10 Hit Movies That Reversed An Actor’s Bad Box Office Streak

Even the biggest Hollywood stars can go through rough patches, where one box office flop follows another, threatening to derail their careers. Whether due to poor film choices, personal struggles, or being typecast, some actors find themselves stuck in a streak of commercial and critical failures. However, in the world of cinema, all it takes is one hit movie to change everything.

These films not only reignite an actor’s career but also remind audiences of the talent that first made them famous. From genre-defining performances to unexpected comebacks, certain films have the power to pull actors out of a slump and back into the spotlight. These movies reverse an actor’s bad box office streak, showing how a single success can mark the beginning of a new chapter and a return to box office glory.

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10 The Wrestler (2008) – Mickey Rourke

Worldwide Box Office: $44.7 Million

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Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a 2008 drama that centers around Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a pro wrestler who tries to get his life together while reliving his glory days on the ring. Marisa Tomei co-stars as stripper Cassidy with Evan Rachel Wood as Randy’s estranged daughter Stephanie.

Director Darren Aronofsky Release Date December 17, 2008 Cast Evan Rachel Wood , Mark Margolis , Marisa Tomei , Todd Barry , Mickey Rourke Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Distributor(s) Searchlight Pictures Writers Robert Siegel Runtime 109 minutes Budget $6 million Expand

Mickey Rourke’s bad box office streak spanned much of the late 1980s and 1990s, primarily due to personal issues and career missteps. After gaining fame in the 1980s with hits like 9½ Weeks and Diner, Rourke developed a reputation for being difficult to work with, which led to conflicts with directors and fewer major roles. He also turned down iconic roles in films like Platoon and Rain Man, further stalling his career.

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During this period, several of his films, such as Wild Orchid and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, were critical and commercial flops. The latter only had a $7.4 million box office haul despite a $23 million budget. In the early 1990s, Rourke left Hollywood to pursue a boxing career, further damaging his acting prospects and resulting in facial injuries that altered his appearance. His career only rebounded in 2008 with The Wrestler, a critically acclaimed film that earned him an Academy Award nomination and revived his status in Hollywood.

9 Scream (1996) – Drew Barrymore

Worldwide Box Office: $173 Million

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Wes Craven flips the horror-slasher genre on its head with the 1996 release of Scream, the first in the long-running franchise. The residents of Woodsboro discover a series of murders are being committed by a dangerous ghost mask-wearing killer with an obsession for classic horror movies. To survive, a group of high school students, a reporter, and a town deputy will have to subvert horror expectations and stay one step ahead of the killer.

Director Wes Craven Release Date December 20, 1996 Cast Drew Barrymore , Kevin Patrick Walls , David Booth , Carla Hatley , Neve Campbell , Skeet Ulrich Franchise(s) Scream Studio(s) Woods Entertainment Distributor(s) Dimension Films Writers Kevin Williamson Runtime 111 minutes Sequel(s) Scream 2 , Scream 3 , Scream 4 , Scream (2022) , Scream 6 Budget $14 Million Main Genre Horror Where To Stream Paramount+ Expand

The late 1980s and early 1990s represented Drew Barrymore’s bad box office streak, following her breakout success as a child star in E.T. After her early fame, Barrymore faced personal struggles, including substance abuse and a rebellious image, which led to a series of underperforming films and a tarnished reputation in Hollywood. During this period, movies like Firestarter, Far from Home, and Poison Ivy failed to make a significant impact, both critically and commercially. With a budget of $3 million, Poison Ivy earned only $1.8 million at the box office.

Barrymore’s troubled personal life, including stints in rehab and massive tabloid attention, made it difficult for her to land substantial roles, and her box office appeal diminished. However, Barrymore made a strong comeback in the mid-1990s with her role in the beloved horror franchiseScream, followed by other hits like Charlie’s Angels. These films helped her regain credibility in Hollywood and reestablished her as a successful, bankable actress.

8 Pulp Fiction (1994) – John Travolta

Worldwide Box Office: $213.9 Million

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Quentin Tarantino’s classic tale of violence and redemption follows the intertwining tales of three protagonists: hitman Vincent Vega, prizefighter Butch Coolidge, and Vincent’s business partner Jules Winnfield.

Director Quentin Tarantino Release Date October 14, 1994 Cast John Travolta , Bruce Willis , Ving Rhames , Samuel L. Jackson , Uma Thurman , Christopher Walken , Tim Roth , Harvey Keitel , Eric Stoltz , Rosanna Arquette Studio(s) A Band Apart , Jersey Films Distributor(s) Miramax Films Writers Quentin Tarantino Runtime 154 minutes Budget $8–8.5 million Main Genre Crime Expand

Following his early success in iconic films like Saturday Night Fever and Grease, John Travolta’s career took a downturn due to poor film choices and the changing landscape of Hollywood. Movies like Look Who’s Talking Now!, Shout, and The Experts were critical and commercial failures, which led to his declining star power. In the case of The Experts, its box office haul of just $169,203 was a result of distributor Paramount Pictures disliking the film enough to pull it from wide release.

During this period, Travolta struggled to find roles that matched his earlier success, and his box office draw faded. Travolta’s career hit a low point, with a series of forgettable films and few major opportunities. However, his comeback came with Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, where his role as Vincent Vega not only revived his career but also earned him an Academy Award nomination, marking the end of his box office slump and re-establishing him as a leading actor.

7 John Wick (2014) – Keanu Reeves

Worldwide Box Office: $86.1 Million

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John Wick is the first entry in the action-thriller franchise directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves. Retired hitman John is brought back into the field when the dog his recently deceased life left him is murdered. Full of rage and equipped with unparalleled combat skills, John begins to track down the ones responsible for the act of violence and lays waste to any who dare to cross his path, sending panic throughout the criminal underworld.

Director David Leitch , Chad Stahelski Release Date October 24, 2014 Cast Keanu Reeves , Adrianne Palicki , Willem Dafoe , Bridget Moynahan , Jason Isaacs , Alfie Allen Studio(s) Thunder Road Pictures , 87Eleven Productions Distributor(s) Summit Entertainment Writers Derek Kolstad Runtime 101 Minutes Franchise(s) John Wick Sequel(s) John Wick: Chapter 2 , John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum , John Wick: Chapter 4 Budget $20-30 Million Main Genre Thriller Expand

After starring in The Matrix franchise, Keanu Reeves struggled to find similar box office hits, featuring in films like Sweet November, The Watcher, and The Replacements, which under-performed critically and commercially. Additionally, Reeves’ roles in A Scanner Darkly and The Lake House did not resonate with broad audiences, with the former failing to make back its $8.7 million budget by roughly $1 million.

As action movie roles became more limited, Reeves faced a period where his career was largely stagnant, and his ability to lead blockbuster films came into question. His career turnaround came in 2014 with John Wick, which revitalized his reputation as an action star. John Wick‘s success spawned a beloved franchise and marked the end of Reeves’s box office slump, bringing him back into the spotlight and kicking off a careeer resurgence.

6 The Blind Side (2009) – Sandra Bullock

Worldwide Box Office: $309.2 Million

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The Blind Side is a biographical sports drama film that follows the life of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American teenager who is adopted by a wealthy white family. Under the guidance of his adoptive mother, played by Sandra Bullock, Oher overcomes personal and academic challenges to become a successful college football player. The film, directed by John Lee Hancock, is based on the real-life story of Oher’s journey.

Director John Lee Hancock Release Date November 20, 2009 Cast Quinton Aaron , Sandra Bullock , Tim McGraw , Jae Head , Lily Collins , Ray McKinnon , Kim Dickens , Adriane Lenox Writers John Lee Hancock , Michael Lewis Character(s) Michael Oher , Leigh Anne Tuohy , Sean Tuohy , S.J. Tuohy , Collins Tuohy , Coach Cotton , Mrs. Boswell , Denise Oher Runtime 129 Minutes Main Genre Biography Expand

Sandra Bullock experienced a box office slump during the early 2000s after a string of successful films in the 1990s, including While You Were Sleeping and Speed. Following her rise to stardom, several of her films in the early 2000s struggled both critically and commercially. Movies like 28 Days and Two Weeks Notice failed to achieve the success of her earlier hits. Additionally, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous did not perform as well as the original, adding to her career downturn. The sequel earned $101.4 million worldwide compared to Miss Congeniality‘s $212.7 million.

During this time, Bullock’s star power seemed to fade, and her ability to consistently deliver box office hits was put under serious question. Her comeback came in 2009. The Blind Side not only became a massive box office success but also earned her an Oscar, reestablishing her as a major Hollywood force and ending her box office slump.

5 Birdman (2014) – Michael Keaton

Worldwide Box Office: $103.2 Million

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Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman is a dark comedy drama that stars Michael Keaton as washed-up actor Riggan Thomson, who’s famous for playing a bird-themed superhero and who attempts to stage a comeback by directing and starring in a Broadway play. Shot as one single long take and with Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis, and Emma Stone in its cast, the 2014 film won four Oscars, including Best Picture.

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu Release Date October 17, 2014 Cast Andrea Riseborough , Naomi Watts , Emma Stone , Edward Norton , Zach Galifianakis , Michael Keaton , Amy Ryan Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Distributor(s) Searchlight Pictures Writers Alejandro González Iñárritu , Nicolás Giacobone , Alexander Dinelaris , Armando Bo Runtime 120 Minutes Budget $16.5–18 million Expand

Michael Keaton faced a significant box office slump in the late 1990s and early 2000s, following his major success in the late 1980s with films like Batman and Beetlejuice. After stepping away from the Batman franchise, Keaton struggled to find roles that resonated with audiences. Films such as Jack Frost, Desperate Measures, and Quicksand were both commercial and critical disappointments, with Desperate Measures earning just $13.8 million despite a $50 million budget.

During this period, Keaton appeared in lower-profile films that failed to reignite his career or recapture the momentum of his earlier successes. His star power diminished, and he remained out of the Hollywood spotlight for several years. Keaton’s comeback began with Birdman, where his portrayal of a washed-up actor attempting to regain relevance mirrored his own career. The film earned widespread acclaim, brought him an Academy Award nomination, and re-established him as a prominent figure in the film industry.

4 Dallas Buyers Club (2013) – Matthew McConaughey

Worldwide Box Office: $55.2 Million

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Based on the life of Ron Woodroof, Dallas Buyers Club follows Matthew Matthew McConaughey as Woodroof, who after being diagnosed with AIDS in the mid-1980s, began smuggling unapproved but effective drugs to treat is disease into Texas and began sharing them with fellow patients he met while in treatment. Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto also star. 

Director Jean-Marc Vallee Release Date November 17, 2013 Cast Jared Leto , Matthew McConaughey , Jennifer Garner , Steve Zahn , Dallas Roberts Studio(s) Focus Features Distributor(s) Focus Features Writers Craig Borten , Melisa Wallack Runtime 117 minutes Budget $5 million Expand

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Wedding Planner established Matthew McConaughey as a leading man in 2000s romantic comedies. Despite early success, McConaughey became typecast in a series of formulaic rom-coms that were critically panned, such as Failure to Launch, Fool’s Gold, and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. These films underwhelmed at the box office, and McConaughey’s career began to stagnate.

Audiences and critics alike grew weary of his repetitive roles, and he struggled to break free from the rom-com mold. His once-promising career seemed to be in decline as he was no longer viewed as a versatile actor. McConaughey’s career turnaround, often dubbed the “McConaissance,” began with his shift to more serious roles in The Lincoln Lawyer. However, it culminated with his Oscar-winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club, which also turned in an impressive box office haul relative to its meager $5 million budget.

3 Gone Girl (2014) – Ben Affleck

Worldwide Box Office: $370.9 Million

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Based on Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel, Gone Girl stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as Nick and Amy Dunne, a couple whose disintegrating marriage is rocked by Amy’s sudden disappearance and Nick’s suspected hand in it. As evidence begins to pile up against Nick, it eventually becomes clear with a shocking twist that all is not what it seems. Flynn also wrote the screenplay for the film, with David Fincher directing. 

Director David Fincher Release Date October 1, 2014 Cast Ben Affleck , Rosamund Pike , Neil Patrick Harris , Tyler Perry , Carrie Coon , Kim Dickens Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Gillian Flynn Runtime 2h 29m Budget 61 million Expand

Ben Affleck’s box office slump happened in the early 2000s after his rise to stardom in the late 1990s with hits like Good Will Hunting and Armageddon. Despite his early success, Affleck’s career took a downturn when he starred in a string of poorly received films. Notable flops during this period included Gigli, widely considered one of the biggest box office disasters in history at $7.3 million, Daredevil, which was criticized despite decent box office returns, and Surviving Christmas, another critical and commercial failure.

Affleck also faced public backlash due to his highly publicized relationship with Jennifer Lopez, which overshadowed his work. His reputation as a leading man suffered, and Hollywood became hesitant to cast him in major roles. Nevertheless, Affleck’s career rebounded in the late 2000s, starring in critically acclaimed films such as Gone Girl, a time when he also made the transition to directing, with Gone Baby Gone and Argo reviving his career and reputation.

2 Joker (2019) – Joaquin Phoenix

Worldwide Box Office: $1.079 Billion

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Directed by Todd Phillips, Joker is an origin story for Batman’s most iconic villain. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is a down-on-his-luck clown who is trying to become a successful stand-up comedian. When things don’t go according to plan, and Arthur feels Gotham is oppressing him and others with mental illness, Arthur sparks a violent revolution within the city.

Director Todd Phillips Release Date October 2, 2019 Cast Joaquin Phoenix , Robert De Niro , Zazie Beetz , Frances Conroy , Brett Cullen , Shea Whigham Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Village Roadshow Pictures , Bron Creative , DC Films , Joint Effort Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Todd Phillips , Scott Silver Runtime 122 minutes Franchise(s) DC , Joker Sequel(s) Joker: Folie a Deux Budget $64 million Main Genre Superhero Expand

Joaquin Phoenix faced a challenging box office period in the mid-2000s, despite earlier acclaim for films like Gladiator and Signs. Following his success, Phoenix struggled with a series of under-performing films, such as Two Lovers and We Own The Night. Both failed to make a significant impact commercially, even though his performances were praised.

Unexpectedly, in 2010, Phoenix took a detour in his career by starring in the mockumentary I’m Still Here, a controversial project where he pretended to quit acting to pursue a rap career. This unconventional move confused audiences and critics alike, further dampening his mainstream appeal. His erratic behavior during this period caused many to doubt his future in Hollywood. Phoenix’s comeback came with Joker, which more than solidified his return to box office success by becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie at the time. It also won Phoenix an Academy Award for Best Actor.

1 Iron Man (2008) – Robert Downey Jr.

Worldwide Box Office: 585.8 Million

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Iron Man is the first film in the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark, who becomes Iron Man after he is kidnapped and discovers terrorists are using weapons developed by Stark Industries. Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Tony’s love interest Pepper Potts alongside Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan and Jeff Bridges as the villainous Obadiah Stane.

Director Jon Favreau Release Date May 2, 2008 Cast Robert Downey Jr. , Jeff Bridges , Gwyneth Paltrow , Terrence Howard , Leslie Bibb , Shaun Toub , Clark Gregg , Paul Bettany Studio(s) Marvel Studios Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Matt Holloway , Art Marcum , Hawk Ostby , Mark Fergus Runtime 126 minutes Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe , Iron Man Sequel(s) Iron Man 2 , Iron Man 3 Budget $140 million Main Genre Superhero Expand

Due to personal struggles and legal issues, Robert Downey Jr. traversed a negative period career-wise in the late 1990s and early 2000s. After gaining critical acclaim for films like Chaplin, his career was derailed by substance abuse problems and repeated arrests. These issues led to his dismissal from projects and made it difficult for him to secure major roles.

During this period, Downey appeared in a string of films that failed to resonate with audiences, such as In Dreams and Black and White. The former earned only $17 million against a budget of $30 million. Downey’s reputation in Hollywood plummeted, and he was considered unreliable by many studios. Fortunately, Downey’s career turnaround came with his casting as Tony Stark in Iron Man. The role revitalized his career, launching him into superstardom and ending his box office slump, making him one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood.

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