Hollywood star Keanu Reeves is surely best known for starring in the Matrix and John Wick franchises, but over the course of his career — which currently spans over four decades — the actor starred in numerous successful projects.
However, like every actor, Reeves also has a couple of movies that just didn’t do well at the box office. Luckily for the star, his loyal fans have turned some of his less profitable movies into cult classics.
Today, we’re taking a look at those Keanu Reeves movies that didn’t come anywhere close to the box office successes of the Matrix and John Wick movies, but they still play a big role in Keanu Reeves’ fandom. From My Own Private Idaho to Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey — keep on scrolling for some Keanu Reeves classics not many have heard of.
9My Own Private Idaho
Kicking the list off is the 1991 adventure drama My Own Private Idaho. In it, Keanu Reeves portrays Scott Favor, and he stars alongside late actor River Phoenix. The movie is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V — and it currently holds a 7.0 rating on IMDb. My Own Private Idaho was made on a budget of $2.5 million, and it made $6.4 million at the box office.
8Sweet November
Let’s move on to the 2001 romantic drama Sweet November in which Keanu Reeves plays Nelson Moss. Apart from Reeves, the movie also stars Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs, and Greg Germann.
Sweet November is a remake of the 1968 movie of the same name, and it currently holds a 6.7 rating on IMDb. The movie was made on a budget of $40 million, and it ended up earning $65.8 million at the box office.
7A Scanner Darkly
Next on the list is the 2006 animated psychological sci-fi movie A Scanner Darkly in which Keanu Reeves is the voice behind Bob Arctor/Fred. The rest of the cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder, and Rory Cochrane.
A Scanner Darkly is based on the 1977 novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick — and it currently has a 7.0 rating on IMDb. The movie was made on a budget of $8.7 million, but it ended up grossing only $7.7 million at the box office.
6Johnny Mnemonic
The 1995 cyberpunk movie Johnny Mnemonic is next on the list. In it, Keanu Reeves portrays the titular character, and he stars alongside Dolph Lundgren, Takeshi Kitano, Ice-T, and Dina Meyer.
Johnny Mnemonic is based on the 1981 story of the same name by William Gibson, and it currently has a 5.6 rating on IMDb. The movie was made on a budget of $26 million, and it ended up grossing $52.4 million at the box office.
5Hardball
Let’s move on to the 2001 sports drama Hardball. In it, Keanu Reeves portrays Conor O’Neill, and he stars alongside Diane Lane, John Hawkes, D. B. Sweeney, Mike McGlone, and Graham Beckel.
The movie is based on the book Hardball: A Season in the Projects by Daniel Coyle, and it currently holds a 6.4 rating on IMDb. Hardball was made on a budget of $32 million, and it ended up making $44.1 million at the box office.
4Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey
Next on the list is the 1991 sci-fi comedy movie Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. In it, Keanu Reeves plays Ted “Theodore” Logan/Evil Ted, and he stars alongside Alex Winter, William Sadler, Joss Ackland, and George Carlin.
The movie is the second installment in the Bill & Ted franchise, and it currently has a 6.3 rating on IMDb. Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey was made on a budget of $20 million, and it ended up earning $38 million at the box office.
3Henry’s Crime
The 2010 rom-com crime movie Henry’s Crime in which Keanu Reeves plays Henry Torne is next. Apart from Reeves, the movie also stars Vera Farmiga and James Caan.
The movie follows a man who gets sentenced to jail for a crime he did not commit — and it currently holds a 5.9 rating on IMDb. Henry’s Crime was made on a budget of $12 million but it ended up earning only $2.1 million at the box office.
2Chain Reaction
Let’s move on to the 1996 sci-fi action thriller Chain Reaction. In it, Keanu Reeves plays Eddie Kasalivich, and he stars alongside Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward, Kevin Dunn, and Brian Cox.
The movie centers around the US government as they try to prevent the spread of a hydrogen power source. Chain Reaction currently holds a 5.6 rating on IMDb. The movie was made on a budget of $50 million, and it ended up grossing $60.2 million at the box office.
1Man of Tai Chi
Wrapping the list up is the 2013 Chinese-American martial arts movie Man of Tai Chi. In it, Keanu Reeves — who has Chinese heritage — portrays Donaka Mark, and he stars alongside Tiger Chen, Iko Uwais, Karen Mok, Yu Hai, and Ye Qing.
The movie follows a young martial artist who enters the world of underground fighting, and it currently holds a 6.0 rating on IMDb. Man of Tai Chi was made on a budget of $25 million, but it ended up earning only $5.5 million at the box office.