Marvel Comics has given us countless memorable characters and stories over the years, but not all of their cinematic adaptations have hit the mark. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been largely successful, there have been several films outside of the franchise that have fallen flat.
In this article, we’ll explore the 13 lowest-ranked Marvel movies on Rotten Tomatoes, shedding light on the films that didn’t quite live up to expectations.
#13. Venom (2018) – 30%
In the 13th spot, we have Sony’s “Venom” from 2018. Starring Tom Hardy, this movie took a different approach by focusing on the classic Spidey villain as an anti-hero. Unfortunately, the film received mixed reviews from critics, scoring only 30% on Rotten Tomatoes. Surprisingly, though, the audience response was more positive, with an 80% approval rating.
#12. The Punisher (2004) – 29%
Moving on to number 12, we have the 2004 adaptation of “The Punisher” starring Thomas Jane and John Travolta. While the film has gained a cult following over the years, critics were not kind to this R-rated Marvel flick, giving it a meager 29% rating. The audience score was slightly better at 63%, but it still fell short of being a fan favorite.
#11. Punisher: War Zone (2008) – 29%
At number 11, we have “Punisher: War Zone” from 2008. This film, starring Ray Stevenson, was a reboot rather than a direct sequel to the 2004 Punisher movie. Unfortunately, it failed to impress critics, matching its predecessor with a 29% rating. The audience score for this film was even lower at 42%.
#10. Fantastic Four (2005) – 28%
Coming in at number 10 is “Fantastic Four” from 2005. This film, directed by Tim Story and featuring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, marked the first major theatrical release of Marvel’s first family. However, despite a talented cast, the movie received harsh criticism, earning a rough 28% approval rating from critics.
#9. Ghost Rider (2007) – 27%
Taking the ninth spot is “Ghost Rider” from 2007, starring Nicolas Cage. This supernatural superhero film, based on the Marvel character, received lackluster reviews from critics, with only 27% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the negative reception, the film managed to garner a significant fan base.
#8. The Punisher (1989) – 25%
At number 8, we have the 1989 adaptation of “The Punisher” starring Dolph Lundgren. Although this action flick never received a wide theatrical release in the US, it failed to impress critics, earning a low 25% rating. Even the audience score of 33% couldn’t salvage its reputation.
#7. Blade: Trinity (2004) – 24%
The third and final installment of the original “Blade” series takes the seventh spot on our list. “Blade: Trinity,” released in 2004 and starring Wesley Snipes, received negative reviews from critics, with a disappointing 24% rating. While the audience score fared slightly better at 58%, it wasn’t enough to salvage the film’s reputation.
#6. Dark Phoenix (2019) – 22%
Number 6 on our list is “Dark Phoenix” from 2019, the final installment in the X-Men franchise produced by 20th Century Fox. Despite the success of earlier X-Men films, this one failed to impress both critics and audiences alike, earning a meager 22% rating. It was considered the weakest entry in the series.
#5. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012) – 19%
Returning to the “Ghost Rider” series, we have “Spirit of Vengeance” in the fifth spot. Released in 2012, this sequel failed to improve upon its predecessor, receiving a dismal 19% rating. Even the audience score of 31% reflected the disappointment of many viewers.
#4. Morbius (2022) – 16%
One of the most recent entries on our list, “Morbius” from 2022, takes the fourth spot. This film, part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, received scathing reviews from critics, with a mere 16% rating. However, the audience score of 71% shows that some viewers found enjoyment in this polarizing movie.
#3. Howard the Duck (1986) – 14%
At number 3, we have a movie that lives in infamy, “Howard the Duck” from 1986. Produced by Lucasfilm, this adult-oriented comedy failed to connect with audiences and critics alike, earning a paltry 14% rating. Despite the character’s appearances in the MCU, it’s unlikely we’ll see a solo Howard the Duck movie again.
#2. Elektra (2005) – 11%
Taking the penultimate spot on our list is “Elektra” from 2005. A spin-off from the poorly received “Daredevil” film, this Jennifer Garner-led movie was considered even worse by critics, with a shockingly bad 11% rating. Garner’s performance was one of the few elements that received slight praise in an otherwise dismal film.
#1. Fantastic Four (2015) – 9%
Finally, we arrive at the lowest-rated Marvel movie on our list: “Fantastic Four” from 2015. This film, plagued by behind-the-scenes issues, was a critical and commercial failure, earning a dismal 9% rating. Despite a talented cast, the movie’s execution fell far short of expectations.
These lowest-ranked Marvel movies on Rotten Tomatoes provide a glimpse into the missteps that have occurred in Marvel’s cinematic history. These films, mostly from the 2000s and 2010s, struggled to meet the ever-increasing standards set by the genre.
While some received higher audience scores, indicating moderate enjoyment, most of them failed to impress both fans and critics. However, it’s important to remember that even with these low-rated films, Marvel‘s overall success in the superhero genre remains undeniable.