In contemporary cinema, franchises serve as the vital essence for Hollywood studios. These days, the main function of these studios is to expand, sustain, and occasionally initiate movie series that carry on indefinitely, producing sequels, remakes, and offshoots endlessly.
Hollywood studios today thrive primarily on franchises, which serve as their life force. Their main goal is to extend, prolong, and occasionally develop film series that can continue into the future, consistently producing sequels, reboots, and spinoffs.
Over the past decade, certain franchises have grown so big with devoted fan bases that they can release subpar or poor films and still earn hundreds of millions at the box office, initially. However, in due time, the consequences eventually catch up – the underwhelming performance becomes evident. Below is a compilation of the franchises that have consistently fallen short over the last ten years.
To make it onto this list, a film series needed to produce at least two films within the specified time frame; even if one of those movies was particularly poor, it wouldn’t qualify. For instance, you might find luck with the Jason Bourne franchise, as it only released one movie during that period. Similarly, a film series that had a history of producing bad sequels but improved in the last ten years would also be disqualified. So, don’t expect to see the Transformers on this list, despite its less-than-stellar movies like Transformers: The Last Knight. However, it’s still a contender for the worst franchises ever. But when it comes to the worst franchises in recent times, it just barely misses the cut.
Here are the franchises that didn’t. May they all turn a creative corner in the future.
The 10 Worst Franchises of the Last Ten Years (2015-2024)
10. Fast & Furious
Over the past decade, the Fast & Furious franchise has had a strong start in terms of cinema, with Furious 7 being one of its most successful blockbusters and serving as a poignant farewell to the late Paul Walker. However, since then, the series appears to have veered off course.
Initially, the franchise leveraged its rich history and diverse characters effectively. But now, it seems burdened by complex continuity and an overly bloated supporting cast that flips between villainous and heroic roles without clear motivation. This shift is evident in the box office numbers; Fast X earned less than half of what Furious 7 made globally just a few years ago. Furious 7 was meant to be the first part of a two-part finale for the franchise, yet almost two years later, Universal has yet to begin production on Fast X 2. This raises questions about whether and when the Fast & Furious series will reach its conclusion.
9. Despicable Me
Movies: Minions (2015), Despicable Me 3 (2017), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022), and Despicable Me 4 (2024)
While I enjoy the humor in these films, I can’t help but wonder if there are any truly standout moments among the four Despicable Me (and Minions) movies from the past decade. Are there memorable scenes beyond the usual fart jokes and funny voices? I recall that Will Ferrell played a character who was both a man and a giant cockroach in the most recent one, which was an interesting twist.
8. X-Men
The Fox X-Men series concluded not with a weak finish, but with the epic film “X-Men: Apocalypse” (2016) and subsequently, the retelling of the famous “Dark Phoenix Saga” from Marvel Comics, which was the second attempt by the Fox studio to adapt one of the most influential X-Men tales ever. If you’re wondering, “But didn’t ‘Logan’ come out recently too?”, you are correct. However, if we consider spin-offs as well, then we would have to include movies like “The New Mutants,” which was nearly as disappointing as “Logan” was exceptional. So, in the end, it balances out either way.
7. The Monsterverse
Initially, the “MonsterVerse” movies focused on human protagonists. The 2014 film “Godzilla,” for instance, largely portrayed its titular character from an ordinary person’s perspective. However, this approach seems to have been abandoned in favor of a more spectacle-driven narrative. Now, the human characters serve merely as observers and occasionally provide reasons for the monsters’ actions. It appears that producers believe the audience is primarily interested in switching off their brains and enjoying the barrage of monster special effects. If you’re looking for anything else from these movies besides mindless entertainment, they fall short significantly.
In older “MonsterVerse” films, people were the main characters. But now, it seems like the focus is more on monsters and less on humans. The producers seem to think that people just want to watch monsters fight without thinking too much. If you’re looking for more than just monster battles, these movies don’t deliver much else.
6. 50 Shades
As a follower of these movies, I must admit that the “Fifty Shades” trilogy left me wanting more in terms of sexual chemistry. Despite being based on a steamy relationship, the films fell short in delivering an engaging and passionate experience. The storylines seemed lackluster, with the third film, “Fifty Shades Freed,” barely making sense. For instance, Dakota Johnson’s former boss seeking revenge and Jamie Dornan spending screen time with Kim Basinger for a confrontation over a meeting we never witnessed felt forced and confusing. Thankfully, the film series ended with the third installment, allowing us to move on from this less-than-satisfying cinematic experience.
5. The Lion King
4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been eagerly awaiting a standout addition to the Texas Chainsaw series for quite some time now. However, the past decade has seen numerous attempts at revitalizing the franchise that have ultimately fallen short. The 2017 prequel, Leatherface, marked a return to the origins of the story. Fast forward to 2022, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre brought us a direct sequel, set decades after the original film, following a group of young, trendy individuals who aimed to transform an abandoned town into a millennial utopia, complete with comic book stores and brunch spots. Interestingly enough, Leatherface was the only resident still living in this supposed idyllic haven. One can’t help but wonder if Leatherface had a particular fondness for brunch… Needless to say, their ambitious plan seemed destined for failure, much like many Texas Chainsaw films produced in more recent years.
3. Jurassic World
Jurassic World Series
I’m hoping the upcoming film Jurassic World Rebirth (2022) will live up to the legacy of the original Jurassic Park. It’s good news that David Koepp, who wrote the first movie based on Michael Crichton’s novel, is scripting this one. However, it would need to surpass the quality of Jurassic Park significantly to significantly alter its position in this series. Unfortunately, all three Jurassic World films have been major letdowns, featuring illogical characters and convoluted storylines. (The third film focuses more on giant locusts instead of dinosaurs.) Some people argue that perhaps Jurassic Park was a movie that was excellent in its standalone form but didn’t translate well into sequels.
I hope the new Jurassic World film, titled “Rebirth,” will be as good as the original Jurassic Park. It’s great that the writer of the first film is back for this one. But to change its position in our list, it would have to be much better than Jurassic Park. So far, the Jurassic World trilogy has been disappointing with unrealistic characters and confusing plots. (The third movie focuses more on giant locusts than dinosaurs.) Some people think that maybe Jurassic Park was a film that was great on its own but didn’t work as well in sequels.
2. Fantastic Beasts
The films Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) are part of the Harry Potter franchise, a money-making machine. Yet, surprisingly, this prequel series struggled after only three out of five planned films. The characters were uninteresting, such as Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander, and villains like Grindelwald, who had been frequently recast, lacked clear in-story explanations. Additionally, the story was dull and focused on an unengaging rise of an evil wizard. Even the titles suggested that fantastic beasts would appear, but they were scarcely present in the second and third films. In essence, if you’re looking for fantastic beasts, don’t expect to find them in these movies!
1. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe
Movies: Venom (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), Morbius (2022), Madame Web (2024), Venom: The Last Dance (2024), Kraven the Hunter (2024)
The Sony Spider-Man Universe, despite its name, contains no Spider-Man movies. This fact alone seems to summarize the situation, doesn’t it? Due to the complexity of their deal with Marvel, which allows Spidey to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but prevents him from appearing in Sony’s own Marvel movies, Sony attempted to create solo films for various Spider-Man characters without introducing them in any actual Spider-Man movies or providing a reasonable explanation for their existence in a world without Spider-Man.
The first Venom was a huge success, largely due to Tom Hardy’s incredibly dedicated performance as the title character. However, both of its sequels struggled to find engaging storylines for a character whose entire existence revolves around his relationship with a character he can never meet. These films are part of a cinematic universe that also includes the puzzling Morbius, the absurd Madame Web, and the comical Kraven the Hunter.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is a fantastic portrayal of the character, and he has been a valuable addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But if the price for his movies was these other films, I must admit, I’m not sure it was worth it.
Hidden Movie Cameos from Famous Celebrities You’d Never Notice
Carrie Fisher in Hook (1991)
In Steven Spielberg’s take on Peter Pan, “Hook,” there are several hidden appearances by famous faces, but none as subtle as that of Carrie Fisher. During the scene where Tinker Bell brings a grown-up Peter Pan back to Neverland, she accidentally dusts a pair kissing on a bridge with fairy magic, making them float and spin in mid-air. One of these unsuspecting lovers is Carrie Fisher, who also contributed to the film’s script as a script doctor, modifying Tinker Bell’s lines. The other half of the smooching duo is another longtime friend and collaborator of Spielberg, George Lucas. Furthermore, if you pay close attention, you can spot Glenn Close, David Crosby, Jimmy Buffett, and Phil Collins in the film.
Tim Burton in Hoffa (1992)
Following Tim Burton’s direction of Danny DeVito in “Batman Returns”, DeVito returned the favor by casting Burton for a minor role in his film “Hoffa”. This movie is based on the life and unsolved disappearance of labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa. In a scene where mourners are seen surrounding several coffins, one of which is open, you can find Burton lying in it with his hair slicked back and a lifeless makeup applied to his face. Interestingly, DeVito himself plays Hoffa’s bodyguard Bobby Ciaro in the movie, and a young Jon Favreau makes an unaccredited appearance as an extra.
Wes Craven in Scream (1996)
Movie directors frequently appear in their own films, either as substantial characters or inconspicuous Easter eggs for dedicated viewers. For instance, Wes Craven, in his self-referential horror film “Scream”, made a subtle cameo disguised as a character from one of his other series. Just before Principal Himbry meets his demise at the hands of Ghostface, he’s disturbed by an odd knocking noise and ventures into the hallway to investigate. All he encounters is Woodsboro High’s janitor Fred (Craven), dressed up as the terrifying antagonist from “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, Freddy Krueger, donning a hat and a brown-and-red striped sweater. Craven also made cameos in the subsequent “Scream” films, appearing as various background characters, but none were as memorable as this initial one.
Cameron Crowe and Cameron Diaz in Minority Report (2002)
In another project, Cameron Crowe, who had worked with Tom Cruise in ‘Vanilla Sky’ the previous year, and Cruise’s co-star from ‘Vanilla Sky’, Cameron Diaz, appear together in a minor role in ‘Minority Report’. During a scene where Cruise’s character, John Anderton, boards a train as Precrime publicly announces a manhunt for him (similar to the Harry Potter-style news broadcast), he shares furtive glances with other passengers played by Crowe and Diaz. Interestingly, it is rumored that Paul Thomas Anderson, who had directed Cruise in ‘Magnolia’, was also onboard, but unfortunately did not make it into the final version of the film.
Cate Blanchett in Hot Fuzz (2007)
Edgar Wright’s comedies frequently delve into metatextual humor, mocking both the genres they are based on and filmmaking itself. This results in numerous cameos from Wright’s colleagues in the industry as well as actors eager to appear in his films. Hot Fuzz is rich with these appearances, but one that might be overlooked is Cate Blanchett portraying Simon Pegg’s ex-girlfriend. Since she spends her entire brief scene wearing a forensic protective suit and mask, only her eyes are visible, making it easy for many viewers to miss her identity.
Stephen Colbert in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2012)
It’s well known that Stephen Colbert is a big fan of “The Lord of the Rings,” frequently testing his guests on trivia (and usually coming out on top). When Peter Jackson started making his trilogy based on “The Hobbit,” Colbert landed a dream role… albeit one lasting only about three seconds. He plays one of the spies monitoring Bard the Bowman for the Master of Lake-town in “The Desolation of Smaug.” Dressed in an eyepatch and a tattered pile of leather, he makes his brief appearance. Notable celebrities have also made cameos in Middle-earth; many crew members had minor roles in both trilogies, while director Peter Jackson himself appears in tiny parts throughout all six films.
This version maintains the original’s tone and flow while making it easier for readers to understand the main points about Stephen Colbert’s cameo appearance in “The Hobbit” movies.
Jimmy Buffett in Jurassic World (2015)
In just a blink, you might overlook Jimmy Buffett’s brief appearance in “Jurassic World” as “Margarita Man.” Amidst the chaos of pterosaurs attacking park visitors, one character stands out with his well-timed focus: Casually dressed in a salmon pink shirt and baseball cap, it’s Jimmy Buffett, hard to recognize but easy to spot by his attire. Before making a hasty escape from the dinosaurs, he takes time to secure not one, but two margaritas – ensuring not to let an expensive park drink go to waste. A clever marketing move, “Margarita Man” is actually an employee at Jurassic World’s Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett’s own restaurant chain.
Daniel Craig in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
occasionally, it pays off to be in the perfect spot at the perfect moment. During the filming of the James Bond movie “Spectre” at Pinewood Studios in England, Daniel Craig unexpectedly stopped by the set of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and asked if he could participate in the film. Believing he’d only have a small role, he was taken aback when he landed an entire scene instead. In Starkiller Base, Craig portrayed the Stormtrooper that Rey deceives using her Jedi abilities to escape from the interrogation room. Besides acting, Craig also lent his voice to the character for a three-hour ADR session with director J.J. Abrams. The character was officially named FN-1824 on set, but among the crew, he was known as FN-007.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Knives Out (2019)
It’s often the case that directors and actors who work harmoniously seek opportunities to collaborate again in various productions. However, not many take it as far as Rian Johnson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (JGL). After JGL starred in Johnson’s directorial debut, “Brick,” the director has consistently found ways to incorporate him into most of his subsequent films, even when we might not recognize him. Interestingly, he is featured in “Knives Out” without any on-screen presence; during a scene where Ana de Armas’ character sits at her kitchen table while her sister watches a program on a laptop, Gordon-Levitt’s voice can be heard saying, “We have the nanny cam footage.” Additionally, JGL makes an appearance in “Glass Onion” as the voice of the “DONG” on Edward Norton’s island.
Zack Snyder in Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
In Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League, known as the director’s cut, the film served as a deeply personal project for Snyder, who had faced family tragedies and a previous iteration overseen by another director that was widely panned. When the Snyder Cut was ultimately released, Snyder asserted his creative control by inserting himself into the movie. During a scene where Amy Adams’ character Lois Lane leaves a café on a rainy afternoon, Snyder can be glimpsed through the window as she shuts the door, engrossed in something on the table before him (perhaps a Daily Planet newspaper?). He is dressed in his signature white shirt and vest, making him easier to spot if you are familiar with his appearance.
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2025-06-25 21:27