Hollywood loves a comeback but it also loves receipts. One box-office faceplant can derail your next call sheet, even if you once ruled the marquee. Ask Waterworld and Showgirls. Our list tracks ten stars who ate one bad release and never bounced back at all. If you’re picking projects, protect your brand, read the room and don’t ignore test screenings.
Eddie Murphy — Norbit (2007)
Before Norbit, the consensus was that Murphy could do no wrong. Even his raunchiest comedies still saw modest box office success. Norbit’s bizarre premise, tone, and Murphy’s overreliance on body suits soured the comedian’s legacy.
Geena Davis — Cutthroat Island (1995)
After her meteoric ascent, thanks to films like Beetlejuice and Thelma & Louise, Davis’ career was stunted by the flop that was Cutthroat Island. Fortunately, she has since found a revival opportunity with her critically acclaimed TV performances.
Mike Myers — The Love Guru (2008)
Myers quietly retired from live-action starring roles after The Love Guru backfired with critics and even the most die-hard Austin Powers fans. He attempted a comeback with 2022’s The Pentaverate, but critics were not impressed.
Cuba Gooding Jr. — Boat Trip (2002)
Fresh off an Oscar win and ready to take Hollywood by storm, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s prospects suddenly sank after the tasteless Boat Trip. His starring role in 2002’s Snow Dogs didn’t help his case either.
John Travolta — Battlefield Earth (2000)
The bizarre ties to Scientology and the movie’s all-around terrible reception almost demolished John Travolta’s career overnight at the turn of the millennium.
Taylor Kitsch — John Carter (2012)
Disney’s space epic failure took out Kitsch’s blooming action lead career as collateral damage. What should have been Disney’s Avatar ended up being Kitsch’s Waterworld instead.
Kevin Costner — Waterworld (1995)
The film’s massive budget overruns and box office underperformance labeled it a flop, significantly damaging Costner’s star power and leading to a string of less successful projects afterward. Fortunately, Yellowstone salvaged Costner’s reputation and might end up as his career’s most celebrated performance.
Halle Berry — Catwoman (2004)
In 2002, Berry became the first African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for Monster’s Ball. Two years later, she made Catwoman. The whiplash stalled Berry’s career for a while, earning her a Razzie Award as Worst Actress, which Berry herself graciously received.
Elizabeth Berkley — Showgirls (1995)
Showgirls, with its hammy drama and its legendarily terrible movie poster, has become one of the most infamous films ever produced. Berkley’s over-the-top performance was so notoriously bad that her agent dropped her altogether, severely limiting her prospects outside of indie films.
Roberto Benigni — Pinocchio (2002)
In a world without 2002’s Pinocchio, Benigni might be remembered as a legendary performer who elevated Life Is Beautiful into a masterpiece. Unfortunately, in our reality, Pinocchio exists. The film was called a “vanity project” that feels increasingly bizarre as you wonder who thought having 50-year-old Benigni play a small wooden boy was a good idea.
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