Top 10 CRINGE Worthy Moments From Superhero Movies

These scenes wouldn’t even cut it on the ‘60s Batman show! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Cringe-Worthy Moments From Superhero Movies.

For this list, we’re looking at moments in the world of comic book movies that left us wondering how the directors could possibly think they were a good idea. We’re ranking the scenes exclusively on how much they make us squirm with embarrassment.

#10: Nic Cage Loses It
“Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” (2012)

It’s a film about a pyrotechnic skeleton that rides around on a motorcycle, and yet Nicolas Cage still finds a way to be the weirdest thing in it. In this particular scene, Cage’s Johnny Blaze pins a guy up against a wall and tries to make him talk. What follows is one of the most over-the-top performances in the history of Nic Cage overacting (which is saying something), as he struggles to contain his mad shaking and the sheer volume of his voice. For some, it’s Cage at his absolute best, but for the rest of us, it’s the standout scene in one of Marvel’s most embarrassing movies.

#9: The Seduction Scene
“Howard the Duck” (1986)

You can’t think of the “Howard the Duck” movie without physically cringing, and this scene, which features Lea Thompson actually coming onto Howard, is one of the biggest reasons why. When Howard reciprocates the gesture as the pair gets under the covers to watch David Letterman, Thompson’s character seems confused, despite the fact that she tempted him into bed in the first place. It’s a scene made up of cheesy performances, embarrassing dialogue, and strange character choices, and it tries to be way too serious for a film about a talking, cigar-smoking duck.

#8: The Bar Scene
“Suicide Squad” (2016)

Ironically, the bar scene was one of the highlights in the previews for “Suicide Squad,” which got us all excited for this DC flick. Unfortunately, the film’s theatrical release botched some of the best moments in the trailers. The theatrical version notably cuts out Harley Quinn taking drink orders from the rest of the crew, including her suggestion of El Diablo’s water order as a “good idea, honey.” Instead, we’re forced to sit through more forced exposition and backstory. This scene not only lacks any fun or imagination; it also feels like a pointless detour that comes out of nowhere. “Suicide Squad” is often described as a mess, and this unfocused, not to mention uncomfortable, scene perfectly demonstrates why.

#7: I Am the Law!
“Judge Dredd” (1995)

Sylvester Stallone delivers Judge Dredd’s catchphrase multiple times throughout this movie, and each time it’s met with a chorus of disapproving sighs from fans of the “Dredd” comic books. However, his first “I am the law” speech is by far the most cringe inducing. Stallone steps off his motorcycle during a siege and yells the famous quote completely inaudibly and without context. In fact, he seems to stop to draw breath in the middle of every sentence, and what’s supposed to be an impressive speech instead has you leaning closer to the screen in a struggle to make out the words.

#6: The Martha Fiasco
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)

“Batman v Superman” pulled off a disappointing performance both critically and financially, but its most embarrassing moment comes at the end of the titular fight, when the Dark Knight stands over the defeated Man of Steel holding a Kryptonite spear. Despite his earlier attempts to reason with him, Superman’s desperate cry of, “Save Martha,” is what causes Batman to lower to spear. So let’s get this straight: after nearly killing each other, these two rivals immediately become best buds simply because their mothers share the same name? Well it only took two movies, but the DC Extended Universe has already jumped the shark!

#5: Throwing the ‘S’
“Superman II” (1980)

“Superman II” is considered as one of the best Superman movies, as Clark’s battle with General Zod leads to a dramatic showdown in the Fortress of Solitude. The build-up to the fight has you on a knife-edge, but the movie immediately takes you out of it, as Superman draws a sheet of plastic from the emblem on his chest. As if that weren’t cringe-worthy enough already, he then proceeds to throw it over one of Zod’s charging minions, enveloping him in plastic and leaving him almost as stunned as we are. We’re pretty sure that specific move didn’t come from the comics… At least, we hope it didn’t.

#4: The Playground Scene
“Daredevil” (2003)

Daredevil and Elektra’s playground sparring match is wrong on so many levels. The choreography is cheesy before the fight even starts, as the pair throws their jackets aside at exactly the same time. Matt then performs a throw and catch maneuver with his cane that even a man with perfect vision could never pull off. Speaking of which, why doesn’t anybody care that this woman is fighting a blind man? A bunch of kids even cheer on the fight as Matt gets knocked down. Instead of cheering, they should be laughing at the obvious wirework and the slowed-down seesaw choreography.

#3: The Bat Credit Card
“Batman & Robin” (1997)

We’ll give “Batman & Robin” credit where credit is due: it is remarkable how many things it got so wrong in this one brief scene. The fact that Batman and his sidekick are locked in a bidding war for Poison Ivy’s affections is already twisted, as is the idea that George Clooney’s Dark Knight bids as high as seven million dollars. What really puts the icing on the cringe cake, however, is when Batman pulls a bat credit card from his utility belt, accompanied by a classic “cha-ching.” This scene alone nearly killed the “Batman” franchise, not to mention the superhero genre in general.

#2: Emo Peter Parker
“Spider-Man 3” (2007)

It clearly wasn’t enough that Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3” was already cluttered with too many villains; the director just had to add in a couple of unwatchable dance sequences for good measure. You’d think being possessed by symbiote might turn Peter Parker evil. Instead, he turns into a below average dancer, strutting through the streets of Manhattan without a care in the world. The last straw is the infamous jazz club scene, where the new and definitely not improved Peter shows off his moves to Gwen Stacy, and we’re pretty sure even she was cringing on the inside.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable, or in this case dishonorable, mentions:
- Mister Fantastic’s Dance Moves
“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007)

- When a Toad Gets Struck by Lightning
“X-Men” (2000)

#1: The Basketball Scene
“Catwoman” (2004)

Halle Berry’s attempt at “Catwoman” is the ultimate cringe fest. It’s hard to forget the horrible CGI of the bank robbery scene, but then you remember the basketball scene that happens in this movie, and everything else seems like small potatoes. If you stretch your mind hard enough, you can see the logic behind the scene: it’s a real life situation that shows off Catwoman’s powers. But the thing is, you don’t see any powers, as the claustrophobic close-ups and Halle Berry’s forced grin take center stage. Add in Mis-Teeq’s “Scandalous” and you’ve got an overly sexualized scene that doesn’t belong in any movie, let alone a superhero flick.