MCU’s Five Worst Movies on Rotten Tomatoes; are They Worse Than We Remember?

by Josh Ramos · August 8, 2022

This year has represented a very inconsistent time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the process has yielded some of the biggest misses in the Studio’s 29 theatrical releases; with that in mind, we take a look back at the MCU’s five worst movies on Rotten Tomatoes, and as a very important question…

Are they worse than we remember them?

Iron Man 2

Photo: Marvel

This entry should really come as no surprise for fans, as it’s a film that may have truly been the first big miss in the Marvel Universes’ history; despite it featuring a character that is, to this day, one of the industry’s most beloved heroes.

The film sits at 72% fresh, and it truly is worse than a lot of people remember it being; all of Robert Downey Jr.’s otherworldly charisma isn’t enough to save this film that featured some horrendous casting choices for the villains, and a reminder that Starks MCU saga may have been Marvels poorest overall.

The Incredible Hulk

Liv Tyler and Ed Norton in The Incredible Hulk. Photo: Marvel

This is also a film that many would have probably assumed would be present on this list, and could drive some contention as it was not a Marvel Studios project, but does fall into the MCU category; therefore, must be included as one of the MCU’s five worst films.

Sitting at 67%, the movie features an early incarnation of the Bruce Banner that we know in the MCU, with Edward Norton helming this first version, and although the visual effects may have been poor at times, it ages fairly well; with the film really being a great adaptation of this highly underrated hero.

Thor: Love and Thunder

Source: Marvel Studios

Trust me when I say we were just as shocked as you, as this represents the most recent entry onto this list, and is one of the final outings for the MCU’s Phase Four slate; featuring the record-setting fourth solo film for the eponymous character.

The movie is currently at 66%, and its criticisms are well warranted; it is far too short, and its comedic commitment puts a sleeper hold on what is tremendously engrossing narrative moments that just can’t survive its breakneck speeds; well have to see how this ages, but it won’t be the last of Thor on this list.

Thor: The Dark World

Photo: Marvel

Told you it wouldn’t be his last entry on this list, as it was his second film that represented an all-time low for the character- and maybe even the studio- as they released this tremendously uninspired and directionless entry that represents everything wrong with pre-Waititi Thor.

The film is tied with Love and Thunder at 66%, but that feels like a gross miscalculation of just how odd The Dark World is; it’s a boring film, with very bland and two-dimensional characters despite a plethora of potential in the source material, and is only salvaged by great visual elements.

Eternals

Source: Marvel Studios

It is rather odd that the worst MCU film is the only one to be helmed by an Academy Award-winning director but there is no denying that Marvel’s most ambitious project is also one of their most inconsistent; but also may have been one of their most unfairly criticized

Although the film sports an abysmal 47%, it isn’t a bad movie by any means and is clearly better structural, and narratively, than films like Iron Man 2, and Thor: The Dark World; but it is also a film that requires repeat viewing, and doesn’t really stick the landing it attempts.