Comedy, as a film genre, has always brought joy and laughter into our lives. However, the performance of these movies at the box office is another story. Sometimes, even the most entertaining and uniquely crafted comedies fail to make a splash, leading to an undeserved status of a “flop.”
Whether it’s a movie that caters to a niche audience, a bold and surreal satire, or a high-budget production expected to become the next blockbuster, comedy films have faced harsh responses from the worldwide box office. That said, the measure of a comedy’s success is far from solely financial; a good comedy’s life extends beyond the box office metrics and into the homes and hearts of viewers worldwide.
In this article, we take a trip down memory lane and uncover ten comedy gems that didn’t do as well as they should have at the box office but deserve a spotlight for their genuine humor, originality, and lasting entertainment value.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
With a hefty production cost of $150 million, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves managed to rake in only $208 million in box office sales. Although it didn’t recoup its budget, it’s noteworthy as the first cinematic live-action rendition of the celebrated tabletop role-playing game that truly did justice to the source material.
Featuring the talents of Chris Pine, Hugh Grant, and Michelle Rodriguez, the central ensemble of Honor Among Thieves faithfully encapsulates the core character classes found in D&D. The hilariously unpredictable narrative and exchanges, shaped by spur-of-the-moment plans, genuinely emulate the dynamics of actual homebrew D&D gaming sessions.
Whether for die-hard Dungeon Masters or the general movie-going audience, this film is an entertaining and rewarding fusion of fantasy and heist comedy.
Bros (2022)
Despite only garnering $14.8 million globally, failing to recoup its $22 million budget, Bros still received a warm critical reception. Even though it resulted in a financial loss for Universal, the movie indisputably stands as one of the top romantic comedies of the past decade, particularly for its significant impact on LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream cinema.
Billy Eichner, typically recognized for his exaggerated comedic style, delivers a standout performance as Bobby Lieber, who is down-to-earth, witty, and empathetic. These attributes are mirrored in the film’s humor and storyline, which kicks off with Lieber receiving the Best White Cis Gay Man award at a ceremony honoring his work on his podcast/radio show.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a live-action reimagining of the comic book series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, combining action and romantic comedy. However, the film only made $49.3 million, falling short of its estimated $60 to $85 million budget.
The high cost of special effects contributed to the hefty budget, and the limited fan base of the original comic book series likely contributed to the lackluster ticket sales. Nowadays, it is celebrated for its innovative, humorous, and emotionally resonant blending of rom-com and video game elements.
Its star-studded cast includes Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Anna Kendrick. Also, it features Brie Larson and Chris Evans before their rise to fame in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Hamlet 2 (2008)
Hamlet 2, a comedy driven by a stellar ensemble cast, has Steve Coogan in the lead role as Dana, a washed-up actor who ends up teaching drama at a high school. The film, which had a production budget of $9 million, only managed to amass a meager $4.9 million globally.
Yet, its comedic merit comes from its satire of Dangerous Minds, Dana’s outlandishly funny script for a sequel to Hamlet, and a narrative akin to School of Rock, where the underdog thrives. The satirical nature of Hamlet 2 works wonders across all these elements. The cast includes an early career, Skylar Austin, Amy Poehler, Catherine Keener, and Elisabeth Shue, who amusingly plays herself.
Despite Coogan’s popularity in the UK not translating into box office success in the U.S., Hamlet 2 is a commendable watch.
Hot Rod (2007)
The first full feature helmed by The Lonely Island trio, Hot Rod, cost $25 million to produce but made just $14.4 million. Negative critical consensus condemned Hot Rod as a daredevil story parody that never takes itself seriously, more akin to an extended Saturday Night Live sketch than an actual movie.
Ironically, these are also what make Hot Rod a great comedy. Against a surreal setting seemingly stuck in the ’80s, the antics of Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, and Danny McBride feel right at home. Hot Rod remains a shining example of what can happen if studios relinquish full creative control to comedians.
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006)
While Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny had a reasonable $20 million budget, it lost money at a gross of $13.9 million at the box office. Nonetheless, the low-budget animation and visual effects paired perfectly with Jack Black and Kyle Gass’ fantastical, over-the-top, live-action Tenacious D origin story.
Combined with cameos by musicians like Dave Grohl, Meat Loaf, and Ronnie James Dio himself, the myth of the Pick of Destiny presents a ridiculously memorable urban legend in the history of rock. While critics panned the movie for basically being a prolonged Tenacious D music video, that’s exactly what makes it a legendary low-brow musical comedy.
Idiocracy (2006)
Mike Judge’s Idiocracy is a shining example of a film that was a flop upon release but has since gained a cult following. It made just $495,303 against a modest budget of $2.4 million but has since become renowned for its scathing critique of American society and darkly comedic future predictions.
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
An irreverent parody of the hormone-driven teen films of the ’80s, Wet Hot American Summer from 2001 raked in a mere $295,206 worldwide against a budget of $1.8 million. Because of its diverse reviews, Wet Hot American Summer excels in its art of being ludicrous.
While the content may not appeal to all, its genius emerges under the guidance of cast members such as Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Molly Shannon, Paul Rudd, Ken Marino, Amy Poehler, H. Jon Benjamin, Elizabeth Banks, and Judah Friedlander.
The movie’s cult status gave rise to the 2015 prequel, First Day of Camp, and the 2017 sequel, Ten Years Later. Many of the Wet Hot American Summer ensembles enjoyed successful careers.
Mystery Men (1999)
Riding the wave of the enormous success of There’s Something About Mary in 1998, Ben Stiller took the lead role in the box office disappointment Mystery Men in 1999. Despite a hefty budget of $68 million and a star-studded cast including Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Eddie Izzard, Hank Azaria, Greg Kinnear, and William H. Macy, Mystery Men fell short of blockbuster status, raking in a mere $33.5 million globally.
Gaining a cult following, Mystery Men is the first large-scale, studio-supported live-action film to spoof the superhero narrative. Every main character impeccably mocks a superhero stereotype, supplemented by compelling backstories and motives, elevating Mystery Men beyond just an exceptional comedy.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Describing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as a movie that suits everyone’s taste would undoubtedly be far from the truth, leading to its lukewarm box office returns of only $13.7 million against an $18 million budget. However, this film holds what could be the finest comedic performances in the careers of both Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro.
These actors brilliantly portray Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, characters modeled after Hunter S. Thompson – the founding father of gonzo journalism – and his associate, lawyer, and activist Oscar Zeta Acosta. Based on Thompson’s book bearing the same title, the film humorously recounts Thompson and Acosta’s wild journey of experimenting with journalism while embarking on a mind-bending psychedelic adventure through Vegas.
The box office figures can be misleading, and a film’s worth is often realized much later, well beyond its time in theaters. These ten comedies may not have hit the jackpot at the box office, but they certainly won the hearts of their viewers, leaving a lasting impression on the world of cinema with their humor and originality.
