19 Box Office Bombs That You Didn't See Then, but Should Watch Now
We wish that quality were all it took for films to succeed at the box office. Sadly, some worthwhile films just never seem to find the audience they deserve. As we mark the 15th anniversary of Steven Soderbergh's little-seen gem "Solaris," here are a few movies worth watching now, even if you ignored them when they first came out.
'Sorcerer' (1977)
Director William Friedkin didn't have an easy time making "Sorcerer," a film based on the same novel that inspired 1953's "The Wages of Fear." And sadly, he wasn't rewarded for his hard work, as the film was basically blown right out of the box office by the arrival of "Star Wars." It's a shame, but at least the film finally seems to be attracting the respect it deserves 40 years after the fact.
'The King of Comedy' (1983)
It's hard to imagine a film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro bombing at the box office, but that's exactly what happened with this oft-ignored 1983 gem. Picture "Raging Bull" if De Niro's character were an aspiring comedian instead and you get the idea. Given the celebrity worship angle, it's arguably more relevant now than it was at the time.
'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' (1988)
"The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" is sadly typical of director Terry Gilliam's post-Monty Python career. The film was plagued with production troubles and opened to rave reviews, but no box office success. It's a shame, because this fantasy adventure is a unique delight that deserves far more love than it has found over the years.
'Batman: Mask of the Phantasm' (1993)
Strange though it may seem nowadays, even Batman movies weren't always guaranteed to be box office hits. And even though many hardcore DC fans consider this to be among the greatest superhero movies ever made, audiences stayed away from this one at the time. Blame it on Bat-fatigue, or maybe just the fact that the film turned out to be too dark and romance-driven to appeal to younger audiences.
'A Simple Plan' (1998)
"A Simple Plan" might have been a bigger hit if it hadn't arrived so soon after the release of 1996's "Fargo." The two films are similar in a lot of ways, from the icy rural setting to the fact that the film stars a couple of opportunistic criminals in way over their heads. But this slow-burn thriller does plenty to stand on its own, and it deserves a bigger audience.
'The 13th Warrior' (1999)
At this point, nearly all of Michael Crichton's major novels have been adapted to film, though none have found nearly the success of the "Jurassic Park" series. "The 13th Warrior" is easily among the best of the rest, despite its poor box office performance in 1999. It tells a gripping action-adventure story set in a beleaguered Scandinavian village, basically offering a less fantasy-driven take on the "Beowulf" epic.
'Bringing Out the Dead' (1999)
Nic Cage's name is hardly synonymous with quality, but once you throw director Martin Scorsese into the mix, suddenly all bets are off. Cage delivered one of his best (and most underappreciated) performances as a troubled ambulance driver haunted by the ghosts of those he failed to save.
'Fight Club' (1999)
Sure, "Fight Club" is a beloved cult classic and endlessly quoted film nowadays, but it sure wasn't at the time. Even Brad Pitt's rock-hard abs didn't seem to lure in moviegoers. Best add this one to your to-watch list if you haven't already.
'Office Space' (1999)
"Office Space" has become something of a cult classic in recent years, with its parody of corporate culture losing none of its punch over the course of two decades. But it was sadly ignored at the time of its release, despite being easily one of the funniest comedies of 1999.
'Solaris' (2002)
Sometimes Steven Soderbergh crafts crowd-pleasing moneymakers like "Ocean's Eleven," and other time he tackles ambitious dramas that are bound to fail at the box office. "Solaris" is very much a case of the latter. Audiences pretty much ignored this tale of a man reconnecting with a copy of his dead wife on a desolate space station, even though its one of Soderbergh's most beautiful and haunting films.
'Treasure Planet' (2002)
"Treasure Planet" came along at a particularly awkward time for Disney, as it was becoming increasingly clear that audiences simply weren't interested in traditional 2D animation anymore. Had this sci-fi-flavored spin on the classic "Treasure Island" tale come out a decade sooner, maybe it would have been a smash hit. Instead, it's been relegated to cult favorite status in the Disney canon.
'Slither' (2006)
Audiences love James Gunn nowadays thanks to the "Guardians of the Galaxy" movies. But where were they when Gunn delivered this hilariously twisted and very disgusting horror movie? "Slither" proves Gunn's playful sense of style works just as well in the horror genre as it does with space fantasy.
'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' (2007)
2007 is easily one of the best years for film ever. Maybe that's why this terrifically stylish and emotionally charged Western didn't fare better at the box office. There was just too much competition. But with co-star Casey Affleck becoming a big force in Hollywood lately, it's time to revisit this one.
'Sunshine' (2007)
Why does it seem like great space movies are never appreciated in their own time? Like "Solaris," "Sunshine" is a gorgeous, emotionally charged sci-fi film that landed in theaters with a dull thud. Even fans criticize the film's sudden tonal shift in the final act, but it's worth a watch just to experience the incredible visuals and score.
'Zodiac' (2007)
Just like "The Assassination of Jesse James," we can only assume the sheer glut of great movies hitting theaters in fall 2007 is the reason why this David Fincher drama didn't fare better at the box office. Nowadays, many consider it to be the best of Fincher's impressive filmography.
'Speed Racer' (2008)
Maybe "Speed Racer" was never destined to rake in "The Matrix" levels of money, but we're surprised it fared as poorly as it did with critics and audiences in 2008. The former group has generally come around on the film in the decade since, but far too few people have given this lavish anime adaptation a look. There's no better showcase for your home theater setup.
'Dredd' (2012)
"Dredd" was always going to face an uphill battle. It hit theaters in the same year as so many bigger, more high-profile comic book movies, and its R-rating made it a tougher sell. But Judge Dredd fans all agree that it's a vastly superior take on the franchise than the 1995 film, and the hope is that one day there will be enough support to justify a sequel.
'The Guest' (2014)
Some movies manage to somehow be well-crafted and dumb at the same time. "The Guest" is one of those. Dan Stevens shines as a man who shows up at a family's home claiming to be a friend of their late son, only for death to follow in his wake.
'Tomorrowland' (2015)
Disney has a very interesting track record when it comes to turning its iconic theme park attractions into feature films. "Tomorrowland" is a flawed take on the source material, but one marked by the sense of wonder and awe that only director Brad Bird can deliver. It's a shame this one didn't find as much success as Bird's animated efforts.
