10 Comic Book Movie Sequels That Tanked Harder Than Their Villains

Over the past few decades, comic book adaptations have dominated Hollywood, and often their sequels demonstrate a universal truth – what soars high must eventually fall. It’s striking how numerous series have experienced this pattern: a successful initial release followed by a sequel that underperformed critically. This trend isn’t confined to a single franchise, studio, or era. Sequels can be challenging to execute well, but there seems to be an extra dose of disillusionment associated with comic book adaptations. In many instances, the low points in these series are as notable as their high points.

Sequels can be financially beneficial for film studios and appealing to audiences, but they’re not always favored by writers, directors, and actors involved in movie-making. Creative individuals often view sequels with disdain, worrying about producing repetitive content continuously. This is one reason why many sequels have distinct creative teams from the original ones, which is a trend you will observe below. Nevertheless, it’s essential to note that attempting to recreate success can lead to numerous issues, regardless of who’s involved in the production process.

Read on for 10 of the worst comic book movie sequels of all time.

Thor: The Dark World

Nowadays, the second Thor film has become quite notorious – often jokingly referred to as one of the least favorite movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Interestingly, there are ardent supporters of Thor: The Dark World online who passionately defend it. This is typical, as extreme opinions always seem to draw those who take the opposite stance. I’ve ranked this movie at number 10 because, while it’s a step down from the original, the widespread criticism is often exaggerated.

While “The Dark World” can be enjoyed independently, it’s important to note that it was released at a time when Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans were recognizing its immense potential. Critics often point out that this movie feels like a dead end in the storyline due to its forgettable villain and ideas discarded in subsequent MCU films. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the film’s shortcomings without blaming it for the overall success of the MCU. In essence, the movie should be judged based on its own merits, not its impact on the broader universe.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

In the superhero realm, where Spider-Man is usually a reliable choice, it’s quite unexpected to find him on this list. However, despite the issues in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, such as questionable script decisions and excessive CGI, external factors appear to have significantly impacted its public reception. By 2014, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) had gained momentum, leading fans and critics to anticipate that this version of Spider-Man would run alongside the Avengers, but never intersect with them. Fortunately, this restriction was eventually lifted.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

In the list provided, numerous entries garnered dislike due to a perceived decline in quality compared to their forerunners. However, when it comes to the Fox Fantastic Four films, fans seem to have an equal level of disdain for both movies. Even though some critics noted that Rise of the Silver Surfer surpassed its predecessor, it wasn’t enough to sustain the narrative. Examining the criticism of these movies today offers intrigue, as many critics believed this was the pinnacle of comic book adaptation fidelity at the time. Yet, fans often argue differently, suggesting that the movie could have been more successful if it had depicted Galactus as he appeared in the comics instead.

Wonder Woman 1984

In the sequel to the DCEU’s Wonder Woman, there were numerous challenges that it chose to overlook, unfortunately without much success. The film demanded too much from its lead actress, who is not renowned for her emotive acting abilities. Most crucially, this movie attempted to advance several decades in time while retaining Steve Trevor, a character beloved by fans. This sudden leap left viewers feeling disconnected and detracted greatly from the overall experience.

Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that the movie “Wonder Woman 1984” was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it might have fared better in a different situation. While it’s not a terrible film, it may not have provided the sequel Diana required to establish herself as an iconic hero for the long haul.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Looking back now, it’s surprising that a sequel for Ghost Rider was made at all, especially since it came out in 2012. The second installment featuring Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze isn’t exactly enjoyable compared to others on the list; instead, it’s more heartbreaking. This is suggested by the extensive list of writers, indicating numerous revisions, which might explain the harsh criticism directed towards the script. It lacks both writers and directors from the original film, and even Cage himself has joked about it since its release. Interestingly, this was also the end of the partnership between Crank filmmakers Neveldine and Taylor, who went to great lengths to produce this underwhelming sequel.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

The two Shazam films from the DCEU have strong advocates on the internet, yet their financial performance indicates that these supporters are a small portion. Although many superhero enthusiasts express fatigue with repeated origin stories in movies, the Shazam series may have profited from this formula, while Fury of the Gods reveals its flaws more distinctly. To be fair, Black Adam also deserves this position, but it seems to be more of a spinoff than a direct sequel.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

Criticizing “The Quest for Peace” movie these days seems almost unfair, given the challenges it faced off-screen. It was held back by significant budget cuts, staff changes, and a multitude of individuals fighting for creative control. A prime example of its shortcomings can be seen in Superman Returns, which served as a sequel to Superman II but chose to disregard the events of Superman III, Supergirl, and The Quest for Peace. This summer, we’re eagerly awaiting the return of Superman to the big screen, hoping that he’ll have a smoother journey this time around.

Dark Phoenix

To put it frankly, many people find the X-Men films after a certain point to be questionable at best, but Dark Phoenix stands out as the most disliked among those produced during the prequel era. The series had previously attempted to adapt the Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix storyline, which led fans to expect a more faithful representation this time around. Regrettably, it was still as abridged and puzzling as before, merely featuring a new cast.

X-Men: The Last Stand

Indeed, not one but two versions of Dark Phoenix have been included on that list consecutively. The adaptation in The Last Stand unfortunately fell short of expectations when it came to portraying a beloved comic book plot. The storylines were hard to follow and left many puzzled. Despite having two previous movies as a foundation, the characters who were once adored were not given justice. Some of the plot twists in this movie have become infamous within the genre, and fans might now view the Golden Gate Bridge differently due to its role in those contrived storylines.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

It’s clear now that the DCEU had a rocky beginning, but at first, it didn’t feel as if things were going downhill so quickly. When Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was released, fans felt shocked and let down, much like being startled by a flashbang. This movie made many fans question whether DC could compete with Marvel on the big screen, and some still haven’t watched a new DC film since then.

Indeed, Dawn of Justice didn’t stand out as a surprise compared to Man of Steel; neither film is particularly well-likened today. Instead, this movie seems like the catastrophe that might have been avoided if a minor flaw had been detected earlier, similar to an oversight in measurements at the base of a construction project. Let’s hope the blueprint for the new DCU is robust enough to address such vulnerabilities.

2025-05-04 02:40