You might not have noticed, but Warner Bros. Entertainment has recently changed their approach to showcasing older titles. In 2025, the studio will release 31 movies for free on YouTube, allowing audiences to access a wide selection of both cherished classics and obscure flops. Among these titles is 1990’s The Bonfire of the Vanities, the film starring Bruce Willis and Tom Hanks, which became a notable failure in its time.
The Bonfire of the Vanities, directed by Brian De Palma and based on Tom Wolfe’s bestselling novel, quickly faded into obscurity upon its release. Despite the star power of Bruce Willis and Tom Hanks, the film struggled to find an audience. With a reported budget of $47 million, it earned only $15 million at the box office, failing to rank among the 75 highest-grossing movies of the year. Released in a year dominated by hits such as Home Alone and Pretty Woman, The Bonfire of the Vanities was overshadowed, leaving critics and viewers disappointed.
The film also performed poorly with critics, holding a mere 15% critical score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. This low rating barely surpasses its 26% audience rating, reinforcing its position as one of the worst-rated films in Tom Hanks’ career. Hanks, known for his reliable performances, appears miscast here, contributing to the disappointment surrounding the film. With a comparison to 2017’s The Circle, which also holds a 15% rating, it appears that The Bonfire of the Vanities is often overshadowed by the more forgettable aspects of Hanks’ filmography.
Given the movie’s lack of success and its age, many viewers today may have never heard of The Bonfire of the Vanities. For those unfamiliar with it, the synopsis reads: “After his mistress runs over a young teen, a Wall Street hotshot sees his life unravel in the spotlight and attracts the interest of a down-and-out reporter.” Despite its troubled reception, the film’s return through Warner Bros.’ YouTube initiative aims to offer a second chance for audiences to explore Bruce Willis and Tom Hanks in this long-forgotten production.
You can check out The Bonfire of the Vanities right now on YouTube, where Warner Bros. has officially released it alongside 30 other films for free streaming. For movie fans looking to discover or revisit this misfired adaptation, the time to explore is now, as this streaming opportunity showcases a moment in cinema history, even if it didn’t live up to expectations.
