From overhyped blockbusters that crashed and burned at the box office to critically panned adaptations that missed the mark, these films serve as cautionary tales for moviegoers everywhere. In this article, we look back at the biggest failures in film this year, highlighting what went wrong and why you might want to think twice before watching them. If you're seeking to avoid the cinematic misfires of 2024, read on for our top picks of what NOT to watch this year.
The Crow
The long-awaited remake of the tragically famous 1994 film (during which the lead actor, Brandon Lee, lost his life) faced challenges from the very beginning. The idea for the reboot emerged back in 2008, with director Stephen Norrington, known for "Blade," originally slated to direct. Over the years, the project changed hands several times between different directors and lead actors (at various points, Bradley Cooper, Luke Evans, and Mark Wahlberg were all attached to play Eric Draven). Finally, in 2022, filming commenced under director Rupert Sanders (who previously directed "Snow White and the Huntsman"), with Bill Skarsgård and singer FKA twigs in the lead roles.
However, the new version of the tale about a hero returning from the dead to avenge his slain love faltered at the box office, grossing half of its budget. Critics pointed to a lack of chemistry between the characters and an overly sterile depiction of the director's imagined world.
Gladiator 2
Ridley Scott planned to make a sequel to the iconic Oscar-winning film from 2000 almost immediately after its release—first news of this emerged as early as 2001. However, the script underwent numerous rewrites, and the director became involved with other projects. In 2021, Scott announced that he would return to his long-cherished idea after finishing "Napoleon."
Unfortunately, the film received predominantly negative reviews. The plot of "Gladiator 2" is fundamentally not different from the original—it still tells the story of a prisoner battling against tyranny. The distinction is that there are now two heroes representing Maximus: Lucius, who seeks revenge for his wife's murder, and general Acacius, weary of the emperors' tyranny. Despite epic battle scenes, stylish visuals, and stellar performances by Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, the film feels like an imitation.
Joker: Madness for Two
The long-anticipated sequel to Todd Phillips' sensational film unfortunately did not meet fan expectations. The sequel primarily takes place within the walls of Arkham Asylum, where Arthur Fleck awaits his trial. There, he meets another patient, Harleen Quinzel, who gradually becomes obsessed with him.
The radical decision to transform the dark psychological thriller into a musical was met with mixed reactions. Many noted the awkwardness of the musical numbers, as well as a sluggish plot that failed to hold attention. Critics also felt that Lady Gaga's acting talent was not fully showcased in the film—she simply had little to work with. As a result, due to low box office earnings, the film was released for digital viewing much earlier than planned.
Borderlands
Adapting video games for the screen is a risky endeavor that often results in failure (though there have been recent exceptions like "The Last of Us" and "Fallout"). Unfortunately, "Borderlands" was not one of those exceptions. The film is based on the titular game series and follows the mercenary Lilith, who is tasked with rescuing Tina, the daughter of a powerful businessman. However, upon arriving, Lilith discovers that Tina is not actually being held captive; rather, she is content to remain with her captors.
With a budget of $120 million, the film barely managed to gross over thirty million at the box office. Critics lambasted the film for its poor adaptation of the original storyline, lackluster characters, and subpar quality of action scenes and special effects.
