World’s Biggest Flop Film: Made for ₹1400 crore, earned ₹6 crore

TIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious historical action film Desert Warrior has turned into one of the biggest box office failures in cinema history after reportedly earning only around ₹6 crore worldwide against a massive ₹1400 crore budget, losing 99.6% of the total budget.

Desert Warrior, directed by Rupert Wyatt, was launched as a landmark project aimed at putting Saudi cinema on the global entertainment map. Featuring an international cast including Anthony Mackie, Ben Kingsley, Sharlto Copley and Aiysha Hart, the movie was mounted on a grand scale with elaborate sets, visual effects and large battle sequences.

Set in seventh-century Arabia, the story revolved around Princess Hind and a warrior named Hanzala fighting against a powerful ruler. The project was first announced in 2021 and generated attention due to its scale and Hollywood involvement. Reports suggested that hundreds of crew members and local workers were involved during filming in Saudi Arabia.

However, the film struggled badly after release in April 2026. In North America, it reportedly collected less than $500,000 during its opening weekend despite releasing in more than 1,000 theatres. Its performance in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern markets also remained disappointing.

Entertainment analysts believe weak promotions and long production delays hurt the film’s momentum. The movie spent over two years in post-production, causing the initial buzz to fade significantly before release. Reviews from critics were also largely negative, further impacting audience turnout.

With earnings reportedly recovering less than one percent of its total budget, Desert Warrior is now being discussed as one of the largest commercial failures ever seen in the global film industry.