From 'The Suicide Squad' to 'The Nice Guys': 6 films that went from box-office bombs to streaming hits
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the unpredictable realm of cinema, not every film that graces the theaters strikes gold, even when it boasts promising quality; some movies may not impress theatergoers but find considerable success on streaming platforms.
Amid the pandemic, underdog movies with high-quality content, despite falling short at the box office, had a second chance to shine.
Here are six movies that initially struggled at the box office but later soared to stardom on streaming platforms.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
The most anticipated film of 2021 may have fallen short of impressing theatergoers, but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it found success on the streaming platform. Due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, the movie was initially labeled a box office failure.
However, it swiftly captured the affection and appreciation of the audience once it became available on HBO Max on August 5.
The film, which was a part of the DC Extended Universe, was directed by James Gunn and featured several notable actors, including Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, and David Dastmalchian, among others.
Mulan (2020)
Another casualty of Covid-19 was 'Mulan,' a highly anticipated movie that, despite early excitement, never achieved silver-screen success due to multiple release delays. Ultimately, it premiered on streaming platforms.
Since its debut on Disney+ on September 4, 2020, the movie gained widespread fame and recognition.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
The film featuring Pedro Pascal and Gal Gadot was eagerly anticipated by global moviegoers, but it fell short of box office success due to numerous release delays and conflicting reviews.
However, it quickly became a beloved film when it debuted on HBO Max.
Lightyear (2022)
'Toy Story' enthusiasts were buzzing with anticipation for the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, and the announcement that Chris Evans would be voicing the character sent fans into a frenzy.
However, upon its theatrical release, the film failed to meet the sky-high expectations of the audience, resulting in a lackluster box office performance. Nevertheless, when it became available on Disney+ on August 3, 2022, the movie garnered significant praise for its nostalgic charm and visual splendor.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Despite receiving positive word-of-mouth reactions, the neo-noir science fiction picture failed to strike gold at the box office. However, the movie's fortunes took a positive turn when it premiered on Netflix.
The Denis Villeneuve-directed movie received wide admiration for its character-driven tale and spectacular cinematography.
The Nice Guys (2016)
Directed by Shane Black, this film faced challenges at the box office upon its initial release in 2016, contending with stiff competition from the family-friendly film 'The Angry Birds Movie' and the superhero flick 'X-Men: Apocalypse.'
However, it was well received when it was made available on streaming services.
