10 Best Picture Winners That Failed To Impress At The Box Office

1.Cimarron (1931)

Cimarron, the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Picture award, fell short of expectations at the box office. With a hefty budget of $1.5 million, the film failed to recoup its costs, making it a lackluster Western release of its time. Despite being the first Western film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, Cimarron struggled to attract audiences due to its long running time and lack of action sequences. These factors contributed to its underwhelming box office performance.

black and white western - Box Office: $1,383,000 - Cimarron (1931)

2.Chariots Of Fire (1981)

Despite its low budget, Chariots of Fire struggled to outshine other films in 1981. While it managed to recover its investment, it ranked poorly in terms of earnings, failing to make a significant impact at the box office. This British historical drama, which depicted the inspiring story of two British runners in the 1924 Olympics, garnered critical acclaim and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. However, its limited release in a small number of theaters hindered its ability to attract a wider audience, resulting in modest box office earnings.

Chariots Of Fire Cropped - Box Office: $61,910,507 - Chariots Of Fire (1981)

3.The Last Emperor (1987)

The Last Emperor, a biographical drama about the life of Puyi, the last emperor of China, achieved critical and commercial success, winning nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. However, its box office earnings of $44 million were relatively modest compared to its competitors. The film's limited release in a small number of theaters contributed to its underwhelming box office performance. Despite its accolades, The Last Emperor failed to resonate with a wider audience, resulting in lower-than-expected earnings.

Joan Chen in The Last Emperor - Box Office: $44,005,435 - The Last Emporer (1987)

4.Crash (2004)

Crash, a drama that explored racial tensions in Los Angeles, managed to turn a profit with its modest budget. However, its impact and memorability in the industry were limited, overshadowed by its more acclaimed competitors. Despite winning three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Crash struggled to draw significant box office numbers. Its release in a limited number of theaters hindered its ability to reach a wider audience, resulting in relatively modest earnings.

Don Cheadle, Jennifer Esposito, and Kathleen York in Crash (2004) - Box Office: $98,410,061 - Crash (2004)

5.No Country For Old Men (2007)

Despite its critical acclaim, No Country for Old Men struggled to attract mainstream audiences. This neo-Western thriller, which followed the story of a Vietnam War veteran involved in a drug deal gone wrong, won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. However, its box office earnings of $164 million lagged significantly behind other top films of the year. The limited release in a small number of theaters contributed to its failure to reach a wider audience and achieve higher box office revenues.

Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) stares with intensity in No Country for Old Men. - Box Office: $164,035,753 - No Country For Old Men (2007)

6.The Hurt Locker (2008)

Released in a record-breaking year for box office earnings, The Hurt Locker fell short in comparison. Despite winning six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, its earnings remained modest, highlighting its lack of widespread appeal. This war drama, which focused on a U.S. Army bomb disposal unit in Iraq, received critical acclaim but struggled to attract a large audience. The film's limited release in a small number of theaters hindered its ability to reach a broader market, resulting in relatively modest box office earnings.

Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson (Guy Pearce) in The Hurt Locker opening scene discovering explosive device - Box Office: $49,876,984 - The Hurt Locker (2008)

7.The Artist (2011)

The Artist, a black-and-white silent film that paid homage to Hollywood's origins, struggled to make a mark at the box office. Despite winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the film's earnings were relatively modest. Its release in a limited number of theaters hindered its ability to attract a wider audience, resulting in lower box office revenues. While critically acclaimed, The Artist failed to capture the attention of the majority of moviegoers, leading to its underperformance at the box office.

Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo in

8.Birdman (2014)

Birdman faced tough competition in 2014 but emerged victorious at the Oscars. Despite its critical acclaim, the film failed to draw significant box office numbers, struggling to engage a wider audience. This black comedy, centered around a washed-up actor's attempt to revive his career, won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. However, its limited release in a small number of theaters hindered its ability to attract a broad audience, resulting in relatively modest box office earnings.

Michael Keaton

9.Moonlight (2016)

Moonlight's Best Picture win came with limited box office success. Despite its accolades, the film's earnings were modest compared to other winners, highlighting its niche appeal and limited release. This coming-of-age drama, which explored the struggles of a young black man with his sexuality, received critical acclaim and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. However, its limited release in a small number of theaters hindered its ability to reach a wider audience, resulting in relatively lower box office earnings.

Moonlight Beach Scene - Box Office: $64,895,106 - Moonlight (2016)

10.CODA (2021)

CODA, with its unique storyline, struggled to make a mark at the box office despite its Best Picture win. Its limited theatrical release on Apple TV+ contributed to its low earnings, making it an anomaly in modern cinema. This coming-of-age drama, which depicted the story of a deaf girl who is the only hearing member of her family, garnered critical and commercial success, winning three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. However, its unconventional release strategy limited its ability to generate significant box office revenues, resulting in relatively low earnings.

CODA characters in a doctor