As a film critic who has spent decades immersed in the ever-changing landscape of cinema, I can confidently say that timing is everything when it comes to the success or failure of a movie. The examples listed above are a poignant reminder of how even the most promising films can fall victim to circumstances beyond their control.
Regardless of the topic, timing is crucial; it’s particularly important in releasing a movie that could be a blockbuster. Unfortunately, for the films we’re discussing, it seemed like poor timing – they were released at a time that wasn’t favorable.
Watchmen
If Zack Snyder’s version of Watchmen had been released at a time other than when the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was just starting to take off, it might have received more successful box office results. Although the film remains engaging today, it’s intriguing to consider if an era with larger IMAX theater capacity could have potentially benefited this movie.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
2015 saw a flourish of success for spy films, with “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and “Spectre” both enjoying considerable box office returns. Perhaps if Guy Ritchie had launched “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” earlier in 2016, its lighthearted take on the spy genre could have been more warmly received as a refreshing contrast to Daniel Craig’s James Bond narrative.
The Rocketeer
In summer 1991, “The Rocketeer” faced intense competition from blockbusters like “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” and “Terminator 2: Judgement Day.” As a relatively lesser-known Disney adaptation of a comic book hero, it struggled to capture the public’s attention amidst these popular titles.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
It quickly became apparent that Edgar Wright’s film version of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World would eventually earn cult status. Despite struggling in theaters, those who did see it maintained its popularity, ensuring that future audiences would also appreciate it. Maybe Universal underestimated Inception’s staying power.
Alita: Battle Angel
A sizable group of enthusiasts are hopeful for another installment of Robert Rodriguez’s version of Alita: Battle Angel. This potential box office hit was the last film released by 20th Century Fox before the completion of the Disney/Fox merger in 2019, which led to numerous projects being shelved, sold, or overlooked due to the ensuing chaos.
Tron
In the sweltering summer of 1982, it was uncertain just how incredibly successful E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial would become. For a duration unprecedented in today’s market, Disney’s science fiction experiment, Tron, was overshadowed and eventually dethroned during this period. Shifted from its intended Christmas release that year, the arcade game ended up generating more revenue than what cult classic Tron managed at the cinema.
The Last Voyage Of The Demeter
If you’re aiming to create a horror blockbuster and are unsure about the intellectual property, releasing it around Halloween significantly boosts your chances of success. However, director André Øvredal’s film Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark proved otherwise when it was successfully released in August 2019. Unfortunately, his upcoming film The Last Voyage of the Demeter might encounter misfortune if released in 2023.
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
As a gamer, I’ve learned that six years can significantly shift the landscape when chasing the next big trend. Gremlins 2: The New Batch served as a prime example in 1990, falling short of its 1984 predecessor’s box office success. With a jam-packed year at the cinema and an influx of imitators during that period, it proved challenging for this beloved film to stay relevant beyond the midnight hour.
The Thing
It might be wise for a major film studio to handle the release of two movies focusing on aliens with some caution, given that John Carpenter’s “The Thing” and a lighthearted movie like “E.T.: The Extra-terrestrial” were shown in the same year. Despite the fact that “The Thing” was already unsettling, its proximity to “E.T.” made it appear even more terrifying. Thankfully, “The Thing” eventually found success on VHS, restoring balance to moviegoers’ fears and expectations.
Blade Runner
It often takes time for a timeless piece to be fully appreciated by the world. Despite the phenomenal success of E.T.: The Extra-terrestrial at the box office in 1982, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner initially seemed doomed to obscurity. However, when the film became available for rental before E.T., people were eager to watch it, eventually discovering its merits.
The Last Action Hero
Surprisingly enough, as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movie, “The Last Action Hero”, was about to hit theaters in ’93, it was hyped as the must-see film of the year! However, a small but powerful student production titled “Jurassic Park” suddenly premiered, two days ahead, and history was made swiftly, with the phrase “Big mistake” barely leaving lips.
Doctor Sleep
In November 2019, several movies struggled to generate revenue from established intellectual properties. For instance, Mike Flanagan’s “Doctor Sleep” had a strong build-up before its cinema release, but it was overshadowed by the unexpected box office success of “Midway.” If only it had competed against “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” the Halloween season might have attracted more audience members to The Overlook.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
The film titled “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” struggled so much financially that it led to Square Pictures shutting down shortly after their initial opening. Despite the possibility of a suitable release window for such an ambitious video game adaptation, it wasn’t during the period when “Legally Blonde” was dominating in pink tones and “Shrek” was building its reputation.
Surviving Christmas
Even before it became commonplace to watch Christmas movies all year round, as if encouraged by the Hallmark Channel, the holiday comedy “Surviving Christmas,” starring Ben Affleck, was an early example of a movie being released far ahead of schedule. It premiered on October 22nd, 2004. The only explanation for this forgotten flop is that it likely aimed to release before movies like “The Polar Express” and “Christmas with the Kranks.”
Black Widow
The Black Widow movie from Marvel could have been a grand return for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that people yearned for during the early pandemic days. However, it turned out to be the period when Disney+ was experimenting with its temporary Premier Access program, encouraging viewers to watch the film at home. The lawsuit filed by Scarlett Johansson was just the start of the aftermath, as the movie didn’t generate the box office numbers that the MCU leaders had hoped for.
Turning Red
A week following the success of “The Batman” at the early box office during the pandemic in 2022, Disney/Pixar’s “Turning Red” aimed to adapt smartly as a streaming exclusive on Disney+. Despite eventually returning to cinemas, the movie didn’t leave a lasting impact on the box office.
Tenet
The very first film to open movie theaters following the 2020 COVID-19 closures, Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” emerged as a trailblazer for post-shutdown cinema. It performed exceptionally well under the initial, significantly smaller market for cinematic releases, eventually becoming a favorite among IMAX 70mm film screenings.
Jersey Girl
The movie “Gigli” turned out to be a disastrous flop that affected not only Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s romantic comedy. There was concern that Kevin Smith’s “Jersey Girl” might suffer the same fate due to their high-profile pairing, so changes were made in the film to minimize their presence. Unfortunately, even with these adjustments, Smith’s emotionally open family drama still failed at the box office.
The Village
As a gamer, I’d say it’s quite intriguing to ponder if M. Night Shyamalan’s masterpiece, “The Village,” would’ve had more impact if it was his debut film or released later in his career. Coming off the success of mystery-thrillers like “The Sixth Sense,” “Unbreakable,” and “Signs,” this movie was hyped as a chilling, mind-bending production. Yet, beneath its spooky exterior, it conceals the heartwarmingly profound narrative that it truly is.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
In a bygone era of cinema, “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” might have been an unexpected blockbuster that amassed a fortune at the box office. However, as a 2021 release opting for a Premium Video on Demand exclusive premiere instead, the comedic duo of Kristen Wiig and Anne Mumulo’s sunny, fun-loving characters were denied the attention they truly merited.
Crossroads
Alright, feel free to share all your humor here. Let me clarify that “Crossroads” isn’t a film that should have been shelved forever. It did well at the box office in 2002, but if it had been produced and released during Britney Spears’ peak as a pop icon, it could have become an absolute blockbuster hit.
Haunted Mansion
20 years following Eddie Murphy’s rendition of the Disneyland attraction, the reboot titled Haunted Mansion aimed to correct its predecessor’s flaws. However, it received harsh criticism and was released outside of Halloween, causing it to essentially disappear by the spooky season under the direction of Justin Simien.
Tron: Legacy
Ultimately, the movie “Tron: Legacy” performed quite well when it was released in December 2010. Even though films like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and later the Marvel Cinematic Universe would become Disney’s main sources of income, “Tron: Legacy” served as a small beacon of success before another lull in their franchise production.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Initially, the “Star Wars” franchise primarily released movies during summer seasons. However, with the arrival of the Sequel Trilogy, “The Force Awakens” shifted the series into a tradition of Christmas holiday premieres. By the time “Solo: A Star Wars Story” was produced in 2018, its decision to revert back to May releases – a practice from its early days – was viewed as a significant mistake.
Star Trek: Nemesis
2002 saw the Star Trek film series gaining momentum. With the franchise in a stable position, it seemed that releasing Star Trek: Nemesis alongside The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was an intriguing gamble for Paramount Pictures executives. Despite the inclusion of baby Tom Hardy portraying a clone of Patrick Stewart, the outcome was not favorable.
UHF
1989 saw the release of films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Batman, Ghostbusters II, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, and Weird Al Yankovic’s UHF. Initially, audiences found UHF to be a cult classic, but it turned out that perhaps a better spot on the calendar would have been more beneficial for its success in hindsight.
Brightburn
Credit should be given to the film Brightburn, as it, produced by James Gunn, successfully blended elements of The Omen and Superman in an innovative way. Interestingly enough, this unique combination was presented before both these franchises experienced a revival in the cultural zeitgeist. Unfortunately, if it had been released with a slightly longer gap from the premiere of Avengers: Endgame, which came out almost a month prior, it might have had a stronger impact.
The Core
2003’s “The Core” faced an unfortunate predicament when it was postponed from its intended late 2002 release. However, the Columbia shuttle tragedy that claimed the lives of all seven astronauts approximately a month before the film’s eventual premiere made the timing particularly inopportune.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Between 2003 releases like “The Matrix Revolutions” and “The Return of the King,” there was a prime opportunity for box office hits. However, factors such as possible Russell Crowe overexposure and high production costs may have unfairly hindered the success of “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.”
The Matrix Resurrections
Initially, the idea of “The Matrix Resurrections” was intriguing yet puzzling, given that the original Wachowski trilogy appeared to have a clear ending. However, its unconventional, self-referential style, combined with a contentious simultaneous release on streaming platforms in 2021, seemed to be a low point for a franchise that once held significant sway.
West Side Story
In December 2021, there was a flood of movies that were released, making it a challenging time for many films to stand out. The merged Disney/Fox studio released numerous movies during this early pandemic period of cinema. This included Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, which had to compete against The King’s Man, Nightmare Alley, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. These were just a few of the tough competitors it faced within its own studio.
Steve Jobs
A significant part of Steve Jobs’ challenges became evident as the highly anticipated biopic, written by Aaron Sorkin and starring Christian Bale under the direction of David Fincher, failed to materialize, despite initial excitement. The eventual film, helmed by Danny Boyle with an illustrious cast headlined by Michael Fassbender, is a captivating masterpiece that didn’t receive as much acclaim as it deserved.
Regrettably, the questionable film “Jobs,” starring Ashton Kutcher, might have contributed to its unfortunate fate. This, combined with an unusual release strategy during awards season – which, like many films we’ve talked about, indicates that a movie released at the wrong moment can be unfairly judged as a flop.
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2024-08-20 23:38