Worst Action Movies of All Time

Big-budget action movies don’t always succeed, and some have become examples of what not to do. The films listed below – including superhero disappointments, failed attempts to launch new franchises, and expensive movies that didn’t resonate with viewers – all underperformed. For each film, we’ve included information about its creators, source material, and key details surrounding its production and release, helping you understand why these ambitious projects didn’t quite hit the mark. Think of this as a guide to the biggest action movie flops.

‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

This action-packed science fiction movie is based on a novel by L. Ron Hubbard and features John Travolta and Barry Pepper. Directed by Roger Christian, the film is visually striking with its unusual camera angles and detailed alien makeup. The story takes place on a devastated Earth under alien control, following the efforts of a human resistance group. Unfortunately, the film received several Razzie Awards and any hopes for a follow-up movie were abandoned.

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Catwoman, starring Halle Berry, is a spin-off from the DC Comics universe directed by Pitof. Instead of following the traditional Selina Kyle story, the film introduces a new character, Patience Phillips, and explores her unique beginnings. The movie relies heavily on visual effects and impressive stunts, set against a visually distinct city backdrop. Unfortunately, it received multiple Razzie Awards and led to the cancellation of any planned sequels.

‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)

George Clooney starred as Batman in Joel Schumacher’s fourth film in the original series. The movie was known for its colorful, flashy sets, over-the-top costumes, and focus on gadgets. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman played the main villains, alongside a large supporting cast. Audiences didn’t respond well, leading Warner Bros. to cancel future sequels and eventually restart the franchise with a new approach.

‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002)

This fast-paced thriller features Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu as opposing agents. The story revolves around a stolen tiny device and a secret government plot, filmed with locations doubling for Vancouver and Bangkok. Director Wych Kaosayananda was known for the film’s large-scale action sequences, including many gunfights and real explosions. Unfortunately, the movie received very negative reviews and ended any plans for sequels.

‘Mortal Kombat: Annihilation’ (1997)

The second movie continues the story right after the first, using characters and locations from the popular fighting games. Some of the original actors were replaced with new faces like James Remar because of scheduling conflicts and contract issues. The filmmakers worked quickly and used computer-generated effects early in the process to create the creatures. However, fans noticed some inconsistencies in the story, and the film ultimately stalled plans for a third movie.

‘Street Fighter’ (1994)

Starring Jean Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia, this film is based on the popular Capcom video game and takes place in the made-up country of Shadaloo. Director Steven E. de Souza focused on introducing a large cast of characters alongside fast-paced action sequences. Filmed mainly in Thailand and Australia, production moved quickly. While the movie didn’t perform exceptionally well at the box office, it received some criticism regarding its overall feel and the way the fight scenes were designed.

‘Wild Wild West’ (1999)

This movie, starring Will Smith and Kevin Kline, is a futuristic western inspired by a 1960s television show. Director Barry Sonnenfeld used impressive mechanical effects, including a massive spider, and filmed on location as well as on detailed sound stages. Despite its initial impact, the film received several Razzie Awards and a planned sequel was cancelled.

‘The Legend of Hercules’ (2014)

Kellan Lutz stars as Hercules in this movie that tells the story of his beginnings. Director Renny Harlin used a lot of slow-motion action and computer-generated settings. Released in the same year as another Hercules film, it struggled to find an audience. Poor performance in the US limited its release in other countries and ended any plans for sequels.

‘Gods of Egypt’ (2016)

This action-packed fantasy film stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Brenton Thwaites, directed by Alex Proyas. It tells the story of a thief who joins forces with the god Horus to defeat Set, and features a lot of computer-generated imagery to create incredible creature effects. Before the movie came out, casting choices caused controversy and the studio had to issue an apology. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform well at the box office in North America, earning less than it cost to make.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

This movie is a live-action adaptation of the well-known manga and anime, featuring Justin Chatwin and Emmy Rossum. Director James Wong updated the story, setting it in a modern American high school. The film quickly covers a lot of ground, using fast-paced action sequences with wirework. Unfortunately, fans didn’t respond well, so plans for sequels were cancelled.

‘The Spirit’ (2008)

Frank Miller reimagined Will Eisner’s comic, using a distinctive visual style reminiscent of his work on ‘Sin City’. Gabriel Macht starred as the hero, with supporting roles from Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson. The film looked like a graphic novel come to life, featuring bold black and white imagery with splashes of color. Despite the creative approach, the movie wasn’t a commercial success, and plans for future installments were cancelled.

‘Ultraviolet’ (2006)

Okay, so I recently checked out this sci-fi action flick starring Milla Jovovich. She plays this bio-engineered courier tasked with protecting a kid, which sounds awesome, right? Kurt Wimmer directed it, and it was one of the first movies to really lean into that early high-definition digital look. But honestly, I heard there were a lot of cuts made before it hit theaters, and it really messed with the story. Most reviews said the editing was super confusing, and it didn’t stick around in cinemas for very long. It’s a shame, because the premise sounded cool!

‘Max Steel’ (2016)

This movie, based on the popular Mattel toys, tells the story of a teen who teams up with an alien being. Director Stewart Hendler emphasized small-town locations and action sequences featuring the characters’ suits. Made for a younger audience, the film didn’t receive much promotion and had a small theatrical release before becoming available for home viewing.

‘The Avengers’ (1998)

This action movie, a remake of a British TV series, features Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman. Director Jeremiah Chechik faced extensive changes requested by the studio after preview audiences saw it. The film’s detailed sets and playful technology aimed to capture the spirit of the original show, but it didn’t attract many viewers, and any hopes for follow-up films were abandoned.

‘In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale’ (2007)

Uwe Boll directed this movie based on the popular action role-playing game, starring Jason Statham alongside a supporting cast. Filmed in Canada, the movie features large-scale forest fight scenes and special effects creatures. Several versions of the film exist, including an extended cut made for television. Poor reviews limited its success in theaters, and subsequent sequels were released directly to video.

‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ (1997)

Sandra Bullock reprised her role in this sequel, this time set on a luxurious ship, and was joined by Jason Patric. Director Jan de Bont moved from action sequences involving cars to those involving boats, relying heavily on models for the large-scale effects. Keanu Reeves chose not to return, altering the chemistry established in the first film. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t earn back its high production costs during its release in the United States.

‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ (2013)

Bruce Willis returns as John McClane in this action-packed installment, set in Moscow and featuring his son, played by Jai Courtney. Director John Moore filmed exciting car chases throughout Eastern Europe. This film shifted the series’ focus from single-location standoffs to international espionage. Unfortunately, audience disappointment and negative reviews prevented any immediate plans for a sequel.

‘Cutthroat Island’ (1995)

This pirate movie stars Geena Davis and Matthew Modine, and was directed by Renny Harlin. Filming was long and costly due to the need for large water tanks and a specially built ship. Unfortunately, the company releasing the film went out of business during its launch, which hampered promotion and distribution. This ultimately led to financial losses and contributed to the bankruptcy of Carolco Pictures.

‘Jonah Hex’ (2010)

This action-packed western from DC Comics stars Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, and John Malkovich. During production, the movie underwent significant changes with late reshoots that altered the villain’s scheme and the ending. The final cut was less than ninety minutes long after some storylines were removed. Unfortunately, the film didn’t perform well when it was released, and plans for future installments featuring these characters were put on hold for many years.

‘Green Lantern’ (2011)

Ryan Reynolds played Hal Jordan in a film directed by Martin Campbell. The movie heavily relied on motion capture technology and created the hero’s costume entirely with digital effects. The story hinted at a larger universe with the Green Lantern Corps and introduced the villain Parallax, potentially leading to future films. However, the movie wasn’t successful, so the studio decided to restart the character’s story in different projects.

‘The Last Airbender’ (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan reimagined the animated series, squeezing its story into a single, shortened first season. The show starred Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, and Dev Patel, and relied heavily on special effects and stunt work. Fans criticized changes made to character names and storylines. While the show initially generated excitement, negative reviews spread quickly, leading to the cancellation of any planned sequels.

‘Geostorm’ (2017)

Geostorm is a disaster movie directed by Dean Devlin, focusing on a system of satellites designed to control the world’s weather. Starring Gerard Butler and Jim Sturgess as brothers, the film follows their attempt to thwart a sabotage plot happening in space. The movie underwent significant changes during editing, including added scenes and a new musical score. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform well at the box office in the US, earning much less than it cost to make.

‘After Earth’ (2013)

In the film, Will and Jaden Smith star as a father and son who crash-land on a dangerous alien world. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, the story, which was co-developed by Will Smith, centers around their struggle to survive. The production featured impressive visual effects with large digital creatures and was filmed on location. Despite the effort, the movie didn’t perform as well as hoped, and no sequels were made.

‘Terminator Genisys’ (2015)

Alan Taylor’s new take on the Terminator story starred Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor, with Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising his iconic role. The movie changed important events from previous films, using time travel as a central plot device. However, spoilers revealed significant plot points before the film came out, which dampened audience excitement. Despite doing well overseas, the movie didn’t earn enough to justify making the planned sequels.

‘xXx: State of the Union’ (2005)

The sequel featured Ice Cube as a new agent, taking over the lead role from the original. Director Lee Tamahori focused on action-packed car chases filmed throughout Washington D.C. While the movie’s budget increased, its opening weekend box office numbers were lower than the first film. The series then went on hiatus before being revived with a later installment starring the original actor.

‘Steel’ (1997)

Shaquille O’Neal played the lead role as a DC Comics superhero in a self-contained action movie focused on street-level crime. Kenneth Johnson directed, emphasizing realistic costumes and locations. Despite a limited marketing campaign and low pre-release buzz, the film performed poorly in the US and any plans for a sequel were cancelled.

‘Super Mario Bros.’ (1993)

This film, starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, brought a popular video game to life with impressive sets and practical effects to create a bleak, futuristic world. However, the script was constantly changing during filming, leading to inconsistencies in the movie’s overall feel. It didn’t perform well in cinemas, but the franchise eventually returned to its animated roots many years later.

‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ (2017)

Guy Ritchie updated the King Arthur legend with a fast-paced, action-packed film starring Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law. The movie blended a medieval world with impressive visual effects and fantastical creatures. Although several sequels were planned, disappointing ticket sales in the US led to the cancellation of any further films in the series.

‘The Lone Ranger’ (2013)

Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer star in this western action movie directed by Gore Verbinski. Filming took a long time due to complex train sequences and the need to build actual trains on set. Unexpected weather problems and rising construction costs increased the movie’s budget, but ultimately it didn’t earn enough money in North America to justify its expense.

‘Robin Hood’ (2018)

Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx starred in a fresh take on the story, updated with modern clothing. Director Otto Bathurst created action sequences with crossbows that felt like intense city battles. Though the movie came out during a busy holiday season, it didn’t stay popular for long, and plans for sequels were put on hold.

‘Jupiter Ascending’ (2015)

The Wachowskis made a science fiction adventure film centered around a housekeeper from Chicago who unexpectedly becomes heir to a powerful galactic empire. Starring Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis, the movie features impressive aerial stunts and detailed creature designs. Its release was delayed to refine the visual effects, but ultimately, it didn’t launch the planned series of films.

‘The Mummy’ (2017)

Universal Pictures began a project to create a shared universe of classic monster movies, starring Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella. Alex Kurtzman directed the film, which featured action sequences like a plane crash, scenes set in London, and explorations of ancient tombs. Before critics weighed in, Universal announced the ‘Dark Universe’ branding for this interconnected series. However, the project was ultimately canceled due to the film’s poor performance.

‘Fantastic Four’ (2015)

Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four movie aimed for a fresh, youthful take on the superhero team, with a story rooted in a scientific experiment gone wrong. However, after significant reshoots, the film’s ending was altered, and its dark, horror-influenced style was replaced with more typical superhero action. Ultimately, the movie didn’t perform well at the box office, and plans for a follow-up were scrapped.

‘Judge Dredd’ (1995)

Sylvester Stallone played the lead role of a lawman based on a British comic book character, with Rob Schneider providing comedic support. The movie emphasized real, detailed sets and elaborate costumes. During editing, filmmakers aimed for a wider audience while still including action sequences and robot effects. Later, the character reappeared in a rebooted story with no connection to this original film.

‘Elektra’ (2005)

Jennifer Garner returned as the Marvel assassin in a standalone movie that followed an earlier film. Rob Bowman directed the action-packed film, which featured impressive fight choreography and a fantasy-inspired world. The story introduced the shadowy organization known as the Hand, and a young girl with unexplained powers. Unfortunately, disappointing box office results meant there were no plans for sequels.

‘BloodRayne’ (2005)

Uwe Boll directed a film based on a video game about a woman with vampire and human heritage who hunts her father in a dark, gothic world. Kristanna Loken played the lead role, with Ben Kingsley and Michael Madsen also starring in the sword-fighting action movie. Different cuts of the film were released in various countries. Two lower-budget sequels were made and released directly to home video.

‘Alone in the Dark’ (2005)

This movie, like many directed by Uwe Boll, is based on a video game and stars Christian Slater as a paranormal investigator. The story mixes mysterious museum objects, secret government projects, and frightening creatures. It’s filled with fast-paced action, lots of gunfire, and quick edits. However, it didn’t do well in theaters and received very negative reviews from critics.

‘Godzilla’ (1998)

For his film, Roland Emmerich moved the monster action to New York City and created a new creature. The movie featured exciting chases brought to life with a mix of physical models, sets, and early computer-generated effects. A big marketing campaign, including summer events and merchandise, aimed to build excitement. However, the audience had a mixed reaction, and plans for follow-up movies were cancelled, eventually leading to a later attempt to restart the franchise.

‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ (2010)

Disney brought the time-bending gameplay of the original game to life with exciting action sequences. The movie starred Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton, and was directed by Mike Newell. It featured thrilling parkour chases and impressive sets built in the desert, but unfortunately didn’t start the planned adventure franchise.

‘Expend4bles’ (2023)

The latest installment in the action series once again starred Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham. Directed by Scott Waugh, the film centered on dangerous mercenary operations and featured many explosive gun battles. However, some fans noticed a lot of computer-generated backgrounds, and the movie had a disappointing opening weekend. Its initial success didn’t last, and interest quickly waned.

Share the action titles you would add or remove from this list in the comments.

2025-11-05 15:50