Welcome to the era of hype, when every other movie or series is “the next big thing” until it really isn’t. We’ve all been there: you clear your schedule, stock up on snacks, and dive into what the internet swears is a masterpiece, only to emerge hours later thinking, “Why didn’t I just rewatch The Office?” Here’s a countdown of the 10 most overrated movies and shows that left us underwhelmed-starting from 10 and going all the way down.
10. Jurassic World: Rebirth – More of the Same
After six movies, you’d think the Jurassic franchise might try something new-but Rebirth feels stuck in the past. Scarlett Johansson leads a cast onto yet another dinosaur-infested island, but the plot’s as recycled as leftover popcorn. As one fan put it: “I was not impressed.” The dinos are roaring, all right, but the character development is silent. If you want to find something fresh, you’re better off digging in your backyard.
9. Uncharted – Treasure That Missed the Mark
Video game adaptations are tricky, and Uncharted proves why. With Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg in the lead roles of Nathan Drake, this feels like a watered-down cover of the video games. The action is there, sure-but where is the heart and excitement? Missing. One critic noted it’s “just barely passable” in a world where the story could have been told better via streaming platforms.
8. Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix) – Live-Action Letdown
It’s an animated classic, but Netflix’s adaptation struggled. Eight episodes try to cram too much, with rushed pacing and uneven tone. As one reviewer put it, it’s “a solid effort, but it leaves a ‘meh’ taste in your mouth.” At least it’s an improvement over the infamous 2010 movie.
7. The Substance – Heavy-Handed Horror
Billed as the year’s feminist horror, The Substance had it all to be a cult hit: body-swapping, gnarly effects, and Demi Moore in a standout role. Instead of clever satire, though, what audiences got was a bloated, over-the-top slog. One critic called it “flamboyantly repulsive variations on a well-worn theme.” There’s a message in there about beauty standards and patriarchy-but the subtlety’s gone.
6. The Gentlemen (Netflix) – Extended Misfire
Guy Ritchie’s fast-paced style works in short bursts, but stretched across an eight-episode series, it collapses under its own weight. The humor and energy that make his films fun just can’t last this long. “Eight hours of Ritchie-style chaos felt like too much; I prefer him in punchy, two-hour doses,” one viewer complained.
5. Masters of the Air – Beautiful Visually, Thin Story
Given the pedigree of Band of Brothers, expectations were sky-high. Though the aerial dogfights impress, character arcs barely exist. As one critic succinctly summed it, “You won’t care about most of the characters, and you might forget who they are before the credits roll.”
4. The Witcher – Missed Magic
Fans of both books and games had high hopes, but Netflix’s adaptation generally faltered: stilted dialogue and uneven acting left it cold. As one fan summed it up, “The dialogue was bad, and the acting didn’t help.” Not even Henry Cavill’s star power could save it, and the catchy theme song was one of the few high spots that rose above.
3. Secret Invasion – Marvel’s Letdown
Advertised as a game-changer for the MCU, Secret Invasion ended up underwhelming. In the words of one fan, “It had so much potential, and it ended up being… nothing.” Even the most avid Marvel watchers struggled to find a memorable moment that stood out.
2. Oppenheimer – Atomic Snooze
With a stellar cast and a story about the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer should have been explosive-but it fizzled. One viewer admitted, “It took me three tries to finish this movie. Somehow, they made a story about nuclear bombs boring.” Even a cinematic bomb can flop.
1. Succession – Overhyped Prestige
TV Succession has been dubbed the must-watch drama of the decade, but to some, it’s a slog. The acting is great, but the unlikeable characters and forced dialogue have people frustrated. As one comment said, “I hate every single character. There is nobody to root for.” Sometimes the biggest prestige series just feel… overhyped.
The lesson? Not everything that’s hyped is worth your time. Sometimes the next “must-see” is more miss than hit. Until then, manage your expectations-and keep that remote within reach.