20 Most Disappointing “A-List” Movies of the Last Decade

Big-budget films with A-list stars and massive hype can sometimes crash harder than a low-budget indie. When studios pour millions into a project, expectations soar, but not every star-studded movie delivers the goods.

I’ve rounded up the 20 most disappointing A-list movies from 2015 to 2025, films that promised greatness but left audiences wanting. From misfired superhero flicks to botched remakes, here’s why these blockbusters fell short, starting from the least disappointing to the most.

‘Kraven the Hunter’ (2024)

Sony’s attempt to spotlight Spider-Man’s foe with Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the lead had all the makings of a gritty anti-hero hit. Instead, it stumbled with a generic plot and a villain who barely registered, leaving fans cold.

The action felt repetitive, and the script didn’t dig deep into Kraven’s complex psyche, wasting Taylor-Johnson’s intensity. Comic fans hoped for a bold addition to Sony’s universe. What they got was a forgettable action flick that fizzled out fast.

‘Holmes & Watson’ (2018)

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, comedy legends from past hits, seemed like a perfect duo for a Sherlock Holmes parody. But the humor leaned on stale gags and awkward historical jabs that landed with a thud.

Even a stellar cast, including Ralph Fiennes and Hugh Laurie, couldn’t salvage the weak script. The movie felt like a rushed cash-grab, and the studio barely bothered promoting it. It’s a comedy that forgot how to make anyone laugh.

‘Cats’ (2019)

Tom Hooper’s take on the iconic musical had Judi Dench, Taylor Swift, and cutting-edge CGI. Yet, the creepy cat visuals and disjointed storytelling turned it into a bizarre fever dream that alienated audiences.

The all-star cast couldn’t overcome the uncanny digital fur and a plot that felt incoherent. Fans of the stage show were baffled by the choices, and the film became a viral joke. It’s a lesson in how spectacle can’t replace heart.

‘Glass’ (2019)

M. Night Shyamalan’s trilogy capper to ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘Split’ promised a superhero showdown with Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and James McAvoy. The result was a muddled mess that didn’t live up to its predecessors.

The pacing dragged, and the climax felt like a betrayal of the buildup, leaving fans frustrated. The cast gave their all, but the story lacked focus. It’s a disappointing end to what could’ve been a groundbreaking saga.

‘Men in Black: International’ (2019)

Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson brought charm to this franchise reboot, but the spark of the original ‘Men in Black’ was missing. The plot felt like a rehash with none of the wit or wonder.

Weak villains and forgettable action sequences didn’t help, and the chemistry between the leads couldn’t carry the film. Fans wanted a fresh spin on the sci-fi classic. Instead, they got a bland retread that faded fast.

‘Dark Phoenix’ (2019)

The X-Men saga aimed to wrap up with Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey at the center, backed by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. But the story felt rushed, and the emotional weight of Jean’s arc never landed.

Poor pacing and lackluster effects didn’t match the franchise’s earlier highs. Fans hoped for a grand finale. What they got was a forgettable chapter that felt like an afterthought.

‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ (2019)

Bringing back Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, this ‘Terminator’ reboot aimed to recapture the magic of the originals. Instead, it leaned too hard on nostalgia without offering fresh ideas.

The action was solid but predictable, and the new characters didn’t resonate. Fans wanted a bold revival. The film felt like a tired echo of better days, failing to spark new life.

‘The Mummy’ (2017)

Tom Cruise headlined this attempt to launch a Dark Universe, but the film tripped over its own ambitions. The mix of horror, action, and humor felt forced, and the story lacked any real stakes.

Despite Cruise’s star power, the script was a mess, and the monster felt secondary. Audiences expected a thrilling reboot. They got a bloated setup for a franchise that never materialized.

‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)

With a killer cast like Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, this all-female reboot had huge potential. But the humor felt forced, and the story didn’t capture the original’s charm, alienating longtime fans.

The effects were decent, but the villain was forgettable, and the pacing dragged. It aimed to refresh a classic. Instead, it felt like a pale imitation that didn’t click.

‘Justice League’ (2017)

DC’s answer to The Avengers united Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, and Henry Cavill, but the film was a tonal mess after behind-the-scenes drama. The rushed plot and weak villain didn’t help.

Despite some fun moments, it lacked the heart of DC’s better entries. Fans wanted an epic team-up. They got a disjointed film that felt stitched together in a hurry.

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

The final chapter of the Skywalker saga had Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, but it buckled under the weight of tying up loose ends. The pacing was frantic, and new plot twists confused more than they clarified.

Fan service couldn’t mask a story that felt like it was making it up as it went. Audiences wanted a satisfying end. Instead, it left many feeling the saga deserved better.

‘Alien: Covenant’ (2017)

Ridley Scott’s return to the ‘Alien’ universe promised to blend horror and philosophy with Michael Fassbender’s android at the core. But it leaned too hard on convoluted lore, losing the franchise’s primal terror.

The new crew felt disposable, and the scares were predictable. Fans hoped for a return to form. They got a film that felt more like a puzzle than a thriller.

‘Suicide Squad’ (2016)

Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto led this DC villain team-up, hyped as a wild, edgy ride. Instead, choppy editing and a thin plot made it feel like a music video gone wrong.

The cast had chemistry, but the story didn’t give them room to shine. Fans wanted a bold anti-hero epic. They got a flashy mess that didn’t know what it wanted to be.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ (2018)

J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world expanded with Eddie Redmayne and Johnny Depp, but the sequel drowned in overstuffed lore and murky motivations. The magic felt lost in endless exposition.

Even the visuals couldn’t save a story that confused casual fans and diehards alike. It promised a grand adventure. It delivered a slog that tested patience.

‘The Matrix Resurrections’ (2021)

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returned for a bold revival, but the meta approach felt more like a lecture than a thrilling sci-fi epic. The action lacked the original’s punch, and the story meandered.

Fans hoped for a mind-bending comeback. Instead, it felt like a nostalgic rehash that didn’t quite know why it existed, leaving many scratching their heads.

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ (2023)

Harrison Ford donned the fedora again, but this adventure lacked the heart of the original trilogy. The de-aging effects were jarring, and the plot felt like a recycled treasure hunt.

New characters didn’t click, and the stakes felt low despite the spectacle. Fans wanted one last epic ride. They got a tired sequel that didn’t recapture the magic.

‘Jurassic World Dominion’ (2022)

Reuniting Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum with Chris Pratt sounded like a dino-sized win. But the overstuffed plot and weak new villains diluted the thrills, making it feel like a cash grab.

The action was loud but forgettable, and the legacy cast deserved better. Fans wanted a grand finale. It ended up a chaotic mess that didn’t roar.

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ (2023)

Paul Rudd’s charm and Jonathan Majors’ Kang were poised to elevate the MCU’s smallest hero. But the film leaned too hard on CGI and a rushed multiverse setup, losing Ant-Man’s grounded appeal.

The quantum realm felt cluttered, and the stakes were vague. Fans expected a fun heist vibe. They got a bloated misfire that felt like setup for something else.

‘Eternals’ (2021)

Chloé Zhao’s MCU entry boasted Angelina Jolie and a cosmic scope, but its slow pace and overstuffed cast left audiences disconnected. The mythology felt more confusing than captivating.

Despite gorgeous visuals, the emotional core never clicked, and the action fell flat. Fans wanted a bold new chapter. It ended up a forgettable detour in the MCU.

‘The Lion King’ (2019)

Disney’s live-action remake had jaw-dropping visuals and Beyoncé’s star power, but it lacked the soul of the animated classic. The hyper-realistic animals felt lifeless, draining the story’s emotion.

The voice cast was stellar, but the script stuck too closely to the original without adding anything new. Fans hoped for a fresh take. They got a soulless photocopy.

Which A-list movie letdown stung you the most, or did I miss one that deserves a spot? Drop your thoughts in the comments!