As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for animated movies and a background in studying the financial aspects of the industry, I can’t help but be intrigued by the tales of films that failed to live up to their potential at the box office. These stories serve as reminders of the unpredictable nature of the movie business, where even the most talented filmmakers and well-crafted productions can fall short.
Today, a movie’s success at the box office is often seen as the key indicator of its worth as a hit. However, there are numerous examples of films from the 1980s, some of which are cult classics, that proved financially unsuccessful during their initial release but went on to leave significant marks on popular culture. Explore this intriguing phenomenon by examining some successful ’80s movies that were initially box office disappointments.
Clue (1985)
With a stellar ensemble featuring Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, and others, the movie version of the beloved whodunnit game, “Clue,” barely managed to recoup its $15 million production costs, earning roughly $14.6 million at the box office. If this film had been more successful in theaters back then, debates over its three distinct endings – shown in various cinemas during its initial release – could have generated more buzz and attracted greater audience engagement.
The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension (1984)
If “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension” had been produced during the time when multiverse movies were popular in the 2020s, it may have fared better at the box office with approximately $17 million in production costs. However, this science fiction film featuring Peter Weller as an inter-dimensional explorer and musician only earned around $6.3 million initially. Later on, it developed a dedicated fan base.
Blow Out (1981)
With John Travolta as the headlining actor, “Blow Out” was still a financial disappointment, earning only $12 million against an $18 million budget in its initial release – a significant loss during that time period. However, this thriller from director Brian De Palma, featuring a sound recordist drawn into a murder conspiracy, has since been reappraised as a skillfully crafted suspense film. Notably, Quentin Tarantino is among its modern-day admirers.
The King Of Comedy (1982)
As a passionate gamer and an avid movie fan, I’ve always looked forward to Martin Scorsese’s films, expecting great things based on his reputation. However, not every movie of his has been a home run. One that didn’t quite hit the mark for me was “The King of Comedy.” starring the esteemed Robert De Niro. In this dramedy, De Niro played a man driven to desperate lengths in his quest for comedy stardom. Despite the Academy Award-winning talent leading the film, it only managed to bring in a paltry $2 million at the box office, while costing a hefty $19 million to produce.
The Thing (1982)
Years passed before horror movie “The Thing” gained recognition as one of the greatest horrors of all time in cinemas. Initially, this chilling tale about a terrifying, shape-shifting creature that instills paranoia was met with skepticism from critics and viewers. The film’s creators, including director John Carpenter, attributed its underperformance at the box office, which cost $15 million to make and boasted impressive special effects, to the success of another alien movie, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” that was more lighthearted in tone.
Krull (1983)
Although some critics have panned it as an “’80s movie” that isn’t particularly great, the film “Krull” has developed a devoted fanbase. These fans appreciate the quirky special effects that feel outdated now and the traditional storyline about a prince on a mission to save his bride from marauding alien invaders. Initially, the $47 million science fiction production didn’t win over many viewers at its premiere, earning only $16.5 million in revenue.
Legend (1986)
As a big fan of “Legend,” I can’t help but notice how this classic fantasy film, which earned Oscar nominations, has gained a massive following in recent times. This renewed interest can be attributed to the unveiling of Ridley Scott’s Director’s Cut in 2002. When it first hit theaters, the Tom Cruise-led adventure, featuring Mia Sara and an exceptionally wicked Tim Curry, didn’t resonate well with critics. The box office collection was a disappointing $23 million against a budget of $25 million.
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Today, The Black Cauldron is viewed as a hidden gem among Disney classics, but its production nearly caused Disney Animation significant trouble back then. Several factors contributed to this outcome. For instance, this eerie tale of kids competing to find a magical artifact before it falls into the wrong hands had a hefty price tag of $44 million, yet only grossed $21.2 million at the box office.
Enemy Mine (1985)
In the 1980s, there was a science fiction film called “Enemy Mine” where Dennis Quaid and Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr. portrayed adversaries from different species in a far-off war. They were compelled to cooperate when they found themselves stranded on an uninhabited planet. It’s understandable if you’re not familiar with this $48 million production, as it generated relatively modest box office revenue of just $12 million upon its release.
Blade Runner (1982)
In every stunning scene of Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner,” which cost a total of $28 million to produce, you can clearly notice where each penny was spent. Despite earning back only around $5 million in profits during its initial theatrical release, the studio managed to recoup their investment.
The Running Man (1987)
In the 1980s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was almost unrivaled as the top action star, yet not every film of his from that era was a blockbuster hit. For instance, “The Running Man,” which is based on a Stephen King novel written under the name Richard Bachman, earned $38 million but fell short when pitted against its production cost of $30 million, making it a box office disappointment back then.
Explorers (1985)
As a gamer, I can’t help but get excited about the idea of really traveling through space like in the movie “Explorers,” where Ethan Hawke made his acting debut under Joe Dante’s direction. Imagine, living every kid’s dream of exploring the vast unknown universe with some alien guidance! However, even with such an intriguing concept, this sci-fi film unfortunately didn’t generate much buzz at the box office, bringing in just $10 million despite a production cost of $24 million.
Highlander (1986)
In reality, there may have been just “one” Highlander if Russell Mulcahy’s Highlander film about an immortal Scottish swordsman hadn’t developed a devoted fan base. Despite having Sir Sean Connery as part of the cast, the $16 million production failed to make a significant impact during its initial release, bringing in only $12.9 million at the box office.
Big Trouble In Little China (1986)
In the 1980s, Kurt Russell and John Carpenter were a renowned acting-directing team, yet they faced numerous setbacks. They produced more than one box office flop during this period. A bigger commercial disappointment than “The Thing” was “Big Trouble in Little China,” which cost $25 million to produce but earned only $11.2 domestically. This entertaining, imaginative adventure film was a fantasy and an adventure.
Flash Gordon (1980)
The movie version of “Flash Gordon” by Alex Raymond, known for its exciting and cheesy cinematic feel, had a promising debut at the box office in the US, leading the charts. Yet, its momentum decreased over subsequent weeks, managing to recoup its $20 million production cost with only about $7 million in domestic earnings.
Labyrinth (1986)
With its stunning visual effects, thanks to the ingenious creation of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, and an unforgettable acting turn from rock legend David Bowie as the evil goblin king, Jareth, the film “Labyrinth” is a quintessential cult favorite. The cult appeal of this musical fable is significantly influenced by its financial performance in theaters – earning just $14.5 million against a production cost of $25 million. This modest box office success could potentially be attributed to concerns among parents that the film might be too frightening for their children.
Heathers (1988)
As a hardcore gamer and avid movie buff, I’ve got to share my take on this timeless classic: “Heathers,” which sparked a musical adaptation recently and underwent a revival in 2018, has earned its spot among the elite high school movies. This groundbreaking film, produced with a budget of merely $3 million, unfortunately brought in only $1.1 million initially. Maybe audiences back then weren’t ready for a dark comedy about teens eliminating their classmates from their lives.”
The Right Stuff (1983)
At a time when space films were highly profitable, “The Right Stuff,” a film about the US space program’s evolution, failed to soar financially. With a production cost of $27 million, it only managed to earn $21.5 million in box office sales. However, it went on to receive four Academy Awards.
Brazil (1985)
Terry Gilliam is known for his captivating and visually striking films, with “Brazil” being a prime example of his talents. In this movie, Jonathan Pryce portrays a bureaucrat whose routine life is disrupted after being falsely accused of a crime. Unfortunately, the unique, intricately inventive dystopian thriller was not well-received by audiences in its release, generating just $9.9 million in revenue against a production budget of $15 million.
Ladyhawke (1985)
Director Richard Donner’s film “Ladyhawke” offers movie audiences an exciting blend of action, enchanting mystery, and clever antics. Featuring Matthew Broderick as a cunning thief, Rutger Hauer as a rough-and-tumble warrior, and Michelle Pfeiffer as a mysterious woman, this $20 million fantasy adventure pits them against a ruthless bishop. Regardless of its appealing cast and engaging plot, the movie only managed to draw in $18 million worth of viewers at the box office.
The Abyss (1989)
To put it plainly, James Cameron, the renowned filmmaker with numerous Academy Awards for blockbusters such as “Titanic” and “Avatar,” has rarely experienced major failures in his professional journey. “The Abyss” (1989), where a diving team encounters an extraterrestrial presence underwater, generated $90 million in revenue against a production budget of $50 million, which was considered a significant decrease from the success he previously achieved with “The Terminator” and “Aliens.”
UHF (1989)
Though some jokes in “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “UHF” may feel a bit outdated now, the film remains a beloved classic among fans. They see it as one of the finest parody movies produced during its era. The story follows Yankovic’s character, who takes on the role of manager for a struggling TV station. Despite bringing in approximately $6 million at the box office, the production only broke even because it cost $5 million to produce.
Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
In a simpler paraphrase, Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in America” is considered an epic crime story due to its extensive editing from its original length of 269 minutes to 139 minutes. This reduction might have contributed to the film’s modest box office earnings of $5.5 million despite a budget of $30 million. Some viewers, however, criticized the graphic violence in this gangster drama featuring Robert De Niro and Elizabeth McGovern.
The Monster Squad (1987)
Nowadays, “The Monster Squad” is regarded as a beloved yet not particularly frightening horror movie classic from the past, especially among those who watched it during their childhood every Halloween. With a production budget of $14 million, this film about a gang of kids battling against Count Dracula and other iconic monsters might have achieved greater financial success than its actual box office revenue of $3.8 million if released in October instead.
The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen (1988)
Terry Gilliam’s film following “Brazil” (released in 1985 and barely recouping more than half of its $46.6 million budget) unfortunately faced steeper commercial disappointments. Starring John Neville as the eponymous baron, “The Adventure of Baron Munchausen” managed to generate only $8 million in revenue.
The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
The 1986 film “The Transformers: The Movie” is often considered a beloved ’80s production among Transformers fans, but its financial success tells a different story. With only $5.8 million earned at the box office against a budget of $6 million, it didn’t exactly leave an impressive mark. However, despite its modest financial performance, many longtime admirers still consider it the best Transformers movie.
American Pop (1981)
Ralph Bakshi, an accomplished filmmaker known for adult-oriented animated films, may have reached his creative zenith with “American Pop.” Co-written by Ronni Kern, this musical drama chronicles the lives of four generations within a Russian Jewish musical family. Financial success, however, did not follow suit, earning only $6 million against a production budget of $5 million.
Ishtar (1987)
Despite the substantial financial loss, with Ishtar costing $51 million and earning only $14.3 million in return, the film was once panned by critics as one of the worst movies in history. However, perspectives have shifted over time, and many now view the adventure comedy featuring Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty as an enjoyable and underappreciated gem. Consequently, its box office failure appears more like a minor setback rather than a significant blow to its enduring legacy.
One From The Heart (1981)
Francis Ford Coppola is widely recognized as one of the most influential filmmakers of our era, with numerous accolades including Best Picture Oscars for “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II”. Yet, despite these successes, Coppola experienced a significant setback in 1981 when his $26 million romantic musical drama, “One from the Heart”, earned a meager box office revenue of just $697,872.
When the Wind Blows (1986)
Using simple and clear language,
Crimewave (1985)
As a passionate gamer and an avid fan of Sam Raimi’s work, I’d like to shed some light on a lesser-known gem in his filmography: “Crimewave.” This movie came after “The Evil Dead” and served as a prequel of sorts to the horror franchise we all know and love. In “Crimewave,” I play the role of a hapless guy who finds himself accused of a series of zany crimes that leave me in stitches. With a modest budget of just $2.5 million, this quirky thriller managed to gross an impressive $5,101 around the world. Who would have thought such a hilarious misadventure could bring in such earnings?
Dragonslayer (1981)
Using the name “Dragonslayer,” director Matthew Robbins’ fantasy adventure featuring Peter MacNicol promised an exciting experience. Yet, despite high hopes, the movie only managed to earn $14 million against a production cost of $18 million.
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2024-07-20 01:08