Top 20 Worst Movies of the 2010s

The 2010s delivered plenty of blockbusters, but they also produced a long list of high profile misfires that sparked headlines, reshoots, and franchise rethinks. This list rounds up twenty widely discussed disappointments from the decade and focuses on concrete details like production history, release context, and industry impact. You will find box office ambitions that fell short, franchise launches that stalled, and adaptations that struggled to connect with audiences. Each entry highlights who made the movie, who starred in it, and what happened after it hit theaters.

‘Movie 43’ (2013)

This anthology comedy assembled an unusually star packed cast that included Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Halle Berry, and many others. The project was directed by multiple filmmakers with Peter Farrelly among the credited names. It was filmed over several years with actors contributing short segments around other commitments. The film’s release drew attention for its patchwork production approach and for the number of recognizable faces involved.

‘The Last Airbender’ (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan directed this live action adaptation of the animated series ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’. The film used a 3D conversion after principal photography which affected the final presentation in theaters. Casting choices prompted widespread discussion about representation and faithfulness to the source. The release nevertheless introduced the world and characters to viewers unfamiliar with the Nickelodeon series.

‘Cats’ (2019)

Tom Hooper adapted the long running stage musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber with an all star ensemble including Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, and Judi Dench. The production relied on digital fur technology to transform performers into feline characters. Shortly after opening, an updated version with revised visual effects was sent to theaters. The movie became a notable case study in ambitious effects heavy musical filmmaking.

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

Sony Pictures Animation released this smartphone inspired adventure featuring the voices of T. J. Miller, James Corden, and Anna Faris. The story incorporated familiar app brands and emojis to frame its world and set pieces. The film targeted a family audience and opened during the summer season. Its marketing leaned on recognizable phone culture and character icons.

‘Fantastic Four’ (2015)

Josh Trank directed this reboot starring Miles Teller, Michael B Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell. Reports of extensive reshoots and a shortened runtime followed the production. The film departed from the tone of earlier ‘Fantastic Four’ entries and presented a more grounded origin. Its reception led the studio to pause further plans for that iteration of the franchise.

‘The Mummy’ (2017)

This Tom Cruise led film was positioned as the start of Universal’s Dark Universe concept. Sofia Boutella played the title antagonist while Russell Crowe appeared as Dr Henry Jekyll to seed future crossovers. Despite a global marketing push, subsequent Dark Universe entries did not proceed as initially announced. The movie remains a reference point for modern attempts at shared monster universes.

‘Dark Phoenix’ (2019)

Sophie Turner starred as Jean Grey in this conclusion to the long running Fox era ‘X Men’ timeline. The production underwent reshoots that altered the final act and shifted major sequences. It arrived after the Disney acquisition of Fox which changed the series’ future direction. The film effectively closed the chapter on that continuity before Marvel Studios integration.

‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ (2017)

Michael Bay returned to direct the fifth installment with Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Hopkins among the leads. The story introduced a mythology that linked the robots to medieval legends and Earth history. It was designed as a summer tentpole with large scale action and extensive effects. After release, the franchise strategy moved toward smaller scale entries like ‘Bumblebee’.

‘The Snowman’ (2017)

Adapted from Jo Nesbø’s novel, this crime thriller starred Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson. Director Tomas Alfredson later stated that parts of the script were not fully filmed due to a compressed schedule. The movie combined Norwegian settings with English language performances and international financing. Its production timeline became a frequent talking point in post release coverage.

‘Jupiter Ascending’ (2015)

The Wachowskis crafted an original space opera led by Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, and Eddie Redmayne. The project featured elaborate world building and extensive visual effects work. Its release date shifted from 2014 to 2015 to allow additional post production. The movie has since been noted for its ambitious design and large scale universe concepts.

‘Mortdecai’ (2015)

Johnny Depp headlined this caper comedy with Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, and Paul Bettany. The film was based on the Charlie Mortdecai novels by Kyril Bonfiglioli. Lionsgate released the movie in January following a broad marketing campaign. Despite the cast, the character did not generate the hoped for franchise momentum.

‘Terminator Genisys’ (2015)

Arnold Schwarzenegger returned alongside Emilia Clarke and Jai Courtney for a storyline that revisited 1984 events with altered outcomes. The film attempted to reset the series timeline and launch a new arc. International box office performance contrasted with a softer domestic run. Planned follow ups were set aside as the franchise later pivoted again with a new direction.

‘Gods of Egypt’ (2016)

Alex Proyas directed this fantasy adventure starring Gerard Butler and Nikolaj Coster Waldau. The production leaned heavily on digital environments and large scale creature effects. Casting choices drew criticism and prompted public statements from the filmmakers and studio. The movie released in early spring and aimed to start a new mythic action brand.

‘The Happytime Murders’ (2018)

Brian Henson blended puppetry with an R rated detective plot featuring Melissa McCarthy. The film became notable for a legal dispute over a marketing tagline that referenced ‘Sesame Street’. It positioned itself as an adult oriented puppet comedy rather than family entertainment. The release highlighted how legacy puppetry techniques could be used in modern genre mashups.

‘The Dark Tower’ (2017)

Stephen King’s epic series received a compact feature adaptation starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. The film condensed material from multiple books into a brief runtime. It was intended to connect with potential television expansions that were discussed around release. The project stands as a streamlined take on a sprawling source.

‘A Wrinkle in Time’ (2018)

Ava DuVernay directed this Disney adaptation of Madeleine L Engle’s novel with Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, and Reese Witherspoon. The film emphasized a bright visual palette and family friendly messaging. It arrived with significant studio support and a global rollout. The adaptation introduced a new generation to the book’s core characters and ideas.

‘The Fanatic’ (2019)

John Travolta starred in this Los Angeles set thriller directed by Fred Durst. The story follows an obsessive fan and a movie star played by Devon Sawa. It premiered on the festival circuit before a limited theatrical and digital release. The film drew attention for its small scale production and unconventional distribution path.

‘The Book of Henry’ (2017)

Colin Trevorrow directed this drama featuring Naomi Watts, Jaeden Martell, and Jacob Tremblay. The plot combines a family story with a vigilante plan crafted by a gifted child. Universal released the movie in early summer after a targeted marketing campaign. Its reception influenced the conversation around the director’s subsequent scheduling.

‘Collateral Beauty’ (2016)

Will Smith led an ensemble that included Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, and Helen Mirren. The narrative centers on a New York advertising executive who writes letters to Love Time and Death. The film’s trailers emphasized emotional themes and the holiday setting. It opened in December with awards season positioning and a wide release strategy.

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ (2017)

The fifth entry in the series brought back Johnny Depp and introduced Javier Bardem as the antagonist. The film is also known as ‘Salazar’s Revenge’ in several regions. It added new characters played by Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario while continuing the saga of the Turners. The release marked a later chapter for a franchise that began in 2003.

Share your picks from the decade in the comments and tell us which titles you would add to the list.