Tom Hanks’ 10 Biggest Flops at the Box Office, Ranked

As a lifelong fan of cinema, I have had the pleasure of witnessing some truly remarkable films throughout my years. However, there is something particularly intriguing about those movies that don’t quite reach their full potential at the box office, yet leave an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. This list showcases a collection of such films, starring none other than the legendary Tom Hanks, whose talent and charm have graced both successful blockbusters and these lesser-known gems.

It is always fascinating to explore the reasons behind the underperformance of some films, as it often sheds light on the complexities of the film industry. For instance, the marketing strategy for “Radio Flyer” may have been misleading, preventing early audiences from fully appreciating its poignant storyline about child abuse. On the other hand, the slasher genre was at its peak during the release of “He Knows You Are Alone,” which unfortunately meant it was overshadowed by the juggernaut that was “Friday the 13th.”

In my humble opinion, these films deserve a second chance for audiences to rediscover their unique charms. They offer compelling narratives, exceptional performances from Hanks, and thought-provoking themes. I would love to see them gain the recognition they deserve, even if it’s years after their initial release.

And finally, let’s not forget that sometimes life mirrors art – just as these films didn’t receive the attention they deserved upon release, there are times when we too feel underappreciated or overlooked. But remember, even a film with a meager $278,623 budget can touch millions of hearts and leave an enduring legacy. So keep striving, keep creating, and who knows? Maybe your masterpiece will be the next hidden gem on someone’s list!

(And on a lighter note, I guess it’s fitting that one of Tom Hanks’ lesser-known films only made $278,623 – after all, he did play Forrest Gump, who famously said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get!”)

Tom Hanks is globally renowned and, in 2021, he stood fifth among highest-earning American actors of all time. His work has not only generated substantial profits for studios but also garnered him significant personal achievements. Throughout his career, he’s been bestowed with various honors such as two Oscars, seven Emmys, four Golden Globes, and five BAFTA Award nominations, along with a Tony Award. In 2002, he was bestowed the AFI Life Achievement Award.

Tom Hanks’ exceptional talent hasn’t always led to box office success consistently. Despite being a reliable draw, he has had some flops in the past. It’s important to note that his financial failures primarily occurred during the early stages of his career, when he hadn’t yet reached A-list status. Recently, a few of his films have also underperformed, raising questions about his continued success. However, even when a movie doesn’t make money, fans can always expect an exceptional performance from Hanks.

All figures are per BoxOffice Mojo’s records

10
‘Punchline’ (1988)

$21 Million

The main storyline explores an unexpected bond between Steven Gold (Tom Hanks) and Lilah Krytsick (Sally Field). While Steven is a struggling comedian, Lilah is a housewife with aspirations in the comedy world. Steven consents to aid Lilah in reaching her goals; however, their friendship encounters strain when they discover themselves vying for a lucrative and professionally pivotal television opportunity.

Decent Numbers, Considering the Circumstances

Despite $21 million not seeming like much, Punchline’s box office performance is remarkable given the narrow chances for success. Similar to Steven and Lilah, the comedy started off facing difficulties. As a matter of fact, Variety reported that the film opened in just four theaters, earning $160,742 during its debut weekend. However, as time went by, the numbers improved significantly. Even though this movie didn’t turn out to be a huge hit, Tom Hanks would go on to achieve his breakout role in the fantasy comedy, Big, the same year.

9
‘Volunteers’ (1985)

$19.8 Million

In the film “Volunteers”, the character played by Tom Hanks, Lawrence Bourne III, gets into trouble after his father refuses to cover his gambling debts. To dodge creditors, he decides to swap lives with a college roommate and embarks on a volunteer trip to Thailand. At first, this seems like a safe haven, but things quickly turn turbulent when the tranquil area Lawrence takes refuge in becomes a hotspot of conflict, catching the attention of the CIA.

Back to the Drawing Board

In August 1985, the release of volunteers wasn’t beneficial since it competed with one of the best sci-fi comedies, “Back to the Future.” Furthermore, movies like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” were also released around the same time. To make matters worse, the film received unfavorable reviews. The script didn’t capitalize on John Candy’s abilities, causing audiences to largely avoid it, as if they were weighing down a sinking ship.

8
‘The Bonfire of the Vanities’ (1990)

$15.6 Million

Based on John Candy’s book with the same title, Brian de Palma’s The Bonfire of the Vanities guides us through the self-inflicted tribulations of arrogant Wall Street trader, Sherman McCoy (Tom Hanks). A misguided detour during a ride home with his mistress leads to an encounter with a group of young black men. Overwhelmed by fear, the woman accidentally hits one of them with the car, and the couple swiftly departs. The incident doesn’t go unnoticed, as it soon captures the interest of ambitious journalist, Peter Fallow (Bruce Willis), who sees this news story as his opportunity to make a big splash in the media world.

A Miscast Tom Hanks

It was quite unexpected when “The Bonfire of the Vanities” didn’t succeed, given Brian de Palma’s string of successes in the ’80s. Later on, the director acknowledged that he made a mistake in adapting the movie by attempting to make the Sherman McCoy character more relatable, which turned out to be unappealing to audiences. He also expressed that John Lithgow would have been a better fit for the role of Sherman McCoy because he could capture the blue-blood arrogance of the character more effectively.

7
‘Here’ (2024)

$13.4 Million

As a captivated movie reviewer, I’d like to share my thoughts on the unique cinematic experience that is Here. This film, adapted from Richard McGuire’s 2014 graphic novel of the same name, offers a fresh and thought-provoking narrative. Rather than following a traditional timeline, it skillfully weaves together the stories of a single patch of land and its diverse inhabitants spanning centuries, all the way to the modern day 21st century.

In an innovative approach, the screen is cleverly divided into numerous panes, each revealing different moments in time, creating a beautiful tapestry of history and human connection.

Too Complex

In a different interpretation, the film could have been artistic, but its intricate storyline may not have resonated with a wider range of viewers. This production faced stiff competition from Venom: The Last Dance featuring symbiotes. Moreover, the film’s use of de-aging special effects sparked controversy among critics, and actress Lisa Kudrow publicly criticized the director for his support of AI.

6
‘News of the World’ (2020)

$12.7 Million

As a history enthusiast who has spent years studying the aftermath of the American Civil War, I found myself utterly captivated by the film “News of the World.” The story of Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, portrayed brilliantly by Tom Hanks, resonated with me deeply. Being a former soldier myself, I could empathize with his struggles to adapt to civilian life and find purpose in a post-war world. The concept of a man traveling from town to town, sharing news and stories for a fee, seemed both intriguing and heartbreaking at the same time. It was a testament to human resilience and the unquenchable thirst for knowledge that still lingers even in the most isolated communities. I found myself engrossed in the film’s portrayal of this unique profession and the profound impact it had on both Captain Kidd and the people he encountered along his journey. Overall, “News of the World” serves as a poignant reminder of our shared past and the power of communication to bridge divides and bring people together.

Sad Time in the World

The film, titled News of the World, was one of those productions that didn’t perform well at the box office due to the pandemic. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics and Tom Hanks delivering a stellar performance, it struggled to attract audiences. To make matters worse, its release coincided with that of Wonder Woman 1984, giving theatergoers a tough decision between the two movies.

5
‘A Hologram for the King’ (2016)

$11.8 Million

In the story “A Hologram for the King,” Alan Clay (portrayed by Tom Hanks) is on a mission to stabilize his finances after a tumultuous divorce. A chance arises when his company assigns him to Saudi Arabia, tasking him with presenting an advanced holographic IT system to the monarch. Viewing this as a route back to the top, Alan must now prove himself in this new and challenging setting. Will he manage to deliver flawlessly?

Disney Was too Big an Opponent to Beat

In a busy release schedule filled with blockbusters like “Captain America: Civil War” and “The Jungle Book”, “A Hologram for the King” found itself competing. Moreover, many critics felt that its story didn’t quite match up to the original Dave Eggers novel. However, Tom Hanks seemed unfazed by this as he also scored a massive success that year with “Sully”.

4
‘The Man with One Red Shoe’ (1985)

$8.6 Million

In the style reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest,” the movie titled “The Man with One Red Shoe” unfolds the tale of Richard Drew (Tom Hanks), a talented violinist who finds himself in deep trouble when he is unintentionally mixed up with an important secret agent. The CIA, already probing into a case of corrupt espionage, ends up making Richard their prime suspect.

A Crowded Space

The re-imagined film, which is a modern take on the 1972 French movie “The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe,” is more thrilling than its predecessor, but faced an uphill battle for success. It was launched concurrently with Tom Hanks’ other 1985 production, “Volunteers.” However, this particular release period was overshadowed by blockbuster hits such as “Back to the Future,” “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “National Lampoon’s European Vacation.” Given that Tom Hanks was a relatively unknown actor at the time, it was always challenging for him to attract audiences away from these popular movies.

3
‘He Knows You Are Alone’ (1980)

$4.9 million

The movie “He Knows You Are Alone” centers on a sinister figure who hunts down brides-to-be, slaying them prior to their wedding days. In his first film role, Hanks portrays a hesitant college student with a questioning nature. His character expresses skepticism towards one of the women when she confides her apprehensions in him.

Fighting Against a Powerful Force

The 1980s were an exceptional period for the slasher genre, and “He Knows You Are Alone” is among the films often cited as sparking audience curiosity. However, it didn’t make a big splash at first; instead, it was more of a hidden gem. Its initial performance was poor, partly because there was another superior slasher movie in circulation at the time. Just like how every 1972 gangster film paled in comparison to “The Godfather,” “He Knows You Are Alone” was overshadowed by “Friday the 13th.

2
‘Radio Flyer’ (1992)

$4.6 Million

The movie titled Radio Flyer tells a heartwarming tale about two siblings who dream of transforming their Radio Flyer wagon into an airplane, seeking freedom from their abusive stepfather’s household. Tom Hanks narrates the film, portraying an older version of one of the brothers.

Bad Marketing?

A movie addressing a significant issue such as child abuse, starring renowned actors like Tom Hanks and Lorraine Bracco, should have been a huge hit. However, despite its strong cast and relevant theme, Radio Flyer failed to attract a large audience, primarily due to misleading marketing. The advertising gave the impression of a light-hearted family film, but the storyline was profoundly dark, which deterred early viewers from recommending it.

1
‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’ (1986)

$278,623

In the most unexpected settings, affection can blossom, and this is beautifully depicted in “Every Time We Say Goodbye“. As I, a soldier named Lt. David Bradley (Tom Hanks), recuperate from an injury in Jerusalem, I find myself drawn to Sarah Perrara, a young woman of Spanish Jewish descent. Unsurprisingly, our relationship encounters various hurdles.

Another Must-See Tom Hanks War Film That Deserved Better

Originating from Israel, this movie had a restricted distribution, resulting in smaller earnings at the cinema box office. Given that Israeli movies typically don’t garner significant success abroad, it would have been impractical to anticipate astronomical figures. However, the film is highly enjoyable and one of the reasons fans eagerly await Hanks in war-themed productions, as he fits seamlessly into the genre.

2025-01-02 01:32

10 ‘Punchline’ (1988)