The Most DISAPPOINTING FILMS of 2024

Before we invite you to explore the ranking, we kindly remind you that this is about disappointments, not the worst films of the past year in our opinion. It’s an important distinction worth keeping in mind as you go through the list below.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

10. “Lee“

The film lacked heart and an authentic, unembellished portrayal of its story. Compared to recent works like Alex Garland’s Civil War, Lee falls flat and lands in the drawer of sentimental, forgettable titles. It’s a shame—so much incredible talent, so much potential, and an iconic woman deserving far more than another formulaic biopic. Did Kate Winslet manage to dominate the screen? Unfortunately, given the shallow and overly drawn-out script she had to work with, she didn’t have much choice.

9. “Argylle“

At one time, Matthew Vaughn brought a breath of fresh air to mainstream cinema with films like Kingsman and X-Men: First Class, proving blockbusters could feature lightheartedness while still respecting their genre roots. Sadly, Vaughn’s later works have leaned toward uninspired rehashes, prioritizing style over substance. Argylle is the culmination of this decline. Initially, it promised a clever deconstruction of spy films, but it ultimately became exactly what it sought to critique. This is particularly frustrating given the brilliant premise: Elly Conway, the real-life author of the book Argylle, is woven into the film’s narrative. Such a unique setup could have gone in countless exciting directions, yet the creators chose to fill it with plot twists devoid of emotional depth or relatable characters.

8. “Minghun”

It’s hard to criticize films that are so personal and significant to their creators. Perhaps the desire to create a cinematic tribute to a departed loved one led to Minghun feeling chaotic, unstructured, and inconsistent. Director Jan Matuszyński aimed to craft a touching elegy punctuated with humor, but the humor often felt lowbrow. The film also suffers from absurd, inexplicable moments. Even Marcin Dorociński’s typically stellar performance couldn’t elevate this work beyond mediocrity.

7. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice“

The sequel to Beetlejuice will never achieve the iconic status of the 1988 original, though it might satisfy longtime fans and younger audiences unfamiliar with Tim Burton’s classic. Audiovisually, it’s entertaining, but unlike Top Gun: Maverick, another sequel to an ’80s hit, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice doesn’t enrich or meaningfully expand upon the original story. Instead, it’s a fun nostalgia trip, enjoyable for fans of Jenna Ortega, but ultimately just another well-produced movie.

6. “Alien: Romulus“

Calling Alien: Romulus the best entry in the franchise since Aliens feels like a joke or clickbait. Director Fede Álvarez may have avoided the over-intellectualization of Ridley Scott’s prequels, but he sacrificed suspense and mystery in the process. The film simply ticks off fan-service moments from the franchise’s checklist, like the impressive opening sequence, without building genuine tension or intrigue.

5. “Gladiator II“

Much of Gladiator II feels disorienting, lacking stakes, dramatic tension, or a clear narrative direction. The arena battles at the Colosseum—though visually stunning—are mere spectacles rather than vehicles for advancing character conflicts or alliances. Instead, the film leans heavily on CGI to create a “wow” factor, but such shortcuts fail to create a lasting mythos.

4. “Megalopolis“

Francis Ford Coppola’s long-awaited Megalopolis showcases his unrestrained artistic eccentricity. While it’s commendable that he finally brought this ambitious project to fruition, the result feels like a personal indulgence. The film’s Roman Empire-inspired concept is intriguing, but the execution comes across as a chaotic blend of unpolished performances and over-the-top dramatics. Even with its flaws, you can sense Coppola’s full commitment to his vision. At this point in his career, perhaps that’s all that matters to him.

3. “MaXXXine“

MaXXXine suffers from tonal inconsistencies, swinging between genuine drama and absurd slapstick. While it follows the stylistic approach of its predecessors (X and Pearl), it falls victim to the “third-film syndrome,” where the formula begins to feel exhausted. Not even another stellar lead performance could salvage this entry.

2. “Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga“

This film runs at breakneck speed, delivering explosive entertainment in true Mad Max fashion. However, the slow-paced, visually underwhelming first hour drags down the overall experience. These early sequences feel rushed and unfinished, akin to a student project. While the latter portions make up for this with high-octane action, the clunky opening prevents the film from reaching its full potential.

1. “Joker: Folie à Deux“

This sequel lacks cohesion and a clear narrative thread. Instead of focusing on the protagonist’s emotions and internal struggles, the director went overboard with stylistic gimmicks, losing sight of the story’s essence. While the first Joker had a tight, purposeful structure, Folie à Deux is bloated with unnecessary scenes. The much-hyped musical interludes, rather than enhancing the story, feel out of place and detract from the film’s impact.