EJ Moreno looks at the best of the worst superhero movies…
Welcome to a collection of comic book films that are so deliriously overwrought that they swing back around to being watchable joys. Yes, we’re looking at the superhero movies that are “so bad, it’s good.”
Not everyone will agree with this collection of films, with most claiming these are outright bad projects. That’s perfectly fine, but we’re here to spotlight films overlooked, misunderstood, or just so bad that they become undercover masterpieces.
The only requirement for this list is that the films must be Rotten on Rotten Tomatoes. While the aggregator site may not be the end-all and end-all of opinions, it’s a good indicator if a movie didn’t reach its target demographic or just feels too messy for the average critic to enjoy.
Check out our complete list below…
Honorable Mentions:
- Jonah Hex
- Blade: Trinity
- Ghost Rider
Madame Web
With this being the most recent entry on the list, the lasting power of the “so bad it’s good” status has yet to be cemented. But there’s something instantly camp classic about Madame Web that’s not easy to claim.
That unexplainable quality is found in each of these entries, mostly stemming from something outlandish that attracts fans of camp and absurdity. Madame Web has that earnest charm of really trying to make a different type of superhero movie and eventually landing on madness.
No one delivers hilariously stiff and dry dialogue like Dakota Johnson, and its sheer unwillingness to stick to any comic book material is admirable. They set out to make their own thing, and that’s hard to do.
Batman & Robin
Batman & Robin is one of the OGs of bad comic book movies. To take Batman back to a more marketable route after some darker days, they went for camp insanity, ending up with a great homage to Batman ’66.
The film was received poorly then, halting any Batman film until 2005. In the following years, though, fans embraced the wild stylings of Batman & Robin. From its over-the-top villain performances to the colorful aesthetic, it captured the hearts of so many weirdos.
George Clooney was even welcomed back into the DC Universe with 2023’s The Flash, making a cameo and introducing fans to a Bruce Wayne many forgot. If you haven’t seen this before, journey back to this madness.
Daredevil (2003)
Going back to the early ’00s, the state of superhero movies was a bit rougher than they are now. Before the MCU gave folks a formula to copy, everyone tried something different, and that’s how we got Daredevil.
2003’s attempt to bring the blind superhero to cinemas was rough, with Ben Affleck not understanding the assignment and everyone else playing the film with a level of cheeky wildness. Throw in some nu-metal and wild slow-motion action scenes, and you get a great lousy watch.
Netflix (and soon the MCU) revitalized the character, but this was the only Daredevil attempt for a whole generation, and it made quite an impression on some of us. Let’s not talk about its Elektra-focused spin-off, though.
Catwoman
If this year’s Madame Web had a comic book movie sibling, it would be 2004’s Catwoman. The two go hand-in-hand, from its wacky visuals to its strong leading lady’s dry performance.
Catwoman saw Halle Berry at the height of their career, jumped into the superhero genre, and gave us a memorable Razzie-winning role. By ignoring source material and doing its own thing, Catwoman thought it was making the wiser move, but it only allowed for further disconnect.
Who was this movie for then if it wasn’t for comic fans? Well, given its camptastic tone, the LGBTQ+ community adopted this and made it one of those infamous films that live on. At least this cat found a home.
Howard The Duck
The oldest movie on this list is also Marvel’s first attempt at feature filmmaking. It was a rough start for the brand that has now dominated pop culture, but goodness if Howard The Duck isn’t a fun watch.
In all honesty, at the time of its release, I don’t know how else they could’ve or would’ve made a Howard The Duck movie. It’s so remarkably 80s and kitschy, which also fits the character’s tone. It’s a little too Back to the Future for my liking, but it’s still a fun little watch.
Seeing how the character popped up in the MCU with almost no charm, it’s interesting to look back at a time before everything was taken too seriously and comic book movies were allowed to be goofy.
Spawn
As the only film outside of the Marvel and DC world, Spawn didn’t come with much fanfare and never clicked the mainstream, but those who love the character had quite the time with this.
For better or worse, this feels like the most Spawn-accurate movie we’d ever get. Todd McFarlane’s work best suits the 90s, and the casting of Michael Jai White is perfection. Limited by rough VFX and a weak script, it still captures much of what we love about the character.
Suppose we were to revisit Spawn with a big-budget studio remake. In that case, the people returning to this original outing and claiming it as the superior rendition will likely drive us longtime fans a bit mad.
Fantastic Four (2005)
As we approach the MCU debut of Fantastic Four, the revisionist history around the 2005 film has begun. Many claim to think this was top-tier, but where were they then?
No one seemed to get this film, especially looking at the Rotten Tomatoes score. Still, there was a small group singing the praises of this charming movie. 2005’s Fantastic Four is actually trying, which sounds condescending, but it felt like the filmmakers and actors wanted to nail it.
There’s a slight Christopher Reeve-era throwback feel, and the casting feels nearly perfect. Fantastic Four is praisable and even seems into the rare “this is a good 2000s comic book movie” tier.
Suicide Squad (2016)
It’s hard to explain why this one works for me and for a collection of fans who still crave the mysterious Ayer Cut. A few things come to mind, but I fall on “it’s fun.” There’s a joy in this bleak madness.
Yes, fun doesn’t mean slapstick-style gags or a bright aesthetic; a comic book fan can have fun within a gritty and dark world. In all honesty, that feels like the pitch of this movie. A group of bandits proves that something terrible can have good moments, and the good moments really work.
With a better edit, we’d probably fall into something far too serious, but the music video editing mixed with some outlandish characters makes it hit those “so bad, it’s good” qualities.
Be sure to let us know your favorite bad comic book movies by reaching out to @FlickeringMyth via our social channels…
EJ Moreno
