The 1995 Box Office Bomb That Held a Guinness World Record
Many great movies were released in 1995, with several earning hundreds of millions at the box office. However, Cutthroat Island is not among them. This swashbuckling pirate adventure starring Geena Davis and Matthew Modine lost so much money that it once held a Guinness World Record for the biggest box office loss.
Record Loss and Financial Details
Until April 2012, Cutthroat Island held the Guinness World Record for the largest box office loss ever, estimated at $105 million ($145 million when adjusted for inflation). Guinness reported the movie had a production budget around $98 million, excluding marketing costs. Its box office gross was just $10 million, leading to a staggering nine-figure loss.
Impact on the Pirate Genre
Following Cutthroat Island, pirate-themed movies largely disappeared from theaters for nearly a decade. While titles like Muppet Treasure Island appeared, the genre did not regain popularity until 2003, when Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl revived interest and earned $654 million worldwide.
Where to Watch
The film, once criticized and financially disastrous, is now available to stream for free. Fans or curious viewers can watch this much-maligned treasure hunt without paying.
"Up until April 2012, Cutthroat Island had the distinction of holding the Guinness World Record for the largest box office loss of all time, which amounted to $105 million (or $145 million, adjusted for inflation)."
"According to Guinness, the movie had an estimated production budget of $98 million (plus marketing) and a box office gross of only $10 million, which accounted for the nine-figure loss."
"The genre was pretty much put on ice for the better part of the next decade until Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl came along and made $654 million."
Author's summary: Cutthroat Island was a costly 1995 pirate film that held a Guinness World Record for losses but now can be watched free, marking a dramatic chapter in pirate movie history.