Failure hurts, but in the realms of film, gaming, and tech, it usually has the best stories to tell. Some of pop culture’s most fascinating stories aren’t about blockbusters or bestsellers; they’re about epic flops. Those productions didn’t merely miss the mark; they left the business gasping, and at times, they became legendary in their own right. Here’s a countdown of 10 of the most infamous flops that stunned audiences, baffled fans, and rattled execs.
10. Atari’s E.T. – The Game That Almost Sank a Giant
In the early ’80s, Atari was in such a hurry to capitalize on the E.T. movie frenzy that they created a game in a mere five weeks. The outcome? A muddled, near-impossible title that put millions of unsold cartridges in a New Mexico landfill. The failure came close to erasing Atari from the landscape, a reminder that even the largest labels can fall when hype gets in the way of quality.
9. Nintendo Virtual Boy – VR That Gave Players Headaches
Nintendo hyped a virtual reality revolution with the Virtual Boy, but what gamers received was clunky, uncomfortable, and headache-causing. With its sparse game catalog, red-and-black screen, and speculation about health dangers, the Virtual Boy was a cautionary tale of bringing technology to market ahead of the world’s readiness.
8. Apple Newton – Before Its Time, Behind in Sales
Years before the iPad, Apple made a try at reinventing computing with the Newton, a touchscreen computer with handwriting recognition. Sadly, it was expensive, clunky, and uselessly inaccurate. While its ideas laid the groundwork for Apple’s future triumphs, it was a market failure that learned the technology world that innovation can’t succeed on its own.
7. Google Glass – The Gadget Nobody Wanted Wearing on Their Face
Google Glass was futuristic, with the promise of hands-free surfing, real-time navigation, and an integrated camera. But at $1,500, privacy issues, and social awkwardness, it never made it. The moral? Even the most hip tech must have pragmatism and restraint.
6. Heaven’s Gate – The Film That Brought Down a Studio
Following the Oscar-winning Deer Hunter, Michael Cimino was let off the leash to make Heaven’s Gate. The epic Western derailed: runaway budgets, perpetual takes, and a five-hour version. Box office results were disastrous $3.5 million on a $44 million budget, and United Artists folded. A cautionary tale of unlimited ambition.
5. John Carter – Disney’s Costly Flop
Disney’s John Carter was meant to start a new sci-fi franchise, but instead was a $200 million flop. Leadership at the studio changed, the director pulled out of live-action, and Taylor Kitsch’s career suffered. Occasionally, a flop’s reverberations spread far beyond the box office.
4. The Iron Giant – A Cult Classic That Bombed
Now, the Cult Favorite “The Iron Giant” is loved, but its original release bombed. Even with breathtaking animation, poignant storytelling, and momentous themes, it tanked at the box office because of poor promotion and intense competition. Decades later, viewers rediscovered it, showing that some bombs are just biding their time.
3. Joker: Folie à Deux – A Sequel Gone Wrong
Following the runaway success of Joker, expectations were at an all-time high. But the sequel, with whispers of musical themes, couldn’t quite commit to its vision, disappointing critics and fans alike. Opening at $40 million with a lackluster reception, it is a reminder that even iconic franchises can fail if they overcomplicate their narrative.
2. Theranos – The Tech Unicorn That Fell Apart
Theranos promised to change the game in blood testing and was worth $9 billion at one point. But the tech failed, the results were fudged, and the backlash was devastating. The company folded, and its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, went to trial. Theranos is a cautionary tale: hype can’t substitute for innovation, particularly when lives are on the line.
1. New Coke – A Classic Reimagined, and Rejected
Few failures of products are more well-known than New Coke. In 1985, Coca-Cola attempted to alter its iconic formula, creating a sweeter soda that consumers spurned in favor of the original. In 77 days, the company brought back the old recipe as “Classic Coke.” The failure solidified the principle that sometimes the best decision is not to touch a classic.