Flops remain a certainty, especially in the modern era when streaming and the cost of living mean people are more selective about what will convince them to catch a movie in the theater. At the same time, this presents new opportunities for filmmakers and new avenues to reach an audience. Plenty ofbox officeflops in past decades could easily have a second shot at fully realizing their potential, whether making some tweaks by modernizing their content or just being presented to audiences in a way they can catch it in the comfort of their home.
Lord knows that Hollywood loves a good remake, and they seem pretty fond of the not-so-good ones as well. Just this year we’ve been blessed with the likes ofMean GirlsandRoad House,and that barely scratches the surface of the reimaginings we’ve been both blessed and cursed with in recent years (forget all time). These 14 movies may have been box office disasters, but each offers something unique or intriguing that could make them resonate with a modern audience.
14Sphere (1998)
Budget Between $73 and $100 Million • Domestic Box Office $37 Million
Based on the novel by Micheal Crichton, whose work was adapted to great success throughout the ’90s withspecial effects wonders likeJurrasic Park,Spherepresented a dark psychological sci-fi film with an all-star cast. The movie followed a team of scientists who had to go to the bottom of the ocean to investigate a possible UFO crash. Here, they find a sphere that can manifest their desires.
We Should Consider Taking Another Dip Into This Sci-Fi Thriller
Spherefaced tough competition at the box office, but the critical reception at the time did the film in.The special effects were considered subpar, and the pacing tedious; the superb cast could not save the film from failure.
However,the movie does have a solid foundation, and with atmospheric, slow-burn sci-fi finding a bigger audience with films likeAnnihilationandArrival(we will overlookAnnihilation’spoor box office reception),Spherefeels like it could have success with a modern audience with a few tweaks.
you may streamSphereon Hoopla
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13Toys (1992)
Estimated Budget of $43 million • Domestic Box Office $23.3 Million
A beloved and extravagant toy factory, Zevo Toys in Moscow, Idaho, is changing hands with its owner dying. While the eldest son, Leslie (Robin Williams), is expected to take over, the owner surprises everyone by picking the younger brother. The younger brother then aims to change the workshop to a military psyop to recruit kids for the army.
No Playing Around Next Time
Do you want to take your kids to a movie in the theaters in December 1992? Well, we haveAladdinin one theater andToysin another; which would it be? Fierce competition, bad marketing, and a mixed critical reception made the imaginative drama fail at the box office.
There was a real lack of identity of what theToyswanted to be, and it relied too heavily on thestar power of Robin Williamsto carry the film. Darker moments and grander allegories were unsuitable for the audience it seemed to go after;Aladdinwas the much more charming film in the theaters featuring Robin Williams.
The plot around videogames being used to recruit soldiers needs to be tweaked, as that long-running paranoid notion that videogames cause violence has become more than tiresome. Still,exploring familial relationships around the disconnect of child wonderment from adulthood is timeless. Pick a direct tone and target audience, and create a wonderfully quirky toy factor reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s workshop, andToyscould impress a second time around.
you’re able to streamToys(1992) on Starz
12The Border (1982)
Estimated Budget of $22 Million • Domestic Box Office $6.1 Million
This little-known Jack Nicholson-led film had the iconic actor playing an immigration enforcement officer, Charlie Smith, finding himself morally conflicted. To make more money for his family, Charlie joins his colleague Cat and supervisor Red to become part of illegal smuggling operations. It is here he meets a young Mexican mother whose baby is abducted for illegal adoption. This puts Charlie in a battle against corruption as he forsakes his colleagues to rescue the baby.
It Might Be Worth Trying to Walk That Fine Line
At such a contentious point in US history, whoever handles this project would have to figure out a balance that won’t evoke the ire of the left or right when discussing the border. Still,in 1982, the border was not as big of a talking point(one of the primary reasons the movie flopped beyond mixed reviews), and a nuanced drama that explores the complexities of the current situation could bring in a large audience.
There is a lot of potential here for a remake ofThe Borderto show the humane side of the current crisis and the struggles of law enforcement. Given the recent success ofCivil War, let A24 and Alex Garland handle it; the remake could be exceptional.
11Jonah Hex (2010)
Estimated Budget of $47 Million • Domestic Box Office $10.55 Million
DC is much more expansive than the superhero films it has become known for, with its Western comics being a slightly niche but a much-beloved aspect of its catalog. ForJonah Hex, they seemed to forget the actual audience who would want to watch a Jonah Hex movie. Instead, they delivered a mediocre superhero movie devoid of any memorable content.You would be hard-pressed to find a fan of the character or Westerns with anything positive to say about 2010’sJonah Hex.
DC Did One of Its Best Heroes Dirty
Two possible routes to makingJonah Hexsuccessful are to stick to the original run by writer John Albano, give it a slick modern veneer, andhave a director with proven skill at crafting memorable Westerns.The other route is to take from the Vertigo miniseries by Joe R. Lansdale and make it a dark, horror-filled Western, likeBone Tomahawk, with Lovecraftian terrors thrown in. Either way, it would be exponentially better than the horrible 2010 outing.
10Tank Girl (1995)
Estimated Budget of $25 Million • Domestic Box Office $4.06 Million
Set in a post-apocalyptic Australia with talking kangaroos, roaming gangs, and a dangerous water shortage,Tank Girlwas arguably ahead of its time. With a quirky comedy approach, a memorable performance from Lori Petty, and an excellent punk-inspired aesthetic, audiences did not know how to approach the movie when it was first released. Having garnered a cult following in the years since its release,Tank Girlis ripe for a remake.
Explosions, Talking Kangaroos, and Sleek Post-Apocalyptic Fashion
A remake ofTank Girlat least feels plausible. The movie’s cult success garnered interest from Margot Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, which picked up the rights in 2019 but did not move forward with the project due to the pandemic. Robbie, as the lead, would also be a perfect fit, with her portrayal of Harley Quinn reminiscent of Lori Petty’s Tank Girl.
Plenty of fans want this to happen, asa modern coat of paint on the battle tank with updated effects could bring to life the work of the cool comics by Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlettto the forefront of a modern audience. Let’s hope the cult status ofTank Girl(1995) is enough to push for a remake to happen finally.
9Lifeforce (1985)
Estimated Budget of $25 Million • Domestic Box Office $11.6 Million
A joint U.S. and British space shuttle mission discovers an alien spacecraft hidden in the tail of Halley’s Comet that they bring to Earth. The three people suspended within turn out to be vampires who feed off of the life force of others.Directed by Tobe Hooper ofTexas Chainsaw Massacreinfamyand featuring exploitative elements and over-the-top special effects, audiences and critics did not know how to approach the film, andit was pulled out of theaters shortly after its release.
Tobe Hooper’s Unwarranted Massacre at the Box Office
Lifeforcemay have seemed like anAlienknock-off that was a bit too lewd for the box office in the ’80s, and it really should have existed among the more modestly budgeted ’80s horror movies that dominated the era. Still, it has since garnered a deserved cult following since its release.
Who does not want space vampires in 2024?Indeed, there is potential here to lean into the horror elements, maybe even add some comedy, and remake the movie as a shudder/AMC original.Lifeforcenever should have had a bloated budget, but give it to an indie director who loves the original, and something great could come out of it.
You can streamLifeforceon Fubo, MGM+, Tubi, or Hoopla
20 ‘90s Box Office Flops That Became Cult Classics
Amidst the glamor and success of some movies, there were others that bombed at the box office upon initial release only to become cult classics later.
8Mystery Men (1999)
Mystery Men
Estimated Budget of $68 Million • Domestic Box Office $33 Million
Taking place in the fictional Champion City,Mystery Menfollows a z-list of superheroes who take it upon themselves to stop the criminal mastermind Casanova Frankenstein after he catches the city’s greatest hero. With an ensemble cast of comedic talent of the era, including Ben Stiller, William Macy, Hank Azaria, and Janeane Garofalo,the movie got overshadowed by a competitive box office and mixed reviews.
An Ensemble Comedy Drowned Out at the Box Office
Whilemany superhero movies were released in the ’90s, the genre did not hit its full swing until the 2010s, with Marvel’s dominating the genre. While superhero fatigue is arguable,the parody of the genre is still alive and well, and one can point toThe Boysas the sort of archetype a remake ofMystery Mencould look like, though we would want it to keep its more goofy and lighthearted tone.
A movie with a new ensemble cast, perhaps of notable up-and-comers of comedy, or a TV series could go a long way with the loveMystery Mensaw after its initial stumble at the box office.
You can streamMystery Menon Starz
Monster Squad
Estimated Budget of $12 Million • Domestic Box Office $3.77 Million
The Monster Squadfollows a group of kids giving themselves the title after learning that the classic Universal Monsters (Dracula, Frankenstien’s Monster, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Mummy) are invading their town, and only they can stop them.
The movie’s failure at the box office is primarily attributed to it being too horrific for its target audience, which led to plenty of negative reviews. Of course, sharing the box office withLost Boysfurther stunted its potential to reach an audience.
“Wolfman’s Got Nards”
A remake ofThe Monster Squadseems like such a no-brainer, with the project being rallied around for some time, from Micheal Bay back to its original director Fred Dekke having the rights and looking at potentially bringing the film back to the screen.
The cult following ofThe Monster Squadis significant, and there is not much you would have to tweak on a remake; give it a fresh new coat of paint,punch up the humor and horror a bit for a modern audience, and you have yourself a potential hit. IncludingTank Girl,The Monster Squadremake is one on this list that may still become a reality.
You can streamThe Monster Squadon Hoopla
6Mystery, Alaska (1999)
Estimated Budget of $28 million • Domestic Box Office $8.9 Million
Taking place in the titular fictional town ofMystery, Alaska,it presents a communityin love with hockey, with games on the pond being the preferred pastime. When the town is approached to be included in a promotional exhibition game to celebrate the sport’s roots, the local hockey team decides to take a serious shot at beating The New York Rangers. While met with mixed reviews,the comedy may have been too niche and released when interest was low, resulting in its failure.
The Good Old Hockey Game
This is one where we will go out on a limb and say that remakingMystery, Alaskafor theaters would be a mistake. Instead,a remake would serve better as a TV series, allowing the mix of comedy, drama, and action to be played out over a longer, more engaging story backed by a colorful and eccentric cast. ThinkLetterkennyand its spin-offShorsey(which does carry a hockey theme) as the inspiration for howMystery, Alaskacould rise to prominence once again.
You can rentMystery, Alaskaon Amazon or Apple TV
5Nothing But Trouble (1991)
Estimated Budget of $40 to $45 Million • Domestic Box Office $8.48 Million
On a trip with his neighbor and two Brazillian clients. Chris Thorne finds himself pulled over for a minor traffic violation in the bizarre town of Valkenvania. To face the charges, Chris and his companions head to the home of the eccentric and grotesque 106-year-old judge, Alvin Valkenheiser, where he received a death sentence for his traffic violation. The only way to escape this fate is to marry the Judge’s equally grotesque granddaughter.
A Gross Out Horror Comedy Scorned by Critics
Dan Aykroyd’s directorial debut was a disappointment for the famous comedian, ascritics were quick to come at it with scathing reviews. The balance of horror and comedy was considered sloppy in its grotesque approach to both genres.
Since its release, there has been plenty to come out in defense ofNothing But Trouble, and a modern remake with some slight tweaks to the tone and pacing could undoubtedly attract a new audience.Perhaps pushing aside the gross elements would also be enough to garner a broader appealfor what is, otherwise, a unique horror-comedy.
