Each year, we’re met with a fresh batch of silver screen goodness to sink our teeth into – and each year, we’re left disappointed when said movies don’t live up to their social media hype or in-your-face advertising. Some films completely missed the mark once they hit cinemas, and sometimes it was the cast and crew that over promised and under delivered. Either way, these are some of the most overhyped films of 2019.
The Lion King
When news broke that we were getting a live-action remake of the 1994 classic The Lion King, fans of the movie were sent into an absolute social media frenzy. Over the course of the first part of the year, the film’s star-studded cast was revealed, and this only added to the hype.
Sadly, the likes of Beyonce, Donald Glover and Seth Rogen weren’t enough to hold The Lion King to its high expectations and the film left viewers rather disappointed. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 53% and said, “While it can take pride in its visual achievements, The Lion King is a by-the-numbers retelling that lacks the energy and heart that made the original so beloved – though for some fans that may just be enough.”
Charlie’s Angels
Elizabeth Banks’ reboot of Charlie’s Angels had all the makings of a box office hit: a high-profile lead, a banger of a soundtrack and copious amounts of girl power.
Unfortunately, Charlie’s Angels fell from grace at the box office and racked up a measly 54% on Rotten Tomatoes. On social media, the film was called “the latest example in a ‘woke’ effort to reboot a franchise that many were not all that interested in to start with.”
Aladdin
Like the countless other reboots, remakes, spin-offs and sequels in the pipeline right now, 2019’s Aladdin was overhyped right off the bat.
Rotten Tomatoes states that “Aladdin retells its classic source material’s story with sufficient spectacle and skill, even if it never approaches the dazzling splendor of the animated original” – and that could be the general consensus.
In a piece for The Wrap, critic William Bibbiani said, “If you don’t think about it very hard (although you probably should), the remake of Aladdin might entertain you. But you’d be a heck of a lot more entertained by watching the original film again. Or by going to a real-life parade. Or by doing some light gardening. Or by doing a crossword puzzle.”
Terminator: Dark Fate
Everyone loves the Terminator franchise, but unfortunately, this year’s Dark Fate is one of the most overhyped movies of 2019.
Despite James Cameron and Linda Hamilton returning to produce and star in the film, Terminator: Dark Fate could result in a loss of $100M. The film cost upwards of $185M to make.
Speaking to KCRW, the film’s director Tim Miller said, “I’m sure we could write a book on why it didn’t work. I’m still not sure and I’m processing, but I’m very proud of the movie.”
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Godzilla is one of the classics, but with a score of 41% on Rotten Tomatoes, Godzilla: King of the Monsters is one of the most overhyped movies of 2019.
The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee gave the film 2 out of 5 stars and said it “has rare moments of visual splendour but they can’t disguise a laughable script with a ramshackle narrative. The film was also, sadly, a disappointment at the box office, grossing $385 million worldwide against a production budget between $170–200 million.
Men In Black International
The story only gets worse for this year’s “amiable but forgettable” Men in Black International that racked up a pitiful 23% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics praised the chemistry between the film’s stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, but dragged it through the mud for its “lacklustre action and forgettable plot.”
It’s a shame, considering the OG Men in Black has a ‘certified fresh’ score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. Perhaps it’s a case of the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”