The 10 Most Overrated Movies of the 2020s So Far

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The 2020s have seen an array of instant classics and critical disappointments in the world of cinema. Recent hits such as “Sinners” contrast sharply with flops like “Joker: Folie à Deux”. Over the past five years, a wide range of opinions, from deep admiration to intense dislike, has been expressed towards films that have graced our screens. Additionally, there have been numerous productions that have received high praise from critics but do not live up to their acclaim. For instance, “Emilia Pérez” exemplifies the significant gap between critical reviews and audience reception, as evidenced by its unprecedented Academy Award nominations.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a critically praised Oscar candidate or a popular comedy, numerous films in the 2020s have received more appreciation than they truly deserve. While these films might possess notable elements, some of them have been excessively overpraised and placed on unjustifiably high pedestals.

Here are the 10 most overrated movies of the 2020s so far.

10
‘Tár’ (2022)

In the thought-provoking film Tár, Cate Blanchett delivers an outstanding performance that truly shines. However, the rest of the movie doesn’t quite match her brilliance. The film’s exploration of cancel culture is intriguing and relevant today, but it moves too slowly and lacks direction to make a meaningful impact. It’s hard to believe this film received an editing nomination at the Oscars, as the editing seems to be one of the movie’s weakest aspects. Director Todd Field certainly had ambition for this project, but his bold choices resulted in disappointing outcomes. Despite some complex elements in the script, the film fails to offer a compelling viewing experience.

Movies Are Too Long These Days

Tár is just one instance showcasing the issues in today’s Hollywood, particularly concerning theatrical releases. Nowadays, movies seem compelled to offer an extravaganza to validate their existence, and a significant part of that is through extended running times. However, it’s not necessary for films to have lengthy runtimes to be considered a spectacle or worthy of the big screen. Unfortunately, Tar faces this challenge as its short narrative doesn’t sufficiently justify its 160-minute runtime. The movie could have been greatly improved had its running time been significantly reduced.

9
‘The Zone of Interest’ (2023)

The Zone of Interest boasted numerous strengths, with exceptional direction by Johnathan Glazer and striking visual aesthetics to its credit. However, the viewing experience fell short of the creativity presented on screen. The movie’s exploration of evil was repetitive, seeming to hammer home its central ideas rather than subtly conveying them. Despite being just 105 minutes long, the absence of narrative development made the film feel lengthy and laborious. While Glazer’s filmmaking skills are admirable, this piece would have been more impactful as a short film.

There Should Be More Experimental Films

Though “The Zone of Interest” didn’t entirely achieve its intended goals, perhaps the unconventional cinema is exactly what Hollywood requires to stay relevant amidst an ocean of safe sequels and remakes. In today’s movie industry landscape, where repetitive stories are ruling the box office, there’s a growing hunger for something fresh. Movies like “Skinamarink” exemplify this trend, earning $2 million at the box office even with an independent release and a budget of merely $15,000. This film generated a lot of buzz in 2023 horror circles, demonstrating that daring films can indeed capture attention. If studios were to produce more experimental movies that spark meaningful discussions, it could potentially attract a new wave of cinephiles to the theater.

8
‘The Killer’ (2023)

In a perfect union of talents, David Fincher’s action/thriller featuring Michael Fassbender seems destined for greatness. However, unfortunately, The Killer falls short of its promising start. While it boasts several skillfully executed sequences, such as an exceptional hand-to-hand combat scene, the narrative and character development leave much to be desired. The film’s exploration of identity and perfection feels tiresomely repetitive, relying on overused spy movie motifs and a predictable structure that lacks originality and depth. Despite Fincher’s trademark production quality, the film as a whole disappoints, particularly when compared to his other outstanding works.

Fincher Needs To Leave Netflix

David Fincher, known for films like Mank and The Killer, appears to be producing less impactful work lately, shifting from a renowned filmmaker to one who seems confined by Netflix. With potential projects such as a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel and a Squid Game USA in the pipeline, it seems that Fincher is finding it challenging to create works on par with his past successes, which some attribute to his association with Netflix. If Fincher were to part ways with Netflix, it’s possible that his future projects would be more robust as he wouldn’t be bound by the studio’s focus on pleasing algorithms over artistic expression.

7
‘Living’ (2022)

The movie titled “Living” is a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic “Ikiru,” but unfortunately, it fails to match its brilliance. This film, a British period drama about life, ironically lacks any real essence of life itself. The visual aesthetic is unremarkable, devoid of depth, and offers little value beyond a few scenic shots. Despite the intended message about aging and appreciating life, the themes feel superficial and insufficiently developed in “Living.” Regrettably, this film does not merit an Oscar nomination for Adapted Screenplay, as it is the aspect that falls short the most.

There Should Only Be Remakes of Bad Movies

Instead of a remake serving as a money-making opportunity, it should function as a second chance for poorly received films. For instance, the 2017 adaptation of It significantly outperformed its predecessor (Tim Curry’s legacy notwithstanding) and became one of the highest-grossing horror movies ever made. If studios aim to keep their successful franchises running in cinemas, re-releases might be a more effective approach than just remaking them. The success of Revenge of the Sith demonstrates this well, as it had one of the highest-grossing weekends at the box office this year, even surpassing Pixar’s latest animated production. A remake would offer a blend of intellectual property exploitation with an attempt to improve upon existing films within the film community.

6
‘No Time to Die’ (2021)

Daniel Craig’s last movie as James Bond, titled “No Time to Die“, didn’t live up to expectations. Visually, it was impressive, but the story was disappointingly weak and forgettable. The concept of a retired spy coming back to action has been used too often, and it fails to provide the impact needed for Craig’s final portrayal of the character. Although the ending was emotional, the build-up was dull and lacked suspense.

James Bond Needs To Change

Although James Bond is arguably the most iconic movie character ever, his values and portrayal of masculinity seem quite outdated given he first appeared over six decades ago. With Amazon now owning the franchise rights, there’s an opportunity to thoroughly revamp Bond’s persona. Regardless if they choose a well-known actor like Tom Holland or someone entirely new, the fresh Bond should undergo a significant transformation since the existing formula isn’t up to par anymore.

5
‘The Lost Daughter’ (2021)

A movie starring Olivia Colman titled “The Lost Daughter” might spark anticipation, but it certainly isn’t filled with excitement. The characters delving deeply into self-reflection can occasionally result in emotionally enriching experiences, however, this film is overly somber. Despite Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley giving performances that deserve their Oscar nominations, the movie itself fails to reach their caliber. The portrayal of parenthood in the film feels unbearably grim, with a sluggish pace and monotonous visuals making it one of the most overhyped films of the 2020s.

Olivia Coleman Should Star in More Projects

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the exceptional talent that is Olivia Colman. Despite her Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, she’s seldom been given the chance to shine as the main character. It’s baffling, really, when you consider her acting prowess alongside stars like Leonardo DiCaprio or Timothée Chalamet. She may not be a household name yet, but with studios giving her more lead roles, she could easily ascend to A-list status.

4
‘I Care a Lot’ (2020)

The movie “I Care a Lot” aimed to emulate the success of “Gone Girl,” but fell short significantly in almost every aspect. With an implausible script and uninspiring acting, this Netflix thriller fails to deliver anything compelling or meaningful. Rosamund Pike portrays a less intelligent version of Amy Dunne, and her performance mirrors her character. Her winning the Best Actress in a Comedy prize at the Golden Globes over Maria Bakalova’s Oscar-nominated performance is one of many reasons why the film was excessively praised and rewarded.

Netflix Severely Lacks Quality Control

Despite the fact that Netflix has garnered critical acclaim for numerous films, quite a few of their original productions fall short in terms of competence. Instead of focusing on artistic and valuable projects, they often churn out movies based on what algorithms suggest will be successful. From disappointing dystopian spectacles like “Uglies” to ill-advised remakes such as “He’s All That”, Netflix appears to have a significant issue with quality assurance that needs addressing if they wish to create projects worthy of lasting recognition.

3
‘I’m Still Here’ (2024)

The movie “I’m Still Here” offers a compelling performance by Fernanda Torres, yet falls short of deserving a Best Picture nomination due to its monotonous and overly prolonged nature. With such a minimal narrative, the film’s 135-minute runtime feels excessively long. Although the acting and script are commendable at times, the movie would have been more impactful as a documentary. Despite not being a complete flop like other films on the list, it is undeniably overhyped because of its multiple Oscar nominations and popularity among critics on Letterboxd in 2024.

Oscars’ Diversity Has Improved Immensely

It’s pleasing to observe that the Academy is giving more recognition to films beyond the U.S., such as “I’m Still Here,” which might not have been a Best Picture nominee. This practice benefits filmmakers from other countries, and it expands the audience’s awareness of non-English language films. Typically, American viewers don’t seek out foreign films, but if they are marketed more effectively by studios or organizations like the Academy, it could create a better platform for international filmmakers to thrive. A balanced landscape between American and non-American cinema would be ideal, and this can only happen if studios and organizations make a stronger effort to promote international films to general audiences.

2
‘Elvis’ (2022)

In a more casual and readable manner:

The movie about Elvis, while it has an energetic and fast-paced vibe that warrants over two hours, unfortunately falls short due to its repetitive plot and inconsistent performances from the side characters. Austin Butler delivers a mesmerizing portrayal of Elvis, but Tom Hanks seems out of place as his manager, giving the film a comical rather than dramatic feel. The tale of Elvis’ rise from rags to riches is quite predictable, failing to make him stand out beyond his music. Baz Luhrmann’s direction enhances the concert scenes, but the script leaves the overall viewing experience lacking in substance.

Hollywood Needs To Pump the Breaks on Music Biopics

Movies such as “Rocketman” and “Love & Mercy” demonstrate that music biopics can be successful, but sadly, they’ve become overly familiar and formulaic in recent times. The creators of these films seem more focused on compiling a music video-like montage of the artists’ greatest hits rather than delving into a unique narrative about their lives. Films like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Back to Black” have fallen short in capturing the depth of these renowned musicians, suggesting it’s high time Hollywood moved away from this approach. Instead, if they wish to keep producing films about musicians, documentaries might be a more effective choice as they tend to provide a richer, more accurate portrayal of the individual.

1
‘Babes’ (2024)

A truly dismal comedy like “Babes” is a letdown. Despite some intriguing themes about family and friendship, the humor in this film annihilates any emotional depth it might have had. Lena Dunham has made us laugh on numerous occasions through her films and stand-up performances, but her comedic efforts in “Babes” are tough to stomach. The dialogue exchanges between the two main characters were the most awkward moments seen in movies this decade. It’s rare to find straightforward comedies nowadays, but “Babes” certainly isn’t the one to resurrect them.

Why Are Comedies So Rare These Days?

The latest installment of “The Naked Gun” seems to be the first studio-produced comedy in a while that’s straightforward. Over the past few years, we’ve seen only a handful of comedies hitting the big screen annually, and it’s puzzling as to why this trend persists. Could it be because the current political climate makes it challenging to create compelling humor? Or maybe they don’t generate enough profits? Is there a possibility that streaming platforms are undermining comedies? Regardless of the factors at play, comedies have played a significant role in the success of numerous actors and filmmakers. Here’s hoping we see more of them on the big screen soon.

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2025-07-05 00:04