25 Films That Aged Like Milk in Under Five Years

The movie business changes quickly, and what people think about films can change even faster. Sometimes, highly anticipated movies disappoint after they come out. This can happen because special effects look old-fashioned, or because the story doesn’t resonate with viewers today. A film can also lose its impact if public discussions and values shift rapidly. Here are some examples of movies that unexpectedly lost their popularity or relevance soon after release.

‘Cats’ (2019)

The movie adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical quickly gained a bad reputation after its release because of its strange and unsettling visuals. Director Tom Hooper used digital fur technology that viewers found creepy instead of charming. While Universal Pictures tried to fix the effects while the film was still playing in theaters, the damage to its reputation was already done. Today, the movie is often used as a prime example of how CGI can go wrong, and it quickly became known as a box office failure and a bizarre cinematic experience.

‘Wonder Woman 1984’ (2020)

As a huge cinema fan, I was really excited for the sequel, especially after how much I loved the first one. But honestly, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Almost immediately after it came out in theaters and on streaming, people started picking it apart – and rightfully so. The storyline where a character essentially takes over someone else’s body felt really strange, especially how it was presented as some kind of romance. Plus, the special effects felt dated, like they were trying to be a superhero movie from the ’90s. Released during the pandemic, everyone had time to really analyze it, and the plot holes became super obvious. It went from being a potential blockbuster to a really divisive film within the DC Universe incredibly quickly, which was a real shame.

‘Music’ (2021)

Sia’s musical drama quickly sparked controversy due to its depiction of autism. Critics and advocacy groups strongly objected to the casting of an actor without autism in the lead role and the film’s use of restraint techniques. Sia’s attempts to explain her artistic decisions online only made the situation worse. The film was almost immediately seen as outdated and insensitive, and it now stands as a warning about the importance of thorough research and accurate representation in movies.

‘The Flash’ (2023)

This superhero movie from Warner Bros. was meant to launch a new series of films, but it faced major problems from the start. The lead actor, Ezra Miller, was involved in several public controversies and legal issues, which overshadowed the film’s release. While the director aimed for a unique visual style, many viewers felt the special effects looked incomplete and were widely criticized online. To make matters worse, the studio quickly decided to restart the franchise with new management, making the movie’s story almost pointless. Ultimately, the film was a box office failure, weighed down by off-screen issues and changes within the studio itself.

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ (2021)

The movie version of the popular musical didn’t quite capture the magic of the stage show. While Ben Platt returned to play the same role, he seemed too old to convincingly portray a high school student. Reviewers pointed out that a sensitive plot point – a lie about a student’s suicide – felt more problematic and less understandable in the film than it did in the theater. Attempts to make the actor appear younger with makeup and lighting actually emphasized the issue with his casting. Ultimately, the movie didn’t age well, demonstrating that some elements that work on stage don’t translate effectively to a realistic movie setting.

‘Mulan’ (2020)

Okay, let’s talk about Disney’s live-action remake. It felt like Disney was really trying to please everyone – both here and in China – but ended up disappointing a lot of longtime fans. They took out the songs we all loved and even removed Mushu, which was a huge misstep for me. Beyond that, the film got bogged down in some serious controversy – issues with where they filmed and, even more troubling, thanking groups accused of human rights violations in the credits. Then there was the weird release strategy on Disney+ – Premier Access just felt confusing and ultimately limited how much of an impact the movie could have. Honestly, when I think back on this film, I remember the off-screen drama far more vividly than the story itself. It’s a shame, because the original had so much heart.

‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ (2021)

This movie, a sequel on its own, tried to draw viewers in by teaming up LeBron James with the classic Looney Tunes characters. However, it mostly felt like an advertisement for all the characters and stories the studio owned. Many viewers didn’t like how much the movie relied on jokes and references that felt like marketing rather than genuine creativity. Updating the 2D Looney Tunes into 3D animation wasn’t well-received either, and the film quickly disappeared from public discussion after its initial release.

‘Dolittle’ (2020)

Robert Downey Jr. took on this movie after his time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hoping it would start a new successful series, but it didn’t work out. The film faced major problems during production, requiring lots of extra filming and dealing with reports of difficulties on set, which greatly increased the cost. Critics didn’t like the childish humor, and the climax featuring a dragon was widely criticized. The movie lost a lot of money, proving that even a famous actor couldn’t save a film that didn’t quite know what it wanted to be. It stands as an odd and unsuccessful film in the career of one of Hollywood’s highest-earning stars.

‘Morbius’ (2022)

Sony’s attempt to build a Spider-Man-related universe took a strange turn with Jared Leto’s dark origin story. Critics disliked the film, finding its story old-fashioned and its effects unimpressive. Ironically, the movie became popular online as a source of memes. Sony, hoping to capitalize on this online buzz, re-released it in theaters, but it failed again. This showed a misunderstanding by studio heads of what actually drives people to buy movie tickets. Now, the film is remembered as an example of artificial hype that didn’t lead to success at the box office.

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ (2023)

Marvel’s latest movie kicked off the fifth phase of its cinematic universe, relying heavily on special effects. However, critics weren’t impressed, citing unclear visuals and a plot that felt incomplete – more like an introduction to future stories than a satisfying film on its own. While Jonathan Majors was praised for his acting, legal troubles later overshadowed his performance. The film aimed to build excitement for the next few years of Marvel movies, but instead, it lost momentum, especially as the studio later changed direction and moved away from the storylines it introduced.

‘Lightyear’ (2022)

Pixar tried to create a science fiction story explaining where the Buzz Lightyear toy came from, but it didn’t quite connect with audiences. Many families were surprised by the new voice actor, Chris Evans, after being used to Tim Allen in the ‘Toy Story’ movies. The story didn’t have the heartwarming feeling Pixar is known for, and the plot was overly complicated. As a result, the film didn’t do well in theaters and suggested a difficult time for the studio. It’s often remembered as a spinoff that tried to answer a question no one really had.

‘Jurassic World Dominion’ (2022)

As a lifelong cinema fan, I was really excited for the conclusion of the latest dinosaur trilogy, especially seeing the original cast back alongside the new characters. But honestly, I – and a lot of other fans – were pretty let down. The movie focused way too much on these genetically engineered locusts and not enough on, well, dinosaurs! The whole idea of dinosaurs being back on Earth felt like it took a backseat to a corporate thriller, which just didn’t deliver. Even the nostalgia couldn’t save a story that felt repetitive and lacked inspiration. After that chaotic ending, the buzz around the franchise definitely died down.

‘Don’t Worry Darling’ (2022)

The movie’s promotion was unfortunately overshadowed by reports of disagreements and problems during filming. Director Olivia Wilde and the actors had to answer uncomfortable questions, diverting attention from the film itself. When it was finally released, the ending was criticized as being unoriginal, and Harry Styles’ acting received a varied response. Today, the film is more famous for the off-screen drama – particularly an incident dubbed ‘spitgate’ – than for its quality as a movie.

‘Blonde’ (2022)

Andrew Dominik’s film about Marilyn Monroe, though fictionalized, received an NC-17 rating and was initially expected to be an awards-season favorite. However, it quickly faced criticism for being exploitative. Many viewers and critics found the constant focus on trauma and abuse to be upsetting and disrespectful to Monroe’s legacy. The film’s approach also left audiences feeling it diminished Monroe’s own power and control over her life, shifting the conversation from artistic merit to ethical concerns within the film industry.

‘Chaos Walking’ (2021)

This movie, based on a well-known young adult book, was delayed for years after early test audiences didn’t like it, leading to extensive reshoots. When it finally came out, interest in dystopian young adult stories had already waned. The leads, Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, lacked on-screen spark, and the film’s unique idea of hearing characters’ thoughts quickly became irritating. Released quietly as theaters reopened, the movie quickly disappeared without making much of an impression. It’s a reminder of a trend that had already passed its peak, arriving too late to connect with viewers.

‘Halloween Ends’ (2022)

The latest horror film in the rebooted series surprised viewers by keeping the iconic villain, Michael Myers, largely out of the story. Instead, the movie focused on a new killer, which confused and frustrated many fans who were expecting a final showdown with Myers. While the marketing hinted at an epic climax, it didn’t really happen until the very end of the film. This unexpected turn of events upset longtime fans and damaged the positive feelings created by the successful 2018 reboot, and it’s often considered a confusing way to end such a famous horror series.

‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ (2022)

Taika Waititi directed the fourth Thor movie, following the success of Ragnarok which had breathed new life into the character. However, this sequel relied so much on comedy that some viewers felt it diminished the impact of its more serious themes, like cancer and the villain, Gorr the God Butcher. Despite a large budget, the visual effects were seen as unfinished. Audiences appeared to grow weary of the constant jokes, and the film’s box office numbers dropped significantly. This marked a shift in how people viewed Marvel’s humor, as it began to be seen as a weakness instead of a strength.

‘Amsterdam’ (2022)

David O. Russell’s latest film brought together a fantastic cast, but it didn’t resonate with critics. Reviews were harsh, criticizing the confusing plot and uneven tone. Past issues surrounding the director also came back into focus, hurting the film’s chances. Even with stars like Christian Bale and Margot Robbie, the movie flopped at the box office, demonstrating that talented actors can’t save a film with a weak story and difficult behind-the-scenes issues.

‘Artemis Fowl’ (2020)

Disney’s movie version of the popular fantasy books removed the complex, flawed qualities of the main character. Instead of playing in theaters, it went straight to streaming, where critics heavily criticized it. Book fans were furious about the drastic changes to the story and characters. The film felt like a typical, uninspired fantasy movie and missed what made the original books so special. Ultimately, it ended any possibility of sequels or further films in the series.

‘The Matrix Resurrections’ (2021)

Lana Wachowski revisited The Matrix with a film that reflected on the nature of sequels and reboots. While it featured action, the choreography didn’t feel as groundbreaking as the original movies, and the visuals appeared too artificial. Many felt the film focused more on analyzing itself than on delivering a strong story. Releasing it simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max likely impacted ticket sales, and initial reactions were already varied. Ultimately, the film is a controversial conclusion that many fans are choosing to overlook.

‘Wish’ (2023)

Disney’s animated musical was made to honor a century of storytelling, but it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Critics found the plot weak and the songs sounded more like radio hits than integral parts of the story. The animation, which tried to combine traditional and computer-generated styles, appeared incomplete to some. Ultimately, the film failed to recapture the charm of Disney’s classic movies and didn’t perform well at the box office, serving as a reminder of the studio’s recent creative challenges.

‘Madame Web’ (2024)

The superhero movie starring Dakota Johnson received overwhelmingly negative reviews, largely due to stilted dialogue and choppy editing. A viral promotional tour highlighted the star’s apparent dissatisfaction with the finished film. Issues like obvious dubbing for the villain and a disconnected storyline further contributed to its poor reception. The film quickly became a running joke online and damaged Sony’s Spider-Man cinematic universe. Surprisingly, it rapidly gained a cult following as a famously bad movie.

‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ (2023)

I really enjoyed the first ‘Shazam!’ movie, so I was excited for the sequel, but it arrived at such a strange time. It felt like DC was falling apart around it with all the talk of reboots, and honestly, it took the wind out of everyone’s sails. It just didn’t feel like it mattered as much. I thought it wasn’t quite as good as the original – there were just so many CGI creatures that it felt a little overwhelming. And while I like Zachary Levi, some felt his performance didn’t quite match the more mature vibe of the younger cast. Sadly, it didn’t do well in theaters and now it feels like everyone’s already forgotten about it, which is a shame.

‘Pinocchio’ (2022)

Disney+’s live-action remake of Pinocchio, directed by Robert Zemeckis, came out the same year as Guillermo del Toro’s critically acclaimed stop-motion adaptation. However, this version heavily used unconvincing CGI and failed to capture the magic of the original 1940 animated film. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Geppetto received mixed reviews, and many felt the story updates weren’t needed. Critics largely saw the film as a hollow imitation created to provide content for the streaming platform, and it quickly faded in comparison to del Toro’s Oscar-winning film.

‘Expend4bles’ (2023)

The latest installment in the action series, released nine years after the previous one, was a disappointment. Made with a lower budget, the film suffered from obvious and distracting visual effects. Sylvester Stallone had a smaller part, leaving the movie feeling uncentered. While it brought back the R rating, the action sequences weren’t as inventive or exciting as those in earlier films. Ultimately, it seemed audiences had lost interest in this particular series and its 1980s action hero appeal.

Please share your own examples of films that spoiled quickly in the comments.

2025-11-27 01:54