Eight films the outlet says derailed major movie franchises

Collider published on Jan. 25, 2026 a list by André Joseph naming the eight biggest "franchise-killer" films, led by Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Joseph argues the list includes high-profile missteps: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, criticized for decisions such as "nuking the fridge," heavy CGI, and an alien angle that produced a polarized response; Terminator Genisys, which rewrites timelines and makes key characters into unexpected antagonists while reducing its T-800 to a one-note role; The Amazing Spider-Man 2, accused of being overstuffed with villains and universe teases; A Good Day to Die Hard, which turns McClane into a supercop in a CGI-driven spectacle; Speed 2: Cruise Control, which lost the original's urgency after replacing its lead; Beverly Hills Cop III, set in a Disney-like amusement park and later called "garbage" by Eddie Murphy; Superman III, seen as a tonal downgrade despite a notable junkyard fight; and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which disappointed with its portrayal of Galactus as a storm cloud despite an impressive Surfer performance.

Joseph frames the list after a year that included Razzie-nominated Tron: Ares and Karate Kid: Legends failing to relaunch their legacies.

Key Topics

Culture, Indiana Jones, Terminator Genisys, Beverly Hills Cop, André Joseph