2024 was an exciting year for cinema, with many expected blockbusters making a huge splash at the box office. However, not all of the big-budget films had the success they were hoping for. Several highly anticipated releases faced massive disappointments, both critically and financially. Here are some of the biggest box office flops of 2024.
One of the most notable failures was Joker: Folie à Deux. Despite a star-studded cast featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the sequel to the 2019 hit fell flat. With a budget of $190–200 million, it grossed only $206.4 million worldwide, barely covering its production costs, and received negative reviews from both critics and audiences. The film's dismal performance marked a significant blow for Warner Bros., resulting in a reported loss of up to $200 million.
Another notable flop was Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, a passion project from Kevin Costner. Despite its impressive cast and positive reception at Cannes, the film opened to just $11 million and ended its run with a disappointing $38.2 million. Costner had invested $38 million of his own money into the project, which clearly didn't pay off.
The Borderlands adaptation, directed by Eli Roth, also failed to meet expectations. Despite a talented cast including Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart, the film struggled at the box office. Critics were unimpressed, and fans of the popular video game series found the adaptation uninspired. The film's poor performance reportedly led to losses of $20–30 million for the studio.
The star-studded spy comedy Argylle, featuring Henry Cavill and Bryce Dallas Howard, was another major disappointment. Despite high production values and a $200 million budget, the film grossed only $96.2 million, far from enough to break even. Critics found the plot convoluted, and the film failed to capture the interest of moviegoers.
Lastly, Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola's long-anticipated sci-fi epic, was a massive flop. Despite being a passion project that took decades to bring to the screen, the film grossed only $13.7 million, far below expectations. Its troubled production, which included funding issues and a global pandemic, contributed to its downfall.
My Impressions: It's always a disappointment when highly anticipated films fail to live up to their promises. Joker: Folie à Deux had so much potential with Phoenix and Gaga, but it seemed like the magic of the first film didn't translate into its sequel. Similarly, Megalopolis should have been an epic return for Coppola, but its troubled production left it struggling to find an audience. It's a reminder that star power and big budgets aren't always enough to guarantee success.
What do you think makes a movie flop at the box office despite having a strong cast and big budget? Share your thoughts below!
