Back in 2019, not much was expected from Todd Phillips’ Joker. Yet, the standalone movie set in an alternative timeline of the DC Universe somehow found its way to the top of a billion-dollar box-office pile. Wanting to recreate the same success, the Joker sequel, titled Joker: Folie à Deux (meaning "delusion or mental illness shared by two people in close association"), was released with Lady Gaga joining the cast in the musical drama. Sadly though, the reviews haven’t been kind, with the sequel scoring just 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. Ahead of its release, here are five superhero movies and sequels that met the same disappointing fate. 

The Flash (2023) 

There were many questions raised before the release of Ezra Miller’s Flash standalone movie, but the prevailing one after watching the movie was perhaps, “What was that?” Despite Michael Keaton’s best attempt, the movie devolved into something bizarre and a clusterfuck of messy CGI. Let’s not even talk about AI Nicholas Cage fighting a giant CGI spider. 

Rotten Tomatoes: 63% 

IMDb: 6.6 

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) 

If Wonder Woman (2017) was a shining lasso of hope, Wonder Woman 1984 felt like tripping on the said lasso. Directed by Patty Jenkins, 1984 was supposed to ride the wave of its predecessor's success, but instead, it crash-landed somewhere between the worst '80s clichés and a storyline that had us wondering, "Wait, did we just watch a movie about body-swapping ethics?" Sure, Gal Gadot was dazzling as always, but even her star power couldn’t save a plot that felt like someone wished for a redo halfway through. Plus, the CGI? Let's just say even the Amazonian gods couldn’t bless that mess. 

Rotten Tomatoes: 58% 

IMDb: 5.4 

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) 

This was supposed to be the ultimate DC showdown—Batman! Superman! Together on screen! And yet, somehow, it ended up feeling more like Lex Luthor v Audience's Patience. Zack Snyder’s visually dark, CGI-heavy spectacle left people wondering why Jesse Eisenberg was doing a Joker impression as Lex Luthor. Even the infamous "Martha" scene couldn’t save this film from collapsing under its own weight. Sure, it made money, but with a second-week drop that would make even Superman’s jaw drop, it wasn’t the heroic launch the DCEU had hoped for. 

Rotten Tomatoes: 29% 

IMDb: 6.4 

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) 

After Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi had everyone expecting another hilarious, action-packed ride. But what we got with Thor: Love and Thunder was more like a ride on a malfunctioning theme park attraction. Christian Bale was great (as he usually is) as Gorr the God Butcher, but even he couldn’t slice through the absurdly uneven tone and cringey humour. Was it a rom-com? A space odyssey? Who knows. By the time the credits rolled, many fans were left asking, “Wait, that was the movie?” 

Rotten Tomatoes: 64% 
IMDb: 6.3 

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) 

Christopher Nolan tried to follow up The Dark Knight with an epic finale, but instead gave us a movie that sometimes felt like it was trying too hard to be, well, epic. Sure, there were jaw-dropping moments, but Bane's muffled voice and a plot that stretched credibility thinner than Bruce Wayne's back after Bane broke it didn’t quite hit the mark. Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman had her moments, but ultimately, it didn’t live up to its predecessor. The best thing about it? At least it was better than most of the DCEU offerings that came later. 

Rotten Tomatoes: 87% 
IMDb: 8.4