12 Movies That Betrayed The Fans
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VOICE OVER: Rudolph Strong
WRITTEN BY: Joshua Garvin
Get ready for a cinematic roast! We're diving into the movies that completely missed the mark, betraying fans' expectations and turning beloved franchises into unforgettable disasters. From superhero flops to anime adaptations gone wrong, these films will make you cringe and laugh. Our countdown includes epic fails like "Star Wars: The Last Jedi", "Cats", "The Last Airbender", and more shocking cinematic disappointments that left fans feeling betrayed! Any movie betray you? Share in the comments!
12 Movies That Betrayed The Fans
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at ten films that sent their fan bases into an apoplectic rage.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017)
As one of the most popular franchises of all time, “Star Wars” has a tall order in terms of fan expectations. And as the highest grossing film of 2017, “The Last Jedi” certainly had folks in their seats– however, a vocal sect of the fandom felt highly dissatisfied with the film. It’s challenging to pin one overarching cause for the backlash– it’s more joke-forward than the other films in the franchise, and there are some deviations from established fan-lore. But notably, the portrayal of Luke Skywalker as a more flawed and cynical older man as opposed to the bold hero the audience is accustomed to didn’t sit right with many. Mark Hamill himself even expressed his frustration at the film’s take on his iconic character!
“Joker: Folie à Deux” (2024)
Where do we even begin with this bizarre sequel? Though it had its own controversies, “Joker” was fairly well-liked across both critics and fans. The original film’s conclusion was intentionally ambiguous, leaving the viewer to wonder whether the events of the film they had just seen had occurred at all. Well, by design, “Joker: Folie à Deux” completely demolishes any of the pre-established nuance simply by existing. Not only that, but having shoe-horned in a musical element, the film’s tone is inconsistent, to say the least. Sprinkle in a flimsy plot, an unclear commentary, and– perhaps most heinously– a misuse of Lady Gaga, and you’ve got yourself a stinker.
“Percy Jackson” franchise (2010-13)
"The Percy Jackson" movies promised to bring Rick Riordan’s beloved book series to life. Unfortunately, for devoted fans, it felt more like a direct attack from Zeus himself. The films completely missed the mark. They aged up the characters - likely for practical production reasons - and cut major plot points. The result turned a rich world of Greek mythology into a generic fantasy slog. Logan Lerman and Alexandra Daddario did their best, but even they couldn’t save a script that ignored the books’ heart and humor. Fans were so outraged, Riordan distanced himself from the films, depressed by the woeful reception. It would be years before Hollywood would tackle his books again, this time with a well-received Disney+ reboot.
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009)
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” didn’t just betray fans: it left them wondering if the filmmakers had ever even opened a comic book before. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine deserved a rich origin story, but instead got a nonsensical plot. Several interesting and fun characters like The Blob and Silver Fox were utterly butchered. While Liev Schreiber's Sabretooth was the film's single saving grace, it's hard to ignore the elephant in the room: Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds’ - a man destined to play the iconic merc with a mouth - literally had his mouth sewn shut. The fan-favorite chatterbox was morphed into a mute, generic villain. Reynolds has mocked the depiction, even having his "Deadpool 2" version kill off the "Origins" Deadpool in a meta punchline.
“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” (2003)
“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” took a Grimdark graphic novel and transformed it into a PG-13 shipwreck. Fans of Alan Moore’s work were eager to see literary legends like Allan Quatermain and Captain Nemo team up on the big screen. They got a disjointed plot, lackluster special effects, and characters that felt more like caricatures. The film strayed so far from its source material that Alan Moore, known for his disdain for adaptations, disowned it entirely. He even satirized the experience in later works, introducing a character reminiscent of James Bond as a critique of Hollywood’s mishandling of his creations.
“Dragonball Evolution” (2009)
Few films have utterly mangled their source material as completely as “Dragonball Evolution.” This live-action adaptation took Akira Toriyama’s legendary anime and ripped out its heart. Goku, a warrior with a rich Saiyan heritage, was reimagined as a generic high schooler. As a result, the first half of the movie is less "Dragon Ball" and more 'high school teen melodrama.' The world’s intricate lore was wholly excised, replaced with a dull, uninspired plot. Fans were outraged. Toriyama himself expressed frustration, later returning to the franchise to oversee its revival with "Dragon Ball Super." This movie is a cautionary tale about what happens when Hollywood ignores the spirit of its source material.
“The Dark Tower” (2017)
Fans of Stephen King’s magnum opus “Dark Tower” series agree: the creators of the film forgot the faces of their fathers. The books are an epic story spanning the length of King’s career, hitting every genre from Western to science fiction. The rights to the books changed hands multiple times over the years. J. J. Abrams had them for a while, as did Ron Howard. There was talk of a TV series/film series combo, all dying in development hell. It eventually fell into the lap of Danish filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel. Some racist fans unfortunately complained about Idris Elba's casting as the lead. The bulk of the complaints, though, were about the soulless end product that bore little resemblance to the beloved series.
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)
“Batman v Superman” seemed like the showdown of the century. After several decades of live-action depictions of the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, they would finally appear on screen together. Not only that the two heroes were to be pitted against one another in an epic slugfest. Fans expected a battle for the ages. Not an overstuffed, somber slog weighed down by unnecessary subplots. The final nail in the coffin? The resolution of their conflict hinged on the revelation that both heroes’ mothers were named Martha. This baffling twist turned a potentially gripping climax into a punchline, leaving fans disgusted.
“The Predator” (2018)
Decades of sequels and reboots failed to capture the magic of 1987's "Predator." Heck, fans would have even appreciated something as solid as "Predator II." When Shane Black - who had a role in the original - took the helm, fans were excited about the possibilities of “The Predator.” We were promised a fresh take. We were delivered a chaotic mess. The film’s tonal inconsistency, cringe-worthy attempts at humor, and overcomplicated plotline felt more like a parody than a continuation. The introduction of genetically enhanced “super Predators” felt unnecessary. Worse, the ending - meant to set up sequels - was equal parts baffling and ridiculous. What should have been a thrilling return to form became an unrecognizable shadow of the franchise’s former glory.
“Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987)
“Superman IV: The Quest For Peace” is less a superhero epic and more a cinematic cautionary tale. This clumsy attempt to tackle nuclear disarmament is riddled with laughable special effects and atrocious dialogue. Struggling under a slashed budget, the film offered a paper-thin plot centered around the creation of an absurd villain, Nuclear Man. Even Christopher Reeve’s earnest performance couldn’t save this rushed, low-budget disaster. The film’s poor reception marked a low point for the Man of Steel, leaving fans yearning for the glory days of Richard Donner. What could have been a meaningful final turn for Reeves in the red cape was, instead, an unmitigated disaster. Superman wouldn't return to the silver screen for nearly another 20 years.
“Cats” (2019)
“Cats” was a film that literally nobody wanted. Adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical, the movie faced an immediate backlash for its unnervingly surreal CGI. The "digital fur technology" was the stuff of nightmares. Iconic songs like “Memory” were buried under bizarre visuals and an incoherent plot, leaving even die-hard fans of the stage production flabbergasted. Adding to the chaos, the film was released unfinished, with errors like unrendered effects and visible human hands. Universal had to issue a patch after its premiere. The all-star cast immediately distanced themselves from the movie. Instead of enchanting audiences, "Cats" became a meme-laden cultural punchline that raised one question: “How did this happen?”
“The Last Airbender” (2010)
Few adaptations have alienated a fan base as thoroughly as M. Night Shyamalan's take on “The Last Airbender.” Based on the critically acclaimed animated series, the film managed to strip away everything that made the original special. Complex characters were flattened into lifeless caricatures. The vibrant world of elemental magic known as 'bending' was reduced to laughably slow choreography. Iconic character names - like the protagonist, Aang - were inexplicably mispronounced. Shyamalan’s choice to condense an entire season into a single film left fans reeling at the rushed and incoherent plot. What should have been a triumphant leap to live-action became a soulless catastrophe.
Did this list betray you by omitting any cinematic abominations that broke your heart? Let us know in the comments below!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at ten films that sent their fan bases into an apoplectic rage.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017)
As one of the most popular franchises of all time, “Star Wars” has a tall order in terms of fan expectations. And as the highest grossing film of 2017, “The Last Jedi” certainly had folks in their seats– however, a vocal sect of the fandom felt highly dissatisfied with the film. It’s challenging to pin one overarching cause for the backlash– it’s more joke-forward than the other films in the franchise, and there are some deviations from established fan-lore. But notably, the portrayal of Luke Skywalker as a more flawed and cynical older man as opposed to the bold hero the audience is accustomed to didn’t sit right with many. Mark Hamill himself even expressed his frustration at the film’s take on his iconic character!
“Joker: Folie à Deux” (2024)
Where do we even begin with this bizarre sequel? Though it had its own controversies, “Joker” was fairly well-liked across both critics and fans. The original film’s conclusion was intentionally ambiguous, leaving the viewer to wonder whether the events of the film they had just seen had occurred at all. Well, by design, “Joker: Folie à Deux” completely demolishes any of the pre-established nuance simply by existing. Not only that, but having shoe-horned in a musical element, the film’s tone is inconsistent, to say the least. Sprinkle in a flimsy plot, an unclear commentary, and– perhaps most heinously– a misuse of Lady Gaga, and you’ve got yourself a stinker.
“Percy Jackson” franchise (2010-13)
"The Percy Jackson" movies promised to bring Rick Riordan’s beloved book series to life. Unfortunately, for devoted fans, it felt more like a direct attack from Zeus himself. The films completely missed the mark. They aged up the characters - likely for practical production reasons - and cut major plot points. The result turned a rich world of Greek mythology into a generic fantasy slog. Logan Lerman and Alexandra Daddario did their best, but even they couldn’t save a script that ignored the books’ heart and humor. Fans were so outraged, Riordan distanced himself from the films, depressed by the woeful reception. It would be years before Hollywood would tackle his books again, this time with a well-received Disney+ reboot.
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009)
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” didn’t just betray fans: it left them wondering if the filmmakers had ever even opened a comic book before. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine deserved a rich origin story, but instead got a nonsensical plot. Several interesting and fun characters like The Blob and Silver Fox were utterly butchered. While Liev Schreiber's Sabretooth was the film's single saving grace, it's hard to ignore the elephant in the room: Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds’ - a man destined to play the iconic merc with a mouth - literally had his mouth sewn shut. The fan-favorite chatterbox was morphed into a mute, generic villain. Reynolds has mocked the depiction, even having his "Deadpool 2" version kill off the "Origins" Deadpool in a meta punchline.
“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” (2003)
“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” took a Grimdark graphic novel and transformed it into a PG-13 shipwreck. Fans of Alan Moore’s work were eager to see literary legends like Allan Quatermain and Captain Nemo team up on the big screen. They got a disjointed plot, lackluster special effects, and characters that felt more like caricatures. The film strayed so far from its source material that Alan Moore, known for his disdain for adaptations, disowned it entirely. He even satirized the experience in later works, introducing a character reminiscent of James Bond as a critique of Hollywood’s mishandling of his creations.
“Dragonball Evolution” (2009)
Few films have utterly mangled their source material as completely as “Dragonball Evolution.” This live-action adaptation took Akira Toriyama’s legendary anime and ripped out its heart. Goku, a warrior with a rich Saiyan heritage, was reimagined as a generic high schooler. As a result, the first half of the movie is less "Dragon Ball" and more 'high school teen melodrama.' The world’s intricate lore was wholly excised, replaced with a dull, uninspired plot. Fans were outraged. Toriyama himself expressed frustration, later returning to the franchise to oversee its revival with "Dragon Ball Super." This movie is a cautionary tale about what happens when Hollywood ignores the spirit of its source material.
“The Dark Tower” (2017)
Fans of Stephen King’s magnum opus “Dark Tower” series agree: the creators of the film forgot the faces of their fathers. The books are an epic story spanning the length of King’s career, hitting every genre from Western to science fiction. The rights to the books changed hands multiple times over the years. J. J. Abrams had them for a while, as did Ron Howard. There was talk of a TV series/film series combo, all dying in development hell. It eventually fell into the lap of Danish filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel. Some racist fans unfortunately complained about Idris Elba's casting as the lead. The bulk of the complaints, though, were about the soulless end product that bore little resemblance to the beloved series.
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)
“Batman v Superman” seemed like the showdown of the century. After several decades of live-action depictions of the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, they would finally appear on screen together. Not only that the two heroes were to be pitted against one another in an epic slugfest. Fans expected a battle for the ages. Not an overstuffed, somber slog weighed down by unnecessary subplots. The final nail in the coffin? The resolution of their conflict hinged on the revelation that both heroes’ mothers were named Martha. This baffling twist turned a potentially gripping climax into a punchline, leaving fans disgusted.
“The Predator” (2018)
Decades of sequels and reboots failed to capture the magic of 1987's "Predator." Heck, fans would have even appreciated something as solid as "Predator II." When Shane Black - who had a role in the original - took the helm, fans were excited about the possibilities of “The Predator.” We were promised a fresh take. We were delivered a chaotic mess. The film’s tonal inconsistency, cringe-worthy attempts at humor, and overcomplicated plotline felt more like a parody than a continuation. The introduction of genetically enhanced “super Predators” felt unnecessary. Worse, the ending - meant to set up sequels - was equal parts baffling and ridiculous. What should have been a thrilling return to form became an unrecognizable shadow of the franchise’s former glory.
“Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987)
“Superman IV: The Quest For Peace” is less a superhero epic and more a cinematic cautionary tale. This clumsy attempt to tackle nuclear disarmament is riddled with laughable special effects and atrocious dialogue. Struggling under a slashed budget, the film offered a paper-thin plot centered around the creation of an absurd villain, Nuclear Man. Even Christopher Reeve’s earnest performance couldn’t save this rushed, low-budget disaster. The film’s poor reception marked a low point for the Man of Steel, leaving fans yearning for the glory days of Richard Donner. What could have been a meaningful final turn for Reeves in the red cape was, instead, an unmitigated disaster. Superman wouldn't return to the silver screen for nearly another 20 years.
“Cats” (2019)
“Cats” was a film that literally nobody wanted. Adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical, the movie faced an immediate backlash for its unnervingly surreal CGI. The "digital fur technology" was the stuff of nightmares. Iconic songs like “Memory” were buried under bizarre visuals and an incoherent plot, leaving even die-hard fans of the stage production flabbergasted. Adding to the chaos, the film was released unfinished, with errors like unrendered effects and visible human hands. Universal had to issue a patch after its premiere. The all-star cast immediately distanced themselves from the movie. Instead of enchanting audiences, "Cats" became a meme-laden cultural punchline that raised one question: “How did this happen?”
“The Last Airbender” (2010)
Few adaptations have alienated a fan base as thoroughly as M. Night Shyamalan's take on “The Last Airbender.” Based on the critically acclaimed animated series, the film managed to strip away everything that made the original special. Complex characters were flattened into lifeless caricatures. The vibrant world of elemental magic known as 'bending' was reduced to laughably slow choreography. Iconic character names - like the protagonist, Aang - were inexplicably mispronounced. Shyamalan’s choice to condense an entire season into a single film left fans reeling at the rushed and incoherent plot. What should have been a triumphant leap to live-action became a soulless catastrophe.
Did this list betray you by omitting any cinematic abominations that broke your heart? Let us know in the comments below!
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