Box Office Flops That Ruined Big Careers And Cost Hollywood Millions

Starring in, directing, or producing a movie must be an incredibly exciting thing for anyone to do. Imagine the pride in your work, the giddy anticipation of its release and the potential rewards. But despite the excitement, sometimes it can all end in tears. And it certainly did in the case of these box office bombs, which either ruined people’s careers or put their studios on the verge of bankruptcy.

20. Heaven’s Gate (1980)

Heaven’s Gate is one of the most notorious failures in cinema history. The long-winded western that starred Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, Jeff Bridges and Isabelle Huppert was savaged by critics upon its 1980 release. It didn’t fare any better at the box office either, taking just $3.5 million from cinemagoers, after costing $44 million to make.

The abject failure of the movie would have significant consequences for both the studio and its director Michael Cimino. Indeed, United Artists had to file for bankruptcy on the back of this major flop. And Cimino quickly went from being an acclaimed Oscar winner to persona non grata in Hollywood. The expensive turkey also led to studios seizing more influence over the movie-making process, ending a golden age of director-driven pictures.

19. Batman & Robin (1997)

Box office bombs don’t come much bigger than Batman & Robin. The Joel Schumacher-directed movie about the caped crusader — portrayed this time by George Clooney — was his second effort in the series. But despite an eye-watering $160 million budget and a star-studded cast, it wound up being one of 1997’s biggest flops. A film so bad that it ruined careers.

Indeed, while Clooney’s career would survive and prosper, the movie had a significant impact on the fortunes of his co-stars Chris O’ Donnell and Alicia Silverstone. Yes, Robin and Batgirl largely fell out of favor in Hollywood, with Silverstone in particular not becoming the superstar that Clueless had suggested she would be. O’Donnell found work on TV but his film career stalled badly.