1

The Adventures Of Pluto Nash

Image: Antoine J.

Why anyone thought that a movie about a nightclub owner on the Moon with a ridiculous name was worth investing millions of dollars into remains a mystery. This science-fiction comedy , starring Eddie Murphy in the title role , proved that A-list talent alone is not enough to save a movie.

The film lost a staggering $156 million upon release, partly due to the disastrous critical reaction and the bad word of mouth from the few who actually saw it.

2

Titan A.E.

Image: Conrad Crawford

Science fiction is a tricky genre. Good sci-fi movies cost a pretty penny to produce, and if the story is compelling, they can become huge blockbusters. However, if the public does not like them, the commercial flop can be massive.

Titan A.E. tells the story of a young hero sent to save the human race after an alien species destroys Earth , blending traditional 2D animation with 3D CGI. The cast included Matt Damon, Nathan Lane, and Drew Barrymore. However, this star power was not enough to lead the movie to box office success, as it earned only $36.8 million worldwide and resulted in a $170 million loss for Fox Animation Studios.

3

The Lone Ranger

Image: Taylor Brandon

As is often the case, the problem isn’t so much the story as the budget. A decent movie can achieve a respectable box office performance as long as it was made for a reasonable price. However, when the budget is in the $225–250 million range, the film is forced to become a massive box office success just to recoup the money invested in it.

Based on the character of the same name, The Lone Ranger starred Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp in a Wild West adventure that had all the ingredients of a successful summer blockbuster. Unfortunately, its massive budget made it almost impossible to meet expectations.

4

John Carter

Image: Rod Long

The third (but not the last) science fiction movie on this list, John Carter tells the story of an American Confederate Civil War captain who accidentally transports himself to Mars and becomes entangled in the planet's internal power struggles.

With a production budget of $263 million, John Carter was one of the most expensive movies ever made, with its marketing costs adding nearly another $100 million. Despite eventually earning $284 million at the box office, the film suffered a historic $255 million loss, cementing its reputation as the biggest box office bomb of all time.

5

Mars Needs Moms

Image: Nicolas Lobos

Computer-animated movies are notoriously expensive to make , which is why any studio attempting to create a blockbuster using this technique must be absolutely confident in both the quality of the script and the effectiveness of the marketing campaign.

Mars Needs Moms suffered an estimated loss of $180–190 million, due to a combination of its high production costs, a subpar story, and an underwhelming marketing campaign.

6

Battleship

Image: John Kostyk

Despite being based on the popular board game and having an action-packed premise, Battleship didn’t achieve the commercial success its creators had hoped for. A combination of poor writing, weak direction, and an even worse plot created the disastrous mix that led the producers of the film to lose nearly $200 million.

The movie was expected to capitalize on the public's interest in big-robot CGI blockbusters, spurred by the success of the Transformers franchise. However, the poorly executed final product failed to achieve box office success.

7

Cutthroat Island

Image: Cezary Kukowka

Before Pirates of the Caribbean brought the pirate genre into the spotlight, 1995’s Cutthroat Island failed big time in these same waters due to a poorly written script . The film was marketed as a swashbuckling adventure but didn’t capture the vibrant, action-packed essence of pirate tales or create the same excitement as other blockbusters of the era.

Directed by Renny Harlin and starring Geena Davis, Cutthroat Island lost over $200 million and was universally panned by critics and audiences alike.

8

Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny

Image: Colton Jones

An Indiana Jones movie would have been a sure thing 30 years ago, but in 2023, it was more of a gamble—even with Harrison Ford on board. Following the lukewarm reception of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull , the new adventure aimed to conclude the franchise on a high note.

The reception to Dial of Destiny was somewhat mixed, though more positive than its predecessor. However, Indiana Jones 5 became the lowest-grossing installment in the series , earning under $384 million at the box office. Due to its large budget, the film ultimately resulted in a loss of $143 million.

9

The Flash

Image: King Lip

And finally, one day, the public seemed to reach a breaking point with superhero movies. One of the most notorious failures in the genre was DC's long-awaited standalone film, The Flash . Not only was the movie intended to be this character’s first solo outing, but it also promised exciting cameos from other DCEU cast members, including Batman and Wonder Woman.

Despite its potential on paper, the movie faced an extended and tumultuous development process, with multiple directors coming and going . This all led to The Flash failing to surpass $272 million at the worldwide box office, resulting in a staggering $150 million loss.

10

The Marvels

Image: Craig McLachlan

The final item on the list further proves the point that the public has grown tired of subpar superhero movies: The Marvels . Serving as a sequel to both Captain Marvel and the Ms. Marvel television series , The Marvels marked the 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While the film grossed over $200 million worldwide, this box office revenue would have been considered a success under different circumstances. However, with a reported budget exceeding $250 million and substantial marketing costs for such a high-profile movie, The Marvels ultimately suffered a $237 million loss.

1

The Big Apple, New York City

Image: Jermaine Ee

New York may be famous for bagels, pizza, and hot dogs , but its nickname has nothing to do with fruit. The term "Big Apple" started popping up in horse racing circles in the 1920s, when jockeys and trainers used it as shorthand for the city’s top racetracks. A sportswriter named John Fitz Gerald picked it up and popularized it in his columns. Decades later, the city even used it in tourism ads, and the rest is history!

2

The Windy City, Chicago

Image: Dulcey Lima

Chicago’s nickname might sound like a weather forecast, but the truth is more colorful. Newspapers in the late 1800s used "Windy City" to poke fun at local politicians , suggesting they were full of hot air. Sure, Lake Michigan’s winds played a part, but it was really the dig at the city’s bragging that made the phrase hit home!

3

The City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia

Image: Catherine Kerr

This one is actually quite simple, actually. Philadelphia’s name comes from the Greek words for love, phileo, and brother, adelphos . The city’s founder, William Penn, wanted it to be a place of religious freedom and fair treatment, even making agreements with Native Americans over land. In short, the nickname reflects the city’s values. Beautiful, isn't it?

4

Sin City, Las Vegas

Image: David Vives

We don’t really need to explain why Las Vegas is called Sin City: casinos, nightlife, and more than a little temptation . You know how the saying goes, what happens in Vegas… But the roots go deeper. In the early 1900s, Block 16 downtown had a reputation linked to illegal businesses, and the label stuck. Nevada later legalized gambling in 1931, and that sealed Las Vegas’ image as the country’s playground of vice.

5

The Big Easy, New Orleans

Image: Harold Wainwright

New Orleans picked up the nickname "The Big Easy" in the 1970s as a playful contrast to New York’s "Big Apple." The first to use it was a columnist, and later a novel and film with the same title helped spread it. The name suits the city well because its music, food, and culture have an effortless, laid-back feel that still defines New Orleans today.

6

Beantown, Boston

Image: Lance Anderson

Boston baked beans are behind this nickname , but you probably already figured that out. Now, let’s look at the deeper layer here: during the colonial era, molasses poured into the city as part of the triangular trade, and it flavored both rum and beans. Traders nicknamed Boston "Beantown" back then, though today it is mostly tourists who still use the term.

7

The Emerald City, Seattle

Image: Luca Micheli

Seattle’s leafy scenery gave it the name Emerald City. Surrounded by water, rain, and forests, the city is filled with parks like Discovery Park and the Arboretum, which keep it vibrant throughout the year. The nickname highlights Seattle’s natural beauty, providing a refreshing contrast to its reputation for gray skies.

8

The Mile High City, Denver

Image: Owen Lystrup

Denver sits at an exact elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level, which is why it’s called the Mile High City. Fun fact about this: at Coors Field, the local baseball stadium, a row of purple seats marks the one-mile line . Visitors often notice the altitude the first time they climb a hill or sip a beer, so the nickname is more than just clever branding. Do you like this city?

9

The Magic City, Miami

Image: Pontus Wellgraf

Miami earned the nickname Magic City not for magicians (that would’ve been a fun story, right?), but for how quickly it grew . In the late 1800s, Julia Tuttle, a local landowner, helped bring the railroad and development to the area. In no time, Miami transformed from farmland into a bustling hub. We could say it was magic, don’t you think?

10

The City of Angels, Los Angeles

Image: Henning Witzel

Some nicknames have more intriguing stories, but that’s not the case for LA. Los Angeles’ nickname is about as straightforward as they come. "Los Angeles" translates directly from Spanish as "The Angels." In short, this elegant nickname mirrors the city’s name itself, one that’s full of angels, apparently!

1

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Image: Dante Muñoz

Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man had been one of the most successful hits of the 2000s . That’s why, when Spider-Man 3 (2007) began production in 2005, it was given the highest budget of any movie in history at the time: around $258 million.

If you’ve seen this movie, you might have guessed that the biggest portion of the budget went into special effects for its three different villains. The New Goblin, Venom, and Sandman were three separate challenges for the visual effects team, particularly Sandman , played by Thomas Haden Church. Groundbreaking technology had to be developed to animate explosive sand fists and parting bodies of sand, making the character’s action scenes cost millions of dollars each.

2

Titanic (1997)

Image: Derek Oyen

To begin with, building the full-scale ship model and massive water tank for Titanic (1997) cost over $150 million. Director James Cameron was very particular about authenticity, so the ship’s interior design was meticulously designed to match that of the original Titanic. At the time, it was also the most expensive movie ever made. But one might argue it was all worth it.

The CGI, stunts, and practical effects used for replicating the sinking sequence were especially costly. Bear in mind that Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were already known young talents by the time they were cast for this movie, so they took a small share of the fortune—around $5 million between them. Famously, though, James Cameron forfeited his paycheck to keep the movie under budget, much like Jack climbing down from the door to keep Rose afloat. It worked out in the end because he earned $97 million from backend profits.

3

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Image: André Volkmann

Balancing the stories of all of these superheroes was just as challenging as paying all the corresponding actors. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) had an estimated budget of almost $400 million. Who could forget the battle scenes filled with as many timeless superheroes as A-list actors? Reportedly, Robert Downey Jr. alone took home around $75 million after backend deals.

This two-hour-and-a-half movie had over 2,500 visual effects shots, which included the destruction of a planet and a ship, as well as an epic battle in the fictional Wakanda . Not to mention the advanced motion-capture technology required for Josh Brolin’s portrayal of Thanos, the villain of the film.

4

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Image: Igor Bumba

When Avengers: Infinity War was released, it became the highest-grossing superhero film in history, amassing over $2 billion at the box office. But that title lasted it around a year, until its sister sequel Avengers: Endgame (2019) surpassed it. The sequel cost roughly the same as the previous installment but came just shy of earning $3 billion .

Just like the previous ones, this Avengers installment had a star-studded cast that included Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth. A feast of 3 hours worth of cameos, the movie ended with a climactic final battle scene, where almost every hero from the Marvel Cinematic Universe assembled. Making this movie involved hundreds of extras, an enormous amount of CGI, masterful choreography, and an unprecedented skill for star scheduling .

5

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

Image: cottonbro studio

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End had a budget of around $300 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever at the time of its 2007 release. Whoever watched this film will remember a waterfall at the edge of the world or a massive final battle between two ships over a maelstrom. Those takes relied heavily on CGI, but not entirely. As with previous productions in the franchise, filming required large-scale water sets and multiple ships to be built. The cost of both practical and visual effects for these scenes was astronomical.

Admittedly, a significant portion of the budget went to the ensemble cast, particularly Johnny Depp, who received a notable pay bump following the massive success of the first two films. Keith Richards , the Rolling Stones guitarist, was also famously featured, adding to the film’s star power.

6

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Image: Deepak Rastogi

Surprise! The Avengers movie with the most colossal budget was the least liked of the four. It sometimes puzzles fans to learn that it cost $365 million in 2015, which, adjusted for inflation, would be over $430 million today.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) had to use massive amounts of CGI to create cinematic takes on the levitating fictional city of Sokovia. Destruction, flying characters, drones, and explosions contributed significantly to the costs. More importantly, filming on location and flying so many celebrities around the globe added to the expense. This movie showed scenes filmed all over the world, including the U.S., South Africa, Italy, South Korea, and England.

7

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Image: LJ

Lightsaber battles have never been cheap. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) had a reported production budget of around $275 million. It was the third Star Wars movie produced by Disney, and while the budget had decreased compared to the previous installments, it was still a financial success.

The final battle sequence on the Sith planet Exegol required a fortune, but it needed to: as it served as the climax of Disney’s trilogy. Special effects even included the scenes of characters like General Leia, played by the late Carrie Fisher . The film faced the unique challenge of incorporating footage of Fisher filmed for previous Star Wars movies after her passing in 2016.

8

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

Image: Pixabay

Even though the 4th installment of the Pirates franchise had relatively low reviews, it became the second film in the saga to surpass a billion dollars in box office revenue. Released in 2011, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides had a staggering budget of $379 million.

Mermaids, zombies, splitting ships, boats on fire, and a Fountain of Youth all required the coordination of several visual effects teams. The salaries of new stars like Penélope Cruz , along with filming locations across Hawaii, the UK, California, and Puerto Rico, added to the costs. Also, this was the first movie in the franchise to be shot for 3D screenings .

9

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Image: Nick Wehrli

A movie that revolves around dinosaurs fleeing from a volcanic eruption , Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), received an estimated budget of around $432 million. How are dinosaurs created? Much like the earlier films of the saga, this one used a mix of CGI and animatronics , especially for the more up-close, intimate scenes involving Velociraptors and an Indoraptor.

For the dinosaur auction scene, a whole large-scale set was built. Filming also took place in Hawaii, England, and Spain. The stars of the Jurassic World trilogy, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, reportedly earned around $10 million each.

10

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Image: Rod Long

When Disney acquired the rights to produce movies from Lucasfilm , it proceeded to give the first installment of their Star Wars reboot the biggest budget it had ever given. That was over $447 million in 2015.

With J.J. Abrams directing a Star Wars movie after so long, he could indulge in creating a full-size Millennium Falcon , animatronic creatures, and remote-controlled puppetry. The Starkiller Base destruction sequence was one of the most expensive scenes. Not to mention that the legendary face of Star Wars , Mark Hamill, had a very short cameo at the end of this movie; that one-minute feature alone earned him $3 million .