Marvel Studios appears to have an almost effortless grip on the superhero movie market, and they have a remarkable ability to create innovative cinematic universes. But prior to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) becoming a global phenomenon, the superhero genre saw some genuinely catastrophic box office bombs. If talking about recently, a few superhero films have recently had a difficult time at the box office, with more failures than successes compared to potential tent poles like Brie Larson’s The Marvels.
With a $274.8 million gross production budget, the Nia DaCosta-directed movie has made $202 million worldwide, making it the lowest-grossing MCU movie and a box-office disaster. Though things go through cycles, it seems like the genre is having trouble. As long as there have been superhero movies, there will inevitably be superhero failures.
Without further ado, the top five superhero movie failures of the 20th century are listed below, in order of box office earnings, critical acclaim, and public perception.
1. Batman & Robin (1997)
For years to come, Batman & Robin damaged the reputation of the Caped Crusader before Christopher Nolan restored it to its former glory. Audiences were taken aback when their favorite Dark Knight became entangled in a disastrous mess that devolved into unintentional comedy.
With George Clooney playing Bruce Wayne/Batman, the movie brought in only $238 million globally despite having a $125–160 million production budget. At the time, it was regarded as one of the worst movies ever made and received primarily unfavorable reviews from critics.
Batman & Robin is available to stream on Max.
Also read: Brie Larson Was Saving a Sinking Ship: The Marvels Plot Hole Makes Whole $274M Movie Pointless
2. Judge Dredd (1995)
Judge Dredd, based on the 2000 AD comic character of the same name and starring Sylvester Stallone as the renowned law enforcement figure, appeared ready to be a huge hit. It failed to convey the essence of the dark and dystopian world it attempted to depict, though, because of a mediocre adaptation. Critics and fans alike were greatly disappointed with the film’s final product due to a lack of originality and poor writing.
With only $34.7 million in domestic box office receipts in North America, the movie is regarded as a failure (via Box Office Mozo). On a $90 million budget, it performed better internationally, bringing in over $78.8 million globally. This brought the total to $113.5 million.
Judge Dredd is available to rent on Apple TV.
3. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was a total bust; not even the Man of Steel could save it. This movie fell short of the high standards set by its predecessors due to a tight budget, which resulted in shoddy production values and visual effects.
According to the LA Times, the 1987 superhero film was the least successful of the four Christopher Reeve-starring Superman movies at the box office, and the franchise was retired for the next nineteen years. It made $36.7 million against a $17 million budget upon its release, but it was greatly criticized by both critics and fans for having subpar special effects, inconsistent storylines, and holes in the plot.
Watch Superman IV: The Quest for Peace on Max.
4. Steel (1997)
Steel, a bold endeavor that ultimately failed miserably, starred former professional basketball player Shaquille O’Neal in the lead role. The film struggled to establish itself as a worthy addition to the superhero genre due to its subpar acting and screenplay.
Thus, it was unable to create the same level of excitement that other superhero movies were able to, primarily due to its hurried and unclear plot. Despite an estimated $16 million budget, the movie only made $1.7 million domestically and was ultimately deemed a huge box office bomb.
You can watch Steel on Tubi TV.
5. Supergirl (1984)
Before the days of Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel, a female superhero was finally brought to the big screen with the Helen Slater film Supergirl. Regretfully, this movie was a bust. It lacked the depth and gripping storytelling that would have held the attention of viewers, even with its strong premise and remarkable cast.
Critics and viewers alike gave Jeannot Szwarc’s film negative reviews, and despite spending $35 million, it made $14.3 million. As reported by the New York Times, despite opening weekend #1 at the North American box office, the movie is regarded as a box office bomb, grossing only $14.3 million in North America. This resulted in a $21 million loss.
Supergirl is streaming on Max.
Consequently, it is safe to say that not every superhero story is meant for box-office success; not all superhero movies can reach unfathomable heights.
