It's strange to live in a world where a movie that grosses over 200 million dollars can be considered a flop. And while it's understandable that movies with a big budget would want more than to break even, it's often bizarre to think of some of these great films as failures, solely because they didn't perform well at the box office. In addition to all this, the movie-going experience has changed drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic, with countless people choosing not to revisit, either because the cost of a single film alone is too expensive or because they're immunocompromised and can't risk the public space.
With all this in mind, there are a number of bombs every year that either fly under the radar forever or find a new life on streaming and become cult classics. Utilizing Box Office Mojo, I went through and found some of the biggest box-office bombs that are still worth watching, as well as where to do so on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and more.
Hugo (2011)
Martin Scorsese is known for his darker narratives and the deep exploration of familial pangs, so Hugo is somewhat of a genre surprise from the director that didn't perform as well as hoped. It holds a worldwide gross of $185,770,310, and it's a lovely adaptation of Brian Selznick's novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret. The wholesome, heartwarming film starring Asa Butterfield as the titular character is worth watching with the whole family.
For viewers who appreciate movies that expertly balance adventure, heart, and a gripping character journey, it's perhaps one of the best. It's also the first film Scorsese shot for 3D, allowing the director to explore filmmaking in a manner that continues to prove why he's as revered as he is.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
With how popular and beloved Hocus Pocus has become throughout the years and the legacy surrounding it as one of the best Disney Channel Halloween movies, very few people may know that it's considered a box office flop. Though the film surpassed its budget, it only made $48,706,598 in the movie theaters during its run.
People who grew up watching the film don't need convincing of why it's worth revisiting not just once, but yearly. But for those who've never seen it, or for the people who think a box office flop indicates a tremendous loss, Hocus Pocus is proof that an excellent film can not only find its audience, but it can reach incredible new heights on streaming. It's an absolute must-watch during the Halloween season, and the use of practical effects to enhance the story, as well as the incredible performances, are still a tremendous detail to admire.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
Birds of Prey bombing in the theaters is an unfortunate outcome, especially as one of the best DC films that also features an incredible cast of leading women. (We can also say the same about 2023's The Marvels.) The film grossed $205,358,461 at the box office, which is low for a superhero film, and yet it garnered mostly favorable reviews from critics and fans, praising it as a solid adaptation with a memorable and nuanced performance from Margot Robbie.
It's an especially compelling showcase of how well-rounded Harley Quinn is as a character, and perfect for those who love the TV series, Harley Quinn (2019). It's also the kind of film that you can watch without knowing too much of the lore, because the story fills many of the important gaps and makes it a solid triumph in female empowerment.
The Fall Guy (2024)
As a film made for the big screen and one that is meant to honor the stunt community as well as the industry as a whole, The Fall Guy should've been a box office triumph. Unfortunately, the film's worldwide success only grossed $181,073,291, and despite the raving reviews is considered a theatrical flop. Still, it's an undeniable must-watch for every type of movie fan.
Whether a lover of sci-fi, action, character-driven narratives, or romance, The Fall Guy is an absolute joy in how it balances the story arcs. Ryan Gosling delivers an outstanding performance alongside Emily Blunt, and the film serves as a genuinely brilliant love letter to the stunt community and the amount of work they put into making action films as riveting as they are.
Turning Red (2022)
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney's original animated films stopped grossing as high as they used to. Whether the live-action craze that often brings mixed responses, the external factors that stop people from visiting theaters, or something else, it's unfortunate that an animated film as exceptionally unique and significant as Turning Red only made $21,813,358 worldwide.
When Disney films leave a mark these days, it's often because they're targeting a mature theme through an easily accessible lens for all age groups. Films like Inside Out (2015) aren't just appealing to kids, but to the adults who stepped into the world of Riley's mind and felt seen right alongside the characters. Similarly, Turning Red expertly showcases the pangs of a young girl's growing pains while simultaneously honoring fangirls and passion in the process. It's vital in every way and an absolute must-watch for young girls and anyone who's ever been a fan of something.
A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
As one of the most loved middle-grade books, it's unfortunate that the film adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time flopped in theaters. With a worldwide gross of $132,675,864, it's a movie that deserves more recognition, not only for how excellent the production is, but for how fantastic the cast is in adapting a story that's not exactly easy to play with.
Starring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Storm Reid, Chris Pine, and a number of great actors, A Wrinkle in Time is the type of movie that's full of Disney magic and a bit of something more, too. It's perfect for young audiences and adults, with plenty of heart to honor the story in a memorable way.
Ferrari (2023)
Michael Mann's Ferrari was one of the best action films released in 2023, but an unfortunate flop in theaters, grossing only $43,601,123 worldwide. With the production weight, it should've been something that performed better, but still, it's one worth watching for a number of reasons. Most importantly, whether a viewer is a fan of the cars, racing, or neither, the film itself is an unforgettable showcase of a legacy and features astounding performances.
Adam Driver delivers one of his strongest performances throughout the film as the titular character, and for fans of the actor, it's absolutely worth seeing for his range alone. It might even be the film that allows people to see how talented he truly is because it's exactly what it did for me. It's also a tremendous film from start to finish, with one of the most gut-wrenching third acts that's based on a true tragedy.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
For a film that's tied to top-grossing IP like the Star Wars franchise, Solo: A Star Wars Story should've had a bigger success in theaters. Only, the film is one of the franchise's great losses, grossing only $392,924,807 worldwide. It's understandable that some viewers would be hesitant to watch an origin story when an actor as legendary as Harrison Ford stars in the original, but Alden Ehrenreich delivers a stunning performance as Han Solo.
The film might not be as grand as the originals, sequels, or prequels, but it's a solid time throughout that makes for an entertaining experience regardless. It's certainly a must-watch for anyone who wants to keep up with the franchise's lore, but since it's a prequel, it can also be consumed on its own without any attachment to the other films.
Jungle Cruise (2021)
Jungle Cruise isn't as big a flop as some of the films on this list, but it's still not Disney's greatest success either. Grossing $220,889,446 with a $200 million budget, it's at least still the type of movie the production company is continuing to bank on, by greenlighting a sequel. Perhaps it could've done better if it weren't for the pandemic, but still, it's one of the more fun live-action films.
As a film that honors a relatively underrated and simple ride at the theme parks, Jungle Cruise shines because of the ridiculous banter that Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson share. It provides plenty of action, a decent story, and it's an overall enjoyable film set to an incredible score from James Newton Howard that can be fun for the whole family. Perfect for Disney fans that want more adventurous movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).
West Side Story (2021)
Likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's clear why West Side Story was a theatrical flop. Grossing only $76,016,171 worldwide, the film could've and should have been a bigger hit for the tremendous work that Rachel Zegler and director Steven Spielberg bring to the renowned original story. While remakes are seldom perfect, this one is worth watching for anyone who is a fan of classic musicals.
Zegler delivers an unforgettable performance as Maria, and how Spielberg honors the music and choreography with his directorial vision is no small feat in ensuring it becomes a deeply memorable musical adaptation. The story itself is a beautiful one, and this remake is one that shines because of the production value. If nothing else, whether a fan of the story or not, it deserves to be seen at least once.
