Box Office Flops of 2021: A Mix of Disappointments and Traumas
The year 2021 saw several films underperform in both critical and financial terms, leaving a trail of disappointment in their wake. From the superhero blockbusters to musical adaptations, let's explore the top box office flops of 2021 and why they fell short.
Black Widow: The Marvel Disappointment
Black Widow, the latest release from Marvel Studios, failed to meet the high standards set by its predecessors. Despite an almost fan-ignited series of openings, the movie was not well-received by either critics or fans. Interestingly, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, another Marvel production, outperformed Black Widow in almost every metric, much to the chagrin of the Marvel franchise. This makes one wonder if a decade to prepare a background story for Black Widow was a misstep in execution.
Suicide Squad: Box Office Flop Among Critics' Favorites
Another notable flop that surprised many was The Suicide Squad. This film, directed by the Guardians of the Galaxy team, garnered praise from critics with an 81 score on Rotten Tomatoes, but failed to impress audiences, earning only $162.4 million worldwide against its $185 million budget. It's a stark contrast to the film's expectations and critical acclaim. Despite its high Rotten Tomatoes score, the film's box office performance was mediocre, making it one of the biggest box office disappointments in 2021.
Elie?? Discourimenti: In The Heights
In The Heights, the musical adaptation based on the Tony Award-winning show, also failed to live up to expectations. The film, starring Anthony Ramos, grossed only $43.9 million against its $55 million budget. Despite receiving critical acclaim with a perfect score from Rotten Tomatoes, the film's financial performance was far from satisfactory. It is a reminder that critical success does not always translate into financial success.
Snake Eyes: A Financial and Critical Disaster
Snake Eyes, the first Hollywood film starring chars from the G.I. Joe cartoon, is another example of a box office flop. The film, released in late 2021, earned only $37 million against its budget of $100 million, and critics rated it poorly with a 37% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film's underwhelming performance reaffirms the importance of a compelling story and a strong narrative foundation.
The Goliath of Flops: Mulan (2020)
Mulan (2020) by Disney holds the unfortunate distinction of being the biggest box office flop of all time. This adaptation, which initially planned to be a live-action remake, saw massive financial losses of $146.36 million globally. This failure overshadows other notable flops like Mars Needs Moms and Jack the Giant Slayer, highlighting how even brands as powerful as Disney can stumble.
The Fast and The Furious: More Than Just a Flop
When discussing box office flops, one can't ignore the Fast and the Furious series. While many people enjoy the high-octane action and stunts, the series has stretched too far with multiple installments. To many like myself, a true flop is more than just a financial loss; it's a waste of time and resources that could have been better utilized. This series has become a testament to the dangers of overproduction without substance.