There are several factors that account for a movie’s overall success. For starters, a coveted cast of A-list actors; after all, what’s a movie if not well-acted by interesting performers? Of course, a story is the main selling point for audiences; people want to see fresh, relatable, and simply interesting material. Combine these two elements, and box office success is sure to result… but not always. The COVID-19 pandemic redefined cinema in the worst of ways.
Whereas audiences used to relish in going to theaters to watch the next installment in their favorite franchise, the COVID-19 pandemic deterred them from doing so for months, with them accessing streaming services as a safe way to view films instead. This led to a list of box office failures that would, under any other circumstances, have been complete financial successes. Here are twenty movies that wouldn’t have flopped if they hadn’t released during the COVID-19 pandemic.
21Birds of Prey (2020)
DC has had its number of hit-or-miss films throughout the years. Nevertheless,Birds of Preywas actually a highly anticipated movie, much in part to Margot Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn and 2016’sThe Suicide Squaddoing considerably well at the box office. Nonetheless,Birds of Preywas released only weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., causing low ticket sales internationally.
20Children of the Corn (2020)
Horror movies usually sweep the box office, so this remake was expected to do the same.Children of the Cornachieved the complete opposite. With a budget of $8,000,000,Children of the Cornbrought injust a little over $5,000,000, making it a total financial flop. Many factors contributed to its failure, notably that there was a three-year delay in its release from when it wrapped filming. While the general hype for theChildren of the Cornfranchise has decreased with each sequel, fans of the 1984 original would have surely lined up to see this remake were it not for the pandemic lessening their interest.
19Cruella (2021)
Another Disney live-adaptation expected to sweep the box office,Cruelladid the opposite, bringing in $233 million from a budget of roughly 200 million; it barely made back its money.Cruellahad everything working in its favor; two Academy Awards winners as leads, a beloved Disney classic as its source material, and an interesting trailer to promote it. Unfortunately, part of its low box office revenue is attributed to audiences streaming the film through Disney + instead of going to theaters. A disheartening result for a movie with generally positive reviews for its overall execution.
18In the Heights (2021)
Before Melissa Barrera was slashing her way to success as Sam Carpenter in theScreamfranchise, she got her big break in the filmIn the Heights, alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jimmy Smitts.In the Heightsis actually a great movie that makes excellent commentaries about cross-generational problems in immigrant families, assimilation, and retaining one’s culture when moving to a new country. Unfortunately, the pandemic madeIn the Heightsanother streaming favorite for audiences as opposed to a box office hit, only generating $45 million in box office sales from its $55 million budget.
17Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
One would think that abiopic with more than six Academy Award nominations, two Academy Award wins, and a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score would have dominated the box office; instead,Judas and the Black Messiahdidn’t even make half its budget back in box office sales, bringing in $7 million from a $26 million budget. At least Daniel Kaluuya finally got the Academy Award he rightfully deserved sinceGet Out.
16Jungle Cruise (2021)
Cast Emily Blunt, and Dwayne Johnson, include state-of-the-art CGI, and an exotic setting–a box office draw? Not even close; for all its publicity and star talent,Jungle Cruiseperformed abysmally, barely making back its $200 million budget at the box office. Part of its commercial failure reflects the negative reception ofMulan, leaving audiences somewhat dejected from live-action Disney adaptations.
15Malignant (2021)
For those who have seenMalignant,its somewhat low Rotten Tomatoes score makes sense.Malignantis campy, absurd, and not all that terrifying, but it is definitely an entertaining dark comedy, matching the energy of film franchises such asScary MovieandHappy Death Day. Since its release,Malignanthas gained a cult following from fans of director James Wan, with audiences loving everything about it that’s frowned upon by critics. HadMalignantbeen released anytime other than midway through COVID-19, it would have done significantly better at the box office.
14The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Though the originalMatrixis a classicin its own right, incomparable to its sequels, the franchise has done well for itself during its two-and-a-half decade span. EveryMatrixinstallment has swept the box office, doubling if not tripling its budget in revenue;The Matrix Resurrectionsput an end to this winning streak. While some might argue that the lackluster reception ofThe Matrix Revolutionsis partly to blame, COVID-19 was a considerable factor in this movie’s financial failure, after all, Keanu Reeves' star power from theJohn Wickfranchise has cemented his action-star status, audiences would have signed up to see anotherMatrixinstallment for him alone under other circumstances.
13Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
A long overdue sequel,Space Jam: A New Legacyhas LeBron James working alongside theLooney Tunessquad to save the day. While theLooney Tunesaren’t particularly trending anymore, the firstSpace Jaminstallment was a box office hit, generally praised by critics as a movie targeted at children, but with enough adult humor to pander to both audiences.Space Jam: A New Legacywould have likely held its own at the box office were it not for COVID-19.
12Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
2017’sWonder Womangave the MCU a run for its money, reigniting superhero fans' interest in DC live adaptations. When its sequel,Wonder Woman 1984,was announced, it was expected that it would draw in an even greater number of ticket sales at the box office… but then COVID-19 happened. Released late in 2020,Wonder Woman 1984only became available as a limited theater release, with most of its audiences watching it from home.
With a box office revenue of $169 million against a $200 million budget,Wonder Woman 1984proved a commercial failure for DC Studios. This was an absolute shame considering its generally favorable reviews and Gal Gadot perfectly embodying the iconic DC superhero.
