Famous Musicians Who Tried Acting and Completely Bombed at the Box Office

Many popular musicians dream of becoming movie stars, but it’s a difficult leap. Some succeed in acting, while others discover that what makes them great singers doesn’t work on screen. Film studios often hope a musician’s fame will attract audiences, but a well-known name can’t always save a bad movie. Hollywood is full of examples of films that failed despite featuring famous musicians, and this list looks at some of those risky career moves that didn’t pay off with audiences.

Madonna

Madonna has tried several times to become a successful movie star, but her film ‘Swept Away’ is remembered as a major flop. Directed by her husband at the time, Guy Ritchie, the movie—a remake of a popular Italian film—received very negative reviews and few people went to see it. Viewers felt there was no connection between Madonna and her co-star, and the film earned back only a small portion of the money spent to make it. This failure essentially marked the end of her career as a leading actress in big-budget movies.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey was a huge star in the 1990s, but her movie ‘Glitter,’ which drew from her own life, came out at a difficult moment. Released in September 2001, the film received poor reviews and was overshadowed by negative publicity surrounding Carey’s personal life. While the movie’s soundtrack did okay, the film itself was a commercial failure. It took Carey several years to recover her reputation as an actress, starting with a small role in the film ‘Precious’.

Kelly Clarkson

After winning the first season of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson had to star in the movie ‘From Justin to Kelly’ as part of her contract. While the film tried to benefit from the show’s huge success, it didn’t have a very good story or memorable songs. Most viewers saw it as a quick attempt to make money rather than a real movie, and it didn’t do well in theaters. Clarkson has often made fun of the film and how much she dislikes it.

Vanilla Ice

Vanilla Ice, the rapper Robert Van Winkle, attempted to become a movie star with the film ‘Cool as Ice’. He played a rebellious biker, but critics widely mocked the movie’s story. While Universal Pictures hoped his teenage fans would see it, the film flopped in theaters. Today, it’s remembered more as a quirky piece of 90s pop culture than a good movie.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez is a successful actress, but the movie ‘Gigli’ is still remembered as a low point in her career. Starring alongside then-partner Ben Affleck, the film received negative attention even before it came out. Critics disliked the confusing storyline and poor script, and it ended up being a major box office failure, especially considering the famous actors involved.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is a major success in music, but her appearance in the movie ‘Cats’ was a strange misstep for many viewers. The film used special effects to create ‘digital fur’ which most people found creepy instead of appealing. Even with a famous cast, the movie didn’t appeal to families or musical theater fans and was a big financial loss. While Swift has since started directing, this movie is remembered as a critical and commercial failure.

Prince

After the huge hit of ‘Purple Rain’, Prince tried his hand at directing and starring in ‘Under the Cherry Moon’. However, this black-and-white romantic comedy didn’t have the same powerful feel as his first film, and its European locations left many fans puzzled. Critics didn’t like his acting or the film’s overly extravagant style, and it failed to make much money in theaters, showing that being a brilliant musician doesn’t always translate to success as a filmmaker.

Paul McCartney

Even Paul McCartney, a member of the Beatles, experienced a box office flop with his film ‘Give My Regards to Broad Street’. He wrote and starred in the movie, a fictionalized look at a day in his life, but critics considered it a self-indulgent project. Although the film’s soundtrack did well, the movie itself was criticized for its weak story and lack of excitement. It quickly disappeared from cinemas and isn’t often remembered now except for its music.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan, the famous singer-songwriter, once starred in the movie ‘Hearts of Fire’ as a withdrawn musician. While aiming for a realistic and intense story, the film was largely criticized for its predictable plot and uninspired acting. It didn’t do well in theaters and was quickly released on video instead. Ultimately, the movie’s failure showed that Dylan’s unique and mysterious appeal worked better in his music than on the big screen.

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones, played a major part in the science fiction action movie ‘Freejack’, alongside Emilio Estevez and Anthony Hopkins. However, reviewers thought he didn’t quite fit the futuristic world of the film, and the story itself was criticized for not making much sense. The movie didn’t earn back its production costs and didn’t lead to the successful acting career Jagger may have been aiming for. Since then, he’s focused on smaller roles and producing instead.

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson tried to launch a movie career with the romantic comedy ‘Blonde Ambition,’ but it didn’t quite work out. The film felt too similar to other popular rom-coms and didn’t stand out. After a very limited release in theaters, it quickly went straight to DVD, indicating the studio didn’t have much confidence in it. The film flopped at the box office, effectively ending Simpson’s attempt to become a leading actress.

Lance Bass

Lance Bass of NSYNC both produced and acted in the romantic comedy ‘On the Line’. While the film was heavily promoted to NSYNC fans, it didn’t appeal to a wider audience and ultimately failed at the box office. It cost much more to make than it earned, demonstrating how hard it can be for members of popular groups to succeed with solo acting careers.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus tried to move beyond her popular Disney Channel roles by starring in the independent film ‘LOL’. However, the movie, a remake of a French film, wasn’t well-promoted and opened in only a few theaters to very small audiences. Despite Cyrus’s fame, it earned surprisingly little money, which hindered her efforts to be seen as a more serious artist.

Rihanna

Rihanna first appeared in a major movie role in ‘Battleship,’ a film based on the board game. She played a character skilled with weapons, but the movie received criticism for being too long and unoriginal. Despite a large budget, ‘Battleship’ didn’t do well in theaters in the United States, making it a financial failure. Although Rihanna has found success in other areas, this movie wasn’t a hit.

Usher

Usher, the popular R&B singer, starred in the movie ‘In the Mix’, playing a DJ tasked with guarding a mobster’s daughter. However, the movie’s story felt old-fashioned, and critics found it lacked energy and originality. It didn’t do well in theaters and quickly faded away. Since then, Usher has largely returned to focusing on his music career and appearing as a judge on television shows.

Chris Brown

Chris Brown led the cast of ‘Battle of the Year,’ a film designed to highlight the world of breaking dance. While the dancing itself was excellent, critics found the acting and storyline predictable and uninspired. The movie didn’t attract many viewers and performed poorly in theaters, failing to capture the audience that other dance films had enjoyed in the past.

Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas starred in the sci-fi thriller ‘Chaos Walking’ with Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley. The movie faced numerous production problems, including delays and costly reshoots, which significantly increased its budget. Despite finally being released, it received negative reviews and earned back very little of its production costs. While the film’s failure wasn’t Jonas’s fault, it’s still considered a box office flop on his filmography.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga received widespread praise for her work in ‘A Star Is Born,’ but her next film, ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ wasn’t as successful. The sequel tried to combine dark, realistic storytelling with musical numbers, which turned off many viewers who enjoyed the first ‘Joker.’ As a result, ticket sales dropped sharply after the first week, causing the studio to lose a significant amount of money. The film demonstrates that even a talented performer can’t guarantee success for a project that divides audiences.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige’s singing was a highlight of the movie ‘Rock of Ages,’ but the film itself wasn’t successful. It didn’t capture the excitement of the original Broadway show, and audiences weren’t drawn to its polished, toned-down take on 1980s rock. The movie lost a lot of money and put a stop to similar musical adaptations in Hollywood for quite a while.

Justin Timberlake

While Justin Timberlake has appeared in several successful movies, ‘Runner Runner’ wasn’t one of them. The online gambling thriller, co-starring Ben Affleck, was criticized for being boring and unoriginal. Despite a large budget, it didn’t do well with audiences in the US and is generally considered a forgettable film for both Timberlake and Affleck.

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa, a popular singer, starred in the action comedy ‘Argylle’, which received a lot of promotion. However, the movie didn’t do well in theaters. Its complicated storyline and high production costs resulted in significant financial losses, proving that having a large social media following doesn’t guarantee success at the box office.

André 3000

André Benjamin, one half of OutKast, appeared in ‘Idlewild,’ a movie set in the past that included music by the duo. While the film looked great, it moved slowly and appealed to a limited audience, preventing it from becoming a hit with most moviegoers. It didn’t earn enough money to cover its costs, effectively ending OutKast’s plans for future films. Today, ‘Idlewild’ is mostly remembered by a dedicated group of fans, rather than being considered a mainstream success.

Ringo Starr

Okay, so I recently checked out ‘Caveman’ starring Ringo Starr, and honestly, it’s… something. He plays a caveman, naturally, and the whole movie is built around silly physical gags and this completely invented language. The problem is, what sounds amusing in theory just doesn’t land. Critics at the time, and even now, mostly found it exhausting rather than hilarious. It didn’t do great in theaters, and looking back, it feels like one of the last times someone really tried to push Ringo as a leading man. It’s got a little cult following now, but it’s definitely a bit of a quirky, forgotten film.

David Bowie

David Bowie was known for constantly reinventing himself, but his acting role in ‘Just a Gigolo’ was a low point. Critics disliked the film’s confusing editing and lack of a clear story. Bowie himself admitted it was a terrible movie he regretted making. It wasn’t successful and quickly faded into obscurity after it came out.

Sting

Sting starred as Baron Frankenstein in the gothic film ‘The Bride.’ While the movie tried to offer a new take on the classic horror tale, it was largely seen as slow and overly dramatic. It didn’t attract many viewers and performed poorly in theaters. Although Sting continued to act from time to time, he never found another role that achieved the same level of success as his music career.

Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson, the famous country singer and actor, appeared in the movie ‘Heaven’s Gate,’ which is remembered for nearly bankrupting the United Artists studio. The film went way over budget, and the director’s insistence on everything being perfect contributed to the problems. When it finally came out, it lost a huge amount of money and led to major changes in how Hollywood controlled film costs. Unfortunately, Kristofferson’s acting was largely ignored because of all the bad press surrounding the movie’s troubled production.

Diana Ross

Diana Ross played Dorothy in the movie ‘The Wiz’, which was based on the popular Broadway show. Some critics thought she was too mature for the part, and this altered the story’s feel. The film cost a lot to make, but it didn’t earn back its money when it first came out. Although it later gained a dedicated following, it was initially seen as a box office failure.

Bette Midler

Bette Midler starred in ‘Isn’t She Great’, portraying author Jacqueline Susann. Though intended as a fun, over-the-top biographical film, it didn’t succeed in being either funny or emotionally impactful. Critics heavily panned the movie, and it performed very poorly in theaters, becoming known as one of the least successful films ever released with a major star like Midler.

Ja Rule

Ja Rule appeared alongside Steven Seagal in the action movie ‘Half Past Dead,’ but the film wasn’t well-received. Critics found the plot confusing and the overall production quality to be low. It didn’t do well in cinemas and failed to launch Ja Rule as an action movie star. Today, the film is mostly known as a forgettable entry in the later stages of Steven Seagal’s film career.

50 Cent

Shortly after reaching the height of his music career, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson appeared in the war drama ‘Home of the Brave.’ The film focused on soldiers returning from Iraq, but critics found it overly dramatic. It wasn’t shown in many theaters and didn’t make much money. Since then, Jackson has achieved greater success producing television shows than acting in films.

Ice Cube

Ice Cube is well-known as an actor, but the sci-fi horror film ‘Ghosts of Mars’ wasn’t one of his successes. Directed by John Carpenter, the movie received criticism for its low-budget effects and predictable action. It didn’t earn back its production costs and led to a nearly ten-year break in Carpenter’s directing career. While Ice Cube quickly moved on to other projects, ‘Ghosts of Mars’ is still considered a box office failure.

Debbie Harry

Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie, appeared in David Cronenberg’s film ‘Videodrome’. Though now celebrated as a classic of horror, the movie initially failed at the box office. Audiences in the 1980s found its unsettling visuals and challenging ideas off-putting. It wasn’t until the film became available for home viewing that it gained a following and became profitable.

Tom Waits

Tom Waits wrote the music for and appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s film ‘One from the Heart’. Though visually impressive, the romantic musical was incredibly expensive to make and failed to earn back even a small portion of its costs. This caused significant financial problems for Coppola’s studio. Waits continued to work on smaller, independent films, but ‘One from the Heart’ was a major box office failure.

Gene Simmons

I remember seeing Gene Simmons, of KISS, in a movie called ‘Runaway’ with Tom Selleck! It was supposed to be this huge, futuristic action film, but honestly, it got lost in the shuffle with all the other sci-fi movies that were popular at the time. I think a lot of people found the story about a robot gone wild a little cheesy, and it didn’t do very well in theaters. After that, Gene pretty much went back to focusing on KISS and doing reality TV, which, let’s face it, is where he really shines!

Cher

Despite winning an Academy Award, Cher starred in the film ‘Faithful,’ which wasn’t successful with critics or audiences. The movie’s story – about a woman who connects with the man hired to kill her – felt unbelievable to many viewers. It didn’t make much money and is rarely mentioned when people talk about her otherwise amazing work in film. It was a small setback in what has been a truly iconic career.

Roger Daltrey

Roger Daltrey, the frontman of The Who, played the lead role in the over-the-top musical film ‘Lisztomania’. Directed by Ken Russell, the movie presented a wild and unusual version of composer Franz Liszt’s life. Its strange and dreamlike visuals confused both reviewers and moviegoers, resulting in disappointing box office numbers. Even today, ‘Lisztomania’ is a divisive film that didn’t connect with most audiences.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg appeared in the horror movie ‘Bones’, where he played the ghost of a man who was killed because he worked as an illegal numbers runner. While the film was a nod to the blaxploitation films of the past, it didn’t succeed in frightening or appealing to most horror movie fans. As a result, it didn’t do well in theaters and quickly became available to rent or buy for home viewing. Later in his career, Snoop Dogg had more success in comedic roles and providing voices for animated projects.

Method Man

Method Man, known as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, starred in the comedy ‘The Cobbler’ alongside Adam Sandler. However, the movie was widely criticized for its strange story and failed to make audiences laugh. It performed very poorly in theaters and became one of Sandler’s least successful films. Despite Method Man’s appearance, the movie was a flop with both critics and audiences.

Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi, best known as a musician, starred as the main character in the movie ‘The Leading Man,’ a romantic thriller. Though critics thought his acting was okay, the film didn’t attract many viewers. It only played in a few theaters and didn’t earn much money. Later, he found more success playing smaller, but important, roles in TV shows and movies with multiple stars.

2026-01-29 18:19