20 Black-Led Superhero Movies That Flopped Hardest

While blockbuster hits like ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Blade’ proved that diverse superhero films could dominate the global box office, not every attempt has been a success story. The genre is littered with ambitious projects that failed to connect with audiences due to ballooning budgets, weak scripts, or poor timing. Some of these films have developed cult followings over the years, while others remain cautionary tales for studios. From gritty reboots to family comedies, these productions represent the financial lows of Black-led hero cinema.

‘Abar, the First Black Superman’ (1977)

Often cited by historians as one of the earliest examples of the genre, this blaxploitation film features a scientist who gains powers after drinking a mysterious serum. The low-budget production attempted to address serious social issues within a fantastical framework but failed to reach a mainstream audience. Its erratic tone and limited distribution kept it from achieving commercial success during the superhero boom of later decades. Today, it remains an obscure oddity rather than a recognized classic in the canon of Black cinema.

‘Fast Color’ (2018)

Gugu Mbatha-Raw delivers a powerful performance in this grounded indie drama about three generations of women with superhuman abilities. Despite receiving praise from critics for its unique take on the superhero origin story, the film struggled to find a theatrical audience. The limited marketing budget meant that many potential viewers were unaware the movie even existed during its short run. It has since found a second life on streaming platforms, but its box office returns were negligible.

‘Kin’ (2018)

This sci-fi action film stars Myles Truitt as a teenager who discovers a high-tech alien weapon and goes on the run with his brother. Although it features a unique premise and a supporting cast including Zoë Kravitz and Michael B. Jordan, the movie failed to ignite interest at the ticket counter. Critics felt the tone was inconsistent, wavering between a gritty crime drama and a young adult superhero adventure. The film grossed significantly less than its production budget, marking it as a financial misfire.

‘Pootie Tang’ (2001)

Based on a sketch from ‘The Chris Rock Show’, this satire stars Lance Crouther as a crime fighter who speaks in a unique pidgin language. The studio reportedly interfered heavily with the final cut, resulting in a disjointed narrative that confused general audiences. While it has since garnered a reputation as a cult comedy, its initial theatrical release was a commercial disaster. The surreal humor and lack of a traditional plot made it a difficult sell for moviegoers expecting a standard hero parody.

‘Blankman’ (1994)

Damon Wayans co-wrote and starred in this comedy about a naive repairman who becomes a DIY superhero to save his neighborhood. Despite the popularity of Wayans at the time, the film failed to recoup its budget and received mixed reviews from critics. The low-tech aesthetic and slapstick humor did not translate into box office gold during a competitive summer season. It remains a nostalgic favorite for some, but the financial numbers categorize it as a significant flop.

‘The Meteor Man’ (1993)

Robert Townsend wrote, directed, and starred in this heart, ambition-filled project about a teacher who gains powers after being struck by a meteor. The film featured an impressive ensemble cast including James Earl Jones and Don Cheadle but struggled to tone-balance between comedy and serious urban drama. Its box office performance was underwhelming, failing to make a significant splash against the blockbusters of the early nineties. However, it is often credited with paving the way for future Black superhero narratives.

‘Spawn’ (1997)

Michael Jai White portrayed the hell-spawned antihero in this adaptation of the popular Image Comics series. While the film boasted a killer soundtrack and groundbreaking visual effects for its time, the story was criticized for being messy and over-reliant on CGI. It performed moderately well but was considered a critical failure and a disappointment to fans of the gritty source material. Plans for a direct sequel stalled for decades due to the film’s mixed reception and declining interest.

‘Blade: Trinity’ (2004)

Wesley Snipes returned for a third outing as the vampire hunter, but the production was plagued by well-documented on-set conflicts. The film introduced a team of younger hunters, sidelining the title character and diluting the darker tone that made the previous entries successful. Critics panned the script for its reliance on cheesy one-liners and lack of horror atmosphere. The box office returns dipped significantly compared to ‘Blade II’, effectively killing the franchise for nearly twenty years.

‘After Earth’ (2013)

Will Smith and Jaden Smith starred in this sci-fi survival film that functioned as a superhero-adjacent vehicle for the younger Smith. The story follows a ranger and his son who must survive on a hostile, evolved Earth using high-tech suits and combat skills. Audiences rejected the film due to its slow pacing and the perceived nepotism of the casting. It became one of the most high-profile bombs of Will Smith’s career, losing the studio millions despite its massive marketing push.

‘Power Rangers’ (2017)

RJ Cyler was a standout as the Blue Ranger in this modern reboot of the classic children’s television series. The film attempted to ground the colorful heroes in a grittier, character-driven teen drama, but it failed to sell enough toys or tickets to justify a sequel. While fans appreciated the diversity and the updated visual style, general audiences were not interested in the property. The movie underperformed globally, canceling plans for a proposed six-film cinematic universe.

‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ (2016)

Jessie T. Usher took center stage as the pilot hero in this belated sequel to the 1996 blockbuster. The film attempted to recreate the magic of the original without Will Smith, but the result was a critical and commercial disappointment. Reviewers criticized the reliance on spectacle over character development, noting that the new leads lacked the charisma of the original cast. It grossed far less than projected, effectively ending the potential for further installments in the series.

‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ (2018)

John Boyega starred as the son of Idris Elba’s character from the first film, piloting a giant Jaeger to save humanity. While Boyega’s charisma was praised, the sequel was criticized for ditching the weighty, distinctive style of Guillermo del Toro’s original for generic action tropes. The box office returns, particularly in domestic markets, were a steep drop from its predecessor. The film failed to launch the expansive cinematic universe the studio had hoped for.

‘Men in Black: International’ (2019)

Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth reunited to revitalize the sci-fi franchise, but the result was a critical dud. The film lacked the sharp wit and chemistry of the original trilogy, with many critics calling the plot derivative and uninspired. Despite the star power of the leads, the movie underperformed significantly at the domestic box office. It served as proof that the brand name alone was not enough to draw audiences without a compelling story.

‘Gemini Man’ (2019)

Will Smith played an elite assassin fighting a younger, super-soldier clone of himself in this high-tech action thriller. The film utilized groundbreaking de-aging technology, but the narrative was criticized for being dated and hollow. The massive budget required to achieve the visual effects meant the film needed to be a global smash to break even. Instead, it became one of the year’s biggest financial losers, proving that technical wizardry cannot save a weak script.

‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

Idris Elba led a new team of villains as Bloodsport in James Gunn’s R-rated take on the DC property. Despite receiving rave reviews for its humor and action, the film bombed at the box office due to the pandemic and a simultaneous streaming release. The confusion regarding its connection to the 2016 film also likely alienated some casual viewers. It stands as one of the most well-regarded superhero movies to financially fail in recent history.

‘Fantastic Four’ (2015)

Michael B. Jordan starred as the Human Torch in this grim, grounded reboot that is widely considered one of the worst comic book movies ever made. The production was notorious for reshoots and clashes between the director and the studio, resulting in a disjointed final product. Fans rejected the dark tone and the deviations from the source material, leading to a catastrophic opening weekend. The film’s failure led to the rights eventually reverting to Marvel Studios.

‘Black Adam’ (2022)

Dwayne Johnson spent over a decade trying to bring this anti-hero to the big screen, promising to change the hierarchy of the DC universe. Despite a massive marketing campaign and a cameo from Superman, the film failed to meet the studio’s high financial expectations. The massive production and marketing budget meant that even a moderate gross resulted in a financial loss. The lackluster performance played a key role in the studio’s decision to reboot the entire cinematic universe shortly after.

‘The Marvels’ (2023)

Teyonah Parris and Samuel L. Jackson starred alongside Brie Larson and Iman Vellani in this MCU team-up that faced an unprecedented box office rejection. The film suffered from superhero fatigue, a disjointed marketing campaign, and a requirement for viewers to have watched multiple Disney+ shows. It set a record for the lowest opening weekend in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The massive financial loss signaled a turning point for the studio’s strategy regarding output and budgets.

‘Steel’ (1997)

Shaquille O’Neal attempted to crossover into action stardom with this adaptation of the Superman spin-off character. The film was hampered by a television-quality budget, a rubbery costume, and a script that stripped away the character’s comic book roots. Critics savaged the acting and the cheesiness of the production, and audiences largely ignored it in theaters. It remains one of the most infamous examples of a vanity project gone wrong in the superhero genre.

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry starred in this loose adaptation that abandoned the Batman mythos in favor of a bizarre plot involving cosmetic conspiracies. The film was universally panned for its nonsensical story, questionable costume design, and frantic editing style. It failed to recoup its budget and swept the Razzie Awards, with Berry famously accepting her award in person. The movie’s failure is often cited as a major reason why female-led superhero films were stalled in Hollywood for over a decade.

Which of these films do you think deserves a second chance? Share your thoughts in the comments.