Here is a list of 20 of the biggest box office failures in film history

These movies became major financial disasters, with production and marketing costs far exceeding what they earned in theaters. The estimated losses are calculated as the gap between expenses and box office revenue, in some cases adjusted for inflation. Figures are based on publicly available sources such as Wikipedia, ScreenRant, Deadline and The Numbers. Since studios rarely reveal exact budgets, the numbers may vary slightly, but this ranking gives a clear picture of the most infamous box office flops.

1. Cutthroat Island (1995)
Losses: $147M (~$300M+ with inflation)
Pirate saga with Geena Davis; budget ballooned due to reshoots, grossed ~$10M against $98M costs.

2. John Carter (2012)
Losses: $200–255M
Disney’s Martian epic; $250M budget, $284M gross — Disney’s largest flop.

3. Mars Needs Moms! (2011)
Losses: $140–196M
ImageMovers animation; $150M cost, $39M gross — led to Disney division closure.

4. The Lone Ranger (2013)
Losses: $190M
Western with Johnny Depp; $225–275M budget, $260M gross — franchise abandoned.

5. Strange World (2022)
Losses: $197M
Disney animation; $180M budget, ~$73M gross — worst Disney Animation release.

6. Mortal Engines (2018)
Losses: $175M
Post-apocalyptic film; $150–200M cost, $83M gross — franchise hopes dashed.

7. The Flash (2023)
Losses: $150M
DC superhero film; $200M+ budget, ~$270M gross — hurt by lead actor controversies.

8. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Losses: $143M
Franchise finale; $300M cost, ~$384M gross — underperformed for the series.

9. Mulan (2020, live-action)
Losses: $147–159M
Disney remake; $200M budget, ~$70M gross — impacted by pandemic and criticism.

10. Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
Losses: $150–200M
Musical sequel; $200M cost, ~$200M gross — fans disliked genre shift.

11. The Marvels (2023)
Losses: $118–150M
Marvel film; $270M budget, ~$206M gross — worst MCU opening.

12. A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
Losses: $63–100M
Disney fantasy; $250M cost, ~$333M gross — poor reviews.

13. Turning Red (2022)
Losses: $50–100M
Pixar animation; $175M budget, limited release due to pandemic.

14. Sahara (2005)
Losses: $78–100M
McConaughey adventure; $130M budget, ~$119M gross — production overspending.

15. Alexander (2004)
Losses: $71–100M
Oliver Stone epic; $155M cost, ~$167M gross — controversial narrative.

16. The 13th Warrior (1999)
Losses: $50–80M
Viking action; $85–160M budget (due to delays), ~$61M gross.

17. Battleship (2012)
Losses: $100–150M
Board game adaptation; $209M cost, ~$303M gross — weak story.

18. Pan (2015)
Losses: $130–150M
Peter Pan prequel; $150M budget, ~$128M gross — criticized tone.

19. Treasure Planet (2002)
Losses: $50–70M
Disney animation; $140M cost, ~$109M gross — innovations didn’t pay off.

20. The Alamo (2004)
Losses: $50–80M
Western remake; $107M budget, ~$25M gross — poor marketing.