EW's 20 Worst Comic Book Movies Ever

[d.j.]

Does no one remember that the bat suit had nipples in Batman Forever, too? I'm just saying...

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20186843,00.html

[Ethan Van Sciver]

I actually liked The Phantom.

[CharleMurphy8311]

Everyone always says Daredevil was bad.

I actually kind of liked the theater version and the director's cut was even better.

[Albert]

I actually liked The Phantom.

SLAM EVIL!

[GelfXIII]

Bad list. There are some very good and even one or two great films in there.

I love TANKGIRL. Shaddup.

[Gordon Chumway]

Hey, the Punisher doesn't belong on that list, and Fantastic Four isn't horrible.

[(akaRyanHoffman)]

I actually liked The Phantom.

I liked it when I originally saw it. Then I watched it again last summer and came to the conclusion that it was pretty mediocre. Not nearly as bad as everybody seems to think it is.

Jeffery Boam (co-creator of Brisco County Jr.) wrote or co-wrote the screenplay.

[Shwicaz]

Barb Wire was fucking awesome.

[Sean Jackson]

I demand Howard the Duck on DVD.

[artimoff]

Why do I look at thses lists. They're always wrong.

I Love half of those movies. The Shadow & Tank Girl are in my top 10 comic movies ever. I even liked Judge Dredd.

[Shwicaz]

barbarella rocks my socks

[NickT]

I thought a bunch of them were good.

[GelfXIII]

I demand Howard the Duck on DVD.

Seconded!!

[modungo]

I actually liked The Phantom.

Me too. I can get on board for most of that list but The Phantom was a good time.

[Josh!]

I enjoyed Daredevil and The Phantom. Didn't love them, but enjoyed them.

The rest of the list? Yup.

[PatrickA]

I loved Swamp Thing when it came out.

[AndrewG]

I don't think The Phantom and Daredevil should be on the list. Better to sub in Superman III and Batman Forever, or even Elektra (which they mentioned during the Daredevil diss.

[nihilance]

I was happy to see DD, FF, and Punisher on there...but totally dismayed to see Howard the Duck.

[ZombieSpeedball]

I demand Howard the Duck on DVD.

I demand a new Howard the Duck movie to fit with the Marvel line.

[ZombieSpeedball]

Whoops, double post.

[modungo]

I don't think The Phantom and Daredevil should be on the list. Better to sub in Superman III and Batman Forever, or even Elektra (which they mentioned during the Daredevil diss.

Y'know, Superman III is a pretty bad Superman movie, but it's an all right Richard Pryor movie.

[Rafiennes]

I'm in the minority I guess -- I didn't mind FF. I thought it was an okay film, not what it could have been but not a series of missed opportunities of Daredevil proportions.

[bartleby]

Why do I look at thses lists. They're always wrong.


Are these lists wrong though? Or is it that some people are so taken with all movies based on comic books that they can't accept that movies like THE PUNISHER and GHOST RIDER and LXG and FROM HELL just aren't very good?

[d.j.]

I can't believe Captain America and his rubber ears didn't make the list. And I type this having liked it in my youth.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MG/196524~Captain-America-Posters.jpg

[Brian Defferding]

I enjoyed League of Extraordinary Gentlemen a lot, I thought it was a hell of a lot of fun. But then of course, I've never read the books.

I also liked The Punisher despite it not living up to its potential.

Surprised to see Ang Lee's Hulk not being on that list.

[CapnChaos]

Wait, where's the Hasselhoff Nick Fury? Surely that's worse than Daredevil.

[NickT]

Are these lists wrong though? Or is it that some people are so taken with all movies based on comic books that they can't accept that movies like THE PUNISHER and GHOST RIDER and LXG and FROM HELL just aren't very good?
Or more likely is it because it's one person's opinion, and no one has identical opinions.

[nihilance]

I can't believe Captain America and his rubber ears didn't make the list. And I type this having liked it in my youth.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MG/196524~Captain-America-Posters.jpg

Wasn't a theatrical release. Probably didn't make the cut because of that.

But there are plenty that should have been listed that aren't.

Elektra, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, Hulk, From Hell, Dick Tracy, Virus, TMNT 2&3, etc.

[Albert]

Liking a movie doesn't mean it's good.

[brianhalpin]

Does no one remember that the bat suit had nipples in Batman Forever, too? I'm just saying...


But that didn't have nearly as many up-close crotch shots.

[nihilance]

Wait, where's the Hasselhoff Nick Fury? Surely that's worse than Daredevil.

Not a theatrical release either.

[Money]

Are these lists wrong though? Or is it that some people are so taken with all movies based on comic books that they can't accept that movies like THE PUNISHER and GHOST RIDER and LXG and FROM HELL just aren't very good?

From Hell is a good movie.

[d.j.]

Wasn't a theatrical release. Probably didn't make the cut because of that.

But there are plenty that should have been listed that aren't.

Elektra, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon ??????, Hulk, From Hell, Dick Tracy, Virus, TMNT 2&3, etc.

Ah, right.. but you take back what you said about the cinematic glory that is Flash Gordon! You take that back RIGHT NOW!!! ... Okay, you don't have to take it back.

[Greenville 90210]

1) Ethan, your sig is too long. Hide that shit please.

2) I hate when people say "no pun intended" when what they wrote was clearly intentional (see Ghost Rider text)

[AndrewG]

Y'know, Superman III is a pretty bad Superman movie, but it's an all right Richard Pryor movie.

As a kid, I thought it was one of the greatest movies of all time...and funniest. I loved when the crosswalk figures started beating each other up. The movie made me want to check out Pryor's other films... some of which shocked the hell out of 10 year old me :)

[Albert]

From Hell is a good movie.

By what standards?

[Money]

By what standards?

By any standard. I never understood what people thought was wrong with it. The only thing I can think that is wrong is a poor casting choice of Heather Graham.

I thought it was well directed with good performances and an interesting plot. I've heard it's not the best adaptation but the movie itself is pretty solid.

[bartleby]

By what standards?

By the standard by which any movie starring Johnny Depp must be good (see also SECRET WINDOW, BLOW, and THE NINTH GATE.)

[NickT]

2) I hate when people say "no pun intended" when what they wrote was clearly intentional (see Ghost Rider text)

If no pun was intended, you wouldn't say no pun intended :)

[CharleMurphy8311]

I can't believe Captain America and his rubber ears didn't make the list. And I type this having liked it in my youth.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MG/196524~Captain-America-Posters.jpg

agreed.

[SteveFlack]

Anytime anyone agrees with me that Fantastic Four is a terrible film, I view it as a win.

Although, I must say, the only problem with The Shadow and The Phantom are that they aren't as good as they could be. One of these days, I'll finally get around to buying those on DVD, and having a The Shadow/The Phantom/The Rocketeer triple feature.

-Steve!

[Money]

By the standard by which any movie starring Johnny Depp must be good (see also SECRET WINDOW, BLOW, and THE NINTH GATE.)

Blow is a good movie.

[glk]

Everyone always says Daredevil was bad.

I actually kind of liked the theater version and the director's cut was even better.

I like Daredevil too. Doesn't deserve to be on this list. Elektra, uh, yeah... But not DD.

[CapnChaos]

Anytime anyone agrees with me that Fantastic Four is a terrible film, I view it as a win.

Although, I must say, the only problem with The Shadow and The Phantom are that they aren't as good as they could be. One of these days, I'll finally get around to buying those on DVD, and having a The Shadow/The Phantom/The Rocketeer triple feature.

-Steve!

Rocketeer is a great little flick. And not just because Jennifer Connelly is the most beautiful woman to ever appear on film in it.

[NickT]

Anytime anyone agrees with me that Fantastic Four is a terrible film, I view it as a win.

Although, I must say, the only problem with The Shadow and The Phantom are that they aren't as good as they could be. One of these days, I'll finally get around to buying those on DVD, and having a The Shadow/The Phantom/The Rocketeer triple feature.

-Steve!
Not seen Phantom, but agreed on Shadow.


And if you're going to do that, why not throw in Darkman?

[(akaRyanHoffman)]

Anytime anyone agrees with me that Fantastic Four is a terrible film, I view it as a win.

Although, I must say, the only problem with The Shadow and The Phantom are that they aren't as good as they could be. One of these days, I'll finally get around to buying those on DVD, and having a The Shadow/The Phantom/The Rocketeer triple feature.

-Steve!

I'd like to see The Rocketeer again. I think the only time I saw this was when it was at the theaters. I don't remember much about it.

[Money]

I'd like to see The Rocketeer again. I think the only time I saw this was when it was at the theaters. I don't remember much about it.

I just watched it again a few nights ago. It was pretty good.

[dasNdanger]

Yeah, I disagree with several on that list - Daredevil (director's cut was great), Punisher (it was pretty good), FF (quite entertaining), and Ghost Rider (yeah, I liked it!). The list is just too long, that's the problem - they should have done a top ten worst, and left it at that - but there aren't that many comic book movies out there anyway, so that list represents about a third of the comic book movies made.

das

[bartleby]

but there aren't that many comic book movies out there anyway, so that list represents about a third of the comic book movies made.

It's not Entertainment Weekly's fault that one-third of the comic book movies that get made are terrible.

[Joe Kalicki]

The Shadow is a great movie and anyone who says otherwise has brain problems.

And whoever said Dick Tracy has similar issues, since that movie ruled too.

I liked The Phantom a lot when I saw it at the show but I haven't seen it since.

Superman III is the best Superman movie.

[Money]

It's not Entertainment Weekly's fault that one-third of the comic book movies that get made are terrible.

Man i've only been here for a couple of weeks and I have never seen you post anything remotely nice or constructive.

[Matt C. Linton]

Seriously, where the hell is SPAWN on that list? And is SUPERMAN III really a better movie than FANTASTIC FOUR and DAREDEVIL?

[bartleby]

Man i've only been here for a couple of weeks and I have never seen you post anything remotely nice or constructive.

Two-thirds of the comic books movies that get made aren't terrible! :D

[Drkemerld73]

Ah, right.. but you take back what you said about the cinematic glory that is Flash Gordon! You take that back RIGHT NOW!!! ... Okay, you don't have to take it back.

Yes he does. :D


Rocketeer is a great little flick. And not just because Jennifer Connelly is the most beautiful woman to ever appear on film in it.

It very much is, and the beautiful Ms. Connelly looked AMAZING in that movie.

I really thought that The Shadow was a solid movie. I agree with others that it should not be on that list.

[Money]

Seriously, where the hell is SPAWN on that list? And is SUPERMAN III really a better movie than FANTASTIC FOUR and DAREDEVIL?

haha Spawn!! I saw that in theaters like a dope. It was awful. Blade Trinity was pretty bad too.

[Taxman]

I cannot believe that The Dawg is going to stand for the inclusion of Supergirl on this list.

[Joe Kalicki]

I saw Spawn at the show but they showed the reels out of order. We got free tickets for another movie because of it, but I wasted mine on Steel.

[Matt C. Linton]

I saw Spawn at the show but they showed the reels out of order. We got free tickets for another movie because of it, but I wasted mine on Steel.

Do we have a point and laugh smiley? :lol:

[Taxman]

Seriously, where the hell is SPAWN on that list? And is SUPERMAN III really a better movie than FANTASTIC FOUR and DAREDEVIL?Well, they have only one of the Batman films and no Electra. They may have decided to limit it to one spot per customer. Superman IV is definitely the worst of the series.

[Andrew]

By the standard by which any movie starring Johnny Depp must be good (see also SECRET WINDOW, BLOW, and THE NINTH GATE.)

The Ninth Gate is an excellent movie.

I've never seen Blow, but I'll grant you that Secret Window is pretty mediocre.

[GelfXIII]

By the standard by which any movie starring Johnny Depp must be good (see also SECRET WINDOW, BLOW, and THE NINTH GATE.)

I've always said that Depp has been IN bad movies, but he's never been bad in a movie.

[Andrew]

I've always said that Depp has been IN bad movies, but he's never been bad in a movie.

That's probably the best way to put it.

[InBendiswetrust]

The real shame is that there are 20 movies to make a countdown out of.

[Matt C. Linton]

Well, they have only one of the Batman films and no Electra. They may have decided to limit it to one spot per customer. Superman IV is definitely the worst of the series.

Elektra was listed as tied with Daredevil.

[Ed Brubaker]

Okay, most of these are awful films, but I don't think Sheena is a comic book movie, is it?

Also, The Phantom has some charm to it, somehow.

And Barbarella is actually a fucking great movie. So fuck them.

[Hopeless Dent]

That's the thing about lists...

You're never going to get a real concensus.

That said, I'm jumping on the FUCK THAT GUY DAREDEVIL RULES bandwagon.

[majorjoe23]

Okay, most of these are awful films, but I don't think Sheena is a comic book movie, is it?


It is, she was the first female comic character with her own title. Will Eisner created her.

[Taxman]

Elektra was listed as tied with Daredevil.Eh, missed that then.

[Caley Tibbittz]

Most of those are bad. But I liked Fantastic Four and The Shadow, and I thought Tom Sawyer was a great addition to the League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

[majorjoe23]

Most of those are bad. But I liked Fantastic Four and The Shadow, and I thought Tom Sawyer was a great addition to the League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Except Tom Sawyer would have been over 50 in 1899.

[The Robot Lord of Tokyo]

I might get roasted on this one but what about the Crow?

I loved the comic but movie never really captured the spirit of it and Brandon Lee was pretty uncharismatic. Yes, it's slightly interesting that Lee died during the making of it but it doesn't make up for the over-stylized fight scenes, the over exposure of Sara's character, the boring pace of the movie, or the spawning of thousands of goth kids dressing up as the Crow every Halloween.

I just feel the Crow was a poor movie that is very over-rated......

[Beazly]

The Shadow- Good
The Phantom- Good
Tank Girl- Great
Fantastic Four-Julian McMahon :drool:

That list isn't all that great.

[MAK15]

Hey, the Punisher doesn't belong on that list, and Fantastic Four isn't horrible.

yeah, I liked Punisher.
Phantom wasn't bad either.

[Taxman]

Except Tom Sawyer would have been over 50 in 1899.Hopefully his heretofore revealed ties to Dorian Grey will be revealed in the sequel.

[Mark Mavro (kryptic6)]

Everyone always says Daredevil was bad.

I actually kind of liked the theater version and the director's cut was even better.

It was a pretty good script with a few good shots here and there. Overall, it really needed some better direction and shot choices in many areas.

[Pat Shatner]

Where is Corman's Fantastic Four? Where the hell is the first Punisher movie, the Hasslehoff Nick Fury movie, the Generation X TV movie (ugh...), or Batman Forever? Why do these lists usually suck?

I mean, yeah, Elektra was horseshit along with Steel and Batman & Robin & Alicia Silverstone but Punisher, FF, Ghost Rider, and a few others there don't deserve to be on that list. They obviously weren't above average comic book movies, but they certainly weren't the worst comic book movies. This reads like a list put together by someone who read the wikipedia articles about the movies and their respective source materials, along with a few fanboyish internet posts like "omg Mark stepHen Johnson shoud be burned at the steak".

And I love Judge Dredd. That movie is hilarious.

[Caley Tibbittz]

Except Tom Sawyer would have been over 50 in 1899.
Eh, I still liked him there.

[Pat Shatner]

The Shadow- Good
The Phantom- Good
Tank Girl- Great
Fantastic Four-Julian McMahon :drool:

That list isn't all that great.

I'm sorry, but I think Tank Girl definitely belongs on that list. The only thing it provided was hot Lori Petty masturbation fodder for 13 year old comic book nerds.

Uh, so I hear.

[Gordon Chumway]

barbarella rocks my socks

Because you use your socks to catch?

[Taxman]

Where is Corman's Fantastic Four? Where the hell is the first Punisher movie, the Hasslehoff Nick Fury movie, the Generation X TV movie None of these received any sort of distribution.

[Andrew]

None of these received any sort of distribution.

Actually, the 1989 Punisher movie was released theatrically worldwide. It just didn't make it to theatres in the United States, for whatever reason.