One Role Changed Everything
Careers are always built slowly. But sometimes they crash in a single weekend, especially when it comes to acting. One movie hits theaters, and everything changes. What follows is a long road back that few ever travel successfully.
Screenshot from The Love Guru, Paramount Pictures (2008)
Showgirls (1995) – Elizabeth Berkley
Critics tore apart Showgirls, and audiences stayed away, which turned it into a notorious box office bomb. It swept the Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies) and became infamous overnight. While it later gained cult status, Elizabeth Berkley faced harsh typecasting initially, and then continued in television and independent projects later.
Screenshot from Showgirls, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (1995)
Battlefield Earth (2000) – John Travolta
What was meant to be a sci-fi epic instead became one of cinema’s most mocked disasters. Battlefield Earth, based on L. Ron Hubbard’s novel, even won Worst Picture of the Decade at the Golden Raspberry Awards. The failure temporarily shattered John Travolta’s credibility as an actor.
Screenshot from Battlefield Earth, Warner Bros. Pictures (2000)
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992) – Sylvester Stallone
The critically reviled comedy flopped hard and confused audiences who expected action. Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot temporarily damaged Sylvester Stallone’s tough-guy image, briefly slowing his career momentum. Stallone later admitted regret and revealed that Schwarzenegger had tricked him into taking the role.
Screenshot from Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Universal Pictures (1992)
Gigli (2003) – Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck
Few box office disasters were louder than Gigli. This film grossed under $10 million worldwide and instantly became a pop culture punchline. The backlash temporarily stalled Ben Affleck’s career and hurt Jennifer Lopez’s credibility as a serious actress, though both later rebounded strongly.
Screenshot from Gigli, Sony Pictures Releasing (2003)
The Love Guru (2008) – Mike Myers
After years of comedy dominance, everything unraveled with The Love Guru. Critics savaged it, and audiences ignored it, despite a Justin Timberlake cameo. This flop marked the end of Mike Myers’s run as a bankable live-action comedy star. He later focused on voice roles and got limited projects.
Screenshot from The Love Guru, Paramount Pictures (2008)
After Earth (2013) – Jaden Smith
After Earth was promoted as a major sci-fi blockbuster but quickly failed at the box office, even though it was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It received multiple Razzie nominations and was created as a Will Smith family project. Poor reviews prompted Jaden Smith to pivot from acting to music.
Screenshot from After Earth, Columbia Pictures (2013)
Heaven’s Gate (1980) – Kris Kristofferson
Few films have done as much financial damage as Heaven’s Gate. The massive flop famously bankrupted United Artists and became a symbol of Hollywood excess. While later reappraised by some as a cult classic, the disaster effectively ended Kris Kristofferson’s rise as a leading man.
Ishtar (1987) – Warren Beatty
Production troubles in Morocco foreshadowed the chaos to come for Ishtar. It became a legendary flop, mocked relentlessly by critics and audiences alike. Some later defended it, but the damage was done—Warren Beatty’s reputation as a reliable box office star collapsed.
Screenshot from Ishtar, Columbia Pictures (1987)
Hudson Hawk (1991) – Bruce Willis
Hudson Hawk confused audiences and didn’t make it at the box office. Bruce Willis even co-wrote the story to showcase his versatility. The failure temporarily damaged his credibility beyond tough-guy roles, stalling his momentum as an actor.
Screenshot from Hudson Hawk, TriStar Pictures (1991)
The Adventures Of Pluto Nash (2002) – Eddie Murphy
This flop contributed to the decline of Eddie Murphy’s reign for some years. With a budget of nearly $100 million and earnings under $10 million, The Adventures of Pluto Nash became a catastrophic failure. It is frequently cited among the worst sci-fi comedies ever made.
Screenshot from The Adventures Of Pluto Nash, Warner Bros. Pictures (2002)
Swept Away (2002) – Madonna
Madonna’s hopes of being taken seriously as an actress faded almost overnight when Swept Away arrived in theaters. It was quickly torn apart by critics. Directed by Guy Ritchie, the remake performed so poorly that it was pulled from theaters early.
Screenshot from Swept Away, Sony Pictures Releasing (2002)
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997) – Jason Patric
Following a massive hit wasn’t easy, and Speed 2: Cruise Control proved it. The sequel disappointed at the box office and failed to match the original’s thrill. After stepping in for Keanu Reeves, Jason Patric saw his career momentum stall temporarily. Even Sandra Bullock later joked about regretting the film.
Screenshot from Speed 2: Cruise Control, 20th Century Studios (1997)
The Postman (1997) – Kevin Costner
Expectations were sky-high for The Postman. However, it turned into a massive financial disaster and swept several Razzies. Kevin Costner both directed and starred, which made the failure even more personal. It contributed to the end of his long A-list dominance at the time, though he continued with successful projects later.
Screenshot from The Postman, Warner Bros. Pictures (1997)
Town & Country (2001) – Warren Beatty
What began as a star-studded comedy slowly spiraled into a production nightmare. Town & Country faced endless delays that ballooned its budget before earning less than $10 million worldwide. The financial disaster shocked Hollywood. Afterward, Warren Beatty quietly stepped away from major film roles altogether.
Screenshot from Town & Country, New Line Cinema (2001)
Glitter (2001) – Mariah Carey
Hopes were high for Glitter, but reality hit hard. Critics savaged the musical drama, and audiences stayed away. Its release on September 11, 2001, further hurt its performance as people were more concerned about the terror attack on the US. The backlash temporarily halted Mariah Carey’s acting ambitions.
Screenshot from Glitter, 20th Century Fox (2001)
Batman & Robin (1997) – Alicia Silverstone
This role stalled Alicia Silverstone’s rising career temporarily when Batman & Robin hit theaters. It was instantly torn apart by critics and fans alike. The over-the-top style turned the film into a joke, even earning a Razzie for Worst Supporting Actress.
Screenshot from Batman & Robin, Warner Bros (1997)
Howard The Duck (1986) – Lea Thompson
Backed by major studio support and produced by George Lucas, Howard the Duck was expected to be a hit. Instead, it failed at the box office. The flop temporarily derailed Lea Thompson’s film momentum, leading to a focus on television.
Screenshot from Howard The Duck, Universal Pictures (1986)
The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) – Sean Connery
Hopes were high for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, based on Alan Moore’s comic series. However, it underperformed at the box office and suffered from behind-the-scenes clashes. Frustrated by the experience and its failure, Sean Connery chose to retire from acting shortly afterward.
Screenshot from The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, 20th Century Fox (2003)
Speed Racer (2008) – Emile Hirsch
When the Wachowskis brought Speed Racer to life, its bold visuals couldn’t save it from becoming a box office bomb. The commercial failure temporarily stalled Emile Hirsch’s rising momentum in Hollywood. Still, the film gained cult appreciation for its unique style and ambition over the years.
Screenshot from Speed Racer, Warner Bros. Pictures (2008)
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) – Jake Lloyd
This movie introduced young Anakin Skywalker, and expectations were sky-high. Heavy criticism and intense fan fallout followed. The ridicule became so overwhelming that Jake Lloyd eventually quit acting altogether, later speaking openly about the bullying he endured.
Screenshot from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, 20th Century Fox (1999)
Supergirl (1984) – Helen Slater
Supergirl was meant to launch a new hero as it was a spin-off from the popular Superman franchise. But it drew harsh reviews. The failure stalled Helen Slater’s mainstream film career. It also led to television and independent work. She later found redemption by appearing in the Supergirl television series.
Screenshot from Supergirl, TriStar Pictures (1984)
Norbit (2007) – Eddie Murphy
Released right as the awards buzz surrounded Dreamgirls, Norbit couldn’t have come at a worse time. The critically reviled comedy saw Eddie Murphy playing multiple outrageous characters. While it made money, the backlash damaged his Oscar campaign credibility and marked a turning point, before a later resurgence.
Screenshot from Norbit, Paramount Pictures (2007)
Kull The Conqueror (1997) – Kevin Sorbo
Kull the Conqueror was reworked into its own franchise. Based on Robert E. Howard's character, the film flopped at the box office. The failure diminished Kevin Sorbo’s chances of becoming a major movie star. It shifted his focus to television and faith-based projects.
Screenshot from Kull The Conqueror, Universal Pictures (1997)
Cutthroat Island (1995) – Geena Davis
Few movies crashed harder than Cutthroat Island. The fallout temporarily derailed Geena Davis’s run as a leading lady. It's a massive financial disaster that famously bankrupted Carolco Pictures and even earned a Guinness World Record as one of Hollywood’s biggest flops. Later, she continued with acclaimed roles in film.
Screenshot from Cutthroat Island, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (1995)
Rollerball (2002) – Chris Klein
When Rollerball hit theaters, it was met with harsh reviews from audiences. The critically reviled remake crushed the buzz around the rising star. He struggled to reclaim leading-man status in Hollywood for years, though he experienced a resurgence with main roles in series like The Flash and Sweet Magnolias.
Screenshot from Rollerball, MGM (2002)
