20 Black-Led Superhero Movies That Flopped Hardest

Movies like ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Blade’ showed that superhero films with diverse casts could be huge successes, but not every attempt has worked out. Many promising projects have struggled to find an audience, often because of rising costs, bad scripts, or simply being released at the wrong time. A few have gained a dedicated fanbase later on, but most serve as a warning to studios about the risks involved. These films, ranging from dark reboots to lighthearted comedies, represent the financial failures within Black-led superhero movies.

‘Abar, the First Black Superman’ (1977)

This early blaxploitation film, often noted by historians, tells the story of a scientist who develops superpowers after drinking a strange serum. While the film tried to tackle important social problems using a fantastical story, it didn’t find a wide audience. Its uneven style and limited release prevented it from becoming a hit, even when superhero movies became popular later on. Now, it’s mostly a little-known, unusual film rather than a celebrated piece of Black cinematic history.

‘Fast Color’ (2018)

Gugu Mbatha-Raw shines in this realistic and moving drama about a family of women who possess extraordinary powers. While critics loved its fresh approach to the superhero story, the film didn’t do well in theaters. A small marketing budget meant many people didn’t even know it was released. Though it didn’t earn much at the box office, it’s now gaining popularity on streaming services.

‘Kin’ (2018)

This science fiction action movie follows a teen, played by Myles Truitt, who finds an advanced alien weapon and flees with his brother. Despite an interesting idea and appearances by Zoë Kravitz and Michael B. Jordan, the film didn’t attract many viewers in theaters. Reviewers noted the movie’s uneven style, shifting between a realistic crime story and a superhero tale geared towards younger audiences. Ultimately, the film lost money, failing to earn back its production costs.

‘Pootie Tang’ (2001)

This comedic movie, inspired by a sketch from ‘The Chris Rock Show’, features Lance Crouther as a superhero who speaks in a made-up, mixed-up language. The studio heavily edited the film, which led to a confusing story that didn’t connect with most viewers when it first came out. Although it flopped in theaters, it has since become a beloved cult classic. Its strange humor and unusual lack of a clear storyline made it hard to sell to audiences expecting a typical superhero spoof.

‘Blankman’ (1994)

Damon Wayans was both the writer and star of this funny movie about an innocent handyman who tries to become a superhero to protect his community. Although Wayans was a popular comedian at the time, the film didn’t earn back its production costs and received only average reviews. Its simple effects and over-the-top physical comedy weren’t enough to succeed in a busy summer movie season. While some still enjoy it as a fun throwback, it’s generally considered a box office failure.

‘The Meteor Man’ (1993)

Robert Townsend’s film is a heartfelt story about a teacher who develops superpowers after a meteor strike. He not only directed and starred in it, but also wrote the script. While the movie boasted a strong cast, including James Earl Jones and Don Cheadle, it had trouble finding the right mix of humor and serious drama. Though it didn’t perform well at the box office against bigger films of the early 90s, it’s now recognized as an important early example of a Black superhero story.

‘Spawn’ (1997)

Michael Jai White starred as the complex, demonic hero in this movie based on the popular comic book series. Though the film featured a fantastic soundtrack and impressive special effects for its time, many found the plot confusing and overly dependent on computer-generated imagery. It did okay at the box office, but critics didn’t like it, and fans of the original comics were disappointed. Because of the film’s mixed reviews and waning enthusiasm, a follow-up movie was never made for many years.

‘Blade: Trinity’ (2004)

Wesley Snipes reprised his role as Blade for a third film, but the production was troubled by widely reported disagreements behind the scenes. The movie featured a new group of younger vampire hunters, which shifted focus away from Blade himself and lessened the grim, intense mood that fans enjoyed in the earlier films. Critics disliked the script, finding it full of silly jokes and lacking in genuine scares. As a result, the film earned much less money than ‘Blade II’ and essentially ended the series for almost two decades.

‘After Earth’ (2013)

This science fiction film stars Will and Jaden Smith as a father and son fighting to survive on a dangerous, changed Earth. They rely on advanced technology and their combat training. However, the movie wasn’t well-received by audiences, who found it slow-paced and criticized the casting choices. Despite a large marketing budget, it became a major box office failure for Will Smith, costing the studio a significant amount of money.

‘Power Rangers’ (2017)

RJ Cyler impressed as the Blue Ranger in this new version of the beloved kids’ show. The film tried to make the Power Rangers more realistic and focus on their personal lives, but it didn’t make enough money from ticket sales or merchandise to warrant a follow-up movie. Although fans liked the diverse cast and updated look, most moviegoers weren’t interested, and the film flopped worldwide, ending any hopes of a larger six-movie series.

‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ (2016)

Jessie T. Usher starred as the hero pilot in this long-awaited sequel to the 1996 hit movie. While the film tried to recapture the excitement of the original, it didn’t succeed, receiving negative reviews and performing poorly at the box office. Critics felt it focused too much on special effects and not enough on developing compelling characters, and the new actors didn’t have the same appeal as the original cast. The film earned significantly less money than expected, which likely means there won’t be any more movies in the series.

‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ (2018)

As a huge fan of the first Pacific Rim, I was really excited for the sequel, and John Boyega was fantastic as Idris Elba’s son, taking the controls of a Jaeger to fight the monsters. But honestly, I was pretty disappointed. While Boyega definitely brought some energy to the screen, the movie just didn’t have the same unique, visually stunning style that Guillermo del Toro brought to the original. It felt like they traded that distinctive feel for standard action movie clichés. And it showed at the box office – it didn’t perform nearly as well, especially here in the States. It was supposed to kick off a whole cinematic universe, but sadly, that never really materialized.

‘Men in Black: International’ (2019)

I was really excited to see Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth back together, hoping they’d bring the magic back to this sci-fi series. Unfortunately, the new movie just didn’t live up to expectations. It didn’t have the same cleverness or spark between the leads as the original films, and honestly, the story felt like something we’d seen a million times before. Even with those two big stars, it didn’t do well in theaters, which just proves that a familiar name isn’t enough – you really need a good story to get people interested.

‘Gemini Man’ (2019)

This action movie starred Will Smith as a highly skilled assassin facing off against a younger, cloned version of himself. While the film featured impressive technology that made Smith appear younger, critics found the story itself uninspired and old-fashioned. Because of the enormous cost of creating these visual effects, the movie needed to earn a huge amount of money to be profitable. Unfortunately, it became one of the year’s biggest box office disappointments, demonstrating that even amazing visuals can’t fix a flawed story.

‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

Idris Elba starred as Bloodsport in James Gunn’s edgy, R-rated version of the DC story. While critics loved its humor and action, the movie didn’t do well in theaters, likely because of the pandemic and its release on streaming services at the same time. Some people were also confused about how it connected to the previous film from 2016. Despite the positive reviews, it’s become known as one of the most critically acclaimed superhero movies to lose money in recent years.

‘Fantastic Four’ (2015)

Michael B. Jordan played the Human Torch in a reboot that many consider to be one of the worst superhero movies ever made. The film was plagued by problems during production, including extensive reshoots and disagreements between the director and the studio, which left the final movie feeling uneven. Fans disliked the movie’s dark and serious approach, as well as how much it differed from the original comics. It performed very poorly when it was released, and ultimately, the rights to the characters returned to Marvel Studios.

‘Black Adam’ (2022)

Dwayne Johnson worked for more than ten years to make this movie about a complex hero, hoping it would shake up the DC film world. Even with a huge marketing push and a surprise appearance by Superman, the film didn’t earn enough money to satisfy the studio. Because the movie cost so much to make and promote, it lost money even though it did okay at the box office. This poor performance was a major reason why the studio decided to start the DC universe over with a fresh beginning soon after.

‘The Marvels’ (2023)

The Marvels, starring Teyonah Parris, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, and Iman Vellani, didn’t perform well at the box office – it actually set a new low for Marvel movies. Several factors contributed to its disappointing results, including audiences feeling tired of superhero films, a confusing marketing approach, and the need to have seen several Disney+ shows to fully understand the plot. This significant financial failure is likely to cause Marvel to rethink its future plans and how much money it spends on projects.

‘Steel’ (1997)

Okay, let’s talk about Steel. As a critic, I have to say this one’s… rough. Shaquille O’Neal really went for it, trying to launch an action career with this adaptation of a Superman supporting character. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work. The whole thing felt incredibly cheap – think TV movie quality, not blockbuster. The costume was… let’s just say less than convincing, and the script really missed the mark, ditching what made the character interesting in the comics. Critics were brutal, audiences stayed away, and honestly, it’s become a cautionary tale – a prime example of a passion project that just didn’t pan out. It’s infamous for a reason!

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry led this movie, which strayed far from the Batman stories and instead featured a strange plot about the beauty industry. Critics and audiences heavily disliked it due to its confusing story, odd costumes, and fast-paced, chaotic editing. The film lost money and won numerous Razzie Awards (given to the worst films), with Berry notably accepting hers in person. Many believe its failure significantly delayed the development of other female-led superhero movies in Hollywood for over ten years.

2025-12-02 12:17