10 Movies That Failed Miserably at the BO But Earned Audiences Afterwards

If you are a movie freak, then I am sure you wait for a movie to get released on silver screens. While several movies gain attention after its movie trailer releases, others don't attract movie lovers even after release at multiple screens and in different countries. When it comes to movies, people often judge it based on box office collection and actors playing the lead. 

But several movies didn’t manage to collect as expected and were considered as box office flops. However, they found their audiences later. Let us see movies that failed initially, but attracted the audience later. 

1. Blade Runner

Source = Media-amazon

Blade Runner inspired several films in the sci-fi genre. The movie was released in 1982 and got mixed reviews from fans and critics. It was directed by Ridley Scott and starred Sean Young, Harrison Ford, and others in the lead role. 

Blade Runner was made with a budget of $28,000,000 and collected $39,342,912 at the box office. After its release, the movie didn’t earn a good response, but later due to its unique production and design, it became hit on other platforms. 

2. Stardust

Source = Nyt

Stardust was made with a budget of $70,000,000 and gained $137,515,140. The movie was a romantic fantasy adventure and was based on Neil Gaiman’s novel of the same name. It didn’t perform well in the US but attracted people via different streaming services. 

It managed to become one of the defining movies of the youngsters. It was not released in China due to restrictions on foreign films. The film was directed by Matthew Vaughn and featured Jason Flemyng, Sienna Miller, Robert De Niro, and others. 

3. Fight Club

Source = Ltrbxd

Fight Club was directed by David Fincher and starred Helena Bonham Carter and Brad Pitt in the leads. The film gained $101,187,503 at the box office and was made under the budget of $63,000,000. It didn’t meet the expectations at first and was not successful but managed to gain the audience later due to the adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s. 

4. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Source = Onebauer

It is hard to believe that Scott Pilgrim vs. the World underperformed at the box office. The film was directed by Edgar Wright and was based on the novel of series Scott Pilgrim. It starred Michael Cera, Anna Kendrick, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and others.

It was made under a budget of $60,000,000. Unfortunately, it collected  $47,664,559. Later, the movie collected fanbase due to its star cast. 

5. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Source = Denofgeek

It was a spy film directed by Guy Ritchie and was written by Lionel Wigram. The film was based on the MGM television series of the same name and starred Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Grant, and Armie Hammer. 

Initially, the movie didn’t perform well at the box office. Later, it garnered over $45 million in North America and over $109 million worldwide. It was reported that Wigram is working on its sequel and would soon come up with it. If you love watching spy films, then this is a must-watch. 

6. Kubo And The Two Strings

Source = Indiewire

Kubo And The Two Strings is an interesting animated action-fantasy movie but didn’t excite audiences much. Due to its serious tone, it didn’t grab the attention of the audience after its release. However, it is still a favorite watch of animation lovers. 

The film was made with over $170 million and collected $150 million at the box office. It was premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival and was released by Focus Theatres in the US. 

7. The Island

Source = Horrornews

The Island is a fiction action thriller film and starred Djimon Hounsou, Steve Buscemi, Ewan McGregor, and Scarlett Johansson in the key roles. You might be wondering when Ewan and Scarlett shared the screen, then what could be the reason the movie failed at the box office. 

The plot didn’t attract the audience much, and it miserably failed. However, the worldwide collection of The Island later summed was $162,949,164. 

8. Hocus Pocus

Source = Syfy

Hocus Pocus is a comedy film written by Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris. It featured Sarah Jessica Parker, Thora Bitch, and others. 

The film received both negative and positive reviews from the audience. Unsurprisingly, people didn’t like this horror classic. Later, it became one of the favorite movies of Halloween time. The film was made with a budget of $28,000,000 and earned $39,514,713 worldwide.

9. It’s a Wonderful Life

Source = Britannica

It is one of the amazing movies that you should watch right now. It is a fantasy drama and considered to be a classic tale. Initially, it faced a lot of problems and only managed to earn 3 million. 

Surprisingly, it was nominated for five Academy Awards and has become one of the favorite movies of all time. The film is based on a short story and booklet, The Greatest Gift. The movie was directed by Frank Capra and was released in 1946. 

10. The Shawshank Redemption

Source = Thr

It is an American drama film directed by Frank Darabont. The film plot revolves around the banker Andy Dufresne who is sentenced to life at Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and lover. 

Although the star cast received appreciation for their characters, the movie didn’t earn well at the box office. Later, it gained popularity after featuring at the Academy Awards. 

Final Words 

If you have been searching for movies that have interesting plots and could be watched anytime, then these movies are great. 

Have you ever watched any of these movies? Do you know other movies that initially failed but gained attention later? If yes, then share their names.