Marvel has certainly provided us with some of the most iconic superhero moments on the big screen—but not every foray is a success. When Marvel films bomb, they bomb big, often in glorious, bewildering ways. Whether it’s creative missteps, poorly managed reboots, or just bad timing, these are the titles that crashed and burned in critics’ eyes. Based on Rotten Tomatoes ratings (through The Wrap), the following are the 10 worst Marvel movies produced ever—get ready.
10. Blade: Trinity (2004) – 25%
The Blade franchise began strongly, but this third film was a crash landing. With Wesley Snipes reprising his role as the daywalker and newcomers such as Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel, the movie was like a jumbled mess. It received a thrashing from critics for its confusing plot and uninspired action, sitting on a paltry 25% on Rotten Tomatoes.
9. Ghost Rider (2007) – 26%
Nicolas Cage did everything humanly possible as Johnny Blaze, and although his dedication is the stuff of legend, the film didn’t quite reach expectations. Critics were criticized for the uneven tone and disappointing effects. Ghost Rider still trudged its way to a significant worldwide box office despite a withering 26% RT score.
8. Fantastic Four (2005) – 28%
Marvel’s First Family made their modern live-action debut with this flashy, effects-heavy film that starred Chris Evans before his Captain America days. While the cast had potential, the final product felt like a by-the-numbers superhero film with little spark, earning just 28% on Rotten Tomatoes.
7. The Punisher (2004) – 29%
Thomas Jane gave a hard-boiled performance as Frank Castle, but the movie itself never made a lasting impact. The revenge-themed storyline didn’t have an emotional depth, and with a dedicated comic book fan base, critics just weren’t believing it. The end result? A 29% rating and an overnight forgettivity from pop culture memory.
6. Venom (2018) – 30%
Here’s an example of critics and audiences existing on different planets. Tom Hardy’s surreal, frequently humorous turn imbued Venom with a queasy, offbeat allure, but critics weren’t buying. The movie’s narrative structure and tone took a panning, evident in its 30% Rotten Tomatoes rating. But the box office had other ideas—$850 million and rising.
5. Dark Phoenix (2019) – 22%
The X-Men franchise sputtered to a halt with Dark Phoenix, a serious and plodding rehash of one of the series’ greatest comic book storylines. Even with its high-stakes scenes and impressive cast, the movie looked curiously dead, ending the Fox-era mutants on a low note. Its 22% rating tells it all.
4. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011) – 18%
If the first Ghost Rider was shaky, this sequel went full throttle into absurd territory. With a frenzied directing style and a convoluted plot, even Cage’s wild energy couldn’t steer it back on course. At 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear most viewers weren’t feeling the burn.
3. Morbius (2022) – 16%
What was intended to widen Sony’s Spider-Verse became one of the most ridiculed superhero films in recent history. Morbius had the marquee pull (Jared Leto) and some promising horror aspects, but the product was a disaster. Critics dismantled it, and it flopped big time despite its meme-filled post-mortem. RT score: a harsh 16%.
2. Elektra (2005) – 11%
Sequel to Daredevil, this Elektra standalone didn’t have a prayer. Critics panned it as dull, unjoyful, and agonizingly slow. It was forgotten by fans in a snap and continues to haunt one of Marvel’s greatest flops with an 11% rating.
1. Fantastic Four (2015) – 9%
And here’s the definitive Marvel failure. With a plagued production, extensive reshoots, and a script that hardly reflected the original material, this Fantastic Four reboot was set for disaster from the beginning. Even with a talented cast, nothing could save the sloppy pacing and uninspired script. At 9%, it’s the lowest-rated Marvel movie on Rotten Tomatoes, and it isn’t even particularly close.
Even a behemoth such as Marvel isn’t invulnerable to catastrophe. Though their cinematic universe is replete with legends, these movies are painful reminders that not every hero (or franchise) is designed to fly.