With any type of media, there are always going to be both good and bad entries, whether it’s the latest album, video game, or movie, people will either buy it or they won’t. Unfortunately when it comes to movies and film, the highs are high, and the lows and losses are incredibly so. There have been countless box office flops throughout the years, whether it’s because the film itself was poor, it was too late on adapting a particular novel, or it just didn’t work. But we’re here to talk about the box office flops that were actually good. In no particular order, here are 5 fantastic films that were box office flops.
5. Dredd (2012)
Budget: $30 – $45 million
Box Office: $41.5 million
There’s no argument that Karl Urban’s Dredd is far superior in many ways compared to the earlier adaptation starring Sylvester Stallone. But unfortunately, this didn’t translate to any sort of box office domination. Urban’s Dredd is pitted against Lena Headey’s villain Ma-Ma, the film is from start to finish a graphic, gory and amazing adaptation of the well-renowned graphic novels. Ten years later fans are still petitioning for some sort of continuation, seemingly to no avail.
Related: The Real Reason Dredd 2 Will Never Happen
4. Fight Club (1999)
Budget: $63 million
Box Office: $101 million
A cult classic firmly planted in pop culture, starring two of the biggest actors at the time in Brad Pitt and Ed Norton, Fight Club is a film about many things including the fight against capitalism and consumerism, the identity of the man, and of course, a fight club. Unfortunately with the marketing of the film included, the film didn’t break even though.
3. The Suicide Squad (2021)
Budget: $185 million
Box Office: $168 million
Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, this was always going to struggle. Add onto that being a part of the DCEU which as a whole, audiences trust less and less with each entry, and also being a quasi-reboot/sequel to the original Suicide Squad (2016), even with the fantastic James Gunn in the director’s chair, it was doomed to fail from the start.
2. The Northman (2022)
Budget: $90 million
Box Office: $68 million
The most recent entry on the list of 5 fantastic films that were box office flops, with a cast of actors like Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman, Anja Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, and Alexander Skarsgard, you’d think this should have been top of most people’s list to watch at the cinema. Unfortunately, the Nordic revenge flick faltered at the first step, and whilst generally incredibly well reviewed, it didn’t make much back at the box office.
Related: The Northman Review: A Masterful And Blood Soaked Epic
1. Scott Pilgrim vs The World (2010)
Budget: $85 million
Box Office: $49.3 million
Another comic book adaptation, and another box office flop for an absolutely fantastic film. Whether you’re watching it for the story, style or terribly awkward Scott Pilgrim played by Michael Cera, not only will you enjoy yourself, you’ll want to re-watch it as soon as it finishes. Unfortunately, the quirky, uniqueness of the film didn’t translate to the mainstream audience, and hence it makes number one on the list of 5 fantastic films that were box office flops.
That’s my list of 5 fantastic films that were box office flops, what others can you think of?
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