Worst Films Of 2023 - Survival Guide To Cherish Happy Filmy 2024

Dear Diary,

As 2024 dawns, reflecting on the past year reveals it was a rollercoaster for the film industry, marked by new records and remarkable releases. While many focus on celebrating the best movies of 2023, I’ve decided to take a unique route and delve into the other side of cinema – the worst films of 2023.

Fascinatingly, even IMDb has curated a list of the top 100 movies that missed the mark. Admittedly, I haven’t seen them all, but I’ve experienced a fair share. So, I’m putting together my own list of the year’s underwhelming films, hoping it might strike a chord with you, too.

The Worst Films of 2023 You Should Definitely Avoid

Let’s dive in –

Fast X

Topping my list of the worst films of 2023 is none other than ‘Fast X.’ Despite not being an ardent fan of action movies, I held a flicker of excitement for this one, only to have it thoroughly extinguished. The film’s departure from reality was one thing, but the sheer extent of it was another.

The most glaring question that kept running through my mind was, after all the high-octane accidents and chaos, how is it that none of the characters even sport a scratch? Suspension of disbelief is one thing, but ‘Fast X’ took it to an unbelievable extreme.

It’s one thing to craft a film with over-the-top action but quite another to completely ignore basic realism. This was a letdown on a whole new level!

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

My love affair with Marvel movies is unwavering; I haven’t missed a single one of their cinematic offerings. However, I must confess, the ‘Ant-Man’ series never quite captured my heart. I’ve always found it somewhat lackluster and a tad too far-fetched.

This sentiment was only intensified with ‘Quantumania.’ To put it bluntly, it was a disappointment. The film felt like a haphazard assembly with no solid storyline, subpar direction, and an overall sense of disarray. It’s a rare instance where my Marvel enthusiasm met its match – and not in a good way. ‘Quantumania’ just didn’t do it for me, joining the ranks of the less memorable entries in the Marvel Universe.

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan

I recently watched Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, a movie that left me thoroughly unimpressed – it was, frankly, BAD! Within the first few minutes, it became abundantly clear that this film lacked any real substance or essence.

It seemed as though the actors were merely going through the motions, performing solely because they were contractually obligated to do so. And then there’s Salman Khan – I found myself questioning the purpose of his role in the film.

It felt like an unnecessary and torturous addition to an already lackluster movie. This was one cinematic experience I could have certainly done without!

Adipurush

There was an immense buildup surrounding this movie – the star-studded cast, the touted VFX, and the much-talked-about dialogues. Yet, as an audience member, what did I end up with? A complete letdown. The film turned out to be a sheer waste of money and time, leaving a gaping void of disappointment.

Initially, as the movie kicked off, I remember wondering why it had received such criticism; it seemed quite promising. But as the plot unfolded, my optimism quickly dwindled. The narrative became a jumbled mess, reminiscent of watching “Planet of the Apes,” but with less coherence and subpar VFX.

Despite its availability on streaming platforms, I implore you, with utmost sincerity, please steer clear of it. In my opinion, it’s unequivocally one of the worst films of 2023.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

I have always had a soft spot for films that blend mystery with history, and Indiana Jones has been a favorite character of mine for as long as I can remember.

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” holds a special place in my heart – believe it or not, I’ve watched it over 20 times! So, you can imagine the level of excitement I had for this new film in a similar vein.

However, my anticipation quickly turned to dismay. From the moment the film started, I found myself engulfed in boredom. It’s disheartening, really.

Bawaal

I’ve never been particularly enamored with Varun Dhawan, even though he delivered a hit with “Badlapur.” For that film, I attribute much of the success to the director’s skill in eliciting such a strong performance from him. This belief reinforces my view that a lot rests on the director’s shoulders in shaping a film’s impact.

However, in the case of “Bawaal,” directed by Nitesh Tiwari – known for successes like “Chillar Party” – I felt let down. Despite his previous hits, “Bawaal” didn’t live up to expectations. The film, in my opinion, was poorly crafted. It lacked a coherent flow and failed to establish a meaningful connection with the audience. It’s a clear example of how even talented directors can sometimes miss the mark.

Mumbaikar

“Mumbaikar” has cemented my belief that a stellar cast alone cannot rescue a film. Despite featuring an ensemble of talented actors like Vikrant Massey, Ranveer Shorey, and, notably, Vijay Sethupathi, the film was an absolute letdown. Calling it ‘worst ‘is an understatement.

It’s baffling how such a promising lineup of actors couldn’t salvage this cinematic debacle. The film, unfortunately, stands as one of the biggest disasters of 2023. It’s a stark reminder that a successful movie needs more than just big names – a cohesive plot, strong direction, and effective storytelling are equally, if not more, crucial.

Kuttey

“Kuttey” serves as yet another example of how an impressive ensemble cast isn’t a guaranteed recipe for success. The film boasted a lineup of acclaimed actors – Tabu, Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Radhika Madan, and Kumud Mishra – yet fell short in every aspect.

It’s disheartening to see such immense talent involved in a project that can only be described as nonsensical. I find myself at a loss for words to further describe this film, as it clearly stands as one of the worst films of 2023. It’s a disappointing reminder that star power alone cannot elevate a poorly executed script.

Love Again

Priyanka Chopra, affectionately known as our ‘desi girl,’ has undeniably been a dominant force in the Indian film industry. However, her journey into Hollywood hasn’t mirrored the same level of success. To date, her Hollywood films have been consistently lackluster, at least for me!

I held high hopes for her latest venture, “Love Again,” but, unfortunately, it followed the same disappointing pattern. The film turned out to be dull and lacked clear direction, not to mention the underwhelming acting performances.

It’s a letdown, especially given Priyanka’s proven talent and versatility. This movie, regrettably, adds to the list of her less-than-stellar Hollywood endeavors.

No Hard Feelings

It’s a known fact that not every day can be a stellar one, and this rings true for Jennifer Lawrence, an Academy Award-winning actress, with her latest film choice.

It appears that she may not have anticipated the extent to which this movie would fall short, ultimately becoming one of the worst films of 2023.

Watching this movie felt like an endurance test – a torturous experience through and through. The performances, including that of Lawrence, failed to strike a chord or leave any lasting impression.

It’s a stark reminder that even the most talented actors can occasionally misjudge a project, resulting in a film that disappoints audiences!

U-Turn

U-Turn is a classic example of disorganized storytelling paired with bizarre attempts at suspense. It baffles me why this story was chosen to be remade in multiple languages, given its evident shortcomings. Clearly, it stands as one of the worst films of 2023.

Despite the presence of talented actors like Alaya F, Priyanshu Painyuli, and Manu Rishi, the movie was beyond redemption. Their performances, though commendable, couldn’t rescue this sinking ship. The narrative lacked both substance and depth, leaving me questioning the purpose and direction of the entire film.

Dhak Dhak

Female bikers are literally challenging the norms and making their mark in a domain historically dominated by male bikers.

Dhak Dhak aimed to capture this revolutionary spirit, focusing on a group of female riders venturing to Khardung La, the highest motorable road. The premise alone had immense potential.

However, despite boasting a star-studded cast including Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanjana Sanghi, the film fell short of expectations. It lacked the depth and intensity required to do justice to its powerful theme.

The narrative struggled with pacing and clarity, resulting in a jumble of confusing subplots rather than a cohesive and compelling story. It isn’t very pleasant, as this film could have been a significant portrayal of women’s empowerment and adventure.

Murder Mystery 2

Imagine my surprise when I learned that Prajakta Koli had the opportunity to interview none other than Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, the lead actors of this particular film. To add to the allure, the Indian outfits were designed by the renowned Manish Malhotra. Yet, even with such promising elements, the film turned out to be a major letdown.

I had thoroughly enjoyed the first installment of the series and was eagerly anticipating the sequel. Unfortunately, my expectations were met with disappointment. The film lacked a storyline, and the narration was all over the place, resulting in numerous confusing scenes.

It was particularly disheartening because I admire both Sandler and Aniston. To see such talented actors in a film that failed to deliver a compelling narrative was truly disheartening.

1920: Horrors of the Heart

Horror movies have never been my cup of tea; they still manage to scare me, often leaving me with nightmares. But this particular film was a complete misfire. Far from being frightening, it was filled with unintentionally funny moments, accompanied by some of the worst VFX I’ve ever seen.

Vikram Bhatt, a filmmaker known for creating genuinely scary films, especially with some entries from the “1920” series, really missed the mark with this one. It’s a stark departure from his usual standard, landing it among the worst films of 2023.

The lack of genuine scares was so pronounced that even if this movie had been released back in 1920, I doubt it would have frightened anyone.

Heart of Stone

The moment finally arrived when Alia Bhatt, our exceptionally talented star, made her much-anticipated Hollywood debut. And let me tell you, it wasn’t just a fleeting appearance but a substantial, full-fledged role. True to her reputation, Alia delivered a stellar performance, proving her mettle on the international stage.

However, the film itself didn’t match up to the expectations set by its cast. While every actor, including Alia, did a fantastic job, the shortcomings lay in the direction and storytelling. The plot seemed rather generic, failing to bring anything new or exciting to the table.

Additionally, the AI storyline, which had the potential to be intriguing, ended up feeling superficial and underdeveloped. It’s a classic case where a film boasts of great performances but falls short in narrative substance and execution.

65

This film that was so silly it left me in stitches. The premise itself sounds like a far-fetched fantasy: a space pilot crash-landing on an unknown planet, only to discover its Earth overrun by dinosaurs. He then finds a girl who is the only other survivor, and together, they embark on a quest to escape the planet.

The whole concept was executed so poorly, and the storytelling was disjointed and lacked any real depth or logic. It’s one thing to create a science-fiction narrative, but it’s another to do so without any regard for plausibility.

This film was a glaring example of how not to do sci-fi – a mishmash of ideas thrown together without any meaningful structure or substance. Truly, it was a disappointing and bizarre cinematic experience.

Over to you…

Well, there you have it – my personal roundup of the worst films of 2023. I must say, enduring these cinematic misadventures deserves a self-congratulatory pat on the back. It was nothing short of a torturous journey, but I navigated it with as much grace as possible.

My aim here is to spare you the same ordeal. But if you’re still inclined to dive into these titles, I wish you all the best – you’re going to need it! May the cinematic gods be with you!