Top 10 Least Favorite Films of 2025

2025 asked a hard question of moviegoers: are we grading films on ambition, noise, or genuine storytelling craft? My countdown of last year’s least favorite theatrical releases isn’t about dunking for clicks; it’s about why certain movies failed to stick. Across franchise spin-offs, prestige darlings, and nostalgia remakes, a pattern emerges: films can shine in parts yet stumble on coherence, character logic, or cultural awareness. Hype and awards buzz don’t always mean resonance. When the first act of a lauded epic feels scattered or characters act against their beliefs, the audience senses the wobble. Engagement starts with trust, and trust begins with motivation that tracks.

The list’s middle makes a case for “fine” being the enemy of memorable. A slick first-date thriller entertains but evaporates on the walk to the parking lot. A new take on The Running Man hints at sharp political commentary yet never lands a decisive punch, raising more curiosity about the source era than the movie’s own voice. Snow White becomes a case study in culture war crossfire: miscasting debates, “woke” panic, and interview outrage overshadow a film whose main flaw is simpler... it’s just dull. Meanwhile, Wolf Man illustrates a classic horror sin: characters choosing “stupid” over “wrong,” puncturing tension faster than any silver bullet.

Action fatigue shows up in Ballerina, a spin-off that delivers choreography without consequence. The hit-counter keeps rising while stakes stay flat, proving how spectacle without story rarely lingers. The Phoenician Scheme, for all its crafted framing, reminds us that a signature aesthetic can’t substitute for emotional ignition; style needs a pulse. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 caters to fans yet feels trapped by service over substance, with character choices that strain credibility and leave newcomers out in the cold. Fan love deserves more than Easter eggs. It deserves a story that breathes.

Sequels that pivot genres can thrive, but Megan 2.0 swerves without a compelling roadmap. Shifting away from horror could have unlocked a bold reinvention; instead, it fogs the franchise’s identity and saps tension. The biggest spark of debate arrives with The Roses, where toxic dynamics are played as comedy and reconciliation is treated as catharsis. Stories shape norms, even when exaggerated, and laughing at harm muddies the line between critique and glamorization. Remakes need translation for modern ethics; if the core is broken, a glossy update won’t fix it. Audiences aren’t asking for safe—they’re asking for honest, grounded, and worthy of their time.

The Idea of You (2024)

 

I have a soft spot for romantic movies. I don't mind the cheese fest, if it's sweet and corny I'm here for it.

The most important part of a romance film is, of course, the romance. "The Idea of You" has a believable romance in Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine.

"The Idea of You" is based on a book by the same name and brings a romance we don't usually see on screen. Solene (Hathaway) is a forty year old woman. She has a 16 soon to be 17 year old daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin). She's divorced and content in her singleness.

This all changes when Solene has to join her daughter at Coachella after Izzy's father cancels as the chaperone at the last minute. Here she meets pop superstar Hayes Campbell (Galitzine) and the two begin a whirlwind despite their age gap. 

 The plot is predictable. However, Hathaway and Galitzine play off each other well. Their chemistry is believable and it's fun to see a romance where an older woman is with a younger man.

The romance between Hayes and Solene is sweet from the start. The film does get hot and heavy (but not overly so) as it goes on and you can't help, but root for these two. The supporting cast balances the two leads well, though Solene's ex Dan (Reid Scott) is a little too smarmy.

I also have to give credit to the filmmakers. As I said, the film isn't overtly graphic with the scenes. You don't see any nudity, but the passion between the characters still jump off the scene. The use of movement, choreography and lighting bring the scenes to life without being gross.

This isn't my favorite romance film by any means. Still, it is really cool to have an older woman be viewed as desirable by a younger man and have her pleasure featured.

Of course, Anne Hathaway is incredibly beautiful and attractive and it's easy to still see her as someone who is desirable. Still, age gaps are controversial and this provides the main conflict of the film.

As a mother more than a forty year old, Solene is expected to behave like one. She should be doting completely on her daughter and satisfied doing that as opposed to engaging in a romantic relationship with a hot popstar. It's fun to see a woman go after what she wants.

So many romances try to manufacture the romance with hot and heavy scenes. Others lean into the love no matter how ridiculous the situations may be. "The Idea of You" does the latter. The belief that women should stop embracing their sexuality once they become mothers is a message that is everywhere. The part that is unbelievable though is that Anne Hathaway is anything other than a hot woman who could get any man she wants.

"The Idea of You" is streaming on Amazon. I am two years to late in watching it, but it was on a list of recommended Valentine's Day movies and I wanted to check it out.

It's predictable and there other romance films out there. That being said, if you want nothing but love, romance and sex between an older woman and a younger man then this is the perfect film to fill that niche. 

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

 

I want to preface this by saying, I have not seen any of the other films in the franchise. I've seen a snippet of one of the original films, but that's it.

I don't know who of any of the characters are. That being said, I thought the film was entertaining. 

The Bone Temple explores something that I feel a lot of films and series have been exploring lately: humanity's evil. Humans suck and are inherently evil and Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell) is our example of this in The Bone Temple. The zombies are no longer the focus.

The film opens as Spike is made to become a Jimmy and join the cult. Jimmy Crystal believes he is the son of Satan and he and his Jimmies go around finding people to sacrifice. The infected do make an appearance, but they take a clear back seat to the cult and the evils they commit. This is just a reminder to me that I do not want to be alive if something like this ever happens.

 We also have the story of Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) who befriends Samson (Chi Parry-Lewis), the alpha of the infected.  Fiennes is absolutely fantastic as he embraces the wild and wacky fully. Kelson begins discovering that there is a way to calm the virus and the psychosis that comes with it. Samson isn't cured by any means, but he can manage the symptoms and be almost as he was before.

As an introduction to the franchise, The Bone Temple was actually quite fun as it leaned into the absurdity of the situations. Yes, we are shown the evils of humanity, but there are reminders that life will always be absurd and that can bring joy in the most unexpected times. The beginning was gory and I don't handle gore well, but beyond that I was pleasantly surprised at the laughs and celebrations that came in this film.