Wait, What?

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Summer blockbusters have turned into a standard in Hollywood, with Steven Spielberg’s third movie, “Jaws,” being commonly recognized as the first of its kind. Ever since its debut in June 1975, production companies have been producing similar films, hoping to rake in large sums of money. These movies are known for their star-studded casts, captivating narratives, and impressive visual effects. They usually come with hefty budgets, broad audience appeal, and extensive marketing efforts. In the realm of summer blockbusters, critical acclaim isn’t as crucial. Whether they receive positive or negative reviews, these films often make their way into popular culture as must-watch cinematic events.

Although these summer blockbusters may have a successful run at the theater, only a select few can match the lasting appeal or impact of Jaws. Most movies are forgotten shortly after their initial release, becoming virtually unknown as time goes by and their significance wanes, eventually sinking into oblivion.

Here are ten summer blockbusters from years past, which have somehow faded into obscurity, listed in order of their original release date. Let’s refresh our memories together.

10
‘Stakeout’ (1987)

Do you recall that film titled “Stakeout”? Well, it seems few others do too. This buddy cop action-comedy revolves around two detectives (portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez), who are tasked with surveillance on an ex-girlfriend of a fugitive. A surprising development occurs as one of them unexpectedly develops feelings for her.

The movie titled “Stakeout” didn’t attract a large audience at the box office, with earnings of approximately $65.6 million within the U.S. Nevertheless, this figure ranks it as the 8th highest-grossing film of the year, which is an impressive accomplishment. However, this success was not enough to prevent “Stakeout” from becoming less well-known over time.

9
‘Crocodile Dundee II’ (1988)

1986 saw the unexpected success of the film “Crocodile Dundee,” earning an astounding $328 million domestically on a budget of just $10 million. This Aussie sensation quickly swept across the globe. Naturally, Hollywood seized the opportunity to expand it into a series. True to its title, “Crocodile Dundee II” (released in 1988) marks the second chapter in this adventure-filled franchise. Here, our beloved crocodile hunter Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) finds himself in the bustling metropolis of New York City, where he must safeguard his love from a dangerous Colombian drug cartel.

Similar to its original, “Crocodile Dundee II” achieved massive success, earning approximately $240 million within U.S. territories. However, compared to the ’80s, Crocodile Dundee’s fame has waned significantly; nowadays, many people are unaware that this film series was once popular at all.

8
‘Eraser’ (1996)

Arnold Schwarzenegger may have become somewhat less prominent, but he remains a significant figure in the world of action cinema and is often referred to as a movie icon of the ’90s. However, not every film from this period leaves a lasting impression. For instance, the 1996 movie “Eraser,” where Schwarzenegger portrayed a Witness Protection agent, found himself in the midst of an illegal arms trade that ultimately pitted him against his own allies.

Regardless of the varying opinions, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s charisma and the film’s thrilling action scenes propelled Eraser to become a massive box office hit in 1996, raking in $242.3 million. However, when fans consider iconic Arnold action movies, Eraser is often overlooked. For many moviegoers, this summer blockbuster has essentially faded from memory.

7
‘Conspiracy Theory’ (1997)

I, for one, can’t help but find intrigue in a well-spun conspiracy theory. In this gripping tale of suspense, a taxi driver who’s a self-proclaimed conspiracy theorist finds himself under government scrutiny when one of his theories unexpectedly proves to be fact. This nail-biting drama, titled Conspiracy Theory, boasts an impressive ensemble, including Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, and Patrick Stewart.

Although it received a mix of positive and negative feedback, the film earned $137 million in 1997. Just like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson is famous for his roles in action movies, including Lethal Weapon and Mad Max. However, Conspiracy Theory does not fall into that category.

6
‘The Perfect Storm’ (2000)

Drawing from true incidents, the movie titled “The Perfect Storm” narrates the harrowing journey of a group of fishermen who find themselves ensnared in an extraordinarily potent storm. This film proved to be the ideal tempest for a summer blockbuster. It’s a gripping disaster movie, boasting stunning visual effects and a stellar ensemble cast, including renowned actors such as George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, William Fichtner, and John C. Reilly.

In 2000, The Perfect Storm was highly anticipated and ultimately became one of the year’s most successful films, earning $328 million at the box office. However, over the years following its release, the film has mostly faded from public consciousness.

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5
‘Dinosaur’ (2000)

The Disney Renaissance was a prosperous phase for Disney animation, marked by commercial, critical, and creative achievements. Among the first movies released post-Renaissance and also one of the early 3D animated productions from Disney was “Dinosaur” in the 2000s. Regrettably, this signaled a decline for Disney thereafter. After his dinosaur home is devastated by a meteor shower, a young, orphaned dinosaur embarks on an epic quest to find sanctuary.

Regardless of mixed opinions from critics, Dinosaur proved successful at the box office, earning approximately $350 million and ranking as the fifth highest-grossing film in 2000. However, unlike other Disney animated classics, it hasn’t maintained long-term popularity. In fact, its theme park ride in Animal Kingdom is planned to be replaced by an Indiana Jones attraction, which signifies that Dinosaur may soon disappear from the spotlight, much like the dinosaurs themselves.

4
‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ (2008)

The “Mummy” film series, featuring Brendan Fraser, was among the most financially successful movie franchises during the late ’90s and early 2000s. The original movie, released in 1999 as “The Mummy,” is widely remembered. Even its sequel, “The Mummy Returns” from 2001, is notable for Dwayne Johnson’s role as the Scorpion King, which led to a separate series of films. However, the third installment in the franchise, titled “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” seems to have been largely overlooked by many.

Despite earning $405 million in 2008, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was the lowest-earning film in the series. Combined with poor critical reception, this prompted producers to abandon plans for a sequel. Hollywood attempted to revive the franchise in 2017 with Tom Cruise, aiming to build a shared monster universe. However, these aspirations were dashed when the movie bombed both commercially and critically. For many Mummy enthusiasts, the series concludes with The Mummy Returns from 2001.

3
‘Public Enemies’ (2009)

The movie titled “Public Enemies” is a biographical crime drama that centers around the notorious gangster, John Dillinger, who was chased by the FBI during the Great Depression in America. Back in 2009, this film generated a lot of buzz. Directed by Michael Mann, “Public Enemies” sets Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, at the pinnacle of their fame, against each other. It earned favorable reviews and raked in $214 million at the box office.

Regardless of its acclaimed status and high-profile actors, the film Public Enemies hasn’t managed to emulate the lasting impact of legendary gangster movies such as The Godfather or Goodfellas. Instead, it has become mostly forgotten over time.

2
‘Super 8’ (2011)

In the 2000s, J.J. Abrams was considered a star in Hollywood. His projects consistently brought in success and praise, from TV shows like “Lost” to movies like “Cloverfield” and the reboot of “Star Trek”. Many believed that Abrams would become the next Steven Spielberg, and it was thought that “Super 8”, released in 2011, would be his equivalent of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”.

In the year 1979, the movie titled “Super 8” unfolds a story where a bunch of kids accidentally film an extraterrestrial landing on their Super 8 camera. Reminds you of “E.T.“, doesn’t it? Just like its counterpart, “Super 8” was a massive success, earning $260 million at the box office in 2011. However, unlike the enduring popularity and fondness for “E.T.“, the movie “Super 8” and its director J.J. Abrams have largely been forgotten following his work on “Star Wars“.

1
‘San Andreas’ (2015)

San Andreas is a movie that portrays a catastrophic earthquake and its destructive impact on the western coast of America. This film features Dwayne Johnson, who was one of the top-earning actors in Hollywood throughout the 2010s. And San Andreas did not disappoint.

In more recent times, the movie that earned a whopping $474 million at the box office in 2015 and graced Johnson’s resume with another success has faded from the minds of cinema enthusiasts.

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2025-06-07 18:03