2024's most disappointing films aren't necessarily the worst – they're movies that showed promise but failed to deliver on their potential. Here are the seven films that fell short of expectations this year:

7. Trap M. Night Shyamalan's latest thriller wastes an intriguing premise and Josh Hartnett's strong performance. Despite featuring a serial killer father trapped at a concert with his daughter, the film suffers from implausible plotting and unrealistic character behavior. Even casting Shyamalan's daughter as the concert's headliner feels like a misstep.

8. Argylle Matthew Vaughn's star-studded action-comedy fails to capture the magic of his earlier works like X-Men: First Class or Kingsman. Despite featuring Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, and Henry Cavill, the film's convoluted plot twists and recycled elements make it feel stale and contrived.

9. Hellboy: The Crooked Man This direct-to-video adaptation disappoints on every level, despite a $20 million budget and involvement from Hellboy creator Mike Mignola. Poor direction, inexplicably blurry scenes, and a lackluster script make this a significant downgrade from previous Hellboy adaptations.

10. Drive-Away Dolls Ethan Coen's solo directorial effort proves that one Coen brother isn't as effective as two. While Margaret Qualley delivers a strong performance, this lesbian road trip comedy with crime elements lacks the polish and charm of the siblings' collaborative work.

11. Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 Kevin Costner's ambitious Western epic stumbles with a bloated script and too many underdeveloped characters. Despite his success with Dances with Wolves, this first installment of a planned four-part saga fails to engage, leaving the future of the series in question.

12. Joker: Folie à Deux The sequel to 2019's successful Joker alienates fans with unexpected musical elements and an unsatisfying ending. Despite starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film fails to maintain the goodwill generated by its predecessor.

13. Megalopolis Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited passion project proves to be 2024's biggest disappointment. Despite the director's legendary status and a stellar cast, this ambitious sci-fi drama delivers a nonsensical story with overacted performances and confused metaphors about America's decline. While undeniably unique, it fails to justify its 40-year development and substantial personal investment from Coppola.

Related Articles

Previous Articles