Expensive Netflix Movies That Flopped With Critics and Audiences: A Deep Dive

Netflix is known for its vast library of films, but not all of them hit the mark. Despite pumping substantial budgets into various projects, several expensive Netflix movies have failed to please both critics and audiences. In this article, we explore some of these cinematic disappointments, examining why they flopped and what went wrong.

H2: The Price of Failure: Netflix’s Approach to Big Budgets

Netflix’s willingness to spend lavishly on movie production has caused a stir in the film industry. Its latest production, "The Electric State," topped the charts with a staggering budget of $320 million, placing it among the top 15 most expensive movies of all time. However, this extravagant spending often results in films that fail to deliver satisfying stories or engaging characters.

H3: The Shift in Strategy

Historically, 2022 marked a potential pivot for Netflix as it signaled an end to the era of expensive vanity projects. Yet, in a strange turn, budgets ballooned rather than shrank. Instead of producing award-winning films like "The Irishman" or "Mank," the streamer has instead focused on flashy blockbusters that critics have labeled as mere "slop."

H2: A Look at 11 Notorious Flops

Here’s a rundown of some notably expensive Netflix films that just didn’t resonate with audiences, racking up a hefty financial toll without the critical or viewer approval to match:

H3: 1. "The Electric State" (2025)

• Budget: $320 million
• Critics Score: 15% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 2.1 stars on Letterboxd

In a dystopian 1990s setting, this film stars Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt in a tale about a teenage girl teaming up with a veteran against a mega-corporation. Unfortunately, it’s deemed "obvious, garish, and just plain dumb" by critics.

H3: 2. "Red Notice" (2023)

• Budget: $200 million
• Critics Score: 37% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 2.5 stars on Letterboxd

This all-star heist film featuring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot was touted as a hit but struggled with disjointed storytelling that made it "limp and dull." Despite being Netflix’s most-watched film at the time, it failed to impress critics.

H3: 3. "Back in Action" (2025)

• Budget: $200 million
• Critics Score: 29% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 58% (Critics were less forgiving)

This film marked the return of Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. However, it lands with a clunk! Critics mentioned that while Diaz still holds "that particular magic," the film ultimately falls flat.

H3: 4. "The Gray Man" (2022)

• Budget: $200 million
• Critics Score: 45% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 2.8 stars on Letterboxd

This spy thriller featuring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans was characterized as "handsome" but overly formulaic, playing safe at the expense of creativity.

H3: 5. "Heart of Stone" (2023)

• Budget: $150 million
• Critics Score: 31% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 2.2 stars on Letterboxd

Gal Gadot’s action-packed film centered around a powerful AI flopped with audiences, being described as a "Mission: Impossible wannabe."

H3: 6. "Rebel Moon" Franchise (2023-2024)

• Combined Budget: $166 million
• Critics Score: 22% for "A Child of Fire" and 16% for its sequel

Zack Snyder’s space opera didn’t resonate with viewers, earning remarks like "a ponderous slog."

H3: 7. "Me Time" (2022)

• Budget: $80 million
• Critics Score: 7% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 2 stars on Letterboxd

This buddy comedy featuring Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg drew ire for being utterly unfunny and perfunctory.

H3: 8. "Atlas" (2024)

• Budget: $100 million
• Critics Score: 19% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 2 stars on Letterboxd

Jennifer Lopez’s latest film, which pits her against an AI, left audiences confused and unimpressed.

H3: 9. "Bright" (2017)

• Budget: $90 million
• Critics Score: 26% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 2.3 stars on Letterboxd

As one of Netflix’s first major original films, it took harsh criticism for its weak storytelling and became known for sparking debates about the future of Netflix productions.

H3: 10. "Damsel" (2024)

• Budget: $60 million
• Critics Score: 56% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Audience Score: 2.5 stars on Letterboxd

Another Millie Bobby Brown-starring vehicle, this fantasy action flick was criticized for being generated more by an algorithm than creativity.

H2: Conclusion: The Cost of Carelessness

These films collectively demonstrate an important lesson for Netflix: throwing money at a project doesn’t guarantee its success. As tastes vary and critics continue to hold films to a high standard, the platform must rethink its ambitious spending on projects that could end up being financial blunders.

Could Netflix find a more successful balance between indulgent budgets and quality storytelling? Only time will tell. For now, it remains a cautionary tale of how even the deepest pockets can’t guarantee a cinematic triumph.