Top 10 Classic Hollywood Movies That BOMBED at the Box Office
video description
Date: 2023-11-21
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 24
Eric
Hold on, The Wizard of Oz? Can we get over this idea that it was a flop? It was actually one of the most successful movies at the box office in 1939, breaking records at many theaters. True, it did not make back its production costs until its 1949 rerelease, but IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO TURN A PROFIT! Oz was a prestige picture made to show off what the studio could do. Because so much more of the production was concentrated in the studio than it would be later, they could this and make the money back on other pictures. Compounding this is your saying it got stellar reviews. While it generally did receive good reviews in 1939, they were often tepid or qualified, and some of the most influential reviewers of the day did not like it at all. It was only upon that 1949 rerelease that the reviews got better.
reply
Hold on, The Wizard of Oz? Can we get over this idea that it was a flop? It was actually one of the most successful movies at the box office in 1939, breaking records at many theaters. True, it did not make back its production costs until its 1949 rerelease, but IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO TURN A PROFIT! Oz was a prestige picture made to show off what the studio could do. Because so much more of the production was concentrated in the studio than it would be later, they could this and make the money back on other pictures. Compounding this is your saying it got stellar reviews. While it generally did receive good reviews in 1939, they were often tepid or qualified, and some of the most influential reviewers of the day did not like it at all. It was only upon that 1949 rerelease that the reviews got better.
reply
FilmandTVFan2023
One important point that wasnt mentioned is that in 1946, The Best Years Of Our Lives won over the nation and the box office, which is part of the reason why Its A Wonderful Life was overlooked for some time.
Ironically, the film that was the most financially successful became overlooked and the film that flopped on release became more famous and beloved!
Regardless, both The Best Years Of Our Lives and Its A Wonderful Life are profound American classics! :)
reply
One important point that wasnt mentioned is that in 1946, The Best Years Of Our Lives won over the nation and the box office, which is part of the reason why Its A Wonderful Life was overlooked for some time.
Ironically, the film that was the most financially successful became overlooked and the film that flopped on release became more famous and beloved!
Regardless, both The Best Years Of Our Lives and Its A Wonderful Life are profound American classics! :)
reply
msmojo
It is pretty surprising that some of these movies (like Citizen Kane and Cleopatra) are both critical hits/highest grossing films of the years they were released AND box office bombs at the same time while others (like The Wizard of Oz and It's A Wonderful Life) later match or even surpass the films that destroyed them during their initial releases all thanks to being able to find audiences via reissues into theaters, showings on TV, and home video releases.
reply
It is pretty surprising that some of these movies (like Citizen Kane and Cleopatra) are both critical hits/highest grossing films of the years they were released AND box office bombs at the same time while others (like The Wizard of Oz and It's A Wonderful Life) later match or even surpass the films that destroyed them during their initial releases all thanks to being able to find audiences via reissues into theaters, showings on TV, and home video releases.
reply
Maria
Does anybody take into account that when they're releasing it in theaters and around a lot of these same times Yes there's a lot of people who can't afford to go to the movie theater therefore there's a lot more people who are going to end up seeing it on television that's a duh same as now maybe one of those doesn't matter what movie I want to go see I can't afford to go see it
reply
Does anybody take into account that when they're releasing it in theaters and around a lot of these same times Yes there's a lot of people who can't afford to go to the movie theater therefore there's a lot more people who are going to end up seeing it on television that's a duh same as now maybe one of those doesn't matter what movie I want to go see I can't afford to go see it
reply
Emily
Interesting how some of these are now so ubiquitous/beloved we almost don't think about how they did at the box office. On the other hand, how could you not even grant an honorable mention to Night of the Hunter? That one is soo underrated despite later getting credit as among the greatest classic thrillers
reply
Interesting how some of these are now so ubiquitous/beloved we almost don't think about how they did at the box office. On the other hand, how could you not even grant an honorable mention to Night of the Hunter? That one is soo underrated despite later getting credit as among the greatest classic thrillers
reply
Azo
Ace In Hole (1951, starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Billy Wilder is another great one that flopped but is now considered a great classic.
This is such a great list of Classics it's almost crazy how all of these films didn't perform so well on their initial release.
reply
Ace In Hole (1951, starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Billy Wilder is another great one that flopped but is now considered a great classic.
This is such a great list of Classics it's almost crazy how all of these films didn't perform so well on their initial release.
reply
Frayhua
How about others The Wiz, The Thing, Blade Runner, Donnie Darko, Heathers, Big Lebowski, Fight Club, The Hunger, The Craft, Hocus Pocus, Iron Giant, King of Comedy, Brazil, Mulholland Drive, Dazed and Confused, Office Space, Clue and Shawshank Redemption.
reply
How about others The Wiz, The Thing, Blade Runner, Donnie Darko, Heathers, Big Lebowski, Fight Club, The Hunger, The Craft, Hocus Pocus, Iron Giant, King of Comedy, Brazil, Mulholland Drive, Dazed and Confused, Office Space, Clue and Shawshank Redemption.
reply
Sokok
How about Charlie Chaplin movies? Its very weird how most comedians now a day dont talk or give much credit to Charlie Chaplin, the king of comedy! He should be more recognized for the part he plays in putting comedy where it is today!
reply
How about Charlie Chaplin movies? Its very weird how most comedians now a day dont talk or give much credit to Charlie Chaplin, the king of comedy! He should be more recognized for the part he plays in putting comedy where it is today!
reply
Phil
Citizen Kane and its a wonderful life are in the library of congress they are that good I've seen them dozens of times and loved it every time, the old classics are better than some of today's tax break movies, no imagination anymore
reply
Citizen Kane and its a wonderful life are in the library of congress they are that good I've seen them dozens of times and loved it every time, the old classics are better than some of today's tax break movies, no imagination anymore
reply
Manuel
I discovered Its A Wonderful Life and Willy Wonka in high school. While Wizard of Oz introduced me to the magic of Hollywoods Golden Age. Hello Dolly has some redeeming qualities to make it entertaining for its time.
reply
I discovered Its A Wonderful Life and Willy Wonka in high school. While Wizard of Oz introduced me to the magic of Hollywoods Golden Age. Hello Dolly has some redeeming qualities to make it entertaining for its time.
reply
Kathleen
I may be one of the few people left who saw Willy Wonka in the theater-my dad took me and my brother to see it and we loved it! When it came out on tv and everyone loved it Im like-but Ive loved it for years!
reply
I may be one of the few people left who saw Willy Wonka in the theater-my dad took me and my brother to see it and we loved it! When it came out on tv and everyone loved it Im like-but Ive loved it for years!
reply
Anthony
I refuse to believe that Number 3, didn't do so well. BUT UNCLE Charley and them bedridden bums( supposedly) hurt Willy Wondka a lot a lot. They could a cab to get some help l, like Food Coupons and SSI.
reply
I refuse to believe that Number 3, didn't do so well. BUT UNCLE Charley and them bedridden bums( supposedly) hurt Willy Wondka a lot a lot. They could a cab to get some help l, like Food Coupons and SSI.
reply
Jason
10: 50. John Wayne as Genghis Khan. To this day, I just shake my head at the casting choice--hahaha. What were they thinking? What was John Wayne thinking by accepting the role?
reply
10: 50. John Wayne as Genghis Khan. To this day, I just shake my head at the casting choice--hahaha. What were they thinking? What was John Wayne thinking by accepting the role?
reply
JamesDavy2009
Roald Dahl hated _Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. _ He would've liked the remake as it was truer to the source material and used lyrics he wrote in the book.
reply
Roald Dahl hated _Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. _ He would've liked the remake as it was truer to the source material and used lyrics he wrote in the book.
reply
Scott
I consider Last Action Hero among this along with Atlantis, Brother bear and Emperors new Groove and let us not Forget Bicentienial man whose time to be discovered is here.
reply
I consider Last Action Hero among this along with Atlantis, Brother bear and Emperors new Groove and let us not Forget Bicentienial man whose time to be discovered is here.
reply
Gamer
Glad most of them was able to become more popular over the years.
(of course there were, I think a couple, I didn't know was a failure at the time)
reply
Glad most of them was able to become more popular over the years.
(of course there were, I think a couple, I didn't know was a failure at the time)
reply
Marilyn
Given that two of these movies deal with the Roman Empire, I guess men weren't thinking about the Roman Empire every day back then.
reply
Given that two of these movies deal with the Roman Empire, I guess men weren't thinking about the Roman Empire every day back then.
reply
Daniel
Thank God, Emily hasnt uploaded a Disney video yet if he does, Im gonna be very very very very very very very very very cross
reply
Thank God, Emily hasnt uploaded a Disney video yet if he does, Im gonna be very very very very very very very very very cross
reply
Georgia
Alfred Hitchcock thanking me for peeping in and saying he'll make it worth my while is the scariest thing he's ever made
reply
Alfred Hitchcock thanking me for peeping in and saying he'll make it worth my while is the scariest thing he's ever made
reply
Steven
Well, after watching The Fall of the Roman Empire clip, I am convinced that these are not the frontiers that Rome wants.
reply
Well, after watching The Fall of the Roman Empire clip, I am convinced that these are not the frontiers that Rome wants.
reply
parakeet8157
Glad Wizard of Oz & It's a wonderful life did better later on. To bad Cleopatra was plagued with so many issues.
reply
Glad Wizard of Oz & It's a wonderful life did better later on. To bad Cleopatra was plagued with so many issues.
reply
James
1995's The Shawshank Redemption made less than $75 million on $25 million budget, but has since become quite popular.
reply
1995's The Shawshank Redemption made less than $75 million on $25 million budget, but has since become quite popular.
reply
FDR
I'm surprised Buster Keaton's The General isn't on this list. A brilliant silent film that tanked at the box office.
reply
I'm surprised Buster Keaton's The General isn't on this list. A brilliant silent film that tanked at the box office.
reply
Justin
Very very great epic list I like it a lot very very great job mis mojo one of my absolute favorite list ever
reply
Very very great epic list I like it a lot very very great job mis mojo one of my absolute favorite list ever
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
