Well, 2024 is almost over. It is time to look forward to the year ahead and make new resolutions. Every year, our beloved actors and directors give their all to keep us entertained. Through brilliant stories, mind-blowing acting, or maybe captivating background scores, some of these movies make a place in our hearts forever. But despite all the efforts, some are not accepted by the audience. Some of them are new and go unnoticed; the rest are hugely anticipated but, in the end, disappoint. On that note, let's look back on this year’s releases and find out the 20 worst movies so far.
1) Megalopolis
Despite the grand vision of Francis Ford Coppola, the overcomplicated script failed to grasp the much-anticipated attention. The scattered nature of the movie is probably due to covering too many concepts in one go. Not a total disaster, but if you are looking for a spectacular comeback of this legendary director, it might disappoint you. So, all in all, this was surely not the best movie of 2024.
2) Joker: Folie à Deux
It is difficult to play Joker, period. But Joaquin Phoenix nailed it in the first movie, and the expectations were much higher for the second one. Introducing Harley Quinn made it even more anticipated. But the duo couldn’t save the day. Despite their brilliant performance, the script felt out of place in several places. The bold move of turning the sequel into a musical didn’t at all work out, and high expectations were diminished.
3) Borderlands
Borderlands had the potential to be a fun, action-packed ride, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. While the cast, including Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart, seemed game for the challenge, their performances felt out of sync with the chaotic tone. The humor didn’t land as often as it should have, and the story lacked the sharp, edgy feel of the video game it’s based on. The visuals were colorful, but the overall execution felt more scattered than exciting. It’s not the worst adaptation out there, but it’s not as fun as fans were hoping for, either.
4) Kraven the Hunter
It is difficult to nail a superhero role at present. With the rising expectations of fans, many comic book adaptations are made, but most don’t hit the mark. Kraven the Hunter faced such a fate. Despite some cool action sequences and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s effort, this movie cannot be declared memorable, as being a Spider-Man villain can raise a lot of expectations.
5) Madame Web
Madame Web had an interesting concept, but it just didn’t come together. The movie tried to mix action, mystery, and superhero vibes, but it ended up feeling all over the place. Dakota Johnson did her best with the material, but her character wasn’t fleshed out enough to really connect with the audience. The plot was confusing at times, and the pace felt out of place, with some parts dragging and others rushing. It had some cool moments, but overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to do something unique with the Spider-Man universe.
6) Red One
It is not the first time a rock-solid star cast couldn’t save a movie. Red One wanted to touch many aspects: action, comedy, and the holiday vibe of Christmas. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans had good chemistry, but it was not enough, and some of the big moments felt forced. It would be unfair to call this movie a flop, but it is not a festive blockbuster either.
7) Unfrosted
Although the movie, based around the invention of Pop-Tarts, had several funny instances, the humor was inconsistent. It is expected to have a brilliant outcome when the casting of a movie is well-seasoned. But the overstretched script kind of ruined it for the audience. Although the movie could have been a unique comedy, it ended up being an incomplete treat.
8) The Garfield Movie
Who doesn’t remember the funny comic strips of the lasagna-loving pet Garfield? Well, at least the older fans did, and that's where the movie failed. Humor pushed towards the younger generation didn’t work out well, as Garfield is a huge nostalgia. Fine animation failed to cover up for the predictability of the story. It was not a complete disaster, but it was not close to the Garfield we knew, as the sarcastic edge of the cat was toned down.
9) Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 tried to build on its quirky horror concept, but it fell short of making a real impact. The idea of turning childhood characters into horror icons is still unique, but the execution felt lazy this time around. The scares were predictable, and the story lacked creativity, making it more boring than creepy. The production value didn’t improve much either, which didn’t help. While it’s an interesting idea, it feels like the novelty has already worn off, leaving this sequel to feel forgettable.
10) Poolman
Script again. A mix of comedy and mystery can go really well as it attracts a lighthearted vibe. But engaging the audience is the job of a tight script. The cast added a lot of charm, but the script didn’t allow them much to work with. It had a lot of potential to be a fun watch but ended up feeling more awkward than entertaining.
11) AfrAId
AfrAId had all the ingredients to be a decent horror movie, but it didn’t quite deliver. The scares were pretty weak, and the plot felt a bit too familiar without adding anything new to the genre. The characters weren’t very developed, which made it hard to care about what happened to them. While the atmosphere tried to create tension, the pacing felt uneven, and some scenes dragged on. It’s not a total waste of time, but it’s not a film that will stick with you or leave you feeling truly scared.
12) The Crow
The reboot tried to capture the dark vibe of the original, but it missed the mark. While the visuals were decent, the story felt too familiar and didn’t add much to make it stand out. The film struggled to recreate the emotional depth of the first one, and the performances didn’t help make the characters more engaging. It looked cool at times, but the overall tone and execution felt flat. Fans of the original might be disappointed, as this version doesn’t live up to the cult classic’s legacy.
13) Kinds of Kindness
Kinds of Kindness had a lot of potential but didn’t fully deliver. The story tried to explore deep emotional themes, but it ended up feeling a bit all over the place. The pacing was slow, and the flashbacks didn’t really help move things forward, making the whole experience feel like a bit of a slog. While the performances were fine, they couldn’t quite save a script that didn’t quite connect with the audience. It’s not terrible, but it’s not a movie that will leave you thinking much after it’s over.
14) Juror No. 2
Juror No. 2 had an intriguing premise but didn’t live up to its hype. The story about a juror grappling with a moral dilemma could’ve been gripping, but the execution felt flat. The pacing was a bit slow, and the twists didn’t feel as impactful as they should have. While the cast did their best, their performances couldn’t fully save a script that lacked tension and emotional depth. It’s not a bad movie, but it didn’t offer the suspense and drama that you’d expect from this kind of thriller.
15) Rumours
Rumours tried to build drama around a tangled web of secrets, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. The movie had a promising setup, but the story felt predictable and didn't offer many surprises. The characters weren’t very developed, so it was hard to get invested in their fates. The pacing also dragged in places, making the movie feel longer than it actually was. While it had some potential to be a gripping thriller, it ended up feeling like a missed opportunity. It’s not terrible, but definitely not memorable.
16) Reagan
Reagan aimed to bring the story of the former president to the big screen, but it didn’t quite deliver. The movie tried to tackle a complex figure, but the portrayal felt shallow and didn’t dive deep enough into his character. The pacing was uneven, and some scenes felt too rushed while others dragged on. The performances were fine, but the script didn’t give them much to explore. It’s not a disaster, but this one falls short if you're looking for a more insightful or engaging biopic.
17) The End
Mixing dark humor with serious themes can be daunting and requires a lot of balance. The End failed to strike that balance. An interesting idea that failed to grow to its full potential. The story felt scattered, which is the reason the audience felt more confused than satisfied. Jumping from one plot point to another without much context kind of made the script lose momentum. Not a total waste, to be honest, but this movie doesn’t offer anything fresh or memorable.
18) Lisa Frankenstein
Horror comedy is not yet a widely explored genre when it comes to movies. Although the comedy part doesn’t ask for much, the horror part requires more detailed work. The script did not properly touch the concepts and remained mostly focused on comedy, which again was not at its best. Not a terrible movie, but the plot deserved more justice than it got.
19) The Exorcism
Movies on exorcisms are no longer a fresh concept. Without a rock-solid plot and unique script, it is really difficult for pure horror films to leave an impression. Just like its prequel, this Russell Crowe starrer brings nothing new to the table. Yes, it feels good to take a deep dive into the realm of supernatural mysteries, but they usually end the same way. ‘Underwhelming’ would be the proper way to explain the entire script.
20) Venom: The Last Dance
Another franchise bites the dust. Yes, our beloved anti-hero, played by the dynamic Tom Hardy, ends up being underwhelming and generic. The couple-like conversation between Eddie and Venom was just not enough this time. It takes a lot of diversification in plot to make a third movie of a franchise work, and that's where Venom: The Last Dance failed. Overshadowed by the first movie, the stretched script and the forced humor stopped this movie from being up to the mark.