The Worst Movies of 2025 So Far

by

2025 is zipping by at an astonishing pace! We’ve had a fantastic time dissecting the standout films of the year thus far, but it’s now time for a change of perspective. Let’s delve into the not-so-stellar side: The least impressive movies of 2025 so far from a cinephile’s point of view.

The positive aspect: It turns out that I couldn’t find enough terrible films over the past six months to compile a complete “Worst of the Year” list.
The negative aspect: However, I have managed to gather eight films that are truly awful. And believe me, these movies are exceptionally bad.

I’m all about a variety of projects, ranging from big-name remakes, to gripping insights into the music industry, to another intense look at the industry with a renowned star playing a character based on himself (and portraying a lot of sadness). Also, there are massive streaming blockbusters, supposedly costing over $300 million each to produce, helmed by two of the most accomplished directors in film history.

To maintain integrity, I opted not to watch low-cost, hastily produced films that are often based on public domain children’s books. It’s generally understood that movies derived from such sources typically aren’t exceptional. These productions are intended for quick and inexpensive creation, taking advantage of copyright laws. However, the following films had the opportunity to be high-quality due to their resources, but unfortunately, they didn’t deliver. It’s disappointing, but sometimes that’s just how it turns out.

Eight films from this year stand out as the most disappointing ones so far. Regrettably, it’s likely that by the end of December, this list may expand significantly.

The Worst Movies of 2025 So Far

8. Snow White

In the theater, I found myself utterly surprised when Snow White and the characters around her began singing, as Disney had done such a fantastic job of concealing that it was a musical. Interestingly, the music turned out to be one of the strengths in this live-action remake, with Gal Gadot delivering an impressive portrayal of the wicked Evil Queen. However, the CGI Seven Dwarfs, particularly Dopey, seemed incredibly unrealistic and odd – like they were designed by an AI given the instruction to imagine what Alfred E Neuman would look like as a trendy young man. The scenes involving these characters, along with all the attempts to make Snow White more proactive (even though she still needed to take a nap in the third act because this is a remake) unfortunately weakened an otherwise visually appealing and sonically pleasing movie.

7. The Alto Knights

I’m puzzled as to why Robert De Niro took on both main roles in the movie “The Alto Knights.” It’s understandable to cast one actor as twins, identical characters, or even a parent and child of similar ages. However, in this case, De Niro played two unrelated men. This peculiar decision didn’t seem to add anything beneficial to the movie, except perhaps a catchy promotional tagline, since Warner Bros. could market the film as an opportunity to watch Robert De Niro fighting against… himself. Apart from this gimmick, there wasn’t much notable about this supposedly exciting gangster film written by Nicholas Pileggi (of “Goodfellas” fame) and directed by Barry Levinson.

6. Opus

The elevated horror film “The A24 Industrial Complex’s Rare Disappointment,” titled “Opus,” revolves around a novice magazine journalist (Ayo Edebiri from “The Bear”) who is invited to the debut album launch of a ’90s pop superstar, now a secluded figure (John Malkovich, somewhat miscast for this role). Living on an expansive estate with a devoted following of sycophants, this enigmatic star offers a fascinating subject to explore the phenomenon of cult mentality.

However, delving into the intricacies of cult mentalities is not entirely novel in cinema. Films like “Midsommar,” “Hereditary,” “The Master,” and “The Menu” have already tackled this theme recently. Unfortunately, “Opus” fails to add anything fresh to the discussion, even during the dinner scene where the pop star’s followers take turns consuming a single roll of bread – an apt metaphor for watching “Opus” after these other films: By this point, there’s little left for the viewer but to pick through the remnants.

5. Love Hurts

The most significant letdown of the year thus far has been “Love Hurts”, which halted Ke Huy Quan’s promising career resurgence. It’s not Quan who’s at fault; he delivers an impressive performance as a former assassin compelled to return to action to safeguard the woman he adores (portrayed by Ariana DeBose, whose post-Oscar journey has surpassed Quan’s accomplishments, even compared to Olivier in his prime). Despite Quan effectively portraying a compelling underdog action hero, the rest of the film is lackluster and appears to have been edited to the bare minimum (it barely exceeds 80 minutes with credits); the script fails to provide any reason for Quan’s and DeBose’s characters to develop feelings for each other given their starkly different personalities, aspirations, and age gap (DeBose is nearly two decades younger than Quan).

4. Fountain of Youth

In a world brimming with top-tier celebrities, even a Fabled Fountain of Youth overflowing with talent, such as John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, and director Guy Ritchie, can’t escape the truth that this production feels more like an extravagant screensaver than a genuine movie. It plays on your screen, but its monotonous and predictable nature makes it seem as if it’s designed to be overlooked rather than appreciated. The story revolves around Krasinski and Portman, estranged siblings, reconnecting in search of the legendary Fountain of Youth. What unfolds is a confusing blend of Indiana Jones-esque adventures, Uncharted-style escapades, and an incredibly dull Banana Republic commercial. Never has a movie relied so heavily on the assumption that it will only be viewed by those who have already invested in a subscription service and are merely seeking something to watch to validate their expenditure.

3. Hurry Up Tomorrow

In this movie titled “Hurry Up Tomorrow”, it challenges the widely held belief that the life of a renowned recording artist like The Weeknd is filled with excitement and glamour. Instead, the film suggests that perhaps his reality might be quite different. Portraying a melancholic version of himself, Abel Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd, spends most of his time in the movie performing music occasionally, attending joyless gatherings with his manager (played by Barry Keoghan), and weeping in front of mirrors. Additionally, there’s a storyline about a stalker fan, played by Jenna Ortega, who kidnaps Tesfaye. This film is a dismal, drawn-out depiction of Tesfaye’s life if he thinks being a rock star is challenging, he should try being a film critic!

2. The Electric State

In this review, it’s mentioned that the Netflix movie “The Electric State” by the Russo brothers, which reportedly cost $320 million, appears to have been overpriced, even if the budget were cut in half. The film lacks visual appeal; the character designs are uninspired and the overall look is dull and monotonous. In the storyline, a young girl (played by Millie Bobby Brown) travels through a world filled with robots to find her brother, receiving assistance from Chris Pratt who leans on his tired action hero persona and an odd hairdo. The central mythology (based on a book I haven’t read) is incomprehensible, but one could overlook the film’s peculiar narrative if it were at least visually engaging. Unfortunately, it fails to impress in that regard as well.

1. Star Trek: Section 31

As a dedicated fan who’s enjoyed every Star Trek feature film, I must express my disappointment with Star Trek: Section 31. It falls short in terms of visual quality, dialogue, and action sequences. What frustrates me most, however, is its apparent misunderstanding of what makes Star Trek truly special – its optimistic outlook and intellectual exploration. Why settle for a Star Trek series that mirrors the mediocrity found in many other sci-fi productions?

Once upon a time, Star Trek led the way in science fiction; other franchises aspired to emulate its unique characters, stories, and design elements. But after witnessing Section 31 – a blatant imitation of Guardians of the Galaxy on a television budget – it seems those days have faded into memory.

The Best Movies of 2025 So Far

10. Elio

Initial box-office earnings indicate that the film “Elio” might become one of Pixar’s largest theatrical disappointments in their 30-year career. It’s unfortunate; although it may not reach the creative peaks of Pixar’s finest productions, it offers a delightful and unexpectedly enjoyable sci-fi tale. The film carries a heartfelt message for children who feel out of place on Earth or any other planet. The humorous supporting character, Glordon – a gentle slug voiced charmingly by Remy Edgerly – is likely to be remembered as one of Pixar’s great comic sidekicks; it just remains to be seen when “Elio” will find its audience.

9. Ballerina

As a movie critic, I must confess that I was initially taken aback by the scarcity of ballet in the film titled “Ballerina.” However, when a movie offers as many flamethrower battles as this one does, it seems almost unnecessary to include dancing en pointe. Despite rumors of extensive reshoots (and a narrative that feels somewhat pieced together) this John Wick spinoff did not disappoint, delivering an incredible array of action sequences, including what can only be described as the most literal firefight in cinematic history. To top it off, the European ski village setting for much of the third act brings to mind the eccentric vibe of Gymkata, making it a must-watch for fans of over-the-top action films.

8. Companion

Among this year’s unexpected cinematic delights was a sharp-witted thriller that offered numerous unexpected twists and insightful commentary on the dangers of tech culture. In the film, Sophie Thatcher portrays Iris, a young woman who journeys with her partner (Jack Quaid) to a picturesque lake house for a weekend retreat with friends. However, things take a violent turn almost immediately, setting the stage for a story that peels back layer after layer of intriguing character traits and dark humor amidst the graphic violence.

7. 28 Years Later

In the original “28 Days Later,” we found a chilling horror movie that left viewers pondering long after their hearts had stopped racing. The sequel, “28 Years Later,” is remarkably similar in this regard. While not constantly keeping us on edge about the survival of young Spike (brilliantly portrayed by Alfie Williams), director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland delve deeply into themes of death’s inevitability and our duty to cherish the remaining splendor of a world that appears irreparably damaged.

6. Wick Is Pain

In a remarkably open-hearted documentary chronicling the history of the John Wick movie series, one finds a reflection of the films themselves. Unlike other productions that may hide behind meaningless phrases or rely on clever edits and CGI to mask flaws, this team lays it all bare. The original film’s directors (David Leitch and Chad Stahelski) bicker and argue, millions vanish from the budget of John Wick 1 just before filming begins, and the studio consistently pushes for alterations – some as absurd as suggesting Keanu Reeves should shave his beard. Admittedly, there are moments when the interviews stray into self-praising territory. However, the documentary effectively communicates why John Wick stands out from its peers: it’s because the team behind these movies refuse to settle for anything less than exceptional action sequences, regardless of the pain involved.

5. Eephus

The title “Eephus” is perfect for this leisurely, seemingly uncomplicated film. Just like its namesake pitch, it subtly catches you off guard, and when you think you’ve figured out where the story is going, it takes an unexpected turn. (I should mention that several other names for the eephus pitch on Wikipedia – such as blooper ball, parachute, and gravity curve – could also describe the movie.) Two local amateur baseball teams compete in what will be their last game at their field before it’s demolished; over the course of nine intense innings, co-writer/director Carson Lund delves into the bonds between teammates and adversaries alike, using this seemingly insignificant match to examine why the customs and traditions of baseball resonate so deeply with so many.

4. Mickey 17

In a thrilling turn of events, filmmaker Bong Joon-ho derives immense joy from transforming iconic superhero actors into unconventional characters. Most notably, he reimagined Captain America as a cannibalistic monster, and now, his latest target is the enigmatic Batman, portrayed by Robert Pattinson. Much like the Dark Knight, Pattinson’s character, Mickey, harbors multiple personas. Due to morally ambiguous technology, he functions as an “expendable,” undertaking perilous missions essential for space colonization. Each time Mickey completes a task and meets his demise, he is reincarnated in a new body. However, during one mission, there’s a mishap that results in the existence of not one, but two Mickeys – the 17th and an 18th iteration. While “Mickey 17” might not match the polished brilliance of Bong’s Oscar-winning masterpiece “Parasite,” it could be argued that its inconsistencies reflect the complexities inherent in a narrative involving multiple nearly identical protagonists, each with subtle differences in personality.

3. Friendship

Among all the theatrical performances I’ve witnessed in 2025, none has left me as captivated as “Friendship”. The auditorium echoed with sighs, gasps, and exclamations of “Oh my God” that I’ve never heard before during a comedy. These reactions were entirely justified because the play revolves around Tim Robinson’s gradual humiliation and emasculation following a disastrous friendship attempt with a seemingly cool neighbor, played by Paul Rudd. Robinson’s cluelessness provides endless humor, while Rudd’s portrayal of the cool dude is even funnier. The script, penned by director Andrew DeYoung, delves deeply into male insecurities, potentially causing viewers to experience muscle spasms from cringing uncontrollably.

2. Black Bag

I didn’t anticipate the “Agatha Christie mystery, but steamier” atmosphere in “Black Bag.” I also didn’t expect to be captivated by it as much as I was. Starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as a contented couple of spies, their happiness is shaken when Fassbender is tasked with spying on his wife, suspecting her of being a double agent. The film’s charm lies in its unpredictability; you never know what will happen from one scene to the next. This element of surprise is unusual and highly entertaining.

1. Sinners

2025’s standout vampire film, top-tier horror flick, deep exploration of America, music, cultural appropriation, and the tales we share about artistic origins? Yes, it ticks all those boxes, along with Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” being downright terrifying, seductive, and even humorously entertaining. It’s a bold cinematic attempt, and it’s almost hitting a home run.

Read More

2025-06-27 18:56