Great Movies From the ’00s That Bombed At The Box Office

Occasionally, you’ll find movies that don’t quite hit the mark – either they fail to captivate audiences or simply don’t live up to expectations. Surprisingly, there were a plethora of such films produced in the 2000s by various studios and across numerous genres. Remarkably, many of these flops turned out to be gems – or at least, provided an enjoyable viewing experience. Here are some underperforming films (based on Box Office Mojo data) that are worth your precious time.

Treasure Planet (2002)

Another way of putting it might be: “There’s no better illustration I can come up with than ‘Treasure Planet.’ This is a 2000s Disney movie, an adaptation of the classic novel ‘Treasure Island,’ which unfortunately didn’t perform well at the box office. However, the film boasts magnificent animation, an excellent soundtrack, and unforgettable characters. Despite costing $140 million to produce, it only managed to earn $109.6 million. Fortunately, in recent years, ‘Treasure Planet’ has received a lot more recognition.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Speaking of Adam Sandler’s impressive repertoire, I bet several romantic comedies spring to mind. However, one of his standout performances is found in the drama “Punch-Drunk Love“, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. This film revolves around a man with social anxiety who develops feelings for his sister’s coworker. Despite being incredibly moving and showcasing Sandler’s remarkable acting talent, the movie only grossed $24.7 million against its $25 million budget.

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)

Under Jake Kasdan’s direction, the movie titled “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” features John C. Reilly portraying the lead character. This film narrates a humorous and entertaining tale of a rock and roll legend. However, despite its impressive star-studded cast, it managed to gross just $20.6 million against a production budget of $35 million, which is quite surprising.

Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas (2003)

Before DreamWorks Animation became synonymous with the Shrek series and other productions, they were still producing successful 2D films, such as Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas. This film follows a pirate named Sinbad who journeys across the sea with his crew to retrieve a stolen magical book that could save him from execution. As a fan of this movie myself, I was surprised to learn it only earned $80 million against a production budget of $60 million, which is disappointing.

Death To Smoochy (2002)

As a cinephile, let me tell you about my experience with Danny DeVito’s directorial masterpiece, “Death to Smoochy.” Starring the legendary Robin Williams, this black comedy follows my journey as a former kids’ TV host, on a quest to bring down the man who took over my spot. Despite boasting an A-list actor at the helm and a talented ensemble, the film managed only $8.3 million against a $50 million budget. However, don’t let that fool you – this movie is a riot with a captivating storyline!

Osmosis Jones (2001)

Somehow, I found myself deeply familiar with the film “Osmosis Jones,” even though I’m part of the older Gen Z generation who first encountered it in school science classes. This film follows a white blood cell joining forces with a cold pill to protect the human it inhabits, and trust me, it’s full of laughs! Starring Chris Rock, this movie might not have been a box office hit, earning just $14 million against its $70 million budget.

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007)

It might seem a bit complex, but I genuinely believe that “The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford” is among Brad Pitt’s finest performances, and yet it often goes unmentioned. This movie, adapted from the novel, delves into the lives, connections, and ultimately the demise of Jesse James and Robert Ford. Despite costing $30 million to produce, it only grossed $15.3 million, but every moment spent watching is worth it.

The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

It came as quite a surprise when I learned that “The Emperor’s New Groove” – a film I’ve always cherished – was in fact a box office flop, given my deep affection for it throughout my childhood. This animated movie follows the story of an arrogant emperor who, after being transformed into a llama by his former advisor, embarks on a quest to regain his human form. Despite its entertaining nature, the film had a hefty budget of $100 million but could only manage to earn back $169.7 million, making it a financial letdown.

Solaris (2002)

The film titled “Solaris,” helmed by Steven Soderbergh and produced by James Cameron, boasted an impressive lineup of actors, delved into an entertaining science-fiction narrative set in a space station orbiting a planet, and explored survival struggles. However, the movie’s earnings fell short, amassing just $30 million against a production budget of $47 million.

Sunshine (2007)

Director Danny Boyle has created several remarkable films, ranging from “Slumdog Millionaire” to “28 Days Later.” However, among these, “Sunshine” stands out as one of the few that didn’t perform well financially. This sci-fi thriller revolves around a group of astronauts on a mission to restart the sun, which is threatening Earth’s existence. Despite some scientific inconsistencies, the movie boasts impressive visuals and strong acting performances. Regrettably, it earned just $34.8 million against a budget of $40 million.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

Having watched every film by Wes Anderson, I found it unexpected that “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” didn’t fare well at the box office. The movie boasted an impressive cast, was vibrant in its color scheme (as is common in Anderson’s work), and offered a delightful narrative. However, despite these qualities, it managed to bring in just $34.8 million against a production budget of $50 million.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

It’s likely that you’re not familiar with this film, as I wasn’t either until I watched it. The film was directed by Kerry Conran and boasts an impressive cast, an enjoyable plot, and stunning visual effects. However, despite these qualities, the movie turned out to be a flop, earning just $57.9 million against its production budget of $70 million.

Children Of Men (2006)

In this collection, “Children of Men” is another gripping thriller, masterfully translated to the silver screen by Alfonso Cuaron. The story unfolds in the year 2027, where society teeters on the edge of collapse as desperate refugees plead for help within the borders of the United Kingdom. Despite its intriguing premise and potential, the film fell short of recouping its investment, earning only $70.5 million against a production budget of $76 million. There are numerous fascinating behind-the-scenes details about “Children of Men” that are well worth exploring.

Almost Famous (2000)

Under the guidance of Cameron Crowe, the film “Almost Famous” offers an engaging blend of comedy and drama. It narrates the tale of a young aspiring journalist who embarks on an adventure, accompanying a rock band in the 1970s to pen his debut article for Rolling Stone magazine. Despite receiving multiple Academy Award nominations, the movie managed to generate only $47.4 million at the box office against its production budget of $60 million.

Idiocracy (2006)

In 2006, Mike Judge presented the film “Idiocracy” to the public. This movie follows the tale of a librarian and a prostitute who are subjected to a study that sends them sleeping into the future for several centuries. They wake up in a world that is markedly less intelligent than their own. The film garnered positive reviews but fell short of recouping its $2.4 million budget, earning just $495,303.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Remarkably, there are some outstanding stop-motion films available, and Fantastic Mr. Fox is undeniably among the best. However, it might surprise you that Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, a movie highly praised by critics, turned out to be a box office flop. Despite its positive reviews, the film only managed to earn $46.2 million against a production budget of $40 million.

Peter Pan (2003)

Were you among those who were incredibly enthusiastic about Jeremy Sumpter portraying Peter Pan in “Peter Pan”? Absolutely! However, what I didn’t realize was that this adaptation of the timeless tale, which now has a significant following, was actually a flop at the box office. The film had an estimated budget of $130 million, but it only managed to earn back $122 million. To me, that’s simply astonishing because you have seen this movie, and I found it to be top-notch in every aspect.

A Christmas Carol (2009)

It’s quite amusing, really. I clearly recall watching this film at the cinema with my father since I was quite fond of Jim Carrey’s top performances. I had high expectations for this version of A Christmas Carol, but despite the captivating animation and exceptional motion-capture acting from Carrey, the movie didn’t manage to earn more than its production cost.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

As a die-hard Disney fan, I can tell you from personal experience that during the 2000s, some of their releases took a significant financial hit, with “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” being one such example. Despite boasting stunning animation and an impressive voice cast including Michael J. Fox, James Garner, and others, it failed to resonate with audiences and barely managed to cover its production costs.

Slither (2006)

In more recent years, James Gunn has gained fame for his science fiction films; however, some of his earlier productions did not fare well at the box office. One such example is “Slither,” a sci-fi horror movie about a town taken over by an alien parasite. Despite its modest budget, the film failed to recoup its costs, earning just $12.8 million.

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is a film that has garnered significantly more recognition as time has passed compared to its initial release. The story revolves around a horse attempting to evade capture during the American Indian Wars, and receiving assistance from other horses. Unlike many other animated films, it stands out, however, despite the affection for the movie today, it underperformed financially when first released, generating $122.6 million against a production budget of $80 million, making it a financial disappointment.

The Ruins (2008)

If you’re in search of a chilling horror movie, then “The Ruins” could be just what you need. Drawing inspiration from the book of the same title, “The Ruins” tells the story of four vacationers who unwittingly explore an ancient Mayan ruin in Mexico, only to find it overgrown with vines that devour humans. This unique horror concept offers a thrilling watch, but despite its entertaining qualities, it only managed to gross $22.9 million against a production budget of $25 million when it first hit theaters.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Over time, “Donnie Darko” has gained cult status. It narrates the tale of a teenager who experiences sleepwalking, which inadvertently saves him from an accident and subsequently triggers visions that the world is about to perish. Admittedly, this film can be quite peculiar, but it provides an extraordinary viewing experience. Initially, when it was released, it generated $4.5 million despite a production budget of $7.5 million.

Speed Racer (2008)

In a realm where Fast and Furious films have been the undisputed rulers when it comes to high-speed car pursuits on the silver screen, Speed Racer stood out as a refreshing deviation from that norm. Helmed by The Wachowskis, this film is an adaptation of its namesake manga and chronicles the story of a young racer. The movie offers plenty of entertainment and features some exhilarating action scenes, however, it managed to gross just $93.9 million against a production budget of $120 million.

The Road To El Dorado (2000)

In my personal observations, The Road to El Dorado from DreamWorks Animation often seems overlooked. This film follows a pair of tricksters who stumble upon a map claiming to lead them to the fabled city of El Dorado. Upon arrival, they are mistaken for deities by the locals. Although it’s filled with laughter and humor, its box office success was relatively modest, earning just $76.4 million compared to its production budget of $95 million.

Grindhouse (2007)

What happens when you blend two eccentric filmmakers, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, and create a horror-comedy/slasher flick? You end up with Grindhouse, a film that consists of two separate movies. Although Grindhouse won’t be found on the top lists for all-time great horror films, it offers an enjoyable scary movie experience. However, despite boasting a star-studded cast, the film only grossed approximately $25.4 million and failed to recoup its budget.

Ali (2001)

Without a doubt, when you ponder over Will Smith’s top films, it’s hard not to mention “Ali” – a movie that saw him brilliantly embody the iconic boxer Muhammad Ali. His performance even garnered an Academy Award nomination. However, for all its acclaim, the film managed to gross just $87.7 million, falling short of its initial budget despite marking a significant milestone in Smith’s career.

Pay It Forward (2000)

If you’re searching for an underrated romantic drama that hasn’t received much attention, you absolutely need to watch “Pay It Forward“. The film revolves around a young boy who initiates a project called “pay it forward”, and explores how this movement transforms his community and the people closest to him. Not only does it convey valuable lessons, but it’s also heartwarming in numerous aspects. Unfortunately, despite its charm, it managed to generate just $55.7 million at the box office against a production budget of $40 million.

Poseidon (2006)

The film, based on the 1969 novel “The Poseidon Adventure,” narrates the tale of individuals who miraculously survive a shipwreck and their struggles to endure. With Kurt Russell spearheading an impressive ensemble cast, the movie unfortunately didn’t rake in substantial profits. Despite its budget of $160 million, the film managed to return approximately $181.7 million at the box office – a figure that falls short of expectations and is regrettable as the movie offers plenty of enjoyment.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

David Lynch has created several successful movies, but “Mulholland Drive” is one of the exceptions to this rule. Starring Justin Theroux and Naomi Watts, the movie focuses on a young actress’s journey in Los Angeles, along with the individuals she encounters and the enigmas that unfold. Despite receiving positive reviews, it managed to generate just $20.1 million globally.

Evan Almighty (2007)

I’ve always found “Evan Almighty,” a sequel to “Bruce Almighty” starring Steve Carell, to be a personally enjoyable film. In this story, Evan is chosen by God to take on the role of the new Noah and construct a boat for an impending great flood. Despite mixed reviews, I believe it’s a film that provides family-friendly entertainment with numerous comedic moments. Unfortunately, the movie only grossed $174.4 million at the box office, falling short of its original budget of $175 million.

The Alamo (2004)

The film “The Alamo” delivers as anticipated, portraying the well-known battle at this site. Will it rank among the top war movies? Not likely, but it remains engaging to watch, particularly given its impressive ensemble cast. Unfortunately, despite a hefty production budget of $107 million, it managed to earn only $25.8 million in ticket sales.>

Truth be told, there are many other fantastic or engaging films that initially flopped but truly deserve more acclaim today. Perhaps it’s time for a movie extravaganza featuring these underrated gems!

2025-01-10 19:38