Hit movies that studio executives were not fans of


Most of the time, when a movie is made, it has the backing of its studio, directors, stars, and producers. They all combine to make their vision a reality, and try to promote this to the world in the form of their film. However, there are occasions when studios and artists are locked in conflict over the direction that a movie should be taking.

We hear countless stories about directors being fired and replaced due to creative differences. But sometimes, a movie will be made, even though studio executives hate it. It can be very difficult to get a movie off the ground, even if the script is great. These are some of the most successful movies that were hated by the studio executives behind them.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Arguably John Hughes’ masterpiece, The Breakfast Club is one of the most iconic and influential films of the 1980s. It boosted the teen high-school genre and became a cult classic. It also performed well at the box office, grossing over $51 million on a budget of $1 million. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for this classic movie, and the studio bigwigs were dead against it being made. They thought it was horrible and boring, and just a bunch of kids talking in school. We’re sure they changed their tune once the box office figures rolled in though.

Hit movies that studio executives hated

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Dumb, silly, puerile, infantile, and utterly hilarious, Dumb and Dumber is one of the stupidest and funniest movies of all time. The Farrelly Brothers comedy roadshow was peppered with problems from the start. Most studios hated the script and those who liked it wanted to control casting, only to have their choices pass. Jim Carrey signed on, and then became a megastar with Ace Ventura, forcing the studio to pay $7 million to secure him. They also objected to the casting of Jeff Daniels, and many of the scenes in the script.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

There are few filmmakers more singular in their vision and drive than Quentin Tarantino. Following his breakout debut, Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino retreated to Amsterdam and wrote his follow up movie, Pulp Fiction. Columbia TriStar famously passed on the film, calling it the worst script they had ever read. Eventually, Miramax snapped it up, offering Tarantino an $8 million budget, and creative license to do whatever he wanted. The rest is movie history.

Home Alone (1990)

Christmas classic Home Alone is one of the seminal festive films of all time, but it was actually hated by the studio. Despite his success with The Breakfast Club, John Hughes didn’t find it any easier getting this movie greenlit. Originally in pre-production at Warner Brothers, the studio dropped the flick after Hughes asked them to raise the budget – they weren’t big on comedies at the time. The movie ended up being picked up by 20th Century Fox and went on to become the blockbuster success it was.

Hit movies that studio executives hated

We bet you never knew that studio execs all hated these movies, and we bet they are kicking themselves now. Imagine being the executive who turned down Pulp Fiction – it’s like being the guy who turned down The Beatles! We hope these movies are cautionary tales for future execs and the way they back films.

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