Top 20 Worst Movies Of the 2020s So Far

Some movies arrive with big stars and big budgets yet still miss the mark with audiences. The titles below made noise for the wrong reasons and often became cautionary tales about production choices, messy scripts, or awkward releases. You will find studio misfires, streaming disappointments, and franchise entries that could not live up to their names. Each entry shares clear facts about what the movie is, who made it, and how it reached viewers.

‘Dolittle’ (2020)

Robert Downey Jr. returned to family fare with this reboot that trades talking animal charm for heavy visual effects. Stephen Gaghan directed after pages of the script went through extensive rewrites and reshoots. The film uses a mix of live action and computer generated creatures voiced by a large ensemble. Universal released it in theaters at a time when family audiences were hard to attract.

‘365 Days’ (2020)

This Polish erotic drama became a global streaming hit after landing on Netflix. It is based on Blanka Lipińska’s novel and follows a kidnapping plot that sparked widespread debate. Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes directed with Michele Morrone and Anna Maria Sieklucka in the lead roles. The film launched sequels that kept the same characters and tone.

‘Artemis Fowl’ (2020)

Disney adapted Eoin Colfer’s popular book series into a science fantasy adventure. Kenneth Branagh directed with Ferdia Shaw as Artemis, supported by Judi Dench and Colin Farrell. The release shifted from theaters to Disney Plus, reflecting major schedule changes that year. Critics and fans of the novels noted a major departure from the source material.

‘The Last Days of American Crime’ (2020)

This action thriller adapts the graphic novel by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini. Olivier Megaton directed with a cast that includes Édgar Ramírez and Anna Brewster. The story revolves around a government signal that prevents citizens from committing crimes. Netflix handled the release as an original film.

‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ (2021)

LeBron James teamed with the Looney Tunes in a blend of live action and animation. Malcolm D Lee directed with a long list of cameos and references to studio properties. The movie used real world NBA figures and a digital game world setting. It released in theaters and on HBO Max at the same time.

‘Thunder Force’ (2021)

Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer play childhood friends who gain superpowers through experimental science. Ben Falcone wrote and directed, continuing his ongoing collaboration with McCarthy. The movie focuses on a world where supervillains emerged after a cosmic event. Netflix released it directly to streaming worldwide.

‘He’s All That’ (2021)

This teen comedy reimagines the late nineties hit with a gender swapped plot. Addison Rae and Tanner Buchanan lead the cast, with a cameo from the original star Rachael Leigh Cook. The story centers on a social media influencer tasked with turning a classmate into prom royalty. Netflix premiered the film as a platform exclusive.

‘Music’ (2021)

Singer Sia made her feature directorial debut with this drama about a newly sober woman who becomes guardian to her half sister. Kate Hudson and Maddie Ziegler star with Leslie Odom Jr in a key role. The film drew attention for its portrayal of autism and later made edits to certain scenes. It received a limited theatrical run alongside video on demand.

‘Home Sweet Home Alone’ (2021)

Disney revived the classic holiday brand with a new cast and story. Archie Yates plays the lead while familiar faces from the franchise appear in small roles. Dan Mazer directed and set the story in the same universe as the original films. The movie debuted on Disney Plus as a streaming title for the season.

‘Morbius’ (2022)

This Marvel character film from Sony stars Jared Leto as a scientist who gains vampiric abilities. Daniel Espinosa directed and connected the story to Sony’s Spider Man related universe. Trailers teased crossover elements that changed by the time of release. The film had two separate theatrical runs after an unexpected second push.

‘Moonfall’ (2022)

Roland Emmerich returned to large scale disaster storytelling with a plot about the moon shifting from its orbit. Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, and John Bradley lead the cast. The production relied on extensive digital effects and soundstage work. The release targeted premium formats to showcase the spectacle.

‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ (2022)

This entry positions itself as a direct continuation of the original story. David Blue Garcia directed with Elsie Fisher among the new cast members. The film was set for theaters but ultimately launched on Netflix. Practical gore effects and updated characters mark the latest attempt to refresh the property.

‘Pinocchio’ (2022)

Robert Zemeckis directed this live action and animation hybrid for Disney. Tom Hanks plays Geppetto with Joseph Gordon Levitt voicing Jiminy Cricket. The production uses photoreal designs for the wooden boy and his companions. It skipped theaters in many regions and premiered on Disney Plus.

‘Jeepers Creepers: Reborn’ (2022)

This reboot sought to start a new continuity for the horror series. Timo Vuorensola directed with a new cast and a storyline set around a horror festival. The movie had a short theatrical event window before moving to digital. It aimed to distance the brand from earlier controversies by changing creative leadership.

‘Blacklight’ (2022)

Liam Neeson plays a government fixer drawn into a conspiracy involving domestic surveillance. Mark Williams directed and shot the film in Australia. The plot features undercover operations and a journalist who becomes an ally. It released theatrically during a crowded action season.

‘The Flash’ (2023)

This DC entry brings multiverse elements into the story and features multiple versions of familiar heroes. Andy Muschietti directed with Ezra Miller in the lead and Michael Keaton returning as Batman. The film combined large scale visual effects with time travel and alternate timelines. It arrived after a lengthy development cycle and several date changes.

‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ (2023)

The sequel continues the adventures of Billy Batson and his foster family of superheroes. David F Sandberg returned to direct with Zachary Levi and Asher Angel reprising their roles. The villains are played by Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler as daughters of Atlas. The movie followed major shifts within the broader DC slate.

‘Expend4bles’ (2023)

The fourth entry in the action ensemble series adds new faces to a returning crew. Scott Waugh directed with Jason Statham in a larger focus role and Sylvester Stallone in a reduced presence. The production emphasized practical fights and large set pieces on a modest budget for the brand. Lionsgate released it in theaters during the late summer period.

‘Madame Web’ (2024)

Sony continued its lineup of Spider Man universe projects with this origin story. Dakota Johnson stars as Cassandra Webb with Sydney Sweeney and Isabela Merced among the supporting cast. The plot explores clairvoyant abilities connected to a web of future events. The release positioned the film as a key piece of Sony’s ongoing character plans.

‘Argylle’ (2024)

Matthew Vaughn directed this spy caper with a sprawling ensemble that includes Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell. The story plays with the idea of a novelist whose fiction mirrors real espionage. Apple and Universal partnered on the rollout that used a theatrical window before streaming. The movie drew attention for a marketing campaign built around a mysterious author concept.

Share your own picks for the worst movies of the decade so far in the comments.