Not every film can capture an audience immediately, even if the rest of the movie is solid in its presentation. A movie's opening scene is meant to set the stage for events to come, establishing whatever lore or character motivations are needed to set the plot in motion. Unfortunately, these openings can often be one of the most tedious or slow-paced parts of an otherwise exciting movie.
Some films manage to establish phenomenal first impressions only to fall short immediately afterward. The introductions to such movies are often unique and instantly engaging, making their following scenes feel much more disappointing. It isn't easy to sit through a movie when it's clear that the best parts are already over.
Updated on December 30, 2022: There are so many movies that failed to live up to audience's expectations and first impressions that it would be impossible to list them all down. Although disappointment is subjective, some movies have gone on to become cautionary tales. This list was updated to accomodate these box office disappointments.
15 Alien 3 Barely Escaped An Infamously Rough Production Cycle
Following the successes of Alien and Aliens, the hype for Alien 3 was astronomical. Unfortunately, its production was so chaotic that it took a long time for 20th Century Fox to even pick a director. When it escaped production, Alien 3 was seen as a major disappointment that undercut its predecessors' stories and legacies.
Alien 3 started strong by daring to kill Aliens' survivors before leaving Ellen Ripley alone on a prison planet. However, it was clear that 3 was trying and failing to repeat the first two movies' success by recycling plot beats and moments. Alien 3 was somewhat redeemed by its Assembly Cut, but the damage was already done.
14 Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Couldn't Be Saved By Captain Jack Sparrow's Return
The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy garnered lots of success and admiration, and a fourth installment seemed inevitable. Instead, the series overstayed its welcome with On Stranger Tides. While it still did well at the box office, On Stranger Tides was criticized for its lack of originality, trivial plot, and shallow characterization.
Following up At World's End was both impossible and ill-advised. On Stranger Tides undid the trilogy's epic finale the moment it opened with Captain Jack Sparrow regressing to his old bumbling self. On Stranger Tides devolved into a disjointed series of scenarios and character introductions instead of the proper sequel fans hoped for.
13 The Matrix Resurrections Was More Polarizing Than Expected
Eighteen years after The Matrix trilogy ended, its long-awaited sequel was finally released in theaters after a difficult development. Unfortunately, The Matrix Resurrections was a box-office flop. The sequel was criticized for its lackluster visual effects and fights that lacked the trilogy's signature style and energy.
The Matrix Resurrections' opening meta act was unique and engaging. But as the story developed, the characters and their behavior felt strange and unmotivated. The Matrix Resurrections left fans divided. Some admired its thematic ambitions, while those who didn't felt that the story was anticlimactic, confusing, and unnecessary.
12 The Godfather Part III Became A Favorite Punchline
It may be hard to remember now, but The Godfather Part III was a financial and critical success. Even if it was The Godfather trilogy's weakest chapter, Part III was masterfully directed and acted by a talented cast and crew. A strong opening helicopter attack couldn't save the finale from becoming a joke for the next few decades.
A few years after its release, The Godfather Part III was criticized and ridiculed by viewers who found it too histrionic and self-important for its own good. Director Francis Ford Coppola agreed. He effectively replaced the sequel with its better-received recut, The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, in 2020.
11 Godizlla (2014) Didn't Have Enough Monsters In A Movie About Monsters
Although it was better than Godzilla's previous American remakes, the 2014 Godzilla was still disappointing. Godzilla's visual effects, cinematography, and style were praised, but it bored and frustrated viewers. Godzilla was advertised as an intense retelling of the kaijus' origins, even when it was more concerned with its human characters.
The MUTOs were hardly given any screen time, and the generic plot couldn't keep viewers interested for long. To add insult to injury, Bryan Cranston was killed off too early despite being the only worthwhile character. The MonsterVerse's sequels did a much better job at being monster movies than the 2014 revival.
10 I Am Legend's Finale Lacked The Book's Depth & Nuance
While I Am Legend received generally positive reviews, it was criticized for its special effects and divergence from its source material. Will Smith's performance as Dr. Robert Neville was also seen as a career high. However, even Smith's solid acting couldn't save I Am Legend from negative feedback.
I Am Legend started strong with an appropriately creepy first act and a compelling protagonist. As the plot unfolded and the vampires (aka Darkseekers) threatened Robert's experiments, I Am Legend's message became more muddled. Thanks to studio interference, the third act became a tonally confused mess.
9 Passengers' Promising Premise Was Ruined By Poor Writing
Passengers won several awards for its production design and music score. More importantly, Passengers was highly anticipated by fans of its leading stars, Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. Unfortunately, Passengers was heavily criticized for its questionable story and characterizations, plus a poor third act.
Passengers established an interesting love story by having Jim (Pratt) and Aurora (Lawrence) be the only people awake aboard a hibernation space vessel. Despite this strong hook, Passengers quickly fell apart. Jim's unethical actions and motives being romanticized turned off viewers, and the movie's saccharine ending didn't help matters.
8 The Cloverfield Paradox Was Ruined By Too Many Sci-Fi Tropes
The Cloverfield Paradox quickly became one of the most surprising and anticipated movies of 2018 thanks to an aggressive and successful marketing campaign. Audiences expected a strong connection the previous Cloverfield movies, only to get a collection of sci-fi clichés that even a talented cast couldn't save.
The Cloverfield Paradox's opening set a tense atmosphere and ominous mystery, but these fell apart when the story devolved into a parade of predictable sci-fi tropes. Worse, The Cloverfield Paradox was more interested in setting up Mystery Boxes that transparently set-up a Cloverfield universe instead of being a good thriller.
7 Ready Player One Had Little Beyond Its Pop Culture References
When Ready Player One began, it looked like it would be the ultimate celebration of pop culture. The introduction to the OASIS told with a fun parade of nostalgic references sparked viewers' imaginations and heartstrings. As the movie wore on, the nostalgic novelty lost its luster and exposed the film's mediocrity.
At best, Ready Player One was an outdated retread of every cliché from '80s young adult fiction. At worst, it was an empty experience that was only interested in reminding audiences of things they already knew. Today, Ready Player One is a punching bag that's only mentioned in discussions about excessive '80s nostalgia in entertainment.
6 Justice League's Theatrical Cut Was Wrecked By Creative Differences & Backstage Politics
Justice League's post-production cycle became a difficult mess of creative disagreements and reshoots after director Zack Snyder stepped down. Despite these, the first live-action crossover for DC Comics' flagship heroes was still highly anticipated. Instead, Justice League's theatrical cut was a poorly received financial failure.
Justice League's prologue and opening were solid enough. The novelty of seeing the most famous new and familiar DC characters in one movie also couldn't be denied. Once Steppenwolf's motives and the plot were established, Justice League fell apart after failing to balance its characters, disjointed plot, fights, and tone.
5 Bird Box's Finale Trivialized Everything That Came Before
Bird Box was one of the most-watched original movies in Netflix's history. Despite its impressive performance and immense hype, Bird Box met mixed reviews and harsh criticism. Bird Box started strong with a unique premise and high stakes. Unfortunately, the movie undermined itself with a questionable time-skip.
Not even halfway through, Bird Box cut to a lengthy flashback set years before the current post-apocalypse. The flashbacks over-explained the demons' mystery with lore and rules that barely make sense. Bird Box's way of dealing with its unseen monsters and overall resolution were also ridiculously convenient.
4 Suicide Squad Couldn't Be Redeemed By Its Unique Tone & Edgy Style
Despite setting some box-office records, Suicide Squad is generally considered one of DC's worst films. The plot was oddly paced, and the movie failed to maintain its dark sense of humor. Even Margot Robbie's highly praised performance as Harley Quinn couldn't give the movie a more positive reputation.
Suicide Squad's first act was exciting and unique. A memorable cast of supervillains was introduced, and they were tasked with a seemingly impossible mission. As it progressed, Suicide Squad became predictable and disjointed. By the climax, hardly any of the characters got proper screen time or interesting development.
3 Jurassic World: Dominion's Best First Impression Wasn't Even In The Movie
As polarizing as Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was, audiences were excited for Dominion. The hype was inspired by a great teaser released online. The prologue began by showing dinosaurs in prehistoric times before cutting to the T-Rex's rampage in a drive-in theater. This scene was shockingly cut from the movie.
Jurassic World: Dominion's impressive prologue was dropped from the theatrical cut. Instead, Dominion opened with a standard clip-show of in-universe news segments. Worse, Dominion was an overlong and nostalgia-baiting trilogy finale that couldn't live up to even a fraction of the 5-minute prologue's artistry and thrills.
2 Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them Marked The Beginning Of The Wizarding World's End
As the prequel to the beloved Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them was met with excitement from a dedicated fanbase. Newt Scaramander's quirky first few scenes led to a meandering prequel more interested in franchise expansion than telling a new story. However, these were the least of its problems.
Today, Fantastic Beasts is regarded more as the beginning of The Wizarding World's downfall than a new saga's start. This isn't just because of The Wizarding World's ultimate failure, but because of how controversial its creators became. Fantastic Beasts only gets a pass because it's more novel and controversy-free than its worse sequels.
1 Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Tarnished Star Wars' Remaining Goodwill
After The Last Jedi polarized audiences in the most unexpected and even offensive ways, The Rise of Skywalker was prematurely declared to be Star Wars' savior even before it hit cinemas. This was thanks to the filmmakers' promise to "respect the fans" and undo The Last Jedi's divisive subversions.
After Kylo Ren's terrifying one-Sith warpath and an exciting chase featuring the Millennium Falcon, The Rise of Skywalker gave The Last Jedi's most vocal critics everything they thought they wanted. In truth, it was a trilogy's mediocre conclusion and a transparent capitulation to a fanbase's most toxic recesses.