The Most Disappointing Movies of 2024, Ranked

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As a film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that this list of flops is as disappointing as a Pop-Tart without the sweet, artificial strawberry filling. Each one of these films had the potential to be a masterpiece, but instead, they fell flat on their faces like an overripe banana.

Take Joker: Folie à Deux, for instance. After the unprecedented success of the first film, I was expecting fireworks and dancing clowns, but all I got was a musical train wreck that made me long for the days when Joaquin Phoenix’s only singing involved growling into a mic.

And let’s not forget about Y2K, which had all the makings of a fun, nostalgic romp through the early 2000s but ended up being as appealing as last week’s leftovers. I mean, really, who thought it was a good idea to make a movie about the Y2K bug in 2024? Talk about missing the mark!

But the real disappointment has to go to Unfrosted, the cinematic equivalent of a stale, microwaved Pop-Tart. I’ve seen better jokes on a greeting card, and that’s saying something coming from someone like me who once wrote for a comedy sketch show.

In all seriousness, it’s disheartening to see so many promising films fall short of expectations. But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining – at least we can look forward to the next batch of flops and laugh (or cry) our way through them!

2024 boasted some remarkable films across various genres, from terrifying horrors to exhilarating action flicks. There was no dearth of cinematic delights for enthusiasts to savor. However, every year has its share of letdowns; some are foreseen as potential failures while others enter theaters with high hopes, ultimately disappointing audiences eagerly anticipating them. Regrettably, a few of these films managed to make it big at the box office or on streaming platforms but left viewers with an unpleasant aftertaste.

As a cinephile who has seen countless movies throughout my life, I must admit that these ten films left me feeling underwhelmed for various reasons. In this review series, I will delve into each movie and share my thoughts on why they didn’t meet my expectations. For the curious viewer, I’ll also provide information on where you can stream these films if you wish to watch them and form your own opinions.

Stay tuned for an in-depth analysis of these disappointing flicks!

10
Trap

At a Lady Raven pop concert, father-daughter duo, Cooper (Josh Hartnett) and Riley, are present. Riley adores Lady Raven deeply. However, as Cooper spots the police encircling the venue, he starts feeling anxious, fearing they are about to uncover his hidden past, a secret potentially damaging to his family. As the music plays on, Cooper manages to blend in with the concert staff, causing confusion and hatching plans to evade capture.

M. Night Shyamalan’s Mediocre Thriller

To clarify, M. Night Shyamalan undeniably possesses the ability to captivate an audience, as proven by the success of “Trap” at the box office, raking in $82.7 million from a budget of $30 million. However, it’s fair to say that Shyamalan’s films have become something of a rollercoaster ride, with “Trap” being among his less impressive works. The film notably lacks the signature twist ending, but it appears that Shyamalan has grown overly dependent on these ‘hooks.’ Consequently, without one, “Trap” unfortunately descends into an unrefined thriller riddled with plot inconsistencies. The acting leaves much to be desired, and the conclusion borders on thoughtless absurdity.

As a longtime fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s work, I eagerly await each new release with hope for another “Signs” or “The Sixth Sense.” While he occasionally impresses me with films like “Split,” his more recent works such as “Trap” demonstrate that the director has found a niche in creating enjoyable movies that, unfortunately, don’t quite reach their full potential. If you’re interested in giving it a watch, you can stream “Trap” on Max.

9
Megalopolis

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In an altered 21st-century version of New York City, known as “New Rome,” the story unfolds around a forward-thinking architect named Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), who has grand plans to remake the city into a utopia. However, he encounters resistance from Mayor Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), who only seeks personal profit through construction. In this confrontation, Cesar crosses paths with Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel). As they join forces, they discover an unusual ability to pause time, which gives them the power to influence the future of “New Rome” positively.

A Swing and a Miss for One of the Greats

It’s clear that Francis Ford Coppola has significantly impacted the world of film and contributed to modern cinema’s evolution. However, it should be noted that even cinematic greats can make missteps. Despite Coppola’s defense of his work and accusations of biased criticism, it is widely agreed that ‘Megalopolis,’ his latest project, is arguably his most disorganized and unrefined film yet. While Coppola maintains that the negative reception was due to defying cinematic norms, critics have pointed out the film’s poor visual aesthetic, underdeveloped characters, and confusing narrative as reasons for ‘Megalopolis’ flopping at the box office.

8
Argylle

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The secluded author Elly Conway (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) has achieved global acclaim with her spy novel series starring Aubrey Argyle (Henry Cavill). Struggling with writer’s block, Elly experiences an unexpected spark of inspiration when she is drawn into a genuine espionage incident. Rescued by the spy Aiden Wilde (Sam Rockwell), Elly discovers that her tales foreshadow actual events. As she delves deeper into this world that she created, the boundaries between reality and fiction start to merge.

In contrast to its lackluster performance at the box office, amassing just $96.1 million globally against a budget of $200 million, Argylle found success on streaming platforms.

Falling Short of the ‘Kingsman’ Franchise

The Kingsman series has amassed a loyal fanbase, and the anticipation for its expansion with a new look and top-tier actors was high. However, the film Argylle unfortunately failed to deliver the Kingsman franchise at its best, instead offering a shallow, confusing, and dull experience. The talented cast, including Henry Cavill and Sam Rockwell, were not fully utilized or developed in their respective roles. What could have been an exhilarating action-adventure turned out to be a chaotic, disorganized movie. Argylle is now available for streaming on Apple TV+.

7
The Watchers

In a forest in western Ireland, a budding artist named Mina unexpectedly lands. She discovers a sanctuary, a bunker called “The Coop,” inhabited by other lost travelers. However, each night they are compelled to entertain enigmatic beings, observed through mirrors while carrying out ordinary tasks that seem to amuse these entities. Life within “The Coop” is governed by a stringent set of rules, and as Mina defies the regulations in pursuit of liberty, the outside creatures grow increasingly aggressive.

In cinemas, The Watchers would gross approximately $33 million, just slightly surpassing its production budget of $30 million.

Strong Start, Steady Decline

In Ishana Shyamalan’s first film, “The Watchers,” many horror enthusiasts were drawn in by the intrigue. The initial trailer hinted at a compelling concept and an ominous, foreboding tone, starring Dakota Fanning as the main character. While Dakota Fanning delivers a strong performance, the movie eventually unravels in the second half, leading to disappointment among viewers and earning a place among the most disappointing horror films of 2024. It’s a situation where potential was squandered and the film relied excessively on a novelty to appear deeper than it truly is. This setback shouldn’t mark the end of Ishana Shyamalan’s career, but her future projects will be met with caution until she develops a more consistent style and avoids overly imitating her father’s approach. You can catch The Watchers on Max.

6
Uglies

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In a future marked by dystopia, at age 16, individuals are granted access to the elite strata of society via cosmetic surgeries that enhance their beauty. The novel Uglies delves into the ethical conundrums inherent in a society that values physical appearance above all else. Tally Youngblood, on the verge of her transformation to ‘beauty,’ starts questioning the procedure’s merits as she encounters the adverse effects it has on her friends undergoing the process, both physically and psychologically. The novel is derived from the renowned YA series of the same name authored by Scott Westerfeld.

A Far Cry From the Source Material

The movie adaptation of the beloved “Uglies” book series, which explores contemporary social issues in our image-centric society, fell short of expectations. While it boasts impressive visuals, the film failed to convey even a fraction of the novel’s depth and complexity. Moreover, the characters were poorly developed and the narrative lacked context, making the movie feel rushed and haphazard for those not familiar with the books. Initially envisioned as a franchise, it might be more beneficial for “Uglies” to have been a standalone Netflix production; there are numerous superior YA dystopian movies available for viewing instead. You can stream “Uglies” on Netflix.

5
The Crow

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A young duo, Eric (portrayed by Bill Skarsgård) and Shelly (FKA twigs), fall victim to a ruthless criminal named Vincent Roeg (played by Danny Huston). This heinous act triggers a sequence of occurrences leading to the emergence of a legendary figure, The Crow. Following his tragic demise, Eric is reborn under the watch of the deity Kronos and assigned with avenging Shelly’s death before attaining eternal peace. This movie is a modern adaptation of the 1994 classic, which starred Brandon Lee in the titular role. In cinemas, The Crow grossed $24 million globally against an initial investment of $50 million.

Some Films Should Not Be Remade

As a movie enthusiast who appreciates the dark allure of goth subculture, I must say that the original “The Crow” was more than just a film; it was an emblem deeply ingrained in our scene and symbolic of its transformation from indie treasure to enduring classic. I personally believe that The Crow didn’t necessitate a lavish Hollywood remake. However, the casting of Bill Skarsgard alongside FKA Twigs, coupled with a brooding gothic ambiance, initially sparked a flicker of curiosity and made me open to being convinced otherwise. Regrettably, my expectations were not met. It fell short in offering a fresh perspective on The Crow and failed to stir up nostalgia, ultimately resulting in a laborious spectacle that may have dealt a fatal blow to the character’s cinematic future. If you’re interested, you can catch “The Crow” on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV.

4
Borderlands

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Famous bounty hunter Lilith (portrayed by Cate Blanchett) goes back to her planet Pandora with the intention of rescuing Tiny Tina, a girl whose father, a powerful businessman, sought Lilith’s aid. However, upon finding Tina and learning that she holds immense power, Lilith realizes that the young girl is being exploited by her father for his own gain. In response, Lilith teams up with a band of renegades to protect Tiny Tina from an impending dire situation.

Meanwhile, the movie adaptation of Borderlands flopped at the box office, earning only $31 million despite a production budget of $113 million, making it one of the major financial letdowns during that period.

One of the Greatest Flops of the 2020s

Experiencing “Borderlands” was akin to watching a tragic accident unfold gradually. Its release sparked a prolonged demise that was seldom witnessed before. Regrettably, “Borderlands” failed to captivate both loyal followers of the game series and newcomers to its humorous, dystopian universe.

Fans of the gaming franchise were undoubtedly expecting better, but the script fell woefully short, filled with meta jokes that missed their mark; it seemed to be trying too hard to appeal to a younger audience. With a substantial budget, an impressive cast, and an innovative visual environment, it’s disappointing to see such potential go unrealized, making “Borderlands” one of the most significant letdowns of the 2020s and a bitter lesson for those involved in its production.

If you’re interested, you can catch “Borderlands” on Starz.

3
Unfrosted

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In the 1960s, the movie “Unfrosted” unfolds the tale of Bob Cabana, sharing the beginnings of Pop-Tarts with a homeless boy in a diner. The film is based on the genuine competition between Kellogg’s and Post, using various real characters from that time to craft a creative depiction of how the well-known breakfast snack emerged. Jerry Seinfeld, who also wrote and directed the movie, plays Bob Cabana and is accompanied by an impressive ensemble of today’s comedy stars.

An Anachronistic Comedy Failure

After Netflix acquired Seinfeld for a massive $500 million, it was only natural that more collaborations with Jerry Seinfeld would follow. The concept of him delving into the history and quirks of Pop-Tarts, a subject that left many wondering “what’s the deal with Pop-Tarts?”, was intriguing, especially given his impressive supporting cast. However, when viewers tuned in, they were taken aback to find that Unfrosted, despite being on Netflix, was painfully unfunny throughout. None of the jokes seemed to hit their mark, and it lacked the freshness, even for those who fondly remember Seinfeld from their childhood. You can stream Unfrosted on Netflix if you’d like to experience this unexpected turn of events.

2
Y2K

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16-year-old socially awkward Eli (Jaeden Martell), along with his closest pals Danny (Julian Dennison) and Laura (Rachel Zegler), are gearing up for the dawn of the new millennium. They’ve heard about the Y2K scare, but remain hopeful that it won’t be as bad as predicted. Their solution? Throw a colossal party to ring in the year 2000! However, their plans go awry when all electronic devices worldwide suddenly gain consciousness and start hunting humans instead of celebrating the new year.

Banking on Nostalgia Without Delivering Quality

Rachel Zegler, who was once widely admired for her cinematic debut, has found herself in a controversial spotlight due to her political views. This has sparked debate among online commentators. However, blaming the flop of the movie “Y2K” solely on her performance is unfair, as the film itself was not up to par. In fact, the movie seems overly focused on nostalgic moments and falls short of being the quirky comedy it initially promised.

Furthermore, this tale is a confounding chaos with dull characters to support it. Considering that it’s from A24, it could be one of their least impressive films; its dismal box office performance, averaging less than $400 per theater by its second week, demonstrates the lack of interest from viewers. You might want to watch Y2K on Amazon Prime or Apple TV+.

1
Joker: Folie à Deux

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Two years following the chaotic events where Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), now a detainee in Arkham, stands trial for his crime of assassinating Murray Franklin on live TV, Joker: Folie à Deux unfolds. In this courtroom drama, Fleck’s lawyer, Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener), develops a bond with him and proposes that he has dissociative identity disorder. However, his encounters with fellow inmate Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga) fuel the Joker persona within him, potentially compromising his case. Unfortunately, despite earning $206.4 million at the box office, it failed to reach the $450 million required for a profitable return.

A Vastly Different Direction for Joker

Was Joker: Folie à Deux well-received or met with criticism? A case could be made for both opinions. The film, despite receiving praise from some outlets and being named one of the best films of 2024 by John Waters, faced a significant amount of disappointment from the fanbase. This discontent was evident in reactions to scenes such as Joker’s ‘mistreatment’ in prison or the musical elements, with many feeling that these aspects were significantly different from and even offensive compared to the original movie. Given the success of the first film directed by Todd Phillips, it wasn’t surprising that when this sequel was released, it carried high expectations and seemed destined to disappoint. You can stream Joker: Folie à Deux on Max.

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2025-01-01 05:02