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When it comes to Hollywood’s handsome hunks, no one can beat George Clooney. Think of charm, sophistication, and that dazzling smile that graced red carpets and screens for decades. But behind that aura lies a career that’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to the box office.
Sure, Clooney’s Hollywood royalty, but his journey in the film industry has had its fair share of big wins and surprising stumbles. TakeGravityfor instance, a cinematic masterpiece that grossed a hefty box office success and cemented Clooney’s place as a bankable star. But besides floating in space with Sandra Bullock, Clooney went through challenges before hitting another jackpot.
Undoubtedly, Hollywood loves a good underdog and Clooney’s acting career features a thrilling gamble. From the fame of theOcean’s Elevenfranchise toTomorrowland,his career has been a blend of critically acclaimed hits and eyebrow-raising misses. The man doesn’t just play it safe; he bets on bold and often unconventional projects. Whether he’s navigating a heist, playing a quirky lawyer inMichael Clayton,or directing himself in films likeThe Monuments Men,his choices reflect he’s up for anything that comes his way.
Now the question arises, is he able to translate his charm to ticket sales or is he more of a critic-pleaser than a crowd-puller? Well, let’s dive into Clooney’s hit-and-flop ratio to see if this silver fox has found the formula for box office gold.
George Clooney’s Early Career
Before becoming Hollywood’s A-list star and establishing a household name,George Clooneywas just a small-town guy from Augusta, Kentucky, who was trying to carve his own path. And you know what his first gig was? A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role in the 1978 miniseries,Centennial,which was also filmed in his hometown.
Though Clooney’s beginnings were humble enough, he didn’t settle. He explored Hollywood ranks with a mix of sitcom charm which landed him his first major role in the short-lived CBS sitcom,E/R,no, not the iconicERwe all know.
As Clooney continued to carve his path by appearing in memorable TV shows that showed his knack for winning audiences over, he performed in several small roles. Reportedly, he played a handyman onThe Facts of Life,charmed as Bobby Hopkins in an episode ofThe Golden Girls,and ultimately stole scenes as Brooker Brooks, Roseanne Barr’s boss, onRoseanne.
And wait, there’s more. He even toyed in construction onBaby Talk,solved crimes inBodies of Evidence,and delivered drama as Detective James Falconer onSisters.Oh, and let’s not forget his hilariously offbeat role in the cult classicReturn of the Killer Tomatoes.
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Obviously, Clooney’s rise wasn’t overnight but he continued to master in hustling. Although he starred in a few flops, short-lived shows, he did learn a lot at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, which gave him a kickstart to his rise as one of Hollywood’s most successful stars.
George Clooney’s Breakthrough came with ER
Before George Clooney was Hollywood’s go-to guy for his Oscar-worthy performances, he was Dr. Doug Ross, an ultimate heartthrob with a stethoscope on NBC’sER.From 1994 to 1999, Clooney’s fiery charisma and bad-boy-with-a-heart persona had audiences swooning and critics raging.
Starring alongside Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, and Noah Wyle, Clooney’s turn as the charming yet flawed pediatrician wasn’t just iconic, it was a career-defining moment. Moreover, his portrayal earned him two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods (though he lost to co-star Anthony Edwards once).
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Additionally, hisERfame wasn’t limited to the small screen. While he was saving lives on TV, he also made a move in Hollywood starting withFrom Dusk Till Dawn,where he traded scrubs for a gun in a vampire-infested thriller alongside Harvey Keitel.
He also showcased his acting prowess in the romance genre with Michelle Pfeiffer inOne Fine Day,flexed his action jaws with Nicole Kidman inThe Peacemaker,and even donned the cape as Batman. Sure, Clooney himself calledBatman & Robina “waste of money”, but he did prove one thing, he isn’t afraid of taking risks as the movie was a total failure.
But wait, it was until he starred alongside Jennifer Lopez inOut of Sight, a sizzling crime-comedy that kicked off a fruitful partnership with director Steven Soderbergh. By the time he wrapped up his run onER, though he made a nostalgic return in the final season, Clooney was more than a TV star, he was Hollywood’s next big thing that we all adore today.
George Clooney’s First Box Office Success with The Perfect Storm
By the time 2000’sThe Perfect Stormhit theaters, George Clooney was already booming as a household name. However, this disaster drama officially cemented Clooney as a bankable star.
Based on the real-life 1991 storm and Sebastian Junger’s best-selling book,The Perfect Stormstarred Clooney as Billy Tyne, a committed captain of the ill-fated fishing vessel Andrea Gail, who faces the dreadful challenge of surviving an intense thunderstorm. By the sound of it, the movie is a perfectbalance of high-stakes action with human drama, featuring Clooney in a darkly heroic performance. While Captain Tyne’s fate was sealed by towering rogue waves, Clooney’s career skyrocketed on a financial high tide.
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The Perfect Stormwas a box office smash, grossing a whopping $328 million and securing its spot as the eighth highest-grossing film of the year. Not only this, its $41.3 million debut weekend broke records, delivering the third-highest Fourth of July opening at the time. For Clooney,The Perfect Stormwas a career milestone and marked his first blockbuster hit.
While some critics praised the film’s jaw-dropping special effects, which also snagged an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects, and applauded the ensemble cast including Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, and Diane Lane, others felt the drama was lacking. The movie received a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, however, the movie wasn’t just a cinematic thrill ride, it set the stage for Clooney to sail his ship through Hollywood’s A-list waiters.
George Clooney’s Another Box Office Success with Ocean’s Eleven
Following his first box office smash, George Clooney joined the all-star ensemble cast ofOcean’s Eleven,further solidifying his reputation as Hollywood’s go-to suave man. Directed by the brilliant Steven Soderberg, this 2001 heist comedy was more than just a slick remake of the 1960 Rat Pack classic—it was a cinematic jackpot.
Clooney was at the core as Danny Ocean, a smooth operator who just got out of prison. But wait until you hear his daring plan- to rob three of Las Vegas’s biggest casinos simultaneously, crazy, right? With his trademark charm and mischievous shine, Clooney led a team of thieves so cool, that they practically redefined the heist genre.
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Clooney was joined by heavyweight stars includingBrad Pitt,Matt Damon,Julia Roberts, and the late, great Bernie Mac, among others. As this A-list dream team created a perfect storm of wit, chemistry, and style, makingOcean’s Elevena timeless crowd-pleaser, Clooney’s effortless portrayal of Danny Ocean, equal parts mastermind and romantic rogue, was the glue that held this eclectic crew together. His sharp banter with Pitt’s Rusty Ryan and the fiery dynamic with Roberts’ Tess added layers to a story that was already intriguing.
Ocean’s Elevenwasn’t just a critical darling, it was also a box office goldmine. The movie raked in a staggering $450.7 million worldwide and became the fifth-highest-grossing film in 2001. Not to mention, it also became Clooney’s biggest hit untilGravitya decade later.
While the critics couldn’t get enough of its snappy dialogue, clever plot, and ultra-stylish execution, the movie received an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes, for its blend of “star power and popcorn entertainment.” Besides, the film was so successful that it was greenlit for two sequels-Ocean’s TwelveandOcean’s Thirteen,makingOcean’strilogy.
George Clooney’s Biggest Box Office Hit with Gravity
George Clooney’s biggest box office success came after soaring to astronomical heights inGravity.Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this 2013 sci-fi thriller wasn’t just a visual masterpiece, it was a smashing box office hit that pulled audiences into orbit, thanks to Clooney’s exceptional performance.
Playing the veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski, Clooney brought his signature charm and cool-headed demeanor to the tale of survival, starring oppositeSandra Bullock. Of course, his performance was heavily applauded, especially with Bullock’s powerhouse lead, the film is filled with edge-of-your-seat tension.
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On the accolades front,Gravitycreated a cinematic supernova after receiving ten Academy Awards nominations and winning seven for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. In addition, Cuarón won the Golden Globes for Best Director while the film received eleven nominations at the British Academy Film Awards.
Reflecting on the critics, they also raved aboutGravity’sgroundbreaking visual effects and spine-chilling realism, receiving 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, its $723 million global box office success broke records left and right, even surpassing Clooney’sOcean’s Elevensuccess.
George Clooney’s Success as Producer/Director
Who knew George Clooney could adore us behind the camera with his charming presence? Well, turns out, theWolfsstar isn’t just an on-screen legend, he’s impressive as a filmmaker too. Surprisingly, Clooney has a knack for telling stories that will make you laugh, think, or occasionally scratch your head in confusion.
Let’s start with the big hitters first,Good Night andGood Luck, a black-and-white masterpiece that earned him Oscar nods for Best Director and Screenplay. Not only did it perform well at the box office, grossing $54.6 million against a budget of a mere $7 million, but it also received a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Next up in line isArgo,which he produced and bagged an Academy Award for Best Picture. Yes, Ben Affleck did the directing, but Clooney’s producing role was equally applauding for this thriller shine. It also went on to gross a whopping $232 million at the box office backed by a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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While Clooney’s directorial adventures were appraisable enough, it hasn’t always struck gold. Let’s talk aboutThe Monuments Men,which though had an A-list cast, and a WWII treasure-hunting plot, but the critics weren’t exactly throwing praises. A similar average earner isThe Midnight Sky,which took us to a post-apocalyptic Arctic. While it was a total box office failure, it was loved for its ambitious storytelling. Oh, and then there’sThe Tender BarandThe Boys in the Boat,which received mixed reviews but proved Clooney as a power storyteller. Honestly, what can’t this man do?
George Clooney’s Box Office Hits
Apart from the suave heists and nail-biting survival dramas, George Clooney has explored his treasure chest of box-office gold. While several of his hits didn’t get the spotlight, there are plenty that Clooney’s career brag about.
First up,The Descendants,where Clooney plays a grieving husband-slash-dad trying to keep his dysfunctional family together. While the movie raked up $177 million against a budget of $20 million backed by an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Clooney won a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Movie Award for Best Actor.
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Then there’sUp in the Air,the comedy-drama that perfectly portrayed the balance between charm and existential dread, soaring $166 million on a $25 million budget backed by an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes. And let’s not forgetFantastic Mr. Fox, where Clooney didn’t even need to show his face as he lent his smooth voice to Wes Anderson’s quirky stop-motion wonder.
Finally,The Men Who Stare at Goats, though it didn’t break the billion-dollar mark, with $69 million worldwide, turned a bizarre story about psychic soldiers into a hit. Only Clooney could make goat-staring look so cool!
George Clooney’s Box Office Flops
When it comes to George Clooney, the man has all the charm, but even Hollywood’s golden boy has had his fair share of box office duds. Till now, we talked about Clooney’s cinematic adventures that kept his career chart on top, but let’s talk about the hiccups in between, shall we?
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Now and then, even the legendary stars stumble, trip, and fail at the box office and so did Clooney. First up isBatman & Robin,where Clooney’s portrayal of the caped crusader was full of cringe-worthy puns. Despite the critical disaster, Clooney apologized for his involvement in the film, sharing at the New York Comic Con,
I think we might have killed the franchise…a waste of money.
Then there wasThe Good German,another confusing old-school ooze that left audiences and critics scratching their heads. Though Clooney’s role as a journalist was lauded, the film failed miserably at the box office, grossing only $6 million on a budget of $32 million. Next up isThe Monuments Men,which turned out to be more museum tour than action-adventure. Oh, and let’s not forget,Tomorrowland,Disney’s attempt at a futuristic utopia which failed to impress the audience with its messy plot.
Another one of Clooney’s box office failures isSuburbicon,a dark comedy that even Matt Damon and Julianne Moore couldn’t bomb to impress the critics for its muddling tone and themes. Now, takeTicket to Paradisewhere Clooney reunited with Julia Roberts in a tropical rom-com adventure.
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While it raked in a respectable $168.5 million, it was far from a blockbuster, perhaps because the paradise vibes didn’t fully deliver the expected box office euphoria.
Fast-forward to 2024’sWolfs,his sleek thriller reunion with Brad Pitt was appreciated by the critics for the star power and stylish nostalgia. Still, the reception was lukewarm, with a 66% Rotten Tomatoes score. It’s a reminder that not even Clooney’s perfectly graying temples can always fix cliché-heavy plots.
Samridhi Goel
Content Writer
Articles Published :376
Samridhi breathes HOLLYWOOD. A seasoned professional content writer boasting three years of experience. Her expertise shines in the realm of entertainment, where she skillfully craft narratives that breathe life into movies, music, and pop culture. She has completed her Masters in Commerce but her obsession with Hollywood lead her to curate content for the same.
