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The 2010s were marked by some of the most significant box office disappointments in Hollywood history. This era saw studios investing massive amounts of money into production budgets, often exceeding hundreds of millions, with the hope of crafting cinematic blockbusters. However, the results didn’t always reflect the financial ambition, leading to considerable losses.
Films that initially seemed poised for success often ended up underperforming at the box office. Factors leading to these failures included negative critical reception, poor timing regarding release schedules, and sometimes just plain audience disinterest. This article reviews some of the most notable box office bombs from each year of the 2010s.
10 2010: ‘How Do You Know’
Release Date: December 17, 2010
Runtime: 121 Minutes
Director: James L. Brooks
Writer: James L. Brooks
How Do You Know tells the story of a softball player torn between two romantic interests. The film stars an A-list ensemble including Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, and Jack Nicholson, marking his final film appearance. However, despite the star power, the movie faltered, failing to resonate with audiences and critics alike. With a budget of $120 million, it grossed less than $50 million, leading to an estimated loss of $150 million after adjusting for inflation.
9 2011: ‘Mars Needs Moms’
Release Date: March 11, 2011
Runtime: 98 Minutes
Director: Simon Wells
Mars Needs Moms features a storyline about a boy attempting to rescue his mother, who has been taken by Martians. This animated film had a staggering budget of $150 million but only managed to collect approximately $39 million globally, resulting in a loss of about $201 million when adjusted for inflation. The film’s failure marked the end of ImageMovers Digital, who produced it, following its dismal reception.
8 2012: ‘John Carter’
Release Date: March 9, 2012
Runtime: 132 Minutes
Franchise(s): John Carter
John Carter, based on the acclaimed Barsoom novels, was envisioned as the start of a major franchise for Disney. Unfortunately, its $300 million production budget made it one of the most expensive films ever, and it flopped spectacularly with losses estimated at $274 million after inflation. This cinematic misstep is often cited as the largest box office bomb in cinematic history.
7 2013: ‘The Lone Ranger’
The Lone Ranger is a revival of the iconic character first introduced in the 1930s. Despite the character’s storied past, the 2013 film faced backlash for its casting choices, pacing, and portrayal of cultural themes. With estimated losses over $256 million, it stands as one of the biggest failures in Disney’s history, effectively ending any plans for additional films in the franchise.
6 2014: ‘Seventh Son’
Release Date: December 12, 2014
Runtime: 102 Minutes
Director: Sergei Bodrov
Writers: Charles Leavitt, Matt Greenberg
Producers: Basil Iwanyk, et al.
Seventh Son is an adaptation of Joseph Delaney’s novel, focusing on a young apprentice to a witch hunter. Despite featuring a notable cast including Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore, it struggled to capture audience interest. The film’s repeated release date delays foreshadowed its failure, which ultimately resulted in a loss of around $114 million after inflation.
5 2015: ‘Tomorrowland’
Release Date: May 22, 2015
Runtime: 130 Minutes
Tomorrowland, based on the Disneyland attraction, aimed to capture the magic of Disney’s earlier adaptations of theme park rides. However, this film grossed only $209 million against a $190 million production budget, leading to a loss of nearly $199 million after adjusting for inflation. Its failure highlighted the difficulty of translating theme park experiences into successful films.
4 2016: ‘Monster Trucks’
Monster Trucks blends live-action with animation to follow a young boy who discovers a creature living within a truck. Unfortunately, the film failed to impress audiences, grossing less than $65 million against its $125 million budget. This substantial loss results in approximately $161 million lost after considering inflation.
3 2017: ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’
Release Date: May 12, 2017
Runtime: 126 Minutes
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword sought to modernize the legendary tale of King Arthur through a fresh and action-oriented lens. Despite Guy Ritchie’s unique direction style, the film did not resonate with viewers, resulting in a loss of approximately $197 million after inflation. The underwhelming box office performance led to the cancellation of any planned sequels.
2 2018: ‘Mortal Engines’
Release Date: December 14, 2018
Runtime: 128 Minutes
Director: Christian Rivers
Mortal Engines, based on the young adult novel, failed to achieve the critical acclaim and box office success expected of a Peter Jackson project. While praised for its visuals, the film faced criticism for its storytelling and execution, ultimately resulting in a loss of in excess of $219 million after adjustments for inflation.
1 2019: ‘Dark Phoenix’
Release Date: June 5, 2019
Runtime: 114 Minutes
Producers: Hutch Parker, Josh McLaglen, Lauren Shuler Donner
Dark Phoenix was met with anticipation from fans looking for a faithful retelling of Jean Grey’s story. However, like its problematic predecessor, it failed at the box office, losing over $167 million after inflation. This financial disappointment marked an abrupt end to the rebooted X-Men franchise, leaving fans eager yet uncertain about its future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Source
movieweb.com