5 Most Disappointing Reboots of Popular Film Franchises to Test Your Patience
No one would mind if these five had never been released.
As movie studios play it safe these days, focusing on expanding and reviving popular franchises instead of telling new stories, it's important to remember that reboots don't always work. These five films are prime examples.
Fantastic Four (2015, $167 million, 4.3 on IMDb)
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Although the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four films weren't particularly well received by critics, they were an impressive commercial success, grossing $635 million against a combined budget of $200 million. The 2015 reboot, on the other hand, was neither well-received nor financially successful. The film, which follows the titular group of scientists-turned-superheroes, takes too long to establish the characters and doesn't delve too deeply into the main plot, which has been significantly changed.
The Mummy (2017, $410 million, 5.4 on IMDb)
On the one hand, this reboot of Brendan Fraser's classic Mummy trilogy starring Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe did well at the box office. On the other hand, it was a pure disappointment to watch. The entire story was reimagined, with the addition of a ridiculous secret society. The movie completely lacks the atmosphere of the original, and the ending is so cheesy that it's no surprise that it didn't get a sequel.
Planet of the Apes (2001, $362 million, 5.7 on IMDb)
Tim Burton is a celebrated auteur, but not all of his creations have been well received by audiences and critics. While the director's reboot of the 1968 film of the same name was a commercial success, it was mediocre at best, lacking a clear narrative and character development. In addition, the apes, played by real people, looked off due to excessive prosthetic makeup.
Godzilla (2014, $529 million, 6.4 on IMDb)
Admirers of Japanese cinema will probably say that the 1998 American remake had nothing on the original franchise, but Roland Emmerich's film is a true classic of the genre beloved by generations of viewers. Gareth Edwards' 2014 remake, which kicked off a new series whose latest film, Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, will premiere on March 29, was a real disappointment. Focusing more on the weaponry used to fight the titular monster than the characters and story itself, the film was bland and insubstantial.
Ghostbusters (2016, $229 million, 6.8 on IMDb)
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With the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, fans of the paranormal franchise had another chance to remember what a disappointment the 2016 female-led reboot was. Sure, the reimagined story has every right to exist, but it didn't sit well with audiences who still remember the charismatic foursome of Ghostbusters on a quest to save New York from evil spirits. And even the cameos by the original cast didn't help.