The path to Hollywood is littered with movies so bad they’ve tanked studios, ended careers, and seen millions of dollars go up in smoke. But the phrase “box office flop” doesn’t always equal a bad movie, as many flops have become classic movies. Sometimes movies lose money because of the internal and external forces at play – poor marketing, a badly-timed release date, or flagging interest – and not because the film itself is bad.

Earning less in ticket sales than it costs to make a film doesn’t (necessarily) diminish a film’s quality. Even great talents like Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro, and Denis Villeneuve have had box office disappointments. The upside is that with the advent of streaming services, movies that fail to find an audience upon their theatrical release are given new life when added to Netflix, Amazon Prime, or another service. The take-home message is not to judge a movie based on its box office performance alone as some box office bombs are more than worthy of your attention.

15 'Ghostbusters' (2016)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $128 Million

Male fragility was on full display when it was announced that Paul Feig was rebooting the 1984 comedy-sci-fi classic Ghostbusters and that the Ghostbusters were going to be played by – shock, horror! – women. The first trailer was down-voted so much it became the first to exceed one million dislikes on YouTube, while male IMDb users seemed determined to band together to tank the film’s rating.

The movie’s ensemble cast – Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones – proved the haters wrong with the majority of female viewers, as well as critics, loving the film. Laugh-out-loud funny with obvious chemistry between cast members, this remake of an ’80s classic stands alone and is worth watching. But to be safe, perhaps just make it a girl's night. Especially with the recent Ghostbusters films that fit more in line with the style of film that fans wanted, this divisive take on Ghostbusters stands out more as its own experience.

Watch on Freevee

14 'Jungle Cruise' (2021)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $116 Million

When Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) travels to the Amazon in search of a mystical artifact, she enlists the services of local boat captain Frank (Dwayne Johnson) to be her guide. As they journey through the dangerous river, they must contend with spirits, an evil German prince, and the deadly wildlife. The film harkens back to the same comedically-leaning fantasy action film as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, ironic as the film was also adapted from a Disney theme park attraction.

Jungle Cruise suffered due to the combined effect of releasing soon after the pandemic and receiving a simultaneous release in theaters and on Disney+. Its lower-than-expected box office returns are not indicative of its quality, however, as Jungle Cruise is a fun ride thanks to the great chemistry between Blunt and Johnson. It's easy to assume that, if the theatrical marketplace were in a healthier, non-pandemic place, Jungle Cruise could have found considerable success at the box office, yet it was sadly one of many victims of the era.

13 'Turning Red' (2022)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $1.4 Million

13-year-old Mei Lee is struggling to contend with both pleasing her overbearing mother and enjoying her youth. Things get even more complicated in the now-iconic mother-daughter movie when Mei's journey through adolescence results in her being turned into a red panda whenever she experiences strong emotion, making her young life even more difficult. While the film may have found success critically as one of Pixar's better modern outings, this success did not translate over to box office returns.

As the world was still affected by the COVID pandemic, Turning Red's theatrical release was abandoned in favor of being released on Disney+, though some countries still saw it released in theaters. This strategy caused it to lose a lot of money despite being a critical darling, making it unfair to label Turning Red a flop film as it was never given a proper chance to succeed. Eventually, in 2024, the film would find an opportunity to play in American theaters for the first time, although by this point it was incredibly too late, so the domestic box office returns were miniscule.

12 'Nightmare Alley' (2021)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $11.3 Million

Master of the macabre Guillermo del Toro’s neo-noir melodrama Nightmare Alley failed to make a splash at the box office, earning $39 million worldwide on a $60 million production budget. Veteran director Martin Scorsese was so upset by the lackluster ticket sales that he wrote an op-ed piece in the Los Angeles Times, urging people to see the movie in theaters. It's easy to see why there was such critical enthusiasm surrounding the film, as the wild and gothic world of deception and carnies that Guillermo crafted is brimming with personality and flair around every corner.

But the box office did not reflect Nightmare Alley's quality. Despite lacking del Toro's trademark focus on monsters, Nightmare Alley proves to be one of his most haunting movies as it follows Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), a career conman who regularly exploits those around him as he finds work at a traveling carnival. While the film didn't earn success at the box office, it was able to earn some surprising awards contention, earning a surprise nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

11 'The Master' (2012)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $16.3 Million

A masterclass in character study, Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master did impress on its limited release in five theaters, bringing in $242,127 on its opening day, which was then a record for an arthouse film. But it failed to gain momentum upon its national release and ended its run making only $16 million. The film is the type of hard-hitting, highly provocative, and thematically powerful drama that doesn't always result in box office success, but will always find its audience eventually through its high quality.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, and Amy Adams all deliver some of the best performances of their career and received Oscar nominations for their work, while The Master itself is considered one of Paul Thomas Anderson's best movies. The way that the film tackles and follows the topic of cults, worship, and abuse of power was already ahead of its time in 2012, and continues to be relevant and powerful filmmaking 12 years later.

Watch on Tubi

10 'Rise of the Guardians' (2012)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $103.4 Million

When an evil spirit hatches a plan to take over the world by inflicting children everywhere with terrifying nightmares, it falls to the Guardians to protect the children, with Jack Frost, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman pooling their powers together to save the earth. While the film seemed to be releasing at the perfect time of Thanksgiving weekend, the fierce competition of Skyfall, Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2, and Life of Pi proved to be too much for the film.

Becoming something of a cult classic since release, Rise of the Guardians has enjoyed a sense of popularity over the years. Its strong characters and funny script help elevate it above other family years that were released at the same time, and it received a Golden Globe nomination despite being a box-office disappointment. The film has continued to cement a powerful legacy for itself as a true hidden gem, and one of the most underrated animated Christmas movies.

9 'The Suicide Squad' (2021)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $55.8 Million

The box office performance of James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad begs the obvious (but rhetorical) question: had it not been for a pandemic and Warner Bros’ decision to release the movie on HBO Max at the same time it opened in theaters, would it have enjoyed more success? We won’t ever know the answer, but we do know that the DC Comics adventure that cost $185 million in production deserved to bring in more than $55 million in the US and $168 million worldwide.

While the movie was a failure at the box office, it still proved to be a big hit with fans as Gunn's signature off-beat humor and penchant for violence proved to be a good fit for the DC property. At the end of the day, box office popularity might not count for much in the age of streaming as more and more people are deciding to watch movies in the comfort of their own homes instead.

Watch on Max

8 'Children of Men' (2006)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $35.5 Million

Another movie that bombed at the box office but was embraced by audiences and critics is Alfonso Cuarón’s dystopian action thriller Children of Men, starring Clive Owen and Julianne Moore. Made with a $76 million production budget, the movie failed to break even upon its release. Although Cuarón would eventually get his time in the box office spotlight with Gravity, Children of Men is easily just as if not more worthy of praise and success.

Children of Men has been lauded since its release due to its technical brilliance and Cuarón’s inspired direction. The masterful filmmaking, breathtaking action sequences, and powerful emotional moments have helped it amass a powerful following over the years. Its standing has only grown over the years as it is often included in lists of the best movies of the 21st century and is one of the sci-fi movies that should have received Oscar glory.

7 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' (2007)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $3.9 Million

On the strength of its leads, Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck writer-director Andrew Dominik’s Western, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was revered by critics despite only recouping half of its $30 million budget – $3.9 million in the US, just over $15 million worldwide – when it was released in cinemas. A major factor in this was the film never truly entered wide release, only playing in as high as 300 theaters during the highly contentious fall season.

Considered by many to have some of the best cinematography of the 21st century (courtesy of the incomparable Roger Deakins), the movie found a fan following upon its release on DVD and Blu-ray and has come to be regarded as one of the best Westerns of the 21st century. The film was also nominated for two Academy Awards, with nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor for Affleck.

6 'Donnie Darko' (2001)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $1.4 Million

Making just over $500,000 in its initial domestic run with a budget of $4.5 million, the sci-fi psychological thriller Donnie Darko was considered a box office failure. The film’s marketing campaign didn’t help to generate revenue. With America still reeling from the 9/11 attacks – which had occurred only weeks before Donnie Darko’s theatrical release – and advertising that promoted the scene in which a jet engine crashes into Donnie’s bedroom, the movie was barely advertised.

Nonetheless, Donnie Darko received positive reviews and is considered one of the best indie movies of the 2000s. After its release on video and DVD, the movie gained a cult following thanks to its captivating storytelling and mesmerizing performance from breakout star Jake Gyllenhaal, with the role paving the way for him to launch into the Hollywood stratosphere. It's difficult to even imagine the film as being a box office failure nowadays, as it is highly coveted nowadays and one of the most defining and beloved films of its era.

5 'Fight Club' (1999)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $37.0 Million

Another movie that found commercial success with its home video release, Fight Club was up against it from the beginning due to its depiction of violence. Studio execs didn’t like the film and set about restructuring director David Fincher’s intended marketing campaign to reduce anticipated losses. Considering just how much of a cultural phenomenon and influential the film would eventually become, it's interesting to look back and see its not-so-world-renowned beginnings.

Upon its theatrical release, Fight Club met the execs’ expectations: it flopped. With a production budget of more than $60 million, the movie brought in only $37 million in the US. It also polarized film critics due to its controversial content, an opinion that is still held by some people to this day. It quickly garnered a devoted fanbase, however, and has become one of the biggest cult movies ever thanks to its thought-provoking narrative and great performances from Edward Norton and Brad Pitt.

4 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $92.0 Million

Despite proving to be a box office disappointment, Blade Runner 2049 is considered one of the best sci-fi movies of the 21st century and a worthy sequel to the classic original. However, despite all of the critical acclaim that the film received, Blade Runner as a property simply wasn't able to fill seats in the modern era to help sustain its $150 million budget. The movie failed to cross the magical threshold of making $100 million in the US, resulting in Alcon Entertainment reportedly losing up to $80 million.

Regardless of Blade Runner 2049 box office losses, it won Oscars for cinematography and visual effects, amassing a strong following as its neon-drenched atmosphere has swiftly become an iconic vibe in modern filmmaking. Which begs the question, was Blade Runner 2049 a flop after all? Especially when considering director Denis Villeneuve's modern box office success with the Dune films, it's easy to see the continued legacy and impact that Blade Runner 2049 holds.

3 'The Last Duel' (2021)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $10.8 Million

Ridley Scott's The Last Duel proved to be one of the biggest box office disappointments of the past few years, despite strong reviews for the medieval period piece. With a production budget of more than $100 million, the film only grossed $10 million in the US and about $30 million worldwide, making it one of the biggest bombs of the pandemic era. Whether it was an issue with perceived length, the touchy and contentious themes, or just the poor market of the time, the film is sadly only primarily remembered for its massive box office failure.

This poor box office performance does not represent The Last Duel's quality, however, as it is a powerful story told from three unique perspectives. Matt Damon, Jodie Comer, and Adam Driver all shine as the core trio involved in the movie's drama, while Scott proves through this underrated film that he is still at the top of his game. The film is easily one of the most unique and commendable executions of a medieval film, one whose themes are highly relevant to the modern era, while still timeless in its execution.

2 'Hugo' (2011)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $73.8 Million

The name Martin Scorsese conjures up images of violence, gangsters, and standout movies like Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, The Departed, and Casino. He is not usually associated with family entertainment which may have been why audiences did not show up for his child-friendly movie, Hugo. The film's whimsical nature and emotionally touching story made it a massive crowd favorite with critics, but it didn't find nearly the same success as other family films of the era.

Hugo cost about $150 million to make, with a further $120 million estimated to have been spent on promotion and marketing, and filming the movie in 3D made it significantly more expensive to make. With a worldwide gross of only $180 million, it proved to be one of the biggest flops of Scorsese's career. That does not make it anywhere near a bad movie, however, as Hugo is a fun example of a masterful director lending their talents to a genre outside their wheelhouse.

1 'West Side Story' (2021)

Adjusted Domestic Box Office: $38.5 Million

A rare commercial disappointment for Steven Spielberg, musical drama West Side Story may have dazzled critics but failed to dazzle audiences who largely ignored the movie. The movie only grossed $38 million domestically and a slightly better $76 million worldwide, but that was nowhere near enough to cover the production budget of well over $100 million. It is estimated that the film would have needed to bring in about $300 million to break even.

However, West Side Story received tons of critical acclaim for Spielberg’s direction, the cinematography, and performances. While people may have initially been uninterested in the concept of a remake of a '60s film, the quality and execution proved many naysayers wrong. The movie was a favorite among viewers who were attracted because of its multiple award nominations for acting and production. Adriana DeBose won a slew of awards for her portrayal of Anita, including the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

NEXT: Successful Actors Who Debuted in Box-Office Bombs