The Most Overrated Marvel Movie, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the movie you think is the most overrated!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:28

Marvel movies, with their captivating visuals and complex characters, have a vast fan base. Sometimes, the popularity of certain titles can spark debate about whether these films meet the expectations set by their predecessors or the standards of the cinematic world. Identifying which of these are considered overrated involves gathering diverse opinions to see which films perhaps received more acclaim than they deserved. This dynamic voting system allows fans to cast their votes on which Marvel movies they feel are overrated, creating a unique crowd-sourced ranking. Every vote contributes to a real-time list that reflects the current majority view. Participating not only adds your voice to the crowd but also lets you see how your opinions stack up against those of other movie buffs.

What Is the Most Overrated Marvel Movie?

1

57
votes
Avengers

Age of Ultron - While this film had some great action scenes and brought together a lot of beloved characters, it ultimately failed to live up to the hype and felt cluttered and convoluted.
The Avengers is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It brings together a group of iconic Marvel superheroes to save the world from a powerful threat. The movie is action-packed and showcases the individuals' unique powers and personalities as they work together to combat evil.

Release Year: 2012

Running Time: 143 minutes

Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure

Main Characters: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Loki

Box Office: $1.518 billion
2

51
votes
Iron Man 3

Shane Black

Many fans were disappointed with the direction this film took, particularly with the Mandarin twist. It lacked the charm and wit of the first two Iron Man films.
Iron Man 3 is a superhero film released in 2013 as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is the third standalone movie in the Iron Man franchise and follows Tony Stark's journey after the events of The Avengers. The film primarily focuses on his battle with the Mandarin, a powerful terrorist leader.

Release Date: May 3, 2013

Director: Shane Black

Screenplay: Drew Pearce and Shane Black

Running Time: 130 minutes

Budget: $200 million
Iron Man 3 in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most overrated MCU movie
3

23
votes
Captain Marvel

While this film had its moments, it was ultimately forgettable and lacked the depth and complexity of other Marvel films. The character of Captain Marvel also felt underdeveloped.
Captain Marvel is a superhero film released in 2019 as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It follows the story of Carol Danvers, a former U.S. Air Force pilot who becomes the powerful Captain Marvel after being exposed to alien technology. Set in the 1990s, the film explores Carol's journey to uncover her past and confront a galactic war between two alien races.

Release Date: March 8, 2019

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Screenplay: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Geneva Robertson-Dworet

Main Actress: Brie Larson

Main Actor: Samuel L. Jackson
Captain Marvel in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most beautiful superhero
- Position 4 of 10 in Most overrated MCU movie
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous captain
4

14
votes
Thor

The Dark World - This film was criticized for its lack of originality and weak villain. It also failed to advance the character of Thor in any meaningful way.
Thor is a stunning Siberian Husky known for its striking appearance and strong physique. Its beautiful blue eyes, dense double coat, and erect ears are what make Thor stand out among other Huskies. This majestic breed exudes confidence and has an aura of power and grace. With a regal and dignified demeanor, Thor captures the attention and admiration of all who come across it.

Size: Medium to large

Height: 20-23.5 inches (51-60 cm)

Weight: 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg)

Coat: Thick double coat with varied colors

Eyes: Blue, sometimes with heterochromia
5

9
votes
Ant-Man and the Wasp

Peyton Reed

While this film had some fun moments, it felt like a rehash of the first Ant-Man film and didn't bring anything new to the table.
Ant-Man and the Wasp is a superhero film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It serves as a sequel to the 2015 film Ant-Man and follows the adventures of Scott Lang, who becomes the superhero Ant-Man, and Hope van Dyne, who becomes the Wasp. The movie revolves around their mission to rescue Janet van Dyne from the quantum realm while dealing with a new enemy called Ghost.

Release Date: June 29, 2018

Running Time: 118 minutes

Budget: $162–195 million

Box Office: $622.7 million

Genre: Superhero/Action
Ant-Man and the Wasp in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most overrated MCU movie
6

14
votes
Spider-Man: Homecoming

While this film was well-received, some fans felt that it was too focused on the high school aspect of Peter Parker's life and lacked the scope and grandeur of other Marvel films.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is a superhero film that follows the story of Peter Parker, a high school student who gains spider-like abilities and becomes the heroic Spider-Man. The movie revolves around his struggles with balancing his ordinary life with his responsibilities as a crime-fighting vigilante.

Release Date: July 7, 2017

Running Time: 133 minutes

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Main Cast: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr.

Box Office: $880.2 million
Spider-Man: Homecoming in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most overrated MCU movie
7

5
votes
Doctor Strange

Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

While this film had some stunning visual effects, it was criticized for its weak villain and lack of character development.
Doctor Strange is a fictional superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, Doctor Strange first appeared in Strange Tales #110 in 1963. He is a brilliant but egotistical neurosurgeon who seeks enlightenment after a car accident leaves him unable to continue his surgical career. Through a series of events, he becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats.

Real Name: Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange

First Appearance: Strange Tales #110 (1963)

Alias: Sorcerer Supreme

Abilities: Mastery of mystic arts, astral projection, teleportation, dimensional manipulation

Weapons: The Eye of Agamotto, Cloak of Levitation
Doctor Strange in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous wizard of all time
- Position 6 of 10 in Most overrated MCU movie
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beloved Marvel character
- Position 10 of 10 in Most loved Marvel movie
8

9
votes
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

James Gunn

While this film had some great moments, it felt like a retread of the first Guardians of the Galaxy film and lacked the same sense of freshness and excitement.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It is the sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy and the fifteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie continues the adventure of the misfit superhero crew led by Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, as they unravel the mystery of Peter's true parentage. They face new threats and encounter new allies while exploring the outer reaches of the cosmos.

Release Date: April 19, 2017

Running Time: 136 minutes

Director: James Gunn

Producer: Kevin Feige

Screenplay: James Gunn
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most overrated MCU movie
9

7
votes
Thor

While this film was a decent introduction to the character of Thor, it was criticized for its slow pacing and lack of action. It also failed to fully explore the mythology and world of Asgard.
Thor is a stunning Siberian Husky known for its striking appearance and strong physique. Its beautiful blue eyes, dense double coat, and erect ears are what make Thor stand out among other Huskies. This majestic breed exudes confidence and has an aura of power and grace. With a regal and dignified demeanor, Thor captures the attention and admiration of all who come across it.

Size: Medium to large

Height: 20-23.5 inches (51-60 cm)

Weight: 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg)

Coat: Thick double coat with varied colors

Eyes: Blue, sometimes with heterochromia
10

6
votes
The Incredible Hulk

This film was largely forgettable and failed to capture the essence of the Hulk character. It was also criticized for its weak villain and lack of action.
The Incredible Hulk is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It was released in 2008 and serves as a reboot of the Hulk film franchise. The movie follows the story of Dr. Bruce Banner, played by Edward Norton, as he tries to find a cure for the gamma radiation that turns him into the rampaging green monster known as the Hulk. Meanwhile, he must also evade capture by the military led by General Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by William Hurt.

Release Date: June 13, 2008

Director: Louis Leterrier

Producer: Avi Arad, Gale Anne Hurd, Kevin Feige

Screenplay: Zak Penn

Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt
The Incredible Hulk in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most overrated MCU movie

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Discussion

Ranking factors for overrated movie

Hype and marketing

Consider the level of excitement and anticipation generated before the movie's release. This includes promotional materials, trailers, interviews, and marketing campaigns. If the hype was high and the movie didn't meet those expectations, it can be considered overrated.
Box office performance and financial success

A high box-office earning doesn't necessarily imply a high-quality movie. If a movie made a lot of money but didn't deliver in terms of content, it can be overrated.
Critical reception

Look at the reviews from professional critics and their ratings on platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic. If a movie received predominantly positive reviews but didn't meet expectations, it could be overrated.
Fan reception

Evaluate the response from the general audience and hardcore Marvel fans. Analyze online reactions, ratings on websites like IMDb, and general opinions. If there's a stark contrast between critical reception and fan opinions, it can indicate overrated status.
Storytelling, plot, and character development

Assess the quality of the movie's script, storytelling, and its ability to develop and portray its characters. A movie can be considered overrated if it relies too heavily on visual effects or fan service without adding depth to its narrative.
Visual effects and action sequences

While dazzling special effects and action scenes are an entertaining aspect of superhero movies, they shouldn't overshadow the storytelling. If a Marvel movie is praised mainly for its visuals but lacks substance in story and characters, it can be seen as overrated.
Popularity and cultural impact

Examine the film's influence on pop culture, such as merchandise, memes, and social media discussions. If the movie generated substantial buzz but the actual content didn't live up to that fame, it might be overrated.
Comparison to source material and other Marvel movies

Consider how the movie adapts its storyline or characters from comic book source material and how it ranks within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. An overrated movie might not do justice to its source material or may not hold up when compared to its peers.
Awards and accolades

If a movie receives numerous awards and nominations but its quality doesn't match the praise, it can be classified as overrated.
Re-watchability

Analyze your personal desire to re-watch the movie. If you don't feel compelled to watch it again or if it doesn't hold up upon multiple viewings, it might be overrated.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most overrated Marvel movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1303 views
191 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most overrated marvel movie

Background: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become a cultural phenomenon since its inception in 2008 with the release of Iron Man. With over 20 movies and counting, the MCU has created a massive fan base that eagerly awaits each new installment. However, not all movies in the franchise have been received equally. Some have been praised as masterpieces, while others have been criticized for their lackluster storytelling, weak characters, or over-reliance on CGI. In this article, we explore the most overrated Marvel movie according to our StrawPoll users.