10 Worst-Reviewed Movies of 2024 on Rotten Tomatoes

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2024 saw many films receiving criticism due to a predominant feeling of letdown. A handful missed the mark, failing to live up to anticipation. Some films undermined their promising concepts through confusing plotlines, while others struggled with inconsistent tones. The most panned films of 2024 were those that forsake the appeal of their original sources for dull and absurd narratives, as well as those lacking creativity and cohesion.

As a passionate film aficionado, I must admit that Rotten Tomatoes, along with other critical media outlets, didn’t pull any punches when it came to movies that missed the mark. They were merciless in their critiques, assigning low scores and scathing reviews to films plagued by lackluster writing or superficial portrayals of familiar themes. Whether these films seemed outdated in their treatment of themes, served as disappointing sequels magnifying their predecessors’ flaws, struggled as franchise extensions, or simply failed to leave a lasting impression, they earned their poor Rotten Tomatoes scores and harsh reviews.

10
‘Argylle’ (2024)

RT Score – 33%

Some films appear poised for success based on their plotlines, only to fall flat when brought to life. Argylle serves as a vivid illustration of this phenomenon. Starting with an intriguing concept, the spy thriller ultimately transforms into a satire that mimics and exaggerates the very genre it seeks to parody. The narrative revolves around a secluded author (Bryce Dallas Howard) who finds her latest work on spies eerily similar to a real-world covert operation.

Under Matthew Vaughn’s leadership, known for the Kingsman series, there were high hopes for a blend of sharp action and witty humor in Argylle. Unfortunately, it didn’t deliver as expected. Instead of being a fun spy movie, it turned out to be a complex spoof that seems more like a self-parody than a clever dissection of the spy genre.

In simpler terms, Argylle’s excessive actions, exaggerated plot twists, and heavy reliance on outdated themes made it lose appeal rather quickly. Vaughn’s style, which was effective in the Kingsman films, seems forced here, like he’s trying to replicate past successes in a new project. Argylle is a confusing blend of tones with little else to offer beyond its flashy visuals. It serves as a reminder that even great concepts and previous successes can fail without proper execution.

9
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (2024)

RT Score – 31%

Folie à Deux” fell short of its predecessor’s impact.

Many viewers, both critics and enthusiasts, strongly criticized the movie for its confusing plot structure and inconsistent mood. Overloading the film with multiple genres – courtroom drama, social satire, psychological thriller, and jukebox musical – created a disorganized and indulgent spectacle that left fans feeling frustrated.

The movie’s narrative and tone were heavily criticized by both critics and fans due to its overstuffed mix of genres, including courtroom drama, social satire, psychological thriller, and jukebox musical. This hodgepodge led to a chaotic and excessive production that understandably angered fans.

The anticipated sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” failed to live up to expectations and instead turned into a money-grabbing attempt that struggled with its identity. Regrettably, the producers didn’t manage to rake in much profit because of significant losses in ticket sales. With poor box office performance and unfavorable reviews from both critics and audience members, “Joker: Folie à Deux” serves as a warning for sequels prioritizing commercial success over narrative depth.

8
‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ (2024)

RT Score – 28%

2024’s adaptation of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” blended the enchanting simplicity of the 1955 children’s book with a puzzling fusion of live-action and animation. Instead of preserving the whimsical purity born from a child’s imagination and the adventures they conjure, the film transformed Harold into an adult man (Zachary Levi), who uses the famous purple crayon to step into reality. The resulting storyline was dull and perplexing, lacking the captivating essence that endeared the original tale to many. Regrettably, the 2024 version of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” failed to breathe new life into a cherished children’s narrative, instead producing an uninspired and forgettable rendition.

Instead of sparking creativity and fostering imagination as intended, the movie adaptation of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” seems to fall short in both areas, leaving viewers puzzled about its purpose. The storyline is lackluster at best, the visuals are uninspired, and Levi’s portrayal is grating rather than enjoyable. Rather than preserving the enchantment of the original tale, this version seems to strip it of its magic, leaving viewers yearning for the straightforward charm of Harold’s initial escapades.

7
‘Poolman’ (2024)

RT Score – 24%

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Chris Pine’s first directorial venture, titled “Poolman“, unfortunately made quite a poor impression with one of the poorest Rotten Tomatoes ratings of his career. As a neo-noir comedy set in Los Angeles, the movie aspired to capture the allure of superior films within this genre, such as “The Big Lebowski“. However, “Poolman” failed to float due to its lack of originality, consistency, and a suitable tone. Chris Pine’s endeavor to pay tribute to noir classics like “Chinatown” was a loud misstep that resulted in an unrefined parody and ultimately meaningless art.

In stark contrast to Pine’s evident enthusiasm for filmmaking, Poolman demonstrated the challenges of recreating the enchantment found in cherished neo-noirs. An inconsistent rhythm, forced comedy, and vague storyline transformed what might have been a charming cult favorite into one of 2024’s most disheartening letdowns. If anything, Poolman serves as a reminder of the importance of substance over style.

6
‘The Crow’ (2024)

RT Score – 22%

The eagerly awaited revival of the iconic 1994 film “The Crow” faced high expectations given the enduring popularity of its predecessor. Regrettably, fans found themselves disenchanted with the outcome. In the 2024 adaptation, Bill Skarsgard takes on the lead role as the avenging protagonist, while FKA Twigs lends her voice to the alternative pop soundtrack. However, the reinterpretation failed both at the box office and among critics.

After approximately 15 years in development limbo, it appears that The Crow had ample opportunity to create an engaging revamp. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the outcome, as the final product came across as devoid of depth and substance. Notable misses were the uninspired screenplay and the unconvincing chemistry between Skarsgard and Twigs, which failed to provide the emotional heft necessary for the narrative to resonate effectively.

Originally, “The Crow” was praised for its skillful dark tone, creating an authentic Gothic character, and forever memorializing the talent of Brandon Lee. However, this remake failed to provide any compelling reasons for its existence. Although it boasted visually appealing aesthetics, a lifeless script overshadowed these efforts, resulting in a blatant attempt at capitalizing on the original’s success. Ultimately, the 2024 version of “The Crow” flopped, demonstrating that certain tales are best preserved in tranquility.

5
‘Reagan’ (2024)

RT Score – 18%

Biopics can gain significant praise when they effectively delve into the intricacies of their subjects. Regarding the biopic on Reagan, however, a deep examination was notably absent, replaced instead with a superficial and overly sanitized representation of the former president.

Instead of offering a balanced, impartial portrayal of Ronald Reagan’s life and presidency, the movie Reagan portrays him as a figure to be revered by omitting his controversies and overlooking important aspects of his career. As a result, it lacks depth and comes across more like an adoring biography than a thorough analysis of a political leader. Despite spending years in development, the biopic fails to delve into meaningful insights and instead hurries through the narrative so that viewers can experience an idealized version of the 40th President of the United States.

In Dennis Quaid’s portrayal as the lead character, the president, his heartfelt acting is evident, but it’s unable to elevate the one-dimensional script or bias in the direction. For fans of Ronald Reagan, the movie may offer a touch of nostalgia. However, those seeking a well-rounded perspective without bias will likely be disillusioned, finding instead a shallow and unconvincing narrative rather than an authentic biopic about a U.S. President. Once again, Reagan falls short as Oscar bait, failing to delve into complexity and leaving behind mere forgettable mediocrity.

4
‘Uglies’ (2024)

RT Score – 16%

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Initially, the film adaptation of “Uglies” has faced criticism. The storyline, derived from Scott Westerfield’s well-known YA novel, appears outdated in 2024 due to its premise that stars like Joey King are considered “ugly.” This notion seems far-fetched, and it contradicts the current era where society advocates for diverse beauty standards. Consequently, the movie’s message about beauty and authenticity is perceived as both outdated and insensitive in today’s context.

Not only does it fail to strengthen its deeper messages, but the visuals, sadly, feel dated too. The CGI is so rough that it detracts from an already lackluster narrative.

In a later wave of Young Adult dystopian literature, “Uglies” appears to be an effort trying to capitalize on a genre that seems to have passed, possibly explaining its outdated feel and reliance on worn-out tropes. This could account for the story’s disconnection, as its narrative is peppered with cliches. The construction of its world also seems haphazard, while the acting talents are squandered on a script that feels devoid of life. Contrary to its intent of critiquing beauty standards, “Uglies” ultimately comes off as superficial and fabricated, much like the society it aims to critique.

3
‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’ (2024)

RT Score – 16%

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Following the mediocre debut of Rebel Moon, Zack Snyder promptly released a sequel, which somehow managed to be even less well-received. Critics saw it as an inferior imitation of a Star Wars epic, with The Scargiver overemphasizing the elements that critics disliked in the original. This included a self-important storyline and uninteresting characters. Contrary to expectations, the sequel made the already convoluted plot even more intricate rather than simplifying it. Despite an R-rated extended cut aiming to provide a more satisfactory film experience, it failed to resuscitate a franchise that was already struggling from its inception.

Initially, Snyder’s striking visuals were praised for their audacity, but now they seem like an ironic repetition of themselves. Instead of offering depth and meaning, The Scargiver presents a hollow spectacle that lacks emotion or direction. In its place are flat performances, cringe-worthy dialogue, and a grinding tempo. Even those eagerly awaiting a sequel can’t help but feel let down, as it not only missed the mark but fell far short. For a series intended to rival Star Wars, Rebel Moon and its sequel have solidified themselves as cautionary tales about putting ambition ahead of execution.

2
‘Madame Web’ (2024)

RT Score – 11%

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From the start, Madame Web faced an uphill battle after its trailer sparked ridicule online and garnered heavily negative reactions. When the film finally released, it fell far short of expectations. Instead of providing a cohesive and engaging narrative, as one might hope, Madame Web offered a disconnected and painfully bland tale about Cassandra Web (played by Dakota Johnson), a clairvoyant tasked with safeguarding three women from a power-thirsty antagonist (Tahar Rahim).

Instead of enriching Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, Madame Web unfortunately turned into a demonstration of sloppy movie-making. Laden with excessive exposition, dull action scenes, and special effects that barely meet today’s mediocre standards, it’s hard to believe this film managed to progress beyond the initial scripting stage, given its many shortcomings. Perhaps there were some redeeming qualities in Madame Web, but they were overshadowed by the general confusion about how such a subpar production could have been greenlit.

It comes as little surprise that the writing duo responsible for the 2022 film “Morbius,” which received negative criticism, also worked on “Madame Web.” This collaboration could now be perceived as a blaring warning signal, given the talented cast’s seemingly lackluster commitment to the film. Their performances were underwhelming and mirrored the movie’s stiff direction, adding more evidence to Sony’s struggle in expanding its Spider-Man Universe. The result is a forgettable and lifeless production that further sinks their endeavor.

1
‘Borderlands’ (2024)

RT Score – 10%

Following the triumphs in movies and series such as “The Last of Us”, “The Super Mario Bros.”, and “Sonic the Hedgehog”, the expectation for video game adaptations has been elevated somewhat. However, when it came to “Borderlands”, the film failed to impress. Featuring a distinguished cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Cate Blanchett, and Kevin Hart, and with horror director Eli Roth in charge, what promised to be an exhilarating, humorous ride turned out to be a disjointed, dull experience instead.

Despite other video game adaptations being less appealing, the main flaw of “Borderlands” was undoubtedly its monotony, given that this first-person shooter series is renowned for its high-speed action and offbeat comedy.

It seems like “Borderlands” might have fallen short due to its attempt to emulate the quirky appeal of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” resulting in awkward dialogue, shallow character growth, and excessive action scenes that eventually lose their appeal. The production struggles, such as numerous script revisions and reshoots, led to a disjointed final product that strays far from its original content. Despite boasting top-tier talent and a popular source material, “Borderlands” stands as a cautionary tale about how even big names and beloved IP can’t salvage an adaptation doomed for failure from the start.

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2025-01-13 04:35