In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood found itself grappling with a myriad of challenges, from shifting audience tastes to the logistical hurdles of theatrical releases. Among the myriad of films that struggled to find their footing during this tumultuous period, a select few stand out for their unique circumstances and intriguing stories. These are the 15 best movies that flopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, each with its own compelling narrative and a myriad of factors contributing to their underwhelming performance.
One such film is West Side Story, Steven Spielberg's ambitious musical adaptation. Released in late 2021, it faced an uphill battle against the dominance of blockbusters like Dune and Spider-Man: No Way Home. The film's target audience, older demographics, were less inclined to risk infection for a movie musical, resulting in a disappointing $76 million gross against a $100 million budget. Personally, I find it fascinating how a film with such high production values and critical acclaim could falter due to the pandemic's impact on audience behavior.
Another notable example is In the Heights, Jon M. Chu's vibrant musical adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway hit. Warner Bros.' controversial decision to release its 2021 slate on HBO Max likely contributed to the film's underperformance. With vaccines becoming accessible, audiences were eager to leave the pandemic behind, but Warner Bros.' strategy discouraged moviegoing. The film made over $45 million worldwide, falling under its budget of $55 million.
Ridley Scott's The Last Duel also faced a challenging release. Scheduled for October 2021, it competed with Universal's Halloween Kills, which outgrossed its $20 million budget. Scott's film, with its $100 million budget, struggled to find an audience, grossing just over $30 million. In my opinion, the film's failure can be attributed to the lack of interest in adult dramas during the pandemic, a trend that affected West Side Story as well.
Nightmare Alley, Guillermo del Toro's neo-noir thriller, also fell victim to the pandemic's impact. Released a week after West Side Story, it faced a surge in COVID cases due to the Omicron variant. The film, with a $60 million budget, grossed just under $40 million, highlighting the challenges of releasing movies during a public health crisis.
Tom Hanks' News of the World attempted a full theatrical release in the winter of 2020, hoping to capitalize on Christmas Day audiences. However, the film made only $12 million, likely due to its marketing towards an older, more vulnerable audience. The pandemic's impact on moviegoing habits was evident, as new releases like Soul and Wonder Woman 1984 hit streaming instead.
Edgar Wright's Last Night in Soho also faced a challenging release. Released in October 2021, it competed with other awards-season contenders and received divided reactions to Wright's evolving style. The film grossed about $23 million against a $43 million budget, highlighting the challenges of releasing a horror feature during a period of uncertain moviegoing expectations.
Spencer, Kristen Stewart's biopic about Princess Diana, had a relatively modest budget but still struggled to find an audience. Released in early November 2021, it competed with other awards-season contenders and made $25 million against a $18 million budget. The film's failure can be attributed to its release timing and the popularity of royal family period pieces in previous years.
Apple TV's The Tragedy of Macbeth, a Shakespeare adaptation, also faced a challenging release. With a limited theatrical release, it grossed just over $500,000. The film's underperformance can be attributed to the streaming giant's prioritization of subscribers over theatrical releases.
The Card Counter, Oscar Isaac's anti-revenge thriller, also struggled to find an audience. Released in September 2021, it grossed $5 million against an unknown budget. The film's low commercial ceiling and release timing likely contributed to its underperformance.
A24's First Cow, a slow-burn indie film, was one of the first to be blindsided by COVID. Released in March 2020, it faced pandemic concerns and a shift towards streaming services. The film grossed $1.3 million against a $2 million budget, highlighting the challenges of releasing movies during a public health crisis.
StudioCanal's Saint Maud, an indie horror film, also faced a challenging release. Released in January 2021, it competed with other awards-season contenders and grossed $1.6 million against a $2.5 million budget. The film's underperformance can be attributed to the pandemic's impact on moviegoing habits and the success of other films like Nomadland.
Neon's Pig, a drama about a man's search for his missing pig, also struggled to find an audience. Released domestically in the spring of 2021, it faced competition from other arthouse films and grossed $2 million. The film's lack of a meaningful theatrical release in the U.S. prevented it from registering with those aware of its director's previous work.
Finally, Wolfwalkers, an animated film from Cartoon Saloon, also faced a challenging release. Released on Apple TV, it grossed $1.3 million. The film's underperformance can be attributed to the competition from other animated films on streaming platforms and the challenges of releasing movies during a pandemic.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the film industry, affecting the release and performance of a wide range of movies. From musical adaptations to indie dramas, each of these films faced unique challenges that contributed to their underwhelming box office results. As the industry continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, it will be fascinating to see how these films are remembered and how they shape the future of cinema.
