What film based on a Michael Crichton novel bombed at the box office?

The film based on a Michael Crichton novel that bombed at the box office was "The 13th Warrior." Released in 1999, the historical action film stars Antonio Banderas as Ahmad ibn Fadlan, an Arab diplomat who becomes involved with a group of Viking warriors.

The movie adapts Crichton's 1976 novel Eaters of the Dead, which blends the imagined writings of Ibn Fadlan with elements inspired by Beowulf and historical accounts of the Northmen. The film was directed by John McTiernan, known for Die Hard and Predator, with Crichton also involved in production and later reshoots.

Production problems pushed the cost far beyond the original budget. Reported expenses, including reshoots and marketing, reached roughly $100 million to $160 million, while worldwide box-office revenue was only about $61.7 million. That gap made The 13th Warrior one of the most expensive failures of 1999. Despite its commercial collapse and mixed reviews, the film later gained a devoted cult following.