshot oF Brooklyn Decker

August 7 , 2015

$ 56,117,548

$ 111,765,333

Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) looking exhausted in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

$ 167,882,881

$ 120–155 million

4The 13th Warrior (1999)

Budget:$160 Million |Box Office Gross:$61.7 Million

The thirteenth Warrior is a diachronic action film that follows an Arab poet assign to join a group of Norse warrior on a mission to battle a orphic and deadly enemy . Set in the time of Vikings , it explore themes of cultural clash and heroism amidst gripping activity episode and period drama .

Based on Michael Crichton ’s refreshing entitledEaters of the Dead , star Antonio Banderas , the action - escapade larger-than-life picture show was described as an uniting of Viking account with fantasy and horror element . It placed a Muslim ambassador companion a band of Norse warrior to do armed combat with a mystical enemy . With a very intriguing plot and scope of activity , this moving picture nevertheless had more than its fair percentage of problems in the making : reshoots , editing wars , and an inflated budget .

Having had its final box bureau gross of only $ 61.7 million , The 13th Warriorwas a huge financial washout , losing over $ 100 million . The inadequate performance of the film leave to it almost being forgotten ; however , recently , it has gained a minor cult pursue .

Headshot Of Annabelle Wallis

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is a 2017 action-adventure movie directed by Guy Ritchie. After being robbed of his birthright, Arthur, played by Charlie Hunnam, is able to pull a sword from the stone and restart his journey toward his true legacy. Along the way, Arthur goes up against King Vortigern, who is played by Jude Law.

3Cutthroat Island (1995)

Budget:$98 Million |Box Office Gross:$10 Million

Cutthroat Island is a 1995 activeness - adventure moving picture directed by Renny Harlin . Geena Davis star as Morgan Adams , a swashbuckling sea robber who team up with con man William Shaw , played by Matthew Modine , to uncover a concealed treasure . As they navigate treacherous waters and face off against rival pirates , their confederation is screen by danger and deception . The cinema showcases gamey - seas adventure and daring exploits .

Cutthroat Islandis the Renny Harlin swashbuckler starring Geena Davis , notorious for having twist into a striking floating-point operation . The movie followed a female pirate in her quest for hidden treasure but suffer production problems from hand rewrites to cast variety and budget overruns . Borne with high - octane military action and loaded with all the trimming of yield , Cutthroat Island was a loge office disaster , accord toComic Book Resources .

The commercial-grade failure ofCutthroat Islandreally killed the trend of pirate films in Hollywood untilPirates of the Caribbeanrevived the music genre in 2003 .

Headshot Of Katie McGrath In The The European Premiere of KING ARTHUR The Legend

Having cost $ 98 million to make and taken in a paltry box office total of only $ 10 million , the motion-picture show stands as one of the largest flops ever in the history of Hollywood movies . In fact , it was the huge failure ofCutthroat Islandthat formed thechief reason behind Carolco Pictures kick the bucket belly-up .

Cutthroat Island was disastrous enough to toss off the pirate genre , so why was Pirates of the Caribbean a runaway success where this movie failed ?

2Tomorrowland (2015)

Budget:$190 Million |Box Office Gross:$209.2 Million

George Clooney and Britt Robertson adept in Brad Birds ' take on Tomorrowland - a sci - fi action - adventure movie free-base around the idea from Disney ’s attractiveness . Clooney plays Frank , a grating - around - the - edge jaded military personnel who is teaming up with the equally bright but optimistic stripling Casey ( Britt Robertson ) to find Tomorrowland , a secret plaza full of wonder and futuristic applied science with the power to change the world .

Tomorrowland , a sci - fi adventure film directed by Brad Bird and starring George Clooney , was adapted from the futurist subject park the Same - named land . The motion-picture show travel along a disillusioned genius and a curious teenager as they set out on their journey to unravel the secrets of a mysterious utopian world . Despite its ambitious premise and the Disney marketing machine , Tomorrowlandstruggled to really unite with audience .

The photographic film grossed $ 209.2 million worldwide but , against a $ 190 million budget with sizable marketing cost , conk out to flex a profit . The poor viewing was a letdown for Disney , especially with the star power and natural endowment in the picture show .

Headshot Of Eric Bana

1The BFG (2016)

Budget:$140 Million |Box Office Gross:$183.3 Million

The talents of three of the world ’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl , Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – ultimately unify to bring pigeon pea ’s dear classic “ The BFG ” to life . organize by Spielberg , Disney ’s “ The BFG ” tells the imaginative story of a unseasoned little girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country .

Steven Spielberg’sThe BFGwas an adaptation of a dear nestling ’s book by Roald Dahl , so by all appearances , it would have been a sure matter . It bear a story about a young young woman who befriends a giant and their escapades across Giant Country with a visually arresting presentation and heartfelt performances . However , with Spielberg behind the wheel and the democratic source fabric , The BFGturned out not to impress at the box office .

The film pulled in $ 183.3 million worldwide , which , although not on the dot a defective result , was still disappointing compared to its budget of $ 140 million and comprehensive marketing drive . It was a surprising miss from Spielberg , who never seems to overlook at the box power .

Cast Placeholder Image

$ 140 million

$ 55.5 million

$ 139.7 million

Headshot Of Eddie Murphy In The Los Angeles premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Candy Cane Lane’

The Adventures of Pluto Nash is a science-fiction comedy starring Eddie Murphy as Pluto Nash, a nightclub owner on the Moon. Released in 2002, the film follows Nash as he battles to protect his nightclub from the mafia while uncovering a larger conspiracy. Rosario Dawson and Randy Quaid co-star in this futuristic adventure set in a 2087 lunar colony.

$ 195.2 million

origin : Comic Book Resources

Headshot Of Randy Quaid

Headshot Of Rosario Dawson In The Special Screening for Hulu&rsquo;s <code>Dopesick</code>

Headshot Of Joe Pantoliano In The Bad Boys For Life Los Angeles Premiere

The Fantastic Four watching Doctor Doom&rsquo;s machine in 2015&rsquo;s Fantastic Four

Headshot Of Miles Teller

Fantastic Four is a 2015 superhero film centered on four young outsiders who gain startling abilities after teleporting to a treacherous universe. As their lives are transformed, the team must harness their new powers to protect Earth from a former friend who becomes their adversary.

Headshot Of Michael B. Jordan

Headshot Of Kate Mara

Headshot Of Jamie Bell

Antonio Banderas holding a torch in The 13th Warrior

Headshot Of Antonio Banderas

The 13th Warrior is a historical action film that follows an Arab poet assigned to join a group of Norse warriors on a mission to battle a mysterious and deadly enemy. Set in the time of Vikings, it explores themes of cultural clash and heroism amidst gripping action sequences and period drama.

Morgan Adams yelling in Cutthroat Island

Headshot Of Geena Davis

Cutthroat Island is a 1995 action-adventure film directed by Renny Harlin. Geena Davis stars as Morgan Adams, a swashbuckling pirate who teams up with con man William Shaw, played by Matthew Modine, to uncover a hidden treasure. As they navigate treacherous waters and face off against rival pirates, their alliance is tested by danger and deception. The film showcases high-seas adventure and daring exploits.

Headshot Of Matthew Modine In The 76th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Headshot of Frank Langella

A woman marvels at a futuristic city in Tomorrowland.

Headshoit Of Hugh Laurie

George Clooney and Britt Robertson star in Brad Birds' take on Tomorrowland - a sci-fi action-adventure movie based around the idea from Disney’s attractions. Clooney plays Frank, a rough-around-the-edges jaded man who is teaming up with the equally bright but optimistic teen Casey (Britt Robertson) to find Tomorrowland, a mysterious place full of wonder and futuristic technology with the power to change the world.

Headshot Of Kathryn Hahn In The 49th Annual People&rsquo;s Choice Awards 2024

Headshot Of George Clooney

Headshot Of Tim McGraw

Headshot Of Mark Rylance In The Tomorrow Gala for The Old Vic.

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.

Headshot Of Bill Hader In The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards

Headshot of Penelope Wilton

Headshot Of Rebecca Hall In The 2024 Met Gala