The Exorcist: Believer
(Image: Universal/Everett Collection)
The Exorcist is undeniably one of the classic horror films in cinematic history; however, its sequel, Believer, has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from both critics and audiences alike.
Despite being a continuation released 19 years after the last installment, The Exorcist: Believer fails to captivate viewers. The film’s most significant blunder is its reliance on the “horror” concept, particularly during Ellen Burstyn’s return in a poorly received 10-minute segment ending in a “lackluster” manner. Commenting on this film, David A. Gross, head of Franchise Entertainment Research, pointed out that “the negative reviews from critics and audience responses” could lead to a lack of interest in future sequels.
The Marvels
(Image: Laura Radford)
It’s surprising to see a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film like The Marvels making its way to the bottom of the box office rankings, but unfortunately, that is the reality. The film started off weakly and ultimately grossed just over $200 million, making it the lowest-grossing MCU film in history.
The failure of The Marvels can be attributed to the fact that it is essential to have seen several previous Marvel films to understand its plot. To begin with, viewers are required to watch Captain Marvel, followed by the series Secret Invasion and Ms. Marvel. Even after watching all these films, the content within The Marvels still feels disconnected.
Murder Mystery 2
(Image: Netflix/Everett Collection)
The charismatic charm of Jennifer Aniston is evident in Murder Mystery 2, but it fails to elevate the sequel. The film has been critically panned by the New York Post, labeling it as “a ridiculous comedy featuring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler as a bumbling couple.” The review also criticized the film’s weak plot and stated it was “unwatchable,” marking it as a significant disappointment for the two famous stars.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
(Image: Warner Bros/Everett Collection)
If The Marvels holds the record for the lowest-grossing film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then Shazam! Fury of the Gods can claim the same for the DC Universe. Instead of following the narrative continuity of the first installment, the sequel essentially mirrors the standalone nature of the original film released in 2018. As a result, the connections within the DC Universe feel tenuous, mainly revolving around a guest appearance by Superman.
Furthermore, Shazam no longer has the competitive edge against other superheroes. Additionally, some critics argue that the decline in interest since Black Adam has led to a lack of audience engagement with Shazam.
