15 Movies That Bombed So Hard They Bankrupted Studios

These movies didn't just fail — they imploded, taking down entire studios and careers in the process. While they may not have found success at the box office, they've earned their place in the hall of fame of epic Hollywood disasters.

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#boxoffice #movieflops #boxofficebombs #boxofficedisaster #bankruptstudio

[ML-dlcp]

Fun fact: The reason "It's a Wonderful Life" became a Christmas classic is because it was a bomb. Paramount neglected to renew its copyright on the picture, and it fell into the public domain, meaning that anyone could screen it free of charge. TV stations - looking for cheap programming to air during rhe Holidays when viewership was low - would air IaWL a couple of times a season as filler, and it became popular.

[WilliamWeir-encl]

On the flip side there are movies that made millions but are painful to watch

[xraydelta]

I had no idea "The Right Stuff" was considered a financial failure. It was a great movie, with a great cast! Still one of my all-time favorites.

[Oldeagle]

I never pay attention to ratings or financial blockbuster status. I just enjoy what I like.

[DigitalShark]

"Cleopatra" ALMOST bankrupted 20th-Century Fox.

[penguinvic]

Some movies aren’t necessarily bad, they simply cost too much and didn’t return sufficient money to cover the loss … 😢

[BillLehman-qgjk]

I was expecting to see Ishtar, Water World and Bonfire of the Vanities on the list.

[ssdivizion]

It's a wonderful life is fantastic movie but the audience of that time(1946) was not sufficiently aware of what kind of work was being presented to them, the film was simply ahead of its time

[saywhat]

Forgot Cleopatra. My mother worked at 20th at the time and said the studio had to sell the back lot and laid off a bunch just to keep the lights on.

[nitronorman]

Loved Titan AE. Never knew it was a box office flop. And it still looks great today.

[martinholmes]

Just remember, even "The shawshank redemption" initially lost around $10 million at cinema release.

[guadacoma]

How does Disney keep churning out horrible bombs and still stay in business?

[GTOberfest]

Also people should not forget...Bankruptcy is also a tool to preserve wealth.

[louisdelzenne]

It’s a wonderful life… it’s an amazing movie… Don’t know how many times I watched it as a child, it’s just unbelievable that it was a financial disaster.

[jeffsmith]

Remember 'Howard the Duck'? Neither does anyone else.

[brucelucasjr]

I don't care what they say, Titan A.E. was great. One of the few animated movies that felt like an actual movie. It's visuals were good too

[Otokichi]

"It's A Wonderful Life" (1946)
"The Fall of the Roman Empire" (1964)
"Heaven's Gate" (1980)
"Raise the Titanic" (1980)
"One From the Heart" (1981)
"The Right Stuff" (1983)
"Side Out" (1990)
"Cutthroat Island" (1995)
"Battlefield Earth" (2000)
"Titan A.E." (2000)
"Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" (2001)
"Looney Tunes: Back in Action" (2002)
"The Golden Compass" (2007)
"Bangkok Dangerous" (2008)
"Mars Needs Moms" (2011)

[long_view]

Surprised that 'The Right Stuff' is listed here - it's an outstanding movie.

[CrazyWhiteBoomer]

Interesting. "The Right Stuff" literally "launched" the careers of Jeff Goldblum, Dennis Quade, Ed Harris, Sam Sheppard, and Scott Glenn to name just a few, plus it won four Oscars: Best Original Music Score, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Sam Shepard as Chuck Yeager, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Film Editing, as well as nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Picture for 1983... Not bad for a Hollywood bomb.

[fredferd]

Battlefield Earth - a movie which should be titled "Plan 10 from Outer Space...."