Movies That Lost The Most Money In History

Making movies is a risky business, and big budgets don’t always mean big profits. Even films with well-known stars and respected directors can flop at the box office, failing to earn back what it cost to make and promote them. These failures can result in substantial financial losses for the studios involved. This list highlights some of the most prominent films that didn’t attract enough viewers and ended up losing millions of dollars.

‘John Carter’ (2012)

This sci-fi adventure centers on a Civil War soldier who unexpectedly finds himself on Mars. Making the movie was difficult, with costs ballooning during production. Although the visual effects were stunning, the film didn’t resonate with most viewers because they weren’t familiar with the original story it was based on. The studio lost a lot of money on the project, and it led to a shift in how big-budget films were promoted. It’s now a well-known example of a costly risk that didn’t succeed.

‘Mars Needs Moms’ (2011)

This animated movie used advanced technology to capture the actors’ movements and tell the story of a boy saving his mother from Martians. However, it was incredibly expensive to make, and ticket sales weren’t enough to cover the costs. Both viewers and critics thought the characters and story weren’t as good as those in other popular animated films. The movie opened to very low numbers at the box office, indicating a significant financial failure for the studio. It’s now known as one of the biggest box office disappointments, considering how much it cost to produce.

‘The Lone Ranger’ (2013)

This reimagining of a classic Western aimed to introduce a beloved character to modern audiences, featuring a well-known actor. However, the production faced numerous setbacks, including delays and bad weather, which caused costs to significantly exceed the original budget. While expected to launch a new film series, the movie received only lukewarm reviews and struggled to compete with other releases. Ultimately, ticket sales both in the US and abroad weren’t sufficient to cover the film’s extensive production costs, leading to a significant financial loss for the studio.

‘Mortal Engines’ (2018)

This movie takes place in a future world where cities travel on massive wheels, and it was intended to be the first in a new fantasy series. While visually impressive, the story was difficult to follow for many viewers. The film’s high production and marketing costs made it very difficult to become profitable. Poor ticket sales around the world resulted in significant financial losses for the studio, making it one of their biggest failures in recent years. It also faced tough competition from other films released during the busy holiday season.

‘Strange World’ (2022)

This animated film tells the story of a famous family of explorers venturing into a mysterious, undiscovered land. While critics praised its diverse characters and imaginative world, the movie didn’t perform well in theaters. Experts believe this was due to limited advertising and changing viewing habits. Facing tough competition from other releases, the film ultimately fell short of its financial goals and proved to be a disappointing result for the studio, especially as they recovered from the pandemic.

‘The 13th Warrior’ (1999)

This action movie, set in the past, follows a man who teams up with Vikings to battle a strange enemy. Making the film was difficult, with lots of scenes being re-shot and changes in who was in charge, which caused the budget to balloon. It was hard to market because the story blended historical drama with supernatural horror, appealing to a limited audience. Ultimately, the movie didn’t earn enough money to cover its massive production and advertising costs, and is now known for being a major financial loss.

’47 Ronin’ (2013)

This large-scale fantasy film follows a band of samurai on a quest to avenge their fallen leader. Production was troubled by numerous delays and reshoots, driving up the film’s cost significantly. Although it did okay in some overseas markets, it didn’t attract a large audience in North America. The movie’s heavy use of costly special effects made it hard to turn a profit, ultimately resulting in one of the biggest financial losses for a major action film of the time.

‘The Marvels’ (2023)

The latest installment in this superhero series unites fan-favorite characters against a new danger threatening the galaxy. However, the movie struggled due to a busy release calendar and a growing lack of interest in superhero films. While part of a huge franchise, it earned considerably less money than previous films. High production and marketing costs resulted in a significant financial loss for the studio, making it an unusual case for this cinematic universe.

‘Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas’ (2003)

This animated film offers a fresh take on the beloved sailor character, following his journey to rescue a friend and find a powerful, ancient book. While the movie represented a big effort to continue making traditionally animated films, it faced challenges as computer animation became more popular. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform well at the box office, resulting in substantial financial losses for the studio and impacting its future plans for hand-drawn animation. Though critics enjoyed the story, it couldn’t compete with other big summer releases. Many consider this film a key turning point that led to a widespread change in animation styles throughout the industry.

‘Cutthroat Island’ (1995)

This pirate movie aimed to be a huge hit, packed with exciting action and dramatic moments. However, making it was a struggle, with the script constantly being rewritten and the costs spiraling out of control, causing concern for those who funded it. When it was finally released, very few people went to see it. The film lost so much money that it ultimately led to the production company going bankrupt. It became a well-known example of the dangers of spending too much on a movie, particularly in the mid-1990s.

‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ (2017)

This new take on a familiar story tried to combine epic fantasy elements with a realistic, modern filmmaking approach. However, the movie faced delays and its production costs quickly increased. Despite the director’s creative vision, it didn’t perform well in US theaters, and earnings from other countries weren’t enough to cover the high production and marketing expenses. Ultimately, the film was a significant financial failure for all involved.

‘The Flash’ (2023)

This superhero movie deals with the idea of multiple universes, as the main character journeys through time trying to alter events. The film took a long time to make and was plagued by problems during its development. While it was heavily advertised and featured appearances by well-known actors, it didn’t perform as well as hoped in theaters. Because it was so expensive to produce and promote, the movie needed to be a huge success to make money, but it ultimately lost the studio a significant amount during a period of change for the series.

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ (2023)

As a lifelong fan of this adventure series, I was really excited for the latest installment, following our aging hero on one final dig. It was a huge production, though – they clearly spent a fortune on it, especially with all the technology they used to make the actors look younger. While dedicated fans like me turned out, it just didn’t make enough money to justify the massive cost. Plus, it came out during a really competitive summer with a lot of other big movies vying for attention. Sadly, it’s become another example of a highly anticipated sequel that just didn’t perform at the box office.

‘Dark Phoenix’ (2019)

As a long-time fan, it was really disheartening to see how the latest film in the superhero series wrapped things up. It tried to show a huge change for one of the main characters, but honestly, the whole production felt messy. I heard they did a lot of reshoots, even changing the ending, which drove up the costs. Sadly, critics weren’t impressed, and audiences didn’t seem all that interested either. It ended up being the lowest-grossing film in the entire franchise, resulting in a significant loss for the studio. It really felt like the end of an era for these characters, especially knowing they’re moving to a new studio now. It just wasn’t the send-off they deserved.

‘Pan’ (2015)

This film aimed to launch a new series based on a well-known literary character, but it didn’t succeed. While the movie had impressive visuals and a strong cast, audiences found it confusing and tonally uneven. Critics generally disliked it, and because it failed to draw families and younger viewers – the audience it needed to thrive – the studio cancelled any plans for sequels. The financial losses were too substantial to continue with the franchise.

‘Tomorrowland’ (2015)

This science fiction movie draws inspiration from a beloved theme park land and unveils a hidden world of brilliant inventors. While expectations were high thanks to a famous director and leading actor, the film struggled to find an audience. Its complicated story and unclear advertising left many viewers confused. Though the special effects were impressive, ticket sales fell far short of the film’s substantial production and marketing expenses, making it a memorable case of a big-budget, original idea that didn’t succeed commercially.

‘Jupiter Ascending’ (2015)

This science fiction adventure centers on a young woman who learns she’s part of an intergalactic royal family. While the film was visually stunning, critics found its story and characters difficult to follow. Several postponements of the release date hinted at problems, and the movie ultimately didn’t earn enough money to cover its costs, both in the US and abroad. This financial failure was a significant setback for the studio’s plans to create a new, original science fiction series.

‘Sahara’ (2005)

This adventure film, adapted from a well-known book series, centers on an explorer’s quest for a lost ship in the desert. The movie was famously expensive to make, with production costs spiraling due to legal issues and increasing expenses. Although it earned a good amount of money in theaters, the high costs meant the film ultimately didn’t turn a profit. It’s a well-known case of a box office success that failed financially, and the resulting financial difficulties significantly impacted the future of the franchise.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

This sci-fi comedy, taking place on the moon, follows a nightclub owner who gets mixed up with the mob. Unfortunately, the film was delayed for years and then received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Viewers weren’t interested, and it became notorious for being one of the biggest box office flops ever. Its huge production budget far exceeded any potential earnings, making it a well-known example of a disastrously expensive movie.

‘Stealth’ (2005)

This movie centers around three pilots responsible for training a sophisticated AI drone. It featured a lot of thrilling aerial maneuvers and visual effects. However, despite being an action-packed film, it didn’t perform well in theaters during the competitive summer months. Critics generally didn’t like it, and it had trouble gaining attention amongst other big-budget releases. Ultimately, the film lost a significant amount of money for the studio due to its high production costs and low box office revenue.

‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ (2013)

As a film fan, I was really excited about this new take on a beloved fairy tale – it promised to be a sweeping adventure for everyone. Unfortunately, the production had a lot of trouble. They kept pushing back the release date and were constantly tweaking the special effects, which drove up the budget considerably. While it looked amazing, I just didn’t feel like it brought anything new to the story, and it seemed audiences agreed. It flopped in North America, and even international earnings weren’t enough to make back the money they spent. It was a pretty big financial loss for the studios involved, and they had to write off a significant amount of the cost.

‘R.I.P.D.’ (2013)

This movie is a comedic action film about dead police officers who hunt ghosts for a special department. Critics didn’t like it, pointing out it felt too much like other popular movies and wasn’t very funny. Even with a recognizable cast, the film failed to attract an audience and was a box office flop. The movie cost a lot to make, which made its failure even more significant, and it’s now a well-known example of a studio betting on the wrong big-budget idea.

‘Deepwater Horizon’ (2016)

This movie tells the true story of a devastating oil rig explosion and the rescue attempts that followed. Critics loved its realistic and intense portrayal of the disaster, and praised the filmmaking techniques used to recreate it. Despite being a well-made film, its very high production costs prevented it from making a profit. While it did okay in theaters, it didn’t earn enough money to cover what it cost to make.

‘Alexander’ (2004)

This movie is a sweeping historical drama about the life of Alexander the Great. It was a very expensive film, and took a long time to make, in an effort to realistically portray the large-scale battles of the ancient world. However, critics didn’t like the movie’s slow pace and some of the actors chosen for key roles, which negatively impacted how well it performed in theaters. Despite featuring a famous cast, the film didn’t earn enough money to cover its costs, resulting in substantial financial losses for the studio. As a result, several different cuts of the movie were released later on.

‘The Alamo’ (2004)

As a movie buff, I remember this historical drama trying to bring a famous battle from the Texas Revolution to life. They really went all out with the budget and tried to be super accurate with the details, but honestly, it just didn’t connect with audiences. It came out at a tough time, and the reviews were just… okay. Sadly, it barely made back a tiny part of its huge production cost in theaters. It’s become kind of infamous as one of those big, ambitious historical movies that just flopped at the box office, which is a real shame.

‘Monster Trucks’ (2016)

I recently checked out this family movie, and it’s about a guy who finds a strange creature living in his truck. Honestly, it had a really rough time getting made – it was delayed a bunch of times, which made it seem like the studio wasn’t sure it would work. They even predicted it would flop before it came out and took a big financial hit because of it! Sadly, it looks like they were right. Not many people went to see it, and most reviewers didn’t think the idea was very well done. In the end, it lost a lot of money, proving the studio’s initial worries were justified.

‘Treasure Planet’ (2002)

This sci-fi movie puts a futuristic spin on the classic pirate adventure, following a young man’s quest for lost treasure in space. It was made using a unique combination of hand-drawn and computer animation, which made it a very costly production. While some critics liked the film, it didn’t attract many viewers during the busy holiday season. Because of its high production costs, the film’s moderate earnings weren’t enough to avoid a significant financial loss, and it represented a challenging time for the studio as they experimented with new animation techniques.

‘How Do You Know’ (2010)

This romantic comedy boasts a famous cast and follows a woman torn between two lovers. While the film had a surprisingly large budget – driven by actor salaries and a lengthy production – it didn’t resonate with audiences and received lukewarm reviews. As a result, the movie earned far less than it cost to make, causing a significant loss for the studio. It’s become a well-known example of why film studios now think carefully before investing heavily in romantic comedies.

‘Gigli’ (2003)

This funny crime movie centers around two small-time crooks who get into trouble during a job. While it was being made, the film generated a lot of buzz because the two lead actors were a famous couple. Unfortunately, when it finally came out, critics hated it, and it became one of the biggest box office flops ever. The movie lost a lot of money and is now remembered as a classic example of a Hollywood failure.

‘The Nutcracker in 3D’ (2010)

This holiday movie tried to update a beloved story using today’s special effects. Although it cost a lot to make, critics didn’t like its gloomy atmosphere or unusual decisions. As a result, families and children weren’t interested, and the movie flopped at the box office, earning very little money compared to its huge production costs. It’s now considered one of the biggest money-losing holiday films ever made.

‘Ben-Hur’ (2016)

This new film retells the story of a prince wrongly accused of betrayal, who then sets out for revenge. Creating the world of ancient Rome and a spectacular chariot race required a very large budget. However, most viewers and critics agreed that the remake didn’t measure up to the original, beloved film. As a result, the movie didn’t attract much of an audience and lost a lot of money in theaters. It’s a good example of how risky it can be to remake a classic and highly respected movie.

‘Robin Hood’ (2018)

This recent film reimagined the classic outlaw story with a focus on stylish action. However, its modern costumes and quick fight scenes didn’t connect with viewers. Critics generally disliked the movie, finding that the new style didn’t fit the historical setting. Because of expensive production and marketing, combined with poor ticket sales, the film lost a significant amount of money and any plans for sequels were cancelled.

‘Gemini Man’ (2019)

This sci-fi thriller centers around an assassin hunted by a younger clone of himself. The filmmakers used advanced digital technology to create a realistic version of the main actor, which greatly increased the movie’s production costs. Though praised for its technical innovations, the film’s story was seen as predictable and lacking originality. It didn’t perform well in theaters, failing to recoup its expensive development costs, and ultimately served as a reminder that impressive technology doesn’t guarantee audience appeal.

‘Evan Almighty’ (2007)

This comedy sequel centers around a man tasked by a divine force to construct an ark. The film’s budget ballooned, becoming one of the largest ever for a comedy, thanks to the use of real animals and elaborate sets. Despite aiming for broad family appeal, it didn’t recapture the success of the original movie. While ticket sales were okay, they weren’t enough to cover the studio’s huge investment, making it a famously costly flop.

‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)

This new version of the beloved supernatural comedy followed an all-female ghostbusting team in New York City. Even before its release, the film sparked a lot of online discussion and disagreement. Though some reviewers liked the fresh approach, it didn’t make enough money in theaters to be considered a success. With high production and marketing expenses, the film’s earnings weren’t sufficient to cover the costs, ultimately leading the studio to revisit the original storyline for future installments.

‘Gods of Egypt’ (2016)

This fantasy movie tells the story of a human hero and a mighty god working together to save their world. While aiming for a visually stunning experience with a big budget and lots of special effects, the film received criticism for its casting and the effects themselves, which many viewers found disruptive. Unfortunately, it didn’t do well in theaters, failing to attract a large audience and resulting in financial losses for the studio. Though the film had a distinctive look, it wasn’t enough to make it a commercial success.

‘Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within’ (2001)

This sci-fi movie was a pioneering effort to make a fully realistic animated film. It took years and cost a fortune to produce because the necessary technology was still new. Although the animation was visually stunning, many critics found the story slow-paced and didn’t feel it connected well to the original video game. The film flopped at the box office and ultimately led to the studio shutting down its film production department. Despite its financial failure, it’s still remembered as an important milestone in animation history.

‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

This movie, inspired by a science fiction novel, portrays a future where aliens have enslaved humankind. Although the lead actor was deeply committed to the project, the film was almost universally disliked by critics and failed to attract an audience. It became a notorious box office failure, and the financial losses were worsened by legal problems with the production company. It’s now widely considered one of the worst and most expensive movie failures of all time.

‘Ishtar’ (1987)

This funny movie tells the story of two songwriters who aren’t very good, and who unexpectedly become involved in a political situation in the Middle East. The film was famously troubled to make, going way over budget and causing a lot of conflict between the director and the studio. Even before it came out, the movie had already received bad reviews. It didn’t attract many viewers and became well-known as a major Hollywood flop. Although some people have recently looked at it more favorably, it’s still considered one of the biggest money-losing films ever made.

‘The Postman’ (1997)

This ambitious science fiction movie takes place in a ruined future America and centers on a man who brings a sense of optimism simply by delivering mail. Despite its huge budget and lengthy runtime, it struggled to attract viewers in theaters. Reviews were generally poor, and the film didn’t gain much traction with audiences. The movie earned far less money than it cost to make, resulting in significant financial losses for the studio. It’s frequently mentioned alongside other big, ambitious projects that didn’t quite succeed.

‘The BFG’ (2016)

This movie is based on a popular children’s book and tells the story of a friendship between a young girl and a kind giant. While made with beautiful animation and directed by a highly respected filmmaker, the film didn’t perform well in theaters during the crowded summer months. Because it was expensive to make, the disappointing ticket sales caused financial difficulties for the studio. It’s unusual for a well-received family film by a famous director to struggle at the box office.

‘Green Lantern’ (2011)

This movie is a superhero origin story about a pilot who becomes part of an intergalactic police force. Though it had a huge budget and impressive visual effects – especially for the hero’s suit and the alien planets – critics didn’t like it, and it didn’t capture the audience’s imagination. As a result, the film performed poorly at the box office, causing the studio to take a significant financial loss and delaying any plans for sequels or further movies featuring the character.

‘The Promise’ (2016)

This movie is a historical drama taking place during the decline of the Ottoman Empire, centered around a complicated love story. Though made with a large budget and good intentions to highlight important historical events, the film didn’t attract many moviegoers and struggled financially. A private donor funded the production with the hope of donating the profits to charity, but unfortunately, the film lost money, meaning no charitable donation was possible.

‘The Legend of Hercules’ (2014)

This action movie tells the story of a famous hero who is enslaved and struggles to regain his freedom. Released around the same time as another film featuring the same character, it struggled to find an audience due to the competition. Critics didn’t like the movie, particularly pointing out that the special effects looked rushed and incomplete. As a result, the film didn’t earn much money and is considered a failed adaptation of the hero’s story.

‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ (2017)

This visually impressive science fiction film centers on two space agents investigating a danger to a huge space station. Despite being made independently, it had a surprisingly large budget comparable to big-budget blockbusters. While the film’s visuals received high praise, many viewers found the story and characters unengaging. It didn’t succeed at the box office in the U.S. and, even with international sales, struggled financially, resulting in one of the biggest losses for an independent movie.

‘Speed Racer’ (2008)

This movie, based on a well-known anime, stood out with its bright and distinctive visuals, focusing on fast-paced racing. While directed by acclaimed filmmakers, its unusual style wasn’t a hit with most viewers. Despite a big budget and extensive marketing, the film didn’t attract a large audience when it came out, leading to disappointing box office numbers and financial losses for the studio. Though it hasn’t become a mainstream success, the movie has since developed a dedicated fan base.

‘The Mummy’ (2017)

As a big movie fan, I remember this action horror flick being hyped as the start of something huge – a whole shared universe built around classic monsters! They really went all-in, getting a major star and giving it a massive budget. But honestly, it just didn’t click. Critics weren’t impressed, and audiences seemed to feel the same. It just didn’t have that magic previous versions of the story had. It did okay overseas, but here in the States, it really flopped. The financial loss was so big that the whole idea of a shared universe was scrapped, and they had to completely re-evaluate what they were doing with the franchise.

‘Wish’ (2023)

This animated musical was created to honor the 100th anniversary of a famous animation studio. The film featured a distinctive visual style, combining classic and modern animation methods. Although it was highly anticipated, the movie received mixed reactions from critics and didn’t perform well in theaters. High production expenses and competition from other family-friendly films led to disappointing box office results. This capped off a challenging year financially for the studio.

‘The Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1964)

This sprawling historical film was incredibly costly to produce when it came out, featuring stunning sets like a complete replica of the Roman Forum. Despite its grandeur and a strong cast, the movie didn’t earn enough money to recoup its huge expenses. The financial loss was so substantial that it effectively marked the end of large-scale historical epics. It’s now a famous example of how impressive visuals don’t guarantee a movie will be a hit with audiences.

Share your thoughts on these massive cinematic losses in the comments.

2026-02-08 01:51