From comedies to tearjerkers, 2023 has delivered several incredible films. However, a recent online discussion suggests that many big hits are overrated. I can’t say that I have personally seen these all, but let’s take a look.
1. M3GAN
M3GAN is a horror film with a story that’s not been overplayed. It follows a robotics engineer designing a life-like doll equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and the havoc it wreaks as it develops into something she never imagined.
I loved this film. It was a fresh story for the horror genre. However, several forum members disagreed with my assessment, stating that it was OK but not as monumental as fans made it.
2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
What? I couldn’t disagree more! As a long-time Mario game fan, I went in without knowing anything. My kids were excited to see it, and we watched it for family movie night and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The number of times my toddler wanted to watch it makes it less enjoyable — now. Nevertheless, many viewers believe it was “Predictable, boring, and bland.” Others suggested it was like an advertisement for Mario games. “Mamma Mia!”
3. Barbie
I’ve not seen the film, but I had no doubt that Barbie would be making this list based on the hype and hate on the internet over it. Numerous viewers report the film was good but less spectacular than people made it seem. One writes: “Honestly, I think its biggest problem is that Ken steals the show. It’s more the Ken movie than it is the Barbie movie.”
4. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Hard disagree here! I watched this film two days ago and was blown away by the animation, the story, and the emotion. I was then seriously let down that the story was to be continued, but the film is fantastic.
Still, many viewers suggest the film’s pacing is off, with one stating: “The story with Miles just felt like a repeat of the first film, while Gwens was actually fairly interesting but not the main focus.”
5. Cocaine Bear
FINALLY, this is one I wholeheartedly agree with. Cocaine Bear was massively hyped as some hilarious must-watch film. So my husband and I watched it once it hit streaming, and without a doubt, it was one of the top five dumbest movies that I have ever seen. However, my husband laughed and found humor in it many times that I did not.
6. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Hmmm… I don’t know what these film fans are talking about, but many believe Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is overrated. Marvel fans express that the only reason it was considered so great is because the MCU has been so bad since Phase Three ended.
It pains me even to include this film on the list. I loved every minute of it and its emotional journey. I can’t make it through without crying. The only thing I hated was that it wasn’t a happy Quill and Gamora reunion, but I suspect more to come in their story.
7. John Wick: Chapter 4
John Wick: Chapter 4 has many haters in the feed. Several cinephiles say the first three are incredible, but the fourth one drags on. A member elaborates: “It’s a good film, but not the action masterpiece that many seem to see in it. It really shows that Keanu and Donnie Yen are over 50 years old. The film was also way too long, in my opinion.”
8. They Cloned Tyrone
Another 2023 film people are claiming is overhyped is They Cloned Tyrone. I’ve not seen it yet, but I’ve honestly had a couple of people tell me to watch it because it was so good.
Nevertheless, a moviegoer suggests: “The first act sets it up to be a movie with so much potential, like a combination between Stranger Things and Sorry to Bother You, but it falls into way too many cliches and poorly written antagonists that it lost me by the end.”
9. Oppenheimer
While multiple forum members admit they think Oppenheimer is overrated, just as many disagree with their assessment. This is another film that I’ve not seen yet, but one film fan explains: “It’s good, but the writing could have been better, not his best work.” His, of course, is referring to Christopher Nolan.
10. Evil Dead Rise
Horror fans everywhere are praising the film Evil Dead Rise. However, these filmgoers aren’t having it. An avid Evil Dead fan elaborates: “To me, it just felt so… unremarkable. Like it was just another generic possession movie with the Evil Dead name slapped on.” Another admits they’ve listed it as the worst film of 2023 thus far.
11. Scream VI
As a massive Scream fan, I really wanted to love Scream VI, but I agree with one horror buff who writes: “The franchise has lost its touch completely.” Many people weren’t OK with the absence of Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell), considering the story has always centered around her. I found it predictable and more about the gore than the humor, which is the best part of one and two.
12. Past Lives
While Past Lives is a critical darling, numerous viewers suggest it’s mediocre at best. I’ve not seen it to weigh in. Still, one cineast admits: ” It wasn’t bad, just really built up and overrated by critics and early viewers that it left expectations higher than the film could deliver.”
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Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.