Every year, hundreds of films are released across cinemas and streaming platforms. Some become cultural moments. Others quietly disappear. And then there are the few that attract overwhelming criticism from professional reviewers.
In 2025, Metacritic, one of the most respected review aggregation platforms in the entertainment industry published its list of the worst-reviewed movies of the year, based purely on critics’ scores. The result was a diverse but deeply underwhelming collection of films that failed to impress across genres, budgets, and expectations.
This article breaks down the 13 worst movies of 2025, explains why they landed at the bottom, and explores the common mistakes that defined many of these releases.
What Is Metacritic and How Does the Metascore Work?
Before diving into the list, it’s important to understand how Metacritic evaluates films.
Metacritic is a review aggregation website that collects professional critic reviews from trusted publications and outlets around the world. Instead of showing only star ratings or opinions, Metacritic converts each review into a numeric score between 0 and 100.
These scores are then weighted based on the credibility and influence of the publication, producing a final average known as the Metascore.
How Metascore Ratings Are Interpreted:
- 81–100: Universal acclaim
- 61–80: Generally favorable reviews
- 40–60: Mixed or average reviews
- 20–39: Generally unfavorable reviews
- 0–19: Overwhelming dislike
The films on this list fall almost entirely in the bottom two categories, meaning critics largely agreed that these movies failed in storytelling, execution, or creative vision.
The 13 Worst Movies of 2025 (By Metascore)
War of the Worlds
This sci-fi adaptation finished 2025 as the lowest-rated movie of the year on Metacritic. Critics widely criticized its poor visual effects, lack of emotional weight, and unimaginative approach to a well-known story. Despite its ambitious premise, the film struggled to justify its existence.
Playdate
What was marketed as a lighthearted action-comedy ended up being one of the year’s biggest critical disappointments. Reviewers pointed to weak jokes, uneven pacing, and a storyline that never fully came together.
Gunslingers
This Western drama was expected to bring grit and style but instead delivered flat dialogue and an overly familiar plot. Critics felt the film relied too heavily on genre clichés without adding anything fresh or memorable.
Alarum
Despite its action-heavy trailer and strong cast, Alarum failed to impress critics. Reviews described it as noisy but empty, with confusing storytelling and little emotional payoff.
Bride Hard
A comedy that aimed to mix wedding chaos with action tropes, Bride Hard was widely criticized for being unfunny and predictable. Many reviewers noted that the film struggled to balance its tone, resulting in awkward humor and weak character development.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Following the commercial success of the first film, this sequel received harsher critical treatment. While fans of the franchise found moments to enjoy, critics pointed out repetitive scares, thin plotting, and a lack of originality.
Shadow Force
This action thriller failed to leave a lasting impression. Critics cited bland performances, predictable action sequences, and a script that felt unfinished.
The Strangers: Chapter 2
Horror sequels are notoriously difficult to get right, and this one struggled to justify its continuation. Reviews described the film as repetitive, lacking tension, and overly dependent on familiar scare tactics.
Hurry Up Tomorrow
One of the more divisive films on the list, Hurry Up Tomorrow was criticized for being unfocused and self-indulgent. While it attempted to explore deeper themes, critics felt the execution was confusing rather than thoughtful.
The Electric State
One of the most surprising entries on the list, The Electric State arrived with a massive budget and major star power. Critics, however, were unimpressed, describing the film as visually ambitious but emotionally hollow, with a story that never fully connected.
Juliet & Romeo
This modern musical reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s classic love story struggled to find its audience. Critics felt the film lacked emotional depth and failed to make its creative risks worthwhile.
Smurfs
Intended as a family-friendly reboot, Smurfs failed to charm critics. Reviews highlighted predictable jokes, thin storytelling, and a lack of the warmth that once made the franchise appealing.
Regretting You
Adapted from a popular novel, this emotional drama was criticized for shallow character work and an overly melodramatic approach that failed to translate well to the screen.
Some of these titles may still find cult followings, strong streaming numbers, or fan appreciation despite critical backlash.However, the list serves as a reminder that strong ideas still need careful execution, and big budgets or famous names cannot replace compelling storytelling.