# The Grand Cinematic Disaster Train of 2024: Reasons Behind Hollywood’s Blockbuster Failures
As we near the conclusion of 2024, it’s impossible to overlook the extensive list of prominent Hollywood movies that have not met expectations, both in terms of critical reception and box office performance. From **Apple’s *Argylle*** to the highly awaited **Joker sequel, *Folie à Deux***, this year has been plagued by disappointing financial returns. These productions, regardless of their substantial budgets and renowned casts, have left viewers unsatisfied and studios rushing to recover their losses.
## The Failure Roll: What Caused the Downfall?
The cinematic scene this year has been characterized by a series of unsuccessful films, such as:
– **Argylle**: With an estimated production budget of $200 million, this spy thriller only managed to earn just over $96 million globally. Notwithstanding its extravagant marketing and star power, the film did not connect with audiences.
– **Madame Web**: This superhero offering also failed to ride the wave of the genre’s success, leaving fans disappointed and box office figures even more dismal.
– **Borderlands**: Adapted from the well-known video game series, this movie had a budget of $115 million but only grossed a scant $26 million worldwide. Gamers were let down by the film’s uninspired casting and execution.
– **Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1**: This western epic, helmed by Kevin Costner, was created on a $100 million budget yet only gathered $35 million globally.
– **Joker: Folie à Deux**: The eagerly awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed *Joker* (2019) couldn’t replicate its predecessor’s success. Despite the original’s triumph, the sequel’s shift in tone and storytelling alienated fans, resulting in disappointing box office figures.
These films, and others like them, have played a role in a notable decline in the domestic box office, which currently totals $6.3 billion year-to-date, marking a drop of over 11% compared to the same timeframe in 2023 (as reported by Box Office Mojo).
## What’s Causing the Failure of So Many Major Films?
### 1. **Excessive Budgets and Unattainable Goals**
One prominent issue with these failures is their exorbitant budgets. For example, Ridley Scott’s forthcoming *Gladiator* sequel reportedly carries a $300 million budget. To break even, the film would need to earn roughly $1 billion, a milestone achieved by only a select few films each year. Likewise, *Argylle* and *Borderlands* incurred steep production costs, yet their box office earnings were far from sufficient to warrant the investment.
The concern with these inflated budgets is that they create unrealistic expectations for box office performance. Studios are depending on these movies to be billion-dollar successes, but when they fail to deliver, the monetary losses are significant.
### 2. **Franchise Burnout**
For the past two decades, Hollywood has been obsessed with a limited number of high-profile intellectual properties (IPs). Superhero films, adaptations of video games, and sequels have overtaken the release schedules. However, audiences are exhibiting signs of weariness. The freshness of these franchises has faded, and studios are finding it challenging to maintain their appeal.
Consider *Joker: Folie à Deux*. The original *Joker* offered a gritty, grounded character exploration that struck a chord with audiences. The sequel, however, opted for a different direction, incorporating musical elements and a more surreal tone. While this creative venture might have worked elsewhere, it detracted from what made the original so engaging, resulting in fan disappointment.
### 3. **Faulty Creative Directions**
A significant factor leading to many of this year’s flops is misguided creative choices. Directors and writers, often unchecked by studio higher-ups, have made decisions that alienate their audiences. Be it the odd concept of Jerry Seinfeld’s *Unfrosted* (a film centered on Pop-Tarts) or the poor casting choices in *Borderlands*, these projects have left viewers confused.
At times, it appears that directors prioritize their artistic desires over crafting films that audiences actually wish to see. Without anyone to counter their impulses, these projects can devolve into chaos, leading to frustrated fans.
### 4. **Studio Myopia**
As highlighted by the BBC recently, a significant portion of the responsibility for Hollywood’s current struggles can be attributed to the major studios. For years, these studios have fixated on a narrow range of prominent franchises, squeezing them for all they’re worth. However, as these franchises begin to diminish in popularity, studios seem to lack a contingency strategy.
Rather than investing in original concepts or smaller, more nuanced projects, studios persist in pouring resources into overpriced blockbusters that fail to perform. This short-sighted approach…
