12 Years A Slave, Rocky, and Titanic (the one that has Leonard DiCaprio in it) one of many cinematic jewels produced by Hollywood’s greatest directors and producers that were not only great movies, but were also successful financially, earning well above their respective production budget.
That being said, just because a movie is lauded with the Best Picture Oscar award does not automatically indicate commercial success. Several movies that raked in positive praises even form the worst of critics have failed to lure in the big numbers that matter – box office earnings.
From a business standpoint, the following movies were still a commercial success, considering they were able to earn more than the total costs of production, but their box office results were vastly inadequate to their status as Oscar-winning movies. Here are the 10 Oscar-winning films with lowest box office numbers ever:
#10 The French Connection (1971)
Budget: $1 million
Box Office Earnings: $51.7 million
Arguably one of the movies that gave then newcomer Gene Hackman a lot of exposure (also his first Oscar Award for Best Actor). This explosive police and crime drama was also the first ever Rated R film that nabbed the Best Picture honors in the history of the Academy Awards. Here’s an interesting fact: the production team did not secure the necessary permits to shoot the famous car chase scene, forcing the crew to work with off-duty NYPD cops to help them with the traffic.
#9 The Deer Hunter (1978)
Budget: $15 million
Box Office Earnings: $50 million
Praised by critics from the movie industry, The Deer Hunter was one of the first movies that delved into the Vietnam War them and the adverse psychological and emotional effects it had on the veterans who survived it. Aside from winning Best Picture, the movie also nabbed the Best Director and Best Supporting Actor award for Christopher Walken.
#8 The Hurt Locker (2009)
Budget: $15 million
Box Office Earnings: $44.8 million
The Hurt Locker is one of the first motion pictures focusing on the second Iraq War. The movie centers on a three-man anti-explosives unit as well as the stress and the tension they share as a team. Jeremy Renner had his breakout role as the fearless leader of the three-man improvised explosive device-defusing team. Kathryn Bigelow shot more than 200 hours of images for the movie, which rivals Francis Ford Coppola’s output while shooting Apocalypse Now.
#7 Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Budget: $3.2 million
Box Office: $44.8 million
Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight played a streetwise hustler and a naïve male prostitute in this 1969 American drama. Midnight Cowboy was very controversial due to its high sexual and homosexuality content. To this day, Midnight Cowboy is the only movie with an X-Rating ever to win the Best Picture award since the foundation of the Academy. Aside from bagging Best Picture, the film also won Best Director and Best Screenplay Adaptation.
#6 The Last Emperor (1987)
Budget: $24 million
Box Office Earnings: $44 million
The film depicts the life of Puyi, who is believed by history experts to be the Last Emperor of China. In a nutshell, the story starts when Puyi was still a boy and when he was 2, he was named Emperor. The Second World War, the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and the advent of Communism in China effectively made his rule moot.
#5 West Side Story (1961)
Budget: $6 million
Box Office Earnings: $43.7 million
The most successful film in the history of the Academy Awards, West Side Story won 10 categories out of 11 nominations. Inspired by the story of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story features two star crossed lovers from rival gangs in Manhattan instead of Shakespear’s rival families. The couple were played by Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer.
#4 Annie Hall (1977)
Budget: $4 million
Box Office Earnings: $38.3 million
It is a romantic comedy crafted with a lot of twists and turns that comes from an very unconventional romantic relationship. Diane Keaton plays Annie, the titular character, and the object of affection of Woody Allen’s character’s Alvy Max Singer. Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, and Sigourney Weaver played minor roles in the film.
#3 Tom Jones (1963)
Budget: $1 million
Box Office Earnings: $37.6 million
Chivalry, swordfights, and a man fighting for a woman’s honor fill this adventure comedy film. Albert Finney stars as the titular character, seeking fame, fortune, and true love in spite of the opposition of his half-brother. Here’s a fun fact: the original release of the Tom Jones movie was 2 hours and 37 minutes long.
#2 A Man For All Seasons (1966)
Budget: $2 million
Box Office Earnings: $28.3 million
Based on a play written by Robert Bolt, A Man For All Seasons is inspired by the life of Thomas More, the chancellor to Henry VIII. More’s strong Catholic faith was put to the test when Henry, King of England, tasked the latter to sign a letter requesting Pope Clement VII to annul the King’s marriage to Catherine of Aragorn. Long story short, More did not comply with the royal instruction and he got his head chopped off. Paul Scofield played the titular role for both play and film. The movie nabbed five more Academy Awards, including Best Actor and Best Director.
#1 In The Heat of The Night (1967)
Budget: $2 million
Box Office Earnings: $24.8 million
Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger were heavily praised for their performance in this crime thriller, which netted Steiger the Best Actor Award from the Academy. The movie received mixed responses from critics but that did not stop itfrom winning a total of five Academy Awards.
Key Insights
- Commercial Success Doesn’t Always Follow Awards: Even Oscar-winning films can struggle at the box office, highlighting a disparity between critical acclaim and commercial success.
- Historical and War Themes: Many of the films with lower box office returns focus on historical events or war themes, such as “The Deer Hunter,” “The Hurt Locker,” and “The Last Emperor.”
- Controversial Content: Films with controversial or mature content, like “Midnight Cowboy” and “The French Connection,” may not attract broad audiences despite critical praise.
- Impact of Star Power: Despite featuring well-known actors, some films like “Annie Hall” and “Tom Jones” did not achieve high box office earnings relative to their Oscar success.
- Budget vs. Earnings: While all the films listed made more than their production budgets, their earnings were relatively modest compared to their peers in the Oscar-winning category.
- Diverse Genres: The list includes a variety of genres, from romantic comedies like “Annie Hall” to crime dramas like “In The Heat of The Night,” showing that lower box office returns can affect any genre.
- Historical Significance: Some films, such as “The Last Emperor” and “A Man For All Seasons,” focus on significant historical figures, which may not always draw large audiences despite their cultural importance.
FAQ
- Why do some Oscar-winning films have low box office earnings?
While Oscar-winning films often receive critical acclaim, they may not always appeal to broad audiences. Factors such as niche topics, mature or controversial content, and limited marketing can contribute to lower box office returns. - What are common themes among Oscar-winning films with low box office numbers?
Many of these films focus on historical events, war themes, or controversial topics. These themes may attract critical praise but not necessarily large audiences. - How does the budget of a film impact its box office success?
The budget can affect a film’s marketing reach and production quality. However, even films with modest budgets can struggle at the box office if they do not resonate with a wide audience. - Can a film be considered successful if it wins Oscars but has low box office earnings?
Yes, a film can still be considered successful if it wins Oscars, as it indicates critical acclaim and recognition within the industry. Financial success is just one measure of a film’s impact. - Do films with controversial content tend to have lower box office earnings?
Films with controversial or mature content may have a narrower audience, which can result in lower box office earnings. However, they can still achieve critical acclaim and win prestigious awards. - What role do well-known actors play in the box office success of a film?
While well-known actors can attract audiences, their presence alone does not guarantee box office success. The film’s subject matter, marketing, and overall appeal are also significant factors. - Are there any commonalities in the release years of these low-earning Oscar winners?
These films span several decades, indicating that the phenomenon of Oscar-winning films with low box office returns is not confined to a specific era. - How important is marketing in the success of Oscar-winning films?
Marketing plays a crucial role in a film’s success by increasing awareness and attracting audiences. Even critically acclaimed films can suffer at the box office without adequate marketing efforts. - Can niche films win Oscars but still have low box office earnings?
Yes, niche films can win Oscars due to their artistic merit and storytelling, but they may not achieve high box office earnings if they do not appeal to mainstream audiences. - What lessons can filmmakers learn from the box office performance of these Oscar-winning films?
Filmmakers can learn that critical acclaim and commercial success do not always align. It is essential to balance artistic vision with audience appeal and consider robust marketing strategies to enhance box office performance.
Why is FinancesOnline free?
Leave a comment!