12 Iconic Films That Underperformed at the Box Office

      Here are 12 classic films that performed poorly at the box office despite being celebrated for their brilliance today.

      We categorize a movie as a bomb if it fails to earn back at least double its production budget in box office revenue. Generally, for a film to be profitable, it needs to make at least twice its budget, considering marketing costs and sharing revenue with theaters.

      As for what constitutes a classic movie—that's completely subjective. However, we've attempted to identify films that have garnered broad consensus.

      **Citizen Kane (1941)**

      RKO – Credit: C/O

      For many years, Citizen Kane was viewed as the greatest film ever made, likely by widespread agreement. Before watching it, you may feel skeptical that it can live up to the hype... and yet, it does. Orson Welles truly earned the freedom that allowed him to create lesser, overly ambitious projects for the remainder of his career. You make Citizen Kane, and you get to do that.

      Of course, you're likely aware of the story. Citizen Kane is a thinly disguised take on the life of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who was quite "not chill" about the idea of a veiled biography/critique. Hearst made significant efforts to undermine Citizen Kane, and to a degree, he was successful. Box office reporting in the early 1940s was even less clear than it is now, but thankfully, Citizen Kane is one of the most studied and discussed films in history.

      From our understanding, the film grossed only $1.5 million on a budget of just over $800,000. We suspect it would have attracted a larger audience had it not been for Hearst's (or those seeking his approval) attempts to suppress it.

      **Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)**

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      For many, Gene Wilder is the iconic Willy Wonka, even with Tim Burton's Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Timothée Chalamet in a prequel.

      For generations who grew up loving Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, it's easy to assume it was always a hit and a must-see. However, this was far from the truth. The film initially earned just $4 million against a $3 million budget, failing to secure a golden ticket.

      It took time for the quirky musical to win over the general public.

      **It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)**

      RKO – Credit: C/O

      You recognize It’s a Wonderful Life as a holiday favorite, airing during Christmas for decades. The film has become cultural wallpaper.

      But would you believe it nearly derailed Frank Capra’s career? It's true. One of the most successful directors ever staked his reputation on It’s a Wonderful Life and ultimately lost.

      Capra had established his production company, Liberty Films, but it only produced two films, partly due to the failure of It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie grossed $3.3 million, only slightly over budget. Capra’s ambition to become a studio magnate faded away. In our opinion, he never made another significant film afterward.

      It's worth noting that there's a common misconception that It’s a Wonderful Life gained popularity because its copyright lapsed, allowing free broadcasts. While it's true that National Telefilm Associates lost the copyright in 1974 due to a clerical error, networks still had to pay royalties to air it since it was based on a pre-existing work. Moreover, copyright has been enforced since a 1990 Supreme Court ruling.

      It also features on our list of Black and White Films That Feel Strikingly Modern.

      **Blade Runner (1982)**

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      Ridley Scott is both prolific and highly regarded, and Blade Runner is now celebrated as one of the all-time great sci-fi films. It received a sequel 37 years later, all thanks to its enduring legacy.

      However, despite starring Harrison Ford during his peak as Han Solo/Indiana Jones, Blade Runner was met with a lukewarm response upon release.

      The theatrical version grossed $41.8 million against a $30 million budget, although it has since earned more from numerous recuts and re-releases.

      **Clue (1985)**

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      Honestly? Even as devoted Clue fans, dating back to its Comedy Central days, we are surprised by how beloved the film has become.

      Clue has emerged as a highly popular comedy from the 1980s, thanks to its constant twists, fascinating structure, multiple endings, and a brilliant cast including Martin Mull, Madeline Kahn, Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, and Colleen Camp. It even features a cameo by Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s.

      It surpassed any expectations of what a board game adaptation could be. Yet in the ‘80s, Clue was received with total indifference. It made $