Embarking on a movie night, whether at the local AMC or Cinemark, is a cherished experience. Yet, not every cinematic journey ends on a high note. Let’s take a stroll down the memory lane of film fiascos – those colossal letdowns that left both audiences and critics shaking their heads.
**1. “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever” (2002)**
– Budget: $70 million
– Box Office Gross: $20.2 million
In the annals of cinematic infamy, “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever” stands tall. The 2002 action thriller, featuring Lucy Liu and Antonio Banderas, earned a mere 19% on Metacritic and secured its place as a cult classic for all the wrong reasons. Despite the talents of Liu and Banderas, the film’s downfall was pinned on lackluster writing and direction.
**2. “One Missed Call” (2008)**
– Budget: $20 million
– Box Office Gross: $45.8 million
Shannyn Sossamon took the lead in “One Missed Call” (2008), a horror flick that scored a dismal 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. While it managed to exceed its budget at the box office, critics dubbed it the “worst horror remake” of the year. The film’s predictable characters, confusing plot, and uninspiring direction left audiences unimpressed.
**3. “Left Behind” (2014)**
– Budget: $16 million
– Box Office Gross: $27.4 million
Nicolas Cage starred in “Left Behind” (2014), a movie that received a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and failed to resonate even in the Bible Belt. Centered around those left behind after mysterious disappearances, the film became both a critical and box office flop.
**4. “A Thousand Words” (2012)**
– Budget: $40 million
– Box Office Gross: $22 million
While not a career-ender for Eddie Murphy, “A Thousand Words” (2012) didn’t exactly boost his reputation. With a budget of $40 million, the film showcased Murphy cursed with a lack of speech, stripping away his comedic prowess. Despite a star-studded cast, including Kerry Washington, the movie’s box office performance fell short of expectations.
**5. “John Carter” (2012)**
– Budget: $250 million
– Box Office Gross: $284.1 million
In 2012, “John Carter” became Disney’s colossal box office disappointment, grossing $284.1 million worldwide against its whopping $250 million budget. Marketing missteps were blamed for its failure, but lead actor Taylor Kitsch managed to rebound from this near career-crumbling setback.
**6. “The Lone Ranger” (2013)**
– Budget: $225-$250 million
– Box Office Gross: $260.5 million
Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer took the reins in “The Lone Ranger” (2013), a Western plagued with issues. Despite their efforts, the film couldn’t escape the label of a flop. Disney incurred a loss of $190 million just weeks into its theater run, attributing the failure to the waning popularity of Westerns overseas.
In the rollercoaster world of cinema, these cautionary tales serve as reminders that even star-studded casts and hefty budgets don’t guarantee success.
