Top 10 Box Office Flops of 2024: Big-Budget Movies That Failed to Impress

A new study has revealed which movies released in the UK this year have seen the most significant profit losses, with Argylle taking the top spot.

The experts have analysed the movie budgets and box office revenue of every movie released in 2024 so far to determine which have been the least successful.

At number one is Argylle, with a profit loss of $103,824,401. Although the production costs amounted to $200,000,000, the movie grossed just $96,175,599 - despite an all-star cast including Henry Cavill, John Cena, and Dua Lipa.

In second place is Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, with a profit loss of $34,665,984. The movie used a budget of $60,000,000 but only generated $25,334,016. The flop is one of two for actor Henry Cavill this year.

Third is Jeanne du Barry, with a profit loss of $8,558,048. Starring Johnny Depp, the movie had a budget of $22,400,000, yet reported earnings of just $13,841,952.

Coming fourth is Origin, with a profit loss of $33,176,143. The biopic, directed by Ava DuVernay, used a budget of $38,000,000 but grossed $4,823,857.

The Book of Clarence is fifth. The all-star production, produced by Jay-Z and starring LaKeith Stanfield, saw a profit loss of $33,794,770. With a budget of $40,000,000, the movie generated just $6,205,230. 

In sixth place is the action-thriller Land of Bad, with a profit loss of $18,060,539. Starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth, the movie had a budget of $25,000,000 but grossed $6,939,461.

At number seven is The American Society of Magical Negroes, with a profit loss of $12,503,752. The comedy movie used a budget of $15,000,000 but generated $2,496,248.

Eighth is Problemista, distributed by the acclaimed company A24, which also created the T.V. series Euphoria. Problemista used a budget of $12,000,000 but grossed $2,503,154, leaving the production with a profit loss of $9,496,846.

In ninth place is the science-fiction thriller I.S.S., with a profit loss of $13,394,921. The movie used a budget of $20,000,000 but generated $6,605,079. Starring Ariana DeBose, the film is another flop for the actress this year, as she was also in Argylle.

Tenth is The End We Start From, with a profit loss of $8,596,802. Starring Jodie Comer and Benedict Cumberbatch, the movie used a budget of $10,000,000 but grossed $1,403,198. This is Benedict Cumberbatch’s second appearance on the list as he also starred in The Book of Clarence. 

A spokesperson from the study commented on the findings: “It’s fascinating to see that so many big-budget productions have not met their expectations this year despite having an all-star cast – perhaps the allure of certain celebs is fading.

“These figures suggest that having notable actors within a movie cannot guarantee its box office success, and that other factors – likely plot, marketing, and relevance – are the main drivers behind a positive reception. It’ll be interesting to see how some of the most highly anticipated films that are yet to come out are received.”