Tuesday, April 28, 2026

The 12 worst superhero movies: ranking the biggest flops in the genre

April 28, 2026
1 min read
The 12 worst superhero movies: ranking the biggest flops in the genre

Today marks National Superhero Day, an event celebrating both real-life and fictional heroes who embody bravery and wonder, reports BritPanorama.

While the superhero film genre has its triumphs, it has also produced numerous disappointing entries that fail to resonate with audiences. Below is a rundown of the most critically panned superhero films, combined into a list that showcases cinematic misfires.

12. Superman (2025)

Undated handout grab from video issued by Warner Bros. of a still from the first trailer for the hotly anticipated James Gunn-directed Superman, teasing superhero dog Krypto and Lex Luthor in the film. Issue date: Thursday December 19, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Superman. Photo credit should read: Warner Bros./PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
This was a cartoonish and twee take on Superman (Photo: Warner Bros/PA)

James Gunn’s **new Superman movie** aimed to rejuvenate the character, contrasting sharply with the darker portrayal by Henry Cavill. While Gunn sought to re-establish Superman’s uplifting persona, critics note that his approach was overly simplistic, culminating in a cartoonish narrative that detracted from the core themes. The lack of chemistry between David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as Superman and Lois Lane has been highlighted as a significant weakness.

11. Batman Forever

BATMAN FOREVER - The Dark Knight is back on the big screen for the third feature in the blockbuster Batman series ... now battling two supervillains simultaneously--but this time joined by his prot??g??, Robin, to protect Gotham City. Jim Carrey stars as criminal genius, The Riddler, and Tommy Lee Jones plays Two-Face. Together, these criminal kingpins present a threat that only the Dynamic Duo--Batman (Val Kilmer) and Robin (Chris O'Donnell)--can stop. And Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman comes to Gotham as the alluring Dr. Chase Meridian, who may steal the heart of Batman Forever.
‘Batman Forever’ is bludgeoningly boring (Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment)

In a departure from its darker predecessors, **Batman Forever** attempted to channel a campier interpretation of the iconic hero. Joel Schumacher’s effort, however, largely failed, being labeled as uninspired and dull. Despite Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Batman, the film lacked the dynamic storytelling crucial to the franchise.

10. The Amazing Spider-Man

Film: The Amazing Spiderman (2012) with Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man / Peter Parker.
Garfield said he felt ‘too old’ to play Spider-Man (Photo: Sony)

The casting of Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man was met with skepticism, as he himself felt out of place portraying a high schooler at the age of 25. His performance, while earnest, lacked the youthful exuberance typically associated with the character, resulting in a performance that felt disjointed and forced.

9. Eternals

This image released by Marvel Studios shows Kumail Nanjiani in a scene from
‘Eternals’ was directed by Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao (Photo: Sophie Mutevelian/Marvel Studios via AP)

Chloé Zhao, known for her poignant storytelling, took a risk with **Eternals**, but her approach did not coalesce well within the **Marvel Cinematic Universe** framework. The film aimed to introduce multiple new characters but struggled to create a cohesive narrative, leading to mixed reviews and disappointment among fans.

8. Watchmen

Malin Akerman and Patrick Wilson in Watch
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