1. John Carter: A Mismanaged Martian Misadventure
Budget: $350 million
Loss: $133-236 million
In 2012, Disney’s John Carter became a notable box-office failure. Despite its ambitious storytelling and a massive budget, the film’s downfall was largely due to poor marketing. The sci-fi action movie, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels, tells the story of a Civil War captain on Mars. Its financial loss led to the resignation of Walt Disney Studios head Rich Ross and the cancellation of planned sequels. Over time, John Carter has gained a more favorable reassessment.
2. The Lone Ranger: A Western Wipeout
Budget: $225-250 million
Loss: $186-221 million
The Lone Ranger, released in 2013, faced production issues and a ballooning budget. Starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp, the film underperformed significantly, leading to substantial losses. The creators criticized the media’s focus on the budget over the film’s qualities, but this did little to improve its reputation as a major box-office bomb.
3. The Flash: A Speedy Descent into Losses
Budget: $200-220 million
Loss: Approx. $200 million
The Flash, part of the DC Extended Universe, is a recent box-office disappointment. Despite a significant budget, the film’s earnings have been underwhelming, indicating a potential loss of around $200 million for Warner Bros. Discovery. This outcome highlights the unpredictable nature of the movie industry.
4. The 13th Warrior: A Historical Misfire
Budget: $160 million
Loss: $129 million
The 13th Warrior, featuring Antonio Banderas, faced a budget that spiraled to $160 million. The film, based on Michael Crichton’s novel, earned far less than its budget, leading to its status as a financial disappointment and impacting the career of co-star Omar Sharif.
5. Strange World: A Forgotten Disney Adventure
Budget: $135–180 million
Loss: $197 million
Disney’s 2022 animated feature Strange World struggled due to weak marketing. The film, about the explorer family the Clades, didn’t perform well in theaters but found success on Disney+. This showcases the difference between theatrical and streaming success.
6. Mortal Engines: A Steampunk Stumble
Budget: $100–150 million
Loss: $189 million
Mortal Engines, a 2018 steampunk film, failed to resonate with audiences, resulting in a loss of approximately $189 million. Released during a competitive holiday season, it couldn’t stand against major titles like Aquaman and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
7. Cutthroat Island: Sinking the Pirate Genre
Budget: $92-98 million
Loss: $187 million
1995’s Cutthroat Island, a pirate adventure, faced production issues and a significant loss of around $187 million. Its failure impacted the production company and the popularity of pirate-themed films until the success of Pirates of the Caribbean.
8. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas: An Animated Misfortune
Budget: $60 million
Loss: $184 million
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) struggled at the box office, losing $184 million. Despite a positive audience reception, it couldn’t compete with hits like Finding Nemo and Pirates of the Caribbean, nearly bankrupting DreamWorks.
9. Battleship: Sinking Hopes at the Box Office
Budget: $209–220 million
Loss: $177 million
The 2012 film Battleship, inspired by the board game, failed to achieve box office success, losing $177 million. The film was criticized for its style-over-substance approach, showcasing the difficulty of adapting non-narrative source material.
10. Turning Red: A Pandemic-Era Pixar Pitfall
Budget: $175 million
Loss: Not fully quantifiable
Turning Red, released during the COVID-19 pandemic, represents a unique case. The film, which cost around $175 million, had a limited theatrical release and was simultaneously available on streaming, affecting its box office performance.
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