# Which movie LOST the most money? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 24, 2001, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609 "2001-07-24T10:30:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Karellen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/779978/32.png) [@Karellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karellen)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/1 "2001-07-24T10:30:49Z")
There are countless websites and publications that track which movies grossed the most cash–in fact the industry seems obsessed with it, really–but I can’t find any authoritative (or even half-assed) list of which movies were the biggest losers for their respective studios. I know that “Heaven’s Gate” brought down the studio that made it, and that “One From The Heart” destroyed Coppola’s film company, but I can’t find hard numbers on just what the difference was between production costs and domestic box-office (I realize that many films make up lost ground overseas and on video, but since domestic cume seems to be the standard of the winners, I propose we use it as a standard for the losers too.) So does anyone know of an updated list, or care to propose one based on known numbers? I know last year’s “Titan A.E.” bankrupted Fox’s animation studios, and that current tanker “Final Fantasy” cost $125 million and is looking like it’ll barely bring in $40 million. Also, I heard that Sony’s “First Knight” from a few years back and “Cutthroat Island” both lost almost $100 million each. Is anyone out there a maven of info on this? I would have thought that by now someone would have published a list, since failure always makes good news. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![FarmerOak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@FarmerOak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerOak)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/2 "2001-07-24T10:47:41Z")
From **The People’s Almanac presents The Book of Lists: The 90’s Edition** , by David Wallechinsky and Amy Wallace > [@](#): > > \*\* > 10 Biggest Money-Losing Films (1980-1991)\*\* > > ``` > TITLE/ year / Estimated Loss(in millions of $) > > ``` > > 1. _Hudson Hawk_ (1991) 52.0 > > 2. _The Adventures of Baron Munchausen_ (1989) 48.1 > > 3. _Ishtar_ (1987) 47.3 > > 4. _Havana_ (1990) 45.0 > > 5. _Inchon_ (1982) 44.1 > > 6. _Billy Bathgate_ (1991) 43.0 > > 7. _Cotton Club_ (1984) 38.1 > > 8. _Santa Claus_ (1985) 37.0 > > 9. _For the Boys_ (1991) 36.0 > > 10. _Heaven’s Gate_ (1981) 34.5 I’d be interested in cites for the examples you provided. ---
**Author:** ![Karellen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/779978/32.png) [@Karellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karellen)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/3 "2001-07-24T11:03:21Z")
Thanks for that list. Wish we could find an updated one for 1991-2001. Working on cites for previous claims now… ---
**Author:** ![FarmerOak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@FarmerOak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerOak)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/4 "2001-07-24T11:06:24Z")
Well, we can always pray that Wallechinsky and Wallace come out with another BoL! I love their stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/5 "2001-07-24T11:17:10Z")
This page claims the biggest loser ever was the recent Warren Beatty movie _Town & Country_: [http://movies.yahoo.com/news/eo/20010604/099169295304.html](http://movies.yahoo.com/news/eo/20010604/099169295304.html) According to the IMDb, the movie cost $90 million and grossed only $6.712 million in the US: [http://us.imdb.com/Business?0141907](http://us.imdb.com/Business?0141907) ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/6 "2001-07-24T11:48:18Z")
Adjusting for inflation, Michael Cimino’s **Heaven’s Gate** gives it a run for its money. According to the IMDB, it cost $44 million and only made $1.5. Adjusting 1980 dollars (using a percentage from [Mrshowbiz.com](http://Mrshowbiz.com)) to current dollars, that’s a cost of $65,465,000 with a return of only $2,231,761. This means it only made 3.4% of its money back, while _Town and Country_ made 7.46%. So _T&C_ may have lost more money, but _Heaven’s Gate_’s performance was twice as bad. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/7 "2001-07-24T13:46:24Z")
Ooooh, How much money did “It’s Pat!” make? ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/8 "2001-07-24T15:12:30Z")
My 1996 edition of the Guiness Book credits the 1993 film _Last Action Hero_ as the biggest loser, coming up short by about $80 million. Percentagewise, though, it did quite well compared to some of the other films listed so far. **Hecubus** , the Internet Movie Database includes box office returns for many movies. According to their figures, _It’s Pat_ grossed only $60,822. Incidentally, I wouldn’t count out _Final Fantasy_ just yet. While it may not do so well in the US, it will probably recoup its budget in Japan. –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/9 "2001-07-24T15:16:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Manservant Hecubus \* > \*\*Ooooh, How much money did “It’s Pat!” make? \*\* According to IMDB, It’s Pat grossed (in the US) $60,822. That’s not a typo. There was no overseas release because every civilized nation in the world threatened us with nuclear bombardment if we unleashed this stinker on them. 😃 Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Fish42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@Fish42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish42)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/10 "2001-07-24T15:58:29Z")
For absolute numbers, “Cutthroat Island” and “Town and Country” are currently duking it out for the top spot, with losses of approx. $85 million each (exact figures, of course, depend on which estimates of the films’ costs you use). However, if you adjust for inflation, “Cleopatra” from 1962 would edge them out, as its $18 million loss is equivalent to more than $90 million in today’s dollars. Of course, its possible that an even older film has a larger inflation-adjusted loss. (What would the losses on, for example, D.W. Griffith’s “Intolerance” from 1916 be equal to?) ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/11 "2001-07-24T16:11:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FarmerOak \* > \*\*From _The People’s Almanac presents The Book of Lists: The 90’s Edition_, by David Wallechinsky and Amy Wallace > > > [@](#): > > > > 10 Biggest Money-Losing Films (1980-1991 > > > > ``` > > TITLE/ year / Estimated Loss(in millions of $) > > > > ``` > > > > 1. _Hudson Hawk_ (1991) 52.0 > > > > 2. _The Adventures of Baron Munchausen_ (1989) 48.1 > > \*\* Waaahhh! Those are two of my favorite movies!! ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/12 "2001-07-24T16:21:53Z")
This reminds me of the quote from the company director of ‘Raise The Titanic’, Sir Lew Grade,I think, who said of the cost of the film, “It would have been cheaper to lower the Atlantic” ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/13 "2001-07-24T16:29:12Z")
> [@](#): > > _Fish42 says:_ However, if you adjust for inflation, “Cleopatra” from 1962 would edge them out, as its $18 million loss is equivalent to more than $90 million in > today’s dollars. Actually, MrShowBiz has an [all-time box-office list](http://mrshowbiz.go.com/movies/boxoffice/adjusted.html) and **Cleopatra** is listed in 36th place, with a $57,777,778 gross listed. In addition, if you compare the adjusted gross they use, based partially on rereleases ($293,591,731) with the adjusted production cost of $44M (as listed by the IMDB) of 1963 dollars ($253,748,558, calculated [here](http://www.cjr.org/resources/inflater.asp)), we find that the film actually is _ **ahead** _ by $40M dollars. Hmmm… As for **Intolerance** , I don’t believe _Variety_ started tracking box office figures until the late 20s, so this will be much harder to nail down (or even guesstimate). ---
**Author:** ![Fish42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@Fish42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish42)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/14 "2001-07-24T17:55:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ArchiveGuy \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > _Fish42 says:_ However, if you adjust for inflation, “Cleopatra” from 1962 would edge them out, as its $18 million loss is equivalent to more than $90 million in > > today’s dollars. > > Actually, MrShowBiz has an [all-time box-office list](http://mrshowbiz.go.com/movies/boxoffice/adjusted.html) and **Cleopatra** is listed in 36th place, with a $57,777,778 gross listed. In addition, if you compare the adjusted gross they use, based partially on rereleases ($293,591,731) with the adjusted production cost of $44M (as listed by the IMDB) of 1963 dollars ($253,748,558, calculated [here](http://www.cjr.org/resources/inflater.asp)), we find that the film actually is _ **ahead** _ by $40M dollars. Hmmm… > > \*\* Well, for what it’s worth, both the “Book of Lists 3” and the IMDB list “Cleopatra” as having a production cost of $44 million and film rentals of $26 million, for a loss of $18 million. Maybe they’re ignoring re-releases. Double Hmmmm… PS–Thanks for the link to the converter. ---
**Author:** ![Karellen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/779978/32.png) [@Karellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karellen)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/15 "2001-07-25T07:13:00Z")
I know I’m late posting these, but… Here’s a couple of articles about the closing of Fox Animation which indirectly blame its failure on “Titan AE”’s flopping: > **[Breaking Celebrity News, Entertainment News and Celeb Gossip - E! Online](https://www.eonline.com/news)** > > Get the latest news on celebrity scandals, engagements, and divorces! Check out our breaking stories on Hollywood's hottest stars! > **[Movie Reviews, Trailers, Interviews, Wikis & Posters for Movies - IGN](https://www.ign.com/movies)** > > IGN is the leading site for movies with expert reviews, trailers, interviews, news, wikis, cast pictures, release dates and movie posters This article makes reference to the “biggest flop” controversy, while mentioning “Cutthroat Island,” “Ishtar,” and others. Apparently “Town and Country” is the new contender, as folks have pointed out. Gotta wonder what cost so much in a movie with no special effects or exploding sets? > **[Breaking Celebrity News, Entertainment News and Celeb Gossip - E! Online](https://www.eonline.com/news)** > > Get the latest news on celebrity scandals, engagements, and divorces! Check out our breaking stories on Hollywood's hottest stars! These reviews of “The Long Kiss Goodnight” and “Cliffhanger” say that “Cutthroat Island” lost more than any other film in 1995. [http://www.cavalierdaily.com/.Archives/1996/October/18/aekiss.asp](http://www.cavalierdaily.com/.Archives/1996/October/18/aekiss.asp) [http://cinemaniacs.virtualave.net/filmreviews/cliffhan.htm](http://cinemaniacs.virtualave.net/filmreviews/cliffhan.htm) This round-up of last week’s gross suggests that “Final Fantasy” will lose about $80 million. True, it’ll make up much overseas, but sticking to our standard I’d say that’s a pretty big flop. ---
**Author:** ![Karellen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/779978/32.png) [@Karellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karellen)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/16 "2001-07-25T07:30:56Z")
Well, I was wrong about “First Knight” in the OP as well–according to IMDb, it was made for $75M and grossed $37M, over half. In percentage terms Sony had a bigger flop that year with “North,” which was made for $40M and pulled in $7M. ---
**Author:** ![sewalk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@sewalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sewalk)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/17 "2001-07-25T07:52:03Z")
Battlefield Earth looks like it may be one of the all-time stinkers. IMDb shows a budget of $73 million with a gross of less than $22 million, counting the US and UK. That’s a net loss of $51 million and a return of only 30%. ---
**Author:** ![urban1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d07c76/32.png) [@urban1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/18 "2001-07-25T14:06:26Z")
Waterworld HAS to be in here somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![buddy1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@buddy1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddy1)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/19 "2001-07-25T14:16:09Z")
Can anybody explain why: (1) in spite of the huge losses of these (mentioned) turkeys, Hwood continues to churn out disasters (2) how ANY movie can COST $50 million dollars! I mean, they own the sets, the actors, the costume, and yet the costs are so astronomical. I think Hollywood likes to be creative with their numbers-seems like most other industrys would be out of business, if these (reported ) losses are real! ---
**Author:** ![mongrel\_8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@mongrel\_8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mongrel_8)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609/20 "2001-07-25T14:23:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by urban1 \* > \*\*Waterworld HAS to be in here somewhere. \*\* I actually read recently that Waterworld just about made all the money back with foreign realease and rentals accounted for. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-lost-the-most-money/73609.md?page=2)