The Biggest Movie Flops of All Time

Big budgets, marquee stars, and massive marketing pushes don’t always add up to success. History is packed with wide-release titles that opened with huge expectations, only to stall at the box office and fade from theaters far sooner than planned. “Biggest flops” usually means features that cost a lot to make and sell but still failed to draw enough ticket buyers to cover those costs.

Below is a look at 25 high-profile misfires across genres and decades. For each one, you’ll find the basics—what it’s about, who made it, who starred in it, and how it was put together—so you can see how even large-scale productions can miss commercially despite substantial talent behind the camera and on screen.

‘Heaven’s Gate’ (1980)

Set against the backdrop of the Johnson County War, ‘Heaven’s Gate’ follows a Harvard-educated marshal trying to protect immigrant settlers from powerful cattle interests. The ensemble includes Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, Isabelle Huppert, Jeff Bridges, and John Hurt.

Directed by Michael Cimino and released by United Artists, the epic featured location work in Montana and large-scale period staging. The film’s production is closely associated with cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond, and its lengthy post-production and re-editing cycle preceded a wide release that didn’t recoup costs.

‘Ishtar’ (1987)

‘Ishtar’ centers on two hapless New York lounge-singer hopefuls who land a gig in North Africa and stumble into a spy caper involving dissidents and the CIA. Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman lead the cast, with Isabelle Adjani and Charles Grodin in key supporting roles.

Elaine May directed, Vittorio Storaro served as cinematographer, and the film was released by Columbia Pictures after an on-location shoot that included Morocco. The production’s scale and reshoots drew attention before release, and the movie’s theatrical run fell short relative to its costs.

‘Cutthroat Island’ (1995)

‘Cutthroat Island’ follows a pirate captain who teams with a charming rogue to assemble a map leading to buried treasure while rival buccaneers close in. Geena Davis and Matthew Modine star, with Frank Langella as the principal antagonist.

Renny Harlin directed the seafaring adventure, which mounted large ship sets and staged water-based action sequences in and around Malta. Produced in part by Carolco Pictures and released by MGM, the film’s expensive practical production and extensive stunt work didn’t translate into ticket sales strong enough to recoup expenses.

‘Waterworld’ (1995)

‘Waterworld’ is set on an ocean-covered Earth where a lone drifter known as the Mariner aids survivors searching for the mythic Dryland while clashing with the Smoker gang. Kevin Costner headlines alongside Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, and Dennis Hopper.

Kevin Reynolds directed, and Universal Pictures released the film after a complex water-based shoot in Hawaii that required large floating sets and extensive marine logistics. The effects-heavy production incurred widely reported costs, and its theatrical returns were outpaced by the scale of its investment during initial release.

‘The Postman’ (1997)

‘The Postman’ follows a drifter who adopts a postal uniform in a fractured America and inadvertently inspires scattered communities to reconnect. The film stars Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Olivia Williams, and Larenz Tate.

Directed by Kevin Costner from David Brin’s novel, the feature was released by Warner Bros. and filmed across Western locations with large-scale sets and crowd scenes. Despite its star-driven pedigree and sweeping production, it posted weak theatrical results against its production and promotional costs.

‘The 13th Warrior’ (1999)

‘The 13th Warrior’ tells the story of an exiled court poet who joins a band of Norsemen to confront a mysterious, brutal threat in the north. Antonio Banderas leads the cast, with support from Diane Venora, Omar Sharif, and Vladimir Kulich.

John McTiernan directed the adaptation of Michael Crichton’s novel, with additional post-production work overseen by Crichton. Produced for Touchstone and released by Buena Vista, the film underwent edits and reshoots and ultimately failed to bring in theatrical revenue commensurate with its significant budget.

‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

Set in a future where the alien Psychlos dominate Earth, ‘Battlefield Earth’ follows human rebels fighting to reclaim the planet. John Travolta and Barry Pepper star, with Forest Whitaker in a prominent role.

Directed by Roger Christian and adapted from L. Ron Hubbard’s novel, the film was produced by Franchise Pictures with domestic distribution handled through Warner Bros. The production was staged largely in Canada with extensive makeup effects and stylized sets, but box-office grosses lagged well behind the reported costs.

‘Titan A.E.’ (2000)

‘Titan A.E.’ centers on a young man who holds the key to a project that could restore humanity after Earth’s destruction by a hostile alien force. Voices include Matt Damon, Drew Barrymore, Bill Pullman, Janeane Garofalo, and Nathan Lane.

Directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman for Fox Animation Studios, the film mixed hand-drawn characters with computer-generated environments. Released by 20th Century Fox after a technically ambitious production, its theatrical earnings were insufficient to offset the studio’s investment and marketing outlay.

‘Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within’ (2001)

Set on a besieged Earth haunted by spectral extraterrestrials, ‘Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within’ follows scientist Aki Ross and her allies as they search for a non-violent solution to the invasion. The voice cast features Ming-Na Wen, Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames, Donald Sutherland, and James Woods.

Directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi for Square Pictures and released by Columbia Pictures, the film pursued photoreal digital humans using then-cutting-edge performance and rendering pipelines. Despite the technical ambition and international rollout, theatrical returns didn’t align with the high production costs.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

Set on the Moon, ‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ follows a nightclub owner who refuses to sell his club and ends up facing a powerful criminal syndicate. Eddie Murphy stars alongside Rosario Dawson, Randy Quaid, and Joe Pantoliano.

Directed by Ron Underwood and written by Neil Cuthbert, the Warner Bros. release combined practical sets and visual effects to depict lunar cityscapes. After delays and reshoots, the film’s domestic and international grosses were far below the combined production and marketing expenditures.

‘Treasure Planet’ (2002)

‘Treasure Planet’ reimagines a classic seafaring adventure in space as a teenage navigator embarks on a voyage aboard a solar-sailing galleon with a cyborg cook of uncertain loyalties. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Thompson, Brian Murray, and David Hyde Pierce are among the voice cast.

Co-directed by Ron Clements and John Musker for Walt Disney Feature Animation, the film blended hand-drawn characters with 3D environments using a hybrid pipeline. Released by Walt Disney Pictures after a broad marketing campaign, it delivered modest ticket sales relative to its production scale.

‘The Alamo’ (2004)

‘The Alamo’ dramatizes the siege and battle at the mission, focusing on James Bowie, William Barret Travis, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston during the Texas Revolution. The cast includes Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, and Patrick Wilson.

Directed by John Lee Hancock and produced by Imagine Entertainment for Touchstone Pictures, the film built extensive period sets in Texas and employed large numbers of extras. Despite the historical subject and wide release, box-office performance didn’t meet the costs associated with its production and marketing.

‘Alexander’ (2004)

‘Alexander’ charts the rise of Alexander the Great from Macedonia to his campaigns across Asia, following his inner circle and the shifting alliances around his rule. Colin Farrell stars with Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Jared Leto, and Rosario Dawson.

Directed by Oliver Stone with large-scale battle staging across multiple international locations, the film was released by Warner Bros. with additional backing from European partners. Multiple edits were prepared for different markets, and theatrical results were soft in key territories when measured against its budget.

‘Sahara’ (2005)

Based on a long-running adventure series, ‘Sahara’ follows explorer Dirk Pitt and his partner as they chase a Civil War legend and a modern-day environmental threat across North Africa. Matthew McConaughey, Penélope Cruz, and Steve Zahn headline.

Directed by Breck Eisner for Paramount Pictures, the production filmed in Morocco and Spain with extensive vehicle stunts and desert action sequences. The movie’s international rollout and marketing push were substantial, yet ticket sales did not cover the combined costs of production and promotion.

‘Stealth’ (2005)

‘Stealth’ features a trio of elite pilots who must bring an experimental AI-driven aircraft under control after it develops dangerous autonomy. Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel, and Jamie Foxx lead the cast.

Directed by Rob Cohen and released by Columbia Pictures, the film combined aerial photography with heavy CGI to depict high-speed dogfights. The costly effects build and global advertising campaign weren’t matched by theatrical revenue, resulting in an underperforming run.

‘Speed Racer’ (2008)

‘Speed Racer’ follows a young driver who turns down a powerful corporation to race for his family team, uncovering corruption in the world of professional racing. Emile Hirsch stars with Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox.

Directed by the Wachowskis and produced by Joel Silver for Warner Bros., the film used extensive green-screen work and stylized digital environments inspired by the anime ‘Mach GoGoGo’. Despite a major studio release and worldwide distribution, it opened to modest results that didn’t offset its production and marketing totals.

‘Mars Needs Moms’ (2011)

‘Mars Needs Moms’ tells the story of a boy who stows away on a spaceship to rescue his mother after Martians abduct her to study parenting. Seth Green provided performance capture for the lead, with voices by Seth Dusky, Joan Cusack, and Dan Fogler.

Directed by Simon Wells and produced by ImageMovers Digital for Walt Disney Pictures, the film employed performance-capture animation and large-scale digital environments. The studio’s investment in the technology and promotional spend exceeded the movie’s theatrical returns by a wide margin.

‘John Carter’ (2012)

Set on Barsoom, ‘John Carter’ follows a weary former soldier who is transported to Mars, where warring city-states, nomadic tribes, and advanced technology collide. Taylor Kitsch stars with Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, and Mark Strong.

Directed by Andrew Stanton for Walt Disney Pictures, the production shot across Utah and at UK stages with substantial creature and environment work. A global rollout and sizable marketing campaign accompanied release, and box-office results were significantly below the investment required to produce and promote the film.

‘The Lone Ranger’ (2013)

‘The Lone Ranger’ pairs a Texas lawman with the enigmatic Tonto as they confront corruption, railroad expansion, and outlaws in the American West. Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp star, with Helena Bonham Carter, Ruth Wilson, and William Fichtner in supporting roles.

Directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer for Walt Disney Pictures, the film combined large-scale train sequences, practical stunt work, and extensive location filming. Despite the star power and nationwide release, theatrical earnings fell short of recouping combined production and marketing costs.

’47 Ronin’ (2013)

’47 Ronin’ retells the famed tale of masterless samurai with fantasy elements as an outcast joins the group to avenge their lord. Keanu Reeves stars alongside Hiroyuki Sanada, Rinko Kikuchi, and Ko Shibasaki.

Directed by Carl Rinsch and released by Universal Pictures, the production incorporated heavy visual effects and elaborate costume and set design. International distribution was broad, yet receipts underdelivered compared with the film’s budget and advertising expenses.

‘R.I.P.D.’ (2013)

Set in a supernatural police force, ‘R.I.P.D.’ follows two deceased officers tasked with capturing spirits who hide among the living. Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges lead, joined by Mary-Louise Parker and Kevin Bacon.

Directed by Robert Schwentke and adapted from a Dark Horse comic, the Universal Pictures release leaned on creature effects and large-scale action. Even with a midsummer launch and global rollout, the box-office take was insufficient to match the production and marketing outlay.

‘Jupiter Ascending’ (2015)

‘Jupiter Ascending’ follows a Chicago housekeeper who discovers she holds a unique genetic status that entangles her in a dynastic struggle spanning multiple planets. Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum star, with Eddie Redmayne and Sean Bean in pivotal roles.

Written and directed by the Wachowskis for Warner Bros., the film relied on extensive world-building and complex VFX sequences. Despite a wide international release and promotional push, ticket sales were modest against the costs incurred to create and market the feature.

‘Pan’ (2015)

‘Pan’ serves as an origin story for Peter and Captain Hook, sending a young orphan to Neverland where he meets allies and adversaries, including a fearsome pirate ruler. Levi Miller plays Peter, with Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, and Rooney Mara featured.

Directed by Joe Wright and released by Warner Bros., the production shot in the UK and employed large practical sets alongside digital extensions. The film’s theatrical run produced limited returns relative to the resources put into production and marketing.

‘Ben-Hur’ (2016)

A new adaptation of Lew Wallace’s novel, ‘Ben-Hur’ follows Judah Ben-Hur’s betrayal by his adoptive brother Messala, his enslavement, and an eventual chariot-race confrontation. Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Nazanin Boniadi, and Morgan Freeman star.

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and released by Paramount Pictures in partnership with MGM, the production combined large set builds with digital crowd work. Its global rollout delivered lower-than-expected grosses compared with the combined production and promotional spend.

‘Mortal Engines’ (2018)

‘Mortal Engines’ imagines a future where entire cities move on massive tracks, centering on a young historian and a determined outcast who uncover a destructive conspiracy. Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Hugo Weaving, and Jihae appear in key roles.

Directed by Christian Rivers and produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, the Universal release featured extensive visual-effects shots and large-scale design. Despite a wide international release, the movie’s theatrical performance fell well short of covering its production and marketing investment.

If you’ve seen any of these titles—or think others belong here—share your thoughts in the comments!