With dazzling effects, a £42million budget and real actors replacing wobbly puppets, it was set to be the summer's box office winner.
For Britain's most successful film company it also marked a break from its run of smash-hit romantic comedies, such as Four Weddings And AFuneral and Bridget Jones's Diary.
But Thunderbirds has bombed, heaping pressure on one-time hit factory Working Title Films.
It has taken just £3.6million in its first three weeks in the US.
By comparison, the prequel to horror flick The Exorcist took more than £10million in its opening weekend.
In Britain, Thunderbirds pulled in £4.4million in its first three weeks.
Shrek 2, meanwhile, recently became the biggest grossing animated film in this country - taking £45million.
Starring Sophia Myles as Lady Penelope and Ron Cook as Parker, Thunderbirds opened here last month to little applause from critics. Working Title admitted the film had not 'matched expectations' but predicted it would break even.
'There were very high hopes for it,' said a spokesman. 'I think they felt it had a big following and perhaps it didn't.'
Other projects by the company are said to be struggling. The release of Wimbledon has been delayed until next month for reshoots, although the company says this was always the plan.
The Bridget Jones sequel Edge Of Reason was reported to need further editing after a mixed response from test audiences. However, the company claimed feedback was better than any of its other productions.
