7 Great War Movies That Bombed at the Box Office

War movies continue to be a popular and powerful form of storytelling, allowing audiences to explore the difficult realities of conflict and what it means to belong to a nation. These films often focus on the mental and emotional toll war takes on individuals, the disorganization of battle, and the blurry lines between right and wrong when violence is authorized by governments. Throughout the history of Hollywood, several war films have achieved both critical acclaim and huge commercial success. Movies like Apocalypse Now, Platoon, and Saving Private Ryan proved that a compelling story about the brutality of war could connect with audiences worldwide, breaking box office records and becoming cultural touchstones.

Even critically acclaimed and meaningful films don’t always succeed commercially, especially with so many movies competing for attention. War films, in particular, often struggle to find an audience right away. This can happen for several reasons – the timing might be off, the movie might lack clear heroes, or it could be too serious for most viewers. A film can receive rave reviews or become a beloved classic later on, but still fail to make money in theaters.

7) Devotion

Released in 2022 and directed by J.D. Dillard, Devotion is a beautiful film honoring Jesse Brown, the Navy’s first Black aviator. The movie tells the story of the strong bond between Brown (played by Jonathan Majors) and his fellow pilot Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) during the Korean War, highlighting both the racial prejudice of the time and the risks of early jet combat. Reviewers especially loved the film’s use of real planes and practical effects, which made it feel more genuine than many modern war movies. However, achieving this realism was expensive, costing around $90 million to produce. Despite positive reviews and the growing popularity of its stars, Devotion didn’t attract many viewers when it came out during the busy Thanksgiving holiday, ultimately earning just $21 million worldwide—making it a significant box office disappointment.

6) Casualties of War

Brian De Palma’s Casualties of War tells the disturbing true story of a crime committed during the Vietnam War: the kidnapping and murder of a Vietnamese woman by American soldiers. The film follows Private Max Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) as he struggles to expose the actions of his superior, Sergeant Meserve (Sean Penn). This conflict between following orders and doing what’s right gives the film a powerful psychological impact, setting it apart from typical action movies about Vietnam. Despite strong performances and De Palma’s skillful direction, the film’s dark and upsetting content didn’t appeal to most viewers. It cost $22.5 million to make but only earned $18.6 million in ticket sales.

5) Jarhead

Sam Mendes’ film Jarhead offered a different take on war movies, focusing not on action, but on the intense boredom and mental strain experienced by soldiers in modern conflicts. The film follows Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) through his preparation and service in the Persian Gulf War, portraying a war where advanced technology meant infantry units often had little to do but wait. While critics generally liked the movie and Jamie Foxx delivered a strong performance, its lack of typical battle scenes made it hard to attract a large audience. Despite a $70 million production budget and a worldwide gross of $97 million, Jarhead ultimately wasn’t financially successful after factoring in marketing costs and theater revenue shares.

4) Flags of Our Fathers

Clint Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers is a thought-provoking film that explores how heroism is created and used for political purposes, specifically focusing on the famous flag-raising on Iwo Jima. The story jumps between the brutal fighting on the island and the soldiers’ later publicity tour, following men like John Bradley and Rene Gagnon. The film offers a critical look at how governments use powerful images to support war, highlighting the trauma experienced by the soldiers as they’re turned into symbols. While visually impressive – costing around $90 million to realistically depict the Pacific theater – the movie wasn’t a commercial success, earning only $65 million. Its complex, non-traditional storytelling and avoidance of a simple, patriotic message likely contributed to this, as it didn’t appeal to as wide an audience as Eastwood’s other films.

3) The Thin Red Line

Released alongside Saving Private Ryan, Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line presented a thoughtful and artistic contrast to typical World War II movies. The film centers on a group of soldiers, including Private Witt (James Caviezel) and Sergeant Welsh (Sean Penn), fighting in the Guadalcanal Campaign. Instead of focusing on battle strategy or specific goals, Malick uses the war to explore the connection between people and nature, using poetic voiceovers and beautiful visuals. While the film received seven Academy Award nominations, its unconventional style didn’t attract as many moviegoers as more straightforward war films. Despite earning $98 million worldwide with a $52 million budget, it ultimately didn’t make a profit after factoring in distribution expenses.

2) Empire of the Sun

Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun is a sweeping film that portrays the realities of war from a child’s perspective. The story follows Jim Graham (Christian Bale), who becomes separated from his parents during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai and must adapt to life in a harsh internment camp. He finds an unlikely mentor in Basie (John Malkovich), a resourceful American. The film is celebrated for its impressive scope and its depiction of how a child’s imagination can help them survive – but also weigh them down – in a dangerous world. Despite being directed by the renowned Spielberg and featuring stunning visuals, the 1987 film didn’t perform well at the box office, earning just $22 million in the U.S. against a $35 million budget. Its length and the unfamiliar setting of the China theater of World War II were often cited as reasons for its commercial failure.

1) Paths of Glory

I’ve always been struck by Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory. It’s considered one of the most powerful anti-war films ever made, but it really challenged people with its honest portrayal of corruption within the military, which made it tough to get seen when it first came out. The story follows Colonel Dax, played by Kirk Douglas, as he tries to defend three soldiers who are unfairly blamed for a disastrous attack planned by generals more interested in their careers than the lives of their men. The film is visually stunning – the black and white cinematography and those incredible, long shots of the trenches really put you right there in the claustrophobic, senseless reality of World War I. Because it showed how cold and uncaring the military leadership could be, it was actually banned in several European countries for years, which hurt its chances of making money. Combined with the fact that it doesn’t offer any easy answers or a happy ending, it wasn’t a financial success in 1957. But over time, its reputation has only grown. To me, it’s a perfect example of how institutional pride and arrogance can ruin the lives of the soldiers who actually fight the battles.

As a huge movie fan, I’m always looking for hidden gems, especially when it comes to war films. I’m curious – what’s one war movie you think deserves another look from audiences today? Let me know in the comments, and let’s talk about it over on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-16 00:14