8 Superhero Movies That Are Worse On A Rewatch

With superhero movies typically being released within a larger franchise, the stories can change over time, as new releases change how these characters are seen. Whether it be the DCEU, the MCU, or any other franchise or series, superhero and comic book movies generally exist inside a larger landscape.

For the most part, this tends to enhance the films that came before, giving more context to the heroes, and unfolding important character arcs. But, for one reason or another, there are a handful of superhero movies that have actually gotten worse since their big-screen debuts.

8

Suicide Squad Loses A Key Part Of Its Charm On A Rewatch

Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Captain Boomerang, and El Muerto ᴀssemble under the rain in David Ayer's Suicide Squad — Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Captain Boomerang, and El Muerto ᴀssemble under the rain in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad

When 2016s Suicide Squad came to theaters, it was exciting to see a comic book movie with the focus being shifted to less than honorable characters. However, mixed reviews and the awkward links to the DCEU lost the movie some of its charm.

However, there was still a lot to be praised, from the soundtrack, to the casting, and the exciting action. But when The Suicide Squad came out in 2021, as a sort of sequel/reboot, it further complicated things for the 2016 film.

The new release executed action better, had a more compelling plot, and generally performed to a much higher degree, gaining a far better response from critics and audiences alike. As a result, Suicide Squad feels like a worse attempt to tell a similar story.

7

Doctor Strange Feels Like It Exists In Another Dimension

Doctor Strange in the Dark Dimension in 2016's Doctor Strange — Doctor Strange in the Dark Dimension in 2016’s Doctor Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance as Doctor Stephen Strange in the MCU has been an important piece of the puzzle ever since he was introduced in 2016. However, many of his most significant storylines have happened in non-Doctor Strange projects.

Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame see Doctor Strange help save the universe, while Spider-Man: No Way Home sees him help Peter out of a tough situation. Even in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, his story largely takes a backseat while the character of Wanda Maximoff has her WandaVision narrative concluded.

With all of that in mind, it’s odd to look back at Strange’s debut film, and see how any of it mattered after the fact. The Baron Mordo plot, where Strange’s friend and mentor turns to the dark side, went nowhere, and his romance with Christine ends up going nowhere.

Doctor Strange is still a good movie, but it feels distant from the MCU, and Strange’s story feels like it’s less important than how he can benefit the other characters from the franchise.

6

Iron Man 3 Feels Like A Pointless Tony Stark Story

Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark looking serious in Iron Man 3 — Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark looking serious in Iron Man 3

Tony Stark is the core of the MCU throughout the Infinity Saga. With his debut movie launching the MCU back in 2008, Stark set the tone for everything that followed. And his story generally follows the pattern of the Infinity Saga, with the hero gaining confidence and helping to lead the Avengers.

Stark grows up a lot throughout the Infinity Saga, as he leaves his selfish ways in the past, and shifts his focus to his family and the world that he has the power to protect.

And then, finally, he commits the ultimate sacrifice to save the world in Avengers: Endgame when he snaps Thanos and his army away, resulting in Tony’s death due to the intense raw power of the Infinity Stones. But Iron Man 3 stands out as a weird middle point in his arc.

Tony develops anxiety following the events of The Avengers, which leads him to act rashly in Iron Man 3, inviting terrorists to attack his home address and put the people he loves in danger. Ultimately, this movie sees Tony overcome some of that anxiety, and destroy the dozens of suits he built out of anxiety.

But just two years later in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tony builds a new machine due to his anxiety, Ultron. This leads to yet another catastrophic fallout. But beyond that, it just feels like the Iron Man 3 story was pointless, because the same ground is retreaded later, and Tony continues building new suits.

5

Superman Returns Failed To Reignite The Magic Of Christopher Reeve’s Superman

Brandon Routh's Clark Kent wears glᴀsses in Superman Returns — Brandon Routh’s Clark Kent wears glᴀsses in Superman Returns

Christopher Reeve embodied the character of Superman in a way that completely redefined the hero for live-action. However, since then, it has been a monumental task to try and recreate the same magic with new actors, despite repeated attempts.

One of the first big pushes to bring the character back was Superman Returns, a movie that essentially rebooted the series and picks up five years after the events of Superman II. Brandon Routh has the right look for a Christopher Reeve replacement, but ultimately, the movie fell flat for various reasons.

But, as of 2025, with James Gunn’s Superman marking the start of the DCU on the big screen, it’s interesting to see the character depicted as an icon and symbol of hope and kindness once again. Which, unfortunately, has the side effect of making Superman Returns look a little worse than before.

4

2015’s Fantastic Four Feels Worse Knowing How It Ends

The Fantastic Four watching Doctor Doom's machine in 2015's Fantastic Four — The Fantastic Four watching Doctor Doom’s machine in 2015’s Fantastic Four

Reboots in general tend to be hit or miss. Especially when they come just a few years after the previous iteration. And with that, making a new Fantastic Four story in 2015, ten years after a relatively popular iteration, felt like an uphill climb.

Fant4stic attempted to differentiate itself by focusing on a much younger version of the team, and using improved CGI from the 10 years since the original release. However, with the movie essentially acting as an origin story, it never properly sees the heroes form a team until the end.

And since no sequel was made, and a new reboot was made for the MCU, it’s clear that these heroes’ stories are unlikely to ever have a satisfying conclusion.

3

Catwoman’s Flaws Stand Out More On A Rewatch

Halle Berry in a Cat Mask in Catwoman 2004

When Halle Berry was cast in the leading role in 2004’s Catwoman, there was some hope that this popular actress, who had already cemented a career in comic book movies through her role as Storm in the X-Men films, would be able to adapt the DC character with equal effectiveness.

However, when the movie came out, it was confusing, and seemed to struggle to capture the idea of the character, while also trying to reinvent the story for the big screen. It was ambitious, and certainly creative, but it wasn’t exactly good.

And unfortunately, with each rewatch, it just becomes clearer and clearer how bad this movie actually is. It’s a shame, because there was so much potential, but it ultimately went nowhere.

2

Black Adam Becomes An Empty Promise For A DCEU Future That Never Happened

Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam sitting on his throne in Black Adam

Speaking of movies with enormous promise that went nowhere, Black Adam is perhaps the most upsetting example from the DCEU. After years of floundering and struggling to find a direction, and a tenuous connection to a foundational DC hero, Superman, Black Adam promised to be the spark to reignite the franchise.

With Dwayne Johnson leading the marketing, and pushing in no uncertain terms that this was a new beginning for the DCEU, excitement around the project piqued. And with its release, the introduction of the Justice Society, and the reappearance of Henry Cavill’s Superman all appeared promising.

However, despite announcements confirming a future for the DCEU with Cavill back for good, the DCEU was retired soon after, with James Gunn’s DCU announced to replace the entire universe and move in a new direction. As a result, Black Adam’s many promises became null and void.

1

Joker Was Nearly Flawless Until The Sequel Changed Everything

Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in full clown make-up in Joker

Todd Phillips created a truly groundbreaking story in Joker, with an original story designed for an iconic character, as Arthur Fleck slowly becomes ever more corrupted by the city of Gotham, and the cruelty of the people who live there.

The movie was a masterpiece, and as a self-contained story, it felt like an incredible insight into one of DC’s most popular villains. However, when the sequel came out, Joker: Folie à Deux, things felt drastically different.

Arthur Fleck is revealed to not be the Joker, and he admits to making up a character to excuse his crimes. And beyond that, the character is killed, while the murderer cuts his mouth open in a way that suggests that he is the same version of the Joker played by Heath Ledger.

It’s a baffling end to the narrative that was so masterfully crafted, and it feels as though everything that the original film set out to establish was overwritten. Along with the other тιтles listed here, it’s a hard superhero movie to revisit, because it just doesn’t have the same effect anymore.