Some superhero movie stars are unhappy with the way their films have turned out and have, on occasion, publicly criticized their own movies.

Stars of superhero movies in the MCU, the DCU, and beyond have been known to occasionally air their dissatisfaction with their films publicly. Long before the movies of the MCU helped bring the superhero genre to the fore of society’s cinematic consciousness, movies based on various heroes from across pop culture were still made. The long and storied history of superhero movies has seen many live-action films adapted from the pages of DC and Marvel Comics. Unfortunately, the genre has always been plagued by inconsistent box office returns and critical reception.

On occasion, these negative reviews or perceived lack of quality becomes the consensus, even among the movie in question’s own stars. Many actors have appeared in comic book or superhero movies only to later dislike the finished film. Throughout the MCU’s movie timeline, the history of DC movies, and beyond, there have been many actors who have publicly spoken out against their own films, whether by way of acknowledging the low public opinion on their work or justifying it with criticisms of their own. With that in mind, here are 10 superhero movie stars that criticized their own movies.

10. Sydney Sweeney Poked Fun At Madame Web’s Poor Reception

Madame Web (2024)

Sydney Sweeney’s role as part of Madame Web’s cast was considered a huge factor in the film’s marketing, with the young star hyped as one of its most exciting heroes. However, while hosting Saturday Night Live, Sweeney jokingly acknowledged the poor response to the film, distancing herself from the role of Julia Carpenter. After explaining to the audience that they might recognize her from Anyone But You or Euphoria, Sweeney then said: “you definitely did not see me in Madame Web.” It’s hardly a harsh criticism, but being unwilling to associate herself with the movie certainly speaks volumes.

9. Josh Brolin Had Many Issues With Jonah Hex

Jonah Hex (2010)

Josh Brolin’s distaste for the 2010 comic book Western Jonah Hex is well documented. Brolin recently simply labeled it “a s****y movie” and explained at length where he believes it went wrong. In an interview with Variety, Brolin cited studio interference and his having chosen the wrong director for the project to its failure, explaining that it never lived up to his vision for it. He even went as far as to explain that he believes he owes his co-stars an apology for how the film turned out, blaming himself for some degree of its failure.

8. George Clooney Has Disowned Batman & Robin

Batman & Robin (1997)

In the years since Batman & Robin’s release, the film has received a massive amount of negative press. One of the movie’s most vocal detractors is none other than its star, George Clooney, who played the Caped Crusader in the 1997 outing. Clooney has all but disowned the movie, even once claiming that he refused to allow his wife to watch it as he wanted her to maintain some respect for him. Though Joel Schumacher’s Batman movies have faced harsh realities, perhaps the worst is Clooney’s own disdain for the movie he starred in.

7. Anthony Hopkins Thought Acting In The Thor Movies Was Pointless

Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Anthony Hopkins is one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood, and his presence enriches practically any role he’s cast in. Despite having played a relatively important supporting role in the MCU, Hopkins had some minor criticisms for the superhero genre in general. Hopkins considered his time in the MCU “pointless acting” (per The New Yorker) due to the nature of how modern superhero movies are made. It’s fair to note that Hopkins’ comments aren’t direct criticisms of the movies themselves but rather of modern cinema’s approach to making them, but he still indirectly threw shade at his own work.

6. Jennifer Garner Was Less Than Thrilled With Elektra

Elektra (2005)

Though Jennifer Garner has been professionally diplomatic when talking about her role in 2005’s Elektra, her true feelings about the movie did publicly come to light. Garner’s ex-boyfriend Michael Vartan once claimed that she had referred to the film as “awful” and that she had been forced to make it due to contractual obligations from 2003’s Daredevil (US Weekly). Considering Elektra was critically panned and deemed a huge box office flop, it’s hardly surprising that Garner didn’t favor her role in the film.

5. Topher Grace Thought His Venom Wasted The Character

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy might be well-respected, but Spider-Man 3 is widely considered as the worst entry by far. One of the most disliked elements of the threequel was Topher Grace’s Venom, which many considered a departure from the essence of the villain. Grace himself has joked about this in the years since, poking fun at the poor reception his turn in the role earned using self-deprecating humor that acknowledged his casting as Venom was perhaps less than ideal.

4. Jim Carrey Despised Kick-Ass 2’s Violence

Kick-Ass 2 (2013)

Jim Carrey is no stranger to comic book movies and publicly spoke out about his dislike of his role in Kick-Ass 2. The comedy legend explained that the movie was made shortly before the tragic events of Sandy Hook and that he simply couldn’t sanction the level of violence on display after such shocking real-world developments. Carrey’s negative comments about the movie earned major publicity, as he took a firm stance against his own role in line with his personal views.

3. Halle Berry Acknowledged Catwoman’s Failures

Catwoman (2004)

Catwoman is widely considered one of the worst superhero movies ever made, and its star happens to agree. Halle Berry’s role in the film was initially much anticipated, as the Oscar-winning actor brought a level of talent to the genre that was all too rare in the early 21st Century. When the film was a massive commercial and critical flop, Berry actually collected her Golden Raspberry award for Worst Actress in person, completely owning the film’s failure.

2. Ryan Reynolds Joked About How Bad Green Lantern Was

Green Lantern (2011)

Ryan Reynolds has made no secret of his disdain for 2011’s Green Lantern, in which he starred as Hal Jordan. The live-action origin story of the DC hero was derided by critics and fans alike, and also, as it turns out, by its star. Taking to social media years after Green Lantern’s release, Reynolds claimed to be watching the movie for the first time and proceeded to mock it extensively. Airing his grievances so publicly might have been controversial were it not for Green Lantern’s status as one of the most despised comic book movies of all time.

1. Ben Affleck Hates Daredevil

Daredevil (2003)

Ben Affleck is one of Hollywood’s most consistent A-listers, enjoying decades of success across multiple genres. His role in 2003’s Daredevil is not fondly remembered, however, least of all by the actor himself. Speaking about the movie, Affleck simply stated to Playboy Magazine, “The only movie I regret is Daredevil.” Affleck’s succinct dismissal of his own movie is particularly damning, making it one of the most notable instances of an actor familiar with the MCU, the DCU, and beyond criticizing their own superhero movie role.