Top 20 Worst Movies of the 2010s

The 2010s gave us many successful movies, but also a number of high-profile failures that made news, often leading to extra filming or changes in long-running series. This collection looks at twenty of those disappointments from the decade, detailing how they were made, when they were released, and how they affected the film industry. You’ll find stories of movies that didn’t make as much money as hoped, new franchises that didn’t take off, and adaptations that audiences didn’t connect with. Each entry includes information about the filmmakers, the stars, and what happened after the movie came out.

‘Movie 43’ (2013)

This funny movie brought together a remarkably large group of stars, including Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, and Halle Berry. Several directors worked on the project, with Peter Farrelly being one of them. Filming took place over a few years, with actors contributing short scenes whenever their schedules allowed. When the movie came out, people noticed its unique, piecemeal production and the impressive number of famous actors involved.

‘The Last Airbender’ (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan’s live-action movie is based on the animated show ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’. The film was converted to 3D after it was filmed, which impacted how it looked in theaters. The actors chosen for the roles sparked a lot of conversation about whether they accurately represented the characters and the original story. Despite this, the movie did introduce the world and characters to many people who hadn’t seen the Nickelodeon series.

‘Cats’ (2019)

Tom Hooper directed the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular stage musical, featuring a star-studded cast including Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, and Judi Dench. The movie used cutting-edge digital technology to convincingly turn the actors into cats. A revised version with improved visual effects was quickly released in theaters after the initial opening. The film has since become a significant example of a large-scale, visually ambitious musical movie production.

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

Sony Pictures Animation’s new movie is a fun, smartphone-inspired adventure with T. J. Miller, James Corden, and Anna Faris lending their voices. The film cleverly uses popular apps and emojis to create its unique world and exciting scenes. Designed for families, it was released during the summer and promoted using things everyone recognizes from their phones and the movie’s memorable characters.

‘Fantastic Four’ (2015)

Josh Trank’s reboot of ‘Fantastic Four’ featured Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell. The production was followed by reports of significant reshoots and a final cut that was shorter than originally planned. This version of the story aimed for a more realistic and down-to-earth origin than previous films. However, the movie wasn’t well-received, and the studio decided to put future plans for that version of the franchise on hold.

‘The Mummy’ (2017)

This Tom Cruise film was intended to launch Universal’s shared monster universe, dubbed the Dark Universe. Sofia Boutella starred as the villain, and Russell Crowe appeared as Dr. Henry Jekyll, setting up potential crossovers with other classic monsters. However, despite a large marketing campaign, the planned sequels and expansions of the Dark Universe never materialized. The film is still often discussed as an example of how to – and how not to – create a connected universe of monsters.

‘Dark Phoenix’ (2019)

Sophie Turner played Jean Grey in this final installment of the ‘X-Men’ series produced by Fox. The movie went through significant changes during post-production, altering the ending and rearranging key scenes. Released after Disney bought Fox, the film marked the end of that particular ‘X-Men’ storyline before the franchise was reimagined by Marvel Studios.

‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ (2017)

Michael Bay directed the fifth ‘Transformers’ movie, starring Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Hopkins. This installment explored a new backstory, connecting the robots to ancient myths and Earth’s past. The film was created as a major summer blockbuster, packed with big action sequences and visual effects. Following its release, the series shifted toward smaller, more focused stories, like the film ‘Bumblebee’.

‘The Snowman’ (2017)

This crime thriller, based on a novel by Jo Nesbø, featured Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson. Director Tomas Alfredson revealed that time constraints meant some scenes weren’t shot. The film was notable for its Norwegian locations, English dialogue, and funding from various international sources. The challenging production schedule was often discussed after the movie’s release.

‘Jupiter Ascending’ (2015)

The Wachowskis created a unique science fiction film starring Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, and Eddie Redmayne. The movie boasts incredibly detailed world-building and impressive visual effects. Originally slated for release in 2014, it was delayed to 2015 to allow for more finishing touches. Since its release, the film has been praised for its grand vision and expansive universe.

‘Mortdecai’ (2015)

Starring Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, and Paul Bettany, this comedy was adapted from the Charlie Mortdecai book series by Kyril Bonfiglioli. Lionsgate released the film in January after a large marketing push, but despite the well-known cast, it didn’t become the successful series they’d hoped for.

‘Terminator Genisys’ (2015)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, and Jai Courtney reprised their roles in a story that revisited the events of the original 1984 film, but with a different outcome. The movie aimed to start the series over and set up a new story direction. While it performed well internationally, it didn’t do as well in the US. Any plans for sequels were cancelled when the franchise changed course again later on.

‘Gods of Egypt’ (2016)

This fantasy adventure film, directed by Alex Proyas and featuring Gerard Butler and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, relied heavily on computer-generated environments and impressive creature effects. The casting decisions received some negative feedback, leading the filmmakers and studio to address the concerns publicly. Released in early spring, the movie was intended to launch a new action franchise based on mythology.

‘The Happytime Murders’ (2018)

Brian Henson created a film that combined puppetry with a gritty, R-rated detective story starring Melissa McCarthy. It gained attention because of a legal battle over a marketing slogan that alluded to ‘Sesame Street.’ The movie was intentionally aimed at adults, offering a comedic experience distinct from family-friendly shows. Its release demonstrated how traditional puppetry could be successfully incorporated into contemporary genre blends.

‘The Dark Tower’ (2017)

Stephen King’s long and complex story was turned into a shorter movie featuring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. The film combined plot points from several books into a single, concise story, and was initially planned as a stepping stone for a possible future TV series. Ultimately, the movie offers a simplified version of the original, much larger tale.

‘A Wrinkle in Time’ (2018)

Ava DuVernay directed this Disney movie, based on Madeleine L’Engle’s novel, and starring Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, and Reese Witherspoon. The film was visually colorful and aimed at families. Disney heavily promoted it with a wide release around the world, introducing the book’s beloved characters and themes to a new audience.

‘The Fanatic’ (2019)

This thriller, directed by Fred Durst and filmed in Los Angeles, stars John Travolta. It centers on a movie star (Devon Sawa) and his obsessive fan. The film initially screened at festivals before being released in a limited number of theaters and online. It gained notice for being made on a small budget and for its unique way of reaching audiences.

‘The Book of Henry’ (2017)

Directed by Colin Trevorrow and starring Naomi Watts, Jaeden Martell, and Jacob Tremblay, this film tells the story of a family caught up in a young, exceptionally bright child’s plan for taking justice into their own hands. Universal Pictures released the movie in early summer, following a focused marketing strategy. How audiences and critics reacted to the film played a role in decisions about the director’s future projects.

‘Collateral Beauty’ (2016)

The movie stars Will Smith alongside Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, and Helen Mirren. It tells the story of a New York ad executive who begins writing letters exploring themes of love, time, and mortality. Marketing for the film highlighted its emotional core and festive holiday backdrop. It was released widely in December, aiming to be a contender during awards season.

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

The fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film featured the return of Johnny Depp and welcomed Javier Bardem as the new villain. Also known as ‘Salazar’s Revenge’ in some countries, the movie continued the story of the Turner family while introducing new characters played by Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario. This installment arrived as a continuation of the popular franchise that first began in 2003.

Let us know your favorite movies and shows from the last ten years in the comments! Also, tell us if there’s anything we missed that should be on the list.

2025-11-01 16:16