The 21st century has been a golden age for some films, raking in billions and setting box office records. But for every “Avatar” or “Avengers: Endgame,” there’s a movie that falls flat on its face financially. From would-be franchises to star-studded disasters, here’s a rundown of some of the biggest box office flops of the 21st century.
Mars Needs Moms (2011)
Budget: $150 million
Box Office: $38.9 million
Disney’s “Mars Needs Moms” aimed for out-of-this-world success but ended up crashing back to Earth. The animated adventure struggled at the box office, earning back only a fraction of its massive budget.
The Lone Ranger (2013)
Budget: $225–250 million
Box Office: $260.5 million
Johnny Depp’s star power couldn’t save this one. Despite a high budget and extensive marketing, “The Lone Ranger” proved to be a financial disaster, barely breaking even when marketing costs are considered.
John Carter (2012)
Budget: $263.7 million
Box Office: $284.1 million
Based on a classic science fiction novel, “John Carter” had all the ingredients for success but ultimately flopped. The high production and marketing costs led to significant financial losses for Disney.
47 Ronin (2013)
Budget: $175 million
Box Office: $151.8 million
Keanu Reeves wielding a sword in a samurai epic sounds like a recipe for success, but “47 Ronin” failed to impress. The movie fell short at the box office, unable to recoup its lavish production costs.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)
Budget: $175 million
Box Office: $148.7 million
Guy Ritchie’s reimagining of the Arthurian legend aimed high but missed the mark. The film couldn’t even earn back its production costs, making it a significant financial failure.
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Cats (2019)
Budget: $95 million
Box Office: $75.5 million
The star-studded adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical couldn’t attract an audience, leading to dismal box office returns and a loss for Universal Pictures.
Gemini Man (2019)
Budget: $138 million
Box Office: $173.5 million
Despite cutting-edge visual effects and Will Smith playing two roles, “Gemini Man” failed to draw a crowd. The movie couldn’t overcome its poor reviews and underperformed at the box office.
Pan (2015)
Budget: $150 million
Box Office: $128.4 million
This Peter Pan origin story had high hopes but failed to fly. With a production budget that far exceeded its earnings, “Pan” ended up being a costly mistake for Warner Bros.
Green Lantern (2011)
Budget: $200 million
Box Office: $219.9 million
Ryan Reynolds may have found success as Deadpool, but his turn as Green Lantern was a letdown. The film failed to launch a franchise and barely broke even when considering its high production and marketing costs.
Speed Racer (2008)
Budget: $120 million
Box Office: $93.9 million
Despite its vibrant visuals, “Speed Racer” failed to zoom at the box office. The adaptation of the popular Japanese series struggled to find its audience, making it a financial disappointment.
