10 Most Predictable Sci-Fi Box Office Flops

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A large number of science fiction films have enormous production costs. Hollywood production companies invest hundreds of millions of dollars into these movies to create the most spectacular experiences. With such high budgets, they can recruit well-known actors, provide advanced CGI, construct sets or film on location, design costumes and makeup, and other important aspects.

Even though many science fiction blockbusters become big hits, not all of them do. Sometimes, these films fail to make a profit and end up as box office disappointments instead of blockbuster successes. Often, it’s possible to predict the financial struggles ahead of time. For instance, the movie could be a sequel in a franchise that has lost its appeal or the initial trailer might have been poorly made. Regardless of the reasons, here are 10 science fiction flops that most people, except for Hollywood, saw coming.

10
‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but share my enthusiasm for the thrilling adaptation of L. Ron Hubbard’s seminal sci-fi novel, “Battlefield Earth.” This epic tale unfolds the struggle of mankind against an alien race that has dominated our planet for a millennium. Little did we know, after penning his book in 1982, Mr. Hubbard himself sent an autographed copy to none other than my fellow Scientologist, John Travolta, harboring the hope that one day, he would bring this story to life on the silver screen.

By the mid-1990s, Travolta had made a successful return to his career, providing him the opportunity to bring Hubbard’s concept to reality. However, by then, stories of Scientology’s atrocities were also circulating. Travolta tried convincing various studios to fund Battlefield Earth, but many declined, voicing concerns over the film’s questionable script and its ties to Scientology. Even Hollywood anticipated this movie would be a financial catastrophe. Despite the warnings, Travolta persisted and eventually took on the production of his cherished project with three other studios.

As I had anticipated (apart from perhaps Travolta), the release of “Battlefield Earth” was met with a less than stellar reception, both critically and commercially. The film managed to gross a mere $29.7 million, which pales in comparison to its production budget that ranged from $73–$103 million. When accounting for inflation, the movie ended up losing an astounding $130 million. “Battlefield Earth” wasn’t just a box office disappointment; it was so financially detrimental that it bankrupted Franchise Pictures, one of the studios responsible for its production.

9
‘The Matrix Resurrections’ (2024)

When The Matrix debuted in 1999, it made a massive impact at the box office. This pioneering sci-fi movie spawned a film series due to its remarkable success. However, while the initial film is frequently lauded, the rest of the Matrix franchise doesn’t receive the same level of acclaim from both fans and critics. The films seemed to decline in quality with each subsequent release. Despite the third film’s controversial ending, many viewers considered The Matrix Revolutions as the concluding chapter for this series. However, another sequel was released 18 years later, to the surprise and skepticism of many.

It’s safe to say that many movie enthusiasts were doubtful about this latest Matrix film. Only one Wachowski sibling was attached as director, and what made matters worse, several key actors from the first trilogy, including Lawrence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving, opted not to reprise their roles. Unfortunately, their doubts proved valid. In the eyes of many fans, The Matrix Resurrections failed to breathe life into the original Matrix, instead offering a pale imitation.

In simpler terms, “The Matrix Resurrections” failed to generate much revenue at the box office, earning just $159 million globally compared to its production cost of $190 million. Accounting for inflation, it resulted in a loss of approximately $146 million. Despite these financial struggles, there’s talk about another sequel, tentatively titled “Matrix 5,” being developed. It seems that the film industry continues to produce more Matrix films, despite fan expectations otherwise.

8
‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ (2018)

Enthusiasts of the “Star Wars” series were ecstatic upon learning that Disney had obtained the franchise from George Lucas and intended to generate fresh “Star Wars” material. While Disney’s initial “Star Wars” movie, “The Force Awakens,” bore a striking resemblance to “A New Hope,” audiences generally appreciated the film. However, the unveiling of 2017’s “The Last Jedi” marked a significant shift. The movie polarized audiences and left many fans questioning Disney’s management of their beloved franchise. Even after tasting the disappointment of “The Last Jedi,” fans still felt disgruntled when Disney released another film in 2018.

In my view, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” is a self-contained movie that delves into the backstory of the beloved rogue smuggler, Han Solo, who’s known for his clever wit and scruffy appearance. Instead of digitally de-aging Harrison Ford, Disney opted for Alden Ehrenreich to embody the young Han Solo. This choice seemed to exacerbate the already fervent Star Wars fanbase, a response that I believe Disney may have overlooked or underestimated. And the consequences were significant. “Solo” turned out to be the first Star Wars film to falter at the box office, earning just $393.2 million globally against an estimated production cost of $330.4 million.

Initially, Disney intended to roll out a new Star Wars movie annually. However, the disappointing box office performance of Solo compelled them to pause future Star Wars productions and reconsider their strategy – an issue they have been addressing for years since then.

7
‘John Carter’ (2012)

Initially, it was anticipated that John Carter would become a massive franchise for Disney. Adapted from the influential Barsoom novels, this movie was intended to kickstart a series of sci-fi adventure films following a Civil War veteran who finds himself on Mars, one of the most vibrant worlds in existence. With an enormous production budget of $300 million, John Carter ranks among the costliest movies ever made. However, by 2024, this movie had become one of the biggest box office flops in history, resulting in a loss of a staggering $265 million for the studio. From the trailers alone, it was evident that the film would be a disaster. The marketing and promotion team were primarily held responsible for John Carter’s dismal performance at the box office.

To people not familiar with the original books, John Carter seemed like an unoriginal blend of Star Wars and Dune. However, it’s worth noting that the Barsoom novels were actually the source material for these beloved stories. Regrettably, the film adaptation faced heavy criticism, primarily due to Rich Ross, then-head of Walt Disney Studios, who stepped down after the movie bombed at the box office. The film was such a commercial disaster that plans for further installments were abandoned, leaving John Carter as a solitary flop in the franchise.

6
‘Men in Black: International’ (2019)

Back in 1997, Men in Black was a massive success and spawned a film franchise from the Marvel comics. However, much like other films on our list, subsequent sequels didn’t quite match the brilliance of the original. Despite this, they continued to rake in money at the box office. The series concluded with Men in Black 3 in 2012, and fans were content with that ending. But in a predictable Hollywood move, another Men in Black film was forced upon us.

In the same universe as its previous installments, “Men in Black: International” functions as a self-contained sequel. It focuses on two brand new agents who deal with extraterrestrial dangers while attempting to identify a traitor within their ranks. The news that the original trilogy’s stars, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, would not be reprising their roles for this film disappointed many fans, further dampening anticipation. To add to the concerns, there were script changes and creative conflicts between the movie’s producer and director, which appeared to foreshadow trouble for the project.

It’s not surprising that the movie “Men in Black: International” underperformed at the box office, earning just $253.9 million worldwide compared to its production budget of around $100 million, making it the weakest installment in the Men in Black series. The plot of this film is so forgettable that a Neuralyzer wouldn’t even be necessary to erase memories of it from people’s minds.

5
‘Cowboys & Aliens’ (2011)

The title of a film is crucial for its success, especially when it comes to something as unusual as “Cowboys & Aliens.” Many viewers found themselves wondering: Who on earth thought this movie was a sound idea? With esteemed directors like Jon Favreau, Brian Grazer, and Ron Howard attached, along with talented actors such as Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, and Sam Rockwell, it seemed unbelievable that they would approve such an unlikely concept. In the theater, audiences were convinced this film would flop at the box office. But how could such a misstep have occurred in the Hollywood industry?

Some enigmas that have puzzled Hollywood are these questions. The film “Cowboys & Aliens” brought in $174.8 million at the box office against a production budget of $163 million, leaving a profit of approximately $102 million after accounting for inflation. Unsurprisingly, it continues to be counted among the largest flops in film history.

4
‘Tomorrowland’ (2015)

Disney struck it rich by transforming their popular Pirates of the Caribbean theme park attraction into a film series, leading them to believe they had unlocked a recipe for success. This pattern repeated itself, and one such movie from 2015 that followed suit is Tomorrowland. Inspired by one of the themed areas within Disney Parks, Tomorrowland is a sci-fi adventure where a brilliant inventor and an enthusiastic teenage scientist are whisked away to another dimension called, you’ve got it right, Tomorrowland.

When Tomorrowland was released, viewers had already seen four Pirates of the Caribbean films and three other movies based on rides, like Mission to Mars, The Country Bears, and The Haunted Mansion. By this point, audiences seemed to have grown tired of Disney’s ride-based storylines, as evidenced by many underperforming box office numbers. However, Disney persisted in their belief that we craved more of these types of movies. Unfortunately for them, they were greatly mistaken. In the end, Tomorrowland flopped at the box office, earning $209 million globally against a production budget of $190 million – resulting in estimated losses of over $193 million by 2024.

3
‘Lightyear’ (2022)

Pixar became well-known in the movie industry due to their innovative computer animation and heartfelt storytelling, with their initial films being among the best animated productions ever made in cinema. However, over the past decade or so, Pixar seems to be struggling creatively. While their animation has undeniably improved, the narratives lack the same depth as their earlier works. The 2022 film Lightyear, for instance, showcases this creative dip.

In a turn of events, everyone from spectators to commentators agreed that Toy Story 3 served as a fitting finale to the Toy Story series. However, Pixar later announced their plans for a Toy Story spin-off titled Lightyear, focusing on the interstellar journeys of the genuine Buzz Lightyear, the beloved character who became an action figure in Toy Story. Given this, Pixar opted not to have Tim Allen, who has been the distinctive voice of Buzz in all Toy Story films, and instead cast Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear. This decision was one of Pixar’s initial missteps. Moreover, a controversy ensued around a same-sex kiss scene that displeased numerous parents.

The assortment of factors led to a highly anticipated cinematic tempest at the box office that only Pixar seemed to not foresee. Sadly, Lightyear struggled severely at the ticket sales and ended up with approximately $226.4 million earnings, while its production cost soared as high as $200 million. This left it in a substantial financial deficit estimated between $110–$127 million for the year 2024.

2
‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ (2019)

The Terminator series has experienced highs and lows in its journey. The first two installments were massive hits and are still considered iconic science fiction movies. However, subsequent sequels failed to live up to expectations, a reboot fell flat, and both critics and audiences responded negatively. As a result, the Terminator franchise seemed to lose steam, leaving fans longing for its golden age.

In an attempt to revive the series, James Cameron, who previously penned and helmed the first two Terminator films, was called upon to oversee a new production. The latest installment, titled Terminator: Dark Fate, serves as a direct sequel to Terminator 2: Judgment Day, advancing the original narrative while disregarding all other movies that followed. Notable characters and actors, such as Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, reprise their roles in this continuation.

Unfortunately, by the time Dark Fate was released, the damage to the Terminator franchise had already become apparent. Despite generally positive reviews from critics, fans seemed weary of the ongoing back-and-forth with the series. In 2024, Dark Fate ended up being a significant box office flop, losing an estimated $131–$155 million. As of now, there are no plans in motion to produce another Terminator movie.

1
‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

Legendary comedian Eddie Murphy has starred in several amusing films throughout his career, but “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” is not one of them. This sci-fi movie is set on Earth’s moon in a future society, and it revolves around a man trying to protect his lunar nightclub from a criminal gang. The film aimed to blend adventure and humor, but unfortunately, it fell short in this endeavor. Unfavorable early reviews led to the decision to reshoot parts of the movie for two weeks, which increased its production cost even more.

Once word got out about the reshoots and escalating costs, it was clear that Pluto Nash was on its way to financial ruin, and indeed, it was. The film only managed to earn a paltry $7.1 million globally, leading to a loss of $96 million, or equivalent to $163 million in 2024. The Adventures of Pluto Nash is infamous for being one of the worst films of the 2000s. Fortunately, Eddie Murphy had several Shrek movies to balance things out during that decade.

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2025-01-12 03:32