While superheroes are typically revered as beacons of inspiration and hold many admirable qualities, a closer look often reveals a diverse spectrum of personalities among them. Contrary to the idealized image, some superheroes are characterized by traits that make them distinctly unlikeable protagonists. This can especially be the case in their movie adaptations, where there’s often not the scope to delve into the deep character development that’s present in the source material.
From arrogance and rudeness to obnoxious behavior, or being one-dimensional to even outright annoying, these flaws serve as a reminder that superheroes, like any character, can encompass a range of human traits. Here, we take a look at 10 unlikable superheroes, and the reasons why they’re so hard to like.
10 Shazam — Shazam! (2019); Shazam: Fury of the Gods (2023)
Teenage boy Billy Batson has the unique ability to transform into a superhero by uttering the magic word "Shazam." The 2019 film Shazam! brought this character to life on the big screen, featuring Asher Angel as the young teenage Billy and Zachary Levi as the titular superhero. The movie, directed by David F. Sandberg, embraced a lighter tone within the DC Extended Universe, proving it wasn't a complete failure by showcasing the comedic and heartwarming aspects of a young boy navigating newfound superpowers. The movie was a hit and spawned a sequel, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, released last year.
Why They're Unlikable
While the concept of a superhero with the mind of a young teenager is charming and endearing enough, the prospect of spending an extended amount of time with Shazam isn’t quite as appealing. The innocence and exuberance that make him so delightful upon first meeting will undoubtedly transform into a constant source of annoyance. Of course, he's not nearly as bad as most offenders on this list, mainly due to the fact that Shazam is still technically a child (so he can be forgiven for a lot of these traits).
But as a superhero, he’s not the greatest. Despite witnessing his massive personal growth throughout the movies, there are still plenty of instances where his lack of maturity and understanding of adult complexities lead to challenging situations, and the continuous need for guidance and supervision hinders his superhero responsibilities. Stream on Max
9 The Crimson Bolt — Super (2010)
Super, released in 2010 and directed by James Gunn, is a dark and twisted take on the superhero genre. Starring Rainn Wilson as the protagonist, who assumes the superhero identity of "The Crimson Bolt" and Kevin Bacon as the antagonist, the film explores the complexities of vigilante justice and the blurred lines between heroism and moral ambiguity. Fueled by dark humor, Super delves into the psyche of its characters, particularly The Crimson Bolt, presenting a gritty and realistic portrayal of a self-made "super" hero.
Why They’re Unlikable
The unlikability of the Crimson Bolt comes down to where you stand on Gunn’s earlier and edgier works and the characters that populate them. Embodying the alter ego of an ordinary underdog fella, The Crimson Bolt is driven by a sense of justice and a desire to fight crime in his community. Underneath this earnest determination, though, lies a darker, more morally ambiguous side.
Fueled by personal trauma and a perceived divine calling, The Crimson Bolt's journey explores the psychological toll of vigilantism. As can be expected from Gunn’s earlier output, he is extremely violent in his mission. This, combined with his social awkwardness, his unsettling unpredictability, erratic behavior and delusions of grandeur, make him a very unlikable character, but, boy, is he fun to watch from afar. Stream on AMC+
8 Daredevil — Daredevil (2003)
Daredevil possesses heightened senses as a result of an accident during his childhood that left him blind. His radar sense allows him to perceive his surroundings in a unique way, compensating for his loss of sight. This ability enables Daredevil to detect the faintest sounds, smells, and changes in air density, providing him with a remarkable hyper-awareness of his environment. Additionally, his enhanced reflexes, agility, and combat skills make him a formidable hand-to-hand combatant.
Despite his popularity in the comics, Daredevil faced challenges in the 2003 film adaptation, Daredevil, starring Ben Affleck. The movie received criticism for its uneven pacing, lackluster script, and questionable portrayal of the character. Affleck's performance as Daredevil was met with mixed reviews, and the film struggled to capture the essence of the beloved superhero.
Why They’re Unlikable
In the comics, Daredevil is known for his internal conflicts, balancing his roles as a lawyer and a vigilante, as well as his faither. Some critics argued that the film didn't delve deep enough into these aspects of the character, presenting a more one-dimensional and less nuanced version of Daredevil. Additionally, the romantic subplot with Elektra (Jennifer Garner) was underdeveloped and lacked the emotional depth seen in the source material, again, making Affleck’s portrayal of the popular character feel half-baked and underdeveloped. It was very difficult to feel any connection to and like him in any way. Rent on AppleTV
7 Robin — Batman Forever (1995); Batman & Robin (1997)
Dressed in red, green, and yellow, Robin, a mantle adopted by various characters in DC Comics, serves as Batman's loyal sidekick. In cinema, the role was most famously played by Chris O'Donnell in Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.
Why They’re Unlikable
By his very nature, Robin is always going to play second fiddle to Batman. This doesn’t mean that his likability is doomed from the start. Well-developed movie sidekicks have been known to steal the show in the past, which is often down to the chemistry between them and their accomplice or perhaps the comic relief they provide.
Unfortunately, in the case of Robin, none of this is apparent and, instead, he comes across as a slightly irritating "wannabe." It doesn’t help that the two movies, which he is famous for appearing in, happen to be the worst received movies in the entire franchise, so in that sense, he was doomed from the start. Stream on Max
6 Superman — Man of Steel (2013); Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016); Justice League (2017)
Possibly the most renowned superhero of all time, the iconic DC Comics character possesses superhuman abilities like flight, strength, and heat vision. Henry Cavill brought Superman to life in films such as Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League. Superman's cinematic legacy extends back to Christopher Reeve's portrayal in the classic Superman films of the '70s and '80s.
Why They’re Unlikable
Superman's unlikability in his movies stems from the challenge of crafting compelling narratives around an overwhelmingly powerful character. His invulnerability, super strength, and numerous abilities can make it difficult to create genuine stakes or challenges that resonate with the audience. Some find Superman less relatable due to his near invincibility, believing that his omnipotence diminishes the tension inherent in traditional superhero conflicts. Additionally, the iconic nature of Superman as a symbol of virtue and morality can be seen by some as making him less complex or flawed compared to more morally ambiguous or troubled superheroes. Stream on Max
5 Deadpool — Deadpool (2016); Deadpool (2018)
Wade Wilson, also known as Deadpool, is a Marvel antihero characterized by his wit and penchant for breaking the fourth wall. Ryan Reynolds delivered a very memorable performance in Deadpool and Deadpool 2, which diverge from traditional superhero narratives with their irreverent tone and R-rated content.
Why They’re Unlikable
We’re giving him some slack as, technically, he’s an antihero, so he’s allowed to have some unlikable traits, but while Ryan Reynold’s Deadpool interpretation was a huge hit with audiences and critics alike, it’s hard to deny that he’d be hugely annoying to be around for any substantial period of time. Deadpool's constant obnoxiousness and sarcasm, while entertaining in small doses, would undoubtedly grow to become overwhelmingly annoying to those around him. Stream on Disney+
4 Captain America — MCU (2011-2019)
Captain America is a quintessential Marvel superhero, known for his unwavering moral compass, superhuman strength, and iconic shield. In the MCU, Chris Evans brought this character to life in a series of films. Steve Rogers, initially a frail young man enhanced to the peak of human physicality during World War II, becomes the symbol of hope and righteousness as Captain America. Throughout the MCU, he evolves from a wartime hero in Captain America: The First Avenger to a central figure in the Avengers, displaying leadership in films like The Avengers and Avengers: Endgame. His character arc explores themes of sacrifice, duty, and the challenges of adapting to a modern world.
Why They’re Unlikable
While Chris Evans' portrayal of Captain America has garnered widespread acclaim, some viewers find the character unlikable due to his unwavering moral compass. Though admirable to many, it can be perceived as overly righteous or even one-dimensional, lacking the complexity that defines other superheroes. This staunch adherence to principles contributes to a perceived lack of character development compared to more morally ambiguous or conflicted superheroes.
Additionally, historically speaking, Captain America has always been a symbol of America and the American way of life, but this overt patriotism can be off-putting to some, especially for audiences outside of America, as it may appear to reinforce a narrow worldview. Stream on Disney+
3 Star-Lord — MCU (2014-Present)
Peter Quill was abducted from Earth as a child in the '80s, and is now known as Star-Lord, a central figure in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Portrayed by Chris Pratt in the MCU, he stars not only in the three Guardians of the Galaxy movies, but also has a key role in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Why They’re Unlikable
A lot of what makes Star-Lord unlikable for some is down to Pratt himself. Whilst he was highly celebrated as an actor when he rose to prominence a decade or so ago, some have developed "Chris Pratt Fatigue," wherein they’ve grown tired of seeing him being cast over and over again in countless movies, essentially playing the same affable everyman.
This hasn’t been helped by several controversies surrounding his personal life (per Screen Rant). But putting actor bias aside, die-hard Marvel fans will find it hard to like Star-Lord as a character due to his actions in Avengers: Infinity War in which, during a critical moment when the Avengers were close to restraining Thanos, Star-Lord's emotional outburst jeopardized the entire plan. Stream on Disney+
2 Ozymandias — Watchmen (2009)
Adrian Veidt, known as Ozymandias, was brought to life on the big screen in the 2009 film adaptation of Watchmen. Portrayed by Matthew Goode, Ozymandias is depicted as a brilliant and enigmatic character with a charismatic exterior that hides a complex and morally ambiguous nature. The film faithfully captures Ozymandias's intricate storyline from the graphic novel, showcasing his strategic mind, physical prowess, and the controversial decisions he makes to achieve his vision of global peace.
Why They’re Unlikable
One brilliant thing about Watchmen is that each character, no matter how heroic (or unheroic) they’re supposed to be, grapples with moral ambiguity, personal struggles, and ethical dilemmas. This defying of traditional superhero archetypes provides a nuanced exploration of humanity's imperfections within the context of superhero narratives.
In the case of Ozymandias, his willingness to sacrifice lives for his vision of global peace, coupled with his belief in the ends justifying the means, earns him a place on this list, especially when taking into consideration he orchestrated a catastrophic event in an attempt to unite the world against a common threat. Stream on Max
1 Rescue — Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Pepper Potts, portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow in the MCU, is not only Tony Stark’s personal assistant, but also serves as his love interest in the Iron Man movies. Later, in Avengers: Endgame, she adopts the superhero persona Rescue. This transformation underscored Pepper's evolution in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was supposed to establish her as more than just Tony Stark's love interest.
Why They’re Unlikable
For a long period of time, it seemed as though Pepper Potts had no role to play in the MCU except to bark orders at Tony Stark, which were often the wrong advice at the wrong time and only seemed to hinder Iron Man’s goal of protecting the planet. With a chance to redeem her character in Avengers: Endgame when her superhero alter ego was revealed, all audiences got was a half-baked hero abruptly introduced into the movies with very little build that lacked any of the charisma and emotional depth of her fellow Avengers. Stream on Disney+
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