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Some of the greatest movies of all time were actually box office flops. Whenever someone hears that something flopped at the box office, it usually leads to them equating the film to being bad. After all, if it didn't make money, it must mean that no one wanted to see it because it's not a good film.
However, that's not always the case. Some of the greatest films of all time have ended up flopping at the box office for various reasons. These can range from lack of marketing to viewers flocking to see other bigger films that release at the same time. It's all a measure of circumstance.
There are some many great movies that were unable to make an impression at the box office. However, the impact they made years later speaks more than any box office number ever could.
Videodrome
Budget: $5.9 Million; Box Office: $2.1 Million
This underrated classic by director David Cronenberg was a major box office flop when it originally premiered in 1983. However, it gained a major resurgence on home video. Its surreal take on exploring human fascination with extreme content was revolutionary for its time due to the ever-expanding freedom that filmmakers were achieving following years of censorship under studio rules like the Hays Code.
The way Cronenberg captures these themes through his unique style of body horror, which still shocks people today, makes it stand out among other media commentaries. The stomach scene alone, where a videotape is inserted into it, is one of the most iconic shots in Cronenberg's career, along with Max Renn forcing his head into a television.
There's nothing quite like Videodrome, and though it flopped at the box office, it has since become one of Cronenberg's most praised works.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Budget: $20 Million; Box Office: $9.7 Million
This 2016 comedy created by The Lonely Island has gained a cult following since its release in theaters. However, when it officially dropped on the big screen, the film couldn't recuperate most of its production budget. It was released alongside Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, which is the likely cause of its difficulty achieving a following in theaters.
Despite its status as a box office flop though, Popstar is arguably one of the best comedies to come out in the 2010s. It's ridiculously funny with jokes flying every minute. The way the film comments on the music industry and the rise and fall of celebrities isn't anything new, but the jokes circulating its story are what make it an instant classic.
Plus, its fantastic soundtrack stands out as some of The Lonely Island's best works, with each song being both catchy and hilarious at the same time.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Budget: $168 Million; Box Office: $174.4 Million
George Miller's long-awaited spin-off to his action masterpiece Mad Max: Fury Road didn't make the splash most critics and fans were hoping for. While it did manage to barely earn its production budget back, it was still considered a flop due to the lack of a profit.
The film itself may not be on the same level as Fury Road, but it's still a great prequel to the 2015 Oscar-winner. It's certainly slower than its counterpart as it dives into Furiosa's past and how she rose to become one of Immortan Joe's trusted Imperators. There's still a ton of action throughout, but this is more of a character-study, which is likely what turned some fans away.
Still, this is a tremendous follow-up to Fury Road because it expands the world of Mad Max and does a great job exploring one of the previous film's best characters.
Brazil
Budget: $15 Million; Box Office: $9.9 Million
This dystopian sci-fi masterpiece by Terry Gilliam has become not just one of the greatest films in its genre, but also one of the most influential films of all time. It's a film that takes a ton of inspiration from dystopian stories that came before it, including George Orwell's 1984. However, the film that Gilliam created stands on its own as a unique glimpse into a world ravaged by bureaucracy.
This film is a remarkable achievement in filmmaking, but it ultimately failed to make an impact when it first released. Even with its positive word-of-mouth, Brazil couldn't earn its production budget back, making it a massive flop. However, its home video release helped the film rise in popularity until it became known as the classic it is today.
The Thing (1982)
Budget: $15 Million; Box Office: $19.6 Million (Initial Release)
The story about John Carpenter's take on The Thing has become famous among horror fans. This film was Carpenter's passion project for years. However, when it released, it underperformed with horrible reviews from critics, making Carpenter question if he should continue filmmaking.
Fortunately, as time has gone by, The Thing has since become a horror classic, with many fans recognizing it as Carpenter's masterpiece. Its use of practical effects and suspense play into the terror of a shapeshifting alien hiding among a crew brilliantly. Plus, it's a movie that showed just how impactful remakes can be when done right, especially since this film sticks closer to the novella it's adapting.
It's A Wonderful Life
Budget: $3.18 Million; Box Office: $3.3 million
It's hard to believe that a Christmas classic like It's a Wonderful Life was a box office flop when it released in 1946. However, that happens to be the case as it barely skirted past its production budget of $3.18 million. Not even famed movie star Jimmy Stewart could save Frank Capra's film from being considered a failure.
However, it has its storied history of television airings to thank for its rise to becoming a classic. As the rights for the film continued to trade hands, It's A Wonderful Life would air on television every Christmas, starting over a decade after its release. This led to a newfound appreciation for the film that carried over to it becoming considered one of the best Christmas movies ever made.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Budget: ~$85 Million; Box Office: $47.8 Million
For over a decade now, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World has become one of Edgar Wright's most beloved and quoted films of all time. However, when it originally released in theaters, it ultimately flopped after failing to even meet its hefty budget. Still, this didn't stop the film from gaining a massive cult following that led to the film finding new life on home media.
Now, the adventures of Scott Pilgrim and his quest to date Ramona Flowers have become famous among movie fans with the film reaching the Top Three of many Edgar Wright rankings. There have even been solid continuations, like Netflix's acclaimed anime Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and a new video game, Scott Pilgrim Ex, that released this year.
Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory
Budget: $3 Million; Box Office: $4 Million
This iconic adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved book wasn't originally a box office smash. In fact, it barely managed to meet its production budget. However, despite its difficulty at finding an audience in theaters, it would find renewed success when it was picked up for television broadcast during the 1970s.
Now, the film is still considered one of Gene Wilder's greatest performances, as well as one of the best films based on Roald Dahl's books. In fact, when Tim Burton released a more faithful yet controversial adaptation of the book, many fans critiqued how it didn't match the charm of the original film, despite it taking different paths from Roald Dahl's story.
The Shawshank Redemption
Budget: $25 Million; $16 Million (Initial Release)
Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's novella is arguably one of the greatest comeback stories in film history. When The Shawshank Redemption originally released in 1994, it performed well below expectations at the box office. Eventually, the most that was made off the film was $16 million before it was removed from theaters.
However, when the film was nominated for Best Picture, interest in The Shawshank Redemption spiked. The film became the most rented film at video stores in 1995, which gave it a much-needed bump in home media profits. This major success made it into a cultural phenomenon that made moviegoers consider it one of the greatest films ever made.
Even though it never took home the Best Picture Oscar, the resurgence in interest for this film was absolutely incredible and proved that hope does spring eternal.
The Iron Giant
Budget: ~$50 Million; Box Office: $31.7 Million
This animated sci-fi film directed by Brad Bird has become one of the most notable childhood classics for many 90s kids. It's packed with heart, action, comedy, and an incredible character that barely speaks beyond basic sentences. The Iron Giant is an absolute gem. However, there's a reason it never got a sequel despite fan demand.
The film was a box office flop when it hit theaters, falling less than $20 million below its production budget. It wasn't until the home video release that it developed a cult following. This film became an instant classic for young audiences, and it continues to be a treasured memory today. It's a tragedy that this film ended up being a box office flop, but it's still one of the greatest movies to hold that title.
