A successful film can make a lot of money. For example, this year’s “Beauty and the Beast” grossed over half a billion dollars in the United States on a $160 million budget. Unfortunately for investors, a movie’s success is never guaranteed, and a film can lose millions just as easily as it can make them.
A film can fail at the box office due to poor distribution and marketing. It can also fail due to poor audience reception – either because it was poorly executed or because it is of interest to relatively few moviegoers. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 156 films that were wide released in 2017 to identify the 50 movies that grossed the least amount of money at the domestic box office.
Click here to see America’s biggest box office losers of 2017.
Many of these box office flops lost significant amounts of money. For example, historical drama “The Promise” grossed less than a tenth of its $90 million production budget in the US. Similarly, animated film “Rock Dog” failed to gain back even one-sixth of its $60 million budget at the domestic box office.
Yet some of this year’s lowest grossing films still managed to turn a profit. Christian drama “All Saints” grossed $5.8 million in the United States against its $2 million budget. Horror film “The Belko Experiment” also did well, bringing in over $10 million, while costing only $5 million to make.
Some of the films that performed relatively poorly are loved by those who saw them. Money-losing “The Promise” currently has a 92% audience score on movie review site Rotten Tomatoes. On the other end of the spectrum is box office failure “The Snowman,” which scores a mere 21% by the same metric.
To identify the 50 biggest box office losers of the year, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the domestic gross for 156 films that were wide released in 2017. Movies are considered wide releases if they are played in at least 600 theaters nationwide. Each film’s 2017 domestic gross came from online box office database Box Office Mojo. Production budgets came from film industry research service The Numbers. The percentage of the audience that enjoyed the movie is based on online review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score.
Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
50. Battle of the Sexes
> 2017 domestic gross: $12,596,390
> U.S. opening weekend: $518,332
> No. of theaters played in: 1,822
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 76%
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Source: Courtesy of Open Road Films
49. Before I Fall
> 2017 domestic gross: $12,241,122
> U.S. opening weekend: $4,690,214
> No. of theaters played in: 2,346
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 57%
Source: Courtesy of A24
48. Lady Bird
> 2017 domestic gross: $12,040,463
> U.S. opening weekend: $364,437
> No. of theaters played in: 1,194
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 86%
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
47. Unforgettable (2017)
> 2017 domestic gross: $11,368,012
> U.S. opening weekend: $4,785,431
> No. of theaters played in: 2,417
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 34%
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Source: Courtesy of Focus Features
46. The Beguiled (2017)
> 2017 domestic gross: $10,576,669
> U.S. opening weekend: $229,292
> No. of theaters played in: 941
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 48%
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
45. Live By Night
> 2017 domestic gross: $10,378,555
> U.S. opening weekend: $33,336
> No. of theaters played in: 2,822
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 42%
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Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
44. The Belko Experiment
> 2017 domestic gross: $10,166,820
> U.S. opening weekend: $4,137,230
> No. of theaters played in: 1,341
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 40%
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
43. Thank You for Your Service (2017)
> 2017 domestic gross: $9,479,390
> U.S. opening weekend: $3,817,700
> No. of theaters played in: 2,083
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 78%
Source: Courtesy of Summit Premiere
42. Rock Dog
> 2017 domestic gross: $9,420,546
> U.S. opening weekend: $3,704,749
> No. of theaters played in: 2,077
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 45%
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Source: Courtesy of Open Road Films
41. Marshall
> 2017 domestic gross: $8,896,025
> U.S. opening weekend: $3,000,805
> No. of theaters played in: 821
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 88%
Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
40. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
> 2017 domestic gross: $8,785,707
> U.S. opening weekend: $322,168
> No. of theaters played in: 1,430
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 88%
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Source: Courtesy of Amazon Studios
39. The Lost City of Z
> 2017 domestic gross: $8,580,410
> U.S. opening weekend: $110,175
> No. of theaters played in: 866
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 57%
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
38. The Promise (2017)
> 2017 domestic gross: $8,224,288
> U.S. opening weekend: $4,095,718
> No. of theaters played in: 2,251
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 92%
Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
37. A Cure for Wellness
> 2017 domestic gross: $8,106,986
> U.S. opening weekend: $4,356,941
> No. of theaters played in: 2,704
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 41%
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36. The Space Between Us
> 2017 domestic gross: $7,885,294
> U.S. opening weekend: $3,775,596
> No. of theaters played in: 2,812
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 55%
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
35. Roman J. Israel, Esq.
> 2017 domestic gross: $7,292,661
> U.S. opening weekend: $61,999
> No. of theaters played in: 1,669
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 67%
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Source: Courtesy of TWC-Dimension
34. Gold
> 2017 domestic gross: $7,227,038
> U.S. opening weekend: $3,471,316
> No. of theaters played in: 2,166
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 45%
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Source: Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
33. Beatriz At Dinner
> 2017 domestic gross: $7,115,854
> U.S. opening weekend: $141,959
> No. of theaters played in: 683
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 56%
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
32. Silence (2016)
> 2017 domestic gross: $7,100,177
> U.S. opening weekend: $130,880
> No. of theaters played in: 1,580
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 68%
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Source: Courtesy of Atlas Distribution Company
31. Let there be Light
> 2017 domestic gross: $7,068,647
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,729,535
> No. of theaters played in: 774
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 77%
Source: Courtesy of BH Tilt
30. Birth of the Dragon
> 2017 domestic gross: $6,901,965
> U.S. opening weekend: $2,702,430
> No. of theaters played in: 1,633
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 73%
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Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
29. The Snowman
> 2017 domestic gross: $6,670,765
> U.S. opening weekend: $3,372,565
> No. of theaters played in: 1,815
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 21%
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Source: Courtesy of Pure Flix Entertainment
28. Same Kind of Different as Me
> 2017 domestic gross: $6,324,944
> U.S. opening weekend: $2,591,985
> No. of theaters played in: 1,362
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 92%
Source: Courtesy of Affirm Films
27. All Saints
> 2017 domestic gross: $5,802,208
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,514,278
> No. of theaters played in: 846
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 78%
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Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
26. Suburbicon
> 2017 domestic gross: $5,775,178
> U.S. opening weekend: $2,840,246
> No. of theaters played in: 2,046
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 25%
25. 20th Century Women
> 2017 domestic gross: $5,664,764
> U.S. opening weekend: $111,200
> No. of theaters played in: 650
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 73%
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Source: Courtesy of Focus Features
24. The Book of Henry
> 2017 domestic gross: $4,288,104
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,424,540
> No. of theaters played in: 650
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 63%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
23. Stronger
> 2017 domestic gross: $4,209,483
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,611,040
> No. of theaters played in: 645
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 87%
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
22. Friend Request
> 2017 domestic gross: $3,759,046
> U.S. opening weekend: $2,002,863
> No. of theaters played in: 2,573
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 30%
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Source: Courtesy of Focus Features
21. A Monster Calls
> 2017 domestic gross: $3,740,823
> U.S. opening weekend: $30,909
> No. of theaters played in: 1,523
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 81%
Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
20. Table 19
> 2017 domestic gross: $3,614,896
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,597,928
> No. of theaters played in: 868
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 40%
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Source: Courtesy of Cinelou Films
19. Phoenix Forgotten
> 2017 domestic gross: $3,600,146
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,816,499
> No. of theaters played in: 1,626
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 42%
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
18. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (40th Anniversary)
> 2017 domestic gross: $3,100,479
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,767,758
> No. of theaters played in: 901
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 92%
Source: Courtesy of Neon
17. Ingrid Goes West
> 2017 domestic gross: $3,024,308
> U.S. opening weekend: $135,301
> No. of theaters played in: 647
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 73%
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16. A Question Of Faith
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,567,923
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,025,489
> No. of theaters played in: 661
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 84%
Source: Courtesy of Disney Theatrical Group
15. Newsies: The Broadway Musical
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,545,060
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,333,538
> No. of theaters played in: 780
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 94%
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Source: Alex Bailey / The Weinstein Company
14. Tulip Fever
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,425,664
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,158,017
> No. of theaters played in: 772
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 46%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment
13. LBJ
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,419,149
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,110,565
> No. of theaters played in: 659
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 60%
Source: Courtesy of Toho
12. Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You!
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,401,722
> U.S. opening weekend: N/A
> No. of theaters played in: 789
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 68%
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Source: Courtesy of Walden Media
11. The Resurrection of Gavin Stone
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,303,792
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,206,771
> No. of theaters played in: 890
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 85%
Source: Courtesy of Open Road Films
10. Collide
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,280,004
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,512,824
> No. of theaters played in: 2,045
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 35%
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Source: Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media
9. The Man Who Invented Christmas
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,173,604
> U.S. opening weekend: $1,353,297
> No. of theaters played in: 674
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 86%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of A24
8. Good Time
> 2017 domestic gross: $2,026,499
> U.S. opening weekend: $125,101
> No. of theaters played in: 721
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 81%
Source: Courtesy of StudioCanal UK
7. Free Fire
> 2017 domestic gross: $1,799,312
> U.S. opening weekend: $994,431
> No. of theaters played in: 1,070
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 54%
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
6. The Comedian
> 2017 domestic gross: $1,659,002
> U.S. opening weekend: $10,723
> No. of theaters played in: 848
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 29%
Source: Courtesy of Annapurna Pictures
5. Professor Marston & the Wonder Women
> 2017 domestic gross: $1,584,759
> U.S. opening weekend: $736,883
> No. of theaters played in: 1,229
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 81%
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4. The Stray
> 2017 domestic gross: $1,573,546
> U.S. opening weekend: $596,547
> No. of theaters played in: 0,640
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 71%
Source: Courtesy of Fathom Events
3. Spirited Away (Fathom Event)
> 2017 domestic gross: $1,196,791
> U.S. opening weekend: $903,896
> No. of theaters played in: 632
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 100%
Source: Courtsey of Fathom Events
2. TCM Presents Casablanca 75th Anniversary
> 2017 domestic gross: $1,024,560
> U.S. opening weekend: $596,068
> No. of theaters played in: 725
> Share of audience that liked the movie: 100%
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1. Kirk Cameron REVIVE US 2
> 2017 domestic gross: $718,607
> U.S. opening weekend: N/A
> No. of theaters played in: 731
> Share of audience that liked the movie: N/A
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