Top 10 Most Disappointing Movies Ever Made

Top 10 Most Disappointing Movies of All Time

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most anticipated films that missed the mark and/or didn’t live up to the hype. These aren’t the worst movies, but they should’ve been much better.

#10: “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009)

It’s safe to say that Hugh Jackman is beloved for his role as Logan. He had already played the role in several successful films before this solo adventure. While it could’ve been a serious origin story, the movie is a long series of missteps. Jackman can only be so charismatic in a bumbling film that can’t decide if it’s gritty or dumb fun. Among many historical detours, this project also mistreats other heroes like Deadpool. It fails to capture the mix of heady ideas and cool action of the overall “X-Men” franchise. Needless to say, comic book fans did not rally around this prequel.

#9: “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)

Instead of letting the series ride off into the sunset, Steven Spielberg brought it back. The returning director and lead actor did not make this project any better. Even back in 2008, Harrison Ford might’ve been too old to play the archaeologist. There’s also an out-of-this-world plot that comes dangerously close to self-parody. We haven’t even mentioned the idea of Jones having a son, which could’ve been done in a more interesting way. Let’s not talk about the infamous fridge scene either. We could go on about the fights, chases, and overreliance on green screen but it would be too little too late. This only makes “Dial of Destiny” all the more strange.

#8: “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” (2003)

It sounds exciting to have this kind of literary team up, but the actual film is not as effective. Alan Moore’s graphic novel is turned into a special effects spectacular minus the real spectacle. Given that Sean Connery is in this movie, it’s even more shameful that his talent gets wasted. He plays the leader of an elite squad that feels trapped in a goofy adventure. While it could’ve been awesome, the crazy CGI near the end of this movie might haunt your nightmares. It’s mostly cobbled together as a high concept that never reaches any significant heights. Connery started to wrap up his career after this movie, essentially retiring from live-action afterwards.

#7: “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)

Zack Snyder wanted to give fans something special, but the director instead offered up a controversial take on the material. Some people really didn’t like the Caped Crusader in this movie, especially when it came to his emotional decision-making and violent behavior. The plotline proved to be somewhat disappointing despite the epic faceoff. Certain fight scenes have their moments, but they couldn’t make up for some less-than-effective dramatic choices. Snyder also tried to expand the DCEU here, but that didn’t pan out much beyond the first “Wonder Woman.” A significant change-up at DC might reverse some of the past mistakes.

#6: “Waterworld” (1995)

With Kevin Costner starring in a cool concept, it’s unfortunate that it all sank. This apocalyptic sci-fi movie is a far cry from a Hollywood western, with some outrageous stunts and world building. Everyone involved seems to be out of their depth. We’re not sure if this was supposed to be so-bad-it’s-good, but it’s certainly notable for its insane set pieces. It seems as if the aquatic setting and bizarre details only make this worse. To top it all off, the filmmakers also dealt with one of the highest budgets of its time. There’s a reason that you don’t hear about this movie in much of a positive light.

#5: “Fantastic Four” (2015)

Do you remember the 2015 version of “Fantastic Four?” If you haven’t blocked it out entirely, you probably don’t have great memories of it. Director Josh Trank turned heads with “Chronicle,” but he wasn’t destined to make this comic book adventure soar. Everything seems a little off here and not in an especially memorable way. The cast have all been great in other projects, but they seem like they’re all in separate movies. There’s also a dullness to this script that doesn’t adequately remix the origin story. What could’ve been an interesting reboot turns into a lackluster entry in the “Fantastic Four” franchise.

#4: “The Mummy” (2017)

With the release of the 2017 version of “The Mummy,” viewers were promised a new and exciting take on the monster movie. Unfortunately for everyone, Tom Cruise could not save this one. It was intended to be the first in a series of films under the “Dark Universe” moniker. Had it all gone a different way, there could have been spinoffs for the likes of Dr. Jekyll. Cruise stars as a hero that’s not lost in an overwrought story. Along with some emphasis on CGI, the plot never gets off the ground and leaves you wanting less. Without the zero-gravity stunt, this might have been one of the less successful reboots in recent memory.

#3: “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (1999)

For some fans, the prequel series represents a mixed bag of questionable choices. This all started with the release of “The Phantom Menace.” There was a lot of hype around the release, but not everyone came away stunned by the experience. It didn’t receive great reviews from critics or audience members alike. George Lucas took over as director and writer, but that meant casting younger actors and making them say ridiculous dialogue. More than a few scenes and characters bring up bad memories for “Star Wars” fanatics. At the very least, the duel with Darth Maul offers some relief. It wasn’t the last time people felt disappointed either considering “The Rise of Skywalker.”

#2: “Dragonball Evolution” (2009)

Anime fans and casual viewers alike have come to love the “Dragon Ball” series. When it comes to adapting it for live action, they might be understandably skeptical. “Dragonball Evolution” attempts to bring the story and characters into a more grounded world. The result is an unmitigated disaster, with none of the visual charm or style of the source material. It’s also safe to say that you can’t replicate the frenetic quality of animation in a typical film. From the casting choices to the writing, this version feels like an expensive prank on people that grew up with the TV show or manga.

#1: “The Last Airbender” (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan made a name for himself with killer twists and hit movies. With his adaptation of the animated show, the director faced serious backlash for this project. It’s a much larger scale action film than anything he’d done before. Not only that, the material seems to be something of an afterthought. It’s not exactly the most loyal or faithful tribute to the original series. Shyamalan also chooses to shoot certain fight scenes in increasingly strange ways. After all is said and done, this movie makes it clear that the property should be handled with more care.

Did we forget another film that really missed the mark? Let us know in the comments below.