Cinematic blockbusters may not always be great, but they usually bring in the big bucks at the cinema. In this article, we’ll look at 22 films people didn’t think were good but still raked in millions at the box office.
The Twilight Saga
Love it or hate it, the “Twilight” series became a cultural phenomenon, turning its stars into household names. Despite the stilted dialogue and less-than-stellar acting, fans flocked to theaters, proving that sparkling vampires and teenage angst were enough to fill the coffers.
Fifty Shades of Grey
Adapted from the bestselling novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey” left audiences hot and bothered, in more ways than one. Critics panned its questionable chemistry between the leads, but that didn’t stop the steamy film whipping cinema-goers into a frenzy at the box office.
The Emoji Movie
Capitalizing on society’s obsession with emojis, “The Emoji Movie” transformed our favorite digital icons into cinematic stars. A somewhat lackluster plot and uninspired animation aside, emojis took over sense as this movie pulled in a decent profit.
Batman and Robin
Featuring cringe-worthy one-liners and an infamous Batsuit, “Batman & Robin” is often cited as one of the worst superhero movies ever. However, it still managed to turn a profit – thanks to fans of the caped crusader and their insatiable appetite for bat-themed action.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
This fourth installment in the “Indiana Jones” series left fans feeling as if they’d been whipped by Indy’s iconic bullwhip. The film still cashed in on the enduring appeal of Harrison Ford’s swashbuckling archaeologist. Just don’t mention the bizarre plot twists.
Godzilla (1998)
This American take on the iconic Japanese monster left many fans disappointed with its lackluster plot and unconvincing special effects. But as the saying goes, “size matters,” and the spectacle of a giant lizard stomping its way through New York City raked in the cash.
Armageddon
This movie was a star-studded disaster flick with big names like Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. Highly criticized for its scientific inaccuracies and cheesy dialogue, the high-stakes plot and a chart-topping soundtrack somehow made “Armageddon” a box office smash.
Catwoman
Halle Berry’s turn as “Catwoman” was more of a catastrophe than a purr-fect superhero film. Full of cringe-worthy cat puns and a tenuous storyline, curiosity about Berry’s performance helped the film claw its way to profitability.
The Day After Tomorrow
This disaster movie had audiences rolling their eyes at its implausible premise and melodramatic storytelling. But the spectacle of Earth’s climate gone haywire still managed to freeze moviegoers in their seats and rake in a cool profit at cinemas worldwide.
The Happening
Night Shyamalan’s eco-thriller “The Happening” is often ridiculed for its baffling plot and unintentionally hilarious dialogue. Nevertheless, the film’s intriguing premise and Shyamalan’s signature twist ending were enough to draw curious moviegoers in their droves.
Grown Ups 2
Despite being widely panned by critics for its lowbrow humor and lack of a coherent plot, “Grown Ups 2” still managed to make a splash at the box office. Turns out, audiences couldn’t get enough of Adam Sandler and his gang of comedian pals goofing off on screen.
Sex and the City 2
The ladies of “Sex and the City” returned for a second film, trading their beloved New York City for the exotic locale of Abu Dhabi. The sequel was met with harsh criticism for its shallow plot and cultural insensitivity, but fans still flocked to see their favorite fashionable foursome reunited.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
The fourth entry in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise was a far cry from the original’s charm and wit. But the main draw of Johnny Depp reprising his role as the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow proved that a little rum goes a long way.
Green Lantern
Ryan Reynolds’ initial venture into the superhero realm paled in comparison to his eventual triumph as Deadpool. “Green Lantern” had a plot so flimsy you could see holes in it. But the box office numbers don’t lie, and the power of Reynolds’ charm and a thirst for superhero action were enough to turn this critical flop into a financial success.
Wild Wild West
This 1999 steampunk western featured Will Smith and Kevin Kline, but their star power couldn’t save the film from a convoluted plot and underwhelming humor. A failure to impress critics with its feeble narrative didn’t mean viewing numbers disasters for this movie.
The Mummy (2017)
This film’s appeal as an action extravaganza was a surprisingly successful attempt at rebooting the franchise with Tom Cruise as the lead. Against the odds, “The Mummy” rose from the dead and secured a considerable return.
Speed 2: Cruise Control
Replacing Keanu Reeves with Jason Patric, “Speed 2: Cruise Control” sailed far from the success of its predecessor. A buoyant box office performance somehow wasn’t bogged down by a soggy plot and uninspiring action scenes.
Jaws: The Revenge
The fourth installment in the “Jaws” series sank its teeth into theaters with a ludicrous storyline and poor special effects. Nostalgia for the original killer shark was just enough to keep this sequel swimming in profits.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Despite being the origin story of everyone’s favorite clawed mutant, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” left fans feeling underwhelmed. Disjointed storytelling and dubious character decisions aside, the movie was a solid money-maker, largely due to the support of devoted fans.
The Da Vinci Code
Adapted from Dan Brown’s bestselling novel, “The Da Vinci Code” was infamous for its slow pace and controversial subject matter. Yet, the curiosity sparked by the book’s fame guaranteed the film’s success, attracting moviegoers and transforming it into a box office sensation.
The Last Airbender
Night Shyamalan’s live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” was met with universal disappointment. Thanks to the loyal fans of the original series, the film was saved from utter failure.
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