The 10 Worst Comic Book Movies of All Time Ranked
Comic book adaptations arrive with loyal fans and long-standing expectations. Even then, many still miss the mark because of weak storytelling, confused tone, or poor casting. The ten films below made it to theaters but failed to connect with critics or audiences, and each one shows a clear way a comic book movie can fall apart.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
Credit: IMDb
Dark Phoenix adapts the same comic storyline previously attempted in X-Men: The Last Stand. The production included major reshoots and a rewritten third act. The final release was delayed multiple times, and the film lost money due to high production costs and low turnout. It marked the end of Fox’s X-Men franchise.
Suicide Squad (2016)
Credit: IMDb
Suicide Squad, directed by David Ayer, was heavily edited following test screenings. Warner Bros. brought in a trailer editing company to recut the film. Despite a strong cast, character development was minimal, and the tone shifted between dark action and forced humor. Ayer later stated that the theatrical cut was not his version.
Green Lantern (2011)
Credit: IMDb
The film had a $200 million budget and Ryan Reynolds as its lead, which made it look like a safe DC release on paper. The final result disappointed instead. The CGI suit became an easy target for criticism, the villain felt thin, and the attempt to set up a larger universe never landed. The backlash also slowed Warner Bros.’ early plans for a connected DC franchise.
Madame Web (2024)
Credit: IMDb
Madame Web aimed to build Sony’s Spider-Man spin-off lineup but arrived with little excitement. Dakota Johnson plays a paramedic with vague psychic abilities, and the supporting characters barely register. Audiences struggled to find a plot, and even fans of superhero fare were left puzzled by its sluggish pace and unclear purpose.
The Spirit (2008)
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Frank Miller tried to replicate the visual style of Sin City, but The Spirit didn’t have the substance to match. The green-screen-heavy production looked artificial, and the plot struggled to stay coherent. Despite a cast including Samuel L. Jackson, the film never found its footing, either critically or commercially.
Fantastic Four (2015)
Credit: IMDb
Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four reboot recasts Marvel’s team as young scientists who gain powers through an interdimensional accident. The film was heavily reshot and re-edited before release. Key cast members publicly distanced themselves from the final product, and the director disavowed the film before it opened. It was both a critical and commercial failure.
Batman & Robin (1997)
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Designed to sell toys as much as tell a story, this sequel piled on villains and neon lighting. George Clooney’s turn as Batman was overshadowed by ice puns and baffling design choices. Campy dialogue derailed the franchise, which led Warner Bros. to hit pause for years.
Son of the Mask (2005)
Credit: IMDb
The film tried to continue The Mask without Jim Carrey and cast Jamie Kennedy as a cartoonist who ends up with the magical mask. The story leans on a superpowered baby and a side plot involving Loki, played by Alan Cumming. Critics reacted harshly to the scattered tone, cheap look, and nonstop visual effects, which overwhelmed any sense of timing or humor.
Catwoman (2004)
Credit: IMDb
The film ignores Selina Kyle and introduces Patience Phillips, a graphic designer who gains cat-like powers after a supernatural accident. The plot drifts into absurd territory with toxic face cream and shallow corporate villains. Halle Berry later accepted her Razzie in person, showing more self-awareness than the movie ever managed.
Howard the Duck (1986)
Credit: IMDb
Produced by George Lucas, Howard the Duck was one of Marvel’s first theatrical releases. The movie featured an animatronic duck voiced by Chip Zien. Its tone shifted between adult themes and family comedy, leaving the audience confused. The film was a box office disappointment and was often cited as a reason Hollywood avoided Marvel properties for years.