#3 Biggest box-office failures of 2023
https://deadline.com/2024/05/biggest-box-office-bombs-2023-lowest-grossing-movies-1235902825/share
Net Loss: -$143M
Harrison Ford reportedly loved the script of this finale, which is why it got made. However, Steven Spielberg passed on directing, handing the reins to James Mangold — a smart choice and able filmmaker given his history with Logan and Ford v. Ferrari. However, something went amiss. In the hands of Disney, the formerly Paramount-distributed Lucasfilm franchise sequel had too many cooks in the kitchen. There were reports of several editors trying to fix the film at the last minute, not to mention there was no attempt to cast-up this older, male-skewing movie ala Top Gun: Maverick with stars that could appeal to the under-40 crowd, which would have expanded the audience. Also a factor: Indiana Jones is always in competition with himself. Despite 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull being the highest-grossing movie in the series with more than $786M worldwide, many weren’t fans with its B CinemaScore and opted to stay away this time around. This was especially so after the sour word of mouth and reviews that came out of Dial of Destiny‘s Cannes world premiere, a promotional maneuver that largely dialed back the commercial prospects of Dial of Destiny.