Hollywood’s Most Expensive Flop: The Costly Saga of 'Cleopatra' Nearly Bankrupting 20th Century Fox

Cleopatra was one of the most expensive films ever produced. Its original budget was set at 5 million ,but after two years of filming, it remained incomplete, and additional funds continued to be invested. By the time of its release,the total cost had soared to over 370 million in today's money, nearly bankrupting 20th Century Fox.

Filming commenced in September 1960, but by 1962, the project was still not finished. Fox executive Darryl F. Zanuck reported that the film’s costs had reached 35 million; however, industry magazine Variety later estimated that the actual expenditure was closer to 44 million. This extraordinary overspend nearly destroyed the studio financially and became a cautionary tale about the perils of overambition in Hollywood.

The production faced numerous challenges, including costly set constructions, elaborate costumes, and a star-studded cast that demanded high salaries. The delays and escalating expenses drew widespread media attention and criticism. Despite its troubled history and enormous budget, Cleopatra eventually premiered in 1963 to mixed reviews but also marked a significant milestone in cinematic history for its scale and ambition.

This story remains a stark reminder of how unchecked spending can threaten even the most powerful studios and how Cleopatra’s financial woes became legendary within Hollywood lore.