The 5 Hollywood movies that were a real failure and bankrupted their producers

In the world of Hollywoodwhere film productions can generate millions, the risk of failure is ever present. Not only do films require huge investments in equipment, staff and marketing, but if ticket sales or TV views don’t cover these costs, losses can be bankrupting the production companies.

Over the years, some films have failed to recoup their investment and left their studios on the brink of ruin. The film industry is actually a multi-million dollar industry and is not prepared for small producers who, if they do not achieve success as a result of their film release, can be left bankrupt and forgotten.

These are the 5 Hollywood movies that were absolute box office failures

The Lady on the Express (Hammer Studios)

In 1979, Hammer Studios tried to recreate the magic of the classic Alfred Hitchcock with his version of “The Lady on the Express.” With a remarkable cast that included Angela Lansbury and Cybill Shepherd, The film seemed like a sure bet. However, facing the shadow of Hitchcock was too big a challenge. Critics were not kind, and the box office did not respond as expected.

Even though the film cost 2.5 million pounds, Its box office performance was so disappointing that the studio was forced to stop film production. Although Hammer Studios did not immediately disappear, this film marked a low point in its history, which lasted until its return in 2008 with “Beyond the Rave”.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (Cannon Films)

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The fourth installment of the Superman saga is remembered not for its success, but for its failure. After the initial success of the first two films, the quality of the saga began to decline. When it arrived “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” Budget cuts and a weak plot ultimately destroyed the franchise. The studios were unable to continue financing production as expected, which severely affected the final result.

Although the film grossed $36.7 million, doubling its budget 17 million, It was not enough to save Cannon Films, which was already facing financial difficulties. Poor public and critical reception only made matters worse, leading the company to its end.

The Island of Severed Heads (Carolco Pictures)

This film is sadly famous for being one of the biggest flops in the history of cinema. The production was a mess from the start, with a budget that grew to almost 100 million dollars due to problems on set, such as the construction of expensive wooden boats and the loss of its original star, Michael DouglasThe film was harshly criticized, and the careers of those involved were affected.

Carolco Pictures He hoped that this film would save the company from its numerous debts, but the failure was so great that it lost around $147 million. As a result, the company was forced to sell its assets and eventually went bankrupt. declared bankruptcy.

Battlefield Earth (Franchise Pictures)

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This film was a personal project of John Travolta based on the novel by L. Ron HubbardFrom the beginning, the story faced opposition from studios, who did not want to get involved due to the film’s controversial relationship with the Scientology. Finally, production fell into the hands of Franchise Pictures, a small production company that took on the ambitious project.

The recording, which cost $80 million, It was a complete box office disaster, grossing less than $30 million. Franchise Pictures faced a lawsuit for inflating production costs, which further aggravated its financial situation and eventually led to the company’s bankruptcy.

Gods and Generals (Ted Turner Pictures)

This film was an ambitious bet by Ted Turner Pictures, that sought to recreate the American Civil War in all its splendor. The film, directed by Ronald F. Maxwell and based on the novel by Jeffrey Shaarasuffered from its excessive length, with an initial montage of more than five hours that had to be drastically edited.

Despite its historical accuracy and top-notch acting, the film failed to attract audiences. With a budget of $90 million, grossed less than $13 million, which led to the bankruptcy of Ted Turner Pictures, a production company that could not survive such a loss.