20 Worst Superhero Movies Ever, Ranked

Superhero movies can soar with epic battles and inspiring heroes, but not every caped crusader lands a hit. Some films flop hard, tripped up by weak scripts, dated effects, or just plain bad choices, leaving fans cringing.

We’re diving into the misfires that missed the mark, ranked from the least awful to the absolute worst. Using insights from web discussions and critical consensus, these 20 superhero movies are the genre’s biggest letdowns, but some still have a quirky charm worth a curious watch.

20. ‘The Wolverine’ (2013)

Hugh Jackman’s Logan heads to Japan, facing ninjas and a shaky plot. It’s messy but has gritty action and a strong lead performance.

Jackman carries the film, but clunky pacing and a weak villain drag it down. It’s watchable for fans, just not a standout.

19. ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ (2006)

The X-Men tackle a mutant cure and Dark Phoenix’s rise. Rushed storytelling and too many characters make it a chaotic mess.

Brett Ratner’s direction lacks the depth of earlier films. Still, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellen keep some scenes gripping.

18. ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ (2021)

Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock battles Carnage in this messy sequel. The short runtime and goofy tone clash with weak storytelling.

Hardy’s oddball charm and the buddy dynamic amuse, but the thin plot flops. It’s a chaotic misstep despite fan love.

17. ‘Green Lantern’ (2011)

Ryan Reynolds’ Hal Jordan gets a power ring but fights a bland villain in a CGI-heavy mess. The script fumbles the cosmic scope.

Reynolds’ charm is the only saving grace. Weak effects and a thin story make it a forgettable DC misstep.

16. ‘Daredevil’ (2003)

Ben Affleck’s Matt Murdock battles Kingpin in a gritty but uneven flick. Over-the-top action and a weak romance sink it.

The director’s cut improves things, but the theatrical version feels dated. Colin Farrell’s wild Bullseye steals some scenes.

15. ‘Jonah Hex’ (2010)

Josh Brolin’s scarred bounty hunter chases a vengeful villain in this Western-superhero mashup. It’s short but painfully incoherent.

Poor editing and a rushed plot waste Brolin’s grit. Megan Fox’s role adds little, making it a forgettable DC flop.

14. ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ (2016)

Oscar Isaac’s ancient mutant awakens, but a cluttered story and weak villain arc disappoint. The X-Men deserve better.

The young cast, like Sophie Turner, shines, but the film feels overstuffed. It’s a step down from ‘Days of Future Past’.

13. ‘Suicide Squad’ (2016)

A team of DC villains, led by Will Smith and Margot Robbie, tackles a generic threat. Studio cuts create a jumbled mess.

Robbie’s Harley Quinn pops, but the weak plot and editing fail. It’s a flashy flop with wasted potential.

12. ‘Justice League’ (2017)

DC’s heroes unite in a rushed, tonally uneven team-up. Joss Whedon’s reshoots clash with Zack Snyder’s darker vision.

The cast, like Gal Gadot, tries hard, but the choppy story disappoints. The Snyder Cut later proved what could’ve been.

11. ‘Ghost Rider’ (2007)

Nicolas Cage’s Johnny Blaze sells his soul, becoming a flaming-skull biker. It’s campy fun but leans too hard into cheese.

The weak villain and dated effects don’t help. Cage’s wild energy makes it a guilty pleasure for some.

10. ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015)

This reboot, dubbed ‘Fant4stic,’ traps a talented cast in a grim, disjointed origin story. Studio meddling gutted its potential.

Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan try hard, but the dark tone and rushed climax fail. It’s a textbook superhero misfire.

9. ‘The Spirit’ (2008)

Frank Miller’s take on Will Eisner’s hero is a visually bold but narratively hollow mess. Samuel L. Jackson’s villain is over-the-top.

The Sin City-style visuals don’t save a confusing plot. It’s a stylistic experiment that crashes hard.

8. ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ (2011)

Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze in a sequel that’s somehow messier than the first. It’s chaotic and lacks heart.

The wild visuals and Cage’s mania are mildly fun. Still, the thin story and weak effects make it a slog.

7. ‘Elektra’ (2005)

Jennifer Garner’s Elektra spins off from ‘Daredevil’ into a lifeless action flick. The plot and villains feel forgettable.

Garner’s effort can’t save a dull script and low stakes. It’s a bland misstep in the early superhero boom.

6. ‘Superman III’ (1983)

Richard Pryor’s comedy clashes with Christopher Reeve’s Superman in a bizarre tale of synthetic kryptonite. It’s tonally all over the place.

Reeve’s charm holds some scenes, but the goofy plot flops. It’s a sharp drop from the first two films.

5. ‘Steel’ (1997)

Shaquille O’Neal stars as a hero in a clunky metal suit fighting crime. The low budget and weak script doom it.

Shaq’s heart isn’t enough to lift the amateurish feel. It’s a DC flop that’s tough to sit through.

4. ‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)

George Clooney’s Batman faces Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy in a campy disaster. Bat-nipples and puns sink it.

Joel Schumacher’s over-the-top style flops hard. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s icy one-liners are the only quirky draw.

3. ‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry’s Patience becomes a feline antihero in a film divorced from its comic roots. The plot and effects are laughably bad.

Berry tries, but the campy tone and weak story fail. It’s a notorious misfire that’s barely watchable.

2. ‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’ (1987)

Christopher Reeve’s Superman tackles nuclear disarmament in a low-budget mess. Cheap effects and a preachy plot collapse it.

Reeve’s sincerity can’t save the choppy story. It’s a noble but painful fall for the iconic hero.

1. ‘Supergirl’ (1984)

Helen Slater’s Kara Zor-El fights a witch in a disjointed, low-budget spin-off. It lacks charm and coherence.

Slater’s earnestness is wasted on a messy script and dated visuals. It’s the bottom of the superhero barrel.

Which superhero flop do you think is the worst, or is there a dud we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments!