Incredible Disappointments
Some of these titles are still enjoyable, some of them are terrible, but they’re all some of most wasted potential in the history of entertainment.
Eligible rating: 2-7 stars
Eligible rating: 2-7 stars
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64 titles
- DirectorMichael BayStarsBen AffleckKate BeckinsaleJosh HartnettA tale of war and romance mixed in with history. The story follows two lifelong friends and a beautiful nurse who are caught up in the horror of an infamous Sunday morning in 1941.Even with Michael Bay’s explosive tropes, there was still so much potential lost to the crappy romance and tedious dialogue.
- DirectorKenny OrtegaStarsBette MidlerSarah Jessica ParkerKathy NajimyA teenage boy named Max and his little sister move to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.Oh how much fun this cult classic could’ve been had it been more than just three witches running around in the 90s.
- DirectorPhil NibbelinkSimon WellsDick ZondagStarsJohn GoodmanCharles FleischerBlaze BerdahlA time traveling scientist goes back to prehistoric times and feeds dinosaurs a magic cereal that increases their intelligence - next they land in modern New York City for a series of comic adventures.There could’ve been better ways for Steven Spielberg to adapt this beloved children’s classic into an animated feature.
- DirectorFrederik Du ChauStarsJessalyn GilsigCary ElwesAndrea CorrAn adventurous girl, a young blind hermit, and a goofy two-headed dragon race to find the lost sword Excalibur to save King Arthur and Camelot from disaster.If Warner Bros. wasn’t so focused on copying Disney, this could’ve been a longtime classic.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsJim CarreyTaylor MomsenKelleyOn the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.Ron Howard and Jim Carrey had all that was needed to make a decent cinematic adaptation of this Dr. Seuss’ classic, and yet they used only 50% of that potential.
- DirectorRoger ChristianStarsJohn TravoltaForest WhitakerBarry PepperIt's the year 3000 A.D., and the Earth is lost to the alien race of Psychlos. Humanity is enslaved by these gold-thirsty tyrants, who are unaware that their 'man-animals' are about to ignite the rebellion of a lifetime.You know this one’s terrible when the lost potential in the premise is the least of it’s problems.
- DirectorBritt AllcroftStarsAlec BaldwinCody McMainsRussell MeansThomas the Tank Engine searches for gold dust that will allow his magical friend Mr. Conductor to return home, while also helping a girl restore her grandfather's enchanted locomotive.Even a children’s movie like this could’ve given Thomas the cinematic introduction he really deserved, and even the final product could’ve made more sense.
- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsSam NeillWilliam H. MacyTéa LeoniA decidedly odd couple with ulterior motives convince Dr. Grant to go to Isla Sorna for a holiday, but their unexpected landing startles the island's new inhabitants.More was there to be explored after The Lost World, and yet they decided to just run around in a cloudy jungle for one and a half hours instead.
- DirectorGary ChapmanStarsEwan McGregorRicky GervaisTim CurryAt the height of World War II, a tiny wood pigeon enlists in the elite Royal Homing Pigeon Service to serve Britain, as the fearsome General Von Talon (Tim Curry) and his deadly squadron of falcons patrol the English Channel. Is he a war-hero in the making?An animated film about animals that served in the Second World War? What could possibly go wrong? … Unfortunately, pretty much everything.
- DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsRichard DreyfussKurt RussellEmmy RossumOn New Year's Eve, the luxury ocean liner Poseidon capsizes after being swamped by a rogue wave. The survivors are left to fight for their lives as they attempt to escape the sinking ship.This remake had all the visuals and sets to build a spectacular feature and yet it became as big of a disaster as the one depicted.
- DirectorJoseph VilsmaierStarsKai WiesingerValerie NiehausHeiner LauterbachGerman film loosely based on the sinking, by a Soviet submarine, of a Nazi troop-transport ship in the Baltic Sea on January 30th 1945.An obscure WW2 maritime disaster with so much potential turned into a cheesy romantic war drama.
- DirectorDave FiloniStarsMatt LanterNika FuttermanTom KaneAs the Clone Wars sweep the galaxy, Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, embark on a mission to rescue the kidnapped son of Jabba the Hutt. The renegade Count Dooku, however, is determined to ensure that they fail.This cinematic mess would’ve worked better as a four-part series premiere on television.
- StarsPeter WardMichael CarrollCraig ChesnerThis documentary series explores the causes behind six major extinction events in Earth's history. It also speculates on the next such event.So much mass extinctions to be explored, and yet so little excitement in the final result.
- DirectorMichael BayStarsShia LaBeoufMegan FoxJosh DuhamelSam Witwicky leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers' war.Even without Michael Bay, this trashy sequel disregarded most of the components that gave strength to it’s predecessor.
- DirectorGreg TiernanJeff BaileyStarsMichael AngelisMichael BrandonDavid BedellaThomas finds an old engine and tries to restore him without The Fat Controller finding out.Thomas’ first CGI-animated adventure proves that it’s not just Hiro that needs some maintenance.
- DirectorEric BrevigStarsDan AykroydJustin TimberlakeAnna FarisA documentary filmmaker travels to Jellystone Park to shoot a project and soon crosses paths with Yogi Bear, his sidekick Boo-Boo and Ranger Smith.A faithful live-action take on a Hanna-Barbera classic and yet it still isn’t able to get it right.
- DirectorSimon WellsStarsSeth GreenJoan CusackDan FoglerA young boy named Milo gains a deeper appreciation for his mom after Martians come to Earth to take her away.All potential excitement in a sci-fi idea like this is lost to a messy script and dumb characterisation.
- DirectorRob MarshallStarsJohnny DeppPenélope CruzIan McShaneJack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.What was promised at the end of At World’s End to be another epic adventure is just not there.
- StarsRick RoblesThomas HoltzScott HartmanA documentary series following various prehistoric creatures, depicting their way of lives as well as their lust for survival.What do yo get when you combine a silent dinosaur cartoon series with a scientific documentary? A deluded and uncanny mess that only appeals to children.
- DirectorChris RenaudKyle BaldaStarsZac EfronTaylor SwiftDanny DeVitoA 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.The producer of Horton Hears’s a Who! had all the animation and materials to make lightning strike twice, yet it’s just another kids-oriented environmental plea.
- DirectorGreg TiernanStarsMichael AngelisMichael BrandonDavid BedellaJoin Thomas in an all-new movie with new fire fighting engine friends, Flynn and Belle, as they save Sodor Steamworks from the Diesels.This Thomas special has an important message about unity, but you’ll have to brave tedious tropes and dumbed-down characters to get there.
- DirectorCal BrunkerStarsBrendan FraserSarah Jessica ParkerJessica AlbaAstronaut Scorch Supernova finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an SOS from a notoriously dangerous alien planet, Earth.An escape from Planet Earth could’ve been more exciting than the results this turned out.
- DirectorKlay HallStarsCarlos AlazraquiDane CookStacy KeachA cropdusting plane with a fear of heights lives his dream of competing in a famous around-the-world aerial race.What little this Cars spin-off had did not take to the skies like it could’ve.
- CreatorJames DirschbergerJay HowellAndreas TrolfStarsMaulik PancholyChris HardwickGrey GriffinThe always odd and often gross-out adventures of a young boy named Sanjay Patel and his talking pet snake Craig.Good ideas and plenty of potential are thrown out the window in favour of disgusting jokes and irritating episodes.
- DirectorBarry CookNeil NightingaleStarsCharlie RoweKarl UrbanAngourie RiceSee and feel what it was like when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, in a story where an underdog dino triumphs to become a hero for the ages.The spectacle this could’ve been was all taken away from us in favour of jokes and dialogue that would only appeal to young audiences.
- DirectorMichael BayStarsMark WahlbergNicola Peltz BeckhamJack ReynorWhen humanity allies with a bounty hunter in pursuit of Optimus Prime, the Autobots turn to a mechanic and his family for help.Plenty to be explored in this Transformers sequel, and yet it has to mesh with all the reasons everyone hates Michael Bay.
- DirectorGary RydstromStarsEvan Rachel WoodElijah KelleyKristin ChenowethGoblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion.First the Star Wars prequel trilogy, now this? What has happened to George Lucas’ once wide cinematic scope?
- DirectorJosh TrankStarsMiles TellerKate MaraMichael B. JordanFour young outsiders teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe which alters their physical form in shocking ways. The four must learn to harness their new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.What director Josh Trank did right 20th Century Fox decided to take away from us before release.
- DirectorJoe WrightStarsLevi MillerHugh JackmanGarrett HedlundTwelve-year-old orphan Peter is spirited away to the magical world of Neverland, where he finds both fun and danger, and ultimately discovers his destiny: to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.Anything Joe Wright had to make a great backstory for Peter Pan just isn’t here.
- CreatorCraig McCrackenStarsAmanda LeightonNatalie PalamidesKristen LiMade from sugar, spice, everything nice and Chemical X by the Professor; Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup now use their superpowers and super cuteness to save the world (or at least Townsville) from evil villains and all things icky.The designs and voices are surprisingly faithful to the classic Powerpuff Girls; too bad we can’t say the same for everything else.
- DirectorKevin MunroeJericca ClelandStarsJames Arnold TaylorDavid KayeJim WardWhen the galaxy comes under the threat of a nefarious space captain, a mechanic and his newfound robot ally join an elite squad of combatants to save the universe.Just because it’s faithful to the video games, doesn’t make it a good movie.
- StarsAbby TrottLana McKissackAnna AkanaThe Transformers war heats up when the Autobots and Decepticons create combining robots to battle each other.The team that made the War for Cybertron Trilogy most likely spent more time on the designs than the actually writing.
- DirectorJoachim RønningEspen SandbergStarsJohnny DeppGeoffrey RushJavier BardemCaptain Jack Sparrow searches for the Trident of Poseidon to rule the sea while being pursued by old rival Captain Salazar and a crew of deadly ghosts who have escaped from the Devil's Triangle.Even at number five, this sequel still could’ve delivered more.
- DirectorMichael BayStarsMark WahlbergAnthony HopkinsJosh DuhamelA deadly threat from Earth's history reappears and a hunt for a lost artifact takes place between Autobots and Decepticons, while Optimus Prime encounters his creator in space.Age of Extinction ended with promise of another exciting sci-fi adventure… a promise they just couldn’t keep.
- StarsJason David FrankAbby TrottPeter CullenThe Autobots and Decepticons have obtained peace with one another after the Combiner Wars. But new dangers arise to put them and Cybertron at great risk. Can a ragtag group gathered together, save the day and if so, at what price.The titans could’ve been explored with spectacle if it weren’t for the fact that each episode takes forever to kick off.
- StarsSerra HirschBilly Bob ThompsonJeffrey HyltonThe series follows a grey raccoon, Taffy, who gets adopted by Mrs. Muchmore after thinking he is a cat. Her main pet, a blue dobermann named Bentley, is determined to reveal Taffy's secret to Mrs. Muchmore that he really is a Raccoon.A fun cartoon premise that is mean-spirited and flawed in execution.
- DirectorDylan BrownStarsSofia MaliJennifer GarnerKen Hudson CampbellThe imagination of a wildly creative girl comes alive in an amusement park.This would’ve been something on the lines of a Pixar film had it not been so bland and forgettable.
- DirectorSimon KinbergStarsJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderJennifer LawrenceJean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix, causing the X-Men to have to decide if her life is worth more than all of humanity.It’s such a shame that we have to accept this as the conclusion to 20th Century Fox’s once proud X-Men film series.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsDonald GloverBeyoncéSeth RogenAfter the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery.There’s no excuse for how lazy this dull yet admittedly spectacular remake is considering that the team behind it had previously outdone the original Jungle Book.
- CreatorBen BocqueletStarsJacob HopkinsChristian J. SimonJessica McDonaldPrincipal Brown sets Darwin to the task of making the school yearbook. Featuring hilarious clips from the first six seasons of 'The Amazing World of Gumball'.When we asked for more of this Amazing World, we didn’t mean looking at the same clips we’ve seen in previous episodes.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacThe surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again in the conclusion of the Skywalker saga.The force is still with it, but there were other alternatives for a conclusion to this epic saga than this rushed mess.
- DirectorRicard CussóStarsMiranda TapsellRoss NobleKate MurphyA young possum's misguided wish for a white Wishmas freezes her entire hometown of Sanctuary City and threatens all who live there.There’s not just potential in this was not realised, but in the whole Australian animation industry that’s struggling to gain some international recognition.
- DirectorAlexs StadermannStarsLoren GrayAdriane DaffAkmal Saleh100% Wolf centers on Freddy Lupin, heir to a proud family line of werewolves. Positive he'll become the most fearsome werewolf ever, Freddy is in for a shock when his first "warfing" goes awry, turning him into a ferocious - poodle.Turns out the potential in this one is below 50% realised.
- CreatorDana StarfieldStarsShaylin BectonTucker ChandlerLuke LoweThe early years of the Madagascar heroes Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, as they grow up in a rescue habitat at the Central Park Zoo.Escape 2 Africa gave us a brief look at the childhood of the main characters, but stretching that into a full series could’ve been done better
- DirectorKim Hagen JensenTonni ZinckStarsEmilie Kroyer KoppelRasmus BotoftDitte HansenMinna, a young girl, misuses her newfound ability to create and control other people's dreams to teach her bothersome stepsister a lesson.Real dreams offer the full potential this Pixar-wannabe wasted.
- DirectorGino NicheleSwinton O. Scott IIIStarsCyrus ArnoldBraxton BakerErica CerraGreg Heffley is an ambitious kid with an active imagination and big plans to be rich and famous. The problem is that he has to survive middle school first.It’s sad when an animated adaptation of the book failed to do better than the live-action version.
- DirectorTim StoryStarsChloë Grace MoretzMichael PeñaColin JostA chaotic battle ensues between Jerry Mouse, who has taken refuge in the Royal Gate Hotel, and Tom Cat, who is hired to drive him away before the day of a big wedding arrives.Tim Story’s an obvious fan, but the nostalgic homage he retains can’t make up for how typical this is for a live-action take on a classic cartoon.
- CreatorHenry GilroyStarsJeremy ShadaAimee GarciaAshley LiaoDragons have now become a legend for the world. After the occurrence of a crack in the surface of the Earth, scientists go to study it. Soon a group of kids discover the dragons are hiding and they decide to hide them.How sad it is that DreamWorks’ most quality franchise hit another low just when it had the chance to reach new heights.
- DirectorTony GilroyStarsJeremy RennerRachel WeiszEdward NortonAn expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films.There’s so much story and action, yet so little connection and focus.
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsHayden ChristensenSamuel L. JacksonJamie BellA young man with teleportation abilities suddenly finds himself in the middle of an ancient war between those like him and their sworn annihilators.No matter how many potential jumps Doug Liman took, it wasn’t enough to salvage this disappointingly rushed adaptation.
- DirectorChloé ZhaoStarsGemma ChanRichard MaddenAngelina JolieThe saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations.Never before had a Marvel movie in the MCU been so disappointing
- StarsAl MukadamDan ChameroySeán CullenAfter aliens kidnap all of Earth's adults, a ragtag group of kids join forces to get them back.What could’ve been a fun dystopian sci-fi cartoon turned into 64 episodes of frustrating comedy and abysmal animation.
- StarsKim Do-hyunFollow the journey of a young Tarbosaurus named Patch as he faces the challenges of growing up in what will one day become the Korean Peninsular.It has its great moments, but also its bad ones.
- DirectorMarshall Fels ElliottJohn C. DonkinStarsUtkarsh AmbudkarSean KeninJake GreenPossum brothers Crash and Eddie set out to find a place of their own. Together with the one-eyed weasel, Buck Wild, they face the dinosaurs who inhabit the Lost World.Disney had the chance to even slightly salvage this franchise, and all they did was sink it to an unimaginable low.
- DirectorJohane MatteFrancisco Ruiz-VelascoAndrew L. SchmidtStarsSteve AltermanKay BessBrian BlessedThe heroes from the Trollhunters series team-up on an epic adventure to fight the Arcane Order for control over the magic that binds them all.Its not a bad movie, it just had a unsatifactory ending.
- DirectorJon TurteltaubStarsNicolas CageDiane KrugerJustin BarthaBenjamin Gates must follow a clue left in John Wilkes Booth's diary to prove his ancestor's innocence in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.I love the premise of a family legacy tied to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and I love a search for a lost city of gold, but I didn't ask for both to be so awkwardly crammed into the same film.
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsChiwetel EjioforAnne HathawaySonicA couple attempts a high-risk, high-stakes jewelry heist at a department store.I’ve seen boring, but this dud from talented director Doug Liman makes boring sound incredible. As something released during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is just insulting.
- DirectorSherm CohenDave CunninghamStarsBill FagerbakkeDana SnyderCree SummerGrandPat travels through alternate dimensions and timelines to get home.Even with The Patrick Star Show thrown into the mix, this could've been amazing.
- CreatorKyle BradstreetStarsSamuel L. JacksonEmilia ClarkeDon CheadleFury and Talos try to stop the Skrulls who have infiltrated the highest spheres of the Marvel Universe.
- DirectorWill FinnJohn SanfordStarsJudi DenchCuba Gooding Jr.Jennifer TillyTo save their farm, the resident animals go bounty hunting for a notorious outlaw.
- DirectorMark DindalStarsZach BraffJoan CusackGarry MarshallAfter ruining his reputation with the town, a courageous chicken must come to the rescue of his fellow citizens when aliens start an invasion.
- DirectorSteve 'Spaz' WilliamsStarsKiefer SutherlandJim BelushiEddie IzzardAn adolescent lion is accidentally shipped from the New York Zoo to Africa. Now running free, his zoo pals must put aside their differences to help bring him back.
- DirectorKirk DeMiccoFaryn PearlStarsJane FondaLana CondorToni ColletteA shy adolescent learns that she comes from a fabled royal family of legendary sea krakens and that her destiny lies in the depths of the waters, which is bigger than she could have ever imagined.
- DirectorChris BuckFawn VeerasunthornStarsAriana DeBoseChris PineAlan TudykA young girl named Asha wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her.