14 Movies That Should Never Have Been Made
In a business where millions can be made with a single movie, not every production meets the mark of its budget, let alone its script. Hollywood doesn’t shy away from making shoddy movies, films that critics and audiences cannot help but wonder how they ever got past the cutting room floor.
So before we start the list, some background. According to Statista, the global cinema market is expected to grow by 5.14% from 2024 to 2029, ultimately reaching a market volume of US$109.40 billion by 2029. And yet, even with these numbers, only half of films break even. Understanding why movies fail is a valuable way to see larger patterns in the film business around what viewers want and what studios do not deliver.
Battle of the Sequels
Sequels are a common financial downfall. An analysis by the Creative Artists Agency has found that sequels are worse when they get too far from the original. “Speed 2: Cruise Control is an example. It had a budget of $160 million but only $48 million in box office revenue. Why did it fail? Those who disliked it said it did not have the chase scenes featured in the first “Speed. ”
A Tale of Tone-Deaf Adaptations
Tone-deaf versions make another group of flops. Movies such as “The Last Airbender” are illustrations. Adapted from the popular cartoon show, this film cost $150 million but only made $131 million in domestic box office.
Fans and critics denounced it for failing to recapture the culture that anchored the first series so well. ‘This is not a translation that captured the spirit of its original,’ wrote one critic, David Chen.
The Curse of the Star-Studded Cast
A-listers attract viewers but don’t always work. “Gigli” with Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck is proof. A movie with a $54 million budget and a $7.3 million return is one of Hollywood’s worst bombs. But for all its star power, the film suffered from poor story and characterization.
Ambitious Yet Misguided
The movies that go out of their way to do well constantly end up here. “Jupiter Ascending” had a budget of $176 million, but it didn’t makeup even half of that in the US.
The film was visually stunning, but its lack of a story arc confused and disappointed the critics. As the movie critic Bradshaw wrote, “It’s like a fireworks show without order.”
Playing It Too Safe
Movies that never make it because they try to copy what works for others, and there is nothing new. The “Terminator Genisys” movie was produced for $155 million and made only $89 million in the United States and Canada.
Readers and critics pitied its dull script, contrasting it with the classic “Terminator” movies that made viewers feel sated by avant-garde concepts.
The Awfulness of Bad Horror Films
Horror films have the strange problem of juggling scare and narrative. “The Happening” was an attempt to capitalize on M. Night Shyamalan’s penchant for surprise.
It is a classic failure because of its dross plotline and scare factor. Roger E., a film critic, even quipped, “It ain’t happening.”
Misjudging the Audience
These are studio-overpriced niche tales. “Cats,” based on the hit musical, wasted its $95 million budget on a world-class box office dud.
Even with its famous cast and music credentials, it was decried for creepy CGI and ineffective drama.
The Remake Trap
“Psycho” (1998) tried to recreate Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece scene by scene but didn’t spark the interest of critics or the audience. The budget was $60 million, but it took in under half that worldwide.
Over-hyped and Under-delivered
Advertisement, after all, sometimes sets the bar for a movie to reach. “John Carter” is one example. With an almost $264 million budget, it was on track to be a science fiction epic.
But it did not make a dent, making $73 million in the US. The film’s failure was blamed on its lack of purpose and sense of character.
The Animated Missteps
Flops are not just the province of conventional movies. ‘Mars Need Moms, ’ with a budget of $150 million, bombed by earning only $39 million globally.
Misfired Comedies
Laughter is an opinion, but some movies never hit a funny bone. Meet Dave, starring Eddie Murphy, cost $60 million but earned just $50.7 million. It failed due to a terrible script and excessive use of old comedic clichés.
The Sci-Fi Stumbles
Sci-fi movies aren’t all “Star Wars.” Based on a novel by L Ron Hubbard, Battlefield Earth was made to cost $73 million but grossed $29 million. Its confusing plot and weak special effects have seen it repeatedly make “worst movie” lists.
Bad Timing, Worse Execution
Not only is it occasionally a lousy movie, but it is also a terrible movie for the wrong season. “The Lone Ranger” dropped during a summer blockbuster season, which played into its woes.
The $215 million budget and the $89 million sales of the U.S., along with its long running time and jumbled voice, were not as popular as they were deemed.
When Ambitions Outweigh Talent
Lastly, if the project is ambitious enough, execution isn’t excellent. “Waterworld,” the shambles production, cost $172 million and took home only $88 million in the U.S.”
Its script was criticized for being simplistic and convoluted, a contradiction that baffled many.
Not all projects will succeed, even with big budgets, starry-faced stars, and high hopes. These films teach us a thing or two about what not to do in Hollywood. It guides hopeful filmmakers, critics, and the public alike to learn what goes into making a hit (and what goes into making a flop).
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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