Not every movie can be a box office triumph. Some films come with massive budgets, star-studded casts, and enormous hype, only to crash dramatically once they hit theaters. This year proved to be a rough year for several high-profile movies, and that was a huge hit to the entertainment industry. Some of these films had intriguing concepts or fan-favorite characters, but they still failed to capture enough interest to break even. Others suffered from poor reviews, bad marketing, or overambitious storytelling. Whatever the reasons were, these flops left studios scrambling to recover and audiences wondering what went wrong. Let's break down some of the year’s biggest movie misfires.

1. Joker: Folie à Deux

As a sequel to the 2019 hit Joker, expectations were sky-high for Joker: Folie à Deux. Joaquin Phoenix returned as Arthur Fleck, joined by Lady Gaga as the infamous Harley Quinn. The twist? This time, it was a musical. Fans were intrigued by the unique take but weren’t prepared for how offbeat the execution would be.

Set primarily in Arkham Asylum, the movie followed its psychologically heavy predecessor but threw in elaborate song-and-dance numbers that felt out of sync with the grim tone of its universe. Audiences left theaters confused by the tonal shifts, while critics panned its pacing and lack of emotional depth. The movie earned over $200 million globally but was far from its estimated $450 million break-even point, making it the clear frontrunner for the year’s biggest flop.

2. Madame Web

Marvel movies usually rake in cash, but Madame Web became a rare failure in the comic book movie genre. The film served as an origin story for Cassie Web (played by Dakota Johnson), who discovers her supernatural abilities and tries to protect several women destined to become Spider-Women.

Despite an intriguing premise and a talented cast that included Sydney Sweeney and Emma Roberts, Madame Web fell apart under the weight of weak storytelling and clunky editing. Reviews called it a messy and uninspired addition to Sony's Spider-Man universe. Although the film grossed around $100 million, it barely broke even and cemented itself as a disappointment for superhero fans and the studio alike.

3. The Crow

Remaking the cult classic The Crow was always going to be tricky. The original holds near-sacred status for its unique tone and Brandon Lee's unforgettable performance. The 2024 version starred Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven, a man resurrected to avenge the murder of his soulmate.

The remake suffered from long-standing fan skepticism, lackluster action sequences, and an uninspired reimagining of the story. Many felt the original’s emotional intensity was swapped out in favor of cheap thrills. Despite a production budget of $50 million, the film struggled to gross even $24 million worldwide, making it a glaring example of why some classics should be left untouched.

4. Megalopolis

Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis was one of the year's most ambitious projects. The legendary director spent years planning this sci-fi epic, which starred Adam Driver as an architect trying to rebuild society in a futuristic city. On paper, it sounded like a triumph of storytelling and visuals.

Once it hit theaters, audiences found themselves baffled by incoherent storytelling that prioritized visuals over character development. Critics argued the film tried to say too much without giving viewers a clear message. It grossed a dismal $13 million against a $136 million budget, turning one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films into one of its most spectacular failures.

5. Argylle

Directed by Matthew Vaughn, Argylle featured Bryce Dallas Howard as a best-selling author caught in a real-life spy conspiracy mirroring the events of her books. Despite a high-octane trailer, an A-list cast, and connections to the Kingsman world, the film left audiences underwhelmed.

A budget of $200 million set a high bar for success, but the movie only managed to earn $96 million globally. Reviews criticized its inconsistent tone, starting with fun spy action but devolving into sloppy storytelling. Vaughn’s blend of humor and action missed the mark this time, and the result was one of the year’s most frustrating misses.

6. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Guy Ritchie’s wartime action movie pulled inspiration from real-life events, following an elite group tasked with taking down Nazi bombers. Despite a compelling premise and a charismatic cast led by Henry Cavill, the film’s execution fell flat.

Critics slammed the movie for leaning too heavily on action sequences while neglecting meaningful character moments. Audiences, meanwhile, weren’t drawn in by its over-the-top treatment of historical events. On a budget of $60 million, it only grossed $27 million, proving that even a stylish director like Ritchie isn’t immune to missteps.

7. Fly Me to the Moon

Set during NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, this romantic comedy starred Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum as unlikely partners staging a fake moon landing. The quirky concept had potential but never took off with viewers.

Opening weekend brought in a mere $4 million against a $12 million projection, and word of mouth failed to lift the movie beyond its initial stumble. Although some praised Johansson and Tatum’s chemistry, most found the movie too uneven to recommend. Its lack of appeal to either romance enthusiasts or space enthusiasts sealed its fate as a flop.

8. The Fall Guy

Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt headlined this action-comedy about a retired stuntman roped into a major conspiracy. Reviews praised its throwback vibe and solid performances, but audiences didn’t show up in big enough numbers to make it a hit.

With a budget that reportedly required earnings of up to $300 million to break even, The Fall Guy fell far short at $180 million, making it a significant financial loss. Many blamed a crowded release window and lack of standout marketing for its underwhelming performance.

9. Furiosa

Hype surrounding this Mad Max prequel was understandably high. Anya Taylor-Joy played the younger version of Charlize Theron’s fan-favorite character, and George Miller returned as director. Reviews even praised Taylor-Joy’s performance and the film’s stunning visuals.

Although its artistic merits earned acclaim, it lacked the cultural buzz needed to draw audiences. Fans of Mad Max seemed less keen on exploring a prequel, leaving the movie to gross $168 million, far below expectations. Each Mad Max movie holds a unique place in cinematic history, and this outing felt like an unnecessary addition for many.

10. Borderlands

Saying this adaptation landed with almost no impact doesn't justify how bad it did. Cate Blanchett led the cast as an outlaw teaming up with a group of misfits to rescue a kidnapped girl. Despite the talent involved, critics called the movie a clunky and forgettable adaptation.

Even gaming enthusiasts were left cold, and the film’s worldwide gross couldn’t cover its $120 million budget. It did inspire some renewed interest in the game, so I guess it has that going for it?