Disney+ Just Released Its 8th Rotten Marvel Sequel Movie

Disney+ and Marvel have reached a point where a significant number of their theatrical sequels are considered poorly reviewed. With the recent addition of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, the streaming platform now has eight Marvel sequels that have received a “Rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes – meaning less than 60% of critics gave them a positive review. This highlights the inconsistencies in quality throughout Marvel’s many years of making movies, considering the different studios, time periods, and creative approaches involved.

As a big movie fan, I was excited to see Venom: Let There Be Carnage finally hit Disney+. It’s getting a lot of buzz, but critics seem pretty split – it’s currently sitting at around 58% on review aggregators, which isn’t quite ‘fresh’. Apparently, while audiences enjoyed it more, most critics found the sequel to be even more over-the-top and less developed than the first Venom movie, which already had its share of detractors.

Here’s a list of all the Marvel sequel movies on Disney+ that received negative reviews, along with a look at why they weren’t well-received and what some viewers still liked about them.

Every Certified Rotten Marvel Sequel on Disney+

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

The 2021 Venom sequel received criticism for being overly chaotic and lacking a focused story. Many found the short runtime of just over 90 minutes made the film feel hurried and incomplete, with an inconsistent tone. However, general audiences enjoyed the film’s silliness. Tom Hardy’s performance as both Eddie and Venom was particularly comedic, and Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of Carnage was energetic, though the script didn’t quite give him enough to work with.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Reviewers found this sequel to be overly long and messy, packed with unnecessary setups for future movies instead of focusing on a solid story. It also suffered from jarring shifts in tone, jumping between romance and tragedy without feeling smooth or natural.

Many fans still consider Andrew Garfield to be a fantastic Spider-Man, and his connection with Emma Stone, who played Gwen Stacy, was a standout part of the movies. The emotional ending of those films was both powerful and sad, which made the heartwarming resolution in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: No Way Home even more meaningful.

X-Men: The Last Stand

The third X-Men movie felt rushed and packed with too many storylines, leading to a bloated and unsatisfying experience. A major issue was how it handled the Dark Phoenix storyline and the character of Jean Grey. Notably, Cyclops, played by James Marsden, was unexpectedly written out of the film without a proper on-screen farewell. Despite a strong cast and impressive action sequences, the movie’s shortcuts and lack of narrative depth were a letdown compared to the previous installment.

X-Men: Apocalypse

I really wanted to love X-Men: Apocalypse, but honestly, it just didn’t quite work for me. It felt like it was trying to do too much, and the characters didn’t feel fully developed. I was especially disappointed with Apocalypse himself – even with Oscar Isaac under all that makeup, he didn’t come across as the terrifying, world-ending villain he was meant to be. It’s a shame, because I’m a big fan of Isaac, but he deserved a better script to really shine.

As a huge X-Men fan, I really wanted to love this movie. Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy always bring so much depth to their roles, and they tried their best here, but honestly, the script just wasn’t strong enough. It was especially frustrating because Days of Future Past was such a phenomenal film – one of the best superhero movies ever, in my opinion – so expectations were really high. This one just didn’t quite live up to it.

Dark Phoenix

2019’s Dark Phoenix disappointed many viewers and critics. It felt slow-paced and failed to capture the excitement of the original story, ultimately falling flat as an emotional conclusion to the franchise. Sophie Turner’s portrayal of Jean Grey lacked depth, and even strong actors like James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender couldn’t save it. Despite the cast’s efforts, the movie suffered from awkward dialogue and a lack of compelling stakes, resulting in a dull and uninspired ending.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Although people liked how the Silver Surfer looked in the 2007 sequel, the movie didn’t succeed in many other ways. It wasted the character’s potential with weak character development and continued the disliked tone of the first film. Fans were also disappointed by the new version of Galactus as a cosmic cloud, reinforcing the feeling that the filmmakers didn’t treat the classic characters and villains with the respect they deserved.

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania

The latest Ant-Man movie received harsh criticism for its poor visual effects, which looked cheap and unconvincing, and a weak script that lacked the fun energy of previous films. While Jonathan Majors’ performance as Kang initially offered hope, changes to the character’s role due to the actor’s legal issues made the movie feel unimportant. Newcomer Kathryn Newton didn’t make a strong impression as Cassie Lang, and the overuse of special effects created a distracting and artificial experience, leaving the film feeling forgettable.

Captain America: Brave New World

Many viewers and critics felt Anthony Mackie’s first film as Captain America didn’t quite do justice to Sam Wilson, making him seem less engaging than other Marvel heroes. While Mackie’s performance was good, the script didn’t give him much strong material to work with, and he sometimes felt underused. Danny Ramirez stood out as a likable and charming supporting character, and Harrison Ford brought his usual authority to the role, with Carl Lumbly delivering the film’s most emotionally powerful moments. Ultimately, though, the movie suffered from a disjointed story that didn’t offer much insight into the new Captain America or the world he’s protecting.

What Other Certified Rotten Marvel Movies are on Disney+?

Besides the follow-up movies, Disney+ has a lot of Marvel films – including the first movies in a series, fresh starts, and origin stories – that haven’t been well-received by critics.

Bonus: Venom

The first film in Sony’s Spider-Man universe received mixed reactions. While some critics and fans found the villain uninspired and the movie’s overall style inconsistent, many enjoyed Tom Hardy’s unique performance and the surprisingly funny dynamic between Eddie Brock and Venom. This unusual comedic pairing ultimately became the most popular part of the franchise.

Bonus: Morbius

Jared Leto’s 2022 film, Morbius, quickly became a joke, failing to succeed in theaters even after a second release within the same year. Critics found it visually dull, lacking a strong story, and awkwardly positioned within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. While Leto’s performance was divisive, some viewers admired its dark tone and ambitious style, even if the movie didn’t quite deliver on its promise.

Bonus: Madame Web

Critics and fans were confused by Madame Web, finding it clunky, awkwardly explained, and tonally inconsistent. Dakota Johnson’s performance was widely criticized as flat and uninterested, and the supporting cast, including Sydney Sweeney, were stuck playing stereotypical characters rather than fully developed ones.

The movie relied too much on lengthy explanations of its backstory, strange editing, and awkward performances, which ruined any sense of tension. Some viewers found it enjoyably cheesy, but most thought it was a messy and ultimately unsuccessful film.

Bonus: Daredevil (2003)

This early Marvel movie prioritized flashy style over a strong story, and critics pointed out problems with its uneven editing, overly dramatic dialogue, and inconsistent mood. While Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Matt Murdock felt awkward and didn’t quite fit the role, Jennifer Garner’s Elektra was criticized for being a somewhat shallow character despite the action sequences. Colin Farrell’s performance as Bullseye, though polarizing, was the most discussed part of the film, standing out for its over-the-top and memorable energy.

Bonus: Elektra

Even when it first came out, Elektra was largely seen as a misstep. The movie suffered from uninspired action sequences and a weak story, making it feel pointless, especially since audiences hadn’t really embraced the character in Daredevil. Reviews were harsh, criticizing the slow speed, unmemorable fight scenes, and predictable assassin storyline. While Jennifer Garner was applauded for her dedication and physicality, the script didn’t give her much opportunity to portray emotional complexity. Attempts to make the film darker and more thoughtful didn’t succeed, ultimately leaving it feeling empty and without life.

Bonus: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Despite starring Hugh Jackman, this film about Wolverine’s origins didn’t live up to expectations. Poor special effects, a shifting tone, and a confusing script disappointed both critics and audiences. A particularly controversial choice was the portrayal of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, who was silenced and altered from his usual energetic self. Even Jackman’s strong performance couldn’t save a story that revealed too much about Wolverine’s history, ultimately diminishing the character’s mystique and intensity.

Bonus: The New Mutants

This horror film faced many delays and changes during production, and ultimately felt old-fashioned when it was released. Reviewers noted the script was inconsistent, never fully embracing either horror or superhero elements. While the young cast, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy and Maisie Williams, had some good chemistry, weak character development and a rushed pace prevented the film from living up to its potential as a unique genre blend.

Bonus: Fantastic Four (2005)

I remember when the 2005 Fantastic Four movie came out, and honestly, a lot of us were pretty disappointed. It just didn’t feel right, especially with Doctor Doom. They took this incredibly intimidating villain and turned him into a kind of bland businessman with powers that didn’t seem very threatening. Plus, the way the characters talked and the story unfolded felt awkward and forced, which made it hard to get invested in what was happening.

Jessica Alba and Ioan Gruffudd didn’t quite bring the emotional depth needed for their roles. However, Chris Evans as the Human Torch and Michael Chiklis as the Thing were standouts, adding much-needed personality and humor to a fairly average superhero movie.

Bonus: Fantastic Four (2015)

Following the somewhat silly Fantastic Four movies from the mid-2000s, this new version initially seemed promising with its focus on realism and a talented young cast. However, even strong performances from Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell couldn’t fully rescue the film after a good start. It became clear the studio heavily interfered, resulting in inconsistent pacing and a disjointed second half. This ultimately led to a rushed ending and prevented the movie from becoming the fresh, innovative take it could have been.

Bonus: Eternals

Marvel’s Eternals received mixed reviews, praised for its bold scope but criticized for not fully succeeding. Director Chloé Zhao, an Academy Award winner, brought stunning visuals and a realistic style to the film, and Lauren Ridloff’s character, Makkari, was a standout despite appearing briefly. While Kumail Nanjiani, Angelina Jolie, and Brian Tyree Henry delivered strong performances, the movie struggled with a large number of characters and a complicated story. Some viewers appreciated the film’s ambition, even if the final result didn’t quite live up to its potential.

2026-02-12 11:09