It’s the summer blockbuster season, and tons of movies are being released. While many of these movies feature all the hallmarks of a hit, it can be hard to predict exactly which movies will stand the test of time. Even with killer box office openings and star power to back it up, many adult-oriented movies fall by the wayside. There are plenty of forgotten R-rated movies that were once big hits. Chances are, many of the movies sitting at the top of the current box office rankings will be forgotten by this time next year.
No one can truly predict what kind of movie will earn the public’s attention and keep that attention well after the movie is released on streaming or DVD. Every year, a dozen or so movies compete for the summer blockbuster charts, with a few coming out on top. From there, however, many of the No. 1 movies seem to disappear just as quickly. In this article, we will explore forgotten R-rated movies that were once big hits. Some may surprise you, while others you may not remember at all. (For other obscure but great movies, discover the best R-rated movies you probably haven’t seen.)
To compile a list of forgotten R-rated movies that were once big hits, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of movie and entertainment publications including CinemaBlend.com, Reddit.com, and Gamesradar.com. Next, we selected movies that earned huge box office openings before falling into obscurity in the ensuing years. After that, we confirmed aspects of each movie using sites like IMDB.com and Rottentomatoes.com.
Backdraft (1991)
“Backdraft” follows two Chicago firefighter brothers who’ve maintained a rivalry since childhood. After one of the brothers transfers to the arson unit, he helps a senior firefighter investigate a series of oxygen-induced fires called backdrafts. Soon, however, the investigation uncovers a vast conspiracy involving a crooked Chicago politician. To solve the case, the brothers must reunite and work together.
Released at the start of the summer blockbuster season in 1991, “Backdraft” had all the hallmarks of a hit. It was directed by Ron Howard and featured an all-star cast with the likes of Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Robert DeNiro. Upon release, it reached No. 1 at the box office for its opening weekend. Furthermore, the success of the film helped it become a 3D movie attraction at Paramount’s Great America in Santa Clara, California. The success of “Backdraft,” however, proved short-lived. Two decades on, barely anyone remembers this fire-based whodunit.
The Good Son (1993)
After a young boy named Mark loses his mother, he stays with his extended family while his father is out of town on business. There, he meets his cousin Henry and develops a friendship. Soon, however, Mark witnesses his cousin kill a dog and cause a pileup on the highway. As Henry’s heinous actions mount, Mark must reveal his cousin’s crimes before tragedy befalls him as well.
Featuring an early performance from Elijah Wood and the might of then-superstar Macaulay Culkin, “The Good Son” seemed sure to become a success. And it did, as “The Good Son” scored the No. 1 spot at the box office on its opening weekend. In many ways, the movie serves as a gritty and unofficial sequel to Culkin’s previous hit “Home Alone.” Much like that film, Culkin plays a kid causing serious injuries and even deaths. This time, however, he plays a devilish kid without any sympathy, remorse, or reflection. Regardless, the movie fizzled out not long after release and became confined to overlooked sections of video rental stores.
Dangerous Minds (1995)
A former Marine named Louanne Johnson lands a job teaching bright but underprivileged kids at an inner-city high school. After enduring a terrible first day on the job, Johnson decides to throw caution to the wind. The next day, she returns to the school in a full Marine mindset. Employing a more tough love strategy, Johnson pursues her student’s achievement, no matter the cost.
Upon its release in 1995, “Dangerous Minds” burned pretty brightly. It featured then-star Michelle Pfieffer in the lead role and explored the well-meaning teacher in an inner-city school trope long before it became overused. For that reason, “Dangerous Minds” was a hit, reaching No. 1 at the box office in its opening weekend. Though it fell by the wayside quickly, a few aspects of the movie endured. For one, it featured the remarkably successful single by Coolio called “Gangster’s Paradise.” Furthermore, it helped launch the tried and true, if not tired, extension of any popular media: the TV series remake.
Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
Charlie Baileygates is an almost two-decade veteran of the Rhode Island Police Force. He’s helpful, hardworking, humble, and a devoted father to his three sons. The only problem is that Charlie suffers from a split personality disorder. When he runs out of his medication, he transforms into his evil alter-ego Hank Baileygates. A stark contrast to Charlie, Hank drinks like a sailor and swears like one too, and gets Charlie in loads of trouble.
Leave it to the comedy team the Farrelly Brothers to score a hit R-rated movie in a season chock-full of family-friendly comedies. Add comedic superstar Jim Carrey for the starring role, and you have “Me, Myself & Irene.” Upon opening at the start of the summer in the new millennium, the film catapulted to the top of the box office, planting itself in the No. 1 spot for its opening weekend and for a few weeks after. These days, however, not many remember this scandalous, gross-out R-rated comedy. Those that do file it under the folder featuring the litany of Farrelly Brothers movies that failed to endure in the public’s imagination.
We Were Soldiers (2002)
Long before Mel Gibson earned the ire of the Hollywood machine and became a cinema outcast, he maintained a steady star power. Take “We Were Soldiers,” for example. The film depicts the first major battle between American forces and the North Vietnamese army during the Vietnam War. It features acts of heroism, nobility, and the sacrifices undertaken by both the men fighting and their women back home.
Upon its release in late February 2002, “We Were Soldiers” catapulted to the top of the box office and held onto the No. 1 spot for a while. Based on the bestselling book by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore and journalist Joseph L. Galloway, the film version employed the hit-making duo of Mel Gibson and screenwriter Randall Wallace (best known for “Braveheart”). The then-recent Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the injection of patriotism into the American spirit made the movie huge. It didn’t last long, however, and soon after became one of many war propaganda movies relegated to the cinema dustbin.
Underworld (2003)
“Underworld” injects the viewer into the shadowy world of vampires. There, the vampires engage in a seemingly eternal battle against the werewolf clan the Lycans, sworn enemies of the vampires. Selene is a vampire orphaned by a previous Lycan attack. After the Lycans take a suspicious interest in a human doctor, Selene must race to stop the Lycans from using the doctor’s skills to destroy the Vampire bloodline forever.
In the early 2000s, vampires were all the rage thanks to movies like “Blade.” Add in one of the top starlets of the time such as Kate Beckinsale, plus a surprisingly extensive in-movie vampire mythology, and you have a recipe for success. At the time of its release, a big buzz surrounded the movie and it helped it secure the top of the box office and make almost $100 million in ticket sales. Though the film spawned a series of increasingly lackluster sequels, “Underworld” and its siblings failed to endure in the public imagination. Vampires fell out of style, it seems.
Act of Valor (2012)
The film follows an elite team of Navy SEALs as they embark on a global manhunt to stop a terrorist plot. Along the way, however, each piece of intelligence they learn leads them closer back to the United States. Eventually, they uncover a shocking twist that puts them face-to-face with their enemy right alongside the U.S.-Mexico border.
It’s hard to say exactly what about “Act of Valor” brought it success. Financed and distributed independently, it lacked major movie studio backing and featured not a single recognizable acting name. Nevertheless, it shined upon release, securing the No. 1 spot at the box office. Perhaps it was the real-life Navy SEALs in the film’s acting roles that helped bring a gritty realism to the film that audiences loved. Whatever the case, its success failed to endure. Nowadays, it sits amongst the ranks of other violent, pro-U.S. forces war movies like “Lone Survivor” or “12 Strong.”
Unhinged (2020)
“Unhinged” follows Rachel, a single mother stuck in standstill traffic. After a car moves improperly, she beeps her horn at them. After she and the male driver exchange words, she realizes the man is following her and her young son. What starts as a simple act of road rage escalates into an unhinged man’s sinister plan for revenge.
Released in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Unhinged” seemed to break all the rules of box office success. Though it starred A-list actor Russell Crowe in the rare villainous role, it failed to make any showing during its opening weekend. All that changed by the next week, as “Unhinged” suddenly catapulted to the top of the box office and scored the No. 1 ranking. Overall, however, the movie was pretty lackluster and didn’t earn the attention of critics or mass audiences. Though it’s only been four years since its release, almost no one remembers this short-lived road-rage flick.
Wrath of Man (2021)
A mysterious and intense new hire to a team of cash truck security guards surprises his coworkers after he employs expert skills during a heist on the cash truck. In response, the crew wonders where this strange but capable man came from. His origin and purpose, however, soon become clear when he takes dramatic steps to settle a score.
With famed British director Guy Ritchie at the helm, “Wrath of Man” hit all the notes that brought him previous success. Furthermore, he teamed up again with Jason Statham, which brought people into the movie seats. Upon release, “Wrath of Man” shot to the top of the box office charts and held onto the No. 1 spot for a minute but failed to endure in the public imagination. Even though it was released only three years ago, it just as quickly fell into obscurity. Nowadays, it sits beside the other Guy Ritchie movies from his later career that failed to find permanent footing.
Disclosure (1994)
“Disclosure” centers around Tom Sanders, an executive at a technology company on the verge of releasing a groundbreaking product. As Sanders’ boss puts the final touches on a lucrative merger, a woman from Sanders’ past appears. She quickly ruins everything Sanders has worked for, stealing his promised promotion and suing him for sexual harassment in the process.
The year is 1994, and novelist Michael Crichton is a hot commodity. After the unparalleled success of the movie adaption of his novel “Jurassic Park,” Hollywood is hungry for anything the novelist has to offer. One such adaption was “Disclosure,” which featured the star power of Michael Douglas and Demi Moore, as well as the directorial prowess of Barry Levinson. These combined elements helped “Disclosure” secure the No. 1 spot at the box office on its opening weekend. Its ticket sales were short-lived, however, as critics and audiences felt it to be too lackluster to endure in the public consciousness. As such, “Disclosure” came and went without leaving much of a trace. (For the most successful adult-oriented films, discover the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time.)
The Peacemaker (1997)
The film opens with two trains crashing in Russia, with one carrying a nuclear payload. This causes a nuclear explosion and puts the world on alert. The White House’s nuclear expert Dr. Julia Kelly, however, doesn’t think the explosion was an accident. Special Operations Intelligence Officer Colonel Thomas Devoe is of like mind. Together, they must venture across the world to unravel the mystery of a terrorist without demands.
Upon its release in late September 1997, “The Peacemaker” shot to the top of the box office charts and secured the No. 1 spot. Not only did it feature the star power of George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, it was the first movie ever released under the Dreamworks Pictures banner. For whatever reason, however, “The Peacemaker” failed to endure in the public imagination. It’s probably because it fails to stand out from the seemingly endless Tom Clancy-esque spy thrillers that solve the world’s pressing problems in 90 minutes or less. These types of spy/political thriller movies, like “Patriot Games” or “Clear and Present Danger,” have fallen out of fashion in the past decade or two.
Double Jeopardy (1999)
After Libby Parsons is framed for her husband’s murder, she endures her time in prison by maintaining two burning desires. One, finding her son, and two, solving the mystery of who framed her for murder. The only thing standing in her way is her parole officer, Travis Lehman. Though he’s cynical, Libby’s situation poses a challenge to his worldview and pits him against his law enforcement colleagues and superiors.
Upon its release in 1999, “Double Jeopardy” shot to the top of the box office, securing the No. 1 spot and lingering there for a few more weeks. Thanks to the star power of Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones, the film saw success. Furthermore, previous hits in the same vein like “The Fugitive” helped secure its ranking. Nevertheless, it quickly fell by the wayside. Nowadays, it remains one of many framed-man trope movies that populated the 90s movie releases.
Identity Thief (2013)
“Identity Thief” follows Diana, a Florida woman who funds her luxurious lifestyle for free, thanks to the identity she stole belonging to Sandy, a Colorado man. With only a week left before his world explodes, Sandy heads to Florida to find Diana and bring her back to Colorado so he can clear his name and restore his ruined credit score.
Released in early February 2013, “Identity Thief” quickly jumped to the top of the box office and secured the No. 1 spot. Furthermore, it held that position for three more weeks. It was the early days of Melissa McCarthy’s movie success, so it’s no surprise that “Identity Thief” became a hit. Its luster was short-lived, however, and became another in a long line of movies too explicit for wide appeal and not unique enough to stand apart from other silly, crude comedies.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
“Slumdog Millionaire” follows 18-year-old Jamal Malik as he answers questions on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”As he proceeds from question to question, the viewer is treated to flashbacks from his hardscrabble life. These include depictions of him and his brother losing their mother before joining a band of thieves. While his brother takes to the criminal lifestyle, Jamal wants more out of life and works random jobs before he secures a chance to appear on the game show.
Loosely adapted from Vikas Swarup’s novel “Q & A,” and directed by well-known Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire” shot to the top of the box office upon release, earning $370 million worldwide. Furthermore, the film won countless awards, not least of which were eight of the 10 Academy Awards it was nominated for, including Best Picture and Best Director. Though it was loved by audiences and critics alike, the movie failed to find any enduring foothold. Now, a decade and a half later, it remains as little more than a blip on the movie radar. (For more underdog movies, discover 10 of the most under-appreciated R-rated movies ever.)