15 Actors Who Made A Fortune On Their Box Office Flops

The actors still get paid - regardless of the outcome.

Damjan

• Published in Film & TV
• February 21, 2023

Movies have become one of the biggest businesses in the world, with studios spending billions of dollars each year to produce and promote their films. As the competition between studios to make the most successful and profitable films grows, they are increasingly relying on big-name actors to attract viewers and bring in box office receipts.

Many of the most successful films of recent years have boasted A-list actors with the power to draw in audiences and boost a movie's profile. However, it is important to remember that using big-name actors does not guarantee a movie's success.

In fact, some of the most successful films of recent years have been made without relying on big names. Studios must still ensure that their films have a solid script, production, and marketing campaigns that will ensure the movie reaches its target audience.

Though movie executives understand the risks of making a movie with an all-star cast, sometimes the results are a major success, critical acclaim, and serious cash at the box office. However, other times the opposite is true, and the movie ends up as a box-office flop, damaging the reputations of the cast and crew.

But regardless of the outcome, the actors still get paid - and sometimes, they get paid a lot. Here are 17 actors who made a lot of money from their box-office bombs - let's take a look!

1. Julia Roberts

In the 2016 movie Mother's Day, Roberts had a supporting role alongside some major stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Timothy Olyphant, and Kate Hudson. Unfortunately, the movie was a flop, but thanks to Roberts' hefty fee of $750,000 per day and her limited time on set, she still managed to receive a total of $4 million for her brief appearance.

2. Tom Cruise

Despite Tom Cruise's status as a highly successful actor over the recent decades, he has still taken on parts in movies that have been unsuccessful at the box office. For example, Cruise was paid $5 million for his role in Rock of Ages, although the movie ultimately failed to make a profit.

3. Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone's seemingly successful recipe of playing the same type of role in every movie didn't work out as well as he had hoped for with his 2012 feature, Bullet to the Head. The movie only made $22 million at the box office, yet Stallone still managed to take home a hefty $15 million paycheck.

4. Halle Berry

When Halle Berry took the risk to star in 2004's Catwoman, it was met with widespread mockery. Unfortunately, the time has not been kind to the film and its legacy. Despite the negative reviews, the film did result in Berry earning $14 million for her role.

5. Mark Wahlberg

Despite the negative press surrounding All the Money in the World after it was revealed that Michelle Williams was paid only $625,000 compared to Mark Wahlberg's $5 million salary, the film failed to make all the money in the world.

6. Vin Diesel

At the start of Vin Diesel's career, he was able to make $2.5 million for his role in 2003's A Man Apart. Unfortunately, the film was not a success and was considered a box office bomb.

7. George Clooney

Despite having a big budget and major stars, Disney's Tomorrowland was unable to live up to the hype and failed to satisfy its viewers. Despite this, George Clooney still earned $25 million for his part in the movie.

8. Steve Carell

The 2010 comedy, Dinner for Schmucks should have been more successful than it was. Despite being a box office flop, Steve Carell earned $12 million for his role, co-starring alongside fellow funnyman Paul Rudd.

9. Angelina Jolie

Not every project that Angelina Jolie is involved with is successful. The Good Shepherd, directed by Robert De Niro, is an example of this. The movie only made $10 million at the box office despite its $90 million budget. Despite this, Jolie still earned a hefty sum of $10 million for her role in the movie.

10. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Since the 2000s movie The 6th Day was a box office failure, earning only $96 million worldwide on a budget of $82 million, Arnold Schwarzenegger's career has been on a downward trajectory. However, he still earned an impressive $25 million for his role.

11. Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. had already made a comeback due to his Marvel roles, but his later role in the movie Dolittle was a critical and commercial flop. Despite this, he was paid $20 million to star in the film.

12. Scarlett Johansson

Prior to its release, there was much anticipation for the movie "Ghost in the Shell". Unfortunately, when it was released, it failed to perform well at the box office. Despite this, its leading actress, Scarlett Johansson, still earned a hefty $10 million salary for her part.

13. Reese Witherspoon

The romantic comedy How Do You Know had an unsatisfactory performance at the box office, only earning $48 million against a budget of $120 million. Reese Witherspoon, who starred in the movie, was paid $15 million.

14. Eddie Murphy

Despite having some major box office failures in his career, Eddie Murphy remains a major star in Hollywood. One of his biggest flops was The Adventures of Pluto Nash, which resulted in an estimated loss of over $90 million. Nevertheless, Murphy still earned $17 million for playing his part in the movie.

15. Johnny Depp

Do you recall Mortdecai? It's understandable if you don't since it was exceptionally forgettable. This movie was a total misfire that displeased both critics and audiences, earning only $47 million in contrast to its $60 million production budget.

Even so, Johnny Depp was handsomely paid an astonishing $18 million for his role in the disaster.

Ultimately, it is the quality of a movie rather than the star power of its actors that will determine its success. While big names may draw in an audience, it is the quality of the movie itself that will keep them there and make the movie a success.

What do you think?

Damjan