Top 20 Movies That Were Hated Before They Were Released

Public perception plays a massive role in the success of a film and sometimes the narrative turns negative long before the premiere. Studios often find themselves fighting an uphill battle against bad press resulting from casting choices or leaked production details. The rise of social media has only amplified these pre-release controversies and allowed backlashes to grow exponentially. While some of these movies flopped as predicted others managed to defy the odds and win over their harshest critics.

‘World War Z’ (2013)

Extensive reshoots and a complete rewrite of the third act garnered significant negative press for this zombie thriller. Reports indicated that the production was chaotic and that the star and director were not on speaking terms. The budget spiraled out of control while the release date was pushed back multiple times. Industry observers were convinced the movie would be a disjointed mess upon arrival due to the creative turmoil.

‘Waterworld’ (1995)

The media chronicled every disaster that occurred on the set of this expensive aquatic blockbuster. Stories about sinking sets and Kevin Costner allegedly clashing with the crew created a narrative of inevitable failure. It was mocked relentlessly by comedians and journalists who dubbed it a financial black hole before it hit theaters. The negative publicity overshadowed the technical achievements of filming on open water for many months.

‘Paddington’ (2014)

The release of a still image featuring the titular bear standing alone prompted unintentional horror reactions. Internet users created a viral meme which photoshopped the character into slasher movie scenes to highlight the uncanniness. People felt the photorealistic CGI design looked threatening rather than cuddly or inviting. Colin Firth also departed the voice role late in production which added to the skeptical atmosphere.

‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011)

A leaked promotional photo showing the cast in cheap costumes caused widespread mockery across online forums. Fans worried the prequel was being rushed into production simply to keep the rights at the studio. The lack of familiar stars like Patrick Stewart or Ian McKellen added to the uncertainty surrounding the project. Audiences expected a low quality cash grab rather than the revitalization of the franchise that it eventually became.

‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)

Gal Gadot faced criticism regarding her physical frame when she was first cast as the Amazonian warrior. Comic book purists complained that she did not possess the muscular physique associated with the character in the source material. Concerns were also raised about her acting experience and whether she could carry a major blockbuster solo. The director and studio defended the choice while the actress underwent an intense training regimen to prepare.

‘Casino Royale’ (2006)

Tabloids and fans ridiculed Daniel Craig when he was introduced as the new James Bond. Detractors labeled him James Bland and complained about his blond hair and shorter stature compared to previous actors. A website was launched specifically to organize a boycott of the film based on his casting. The skepticism vanished almost immediately after the film premiered and showcased a grittier version of the spy.

‘Batman’ (1989)

Comic book readers were furious when comedy actor Michael Keaton was announced as the brooding vigilante. Fans sent thousands of angry letters to Warner Bros offices demanding a more physically imposing lead actor. The public perception of Keaton was tied to his comedic roles rather than an action hero persona. Director Tim Burton had to fight to convince the world that his vision for Gotham City was serious.

‘Avatar’ (2009)

Critics mocked the film for years during its development by comparing the blue aliens to Smurfs or video game characters. The massive budget and reliance on unproven 3D technology made it a huge target for skepticism. Many assumed the story would be a derivative retelling of generic fantasy tropes without emotional substance. James Cameron once again faced down predictions of financial ruin before the movie revolutionized visual effects.

‘Titanic’ (1997)

The press labeled James Cameron’s historical epic a guaranteed bomb due to its record breaking budget and production delays. Reports of on set injuries and a tyrannical director fueled the narrative that the film was out of control. Industry experts predicted the three hour runtime would deter audiences and sink the studio financially. It became a punchline in Hollywood until it opened and became the highest grossing film of all time.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015)

A segment of the internet reacted negatively when the first teaser revealed John Boyega as a stormtrooper. Racist rhetoric appeared in comment sections questioning the casting choice within the fictional universe. The actor and the studio responded by dismissing the narrow minded criticism and focusing on the excitement for the sequel. This controversy highlighted the ugly side of fandom that would continue to plague the sequel trilogy.

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Reports of a troubled production and reshoots led many to believe this sequel would be a disaster. Fans were also skeptical about Tom Hardy replacing Mel Gibson in the iconic title role after so many years. The lengthy gap between films caused concern that the franchise had lost its relevance or gritty edge. Initial trailers helped alleviate some fears but industry insiders predicted a flop due to the ballooning budget.

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2014)

Producer Michael Bay angered the fanbase by suggesting the turtles would have an alien origin story rather than being mutants. Leaked scripts and early character designs featuring noses sparked further outrage among loyalists. The production team eventually clarified the origin story in response to the intense pushback. This franchise reboot struggled to shake off the skepticism surrounding its creative liberties until release.

‘Aladdin’ (2019)

Disney released a teaser trailer revealing Will Smith as the Genie and the internet reacted with horror. Viewers mocked the visual effects that rendered the actor blue and likened him to a low budget nightmare. Memes flooded social media platforms criticizing the uncanny valley effect of the CGI character. The negative buzz persisted until the full film was released and audiences warmed up to Smith’s charismatic interpretation.

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)

The decision to cast Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne was met with immediate derision from the comic book community. Petitions circulated online demanding that Warner Bros remove the actor from the project immediately. Fans cited his previous performance in other superhero films as proof that he could not do justice to the Dark Knight. The studio released images of the new suit early in an attempt to quell the furious reaction.

‘Joker’ (2019)

Concerns about real world violence dominated the news cycle prior to the release of this psychological thriller. Media outlets questioned whether the film would inspire copycat crimes or incite viewers to commit acts of terror. Security was increased at theaters across the United States as a precaution against potential threats. The intense scrutiny turned the movie into a cultural flashpoint well before audiences saw Joaquin Phoenix’s performance.

‘Captain Marvel’ (2019)

Brie Larson faced a targeted harassment campaign leading up to her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Trolls flooded review aggregator sites with negative scores before the film had even screened for the public. Comments made by the actress regarding diversity in the press were scrutinized and used to fuel the anger. The studio had to navigate a toxic discourse that had little to do with the actual quality of the blockbuster.

‘The Little Mermaid’ (2023)

Disney faced significant controversy after announcing Halle Bailey would portray Ariel in the live action remake. Social media hashtags trended as detractors complained about the decision to cast a Black actress in the role. The studio stood by their choice while fans debated the importance of historical accuracy in a fantasy film. Promotional materials continued to draw skeptical comments right up until the movie premiered in theaters.

‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)

The announcement of a female led reboot for this comedy classic generated a massive wave of hostility online. The first trailer became one of the most disliked videos in YouTube history as fans coordinated downvoting campaigns. Critics and audiences debated whether the backlash was driven by nostalgia or misogyny regarding the cast. Sony Pictures faced an uphill battle to market the film against the deafening noise of internet detractors.

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Fans expressed extreme outrage when Christopher Nolan announced Heath Ledger as the Joker. Many people felt the actor known for romantic comedies was ill suited to play the Clown Prince of Crime. Internet forums were flooded with complaints that he lacked the gravitas to follow Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance. Ledger ultimately silenced all critics by delivering a performance that is now considered legendary.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ (2020)

The initial trailer for this video game adaptation caused an immediate uproar among fans due to the protagonist’s uncanny design. Viewers were particularly disturbed by the realistic human teeth and odd proportions given to the beloved blue speedster. Paramount Pictures delayed the release to completely redesign the character in response to the overwhelming negativity. The filmmakers managed to turn the tide of public opinion by listening to the audience and delivering a more faithful look.

Tell us in the comments which of these movies you ended up loving despite the early hate.