Every movie executives understand the risks when they’re making a movie — even if it has an all-star cast. And when some movies are so successful, gaining critical acclaim and serious cash at the box office, some become
epic box-office flop that tarnishes the cast’s reputation and the film crew’s credibility.
Still, even when those movies truly bomb at the
box office, the actors get paid. They often get paid an amazing amount, making a financial liability for the studio that supports the movie project. Here are 17 actors who cashed in on their box office bomb. Let’s scroll down and check these
actors who make a lot of money from box office bombs out!
#1 Johnny Depp
Source: Johnnydepp/ Instagram
Do you remember Mortdecai? If you don’t, that’s understandable because it was totally forgettable. This movie was a failure with critics and audiences alike that made $47 million against a $60 million budget. Still, Johnny Depp was paid an eye-watering $18 million when appeared in the flop.#2 Sylvester Stallone
Source: Officialslystallone/ Instagram
Stallone's style, in which he portrays a similar role in each movie, seems like a recipe for success. However, his 2012 movie,
Bullet to the Head, was sadly a failure. The movie only grossed $22 million at the box office. Stallone, on the other hand, took home $15 million for the role.
#3 Arnold Schwarzenegger
Source: Schwarzenegger/ Instagram
Schwarzenegger’s career went downhill since the 2000s movie The 6th day. It became a box office failure when earning $96 million worldwide on a budget of $82 million. But the actor still earned an impressive $25 million for his role.
#4 Tom Cruise
Source: pinterest
Cruise might be one of the most bankable stars of the past few decades, but even he isn't immune to starring in films that fail at the box office. Cruise had a supporting role in Rock of Ages, which was a major flop that actually lost money at the box office, but his pay was a cool $5 million.
#5 Angelina Jolie
Source: Angelinajolie/ Instagram
Not every Angelina Jolie touches turns to gold. The Good Shepherd, which was directed by the famous Robert De Niro, is an example. The movie made just $10 million over its $90 million budget at the box office. Jolie, who appeared in the movie, brought home $10 million.
#6 Robert Downey Jr.
Source: Robertdowneyjr/ Instagram
Thanks to his
Marvel roles, Robert Downey Jr., he already came back. But, he later played Dr. Dolittle in Dolittle, which was a critical and commercial flop. The actor received $20 million to star in the movie.
#7 Mark Wahlberg
Source: Markwahlberg/ Instagram
All the Money in the World is also a failure to make all the money in the world and was covered by the negative press after the revelation that Michelle Williams earned just $625,000 while her co-star, Mark Wahlberg, was paid $5 million.
#8 Eddie Murphy
Source: pinterest
Despite having some big flops in his career, Eddie Murphy is always a big name in Hollywood. One of his flops is The Adventures of Pluto Nash, which caused a loss of more than $90 million at the box office. Still, the actor gained $17 million for playing his role in the film.
#9 Reese Witherspoon
Source: Resewitherspoon/ Instagram
The romantic comedy How Do You Know had a dismal box office performance making just $48 million on a budget of $120 million. Reese Witherspoon, who took part in the movie, made $15 million.
#10 George Clooney
Source: Pinterest
Despite being a big-budget
Disney production with stars and a big promotional budget, Tomorrowland didn’t meet the audience’s expectations. People believed the movie was too big to fail, but it just didn't resonate with the viewers. George Clooney, who was one of the movie’s stars, took home $25M for his role.
#11 Scarlett Johansson
Source: Scarlettjohanssonworld/ Instagram
Ghost in the Shell was a flick with lots of buzz leading up to its premiere. On release, however, it bombed at the box office. The movie's star, Scarlett Johansson, was paid $10 million for her role.
#12 Vin Diesel
Source: Vindiesel/ Instagram
At the beginning of Vin Diesel's career, he could earn $2.5 million for his role in 2003's A Man Apart. But the movie was not that successful when it was actually a box office bomb.
#13 Julia Roberts
Source: Juliaroberts/ Instagram
Roberts portrayed a supporting role in Mother's Day, a 2016 movie with some stars such as
Jennifer Aniston, Timothy Olyphant, and Kate Hudson. The movie failed, but Roberts' rate of $750,000 a day, combined with limited time on set, guaranteed that she took home $4 million for her role.
#14 Steve Carell
Source: Stevecarellofflcial/ Instagram
Carell and fellow funnyman Paul Rudd both starred in the 2010 movie, Dinner for Schmucks, a comedy that should have done better than it did. Even though it was a box office bomb, Carell was paid $12 million to appear in the movie.
#15 Halle Berry
Source: Halleberry/ Instagram
The 2004 Catwoman was roundly mocked when it was released, and the passage of time hasn't made it look any better. Halle Berry, who was the film’s star, took a risk when she got the role, but the fact that it resulted in $14 million for the actress.