The 10 Most Disappointing Superhero Movie Performances, Ranked by Fans

Recently, a major survey on Ranker sought to identify the worst performances in the history of superhero movies. The complete list includes over 30 roles, but we’ve selected the top ten worst performances to give you a more focused overview, complete with our own commentary to add some extra perspective.

Given the significance of this ranking, we’ve decided to highlight it by counting down the top 10 worst performances from the list, starting with number 10 and leading up to the absolute worst. We hope you find it interesting!

10. Pamela Anderson in Barb Wire

We begin with Pamela Anderson’s infamous, overly sexualized role in Barb Wire, a film as forgettable as Anderson’s performance. The movie is just plain bad—there’s no sugarcoating it—and Anderson was clearly miscast, earning herself a Golden Raspberry Award in the process. While the film has since developed a cult following, it does little to redeem this performance.

9. Alicia Silverstone in Batman & Robin

We wouldn’t necessarily have included Alicia Silverstone on this list, but the fans have spoken, so here we are. Her portrayal of Barbara Wilson was intended to add some female appeal to Batman & Robin, but in a film that’s often remembered as the most homoerotic Batman installment, her performance largely went unnoticed. While not as terrible as some might claim, it didn’t leave much of an impact either.

8. Arnold Schwarzenegger in Batman & Robin

On the flip side, this casting choice was a total misfire. Schwarzenegger was completely miscast as Mr. Freeze, and his performance was further undermined by cringe-worthy puns and poor writing. It’s undoubtedly one of the worst superhero portrayals ever, failing both Schwarzenegger (regardless of your opinion on his acting) and the iconic character of Mr. Freeze.

7. Jamie Foxx in The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Honestly, we’re puzzled by the strong dislike for this role. While the character’s writing might have been flawed, Foxx’s portrayal of Electro wasn’t nearly as bad as it’s made out to be. We wouldn’t rank it among the top 10 worst superhero performances, so this is one choice we don’t entirely agree with.

6. Matt Salinger in Captain America

Oh, boy… Matt Salinger’s 1990 portrayal of Captain America was one of Marvel’s early stumbles in trying to launch something big. While the movie was critically panned, it has since gained a cult following, which is a silver lining. However, Salinger’s performance is still a forgettable chapter in film history, with both the writing and execution falling short—so we can see why it earned a spot on this list.

5. Halle Berry in Catwoman

It wasn’t entirely Halle Berry’s fault that her portrayal of Catwoman ended up on this list—it was more about the catastrophe that was the entire Catwoman movie. Berry’s performance was decent, given her talent as an actress, but the film itself was such a disaster that it inevitably dragged her down with it. Unfortunately, her superhero career was tainted by this one awful movie, and as much as it pains us to say, her place on this list is deserved.

4. George Clooney in Batman & Robin

The infamous nippled suit… that pretty much sums it up. While Joel Schumacher likely didn’t set out to create a disaster with Batman & Robin, the fact that three performances from the film made this list speaks volumes. Clooney’s portrayal of Batman was dreadful, and it felt like an affront to the character. We don’t think Clooney is entirely to blame, but unfortunately, he was the one in the role, so here we are.

3. Topher Grace in Spider-Man 3

When it comes to Topher Grace, we don’t think his performance was outright terrible, but he simply wasn’t the right fit for the role. Considering the overall negative reception of the movie, it’s easy to see why fans weren’t impressed with Grace’s portrayal. While it deserves a spot on the list, we wouldn’t rank it quite so high.

2. David Hasselhoff in Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Ah, another memorable gem of a performance… David Hasselhoff’s portrayal of Nick Fury is a true spectacle, but unfortunately, not for the right reasons. The film was a disaster, and Hasselhoff’s performance, while visually fitting, was undermined by the movie’s overall poor quality. It’s a standout example of how a role can be completely overshadowed by a lackluster film.

1. Shaquille O’Neal in Steel

Oh boy… there are only so many polite terms to describe this movie, which is widely regarded as one of the worst comic book adaptations ever. While Shaquille O’Neal is undoubtedly talented, his role in this film is beyond words. The costume alone says it all, and unfortunately, the performance matches its poor quality.

Have something to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

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