There have been so many greatfantasymovies over the years that never received the box office love they deserved. As a genre that relies on viewers letting themselves be swept away by alternative worlds and stories of magical wonder, sometimes it takes a while for the value of a fantasy story to be recognized by viewers, and it is only years or decades later that a fantasy film takes its rightful place as a cult classic. Other times, movies that should have been great were handled badly, and subpar films were released that didn’t reach their full potential.
Some of thebiggest box office flops of all timewere in the fantasy genre, as this was a style that can feel overly campy and needlessly self-important if not presented well. It’s a fine line to walk, and while thebest fantasy movies everhave pulled this off well, other movies' appeal was only realized much later after viewers' nostalgia had time to take hold. Whether due to production issues, lack of viewer engagement at the time, or deviating from the source material,all these fantasy flops deserved better.
Red Sonja
Cast
Red Sonja is a 1985 fantasy adventure starring Brigitte Nielsen as a warrior seeking revenge against the evil Queen Gedren. With help from Lord Kalidor, Sonja battles mystical forces to recover a powerful relic. The film is based on a character from the Conan universe.
After two successfulConan the Barbarianmovies, bodybuilding superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger had solidified his role as a major fantasy icon and by 1985 had already broken into the action movie space withThe Terminator. This made it seem like a thirdConanmovie would be a certainty, but instead, the world got the female-centric swords-and-sorcery movieRed Sonja. Like theConanmovies,Red Sonjawas set in the fictional prehistoric era of the Hyborian Age, although this time, things did not come together quite so well.
Red Sonjacast Brigitte Nielsen in the title role and brought back Schwarzenegger as a new character, Lord Kalidor, leading to confusion about whether this was aConanmovie or something entirely different. By leaning intoRed Sonja’sconnection with theConanuniverse, as it was based on a spin-off comic, the film set up audience expectations that could never be reached. By having Schwarzenegger return but not reprise his most famous role,Red Sonjawas a letdown on all fronts and bombed at the box office.
The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron is an animated fantasy film from Walt Disney Studios, directed by Ted Berman and Richard Rich. Released in 1985, it follows the young hero Taran and his quest to prevent the evil Horned King from obtaining a powerful magical relic known as the Black Cauldron. Featuring the voices of Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, and John Hurt, the film combines elements of adventure, mystery, and dark fantasy.
The ambitious fantasyThe Black Cauldronwas supposed to put Disney back on the map, but audiences weren’t prepared for such a dark story then. As a movie sandwiched betweenThe Fox and the HoundandThe Great Mouse Detective,The Black Cauldronwas a critical and commercial disappointment that acted as a low point in the studio’s post-Walt era. While the tale of a young boy traveling far from home to vanquish an ultimate evil was meant to be gripping, its box office taking was anything but as it didn’t even take in half its budget.
The story behindThe Black Cauldronwas one of pure catastrophe (viaCollider), as the movie fell four years behind schedule and suffered from a litany of production issues. However, despite all the drama behind the scenes,The Black Cauldronwas still a compelling adventure that never got its due at the time of its release. WhileThe Black Cauldronmay have been a notorious flop, it’s very much worth revisiting, and viewers who catch up with it for the first time on Disney+ may be pleasantly surprised to find a hidden animated classic.
The Thief and the Cobblerwas one of the most notorious box office flops in Hollywood history, whose29-year productionmade its failure all the more tragic. This epic tale wasenvisaged by Canadian animator Richard Williams as his masterpiece. It was supposed to signal the dawning of a new milestone in animation. Yet, the production was so haphazard that Williams was pushed out of his own project and has never even watched the released version of the film (viaGuardian.)
Williams developed his script and the characters forThe Thief and the Cobblerthroughout the 1970s and, during the 1980s, after gaining acclaim for his work onWho Framed Roger Rabbit, finally got it financed. The movie fell behind schedule and went over budget, leading to an unfinished and poorly received cuts of the film being released in 1993 and 1995.The Thief and the Cobblercould have been great, but studio interference, time constraints, and messing with an artist’s vision led to a total disaster.
What Dreams May Come
What Dreams May Come is a visually rich drama directed by Vincent Ward. It stars Robin Williams as Chris Nielsen, who navigates the afterlife to reunite with his wife, played by Annabella Sciorra. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the metaphysical journey of the soul, blending elements of fantasy and spirituality in a unique portrayal of the hereafter.
The striking beauty and incredible visuals ofWhat Dreams May Comenever got their due, and it remains one of Robin Williams’s most underrated movies. Telling the story of a man who has died and arrived in an afterlife created by his own imagination, Williams starred Dr. Chris Nielsen, the kind-hearted man trying to do anything in his power to connect with his deceased wife in this next existence. With deep philosophical themes and a probingly poignant narrative,What Dreams May Comewill tug at the heartstrings of anyone who sees it.
Sadly, many did not seeWhat Dreams May Come, and the film received mixed reviews, with critics praising the visuals but slating its plot.What Dreams May Comewas based on a novel by Richard Matheson, and the ways in which it deviated from its source material did the movie a disservice. Despite all its issues,What Dreams May Comeremained a spellbinding visual spectacleand a remarkable showcase of the power of cinema that deserved a much bigger audience.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film tells the story of George Bailey, a small-town business and family man who, after a series of personal and business losses, attempts to jump off a bridge on Christmas Eve. Bailey is stopped before he can jump by Clarence, an angel who wishes to show him how much impact he has had on those around him in order to keep him from killing himself. Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, with a further cast that includes Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, and Henry Travers.
The holiday classicIt’s a Wonderful Lifehas grown to become the quintessential Christmas movie in the decades since its release, but this was not always the case. When it was first released,It’s a Wonderful Lifereceived mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office, making just $3.3 million (viaYahoo.) While James Stewart was rightfully praised for his characterization of George Bailey and his struggles to know the true impact of his life, there was a perception it did not stand up against earlier Frank Capra movies likeIt Happened One Night.
How It’s a Wonderful Life Went From Box Office Dud to Christmas Classic
It’s a Wonderful Life was a box office dud that bankrupted its studio, but decades after its original release it became an iconic Christmas film.
The reputation ofIt’s a Wonderful Lifeas a timeless classic came later as a copyright error in 1974, which meant the movie entered the public domain. This accidental slipup meant that hundreds of local television stations would airIt’s a Wonderful Lifeevery holiday season, and the film slipped into the public consciousness as a festive favorite and an annual viewing tradition. WhileIt’s a Wonderful Lifedeserved better upon release, its beloved status today has more than made up for it.
Highlander
Connor MacLeod, born in 16th century Scotland, is one of a few immortals who can only be killed by beheading. Now, in 1985, the immortals who have survived their centuries-long secret war meet in New Yor for the “Gathering” to fight for the mysterious “Prize.” It’s up to MacLeod to ensure that the Prize does not fall into the hands of his enemy, Kurgan.
The fantasy adventureHighlanderreceived mixed reviews and failed to recoup its budget when it was released in 1986. Despite an engaging mythology about immortal swordsmen beheading one another and embroiled in an eternal war, the general perception ofHighlanderwhen it was released was that it was ripped better movies likeBlade RunnerandThe Terminator. While the fight scenes were laughable, and the special effects left a lot to be desired,Highlanderstill had some innate charm that meant it mostly worked.
WhileHighlanderdid not get its due when it was released, over time, it grew into a sprawling franchise with complete sequels, books, and even an animated series. The movie quote “There can be only one,” which referenced the ancient beliefs of the immoral Highlanders, has even carried forward into popular culture. As a cheesy and bombastic fantasy,Highlanderhas been reappraised by criticsin the decades since then. Today, it is remembered as a fun fantasy and a firm favorite among swords-and-sorcery enthusiasts.
Jupiter Ascending
From visionary directors the Wachowskis, Jupiter Ascending follows Mila Kunis' Jupiter Jones, a cleaning woman from Chicago who discovers that she is actually the heir to a vast intergalactic noble house. With the help of genetically modified soldier Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), Jupiter must fight to protect Earth from the greedy clutches of Balem Abrasax (Eddie Redmayne) who is intent on taking over the planet for his own means.
The Wachowskis gave filmgoers a fantastical space opera story withJupiter Ascending, but the issue was that audiences did not want it.This big-budget sci-fi spectacle starred Channing Tatum and Mila Kunisin a universe-spanning epic about an interplanetary warrior and a human whose destiny extended far beyond Earth. With a bloated budget and big expectations for the Wachowskis to make up for their previous flop,Cloud Atlas, sadly, history repeated itself.
Jupiter Ascendingwas a commercial letdown that barely recouped its budget, yet looking back on the film today, it’s a heartfelt mix of fairy tale ideals with stunning visuals. There’s whimsical romance and thematic depth withinJupiter Ascendingfor those willing to give it a chance. It’s easy to dismissJupiter Ascendingas a goofy misfire by the directing duo ofThe Matrix, and even though some performances, such as Eddie Redmayne’s, were particularly egregious,Jupiter Ascendingdeserved better than to be widely slated and immediately forgotten.
Labyrinth
Directed by Jim Henson and written by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, Labyrinth stars Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a teenage girl whose accidental wish that her baby brother be taken by the Goblin King results in an epic quest to save the baby from the King through a vast labyrinth, accompanied by its inhabitants. David Bowie also stars as Jareth, the Goblin King, and many of the characters are played by puppets created by Henson.
While the combination of glam rock icon David Bowie and Jim Henson’s The Muppets sounds like a surefire recipe for success, it seems 1980s American audiences did not agree.Labyrinthwas a fantasy musical that starred Bowie as Jareth, the king of the goblins, and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a teenager on a mission to find her baby brother.Labyrinthgrossed an abysmal $12.9 million during its US theatrical run but luckily made up its budget in the UK and overseas. Even a soundtrack featuring original songs from Bowie couldn’t keep this strange coming-of-age story from flopping at the box office.
As the last movie directed by Henson before he passed away in 1990,Labyrinthdid not get the credit it deserved at the timebut has since been reevaluated. While Bowie’s performance was widely derided, it’s since become a symbol of outrageous 1980s aesthetics and a classic of over-the-top campy performances.Labyrinthhas since become a true cult classic that may even return, asplans for aLabyrinthsequelhave been festering for some time.
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian follows the journey of a Cimmerian warrior, Conan, who initially seeks revenge but finds himself battling monstrous foes and impossible odds. As Conan progresses, he becomes the pivotal figure who must thwart the supernatural evil threatening Hyboria’s survival. Released in 2011, this fantasy epic stars Jason Momoa.
The originalConan the Barbarianwith Arnold Schwarzenegger was a defining fantasy movie of the 1980s and a role that viewers had long hoped to see him one day reprise. However, in 2011, Schwarzenegger was still serving his role as the 38th governor of California, and theConanfranchise was instead rebooted with Jason Momoa in the title role. This could have been a great way to invent the series, but it failed to add anything new and swapped three-dimensional characterization for excessive violence.
The reboot ofConan the Barbarianflopped at the box office, and although Momoa may have seemed like a good option on paper, in practice, this series deserved Schwarzenegger. Now that Schwarzenegger has returned to acting and reprised many of his most famous roles, such asThe Terminator, the door has opened for a true revival of the original, long-dormant swords-and-sorcery series. Schwarzenegger himself has expressed interest in returning to the role with a potentialConan the Destroyersequel titledConan the King(viaTelegraph.)
The Iron Giant
Set in 1957 Maine against the backdrop of the Cold War, The Iron Giant follows Hogarth Hughes, a young boy who finds an alien robot crashlanded in the woods outside his hometown. Determining that the robot is friendly, Hogarth quickly becomes its protector against forces in the US Army who wish to use the robot for their own means. Eli Marienthal voices Hogarth, with a further cast that includes Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Christopher McDonald.
While director Brad Bird later found incredible success with Pixar movies likeThe IncrediblesandRatatouille, prior to this, he made the fantasy box office flopThe Iron Giantfor Warner Bros. This insightful story about a young boy who befriends a giant alien robot was a heartfelt lesson in the power of friendship and the importance of peace in a world full of so much conflict. WhileThe Iron Giantdeserved to become an instant classic, it flopped at the box office andderailed Bird’s career until he finally returned withThe Incrediblesfive years later.
The Iron Giantprimarily suffered from a lack of marketing, and it seemed the studio behind it did not have enough faith in its success to promote it as a major children’s release. Without any songs or goofy sidekicks,The Iron Giantaddressed adult themes and did not underestimate its young audience’s intelligence. While this was the exact reason thisfantasyclassic has endured so well in the decades since its release, it was also the reason it did not get as big of a push from marketing executives back in the 1990s.
Sources: All Box Office figures are worldwide earninigs fromThe Numbersunless otherwise stated,Collider,Guardian,Yahoo,Telegraph
