There are various reasons why movies can flop at the box office, with the most obvious being that the film in question is not great. In more recent times, a film becoming a target of controversy can also hinder its success as it becomes more of a political or social talking point that instantly divides and alienates parts of the audience. Of course, for film aficionados, the most interesting category is movies that failed because they were ahead of their time.
Many of these productions were disastrous on release, considered career killers, and in some cases, an embarrassment. Yet, with time, each of these has become either considered quintessential films in their genre or beloved cult classics that people watch time and again; either technically perfect or perfect in the eyes of their adoring fans. Celebrated today, these films were ahead of their time on release.
10
‘Blade Runner’ (1982)
Blade Runner
5
/5
- Release Date
-
June 25, 1982
- Runtime
-
117 minutes
Set in a Dystopian 2019 LA, Blade Runner follows ex-cop Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who is forced out of retirement to track down a group of fugitive replicants looking to extend their lifespans. As Deckard’s investigation continues, he begins to tackle larger moral quandaries as the line between man and machine is blurred. Blade Runner would only make $41.8 million worldwide ($27.6 million domestically) off a budget of $30 million. With marketing and other costs, the film fell far below expectations and was likely a loss for Warner Bros.
A Quintessential Sci-fi Film
It is undeniable that part of the misunderstanding of the film stemmed from studio meddling, including the addition of voice-over narration and a happier ending, which significantly deviated from Ridley Scott’s intended story. Still, audiences did not seem ready for the themes the film explored, as they had taken a more lighthearted approach to sci-fi following the recent release of E.T. Additionally, with Harrison Ford as the lead, a philosophical, dystopian, and revolutionary cinematic experience was unexpected. Now, the movie is considered essential for sci-fi fans, and its exploration of themes like AI is now more relevant than ever.
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9
‘Idiocracy’ (2006)
Idiocracy
- Release Date
-
September 1, 2006
- Runtime
-
84 minutes
Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) is an “average American” chosen for an experiment, and he finds himself frozen for 500 years only to wake up in a modern era where everyone is idiotic, and the Earth is dying. Idiocracy would receive a limited release with minimal promotion, potentially turning what could have been an early hit into a delayed cult classic. On a budget of $2.4 million, the movie only made $500,296 in theaters.
‘Idiocracy’ Was Not Given the Push It Needed on Release
The delayed success of the film, besides the lack of marketing, comes from the movie’s prophetic view of the future. Of course, the word of mouth surrounding the movie, which showcases what many perceive as a decline in reason and intelligence in the US, has made the film a cherished comedy in the years following its release; the many highly quotable lines and over-the-top performances certainly don’t hurt either.
8
‘Tank Girl’ (1995)
Tank Girl
- Release Date
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March 31, 1995
- Runtime
-
104 minutes
- Director
-
Rachel Talalay
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Lori Petty
Rebecca / Tank Girl
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-
-
A decade after a comet strike caused drought, the few remaining residents fight over the remaining water. Rebecca Buck, also known as Tank Girl, resides in a commune with the last functioning water well. This catches the eye of the tyrannical Water & Power (W&P) corporation, led by Kesslee, who kidnaps her and kills others. When freed with the help of Jet Girl, the two make a plan to strike back and save Tank Girl’s friends.
Perfect Dystopian Sci-Fi Silliness Taken Too Seriously on Release
Based on the comics by Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett, Tank Girl has always been a rebel in comics and media, consistently skirting the mainstream but never quite reaching it. This is evident in the movie adaptation of the indie comic, as Tank Girl earned around $6 million globally, against a $25 million production budget. However, appreciation for the movie has only grown, with its perfect blend of dystopian and comedic sci-fi, packed with campiness, aging better with time.
7
‘Dark City’ (1998)
Dark City
- Release Date
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February 27, 1998
- Runtime
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100 minutes
- Director
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Alex Proyas
After waking up in a city consumed by darkness, John Murdoch learns the truth behind the metropolis; every night, strangers re-arrange and reassign everyone a role in some bizarre experiment. Struggling with Amnesia, Murdoch is billed as a murderer by the strangers, forcing him to try to stay safe while unraveling the potentially evil intentions of the mysterious men who play with people’s lives. Dark City would barely make back its budget, bringing in $27.2 million worldwide against a $27 million budget; considering other costs, the movie would have lost money.
A Precursor to ‘The Matrix’ That Was Lost on Audiences at the Time
No one seemed to know what to do with Dark City; the movie was poorly marketed, and the blend of noir, sci-fi, and philosophical themes did not resonate with the general audience. Now, sci-fi noir is a genre that has grown in appreciation, and Dark City would also help serve as an influence in the making of The Matrix. The movie has an endearing cult following, making it still worth checking out decades after its release.
6
‘The Shining’ (1980)
The Shining
- Release Date
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June 13, 1980
- Runtime
-
146 minutes
The Torrance family is tasked with overseeing the care of the Overlook Hotel during the winter season. Yet, when father Jack Torrace (Jack Nicholson) begins to converse with the dead and see ghastly visions in the hotel, he begins to lose his grip on reality. His wife, Wendy (Shelly Duvall), and his son, Dany, become the target of his ever-growing ire. While not exactly a flop, as the film grossed $47 million on a $19 million budget, this was far below the expectations of a Stanley Kubrick-led film.
Setting a New Standard in Horror
Looking back at The Shining, it is baffling to imagine that this film fell short of expectations at the box office, as the movie is often regarded as one of the director’s best works by fans. As far as its impact on the horror genre, it set a new standard for psychological horror in every aspect, including sound, film, and storytelling. The movie has also become deeply ingrained in pop culture, with numerous TV series and films paying homage to it. The Shining should have been a box office sensation, but instead, it has become a revered classic that is still discussed and analyzed to this day.
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5
‘Treasure Planet’ (2002)
Rebellious young teenager Jim Hawkins discovers a stellar map to the legendary Treasure Planet and joins a crew of pirates to help track down the treasure. As mutiny breaks out aboard the ship and the dark secret of Treasure Planet is revealed, Hawkins finds himself having to save himself while dealing with a collapsing planet. In a time when Disney movies consistently drew in audiences, Treasure Planet remains a blight on their record, earning only $110 million worldwide on a $140 million budget.
Disney’s Step Towards Redefining Their Visual Approach Went Unnoticed
Despite the poor box office showing, Treasure Planet would come to be recognized for its innovative and visually stunning animation, which would push Disney forward in terms of visual quality. Notably, the integration of 2D and 3D art will become more prevalent in many animated films going forward. In retrospect, the movie is a solid entry in the Disney animated universe, not appreciated at the time of release for the chances it took to help reinvent the animation process.
4
‘Heathers’ (1989)
Heathers
- Release Date
-
March 31, 1989
- Runtime
-
103 minutes
- Director
-
Michael Lehmann
Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) finds herself hating her high school existence and being tied to a cruel popular clique of three girls, all named Heather. A rebellious teenager new to the school, D.J. (Christian Slater), offers her some respite from her dull life, but when he decides to push for other students to be murdered and disguised as suicides, Veronica becomes conflicted and has to determine how to stop her boyfriend while maintaining her innocence. Heathers would receive limited screenings and bring in only $1 million against a $2 to $3 million budget.
Far From Another Teen Comedy
Despite getting some early praise from critics for its dark humor and controversial themes, it seemed that American audiences were not fully ready to tackle a film on teen suicide and societal pressures facing youth. The movie’s overtly cynical approach was also quite ahead of its time, considering it was presented as a teenage comedy. Now, Heathers is one of the most beloved dark comedies, and a sort of rite of passage for many young, angsty teenagers. Heathers would also mark another iconic role for Winona Ryder.
3
‘Starship Troopers’ (1997)
In a militaristic future society reminiscent of America, Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) and his friends enlist in the Mobile Infantry to fight against a species of giant alien bugs. As the friend’s face loses, they come face to face with the horrors of war on another planet. The movie would flop in America, earning only $54.8 million against its $121.2 million budget; it would barely recoup its losses overseas, but considering marketing and other costs, it lost money at release.
War, What Is It Good For?
Starship Troopers was a perfect satirical vision of fascism, propaganda, and the potential shortfalls of a militarized culture. This element was largely overlooked on release, with many taking the sci-fi action film at face value. With the tragedy of 9/11 and a cultural shift to the idea of the unwinnable ‘war on terror,’ many came back to the film, and audiences began to appreciate its warning of reckless militarism. Starship Troopers may also look dated now, but its CGI was evolutionary for the period and has gained more recognition for its effects over time.
2
‘The Iron Giant’ (1999)
A young boy named Hogarth Hughes makes an unlikely friend in a large, giant robot from space, teaching it about the ways of the human world and bonding with it. The government, which fears the large robot, aims to destroy it, putting Hogarth in the crossfire as military forces close in. The Iron Giant would go on to earn only $31.7 million at the box office off its $50 million budget.
One of the Biggest Marketing Blunders Hid This Gem
In another case of a studio sabotaging its film, Warner Bros. was hesitant to push forward The Iron Giant, giving it minimal marketing and advertising, after having recently suffered a loss with the animated film Quest for Camelot. Considered one of the biggest marketing blunders in animation history, The Iron Giant received little attention from the mainstream audience, which was surprising given that they chose to market Wild Wild West instead. The movie is now viewed as one of the best animated films of all time, as it is beautifully crafted, deeply emotional, and deceptively complex and layered for a children’s film.
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1
‘Barbarella’ (1968)
Barbarella
- Release Date
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October 22, 1968
- Runtime
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98minutes
- Director
-
Roger Vadim
- Writers
-
Roger Vadim
Barbarella follows the titular futuristic astronaut, played by Jane Fonda, tasked with stopping the villainous scientist Durand Durand, whose newest invention is set to destroy the universe. This puts Barbarella on a bizarre, sensuous journey through various parts of the galaxy, leaning on the help of fantasy and sci-fi-inspired characters.
Still the Most Fashionable Sci-Fi Movie Ever Made
Grossing only $2.5 million against a $9 million budget at the box office, Barbarella ultimately proved far from a flop in the direct-to-video market, with the film recouping more than its budget and cementing itself as a cult classic. Still, looking at its initial poor performance at the box office among other sci-fi films of the era, one can see the slow build of appreciation for the film. Notably, the fashion and campy humor have endured over time, with Jane Fonda immortalized in the movie and paying homage on the runways of shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, as well as throughout pop culture.
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