Experiencing disappointment as a movie enthusiast is disheartening when a highly anticipated film fails to meet expectations. However, the opposite feeling is immensely gratifying – witnessing a movie predicted to be a terrible surprise to everyone with sheer brilliance on screen. Hence, ultimately becoming a blockbuster success and possibly even spawning new film franchises likeJohn Wick.The excitement of defying negative preconceptions creates a profound sense of satisfaction for both audiences and creators. Here are the 10 movies that were expected to fail, listed.
John Wick (2014)
Back in 2014, Lionsgate had little faith in the success ofJohn Wick, releasing its first trailer just 27 days before the movie’s premiere, expecting it to be another forgettable Keanu Reeves action film. To their astonishment,John Wickhit theaters andquickly became a beloved classic, giving birth to one of the most significant action franchises of the 21st century.
The series has now surpassed over a billion dollars at the box office, with its latest film,John Wick: Chapter 4, being the highest-grossing movie of its franchise. This makes it one of Lionsgate’s top five most successful franchises. Furthermore, exciting spinoffs like the movieBallerinaand the TV seriesThe Continentalare already in development, further expanding the franchise’s popularity.
Barbie (2023)
The long-developing movie based on America’s iconic doll,Barbie, finally found success when Warner Bros., Greta Gerwig, and Margot Robbie joined the project.Barbie’shistory has been a mix of progress and setbacks, from space exploration to perpetuating gender roles and unrealistic body standards. However, director and co-writer Greta Gerwig skillfully embraced the flaws ofBarbie’slegacy,infusing humor and critique.
This film thoughtfully examines its impact on its intended audience and pays homage to classic musicals with an artistic touch. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s committed comedic performances as Barbie and Ken added to the movie’s success. What could have been a disaster turned into a victory, celebratingBarbie’sheritage while acknowledging its complexities.
Iron Man (2008)
During the production ofIron Man, the film faced widespread uncertainty as a Marvel movie. The character lacked household recognition, and the budget seemed exorbitant in comparison to projected box office returns. Moreover, casting Robert Downey Jr., with his troubled past, posed a significant risk in the eyes of the studio. Nonetheless, director Jon Favreau vigorously championed the project and defied all expectations.
Unexpectedly, Iron Manemerged as anoverwhelming success, raking in a remarkable $585 million at the box office. This unforeseen triumph marked the genesis of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has since become the highest-grossing franchise in the history of cinema. The film’s success transformed what was initially a dubious endeavor into an enormous achievement.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Pirates of the Caribbean, originating from a Disney World ride,faced challenges as an adaptationwith scant plot and character inspiration. Nevertheless, although initially doubted by studio executives, Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow struck a chord with audiences, earning universal acclaim.
The pirate genre’s longstanding box office struggles didn’t bode well. However,The Curse of the Black Pearldefied expectations, becoming a superhit that dominated cinemas for nearly two months and grossed over $600 million worldwide. This unprecedented success paved the way for an entire franchise, albeit with some diminishing quality in subsequent installments. Depp’s exceptional performance catapulted him to stardom and forever linked him to the iconic role.
21 Jump Street (2012)
The idea of reviving21 Jump Streetas a movie once appeared implausible, and the official announcement of its development met skepticism across Hollywood. Many believed the movie would be destined to fail. Actor Channing Tatum, mainly viewed as a heartthrob for teenage girls, was not considered a strong fit for comedy, even paired with Jonah Hill.
However, in a remarkable turn of events,21 Jump Streetbecame one of themost adored comediesof the decade and achieved significant box office success. The overwhelming response prompted Sony Pictures to produce a sequel,22 Jump Street, just two years later. Together, both movies earned over $500 million at the box office, proving the doubters wrong.
Related:The Continental Trailer Further Teases the John Wick Prequel Series
The Social Network (2010)
Initially, the idea of a film about the creation of Facebook seemed uninteresting – just a bunch of nerds coding on laptops at Harvard. Mark Zuckerberg as the leading man wasn’t compelling either. Even so, the film’s success can be attributed to Aaron Sorkin’s brilliant writing, exchanging the real-world monotony formasterfully crafted dialogue.
Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Zuckerberg, despite not resembling him, won the audience over. Eisenberg’s neurotic performance and portrayal of a flawed character made him relatable and captivating. With David Fincher directing, the movie transcended expectations and became a modern film classic. The combination of writing, performance, and direction elevated the film beyond what could have been a mundane documentary-like feature.
Taken (2008)
The surprising success of the French action filmTakencaught everyone off guard. Liam Neeson, known primarily for his dramatic roles, was offered an action part at the age of 56. Finding the plot too simplistic, he even suggested the movie should go straight to video. During filming, Liam consideredTakento be a minor detour in his career, not expecting much from it.
Though, to his astonishment, the film became a massive success at the box office, leading to two sequels and a television series. This unexpected triumph also established Neeson as a prominent figure in the action movie genre, a surprising turn for the actor known for his dramatic performances.
Elf (2003)
The success ofElfrested solely on the actor’s ability toportray the titular elfconvincingly. Will Ferrell, mostly known for his work onSaturday Night Live, was not considered a safe choice, especially after the critically-pannedNight at the Roxbury. Originally, Jim Carrey was considered for the role, but Ferrell took the chance and delivered an outstanding performance, proving himself as a comedic powerhouse.
Elf’striumph paved the way for Ferrell’s achievements in the comedy career, including movies likeAnchormanandStepBrothers. Director Jon Favreau’s casting choices, similar to picking Robert Downey Jr. forIron Man, defied expectations, leading to greater successes beyond imagination.Iron Mankickstarted the Marvel Universe, whileElfbecame a beloved classic in the comedy genre.
Related:What Happened to the LEGO Movie Series?
The LEGO Movie (2014)
Initially, the idea ofThe LEGO Movieseemed nonsensical, akin to making a movie about “hammers and nails” – mere tools with no inherent story. Though LEGO had produced cartoon shorts centered on their IPs, it remained unclear how a genericLego Moviewould work. However, the film stunned everyone by crafting an engaging narrative, skillfully incorporating various Lego IP brands whileemphasizing the importance of imagination.
This movie’s stunning CGI animation, inspired by stop-motion LEGO fan films on YouTube, created a unique visual experience. Its humor and all-ages appeal can be attributed to the filmmakers Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, known for their success with theJump Streetfilms. Their ability to create an entertaining comedy suitable for all ages madeTheLEGO Moviea resounding hit.
Jaws (1975)
Hollywood’s initial skepticism about the relatively unknown Spielberg stemmed from his status as a rookie director with a single unsuccessful film to his name. Despite this,Jawsgot the green light, yet the animatronic shark proved a major challenge, malfunctioning frequently and escalating production costs. However,Jawsdefied all odds and became an instant hit, forever altering the cinematic landscape.
Surprisingly, the issues with the faulty shark turned into a blessing, as Spielberg’s cleverly limited its on-screen presence, allowing John Williams’ iconic score to build suspense effectively. This film smashed box office records, leaving an indelible mark on pop culture.Jaw’smonumental success ensured Spielberg’s place among the greatest directors.
