The 10 biggest box office failures in 21st century cinema

The worst box office failures

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

Not all blockbusters turn out to be hits. In this gallery, we look back at the most notable cases where colossal budgets and grand ambitions resulted in dismal financial failures.

'John Carter' (2012)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

This Disney blockbuster, with a colossal budget of $263 million, grossed only $284 million worldwide. Factoring in promotion and distribution costs, losses ware estimated at $200 million.

'The Lone Ranger' (2013)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

With 'The Lone Ranger', Disney once again attempted to revive an icon of the past: despite a budget of $225 million, the film only grossed $260 million at the box office.

'Milo on Mars' (2011)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

A resounding animation failure: this film cost $150 million and grossed only $39 million. Disney literally choked on this Martian. It remains one of the worst investments in cinema history.

'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

With a budget of $180 million and $372 million in worldwide revenue, the film wasn't a complete financial failure... but the cancellation of the sequels, due to lack of success in the United States, sealed its status as a disappointment.

'Pan' (2015)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

Warner Bros. invested $150 million to reinvent the Peter Pan universe. But with only $128 million at the box office, the film was a flop, despite the presence of Hugh Jackman.

'Mulan' (2020)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

The live-action remake cost $200 million to make but was hit hard by the pandemic and the lack of a theatrical release, grossing only $70 million at the box office. A crushing setback for Disney.

'Cats' (2019)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

Another major cinematic failure: 'Cats'. With a budget of $100 million, this musical comedy only grossed $75 million.

'Jupiter Rising' (2015)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

The Wachowskis spent $176 million on this galactic romp. The film ultimately grossed $183 million at the box office, but it didn't cover the marketing costs.

'Mortal Engines' (2018)

The worst box office failures, 'John Carter' (2012), 'The Lone Ranger' (2013), 'Milo on Mars' (2011), 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' (2007), 'Pan' (2015), 'Mulan' (2020), 'Cats' (2019), 'Jupiter Rising' (2015), 'Mortal Engines' (2018)

Peter Jackson produced this dystopia on a budget of $100 million. But he only earned $83 million. Even the marketing machine couldn't keep this malfunctioning locomotive moving.

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