50 Biggest Box Office Bombs

[Pizza Moon]

1. John Carter (2012) - Loss: $274M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$264M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$284M

2. The Lone Ranger (2013) - Loss: $256M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$225-250M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$150M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$260M

3. The Marvels (2023) - Loss: $245M (Disney/Marvel)
**Production Budget:** ~$270-307M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100-110M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$206M

4. The 13th Warrior (1999) - Loss: $243M
**Production Budget:** ~$100-160M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$50-80M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$62M

5. Mortal Engines (2018) - Loss: $219M
**Production Budget:** ~$100-150M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$84M

6. Cutthroat Island (1995) - Loss: $217M
**Production Budget:** ~$92-98M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$40-60M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$18M

7. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) - Loss: $214M (DreamWorks)
**Production Budget:** ~$60M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$80-100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$81M

8. Strange World (2022) - Loss: $212M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$180M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$74M

9. Battleship (2012) - Loss: $205M
**Production Budget:** ~$209-220M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100-150M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$303M

10. Mars Needs Moms (2011) - Loss: $201M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$150M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$50-100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$39M

11. Tomorrowland (2015) - Loss: $199M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$170-190M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100-150M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$209M

12. Pan (2015) - Loss: $199M
**Production Budget:** ~$150M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$128M

13. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) - Loss: $197M
**Production Budget:** ~$175M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$149M

14. Turning Red (2022) - Loss: $186M (Disney/Pixar; streaming impacted)
**Production Budget:** ~$175M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$20M

15. Titan A.E. (2000) - Loss: $183M
**Production Budget:** ~$75-90M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$50-80M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$37M

16. Jungle Cruise (2021) - Loss: $174M (Disney; COVID impacted)
**Production Budget:** ~$200M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$221M

17. Mulan (2020) - Loss: $171M (Disney; streaming impacted)
**Production Budget:** ~$200M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$67M

18. Flushed Away (2006) - Loss: $170M (DreamWorks)
**Production Budget:** ~$149M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$80M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$178M

19. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) - Loss: $168M
**Production Budget:** ~$100M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$50-80M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$7M

20. Dark Phoenix (2019) - Loss: $167M
**Production Budget:** ~$200M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$252M

21. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) - Loss: $167M
**Production Budget:** ~$137M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$50-100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$85M

22. Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) - Loss: $164M
**Production Budget:** ~$200M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$167M

23. A Wrinkle in Time (2018) - Loss: $164M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$100-125M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$133M

24. Soul (2020) - Loss: $163M (Disney/Pixar; streaming impacted)
**Production Budget:** ~$150M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$121M

25. Monster Trucks (2016) - Loss: $161M
**Production Budget:** ~$125M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$80-100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$65M

26. The Flash (2023) - Loss: $160M
**Production Budget:** ~$200-220M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$271M

27. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) - Loss: $160M
**Production Budget:** ~$185M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$261M

28. Jupiter Ascending (2015) - Loss: $159M
**Production Budget:** ~$176M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$184M

29. The Alamo (2004) - Loss: $156M
**Production Budget:** ~$107M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$80M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$26M

30. Stealth (2005) - Loss: $155M
**Production Budget:** ~$138M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$80M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$77M

31. Heaven's Gate (1980) - Loss: $155M
**Production Budget:** ~$44M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$20M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$3M

32. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) - Loss: $154M (Disney/Lucasfilm)
**Production Budget:** ~$275M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$393M

33. Supernova (2000) - Loss: $152M
**Production Budget:** ~$90M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$50M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$15M

34. The Matrix Resurrections (2021) - Loss: $151M
**Production Budget:** ~$190M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$159M

35. Town & Country (2001) - Loss: $151M
**Production Budget:** ~$90M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$50M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$10M

36. How Do You Know (2010) - Loss: $150M
**Production Budget:** ~$120M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$49M

37. Treasure Planet (2002) - Loss: $149M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$140M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$80M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$110M

38. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) - Loss: $148M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$295M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$384M

39. Moonfall (2022) - Loss: $148M
**Production Budget:** ~$150M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$59M

40. Deepwater Horizon (2016) - Loss: $148M
**Production Budget:** ~$110-120M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$122M

41. A Christmas Carol (2009) - Loss: $147M (Disney)
**Production Budget:** ~$175-200M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$325M

42. The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) - Loss: $145M
**Production Budget:** ~$19M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$10M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$5M

43. Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) - Loss: $144M
**Production Budget:** ~$190-200M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$206M

44. Black Adam (2022) - Loss: $110M
**Production Budget:** ~$190-260M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$393M

45. Windtalkers (2002) - Loss: $142M
**Production Budget:** ~$115M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$80M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$78M

46. Inchon (1982) - Loss: $141M
**Production Budget:** ~$46M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$20M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$5M

47. Cats (2019) - Loss: $140M
**Production Budget:** ~$90-100M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$74M

48. Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) - Loss: $139M
**Production Budget:** ~$195M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$198M

49. The Suicide Squad (2021) - Loss: $138M (Streaming impacted)
**Production Budget:** ~$185M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$168M

50. Gemini Man (2019) - Loss: $137M
**Production Budget:** ~$138-240M
**Estimated Marketing Budget:** ~$100M
**Worldwide Box Office Gross:** ~$173M

 

[John park hopper]

That's okay Disney has and will raise park prices to cover their loss.

 

[DisneyFreak]

Shocked that Waterworld is not on this list.

 

[Pizza Moon]

That's okay Disney has and will raise park prices to cover their loss.

I'm thankful for Josh's pivot to Parks & Gaming for this reason.

 

[Pizza Moon]

Shocked that Waterworld is not on this list.

I believe that with VOD sales, it recouped its money. Being "the most infamous flop of all time" is a good marketing ploy to get people to watch your movie, it turns out, though nothing will ever top Fight Club's turnaround.

These lists are tricky though, because we don't always have, and Hollywood accounting exists.

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

I bet Solo ended up breaking even or close to. I still see it playing all the time on TBS or TNT so public opinion has definitely been fairly positive.

 

[Pizza Moon]

I bet Solo ended up breaking even or close to. I still see it playing all the time on TBS or TNT so public opinion has definitely been fairly positive.

It’s the lowest watched Star Wars movie on Disney Plus, followed by The Last Jedi.

Frankly they’re the most pointless films plot wise in the entire saga so it makes sense they’re one and dones for a lot of people.

 

[DL-fan]

Wow why did Disney spend so much on The Marvels, did they not see the writing on the wall???

 

[Phroobar]

• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) led with $500.2 million in profit on a total cost of $638.9 million.
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) earned $258.4 million in profit against $380.3 million in expenses.
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) generated $324 million in profit from $414.6 million spent.
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) posted a slim $48.3 million profit on $593.7 million total costs.
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) resulted in a $103.3 million loss after costing $443.3 million.

MSN

 

[Pizza Moon]

• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) led with $500.2 million in profit on a total cost of $638.9 million.
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) earned $258.4 million in profit against $380.3 million in expenses.
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) generated $324 million in profit from $414.6 million spent.
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) posted a slim $48.3 million profit on $593.7 million total costs.
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) resulted in a $103.3 million loss after costing $443.3 million.

MSN

And that’s about how Disney Plus viewership numbers are (minus episode 9 because people watch it to finish the saga).

What awful movies except for Rogue One.

Literally if they just did Lucas’ story treatment, kept Rogue One as-is, and swapped Solo for a stand alone (with potentially for more) Knights of the Old Republic Movie, or like Acolyte done right, I think the movies could’ve actually gained an audience.

If Last Jedi was Dark Knight good, and Force Awakens actually functioned to setup a trilogy like Batman Begins or Dune: Part One, I think we could’ve seen Rise topping $2B instead.

That’s an absurd amount of money.

And to botch Galaxy’s Edge too.

Man. What on Earthz

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Solo should have been the trilogy. They could have wrapped that hot mess of 7-9 into one flick.

 

[Pizza Moon]

X

Solo should have been the trilogy. They could have wrapped that hot mess of 7-9 into one flick.

agreed actually solo should’ve kept phd lord and Chris miller

 

[DKampy]

Solo should have been the trilogy. They could have wrapped that hot mess of 7-9 into one flick.

Disagree….most people who saw the movie enjoyed it….the issue was most people did not want to see Solo without Ford

 

[Pizza Moon]

Disagree….most people who saw the movie enjoyed it….the issue was most people did not want to see Solo without Ford

That wasn’t the issue. The rewrites made the film make no sense.

 

[Pizza Moon]

Fun fact: Disney lost money on Fantasia, Pinocchio, and Sleeping Beauty initially, but they've all gone on to become massive box office earners through re-releases.

Adjusted for inflation, they've all made at least half a billion, I think Fantasia is actually over a billion, which is remarkable to think about, forget the general brand value of Sorcerer Mickey, When You Wish Upon a Star, Maleficent, and even the park castles, which are probably worth hundreds of millions at least, and until they're public domain next decade, are basically priceless IP (though Beauty is later on, gonna be wild when it and Song of the South aren't copyrighted at all).

The one that they likely have never made money off of is The Black Cauldron.

It's worth noting that Disney was a small company back when flops such as Fantasia happened, so while they weren't massive bombs or anything, it could've ended on bankruptcy for Disney. Crazy to think companies like Disney, Apple, Tesla Motors, and SpaceX almost failed.

Strange World, for instance, was an actual box office bomb, but Disney can handle it a lot better because they're a mega conglomerate and release many movies, but it does show that Disney has had a major problem recently. I'm sure it will never recoup its budget. It's not good, so it's not going to develop a fandom either.

So Disney needs to start doing re-releases again, at scale, honestly, like as counter programming to major releases, just charge like half.

And it's cool to think these movies made a profit long-term just from the box office grosses alone. Makes me feel better that they got their due at least.

Would be so cool!

 

[Fox&Hound]

I wish the strategy for these live action remakes were the animated movies that bombed!