The 2020s have produced massive hits like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which surpassed $1 billion worldwide, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Barbie, and Top Gun: Maverick entering the all-time top 20. However, not every film succeeded. Here are six of the decade's biggest box office disappointments, based on reported budgets and estimated losses.
Strange World (2022)
Disney's animated adventure Strange World seemed like a sure bet, with a voice cast including Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Lucy Liu, and Gabrielle Union, and a groundbreaking gay lead character. Despite a 72% Rotten Tomatoes score, it earned only $73 million against a $180 million production budget. Deadline Hollywood estimated losses of up to $197 million.
Amsterdam (2022)
Director David O. Russell's star-studded Amsterdam featured Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington. Inspired by the 1933 Business Plot, the film received a 32% Rotten Tomatoes rating, with the Chicago Sun-Times calling it 'jaw-droppingly terrible'. With an $80 million budget, it grossed just $29.4 million, losing an estimated $108 million including marketing.
The Marvels (2023)
The sequel to 2019's Captain Marvel saw Brie Larson team up with Monica Rambeau and Ms. Marvel. Despite a 63% Rotten Tomatoes score and a record as the highest-grossing film directed by a Black woman (Nia DaCosta), it made $206 million worldwide against a $219 million budget, resulting in an estimated $237 million loss. The SAG-AFTRA strike prevented stars from promoting the film.
Joker: Folie A Deux (2024)
The sequel to the billion-dollar Joker added Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn but swapped crime thriller for a legal drama with songs. With a 31% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it earned $227 million against a $371 million budget, losing $144.3 million. It earned seven Golden Raspberry nominations.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Harrison Ford's final outing as Indiana Jones grossed $384 million worldwide with a 71% Rotten Tomatoes score. However, its $295 million budget and marketing costs led to an estimated $134 million loss. The film's gross was half that of 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Lightyear (2022)
The Buzz Lightyear origin story, voiced by Chris Evans instead of Tim Allen, earned a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score but struggled with a confusing premise as a film within a film. With a $200 million budget, it grossed $226 million, losing over $100 million. Competition from Jurassic World: Dominion and Top Gun: Maverick also hurt its performance.
