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2018 proved to be a significant year for the film industry with record-breaking hits like Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther, and Incredibles 2, garnering immense attention. However, it also witnessed unexpected commercial failures, highlighting the unpredictable nature of American box office preferences. Even esteemed directors such as Shane Black, Robert Zemeckis, and Ron Howard found themselves associated with these disappointments.
As of November 30, 2023, this article reflects on the impact of the 2018 box office bombs, drawing parallels to the underwhelming performances seen in 2023 with films like The Flash, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and The Marvels. Examining past failures can provide insights into the current state of the industry, echoing the sentiment from a 2023 film, The Holdovers, that “history is not simply the study of the past but an explanation of the present.”
Let’s revisit some of the major box office failures of 2018, listed chronologically, delving into the reasons behind their disappointments and assessing any enduring effects on the film industry five years later.
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10 Biggest Box Office Bombs of 2018
A Wrinkle in Time (March 9)
“A Wrinkle in Time” is a sci-fi film centered around a high school girl, her younger brother, and a friend who embark on a space and time-travel adventure to rescue her father from evil forces on another planet. Despite having notable actors like Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey, the film fell short of expectations, earning $133.2 million globally against a hefty $250 million production and advertising budget.
The movie’s failure can be attributed to its attempt to be emotionally resonant, with director Ava DuVernay taking bold creative risks. However, these risks did not pay off, leading to critical dismissal. The backlash from some male critics prompted actress Brie Larson to speak out against the dominance of white male voices in film criticism. Unfortunately, this sparked a hate campaign against Larson and her film “Captain Marvel,” which persists to this day.
Tomb Raider (March 16)
Tomb Raider depicts the story of Lara Croft, a determined daughter on a quest to uncover the mysteries surrounding her father’s disappearance. Unfortunately, the film struggled to make a mark in the US, facing a financial setback. Produced with a budget of $94 million, Tomb Raider only managed to generate $58 million in the US and Canada.
Several factors contributed to its lackluster performance. One potential reason could be the audience’s strong association of Angelina Jolie with the role of Lara Croft, given her previous portrayal that established her as a formidable action star. Recasting such an iconic character might have led to comparisons that were challenging for the new rendition to overcome. Moreover, rebooting a franchise is inherently challenging due to the inevitable scrutiny and comparisons with previous iterations.
The film’s release timing also played a role in its underwhelming reception. Coming out just a month after the highly successful Black Panther, Tomb Raider faced stiff competition and may have struggled to capture audience attention amidst the buzz surrounding the Marvel blockbuster. These factors collectively contributed to Tomb Raider being perceived as a disappointment, particularly in the US market.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (May 25)
The box office expectations for Solo: A Star Wars Story were incredibly high, given its focus on the iconic character Han Solo and his adventurous journey with Chewbacca. Despite grossing $400 million, the film was considered a flop or misfire. Various factors contributed to its underperformance, such as the change in directors and a late marketing campaign. The movie faced tough competition, releasing shortly after Avengers: Infinity War and just five months after The Last Jedi, possibly causing audience fatigue. The failure prompted Lucasfilm to reevaluate its Star Wars approach, but despite fan enthusiasm for a sequel, the #MakeSolo2Happen campaign had little impact. Director Ron Howard confirmed the project wasn’t a priority for the studio.
Gotti (June 15)
Gotti appears to have been produced primarily due to the involvement of John Travolta, a major star. However, even his presence couldn’t salvage a lackluster plot, marked by unintentional and sometimes misplaced humor. The film narrates the remarkable journey of a New Yorker from the streets to the head of the Gambino crime family, showcasing his rise in the criminal hierarchy. Despite attempts to glamorize it, the movie faced financial failure, earning only $6.1 million globally against a $10 million budget.
The film’s failure can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the well-worn narrative of John Gotti’s life had been extensively explored before, leaving little room for the 2018 remake to offer anything fresh or compelling. Additionally, Gotti received widespread criticism, earning a dismal 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, solidifying its status as one of the worst movies of the year.
The Predator (September 14)
The Predator was anticipated to be a major success, especially with director Shane Black, known for Iron Man 3 and The Nice Guys, at the helm to revitalize the franchise. While it did gross $160 million globally, close to the original’s earnings adjusted for inflation, the film’s $208 million budget and various production issues labeled it a flop.
The movie suffered from a chaotic development process, including numerous ideas and studio interventions. With multiple alternate endings and a reworked third act, the final product was tonally confusing and costly. Additionally, a last-minute cut involved the removal of a scene featuring Shane Black’s friend and registered sex offender Steven Wilder Striegel, causing discomfort for star Olivia Munn, who rightly requested the scene’s removal.
Despite its shortcomings, The Predator’s disappointing box office performance prompted 20th Century Fox to greenlight Prey, a spin-off pitched during The Predator’s filming. Prey found success with both critics and audiences, leading to the development of Prey 2.
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Life Itself (September 21)
The film “Life Itself” attempted to create a sense of importance through dramatic shots of people screaming and slow-motion sequences, suggesting a deeper narrative. However, the movie, in reality, turned out to be much simpler. It revolves around college sweethearts, Will and Abby, preparing for their first child, but their lives take unexpected turns. Despite a budget of $10 million, the film only managed to earn around $7 million worldwide, marking it as a misfire and a flop.
The critical response was harsh, with a mere 14% on the Tomatometer. Both reviewers and audiences had higher expectations, especially considering the writer’s previous work on “Crazy Stupid Love.” Unfortunately, “Life Itself” delivered a messy plot with unresolved storylines, attempting too hard to incorporate life’s mysterious aspects. While life is not always idyllic, the film’s simplistic portrayal of a series of unfortunate events did not resonate with viewers. In the end, “Life Itself” presented a version of life that failed to capture the audience’s interest on the big screen.
The Girl in the Spider’s Web (November 9)
Sony Pictures attempted to revive The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo franchise by adapting a previously unexplored story, The Girl in the Spider’s Web. Despite the critical acclaim of David Fincher’s earlier film, the studio was dissatisfied with its box office performance and opted for a cost-effective reboot. Unfortunately, despite having a skilled director in Fede Alvarez and a talented lead in Claire Foy, The Girl in the Spider’s Web failed at the box office, earning only $35 million worldwide against a $43 million budget. The decision to go with a reboot instead of a sequel, the absence of the original film’s star power, and tough competition from holiday releases like The Grinch and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald all contributed to the film’s lackluster performance. Sony’s assumption that the franchise’s name alone would guarantee success proved to be a miscalculation.
Robin Hood (November 21)
The action-adventure film “Robin Hood” narrates the tale of young aristocrat Robin of Loxley’s struggle against the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham, who unjustly seized his family estate and exploited the city’s resources. Despite its $100 million budget, the movie only managed to generate $30 million in the US and a worldwide total of $86.5 million.
The film’s failure can be attributed to its lack of innovation in retelling the classic Robin Hood story. In the realm of cinema, reusing established narratives places a greater responsibility on creators to bring fresh ideas and storylines. Unfortunately, this adaptation fell short, failing to meet the expectations of a modern audience and instead leaving viewers with a sense of déjà vu. Hollywood’s persistent attempts to revive the Robin Hood property have proven unsuccessful, making this remake another disappointing entry in the series.
Mortal Engines (December 14)
At one point, having Peter Jackson attached to a project almost guaranteed success, especially within the realm of Middle Earth. However, his track record beyond that world has been inconsistent, exemplified by the disappointment of “Mortal Engines.” The film, set in a post-apocalyptic world where cities on wheels vie for resources, suffered from poor direction, cramming politics, action, and magic into a poorly executed two-hour runtime. Despite being based on Philip Reeve’s popular book, the movie only managed to gross approximately $83.7 million worldwide, falling short of its $100–150 million production budget.
The film’s failure can be attributed to both critical panning and tough competition during its holiday season release, facing off against blockbusters like “Aquaman,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and “Bumblebee.” With a meager 28% Rotten Tomatoes score, indicating audience dissatisfaction, Mortal Engines found itself on the list of the 131 biggest box office bombs, claiming the 83rd spot.
Welcome to Marwen (December 21)
“Welcome to Marwen” faced a challenging combination of positive and negative factors. While it was based on a compelling true story, boasted a strong cast, and had the renowned director Robert Zemeckis at the helm, the film received harsh reviews upon its release. Inspired by Jeff Malmberg’s documentary “Marwencol,” the movie depicted the protagonist’s recovery from a brutal attack through the creation of soldier dolls. However, with a box office revenue of $13.1 million against a budget of $39 million, it struggled financially.
The film’s failure can be attributed to its peculiar execution, possibly mirroring the main character’s brain concussion, which proved to be an incorrect approach. The odd combination of a serious narrative with the whimsy of talking dolls left the audience struggling to connect with the movie’s tone. Criticisms compared it unfavorably to “Forrest Gump,” labeling it a failed attempt at a complex drama. For Universal Pictures, December proved to be a challenging month with “Welcome to Marwen” adding to the disappointment following the earlier setback with “Mortal Engines.”
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