The 15 Most Overrated Movies Everyone Seems to Love

Some movies get swept up in a wave of excitement, praised as masterpieces when they’re really just okay. I’ve sat through plenty of films that left me wondering why everyone else was clapping so hard. This list dives into 15 movies that have been overhyped, despite their flaws, from weak stories to overblown visuals. I’m not saying they’re terrible—just not as great as people claim.

I’ve picked these based on their massive popularity compared to what they actually deliver. Each one has a loyal fanbase, but I think they fall short of the hype. Let’s break down why these films don’t live up to their glowing reputations, starting from the least overrated to the most.

15. ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ (2021)

This sequel tried to revive the iconic Matrix trilogy but felt like a pale shadow of the original. The action scenes lacked the groundbreaking choreography that made the first film a classic, and the story leaned too heavily on nostalgia without adding anything fresh.

It’s not a total disaster, but the constant callbacks to the 1999 original made it feel like a cash grab. Fans loved seeing Keanu Reeves back as Neo, but I found the plot messy and the new ideas half-baked. It’s a movie that coasts on the franchise’s name rather than earning its praise.

14. ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ (2017)

This Star Wars entry divided fans, but many still call it bold and innovative. I think it’s a mess that mishandles beloved characters like Luke Skywalker, turning him into a grumpy recluse without enough explanation.

The visuals are stunning, and some moments, like the throne room fight, are thrilling. But the story feels disjointed, with side plots that go nowhere. Its reputation as a daring masterpiece ignores how it alienated fans and fumbled the saga’s legacy.

13. ‘The English Patient’ (1996)

This sweeping romance won nine Oscars, including Best Picture, but I find it painfully slow and emotionally distant. The love story between Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas is supposed to be epic, but it feels flat and dragged out.

The desert visuals are gorgeous, and the acting is solid, but the pacing makes it a chore to sit through. Its reputation as a profound classic seems built more on awards than actual storytelling power.

12. ‘La La Land’ (2016)

This musical dazzled audiences with its bright colors and catchy songs, but I think it’s more style than substance. The romance between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is charming, but the story feels thin and predictable.

The dance numbers are fun, but the film leans too hard on nostalgia for old Hollywood without saying anything new. It’s a pleasant watch, but its near-universal adoration feels overblown for what’s essentially a lightweight love story.

11. ‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)

This found-footage horror was a game-changer for its time, praised for its raw terror. But watching it now, I find it more boring than scary, with shaky camerawork that’s hard to stomach and a story that’s mostly people yelling in the woods.

Its low-budget charm and marketing hype made it a phenomenon, but the actual film lacks depth or real scares. Its status as a horror classic feels more about timing than quality.

10. ‘Joker’ (2019)

Joaquin Phoenix’s intense performance as the troubled Arthur Fleck earned raves, but I think the movie itself is a shallow take on mental illness and rebellion. It borrows heavily from better films like ‘Taxi Driver’ without matching their depth.

The dark visuals and Phoenix’s acting are striking, but the story feels like it’s trying too hard to be profound. Its massive following seems driven more by controversy than by a truly great script.

9. ‘Crash’ (2004)

This ensemble drama about race relations in Los Angeles won Best Picture, but I find it heavy-handed and manipulative. The interconnected stories feel forced, with characters preaching rather than acting naturally.

The cast, including Sandra Bullock and Don Cheadle, is strong, and some moments hit hard. But the film’s simplistic approach to complex issues makes its critical acclaim feel unearned.

8. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018)

This Queen biopic rode a wave of love for its music and Rami Malek’s electric performance as Freddie Mercury. But the story is a sanitized, formulaic take on a complex life, skipping over messy details to play it safe.

The concert scenes are thrilling, especially the Live Aid finale, but the film feels like a paint-by-numbers biopic. Its Oscar wins and fan adoration seem more about the band’s legacy than the movie’s actual quality.

7. ‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)

Guillermo del Toro’s fairy-tale romance about a woman and a fish-man won Best Picture, but I think it’s a beautifully shot letdown. The love story feels forced, and the quirky tone doesn’t always land.

Sally Hawkins is great, and the visuals are lush, but the plot leans too hard on whimsy without enough emotional weight. Its critical acclaim feels like it’s rewarding style over a story that doesn’t fully connect.

6. ‘Titanic’ (1997)

James Cameron’s epic disaster romance was a global sensation, but I find it dragged down by a sappy love story and a runtime that feels endless. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are magnetic, but their romance is clichéd.

The sinking scenes are gripping, and the production is massive, but the melodrama overshadows the historical tragedy. Its status as a timeless classic seems more about nostalgia than storytelling excellence.

5. ‘Gravity’ (2013)

This space thriller wowed audiences with its stunning visuals and intense survival story, but I find it more flash than substance. Sandra Bullock’s performance is gripping, but the plot is thin, relying on repetitive near-death moments.

The cinematography and effects are breathtaking, creating a sense of weightlessness. Yet the story lacks depth, and its emotional beats feel forced, making its massive praise seem overdone.

4. ‘Shakespeare in Love’ (1998)

This romantic comedy about a fictional Shakespeare love story won Best Picture over heavier contenders, but I find it lightweight and forgettable. Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes are charming, but the plot feels contrived.

The humor and period details are fun, but it lacks the depth or impact of other Oscar winners. Its glowing reputation seems more about awards-season hype than lasting quality.

3. ‘Avatar’ (2009)

James Cameron’s sci-fi epic was a visual marvel, breaking box-office records with its 3D spectacle. But the story is a rehash of ‘Pocahontas’ with flat characters and predictable beats that don’t match the groundbreaking effects.

The world of Pandora is stunning, and the action is thrilling, but the narrative is shallow and overly long. Its massive success feels driven by technology, not storytelling.

2. ‘Frozen’ (2013)

Disney’s animated hit is beloved for its songs and sisterly bond, but I think it’s a generic fairy tale with overhyped music. ‘Let It Go’ is catchy, but the story is forgettable, and the characters lack depth.

The animation is crisp, and Elsa’s arc is decent, but it’s not the revolutionary classic fans make it out to be. It’s a solid kids’ movie that’s been blown out of proportion.

1. ‘Wicked’ (2024)

This musical adaptation of the Broadway hit was a recent box-office smash, but I find it overlong and overhyped. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo shine, but the story drags, covering only half the musical in three hours.

The visuals are lush, and the songs are powerful, but it feels bloated and incomplete. Its critical adoration as a Best Picture contender seems wildly exaggerated for a film that’s good but not great.

Which movie do you think gets too much love, or did I miss one that drives you crazy? Drop your thoughts in the comments!