20 Brilliant Films That Failed in Theater
Some movies never get the attention they deserve when they first hit theaters. The crowds are thin, the hype fades quickly, and the box office numbers fall short. But over time, many of these so-called flops reveal themselves as smart, emotional, or wildly original films that simply didn’t connect with audiences right away. Take these 20 movies, for example, that were overlooked, but they truly deserved more.
The Iron Giant (1999)
Credit: IMDb
Despite near-universal praise, Warner Bros. gave this movie a bare-bones marketing campaign. As a result, it didn’t even scratch half its budget. Over time, though, audiences found it, and now it’s regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made.
Children of Men (2006)
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Alfonso Cuarón’s bleak vision of the future didn’t exactly pack theaters, but it packed a punch. The story, set in a world where humans can no longer reproduce, features stunning one-shot sequences and powerful commentary. It couldn’t compete with more upbeat box office fare at the time.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
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Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel should’ve been a hit. Blame it on marketing that didn’t quite explain what the movie was or audiences who didn’t know what to expect. It found its footing later by earning cult status and influencing pop culture storytelling.
The Fall Guy (2024)
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On paper, this should’ve been a blockbuster: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, big-budget action, and stunt-crew shoutouts. But despite pulling in over $180 million, the costs left it in the red. Its charm, strong performances, and self-aware tone make it far more entertaining than recent box office winners.
Donnie Darko (2001)
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A creepy rabbit, time loops, and a moody Jake Gyllenhaal—Donnie Darko was too strange for some audiences. It made a modest $7.5 million globally, but found a second life thanks to DVD sales and late-night screenings.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Credit: IMDb
Hard to believe the IMDb rating barely made a dent when it hit theaters. Based on a Stephen King novella, this drama was critically adored but commercially ignored. Word of mouth and cable reruns helped it crawl back to relevance.
Possessor (2020)
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Brandon Cronenberg’s body-horror sci-fi thriller was never going to be a crowd-pleaser, but it barely made a million dollars at the box office. Its disturbing visuals and philosophical depth make it a hard sell for casual viewers. Having said that, it’s a sharp film about reality for those willing to engage.
The King of Comedy (1982)
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Long before Joker riffed on it, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro’s dark satire of fame mainly went unnoticed. De Niro plays an aspiring comedian with delusions of grandeur and a dangerous obsession with a talk show host. In the era of viral fame, it feels more relevant than ever.
Underwater (2020)
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This deep-sea thriller had a strong cast and solid scares, but it was released just as Disney was absorbing Fox, which meant it got little promotion. Kristen Stewart gave one of her best performances, and the Lovecraftian horror elements shine.
Waves (2019)
Credit: IMDb
Trey Edward Shults’ family drama is emotionally raw, visually stunning, and deeply intimate—but it only earned $2.6 million. Maybe it was too intense or too quiet to compete with bigger titles, but its storytelling is top-notch. Thanks to streaming, it’s now getting the attention it missed in theaters.
Hugo (2011)
Credit: IMDb
Martin Scorsese unexpectedly made a kids’ movie. And although Hugo was beautiful, technically impressive, and full of heart, it cost too much to produce and didn’t earn enough back. Still, it won multiple Oscars and remains a loving tribute to early cinema.
The Last Duel (2021)
Credit: IMDb
Historical dramas already face an uphill climb at the box office, but The Last Duel had star power, a compelling Rashomon-style narrative, and Ridley Scott behind the camera. It still flopped and holds the title as one of the most underrated films of the decade.
Blackhat (2015)
Credit: IMDb
Chris Hemsworth as a genius hacker sounded odd, and that likely hurt this cyber-thriller. It had slick visuals and an ambitious plot but was dismissed by critics and ignored by audiences. It deserves more credit for its style and tension, even if the casting was a stretch.
Synchronic (2019)
Credit: IMDb
Synchronic is a small film that dared to be weird and philosophical. Despite strong performances from Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, it earned just $1.5 million. Its cult following continues to grow thanks to streaming platforms.
Babylon (2022)
Credit: IMDb
Babylon divided critics and confused audiences. Damien Chazelle’s ode to old Hollywood earned praise for its direction and cinematography, but its three-hour runtime and unfiltered chaos didn’t help its box office. It’s just not one for everyone.