Whilesuperhero movieshave had a hot streak in recent decades, and some classics continue to rank highly, there are plenty of superhero movies that didn’t fare so well, and their failures can be tracked back to specific moments in the films. Both Marvel and DC have been in the business of making movies long before the popularity of theMCU, or it’s struggling competition, theDCEU, arose. Classics like the Christopher ReeveSupermanmovies of the 1970s and 1980s, and the 2000s Spider-Man and X-Men movies all received widespread praise.
However, simply creating a story around people with powers does not make for a good movie on its own.Plenty ofsuperhero movies fall flat, or fail catastrophically at the box office. This can be due to lack of excitement, the character IPs being somewhat unfamiliar, or, as is often the case, the movie just wasn’t that good. For the films in that last category, it can often be traced back to a specific moment in the film where things go from bad, to simply unbearable.
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10Madame Web’s Worst Line Ruined The Movie Without Even Being In It
How a Single Line Doomed a Superhero Movie
Starting off with one of the most recent entries in the superhero genre,Madame Webcame out in 2024 and became one of the lowest rated superhero movies of all time with an11% score on Rotten Tomatoes.While the movie certainly created a negative response for most audiences, the disinterest leveled at the film started early with the marketing campaign. In one of the first trailers released for the movie, it became clear what level of dialogue could be expected.
“He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders just before she died.”
Dakota Johnson, who plays Cassandra Webb, delivers a line that stands out for how simplistic and expository it is in an overt and silly way. When describing the evil Spider-Man figure, she says “he was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders just before she died.“The issue is, with a visual medium like the cinema, it’s important to showcase the characters, rather than deliver rambling dialog. Unfortunately,Madame Webdidn’t get the message.
9The 2015 Fantastic Four Movie’s “It’s Clobberin' Time” Ruins The Thing’s Story
A Classic Line Gone Wrong
However,Madame Webcertainly isn’t the only superhero movie to use dialog in disappointing and underwhelming ways.In the 2015reboot ofFantastic Four, the movie had a huge responsibility to stand up to the popularity of the MCU, and exceed what came before in the 2005 version and its sequel. However, it fell flat for numerous reasons, not least of which was the unearned efforts to include iconic comic book catchphrases.
While catchphrases are an integral part of some characters in comics, translating this to live action can be a challenge.There was a reason why it took Captain America over 20 movies before he uttered the iconic lines, “Avengers assemble,” inAvengers: Endgame.On the other hand, some superhero movies try to fast track this development, andFantastic Fourdid just that. Within the film, Ben Grimm, a tragic character, has his catchphrase turned into something a childhood bully used to say, which he then uses himself as The Thing. But, it doesn’t make sense, and it certainly doesn’t feel earned.
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8Green Lantern’s Parallax Reveal
A Disappointing Twist in Green Lantern
The 2011Green Lanternmovie starring Ryan Reynolds has long been the butt of many superhero movie jokes.Reynolds often leads the charge with this analysis, as he feels the project did not come together as intended. From the extensive CGI, to the weak story, and the many other elements that people love to pick apart.
And, since there is so much to disappoint in the movie, it may have been useful to objectively look at where things went wrong. However,as a sort of nail in the coffin for the film, the moment when Parralax appears is laughable rather than terrifying.In the comics, Parralax is one of the most powerful creatures in DC stories, but the odd design, paired with the ease with which he was defeated, adds up to the movie version being a huge departure.
A Forced Joke
Returning to out of place dialogue in superhero movies, the 2016 theatrical release ofSuicide Squadincludes an incredibly on-the-nose line that immediately zaps the movie’s authenticity.Suicide Squadbrought some of DC’s most iconic villains together under the guidance and leadership of the truly terrifying andintimidating Amanda Waller. However,when Will Smith’s character drops the name of the movie, it feels unimaginative and forced.
After Waller confirms with the crew of rag-tag villains that their mission is incredibly dangerous, Deadshot (Smith) asks,“What are we, some kind of Suicide Squad?” Not only is the line delivery awkward and unnatural, but the inclusion of the title, especially so early in the movie, feels like a cheap gimmick. Clearly, audiences felt the same, as it became a meme that made its way around social media.
6The Flash Puts A Baby Into A Microwave
A Shocking Scene
Now, it moves into things that are just downright ludicrous.The DCEU never had the best track record, as most of the movies ended up struggling at the box office and in reviews. However, whenThe Flashwas released in 2023 after years of delays, fans had high hopes for a reset to the DCEU that would pay tribute to what came before. Unfortunately, the movie was actually a mess of terrible CGI, and even more terrible story choices.
Early in the movie’s run, Barry Allen showcases his powers for spectacular speed by saving many people from a hospital that is collapsing. to make this moment as tense as possible, the potential victims of this incident are mostly babies, and Barry must race against the clock to save everyone. So,he gets creative and employs a variety of methods to save the kids.However, in a truly tone deaf moment, Barry places one baby in a microwave, which, despite being unplugged, feels like one of the most unheroic things to ever appear in a superhero movie.
A Cringe-Worthy Joke
Morbiusjoins the list ofSony superhero moviesthat really rubbed fans the wrong way.The movie’s pacing, and the motivations of the characters felt completely dysfunctional, and the tone switched between light and jovial, and dark and gritty. However, one joke really failed to land with viewers, and it only served to highlight how much of a joke the universe it belonged to was becoming.
Not to mention, it raises more questions about the connections in this universe, and how familiar a character like Morbius may be with Eddie Brock and his alter ego, Venom.
As Morbius fights a group of thugs, they ask who he is. In response, Morbius gets close and personal, as he transforms his face, and declares"I am Venom.“Maybe, on some level, this can be seen as a fun joke and reference, but it feels completely out of sync with the rest of the movie. Not to mention, it raises more questions about the connections in this universe, and how familiar a character like Morbius may be with Eddie Brock and his alter ego, Venom.
4Nicolas Cage Channels Nicolas Cage In Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance
How Nicolas Cage’s Acting Style Hurt the Film
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeancecame out in 2011, as a sequel to the 2007 film starring Nicolas Cage. While the original film had a lot to praise, the sequel wasn’t nearly so well received, potentially in part because it was being compared to MCU movies releasing around the same time. However,an even bigger factor which could have buried this movie upon release was the odd creative choices.
One notable moment comes while Johnny Blaze is interrogating a criminal about the location of Carrigan.However, Cage delivers a performance that only Nicolas Cage could, as he alternates between high and low pitch, shouting, and whispering, shaking his body, and staring into the man’s eyes. The entire scene feels so jarring and weird, and is then followed by Johnny fighting the transformation into the Rider, with even more bizarre movements and camera angles.
3Thor Doing The Van Damme Splits And Riding Stormbreaker
A Detriment to Thor: Ragnarok
Thor had a rough start in the MCU, with his tone being one of the most distinctive of the films during Phase One.However, as the MCU evolved, his character began to undergo a transformation from the brooding god of thunder, to a high-energy, high-power rock star. In no small part, this was largely down to Taika Waititi taking the reins of the character forThor: Ragnarok, and giving the character a seismic shift in their personality.
This greater emphasis on comedy worked well, but when Waititi doubled down inThor: Love & Thunder, things went a touch too far. WhileRagnarokdelivered a great balance of emotion and entertainment,Love & Thunderfelt like it was made purely for laughs.There was some dark subject matter, but when the movie opens with Thor doing splits in a manner that resembles Jean-Claude Van Damme, and then riding Stormbreaker like a fairytale witch, it was clear that this movie had gone too far.
2Batman And Superman Bond Over Their Mother’s Names
A Forced Connection
Infamous in comic book movie history,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewas a hugely polarizing film.But perhaps no scene in the entire DCEU was more polarizing than the moment when Batman and Superman decide to set aside their differences and work together. After an entire movie sees Batman hunting Superman, and employing vile and extreme means, he grows a heart the moment he hears his old ally utter a familiar name, Martha.
Yes, there is a greater context, andthere is plenty of foundation in comic books to elevate this moment, but for casual viewers of the DCEU, this moment was hollow and anticlimactic. Just because the pair both havemothers named Martha, Batmandecides to quit his grudge. It may highlight their similarities, and help Batman remember where he came from, but the movie fails to get this message across in any meaningful way.
1The Basketball Scene In Catwoman
A Nonsensical Scene
However, not many superhero movies can compare to the travesty that wasCatwoman, starring Halle Berry.The film came out in 2004, and it felt dated as soon as it was released in theaters. From the strange and overly sexualized outfit Berry wears as Catwoman, to some of the creative choices throughout, the movie was a complete mess. But the basketball scene stands out in a mess of poor choices as possibly the worst scene of the whole movie.
In a scene that is meant to showcase Catwoman’s powers, and spark a romantic thread between Patience and Detective Tom Lone, all meaning fades behind a bizarre scene that is inexplicably stupid. From the fast flickering camera shots, to close-ups, to jumps in the scene, and weird zooming in on body parts, this scene will go down in history as one of the worst of anysuperhero movie. Despite the hype, the genre does have its fair share of flops.
Catwoman
Cast
A cosmetics industry employee is murdered after discovering a dangerous secret about an anti-ageing product. However, an Egyptian cat saves her, giving her the power of speed and the senses of an agile feline.
