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A-List Actors’ Most Unexpected Box Office Flops

A-List Actors’ Most Unexpected Box Office Flops

Hollywood’s top actors work hard to maintain good reputations among movie fans. Their popularity keeps them employed and encourages movie studios to entrust them with lead roles in big-budget productions. Yet everybody makes mistakes, and even the most famous and bankable of movie stars can make a professional misstep.

To determine the A-list actors with the biggest box office flops, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the filmographies of nearly 50 of today’s most popular actors. Only movies in which the actor was among the top four performers listed on IMDb, an online movie and TV database owned by Amazon, were considered. The film starring that actor that made the least amount of money in the U.S. was selected. Box office data, audience scores, and Tomatometer critics’ scores came from Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator.  

A movie can flop for various reasons. A script that strains credibility, uninspired direction, unattractive subject matter, even poor timing for its release. Whatever the cause, financial catastrophe results in what’s commonly called a box office bomb. (Some films that fail eventually achieve cult status, though. Here are 25 box office bombs that became comedy classics.)

It should also be noted, though, that sometimes box-office failures are critical successes. The public doesn’t always agree with the opinions of professional reviewers.

The negative effects the movies on our list have had on their stars’ careers vary. Some remain so little-known that most fans don’t even know that an actor appeared in a flop. Others overshadow the roles that first earned the actor’s widespread acclaim – like these movie roles that launched some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Angelina Jolie
> Movie: Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
> Domestic box office: $7,300,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.0/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 62%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86%

Source: Courtesy of The Film Arcade

Anna Hathaway
> Movie: Song One (2014)
> Domestic box office: $20,200
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 32%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 29%

Source: Rich Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

Anthony Hopkins
> Movie: Slipstream (2007)
> Domestic box office: $6,300
> IMDb avg. rating: 4.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 25%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 29%

Source: Courtesy of Batrax Entertainment

Ben Affleck
> Movie: To the Wonder (2012)
> Domestic box office: $586,300
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 47%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 37%

Source: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Bradley Cooper
> Movie: Serena (2014)
> Domestic box office: $176,300
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 16%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 23%

Source: Courtesy of Modern Films

Cate Blanchett
> Movie: Manifesto (2015)
> Domestic box office: $161,100
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.5/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 75%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 55%

Source: Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

Channing Tatum
> Movie: The Son of No One (2011)
> Domestic box office: $28,900
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 15%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 22%

Source: Courtesy of Overture Films

Charlize Theron
> Movie: Sleepwalking (2008)
> Domestic box office: $169,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 17%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 43%

Source: Courtesy of RADiUS-TWC

Chris Evans
> Movie: Before We Go (2014)
> Domestic box office: $37,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 27%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 57%

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Chris Hemsworth
> Movie: Blackhat (2015)
> Domestic box office: $7,800,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 32%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 24%

Source: Courtesy of Atlantic Releasing Corporation

Denzel Washington
> Movie: For Queen & Country (1989)
> Domestic box office: $62,800
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 29%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 28%

Source: Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Dwayne Johnson
> Movie: Southland Tales (2006)
> Domestic box office: $273,400
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 41%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 41%

Source: Kevin Mazur/MG19 / Contributor / Getty Images

Emma Stone
> Movie: Movie 43 (2013)
> Domestic box office: $8,800,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 4.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 4%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 24%

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Gal Gadot
> Movie: Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
> Domestic box office: $46,500,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 58%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 73%

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. (2002)

George Clooney
> Movie: Welcome to Collinwood (2002)
> Domestic box office: $334,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 55%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 55%

Source: Courtesy of Codeblack Entertainment

Halle Berry
> Movie: Frankie & Alice (2010)
> Domestic box office: $693,200
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 21%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 59%

Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company

Harrison Ford
> Movie: Crossing Over (2009)
> Domestic box office: $454,100
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 15%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 49%

Source: Courtesy of Batrax Entertainment

Jennifer Aniston
> Movie: Life of Crime (2013)
> Domestic box office: $261,700
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 68%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 37%

Source: Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

Jennifer Lawrence
> Movie: Winter’s Bone (2010)
> Domestic box office: $6,500,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 7.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76%

Source: Courtesy of Pathé

Johnny Depp
> Movie: Happily Ever After (2004)
> Domestic box office: $252,300
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 57%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 71%

Source: Courtesy of Miramax

Julia Roberts
> Movie: Full Frontal (2002)
> Domestic box office: $2,500,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 4.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 39%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 27%

Source: Courtesy of Neon

Kate Winslet
> Movie: Ammonite (2020)
> Domestic box office: $160,900
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.5/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 69%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85%

Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate Premiere

Keanu Reeves
> Movie: Knock Knock (2015)
> Domestic box office: $34,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 4.9/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 37%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 19%

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

Kevin Costner
> Movie: Ever Again (2006)
> Domestic box office: $10,800
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.5/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 50%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 54%

Source: Courtesy of Capitol Films (1995)

Leonardo DiCaprio
> Movie: Total Eclipse (1995)
> Domestic box office: $339,900
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.5/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 25%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 61%

Source: Courtesy of A24

Mahershala Ali
> Movie: Moonlight (2016)
> Domestic box office: $27,900,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 7.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 98%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79%

Source: Courtesy of 30WEST

Margot Robbie
> Movie: I, Tonya (2017)
> Domestic box office: $30,000,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 7.5/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 90%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88%

Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

Matt Damon
> Movie: Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train (2004)
> Domestic box office: $120,300
> IMDb avg. rating: 7.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84%

Source: Courtesy of Ascot Elite Entertainment Group

Matthew Mcconaughey
> Movie: The Sea of Trees (2015)
> Domestic box office: $14,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 17%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 43%

Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images

Meryl Streep
> Movie: Dark Matter (2007)
> Domestic box office: $30,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.0/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 40%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 40%

Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures

Michelle Pfeiffer
> Movie: Love Field (1992)
> Domestic box office: $519,200
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.5/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 40%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 56%

Source: Lilechka75 / Getty Images

Morgan Freeman
> Movie: The Long Way Home (1997)
> Domestic box office: $13,300
> IMDb avg. rating: 7.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83%

Source: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Natalie Portman
> Movie: The Other Woman (2009)
> Domestic box office: $20,600
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 39%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 45%

Source: Courtesy of Picturehouse

Nicole Kidman
> Movie: Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)
> Domestic box office: $220,900
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 32%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 63%

Source: Courtesy of Roxie Releasing

Reese Witherspoon
> Movie: Freeway (1996)
> Domestic box office: $283,800
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 76%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76%

Source: Courtesy of Millennium Films

Robert De Niro
> Movie: Killing Season (2013)
> Domestic box office: $27,700
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 10%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 29%

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Classics

Robert Downey Jr.
> Movie: The Singing Detective (2003)
> Domestic box office: $336,500
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 39%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 40%

Source: Courtesy of Leland Productions Inc.

Ryan Gosling
> Movie: The United States of Leland (2003)
> Domestic box office: $343,800
> IMDb avg. rating: 7.0/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 34%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81%

Source: Courtesy of Blue Sky Media

Ryan Reynolds
> Movie: The Nines (2007)
> Domestic box office: $62,700
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.2/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 65%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 61%

Source: Courtesy of Lions Gate Films

Scarlett Johansson
> Movie: A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004)
> Domestic box office: $159,200
> IMDb avg. rating: 7.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 43%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80%

Source: Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Films de España

Susan Sarandon
> Movie: Safe Passage (1994)
> Domestic box office: $1,600,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 54%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 73%

Source: Andreas Rentz / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

Sylvester Stallone
> Movie: Kambakkht Ishq (2009)
> Domestic box office: $1,400,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 3.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 0%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 31%

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Tom Cruise
> Movie: Legend (1985)
> Domestic box office: $12,300,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 40%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 73%

Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate

Tom Hanks
> Movie: A Hologram for the King (2016)
> Domestic box office: $4,200,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 70%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 54%

Source: Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Viola Davis
> Movie: Lila & Eve (2015)
> Domestic box office: $37,900
> IMDb avg. rating: 5.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 40%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 41%

Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate

Will Ferrell
> Movie: Everything Must Go (2010)
> Domestic box office: $2,700,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 73%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 52%

Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Will Smith
> Movie: Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
> Domestic box office: $6,300,000
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 71%

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Woody Harrelson
> Movie: The Sunchaser (1996)
> Domestic box office: $23,100
> IMDb avg. rating: 6.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 17%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 41%

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