Looking at some of the most overhyped movies ever made in the last 3 decades.
Cinema is subjective, sure. But let’s be honest—some movies get an excessive amount of hype and praise, even when they don’t quite deserve it. Whether we are talking about Hollywood blockbusters riding on CGI spectacle or Bollywood films that mistake melodrama for storytelling, many films have been hyped beyond reason. Here, we take a brutally honest look at some of the most overrated movies ever.
7. Baahubali Series – The Indian Lion King, But Make It Soap Opera
Although we absolutely love SS Rajamouli’s RRR, let’s get this out of the way: Baahubali was quite overrated though it redefined Indian cinema in terms of scale, ambition, and visual storytelling. It made an international impact and introduced the world to India’s grand fantasy epics. But when you strip away the VFX and the iconic “Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?” cliffhanger, what you’re left with is a highly predictable storyline, excessive melodrama, and characters that feel straight out of a Saas-Bahu serial. The Lion King influence is clear, but instead of a Shakespearean depth, we get exaggerated slow-motion sequences and dialogues so dramatic they belong in a 90s soap opera. Therefore, it won’t be wrong to put it among the overrated blockbuster films ever made in India.
6. Twilight – A Love Story That Sucked Harder Than Its Vampires
You could argue that Twilight wasn’t made for critics (who consider the series as the worst movies ever made)—it was made for hormonal teenagers who think brooding stares count as personality traits. But even then, the terrible dialogue, wooden acting, and the lack of any real chemistry between the leads make this an unintentional comedy. Twilight is a masterclass in how to take an interesting premise (vampires in a modern setting) and turn it into a painfully awkward, blue-filtered, cringe-fest.
5. Oppenheimer – Nolan’s Greatest Letdown?
Christopher Nolan is a genius, and that’s not up for debate. But even geniuses have their off days. Oppenheimer was marketed as an intense, cerebral biopic of one of history’s most complicated figures, but in reality, it felt like a three-hour physics lecture interrupted by courtroom drama. The film tried to balance science, politics, and personal turmoil but ended up stretching itself too thin. Nolan fans may pretend they loved every second, but let’s be real—how many of them actually understood all the theoretical physics discussions? Inception and Interstellar pushed storytelling boundaries while The Dark Knight made us question morality itself; Oppenheimer just felt like homework.
4. Dunki – SRK’s Big Miss
They say Shah Rukh Khan can make anything watchable—except Dunki. Everyone was excited when they heard of a collaboration between SRK and Rajkumar Hirani, but this film, loaded with forced emotions, predictable plot points, and over-the-top moral messaging, was an unfortunate misfire, turning out to be among the most overrated movies. Illegal immigration is a serious issue not just in India, but also in the West, but Hirani makes the subject quite simplistic, trying to create sympathy for the illegal immigrants, and even fails to do that. Even Vicky Kaushal’s cameo could not save the film. Rajkumar Hirani is known for blending comedy and social issues, but here, the execution was weak, the humor felt outdated, and the screenplay dragged on without offering anything fresh. Fans find to hard to believe that a film starring SRK could feel so… unremarkable. It is one of this most underwhelming film performances.
If you are looking for a movie review analysis of Dunki, you can read it here.
3. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara – A Luxury Tourism Ad Masquerading as Cinema
Ah, yes. The ultimate fantasy for rich, privileged people who think a road trip across Spain will solve all their problems. ZNMD is beautifully shot, and Zoya Akhtar does a fantastic job of making us want to quit our jobs and book a flight to Europe. But beyond the pretty cinematography and some fun moments, the story is painfully predictable, the conflicts feel manufactured, and let’s be real—if these guys weren’t loaded, would they even get to have this life-changing experience? The film sells a dream that most people can’t afford, and yet it tries to masquerade as relatable. Nice try.
2. Avatar Series – A Visual Feast with No Nutritional Value
James Cameron deserves credit for pushing cinematic technology forward. But does Avatar really have a story worth remembering? Not really. The first movie was just Pocahontas in space, and Avatar: The Way of Water, which is among the top Hollywood overrated movies, was essentially three hours of underwater CGI flexing. Sure, Pandora looks stunning, but after a while, even the visuals can’t distract from how shallow the characters and storytelling are. The emotional beats feel forced, and the dialogue is forgettable. If CGI and 3D technology weren’t part of the package, these films wouldn’t have half the impact they do.
1. Titanic– A Love Story That Sank Faster Than the Ship
Let’s talk about the most overrated movie ever. Titanic was a box office phenomenon, but at its core, it’s just a generic love story stretched over three hours. Jack and Rose have all the chemistry of a high school crush, and the dialogue is so corny that it could be mistaken for a Christmas movie released for TV. Add to that the infamous floating door controversy (yes, there was space for Jack), and you have a film that thrives on sentimentality rather than substance. James Cameron gave us stunning visuals and an iconic soundtrack, but the story itself? Extremely extremely overrated. It is strange that many people still consider Titanic to be one of the greatest movies ever made.
But what makes Titanic stand not just among the overrated movies, but also among the most terrible movies is how James Cameron milked one of history’s worst tragedies, turning into a teenage romance. Instead of focusing on the real human loss of the disaster, the film reduces it to a backdrop for a love story that barely has any depth. The Titanic disaster was a heartbreaking event and many even argue that there are several conspiracies behind the sinking. The story deserved a gripping, well researched historical drama- but is this the best we get?
Separating Hype from Reality
While these overrated movies have their fanbases, it’s important to question whether their acclaim is truly deserved or if they simply benefited from marketing and hype. Many of these films offer style over substance, predictable storytelling, or exaggerated emotional beats that don’t hold up on repeat viewings. At the end of the day, great movies should stand the test of time—not just the test of social media hype.
Do you agree with this list? Or do you have your own additions to the most overrated movies ever? Let us know!
