Summary

Some movies have gone down in cinematic history as amazing films , clear significant money during their theatrical button , but they never quite reached the turn 1 bit . Box power functioning , while a of the essence metric , is not the lone determinant of a moving picture ’s achiever or cultural shock . Many films , despite not claim the top spatial relation on opening weekend or throughout their theatrical run , have managed to form lasting connections with audiences worldwide . The competitive nature of the moving-picture show industry often leads to instance where cinematic gems are dwarf by rival film , as recently witnessed byOppenheimerduring the ' Barbenheimer ' phenomenon .

These films , though not necessarilythe highest - grossing of their time , have abide the test of time and stay cherished by viewers . Exploring corner agency history reveal a fascinating raiment of movies that , while not reaching the pinnacle of the chart , have had a huge shock on movie theater . From films catering to unlike demographic to underdog stories of modest output transcend expectation , the landscape of cinema is dotted with remarkable works that defy box office formula .

moving picture

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Domestic Box Office

Oppenheimer ( 2023 )

$ 329,702,240

Josh Hartnett looking shocked in Fight or Flight

My Big Fat Grecian marriage ceremony ( 2002 )

$ 241,438,208

A Star Is Born ( 2018 )

How Live-Action Snow White Used Dropped Storylines Explained By Director in New Featurette

$ 215,288,866

Beauty and the Beast ( 1991 )

$ 206,333,165

A-Star-is-Born-Lady-Gaga-Interstellar-Matthew-McConaughey

Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

Interstellar ( 2014 )

$ 188,017,894

Bridesmaids ( 2011 )

Jen vs Shu Lien Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

$ 169,211,718

knife Out ( 2019 )

$ 165,364,060

Headshot Of Chow Yun-Fat

Django Unchained ( 2012 )

$ 162,805,434

La La Land ( 2016 )

Headshot Of Michelle Yeoh In The Gold House Hosts 2024 Inaugural Gold Gala at The Music Center.

$ 151,101,803

Juno ( 2007 )

$ 143,495,265

Headshot Of Zhang Ziyi

Slumdog Millionaire ( 2008 )

$ 141,330,703

Crouching Tiger , Hidden Dragon ( 2000 )

Headshot Of Chang Chen

$ 128,519,357

12Interstellar (2014)

Domestic Box Office: $188,017,894

Interstellaris a cinematicmasterpiece direct by Christopher Nolanthat showcases surpassing filmmaking and feature a captivating scotch by Hans Zimmer . Despite its stellar cast , led by Matthew McConaughey , and its intellection - provoking exploration of blank travel , the film never reached the top spot at the box post . Released on November 7 , 2014,Interstellarfaced plastered competition from nine other movies , includingBig Hero 6andThe Theory of Everything . The week prior envision the scratch line of theSawfranchise ’s repugnance reign , while the predate week introduced the iconic hitmanJohn Wick . Nonetheless , Interstellarearned a sizeable $ 188 million domestically .

11Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Domestic Box Office: $128,519,357

Cast

Considered one ofAng Lee ’s best moving picture , Crouching Tiger , Hidden Dragonachieved remarkable success as the highest - gross non - English movie at the American box power . However , the pic never secured the top spot domestically . Released in 2000,Crouching Tiger , Hidden Dragonearned a considerable $ 128 million in the United States , showcasing its entreaty to divers audience . The movie ’s winner extended beyond its financial achievements , as it is also regarded as one of the finest films of the 21st one C . Ang Lee get a Best Director nomination , while Wang Hui - ling , James Schamus , and Tasi Kuo - jung were propose for Academy Awards , as well .

10Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Domestic Box Office: $141,330,703

Slumdog Millionairequietly get into the cinematic landscape painting before gaining significant Oscar credit for its devout story . The picture show follows Jamal , portray by Dev Patel , as he navigate the Indian translation ofWho need to Be a Millionaire , reflect on his raising in Mumbai ’s slums . Despite never claim the top spot at the box office , the motion-picture show outperformed high - profile competitors likeThe Incredible HulkandThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button . ab initio earning $ 360,000 across ten field , Slumdog Millionaireexpanded to over 2,000 North American theaters post - Oscars , amassing $ 140 million domestically on a modest $ 15 million budget .

9La La Land (2016)

Domestic Box Office: $151,101,803

Sustaining an impressive boxwood situation run without ever being turn one , La La Landwas still capable to become a success tarradiddle . Summit Entertainment strategically promoted theRyan Gosling and Emma Stone moviethrough a limited sacking , bit by bit building it into a must - see cinematic experience . Director Damien Chazelle ’s original musical entrance viewers worldwide , found itself as one of the most recognizable and iconic Hollywood motion-picture show of the preceding decade . The film ’s strong tidings - of - mouth prompt it to become the season ’s must - watch out movie , 2nd only toRogue One : A Star Wars Storyduring the vacation flow .

8Juno (2007)

Domestic Box Office: $143,495,265

Elliot Page portrays the titular character Juno , a pregnant teenager who decides to give her baby to a loving couple . author Diablo Cody transform a typical teen pregnancy plot into an indie darling , with a memorable soundtrack featuring Kimya Dawson and Belle and Sebastian . The film ’s success lie in its relatable theatrical role , with Page and Michael Cera genuinely portray confused and immature teen . Junobecame the first Fox Spotlight Pictures release to outmatch $ 100 million , generating over $ 143 million domestically and an extra $ 87 million internationally . The picture show ’s popularity garnered four Oscar nominating speech , and won for Best Original Screenplay .

7Django Unchained (2012)

Domestic Box Office: $162,805,434

Quentin Tarantino’sDjango Unchainedfeatures a stellar cast including Jamie Foxx , Leonardo DiCaprio , and Christoph Waltz in an Oscar - win purpose . The film faced fierce competition during its holiday season going fromMonsters , Inc. andThe Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey , directed by Peter Jackson . Django Unchained ’s domesticated box office execution was impressive , gain $ 162.8 million , but it was overshadowed by the success of its competitors , preventing it from reaching the coveted act one slot .

Django Unchained has an close that begs to be explained . Here is a deep dive into Tarantino ’s complex tale of love , freedom , and redemption .

6Knives Out (2019)

Domestic Box Office: $165,364,060

knife Out , with its whizz - stud cast and positive revaluation , vie againstFrozen II , Jumanji : The Next Level , andStar Wars : The emanation of Skywalkerduring the 2019 vacation time of year . author - film director Rian Johnson , fresh off hisStar Warsstint , craft a modernistic movie closed book that captivated audience . Despite being released by the smaller studio apartment Lionsgate , Knives Outheld its own against the top contenders , earning an telling $ 165.3 million domestically . Even though it never claimed the top spot , the film ’s success prompted Netflix to invest over $ 450 million to stop up the future oftheKnives Outfranchise .

5Bridesmaids (2011)

Domestic Box Office: $169,211,718

Bridesmaidsdebuted in the summer of 2011 , competing for the top position against blockbusters likeThorandHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows : Part 2 . The distaff - focused comedy come across with moviegoers , particularly women celebrating together , clear it a must - see for nuptial party . Despite being dominate by high - profile releases , Bridesmaidsdemonstrated the staying top executive of comedies in the cultural cognisance . The film ’s success challenge the traditional " chick picture " notion , proving that women ’s amusement preferences can be satisfied at the box office in unexpected ways . Bridesmaidsgrossed an impressive $ 169 million domestically , pave the way for future female - centric films .

4Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Domestic Box Office: $206,333,165

The originalBeauty and the Beast , one of Disney ’s most beloved liven pic , faced unexpected competition upon its across-the-board release in 1991 . Despite gap in a limited freeing of two theaters before the Thanksgiving holiday , the enamour musical debut in third place once it expound , track behindThe Addams FamilyandCape Fear . Nonetheless , Beauty and the Beast ’s put up popularity motivate it to become one of the highest - gross films ever when adjusted for inflation . The moving picture ’s achiever also pave the way for the popular resilient - action remaking , which exact the top spot at the box office upon spill .

3My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Domestic Box Office: $241,438,208

The film ’s winner head to an Oscar nomination and spawn two sequels , solidifying its position as the quintessential sleeper hit .

My Big Fat Greek Weddingredefined the concept of a box post Jagannath with its unconventional success narration . Starting in circumscribed release with only a few hundred theaters in April 2002 , the movie earn fantabulous Word of God of sassing throughout the summertime . In August , the number of theaters screening the film duplicate , result in gamey box office turn . My magnanimous Fat Greek Weddingultimately earned a worldwide total of $ 368 million , a astonishing 74 times its modest $ 5 million budget . The film ’s success led to an Oscar nominating speech and breed two sequel , solidify its position as the quintessential sleeper striking .

Dev Patel winning in Slumdog Millionaire

Headshot Of Dev Patel In The Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Monkey Man’

Headshot Of Freida Pinto

Cast Placeholder Image

Headshot Of Hemky Madera

Headshot Of J. K. Simmons

Headshot Of Sonoya Mizuno In The Warner Bros Red Carpet

Juno sits on a chair in the yard from Juno

Headshot Of Jason Bateman

Headshot oF Michael Cera

Headshot Of Allison Janney

Headshot Of Elliot Page in The 48th Toronto International Film Festival: ‘Backspot’ Premiere.

Headshot Of Leonardo DiCaprio In The 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Night

Headshot Of Jonah Hill

Samuel L. Jackson headshot

Headshot Of Jamie Foxx In The European premiere of ‘Creed III’

Ana de Armas as Marta and Daniel Craig as Detective Blanc in Knives Out

Headshot OF Chris Evans

Headshot Of LaKeith Stanfield

Headshot Of Katherine Langford

Headshot Of Daniel Craig

The bachelorette party at the airport in Bridesmaids

Headshot Of Kristen Wiig In The 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards

Headshot of Rose Byrne

Headshot Of Maya Rudolph In The Premiere of ‘If’ at the SVA Theatre.

Headshot of Melissa McCarthy in The UK premiere of ‘The Little Mermaid’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square

Paige O’Hara as Belle is angry with Robby Benson as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast

Headshot Of Angela Lansbury

Headshot Of Jerry Orbach