Top 15 Worst Superhero Fight Scenes

Epic superhero battles are meant to be spectacular, but some famous fight scenes are remembered for all the wrong reasons. We’ve collected a few that fans and critics alike found disappointing due to issues like choppy editing, poor visual effects, or underwhelming choreography. For each scene, we’ll tell you where it appears and who made it, so you can understand the context of its production. Think of this as a look at some of the most discussed failures in superhero movies and TV shows.

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

The fight scene between Patience Phillips and Laurel Hedare on the rooftop relies on fast editing and close-up shots, making the fight moves hard to follow. It was mostly filmed in a studio using wires, giving it an unrealistic, floaty feel. Halle Berry did many of her own stunts, but the editing cuts them into very short pieces, so it’s difficult to see what’s happening. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film, promoting it as a visually exciting action movie.

‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ (2009)

The action scene with Deadpool at the reactor is edited very quickly, making it difficult to understand where everything is happening. Filming took place in many different locations and involved a lot of re-shooting, which caused some inconsistencies in the fight. Visual effects, like Deadpool’s blades and energy blasts, are used heavily and often obscure the actors. The movie was released by 20th Century Fox as one of their first attempts to create spin-off films based on the ‘X-Men’ universe.

‘Black Panther’ (2018)

The final fight between T’Challa and Killmonger, set in the vibranium mine, relies heavily on computer-generated effects, which make the impacts appear less forceful and the movements somewhat unclear. The dim lighting in the train tunnel also makes it hard to see details on the characters’ suits during the fight. This is a noticeable change from the earlier, more clearly filmed hand-to-hand combat scenes. The film was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures as part of Marvel Studios’ Phase Three lineup.

‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)

The fight between Diana and Ares starts realistically but quickly becomes an over-the-top visual spectacle with lots of digital effects. This shift also introduces a villain reveal that feels out of place and distracts from the emotional core of the battle. The fight relies too much on repeated slow-motion moments instead of moving the story forward. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film in theaters worldwide.

‘Justice League’ (2017)

The final battle against Steppenwolf happens in a reddish setting that makes it hard to see details in the wider shots. Different companies worked on the visual effects, and they used slightly different lighting, which makes the scene look inconsistent. The editing also cuts between heroes quickly, not letting individual moments fully play out. This was the version of the movie released in theaters before the director had a chance to revise the ending.

‘Green Lantern’ (2011)

The fight between Hal Jordan and Parallax in the sky blends real footage with computer-generated effects, but this makes the scene feel less grand than it should. The chase through space focuses more on visual effects like clouds and energy, and less on clear action. When the characters fight up close, the action is quick and often jumps immediately into special effects instead of showing detailed fight choreography. Warner Bros. released this film as the first major movie appearance for the character.

‘Fantastic Four’ (2015)

The climactic battle with Doctor Doom takes place on a desolate, gray plain with little to mark how characters are moving. Instead of fighting together with planned moves, the heroes simply take turns using their powers. The scene ends quickly with a few special effects, leaving the story without a memorable, large-scale finale. The film, a fresh start for the franchise, was distributed by 20th Century Fox.

‘Venom’ (2018)

The fight between Venom and Riot features dark, similar-looking symbiotes that become difficult to tell apart when they’re close. Quick cuts and dark lighting add to the confusion, making it hard to see who is hitting whom. The action is frequently interrupted by shots of the characters transforming, which slows down the pace. Columbia Pictures released the film through Sony Pictures Releasing.

‘Morbius’ (2022)

The final battle between Morbius and Milo takes place underground and is filmed with fast-motion effects, creating a blurry, energetic look. The fight scenes use close-up, quick cuts to make the space feel smaller and the action more intense. While some stunts were done practically, many shots rely on computer-generated imagery for dramatic collapses. Sony released the film as part of its series of movies connected to the Marvel universe.

‘The Incredible Hulk’ (2008)

The fight between Hulk and the Abomination relies heavily on visual effects, but sometimes the digital characters don’t quite seem to connect with the ground or each other. The camera work focuses on quick cuts and powerful impacts rather than showing off detailed fighting moves. The fight also repeatedly uses cars and other vehicles as weapons, with similar shots appearing from different angles. The film was released by Universal Pictures in collaboration with Marvel Studios.

‘Suicide Squad’ (2016)

The final battle in The Enchantress features a bright beam of energy in the sky and shadowy, indistinct villains that make the action hard to follow. The heroes’ attacks feel separate and don’t flow together well as a team. The constant switching between the ritual chamber and the city being destroyed disrupts the pacing of the fight. The film is part of the DC Extended Universe and was released by Warner Bros. Pictures.

‘Thor: The Dark World’ (2013)

Thor and Malekith battle by leaping through portals that constantly change the fighting arena, but these shifts often disrupt the natural flow of the action. The fight scenes switch between realistic hits and digitally created moments where characters seem to change weight and size, making it hard to follow. The constant teleporting also prevents the choreography from feeling truly connected and impactful. The film was distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on behalf of Marvel Studios.

‘Iron Fist’ (2017–2018)

The fight between Danny Rand and Harold Meachum in the first season was filmed with quick cuts, often hiding the full extent of their moves. Due to a busy filming schedule and limited practice time, the fight scenes relied on short shots and a lot of different camera angles. Instead of letting the fight flow, the show frequently repeated the same hits from various perspectives. This series was part of the Marvel Television collection and streamed on Netflix.

‘Inhumans’ (2017)

The fight scenes in ‘The Royal Family’ on Attilan feel small because they use simple sets and don’t show many extras. Special effects for powers like creating earthquakes or controlling hair are quick and don’t usually flow into practical stunts. Instead of escalating, action sequences often cut to quick shots and then start over. The show originally aired on ABC after a limited release in IMAX theaters.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

Big showdowns, like the battle with Savitar, rely heavily on speed effects, slow-motion, and digital doubles, which minimize realistic physical contact. The show prioritizes fast-paced scenes and edited shots over elaborate, extended fight sequences. During group fights, the series often cuts to close-up conversations, interrupting the action. “The Flash” aired on The CW and was a central part of the “Arrowverse” franchise.

Tell us about fight scenes that didn’t quite work for you in the comments! We want to share opinions and create a list of scenes that almost hit the mark but fell a little short.

2025-11-20 03:45