#6. Big Trouble in Little China (1986) | Own Big Trouble in Little China ($10 @ Amazon.com)
Why it shouldn’t have flopped: It’s not a terrible movie when you take it at face value. Are you looking for a spoof that stays true to character? Then it’s a hit. If you’re looking for more, swing and a miss. If you’re looking at it from the bottom line — it made just over $11m on a $25m budget — it’s a swing, miss, and a strike out.
Why it flopped: For one, it went up against Aliens. Two, it’s a niche film that’s hit or miss with people. Clearly, it missed for most.
What could have saved it: A different release date would have helped. So would have somehow lowering the expectations that director John Carpenter — aka the “master of horror” — set forth with horror flicks like Halloween (1978), The Fog (1980), Escape From New York (1981), The Thing (1982), and Christine (1983).
Next: Evan Almighty
