Those rare Spielberg flops …..

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Even though Steven Spielberg is renowned as one of the most successful film directors, credited with creating the summer blockbuster genre and producing some of the highest-grossing movies in history, he has also experienced his share of box office failures. Here we examine those lesser-known Spielberg films…

Initially, let’s clear up a misconception. Following the triumphs of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, he moved on to create the 1979 comedy ‘1941’, an extravagant, humorous film filled with grandiose set pieces that cost a substantial $35m at the time. Often considered his first box office failure, it was panned by critics but managed to earn $92m. It served as a stark reminder to the director about the industry’s intolerance for overrun budgets and schedules. Consequently, he ensured that his next project, Raiders of the Lost Ark, would be completed within budget and on time, helping him regain favor.

In a different wording, Christian Bale’s first significant cinematic failure was his second major movie role. The film “Empire of the Sun” (1987), which was based on J G Ballard’s novel and written by Tom Stoppard, depicted a young English boy’s efforts to survive under Japanese occupation in China during World War II. Although it boasted an impressive cast that included John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, and even Ben Stiller, it garnered only six nominations (not including Spielberg himself) and was met with disinterest from audiences. Its box office earnings amounted to a relatively low £22m, which is significantly less than the $306m made by Close Encounters of the Third Kind ten years prior.

In a span of ten years, he delved back into heavier subjects with the debut of Amistad. Set in 1839, this film focused on an uprising by Mende captives aboard a Spanish vessel, causing a significant stir in the United States upon its capture near Long Island. The legal system grappled with the question: are the Mende slaves or free individuals? This was a substantial theme to unravel, and the movie boasted an impressive ensemble featuring Anthony Hopkins and Morgan Freeman. However, it seems that audiences were not quite ready for such serious fare at the time, perhaps still basking in the afterglow of the previous summer’s Jurassic Park sequel, which had grossed $618m. Yet, it’s worth noting that audiences were open to serious Spielberg productions; four years prior, he had crafted his masterpiece Schindler’s List, earning £322m, and just a year after Amistad was released, he would unveil Saving Private Ryan, which went on to make $482m.

It seems that the 2016 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The BFG, based on a cherished children’s book, was unexpectedly unsuccessful despite being a high-budget production with earnings of $195 million. However, considering its production cost of $140 million, it needed to generate approximately $350 million to cover its expenses, making it an unusual and costly box office flop.

2021 and 2022 represented a series of box office disappointments for him. His remake of West Side Story, though critically acclaimed, failed to captivate audiences, grossing just $76 million. This was followed by The Fabelmans (or The Spielberg’s as it might more accurately be titled), another critically lauded drama that garnered seven Oscar nominations, including one for Spielberg as director. However, this film too underperformed, earning only $44 million.

It seems that following two consecutive setbacks, Spielberg has decided to take a break from filmmaking starting in 2022, and he’s expected to make his comeback in 2026 with a highly anticipated project referred to as an ‘Event Film.’ This upcoming production could potentially restore him to the pinnacle of blockbuster success.

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2025-07-17 02:23