So Much Money, So Little Profit
As moviegoers have experienced time and time again, the size of a film’s budget doesn’t equate to its overall quality. The almighty dollar may have afforded these flicks some great actors and some decent special effects, but it’s fair to say that many found the end results to be creatively bankrupt!
#5: “Catwoman†(2004)
The only positive thing to come out of this superhero train wreck was Halle Berry’s speech at 2005’s Razzies. Originally planned as a spin-off to Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns,” the script languished in development hell for years before Halle Berry donned the leather costume. In a plot hinging on an evil cosmetics company and mystical cats who grant magical abilities, “Catwoman” seems to be too distracted by the lead actress’ hypersexuality to give a damn about anything else. Listed among Roger Ebert’s most hated films, this Warner Bros. product is not even good enough for a laugh.
#4: “The Last Airbender†(2010)
Even in a filmography that contains”After Earth,” “The Last Airbender” is what most would consider M. Night Shyamalan at his absolute worst. This live-action film took a beloved Nickelodeon franchise and crapped all over it. Failing to even get the protagonist’s name right, this $150 million mess garnered near-universal disdain from critics, who were a lot kinder than fans of the cartoon. In an attempt to justify the negative reception, Shyamalan insisted the film was designed for nine-year-olds and blamed adults for wanting something similar to “Transformers.” Even if that was the intention, “The Last Airbender” feels like it was written by a nine-year-old.
#3: “Green Lantern†(2011)
So far, DC has been the king of underwhelming blockbusters with inflated budgets and dubious narrative choices. Prior to Ryan Reynolds’ run as the Merc with a Mouth, the Canadian actor’s career suffered an unexpected blow with “Green Lantern,” a commercial and critical flop that prompted Warner Bros. to cancel any plans for a franchise. Suffering from a meandering screenplay, tone problems, and an instantly forgettable villain, “Green Lantern” works as a pilot for a mediocre TV series, but left a lot to be desired as a big budget action film. In hindsight, DC’s movie is best viewed as the set-up for a “Deadpool” punchline.Â
#2: “Battlefield Earth†(2000)
A devoted Scientologist, John Travolta fought tooth and nail to adapt this 1982 novel written by the movement’s founder. Rather than spread the good word, “Battlefield Earth” solidified Scientology as a joke that never fails to bring the laughs. Featuring some of Travolta’s worst – or, depending on how you look at it, best – acting and, arguably, the dumbest wigs in cinematic history, “Battlefield Earth” swept that year’s Golden Raspberry awards and, eventually, won “Worst Picture of the Decade.” Frankly, we cannot think of a film more deserving of such an honor.
#1: “Suicide Squad†(2016)
While not necessarily the worst film on this list, David Ayer’s chaotic superhero blockbuster is the most disheartening. Bolstered by a thrilling cast that includes Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Viola Davis, “Suicide Squad” suffers from an identity crisis due to DC trying to mimic Marvel after the poorly received “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Overburdened with too many paper-thin characters and an unfocused storyline that flip-flops between gritty and silly, “Suicide Squad” possessed all the right pieces, but failed to fit them together.
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Most Expensive Superhero Movies.
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