2024 was a year filled with cinematic potential, as ambitious films with intriguing concepts and star-studded casts hit the big screen. From psychological thrillers to action-packed adventures, many movies seemed destined to dominate the box office and capture the cultural zeitgeist. However, despite their promise, some titles failed to resonate with audiences, falling short of expectations. Whether due to low theater attendance, shifting audience preferences, or the growing dominance of streaming services, these films struggled to find their footing in an increasingly competitive landscape.
The reasons behind these disappointments are as varied as the movies themselves. Mismanaged release dates often pitted films against box office juggernauts, while production delays or studio interference left others feeling disjointed. Some films were victims of poor marketing strategies, while others suffered from narratives that didn’t fully connect with audiences. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at movies from 2024 that, on paper, had all the makings of a hit but ultimately missed their mark.
10
‘Juror #2’ (2024)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Juror #2 follows Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), a young man serving as a juror on a high-profile murder trial. As the case unfolds, Justin realizes that he might be the one responsible for the crime being prosecuted. Torn between protecting himself and ensuring justice is served, he must grapple with the ethical dilemma of whether to come forward with the truth. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film also stars Toni Collette, Gabriel Basso and Zoey Deutch.
At the age of 94, Juror #2 might be Eastwood’s final movie. Several of his movies in the last ten years, such as American Sniper and Sully, were proven critical and box office successes. However, Juror #2 was only released on fewer than 50 screens, effectively hurting its chances at the box office and reaching a wider audience. Despite overperforming in overseas markets, Warner Brothers opted not to disclose the domestic box office numbers, making the whole affair more frustrating. While the studio stated that the movie was always intended to premiere on streaming, it was quite a disrespectful move for a director who has spent over 50 years making movies for Warner Bros. With glowing reviews from both critics and audiences as well as great performances from Hoult and Collette, the movie could be a strong sleeper hit if the release were handled better.
Juror #2
- Release Date
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October 30, 2024
- Runtime
-
114 Minutes
Stream
9
‘Monkey Man’ (2024)
Directed by Dev Patel
Monkey Man, starring, written and directed by Dev Patel, is a gritty revenge thriller inspired by the legend of Hanuman. The film follows a young man who survives by enduring brutal beatings in underground fight clubs. Beneath the surface, he harbors years of suppressed rage stemming from a tragic past, including the murder of his mother. When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the world of the city’s corrupt elite, he begins his journey to exact revenge on the powerful men who destroyed his life.
In his directorial debut, Dev Patel skillfully combines raw action, emotional depth, and cultural symbolism to create a protagonist both brutal and sympathetic. The result is an inspired film with brutal action sequences reminiscent of John Wick and The Raid that won the audience award at SXSW 2024. Against an economical budget of $10 million, the film made over triple its budget at the box office. Nevertheless, with a universal theme and high-octane action, the film should have connected more with audiences and become and even bigger hit. The cultural aspect of the story may hinder itself but once audiences embrace it, they will be treated to a satisfying, unique action film.
Monkey Man
- Release Date
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April 5, 2024
- Runtime
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121 Minutes
Stream
8
‘Blink Twice’ (2024)
Directed by Zoe Kravitz
In Blink Twice, a tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) crosses paths with cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) at his extravagant event. Enchanted by her charm, he invites Frida and her friend to join him and his exclusive circle of friends on a luxurious getaway to his private island. At first, the trip seems like an idyllic escape, filled with wild nights and sun-drenched days in a tropical paradise. But as unsettling occurrences disrupt their fun time, Frida begins to sense that not everything is as it seems.
Blink Twice is Zoe Kravitz‘ directorial debut, which she also wrote herself. The film boasts an excellent ensemble cast that includes Adria Arjona, Christian Slater and Kyle Maclachlan. The film itself is a fun, thrilling ride which plays well with audiences. Several of the movie’s critics noted that the film lacked finesse to fully bring home its intended message, but Kravitz’ strong style and commentary still prevail. The psychological thriller managed to double its budget but with its timely social commentary and good reviews, the movie should have made a bigger splash. It has one of the best twists of the year and the cast are irresistible. Let’s hope it finds its audience on streaming.
Blink Twice
- Release Date
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August 23, 2024
- Runtime
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102 Minutes
7
‘Abigail’ (2024)
Directed by Tyler Gillett & Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
In Abigail, the film is put into motion when Abigail, a young girl from a wealthy family, is kidnapped by a group of criminals looking to demand a hefty ransom, secluding her in a manor. What is supposed to be a simple job turns awry as they soon realize that Abigail is no ordinary child—she’s a vampire. As her captors struggle to contain her powers, the captors find themselves turned into preys. Directed by the director duo who made Ready or Not and Scream 5, the film stars Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, and Kathryn Newton.
Abigail is already listed among the best vampire movies in recent memory. The movie is fast-paced and thrilling with a solid ensemble cast. The movie could easily be a breakout hit like Ready or Not if not for one problem, the marketing. The surprise about Abigail’s true nature was already revealed in the trailers. On the other hand, the poster, which looks like Abigail is a rogue ballerina, failed to tell anything about the film. During its release, it was overshadowed by Civil War that it never reached its fullest potential. Nevertheless, the film recouped its budget and has since found its audience on streaming.
Abigail
- Release Date
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April 19, 2024
- Runtime
-
109 Minutes
- Writers
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Stephen Shields, Guy Busick
6
‘The Bikeriders’ (2024)
Directed by Jeff Nichols
The Bikeriders tells the rise and fall of a motorcycle club in the 1960s American Midwest. The film follows the story of Kathy (Jodie Comer), a strong-willed woman who falls in love with Benny (Austin Butler), a charismatic and rebellious member of the club. As the club’s leader Johnny (Tom Hardy) looks for a successor, Benny emerges as a favorite and has to navigate the club’s violent tendencies as the era evolves around them. Directed by Jeff Nichols (Mud), the film also stars Mike Faist and Michael Shannon.
Despite its compelling premise, The Bikeriders struggled to connect with mainstream audiences, possibly due to its period-specific themes and a narrative that, while visually striking, is more of an acquired taste. Despite the presence of recognizable actors, particularly Butler who just appeared in Dune: Part Two just a few months prior, the film’s slow-burn storytelling and character-driven approach may not have resonated with viewers seeking a more action-packed story. In movie theaters packed with superhero and franchise sequels, this film felt like it belonged in another era. This film’s success would’ve signaled that there was still appetite for dramas aimed at mature audiences.
The Bikeriders
- Release Date
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June 21, 2024
- Runtime
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116 Minutes
- Director
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Jeff Nichols
- Writers
-
Jeff Nichols
5
‘The First Omen’ (2024)
Directed by Arkasha Stevenson
The First Omen serves as a prequel to the iconic The Omen franchise. The film delves into the dark origins of the Antichrist’s arrival, focusing on the mother. The film follows Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) as she first arrives in Rome, ready to take the veil to be a nun. However, she’s oblivious that she is part of a sinister conspiracy that wants to give birth to the Antichrist. The film is directed by Arkasha Stevenson and co-stars Bill Nighy and Ralph Ineson.
The film earned a respectable $53 million at the worldwide box office but failed to expand beyond the horror fans. The film was met with positive reviews and praise for Nell Tiger Free as the lead. Despite also trying something new, the film suffered due to its connection to The Omen, a popular yet dormant franchise whose latest movie arrived in 2006. The film also shares a similar premise with Immaculate, a nunsploitation horror film starring Sydney Sweeney, which was released just a few weeks before and also centers on the birth of the Antichrist. While the film failed to light up the box office, it enjoyed success when released on streaming.
The First Omen
- Release Date
-
April 5, 2024
- Runtime
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119 Minutes
- Director
-
Arkasha Stevenson
Stream
4
‘Trap’ (2024)
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
M. Night Shyamalan sets a Trap in a stadium pop concert to capture a serial killer known as The Butcher. Cooper (Josh Hartnett), a firefighter and devoted father, attends this concert with his teenage daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue), only to find himself playing cat and mouse with the law enforcement who already have a whole operation to apprehend him. Shyamalan also enlists his daughter, Saleka Shyamalan, as the megastar singer at the center of its setting.
Despite Shyamalan’s reputation for delivering unexpected twists, Trap received mixed reviews. The movie’s campy tone was not something the audience expected. Critics noted that while the film attempted to blend thriller elements with dark comedy, it often veered into the realm of the absurd, undermining the tension. It’s unfortunate as the movie actually sees Shyamalan at his most personal and in full control, mashing thriller and humorous elements together. It also has a catchy original soundtrack written by Shyamalan’s daughter which should have appeared in many year-end Spotify Wrapped lists.
3
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)
Directed by George Miller
With stunning visuals, explosive action, and George Miller’s visionary storytelling, Furiosa promised to deliver a worthy expansion of the Mad Max universe. However, with a much more character-driven story and a longer runtime, the film failed to connect with the audiences. Even with years of goodwill built by Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa might have arrived too late. The ambitious plot seemed to alienate general audience, making it a fan-only affair. Nevertheless, with strong leads in Taylor-Joy and an against-type Hemsworth on the poster, the film is a bigger hit on streaming services, sparking hope for another entry in the universe.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
- Release Date
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May 24, 2024
- Runtime
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148 Minutes
- Director
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George Miller
- Writers
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George Miller, Nick Lathouris
- Sequel(s)
-
Mad Max: Fury Road
2
‘The Fall Guy’ (2024)
Directed by David Leitch
The Fall Guy follows Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who gets roped into a rescue mission when his former flame, Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), reaches out for help. This straightforward gig turns out to be a Hollywood studio conspiracy with Colt applying his impressive stunt skills in real life and trying to win back Jody. Directed by David Leitch, the film is also a tribute to the dangerous world of Hollywood stunt performers.
While The Fall Guy had all the makings of a blockbuster—star power and a director with a knack for stylish action—it failed to connect with audiences in the way it was expected to. The film was deemed too niche to open the summer season, a job typically reserved for Marvel blockbusters. Some critics noted that its blend of improvisational humor, romantic comedy, and over-the-top action didn’t quite hit the right tone for audiences. Despite its box office underperformance, the film showcases Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s comedic chops and electric chemistry. The movie is still a fun, if underappreciated, ride for those who gave it a chance.
The Fall Guy
- Release Date
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May 3, 2024
- Runtime
-
126 Minutes
- Writers
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Glen A. Larson, Drew Pearce
- Producers
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Glen A. Larson
1
‘Transformers One’ (2024)
Directed by Josh Cooley
Transformers One offers a fresh perspective on the long conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons. Directed by Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4), the film goes to the very beginning, exploring the bond between Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry) before they become Optimus Prime and Megatron. Set on Cybertron, Orion Pax and D-16 discovers that the leaders of the planet have been deceiving them, leaving the fate of the planet in their hands.
Despite being one of 2024’s best animated films, Transformers One struggled to achieve the widespread acclaim expected of a fresh take on such a beloved franchise. The franchise has seen diminishing returns over the years and the decision to have a new movie in animated form might have hurt it further. Moreover, the movie’s marketing failed to create the kind of buzz needed for it to be a blockbuster. Viewers who saw the film lauded it for its dazzling portrayal of Cybertron and its action sequences, as well as the solid voice cast. As the movie failed to make a splash at the box office, it was quickly released on digital, putting an end to its prospects. In a perfect world, the movie should have jump started interest in the Hasbro franchise and spawned more sequels.
Transformers One
- Release Date
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September 20, 2024
- Runtime
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104 Minutes
- Director
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Josh Cooley
- Writers
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Andrew Barrer, Steve Desmond, Gabriel Ferrari
- Sequel(s)
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Transformers
- Franchise(s)
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Transformers
