The 10 Worst Blockbusters of the Last 10 Years

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The phrase “blockbuster” originated as a nickname for a specific bomb used by the Allies during World War II, but it was first employed in a film competition to denote movies that were the complete opposite – instead of causing destruction, they captivated audiences. Today, we associate blockbusters with massive success, and this concept emerged in the mid-1970s when films like “Jaws” and “Star Wars” drew such large crowds that people waited in line for blocks to see them, which is how they earned the name “block-buster.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I must confess that over half a century, the term “blockbuster” has morphed into a versatile phrase, often used to denote a specific genre of films. These are grand, visually stunning epics, loaded with mind-blowing special effects. They usually hit the big screen during summer or festive seasons, and their production costs could leave future generations astounded. Today, when we refer to a film as a “blockbuster,” we’re more likely talking about its size rather than its box office success.

The movies listed below, despite being big in terms of production, can be considered creative flops, not necessarily financially. These are the least successful blockbusters from the past ten years, as they were ranked based on their high budget estimates rather than their quality.

Instead of limiting our definition of blockbusters based solely on scale, we chose to focus on films that exceeded a production cost of $150 million, as reported on websites like Box Office Mojo. Unfortunately, movies such as Geostorm, which cost around $120 million, don’t fit this category. However, our definition today excludes it from being classified as a blockbuster. But the films we are discussing here do meet the criteria and, unfortunately, they aren’t exactly high-quality cinematic experiences.

The 10 Worst Blockbusters of the Last 10 Years (2016-2025)

10. Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

In the movie “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” Warner Bros. portrayed itself as a heartless conglomerate of intellectual properties controlled by an antagonistic AI, which was quite a self-deprecating move. The film itself was weak and unfunny, making the original “Space Jam” appear almost as profound as “2001: A Space Odyssey.” LeBron James isn’t a bad actor; he’s no worse than Michael Jordan was in the initial “Space Jam” production. However, nearly everything else about “A New Legacy” is a source of embarrassment from beginning to end. It seems that the creators don’t grasp the charm of the Looney Tunes, particularly Bugs Bunny, who is portrayed as a whiny and melancholic character in this film. Instead, I would recommend watching some classic “Looney Tunes Cartoons” on Max. Even a random short from these classics provides at least five times more laughter than this two-hour movie. The animation quality is also superior, despite the budget not reaching $150 million.

9. Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

Budget initially set at $165 million
The first Independence Day, while not a classic, still had some impressive performances and special effects for its time. It didn’t shy away from showing the grim reality of death, depicting characters consumed by fire or buried under debris. However, in the sequel, Resurgence, most of society is destroyed, but this destruction is largely shown off-screen. The massive computer-generated chaos leaves little room for human emotion, making it hard to care about the devastation that affects half the world. This lack of emotional connection isn’t improved by the absence of Will Smith, who opted out of Resurgence, and the less charismatic actors who took his place. To make matters worse, the ending of Resurgence sets up another sequel, which we hope never sees a resurgence itself.

8. Alice Through the Looking Glass

In a different perspective:

Projected Budget: $170 million
Disney’s initial live-action Alice in Wonderland wasn’t particularly impressive, but the sequel pales in comparison to the animated version. Instead of addressing questions that mattered to the audience, it takes Alice (Mia Wasikowska) on a time-traveling adventure to explore Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter’s background. If the Hatter was already tiresome as a lunatic, he becomes unbearable with his tragic past added in. (You won’t believe this, but his father never showed him affection.)
It couldn’t be more fitting that Through the Looking Glass carries a message about the value of time, given that it is one of the most time-consuming and costly (with $170 million) cinematic productions of the century. Of course, by the end of this film, you’ve learned Alice Through the Looking Glass‘s lesson about time management – but unfortunately, it comes too late to apply it, as you’ve already wasted your time watching this production.

7. Suicide Squad

In this movie, the budget for the Suicide Squad was reported as $175 million. The Suicide Squad plays a pivotal role in the plot, serving both as the instigator and the resolution of most problems within the story. If the Suicide Squad didn’t exist in this film, the conflict that the Suicide Squad is tasked to resolve wouldn’t exist either. The villain of the movie is a member of the Suicide Squad who turns rogue, leading to the rescue mission of a character whose identity is kept secret until later (spoiler alert: this character is revealed to be the creator and leader of the Suicide Squad). Essentially, the Suicide Squad in this film can be compared to alcohol as described by Homer Simpson – it’s both the cause of and the solution to all the story’s problems.

The original Suicide Squad, created by director David Ayer, may have had a coherent plot, but the released version of the movie was heavily edited and felt like chopped-up coleslaw. It’s worth noting that the “Extended Cut” did not improve the film. In fact, it needed to be shorter rather than longer. Unfortunately, this was the lowest point in the DCEU (Rest In Peace). However, James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad was a step up from the original. Although, it didn’t cost any less to produce.

6. Dolittle (2020)

Original Budget: $175 million
Remember the scene in Tim Burton’s Batman where a back-street doctor tries to fix Jack Napier’s chemically damaged face, but instead creates the grotesque visage of the Joker? That’s exactly what Dolittle feels like – a disjointed, confusing mess that seems to have been pieced together from leftovers and re-shoots of a film that was once something entirely different. Originally intended as a more serious production, it has been transformed into a cinematic Frankenstein’s monster filled with bathroom humor, animal puns, shoddy CGI, and Robert Downey Jr.’s over-the-top performance, which makes Captain Jack Sparrow appear shy in comparison.

5. Jurassic World Dominion

The Proposed Budget: $185 million

Viewers had high expectations from what was supposed to be the final installment of Jurassic World (although it’s not really the end!), seeking a reunion with characters from the original Jurassic Park and a story that delved into the consequences of a world invaded by dinosaurs. Co-writer/director Colin Trevorrow managed to bring back familiar faces but fell short on delivering an engaging plotline about such a scenario. (Not to mention, top-tier talent doesn’t come without a hefty price tag.)

Instead of a movie that expanded upon the cliffhanger ending from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, he pieced together two different Jurassic casts for an utterly preposterous plot revolving around genetically modified locusts causing global crop devastation. By the time all human characters gather at a conveniently located dinosaur sanctuary for a third-act repetition of the classic Jurassic formula, one might wish for their own demise.

4. Transformers: The Last Knight

In Michael Bay’s final “Transformers” movie, 2017’s “The Last Knight,” the franchise’s narrative underwent a significant shift that mirrored our collective indifference towards this series. In an unusual soliloquy, a character portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins disclosed that the human characters from previous films (notably Shia LaBeouf’s Sam Witwicky) belonged to a clandestine group that had supported the Transformers for centuries. Yes, these transforming robots have been covertly present on Earth for hundreds of years; they were even part of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. The film only hinted at this disclosure, implying that future “Transformers” films would delve into these teases. However, Bay departed from the series after “The Last Knight,” and subsequent titles primarily overlooked this background. Consequently, viewers have been left pondering the Transformers’ role in the War of 1812.

Michael Bay’s last “Transformers” movie, “The Last Knight,” made significant changes to the storyline that were typical of the series. In a peculiar speech, a character played by Sir Anthony Hopkins revealed that humans from previous movies (including Sam Witwicky) belonged to a secret society helping Transformers for centuries. These transforming robots have been on Earth for hundreds of years and were part of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. The film hinted at this but didn’t explore it much, suggesting future “Transformers” movies would explain more. However, Bay left the series after “The Last Knight,” and subsequent films ignored this backstory, leaving viewers to speculate about the Transformers’ role in the War of 1812.

3. Justice League

Projected Budget: $300 million
The film, titled Justice League, was intended to be the culmination of an intricately connected series. Regrettably, it became a hastily assembled finale for a storyline that was largely incomprehensible. The cinematic universe, which once held great promise, fell apart completely after this release. Zack Snyder initially directed the film but had to step away due to personal circumstances. Joss Whedon then took over, and the final product feels unlike anything either of them would have produced. The editing was haphazard, the mood inconsistent, and the main antagonist was a bland CGI character devoid of personality or motivation. (It’s hard to believe that he aimed to conquer the world, but apparently, he does!) Although Snyder’s version is now available on Max, the original release of Justice League will forever be remembered as one of the weakest DC sequels.

2. The Electric State

Announced Budget for the Film: $320 million
The massive budget of $320 million assigned to the dystopian sci-fi film by Netflix, produced by the Russo brothers, has been a topic of discussion. Some argue that it was an overinvestment. Even if the budget were halved, it would still seem like a poor investment. Unfortunately, The Electric State, visually, falls short. The character designs are dull and unoriginal, and the visuals lack appeal, being drab and monotonous. The protagonist (played by Millie Bobby Brown) embarks on a journey through a robot-ridden landscape in search of her brother. She receives assistance from Chris Pratt, who relies on his action movie persona and an absurd hairstyle. The film’s central mythology (based on a book I haven’t read) is incomprehensible, but one could overlook its strange narrative if the visual spectacle were engaging. Regrettably, it fails to impress.

1. Fast X

In simpler terms, the film “Fast & Furious” used to delight audiences with its attention-rewarding storyline. However, in “Fast X,” caring about the characters might leave you more puzzled than satisfied. You might find yourself questioning the sudden personality changes of characters like Jakob Toretto and John Cena, who seemed drastically different from their previous portrayals. The plot is confusing and leaves one wondering about events between “F9” and “Fast X” that could have led to these transformations. Pondering over the storyline only adds to the frustration as you struggle to make sense of this convoluted revenge narrative, plagued with slow pacing. But on a positive note, the title “Fast X” can be seen as a self-critique, serving as its own review. Additionally, it’s not surprising that Universal is taking their time to produce “Fast X 2,” given that this film reportedly cost a staggering $375 million!

The 10 Funniest Movies of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. The Trip to Spain (2017)

Without a doubt, there’s no ongoing comedy franchise as captivating as “The Trip,” a long-running series of travelogues penned by writer/director Michael Winterbottom, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. In each episode, they portray fictionalized versions of themselves on gastronomic journeys. They savor the cuisine of various regions, reflect on their lives and careers, and engage in a seemingly endless competition to be crowned the best Michael Caine impersonator. These films have always been comical, but as time passes, they’ve evolved into more profound reflections, exploring Steve and Rob’s grapplings with mortality and professional setbacks. If you haven’t seen any of them yet, I’d recommend starting from the first “Trip” and continuing all the way to “The Trip to Greece.

9. Blockers (2018)

To demonstrate that traditional Hollywood comedies can still be reinvented, check out the film “Blockers“. Instead of focusing solely on teenagers trying to lose their virginity on prom night, it cleverly shifts the focus to their worried parents (Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena) while keeping the high school students (Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Gideon Adlon) as part of the narrative. This unique twist gives a fresh take on an awkward sex comedy genre, and it’s skillfully brought to life by a talented cast and director Kay Cannon.

8. Good Boys (2019)

In a surprising twist, I found the concept of young boys behaving inappropriately in the movie “Good Boys” to be more insightful and amusing than expected, given its similarity to overused tropes in teen comedies. Contrary to expectations, this film delivers a clever blend of crude humor and realistic characters that resonate with its young audience. My frequent and boisterous laughter during the movie might say something about my maturity level, but as critic Robert Warshow once said, “A man-child goes to the movies. The critic must be honest enough to admit he is that man-child.” In simpler terms, I, as an adult, can still find humor and relate to a film meant for younger audiences.

7. Girls Trip (2017)

Gather an outstanding ensemble of comedians, such as Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, and particularly Tiffany Haddish, take them to New Orleans, add a generous dose of adult humor (R-rated), and you have the blueprint for a side-splitting, uproarious movie. The film titled Girls Trip, was so hilarious it even managed to win a few accolades; Haddish receiving Best Supporting Actress honors from organizations like the New York Film Critics Circle. And I can guarantee: After watching this movie, you will forever view a grapefruit in a different light.

6. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

For about two years, my oldest daughter’s go-to movie was “The LEGO Batman Movie.” Honestly, I lost count of how many times we watched it! To put it simply, “The LEGO Batman Movie” is one of the most entertaining comedies from the past decade. It’s filled with countless visual jokes, puns, and references to lesser-known Batman details. Not to mention, Will Arnett delivers a brilliant, arrogant portrayal as LEGO Batman himself. Compared to other children’s films I’ve seen over the last decade, “The LEGO Batman Movie” is hands down the funniest.

5. Jackass Forever (2022)

In the past decade, the most outrageous comedy brought the country’s wittiest and most ingenious purveyors of foolish humor back together for another round of daring stunts and harmless pranks. This time around, they also broke a record with an unprecedented number of male frontal nudity scenes in a mainstream Hollywood film. As they enter their 40s and 50s, the Jackass gang may not be as agile as before, but they’ve never been more amusing. Newcomers like Rachel Wolfson and Sean “Poopies” McInerney even managed to hold their own when it came to enduring scorpion stings or being drenched in disgusting bodily fluids. If this is the last Jackass production, they certainly ended on a high note. (It’s easy to achieve greatness right after an unexpected blow below the belt.)

4. Game Night (2018)

Game Night, indeed! It’s about an ordinary friends’ game night that takes a hilarious turn for the absurd. The humor is spot-on and the performances by Rachel McAdams and Jesse Plemons are exceptional. Moreover, it stands out from the typical Hollywood comedies of the past decade with its focus on intricate visuals. This film is so amusing that you’ll find yourself eager to rewatch it multiple times after your initial viewing.

3. Bad Trip (2021)

As a die-hard fan, I’d say that “Bad Trip” masterfully weaves an authentic tale amidst some truly outrageous hidden-camera pranks. Joining forces are Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery as they embark on a hilarious road trip to New York, with Howery’s character’s escaped convict sister, played by the side-splittingly funny Tiffany Haddish (who’s almost as amusing here as she was in “Girls Trip”). The kindness and empathy displayed by the everyday people Andre and Howery encounter on their journey nearly makes you believe there’s hope for humanity. In a nutshell, “Bad Trip” is an outstanding homage to the magic of cinema in general, and more specifically, to the groundbreaking film “White Chicks.

2. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

Although Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping may not have been a box office success (earning only $9.6 million during its entire run in theaters, which is less than what Battlefield Earth made in just its opening weekend), it stands out as one of the funniest comedies of the century. Unlike other films from the past decade, it features Andy Samberg singing a song about a woman’s sexual desires with an eerie resemblance to the efficiency of the assassination of Osama Bin Laden. Additionally, Mariah Carey showcases her humility in a unique way that is not found in most movies. In essence, Popstar is far from being overrated like the Mona Lisa, which is often considered a masterpiece but is actually undeserving of such high praise.

1. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo have returned with their highly anticipated sequel to “Bridesmaids” in the form of this hilarious comedy. They both wrote and star as two friends living in seclusion who lose their jobs at Jennifer Convertibles in Soft Rock, Nebraska. With no other options, they decide to splurge their severance on a luxurious trip to Florida, where they both become smitten with an intriguing mystery man (played by Jamie Dornan, brilliantly satirizing his own image as a muscular ladies’ man). This man is involved in a plot to destroy the town using genetically-modified mosquitoes (a classic trope, I know). Wiig and Mumolo shine in their roles, poking fun at Tommy Bahama clothing and the allure of the name Trish, while the script will be quoted for years to come. In these challenging times, “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” has arrived like a pair of glittering culottes, serving as a guiding light to lead us out of the darkness.

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2025-07-11 17:57