12 Classic Movies That Didn’t Hit Number 1 At The Box Office

Some movies have gone down in cinematic history as amazing films, earning significant money during their theatrical releases, but they never quite reached the number 1 spot. Box office performance, while a crucial metric, is not the sole determinant of a film’s success or cultural impact. Many films, despite not claiming the top position on opening weekend or throughout their theatrical run, have managed to forge lasting connections with audiences worldwide. The competitive nature of the movie industry often leads to instances where cinematic gems are overshadowed by rival films, as recently witnessed by Oppenheimer during the ‘Barbenheimer‘ phenomenon.

These films, though not necessarily the highest-grossing of their time, have stood the test of time and remain cherished by viewers. Exploring box office history reveals a fascinating array of movies that, while not reaching the pinnacle of the charts, have had a huge impact on cinema. From films catering to different demographics to underdog stories of modest productions exceeding expectations, the landscape of cinema is dotted with remarkable works that defy box office conventions.

12
Interstellar (2014)

Domestic Box Office: $188,017,894

Interstellar is a cinematic masterpiece directed by Christopher Nolan that showcases exceptional filmmaking and features a captivating score by Hans Zimmer. Despite its stellar cast, led by Matthew McConaughey, and its thought-provoking exploration of space travel, the film never reached the top spot at the box office. Released on November 7, 2014, Interstellar faced stiff competition from nine other movies, including Big Hero 6 and The Theory of Everything. The week prior saw the start of the Saw franchise’s horror reign, while the preceding week introduced the iconic hitman John Wick. Nonetheless, Interstellar earned a respectable $188 million domestically.

11
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Domestic Box Office: $128,519,357

Considered one of Ang Lee’s best movies, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon achieved remarkable success as the highest-grossing non-English movie at the American box office. However, the film never secured the top spot domestically. Released in 2000, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon earned a considerable $128 million in the United States, showcasing its appeal to diverse audiences. The film’s success extended beyond its financial achievements, as it is also regarded as one of the finest films of the 21st century. Ang Lee received a Best Director nomination, while Wang Hui-ling, James Schamus, and Tasi Kuo-jung were nominated for Academy Awards, as well.

10
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Domestic Box Office: $141,330,703

Slumdog Millionaire quietly entered the cinematic landscape before gaining significant Oscar recognition for its heartfelt story. The film follows Jamal, portrayed by Dev Patel, as he navigates the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, reflecting on his upbringing in Mumbai’s slums. Despite never claiming the top spot at the box office, the movie outperformed high-profile competitors like The Incredible Hulk and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Initially earning $360,000 across ten theaters, Slumdog Millionaire expanded to over 2,000 North American theaters post-Oscars, amassing $140 million domestically on a modest $15 million budget.

9
La La Land (2016)

Domestic Box Office: $151,101,803

Sustaining an impressive box office run without ever being number one, La La Land was still able to become a success story. Summit Entertainment strategically promoted the Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone movie through a limited release, gradually building it into a must-see cinematic experience. Director Damien Chazelle’s original musical captivated viewers worldwide, establishing itself as one of the most recognizable and iconic Hollywood films of the past decade. The film’s strong word-of-mouth propelled it to become the season’s must-watch movie, second only to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story during the holiday period.

8
Juno (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. Writer Diablo Cody transforms a typical teen pregnancy plot into an indie darling, with a memorable soundtrack featuring Kimya Dawson and Belle and Sebastian. The film’s success lies in its relatable characters, with Page and Michael Cera authentically portraying confused and immature teenagers. Juno became the first Fox Spotlight Pictures release to surpass $100 million, generating over $143 million domestically and an additional $87 million internationally. The film’s popularity garnered four Oscar nominations, and won for Best Original Screenplay.

7
Django Unchained (2012)

Domestic Box Office: $162,805,434

Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained features a stellar cast including Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Christoph Waltz in an Oscar-winning role. The film faced fierce competition during its holiday season release from Monsters, Inc. and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, directed by Peter Jackson. Django Unchained‘s domestic box office performance was impressive, earning $162.8 million, but it was overshadowed by the success of its competitors, preventing it from reaching the coveted number one slot.

6
Knives Out (2019)

Domestic Box Office: $165,364,060

Knives Out, with its star-studded cast and positive reviews, competed against Frozen II, Jumanji: The Next Level, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker during the 2019 holiday season. Writer-director Rian Johnson, fresh off his Star Wars stint, crafted a modern movie mystery that captivated audiences. Despite being released by the smaller studio Lionsgate, Knives Out held its own against the top contenders, earning an impressive $165.3 million domestically. Even though it never claimed the top spot, the film’s success prompted Netflix to invest over $450 million to secure the future of the Knives Out franchise.

5
Bridesmaids (2011)

Domestic Box Office: $169,211,718

Bridesmaids debuted in the summer of 2011, competing for the top spot against blockbusters like Thor and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. The female-focused comedy resonated with moviegoers, particularly women celebrating together, making it a must-see for bridal parties. Despite being overshadowed by high-profile releases, Bridesmaids demonstrated the staying power of comedies in the cultural consciousness. The film’s success challenged the traditional “chick flick” notion, proving that women’s entertainment preferences can be satisfied at the box office in unexpected ways. Bridesmaids grossed an impressive $169 million domestically, paving the way for future female-centric films.

4
Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Domestic Box Office: $206,333,165

The original Beauty and the Beast, one of Disney’s most beloved animated films, faced unexpected competition upon its wide release in 1991. Despite opening in a limited release of two theaters before the Thanksgiving holiday, the enchanting musical debuted in third place once it expanded, trailing behind The Addams Family and Cape Fear. Nonetheless, Beauty and the Beast‘s enduring popularity propelled it to become one of the highest-grossing films ever when adjusted for inflation. The film’s success also paved the way for the popular live-action remake, which claimed the top spot at the box office upon release.

3
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Domestic Box Office: $241,438,208

My Big Fat Greek Wedding redefined the concept of a box office juggernaut with its unconventional success story. Starting in limited release with only a few hundred theaters in April 2002, the movie garnered excellent word of mouth throughout the summer. In August, the number of theaters screening the film doubled, resulting in higher box office numbers. My Big Fat Greek Wedding ultimately earned a worldwide total of $368 million, a staggering 74 times its modest $5 million budget. The film’s success led to an Oscar nomination and spawned two sequels, solidifying its status as the quintessential sleeper hit.

2
A Star Is Born (2018)

Domestic Box Office: $215,288,866

A Star is Born, Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut, premiered on October 5, 2018, alongside the Spider-Man universe film, Venom. Despite opening to its projected $42 million, Cooper’s film was overshadowed by Tom Hardy’s anti-hero antics, which grossed twice as much. Both films had dedicated fan bases, with comic book enthusiasts supporting Venom and Lady Gaga’s “Little Monsters” rallying behind A Star is Born. Although the fourth iteration of the classic musical amassed nearly half a billion dollars worldwide, it never managed to surpass Venom’s box office dominance. Nevertheless, A Star is Born became a cultural phenomenon.

1
Oppenheimer (2023)

Domestic Box Office: $329,702,240

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has defied all odds, delivering not only a cinematic masterpiece, but also a mind-blowing box office performance that could potentially make it his highest-grossing non-Batman film. Despite its impressive success, Nolan’s film consistently found itself in second place, week after week, behind Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. However, this only highlights the remarkable accomplishment of Oppenheimer, solidifying its status as one of the biggest hits of the decade, even while overshadowed by another movie. Despite being number 2 all summer, Oppenheimer still managed to break box office records, and become one of the year’s best movies.