The 1990s saw a lot ofaction moviescome and go, some of which were better than others. Big stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis dominated the theaters, and they had projects green-lit by name recognition alone. However, just because one high-octane film does well, it doesn’t guarantee that another will resonate as wellwith audiences. Many movies come out with high hopes and prolific marketing, but the pay-off isn’t quite what studios are expecting.
Many different metrics go into measuring a film’s success. If the budget is high, the box office takings need to cover and even exceed it in order not to be considered a failure. The caliber of actors involved also has bearing. A lesser-known ensemble won’t have as many expectations as a tried and tested cast with previous blockbusters. Explosive action films are typically projected to earn more than less popular genres, too. However,some action movies that should ideally be hits don’t turn out that way, and these higher expectations make that even more disappointing.
Fallen
Cast
Fallen (1998) is a supernatural thriller centered on Detective John Hobbes, played by Denzel Washington, who confronts a series of mysterious murders linked to a malevolent, ancient force. As the investigation unfolds, Hobbes realizes the killer possesses the ability to shift from one body to another, leading to a tense and eerie cat-and-mouse chase. Directed by Gregory Hoblit, the film delves into themes of good versus evil and fate.
With a high-profile cast that included Donald Sutherland, John Goodman, and the star, Denzel Washington,Fallenhad all the right ingredients. It was riding the wave of the action-packed detective thrillers, which had been doing exceptionally well at the box office when it came out. Films likeThe Silence of the LambsandSe7enproved that a dark and gritty plot with a good twist could translate to financial success and awards glory. With a lot riding on this project, it seemed destined for success.
According toBox Office Mojo, it only made around $25 million worldwide, and it received a lot of criticism for being too derivative of other, similar films of the time.
But despite its star-studded cast and tried-and-true premise,Fallenfailed to deliver at the box office. According toBox Office Mojo, it only made around $25 million worldwide, and it received a lot of criticism for being too derivative of other, similar films of the time. It proved that too much of a good thing could definitely become stale with audiences. Washington wasn’t too adversely impacted in the long run, as a year later, he starred inThe Bone Collector,which grossed over $151 million worldwide (viaBox Office Mojo).
The Meteor Man
The Meteor Man follows Jefferson Reed, an ordinary teacher who gains superpowers after being struck by a meteor. As he grapples with his new abilities, he is encouraged by his neighborhood to confront the notorious Golden Lords, who threaten their community. Released in 1993, the film blends superhero elements with social commentary.
Prolific ’90s comedianRobert Townsend wrote, directed, and starred in 1993’sThe Meteor Man,an attempt at a superhero film. Given Townsend’s success and respect within the industry, it would stand to reason that Hollywood would back a fresh new idea, but sadly, the concept wasn’t one that audiences wanted. With a slew of bad reviews, disappointing jokes and a hint of self-indulgence,The Meteor Manfailed to soar to the heights it was aimed at.
If The Meteor Man Is Gandalf, It’ll Explain A Big Hobbit Mystery
Gandalf’s partiality to Hobbits was always left unexplained, despite the fact it was ever present in LOTR. Rings of Power possibly revealed why.
With an estimated budget of $20 million,The Meteor Manmade only $8 million worldwide (viaThe Numbers) and holds a low score of 27% onRotten Tomatoes. It’s rare to see a superhero film perform so poorly in this day and age, butthere was a time before the MCU and DCEU that was a breeding ground for projects like this. Disjointed and not self-aware enough, it missed the mark on the comedy as well as the action.
Hudson Hawk
Hudson Hawk is a comedic action film starring Bruce Willis as Eddie Hawkins, a master cat burglar recently released from prison. Upon his release, Hawkins faces blackmail from an eccentric couple, requiring him to steal Leonardo da Vinci’s works to ensure his friend’s safety. Released in 1991.
After the huge success ofDie Hard, Bruce Willis should have been an instant draw. He co-wroteHudson Hawk, a heist caper that focused on stealing some Da Vinci paintings for a big-time crime lord. Willis used his tough charm well, and there have been films with much less substance and weaker plot lines. However,that still didn’t helpHudson Hawktake off at the box office.
The critical response, reflected in the film’s 31%Rotten Tomatoesscore, could have been the biggest deterrent toHudson Hawk’s success. Many saw this as a vanity project and thought Willis didn’t bring enough depth to the character or the story. Despite having Willis, Andie MacDowell and Richard E. Grant in the spotlight, the 1991 movie made $17 million against its budget of $65 (viaBox Office Mojo). That didn’t deter Willis from taking on more starring roles in action films, but this one marked a dip in the actor’s filmography.
Memoirs of an Invisible Man
Memoirs of an Invisible Man, released in 1992, follows a man who becomes invisible after a scientific accident. He must evade a relentless CIA agent while adjusting to the drastic changes in his existence.
Part thriller, part comedy with a dose of quirky action,Memoirs of an Invisible Manwas a vehicle for Chevy Chase to reclaim his leading-man persona. Co-starring Daryl Hannah, this messy film didn’t find its footing, which was felt in the audience reception. Loosely based on the novel by H.F. Saint, the film has a low 28%Rotten Tomatoesscore. The end result ended up costing money, which was disappointing with its high $40 million budget (viaThe Numbers).
Having only made back $14 million worldwide,Memoirs of an Invisible Manwas a bona fide flop.
Despite a focus on innovative visual effects and a hefty marketing budget, the movie didn’t resonate with viewers.Those involved didn’t seem to suffer, with many of the stars going to have long careers in Hollywood. Still, the legacy of this disappointing action film lives on.
The Phantom
The Phantom, released in 1996, follows the 21st successor of Bengalla’s superhero as he journeys to New York. There, he must thwart a wealthy antagonist’s quest to acquire three mystical skulls, each holding the key to unparalleled power.
Based on one of the first comic book heroes,a lot was put into the production of 1996’sThe Phantom. Tim Burton had success with hisBatmanfilms, andLois and Clarkwas a TV hit, so the superhero genre seemed to have had a renaissance. Taking on a lesser known protagonist was a gamble, and unfortunately, not one that paid off. The cartoonish plot was made worse by the stereotypical antagonists and lack of charm.
According to theChicago Tribune, Zane had undergone a grueling fitness regimen and was undoubtedly looking at this project to be his star-making turn.Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. With a whopping $45 million budget, it only made $5 million on its opening weekend and only $17 million in total (viaThe Numbers). Interestingly, despite this box office bomb, Zane toldComicBook.comthat he’d like to return to the character in a sequel.
Judge Dredd
Judge Dredd is a 1995 sci-fi action film based on the comic character of the same name. Set in a distant dystopian future, humanity has elected “Judges,” to deal out justice, who act as “judge, jury, and executioner” as they tend to the lawless world of Mega-City One. But when Judge Dredd is framed for murder by his own brother, Dredd will strike back against him to reestablish the rule of Law and bring him to justice.
Sylvester Stallone remains an action superstar to this day, but not every one of his films has had the same amount of success.Judge Dredd, a campy dystopian based on a comic book hero, certainly didn’t land amongStallone’s best movies. The no-nonsense main character is on a mission to be the “police, jury, and executioner.” Unfortunately, this premise didn’t strike a chord with viewers. Neither completely comedic, nor cleverly satirical enough,Judge Dreddtoes the line between being self-aware and completely self-indulgent.
Despite having a budget of $90 million, the movie’s U.S. takings fell short at $34 million (viaBox Office Mojo). Even the film’s worldwide gross ($113 million) barely made up for its budget. The story wasn’t over for the character, as he’s returned to the screen many times after. The film is now somewhat of a cult classic, and fans enjoy the “so bad, it’s good” feel of it. Stallone’s run of films in the 1990s was prolific, and this blip didn’t affect him too much — butfor a while,Judge Dreddhad been a punchline of sorts.
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. is a 1993 film featuring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo as Mario and Luigi. They are plumbers from Brooklyn who enter an alternate universe where they must thwart the plans of the dino dictator Koopa to prevent an invasion of their world.
Before2024’s successfulSuper Mario Bros. Movie,there was a ’90s cult classic take on the video game franchise. The Nintendo game had already been a huge hit, so it seemed natural to try and bring it to a different audience. Taking theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesapproach, the fully live-action cast includes Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo as the titular plumbers. Taking on King Koopa (Dennis Hopper), the two traverse New York City with a mix of comedy and action.
The film has gained a lot of traction over the years due to the focus on nostalgia and appreciation of the lighter things in life, but at the time of its release, it failed to break even. With only $20 million grossed against its $48 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo), the film was not a success.Even though it teased potential sequels and franchises, they never happened. Thankfully, neither the game nor the actors were greatly affected, with theSuper Mariofranchise growing into the biggest gaming property in the world.
3Cutthroat Island (1995)
Directed By Renny Harlin
It has to be said:Cutthroat Island’s concept was ahead of its time. The filmcame out long beforePirates of the Caribbeanbut didn’t have any semblance of the same success. A swashbuckling action adventure set among the honorable code of the pirates, the studios had huge hopes forCutthroat Island.Davis was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, but even her star power and a $98 million budget could not help this film avoid the plank. It only wound up making $10 million worldwide (viaBox Office Mojo).
Geena Davis is still a well-respected actor who chooses her roles carefully, but the failure of the film was disappointing with her at the helm.
In a landscape of beefy G.I. Joe types, it might have been a gamble to have a female-led action film, and it’s possible that this contributed toCutthroat Island’s poor performance. Geena Davis is still a well-respected actor who chooses her roles carefully, but the failure of the film was disappointing with her at the helm.By all intents and purposes, this movie should have drew more crowds with its exciting premise and star, but it fell short of what it could’ve been.
True Romance
True Romance is a romantic crime drama by Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino that follows two lovers, a kindly nerdy man and a prostitute, who decide to elope after a series of events. When a murder and an accidental theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars of cocaine from a mafia occur leading up to their engagement, the couple goes on the run, realizing no amount of talking will fix their mistake.
The combination of ’90s starsChristian Slater and Patricia Arquette should surely have been enough to set the box office alight, but it didn’t happen withTrue Romance. Even though the legacy of this film is undeniable, it did not do well upon its initial release. Written by Quentin Tarantino, it had his unique brand of storytelling that would go on to become a hallmark of his films. The film was quirky and entertaining, but it just didn’t draw the same crowds as Tarantino’s other works.
The unlikely love story only just earned back its $12.5 million budget, bringing in $12.6 million worldwide (viaThe Numbers). This was despite starring some of the most exciting actors in Hollywood. It’s hard to imagine a film with Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman, and Samuel L. Jackson in its cast wouldn’t be a bigger hit. However, it goes to show that the 1990s were an unpredictable decade for films.
Last Action Hero
Last Action Hero follows young Danny Madigan, who magically enters the world of his favorite action film through a special ticket. Inside the movie, he teams up with action hero Jack Slater, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, to battle cinematic villains. Directed by John McTiernan, the film blends reality and fiction, offering a whimsical take on action film tropes.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s level of fame in the 1990s was unmatched, so seeing a flop likeLast Action Herofrom him was quite a surprise.The concept of the movie was actually quite clever, perhaps too clever. As a young boy (Brad Renfro) seemingly enters the world of his favorite action film, he must team up with the star of the film in order to make it out of this high-octane world. With so many meta references to action movie tropes, the film mixes humor with a lot of explosions and exhilarating car chases.
It was clear that the budget for this movie was high, $85 million to be exact, so to only bank $50 million worldwide was underwhelming to say the least (viaBox Office Mojo). Arnie had already had a successful foray into the action comedy genre, withKindergarten Cop, and, on paper, this film should have even surpassed it. That’s not what happened, but it did serve as inspiration for a few more successfulaction moviesto come.
