One of the most prominent and successful trends that largely defined filmmaking throughout the 2010s was the massive rise of successful superhero films. While the genre certainly had its fair share of successes in previous decades, the 2010s saw a mass explosion of the genre, with new superhero films constantly being released with the rise of the MCU and the creation of DC’s own cinematic universe. While many of the superhero films released during this era are still widely beloved and considered some of the best of their respective genres, such high quality is not shared by every superhero film released in the 2010s.
In the mass fervor and excitement to cash in on one of the hottest trends of the decade, many superhero films simply failed to stick the landing when it came to creating an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Whether it was a disappointment compared to the source material or previous entries in the franchise, lacking in any originality or vision, or was forgettable to the point of boredom,there was no shortage of botched superhero failures during the 2010s.
10’Thor: The Dark World' (2013)
Director: Alan Taylor
While the MCU has certainly had its fair share of duds and disappointments in recent years, the 2010s were a largely successful and beloved decade for the series, with very few directly bad films being released. However, one of the few glaring exceptions wasThor: The Dark World, widely considered one of the most forgettable and underwhelming installments of the entire extended universe. The film sees Thor facing off against the vicious dark elves and their vengeful leader Malekith, a being who threatens to destroy both Earth and Asgard if he isn’t stopped.
Especially when compared to the other exceptional films that Marvel was releasing at this time, likeCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandGuardians of the Galaxy,Thor: The Dark Worldisa shockingly dull and uninteresting experience. The film’s bland and formulaic approach simply had nothing to offer in a culture that had now grown used to consistently receiving high-quality superhero films year after year. Over a decade after the film’s release, the film continues to be one of the most forgotten chapters of the MCU and is a low point for the Thor series.
Thor: The Dark World
When the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.
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Director: David Ayer
One of many egregious cases where a superhero film’s low quality can be attributed to executive meddling getting in the way of a director’s vision,Suicide Squadcertainly had potential, yet the final product served to only be derivative of better films. The DC film follows a group of infamous villains, including the likes of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Captain Boomerang, forced to team up to partake in a deadly black-ops mission in exchange for lowered prison sentences. To make sure that they don’t go too out of line, each of the villains have explosives implanted in their brains that will be set off if they go against orders.
WhileDavid Ayeroriginally had a distinct and darker vision for what he wantedSuicide Squadto be, the success ofGuardians of the Galaxyhad Warner Bros completely change and reshape the film to cash in on that film’s manic style. While the film certainly would have been better if it stayed true to Ayer’s original vision, there are still glaring issues that hold the film back, including one ofthe worst superhero movie castingsinJared Letoas The Joker. The film isa garbled mess of various ideas that have no cohesion with one another, creating a film that is more tiring and inconsistent than anything else.
Suicide Squad
A secret government agency recruits some of the most dangerous incarcerated super-villains to form a defensive task force. Their first mission: save the world from the apocalypse.
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8’Justice League' (2017)
Director: Zack Snyder
Another notable example of Warner Bros. meddling getting in the way of a director’s original vision,Justice Leaguewas plagued with production issues throughout its release, made worse whenZack Snyderhad to bow out of the project for personal reasons. The film would end up receiving reshoots and changes from director Joss Whedon, completely changing the film from Snyder’s original vision and creating a complete tonal disaster. The film sees a team of metahumans being formed by Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince to take on the threat of Steppenwolf, who plans to unleash an army of parademons on Earth.
Snyder’s previous films in the DC universe were far from being universally praised, yet at the very least one can say that they had a distinct directorial voice and consistent vision throughout. This version ofJustice Leaguecompletely destroys the vision Snyder had for a finalein exchange for a cheap and lazy attempt to riff on the witty comedy style that made theAvengersfilms such a success. Thankfully, Snyder would be given a chance to write the wrongs of the past and create his own version of Justice League inZack Snyder’s Justice League, leaving no reason for anyone to return to this pitiful film.
Justice League
Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his new-found ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.
7’X-Men: Dark Phoenix' (2019)
Director: Simon Kinberg
TheX-Menfranchise under 20th Century Fox had about as many exceptional standout entries as there were catastrophic disappointments, with the soft finale of the franchiseDark Phoenixbeing the biggest disappointment of all. Acting as the series' second attempt at adapting the legendary Dark Phoenix storyline, the film sees telepath X-Men member Jean Grey spiraling out of control after getting hit by a mysterious cosmic force. The incident proves to massively increase her powers and capabilities, but also much more unstable, as a group of vicious aliens plan to use Grey’s power to take control of the galaxy.
The X-Men franchise already botched adapting the Dark Phoenix storyline withX-Men: The Last Stand, so fans were cautiously optimistic that this modern interpretation would finally give the original story justice. Between all the pressure to live up to the hype, diminishing feedback from the previous film in the franchise, and the looming Fox/Disney merger that threatened to upend everything, it’s no wonder thatDark Phoenixbecame sucha botched, incomprehensible mess. The film’s only lasting legacy is being considered one ofthe worst films in the X-Men franchise.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
In this continuation of the rebooted X-Men movie series, Jean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix. Now, the X-Men will have to decide if the life of a team member is worth more than all the people living in the world.
6’Hellboy' (2019)
Director: Neil Marshall
While Marvel and DC are what the majority of audiences think of when considering modern superhero movies,Hellboystands out as one of the biggest superhero disappointments without involvement from either. Acting as a modern R-rated reboot of the classic duology byGuillermo del Toro,Hellboysees the titular demonic investigator (now played byDavid Harbour) traveling to England to defeat an evil Blood Queen. However, it has been fated that their upcoming battle will bring about the end of the world, a future that Hellboy has been desperately trying to stop from happening.
It’s difficult to compare any film that is directly attempting to recapture the magic and energy of a del Toro film, but even by modern fantasy standards,Hellboyisa dour and underwhelming experiencethat has nothing to offer in terms of originality or on-screen excitement. The film has an inherent misunderstanding of the intrigue and mythos that made the original films and character so great, and instead attempts to be a raunchy, in your face R-rated experience in the same vein asDeadpool. One can only hope that the upcomingHellboy: The Crooked Mancan return the franchise to its former glory.
Hellboy Reboot
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5’Jonah Hex' (2010)
Director: Jimmy Hayward
Not only one of the worst superhero movies of the era but also one ofthe worst Western movies of all time,Jonah HexseesJosh Brolinlong before he would pick up the mantles of Thanos or Cable as mysterious gunslinger Jonah Hex. With the uncanny ability to communicate with the dead, Jonah finds himself tasked by the government to take down vicious terrorist Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich). The mission proves to be especially personal for Jonah, as Turnbull was responsible for the branding on his face and the death of his family.
Jonah Hexharkens back to an era of superhero filmmaking before the trends were deeply set into motion and it was widely understood exactly what made superhero films captivating to modern audiences. Still, the film had the hindsight and inspiration of other dark and gritty superhero films likeThe Dark Knightto tell its story, which is cluttered in execution and filled to the brim with contrivances and uninteresting action. It’s easilyone of the most forgotten chapters in DC’s entire filmography, better to pretend as if it never existed in the first place.
The live-action adaptation of the DC hero of the same name, Jonah Hex stars Josh Brolin as the eponymous anti-hero. A superhero Western, Jonah Hex follows the titular bounty hunter as he pursues his family’s killer (John Malkovich). Hex is joined by Lilah Black (Megan Fox), his gun-toting sidekick, as he fights across the Old West on the hunt for revenge.
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4’Max Steel' (2016)
Director: Stewart Hendler
A feature film based on a line of secret agent action figures,Max Steelis about as generic and formulaic as one can get when it comes to a superhero film released after the massive successes of the MCU and DCEU. The film follows teenager Max McGrath (Ben Winchell), who after a chance encounter with a powerful alien entity known as Steel, finds himself teaming up with the alien to combine and form the superhero Max Steel.
By 2016, superhero movies had completely dominated the mainstream box office, making the cliche-filled execution ofMax Steelall the more egregious and painful to watch unfold. The film’s minuscule budget meant that it was never going to hold a candle to the superhero films that it was blatantly copying, while at the same time not having anything close to a story or characters worth exploring in any meaningful way. While it gets some points for only lasting a short 92 minutes, it’sa bland and tiring experience that most people will forget about the second they stop watching it.
Teenager Max McGrath discovers his body can generate a powerful energy. With the help of an alien companion named Steel, they combine their powers to become the superhero Max Steel. Together, they must uncover the secrets of Max’s past and fight off threats to save the world.
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3’The Amazing Bulk' (2012)
Director: Lewis Schoenbrun
Low-budget mockbusters used to be a massive trend that dominated early 2010s blockbusters, with seemingly every other major Hollywood production having its own signature ripoff film to leech profits away from. One of the most painfully egregious cases isThe Amazing Bulk, a shoestring-budget film that is clearly riffing on 2008’sThe Incredible Hulkin a less-than-ideal fashion. Much like the film it’s ripping off, the film follows a young scientist who ends up transforming into a rage-fueled muscular monster after a laboratory experiment goes wrong.
It’s difficult to find a ripoff film more obvious yet shoddily put together thanThe Amazing Bulk, which has the majority of its scenes taking place on the most blatant, low-budget green screen settings imaginable. Itrevels in its ineptitude to an almost comedic degree, especially when it comes to an infamous climactic chase sequence where it feels as though the filmmakers started throwing in every cheap 3D asset they could just to say they could use it. While the film is far from any genuine quality and may objectively be the worst superhero film of the decade, itsso-bad-it’s-good qualitiesmake it a must-watch comedy experience.
2’Fant4stic' (2015)
Director: Josh Trank
The Fantastic Fourhave always had a painful and underwhelming relationship when it comes to theatrical adaptations, with no adaptation yet truly sticking the landing and doing justice to Marvel’s first superhero team. The most widely maligned of these ill-fated adaptations easily goes to 2015’sFant4stic, which shrouds the characters in a gritty, self-serious tone that proves to drown out any charm these characters once had. The film attempts to tell an origin story of the team, seeing them travel to another dimension and receive their powers before having to take down a former ally turned foe.
While directorJosh Trankhad previously proven that he had what it takes to create a subversive superhero experience withChronicle, corporate meddling seemed to destroy any chances thatFant4stichad before it had begun. The superhero quartet has never been more lifeless and generic as they are in this film,devoid of any real charm or personalityand coming across as jaded fragments of who they once were. It’s telling that with all the exploration and deep-cut multiverse stories that Marvel has done to bring back classic actors from non-MCU films, nobody has asked to see this version of The Fantastic Four return in any capacity.
Fantastic Four
Four young outsiders teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe which alters their physical form in shocking ways. The four must learn to harness their new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
1’Green Lantern' (2011)
Director: Martin Campbell
Before DC would eventually find their universe-building voice withMan of Steel, their true first attempt at following in the footsteps of the MCU wasGreen Lantern, a film that floundered any universe possibilities straight from the get-go. The film follows fighter pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), who finds himself in possession of a powerful ring that invites him to be a part of an intergalactic order known as the Green Lanterns who provide peace across the universe. The fate of Earth now finds itself in the hands of Jordan as he is tasked with stopping a terrifying new enemy known as Parallax.
Green Lanterntook away all the wrong lessons from successful, comedy-centric Marvel films likeIron Manand created a painfully generic display oflackluster visual effects and even worse writing. The film has proven to be such a critical and audience failure that it wouldn’t take long for nearly everyone involved with the project to start taking potshots and using it as the butt of every joke imaginable. To this day, there still hasn’t been a live-action Green Lantern project since its release, completely tarnishing the goodwill of the character through one ofthe worst DC films of all time.
Green Lantern
Reckless test pilot Hal Jordan is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers that inducts him into an intergalactic police force, the Green Lantern Corps.
