Top 10 Biggest Box Office Flops of All Time That Became Streaming Hits
Not all films get second chances, but these certainly did. These box office bombs went on to rake in millions of views once they were available to watch on Netflix.
Another year, another horrible film! This list will focus on films released since 2000 that have flopped spectacularly financially. Our countdown includes ”Jupiter Ascending”,
”Tomorrowland”, and more! Would you like to defend any of these box office bombs?
Please let us know in the comments.
Movies that underperform at the box office are often referred to as bombs. Some of the biggest box office bombs include:
#11. How Do You Know (2010)
On paper, a romantic comedy starring Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, and Paul Rudd seemed like a guaranteed hit. Unfortunately, 2010’s “How Do You Know” was far from a success. Directed by James L. Brooks, known for hits like “Terms of Endearment” and “As Good as It Gets,” the film features Witherspoon as a softball player caught in a love triangle with a troubled businessman (Rudd) and a friendly baseball player (Wilson).
Jack Nicholson also appears in what turned out to be his last film role before retirement. Despite its star-studded cast, “How Do You Know” only made $48 million at the box office against a budget of $120 million.
The film’s massive budget didn’t help it make a profit, and it received middling reviews. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this rom-com found a new audience on Netflix. According to Forbes, “How Do You Know” became one of the streamer’s most-watched movies in the summer of 2020.
#10. 65 (2023)
Adam Driver, known for his roles in blockbuster hits like the Star Wars sequel trilogy, returned to science fiction in “65,” which was an uncharacteristic flop. The film grossed only $56 million against a budget of approximately $45 million. In “65,” Driver plays Mills, a space explorer who crash-lands on Earth 65 million years in the past and must protect a young girl from ravenous dinosaurs.
Despite its poor box office performance, “65” became a hit on Netflix, climbing to the number two spot on the most-watched charts shortly after its release on the platform. Unfortunately, topping the Netflix most-watched list doesn’t necessarily guarantee a sequel.
#9. The Nice Guys (2016)
Shane Black’s buddy comedy “The Nice Guys,” starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, made just $71 million against a $50 million budget during its theatrical run. The film follows a 1970s private eye (Gosling) and a thug-for-hire (Crowe) who team up to find a missing girl.
Despite its initial failure, “The Nice Guys” found success on Netflix when it was added to the library in August 2022. It quickly broke into the top most-watched movies on the platform, though a sequel seems unlikely due to its poor box office performance. Let us checkout the TOP 10 BEST UPCOMING MOVIES 2024.
#8. Crimson Peak (2015)
Guillermo del Toro’s gothic horror film “Crimson Peak” stars Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, and Jessica Chastain. Despite its haunting atmosphere and strong performances, the film grossed only $75 million against a $50 million budget. Del Toro later stated that the film’s budget was simply too high for it to be considered a financial success.
“Crimson Peak” gained a cult following over the years and finally had its moment on Netflix, becoming one of the most-watched movies in spring 2021.
#7. Annihilation (2018)
Alex Garland’s “Annihilation,” starring Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, and Tessa Thompson, received mixed reactions and grossed only $43 million at the box office. The film’s complex narrative and highbrow approach led to underwhelming test screenings, causing disagreements among producers about its release strategy.
Despite its poor box office performance, “Annihilation” found a new audience on Netflix. It climbed into the top 10 most-watched movies in July 2023, proving that Garland’s vision resonated with viewers once it became available for streaming.
#6. Dumb Money (2023)
“Dumb Money,” directed by Craig Gillespie and based on the GameStop short squeeze of January 2021, grossed only $20.7 million against a $30 million budget. Despite an all-star cast including Paul Dano, America Ferrera, and Seth Rogen, the film failed to attract moviegoers.
However, “Dumb Money” became a sleeper hit on Netflix, entering the top 10 most-viewed chart in January 2024 with an estimated 3.5 million views.
#5. The Little Things (2021)
“The Little Things,” starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto, grossed just $29.7 million from a $30 million budget. The film faced underwhelming reviews and struggled to find an audience despite its talented cast.
“The Little Things” found new life on Netflix in April 2024, with 1.7 million U.S. households watching it in the week after its addition to the library.
#4. Blended (2014)
The pairing of Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler was once a huge draw for moviegoers. However, their 2014 film “Blended” grossed only $46 million at the domestic box office against a $40 million budget. Despite its poor initial performance, “Blended” became one of the top five most-watched films on Netflix in the US in May 2024, showcasing the enduring appeal of Sandler’s movies on the platform.
#3. Mortal Engines (2018)
Directed by Christian Rivers and produced by Peter Jackson, “Mortal Engines” grossed less than $84 million on a $150 million budget. Despite Jackson’s involvement and impressive trailers, the film failed to attract audiences to theaters.
“Mortal Engines” found a new audience on Netflix in April 2024, breaking into the top 10 most-watched list.
#2. The Son (2022)
Florian Zeller’s “The Son,” starring Hugh Jackman, received poor reviews and grossed only $3.6 million at the box office. Despite its critical reception, the film reached the number four spot on Netflix’s movie charts in 2023, attracting viewers who missed it in theaters.
#1. Madame Web (2024)
“Madame Web,” a new addition to Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, grossed just over $100 million against its high production and marketing costs. Despite being lambasted by critics, the film found an audience on Netflix, debuting in second place on the most-watched chart with 10.8 million views in its first week.
