Top 5 Worst Superhero Movies

Yesterday we discussed the Top 5 Best Superhero Movies since 2000, which was a difficult thing to do. A much easier list to choose is the Top 5 Worst Superhero Movies, not because there have been a lot, but because some have been so terrible that they stick in the memory like a traumatic event. These movies share much in common with the best superhero movies, including corny dialogue, ridiculous costumes, and lame origin stories, but for whatever reason, these movies failed to get past these to become decent films.

5. The Punisher (2004) - Corny dialogue, cliched supporting characters, and a witch doctor made this movie something of a disappointment, though my expectations were not too high to begin with. You gotta give them props for originality, though. It's not too often you see a gay mobster.

4. Ghostrider (2007) - Ah, Nicolas Cage, the man whose CGI skeleton has as much acting depth as he does.... As with most of the films on this list, stilted, corny dialogue makes one cringe throughout the whole movie. Eva Mendes plays quite possibly the world's worst journalist, and the relationship between her and Cage is poorly developed. Throw in the random eyewitness who sounds like a crackpot even to the movie audience who knows of the existence of the Rider, and you have the makings of a terrible film.

3. Catwoman (2004) - Halle Berry plays basketball... that's all you need to know about this one. And what kind of superhero movie has an evil beautician as its villain?

2. Hulk (2003) - As with Catwoman, Hulk was hamstrung with a ridiculous nemeses. A pack of wild dogs (including a ferocious poodle!) and a man who can turn into whatever he touches just do not make compelling enemies. While the graphics were decent, the plot was so contrived as to make the movie unwatchable. It's not surprising Marvel decided to start over with the franchise.

1. Batman and Robin (1997) - Without a doubt, hands down the worst superhero movie in existence. This movie nearly spelled the death of the comic book movie genre, would put the Batman franchise in stasis for nearly a decade, and caused a "do-over" with the franchise. Where to start with this wreck? How about casting? First of all, the Governator should never be cast as a scientist. He was completely wrong for the part of Mr. Freeze. And George Clooney is easily the worst Batman to date. Then there was the way the movie turned Bane from one of the toughest, most threatening Batman villains into a brainless henchman. How about a little respect for the man who broke the Batman? Throw in the gratuitous closeups of anatomically-correct bat suits, and you've got a movie that stinks to high heaven.