Top 10 Recent Movies That Looked Terrible Until

#10: Thunderbolts* (2025)

Several years ago, simply being affiliated with the MCU was enough to guarantee a hit. After Endgame, though, the masses began losing interest in the overarching story. Now it usually takes an A-tier name like Spider-Man or Deadpool to pack theaters. Being primarily comprised of B players, Thunderbolts* sounded like another misfire rather than a shot in the arm. Surprisingly, the critics didnt just praise the cast and their dynamic, but also the films mature portrayal of mental health. If the reviews didnt hook you back in, then the title rebranding post-release most certainly did. Somewhat mirroring the films reception, the main characters were initially discarded as damaged goods. By the end, theyve won the public back with a vengeance.

#9: A Minecraft Movie (2025)

Although Minecraft exploded into a cultural phenomenon in the 2010s, the sandbox game left a certain generation saying, I dont get it. We guess something similar can be said about A Minecraft Movie. Immediately labeled a soulless sellout banking on IP and trendy actors, the film seemed destined to fail after the teaser triggered eyerolls across social media. Once it hit theaters, I Am Steve went from a groaner to a rallying cry for fans. Several other moments became interactive memes, most notably the chicken jockey. Whether you found this behavior obnoxious or just plain fun, it suddenly made A Minecraft Movie a cinematic experience. An experience that might not be for everybody, but to say the film found an audience would be an understatement.

#8: Anyone but You (2023)

Quietly released during a busy holiday season, it seemed this rom-com would get drowned by the competition. While Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell are appealing stars, it sounded like wed heard this story before and not just because Much Ado About Nothing provided the basis. With mixed reviews, we expected Anyone but You to come and go, but critics undersold the chemistry between the leads. Over the following weeks, the film demonstrated remarkable legs at the box office, hanging in the top ten until mid-February. In true sleeper hit passion, word of mouth propelled the film past the $200 million milestone. It goes to show that people still want to see rom-coms on the silver screen. So, maybe think twice before dumping them on streaming.

#7: Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

For over a decade, we constantly heard two things: Avatar 2 is still happening and Nobody wants Avatar 2. Despite being the highest-grossing movie of all time, the long-delayed sequel faced what felt like endless discourse as naysayers agued that the first Avatar was overrated and people wouldnt return to Pandora 13 years after the fact. Between the massive budget and the pandemic alienating theatergoers, the haters were ready for this to be an epic flop. The narrative started shifting after the title and teaser were unveiled at CinemaCon. From there, The Way of Water just kept making waves, encouraging audiences to see this visual marvel on the biggest screen possible. As he did in 2009, James Cameron proved why you should never doubt him.

#6: Wonka (2023)

We just didnt understand why a Willy Wonka origin story was necessary. The 1971 film starring Gene Wilder is a classic thats never going to be topped. Sure, Wonka had a promising director in Paul King of Paddington fame and Timothée Chalamet as the titular chocolatier. Of course, the same logic could be applied to 2005s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which left a bad taste in our mouths despite having Tim Burton and Johnny Depp at the peak of their popularity. Wonka had a Golden Ticket, though, winning audiences over with charming songs, appetizing visuals, and an everlasting heart. Even Hugh Grants Oompa Loompa, which everyone thought would be the worst part of the movie, wound up being one of the most amusing.

#5: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Rise of the Planet of the Apes exceeded expectations in 2011, only getting better with each installment. As far as we were concerned, though, the story ended with Caesar. There was no reason to continue. So, when Disney officially announced that another Apes film was in the works, it sounded like the company was milking every last ounce of brand recognition from the Fox deal. It didnt help that neither Andy Serkis nor director Matt Reeves would be returning. Nevertheless, the trailers stunning visuals got us into the theater where we were ultimately sucked in by the new characters and thought-provoking themes. A twist ending also became a talking point, compelling audiences to spread the word that there was still life in this franchise.

#4: Transformers One (2024)

A few exceptions aside, the Transformers movies have repeatedly burned us. An animated origin story sounded like a refreshing change of pace until we saw the trailer. The animation itself appeared unwhelming, as did the attempts at comedy. But how does that saying go? More than meets the eye. That pretty much sums up Transformers One, which was not only funnier and more visually interesting than the advertising suggested, but at the storys core was a heartbreaking story of brotherhood turned rivalry. Rave reviews and an A CinemaScore sadly wouldnt be enough to make it a financial success. Yet, more people are discovering why this has been praised as the best Transformers movie ever, hopefully putting it on the path to shaking that underrated status.

#3: Prey (2022)

While the original Predator is an action staple, the follow-ups have ranged from bad to better than expected, but still not the first film. With Prey being a streaming exclusive, we figured it mustve been so terrible that Disney skipped a theatrical release. Sometimes a studio doesnt know what they have, however. We were completely blindsided to see its Rotten Tomatoes score in the 90s, with critics hailing it as the best Predator movie in 35 years. Breaking records for Hulu, Prey honored its predecessor without relying on nostalgia. Instead, it took the series in a new direction with a period setting and a badass heroine who doesnt need the heaviest artillery to turn the hunter into the hunted. Seriously, why wasnt this in theaters?

#2: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Although we enjoyed the first Puss in Boots well enough, nobody demanded a sequel over a decade later. By 2022, we were kind of over the Shrek franchise. Who couldve guessed The Last Wish would be the series best entry since Shrek 2? Months ahead of its release, the film screened its first half-hour at Annecy where audiences were blown away by its mature themes and Spider-Verse-esque visuals. Buzz continued to build following its premiere at Lincoln Center, making a Best Animated Feature nomination seem inevitable. Not only did Puss go to the Oscars, but the film had nine lives at the box office, keeping audiences coming back for months. Sometimes, a close call with death leaves you with a new lease on life.

#1: Barbie (2023)

A movie based on Barbie? Clearly this is gonna be a corporate-mandated cash grab that defines everything wrong with cinema. Thats what we all assumed until Warner Bros. threw the most uncharacteristic of curveballs: Greta Gerwig was directing and had full creative control. The trailers confirmed what Gerwigs involvement promised. This wouldnt just be another IP movie. Itd be an auteur picture that just so happened to be based on a billion-dollar property. Just as the ads targeted those who love and hate Barbie, the film managed to be a mainstream crowd-pleaser while still appealing to diehard cinephiles clamoring for unique voices. Even getting a Best Picture nomination, Barbie threaded the needle in ways nobody couldve anticipated when it was first announced years earlier.

What recent movie surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments.