Although these films have been considered to be the foundation upon which the history of cinema has been established, a new generation of film experts and fans is emerging to state that their importance may be overestimated. Perhaps due to their antiquated technology or predictable plots, or simply due to their age, these 10 films may be overrated.
10. Avatar (2009)
Avatar is a definite ‘tech over tale’ movie. While the 3D effects that James Cameron brought out are groundbreaking, the storyline has already been parodied as ‘Dances with Wolves in Space’ and ‘Pocahontas with Aliens.’ The dialogue could be aptly called wooden, and the characters are close to becoming caricatures as the VFX ends. This is definitely a record breaker as the most successful film ever made, though it will rarely find a place in the ‘Favorite Story’ list.
9. The Notebook (2004)
The tear-j, in itself, has also been criticized for being a little too sentimental over a relationship that can only be maintained because of the “thread of toxicity in it.” Noah (Ryan Gosling) can also be a manipulator in this film because he falls dramatically from a Ferris wheel in an attempt to convince Allie (Rachel McAdams) to go out with him. The lead protagonists in this film also share a certain chemistry, but this romantic film in itself has been a predictable one in terms of its storyline.
8. Jaws (1975)
Of course, Jaws is the movie that started the “Summer Blockbuster,” but in a number of ways, Jaws is a movie that is very much a product of its era, and, in fact, looking back at Jaws in 2026 is a bit of a culture shock in and of itself. “Bruce,” as the shark prop was known, was infamous for its tendency to malfunction during filming, and thus Spielberg’s plan was to simply hide the beast for most of the movie, which was hailed as a “masterpiece of suspenseful filmmaking.” However, in fact, those watching in 2026, who are accustomed to watching the seamless and smooth CGI work of modern blockbuster movies, may find themselves a bit taken aback by the way in which the shark makes its appearances in the second half of the movie, finding it a bit “clunky” and “phony.”
7. Chinatown (1974)
It is a classic text that is the ideal screenplay for a class on screenwriting, but modern audiences would likely find the slow-burning pace of this movie just plain boring. In keeping with the fact that it is a product of the New Hollywood film school movement of the 1970s, it is much more concerned with atmosphere and corruption in a large city than it is with plot movement. The current wave of fast-paced cyber action flicks would make a detailed look at water rights in Los Angeles potentially very boring for a newcomer to the action film genre.
6. Forrest Gump (1994)
The Gump vs. Pulp Fiction showdown remains arguably the most iconic in the history of the Academy Awards. The film has been slated as a “totem of Boomer nostalgia” that glorifies passiveness and mindless submissiveness. Even as Tom Hanks provides an outstanding performance in the film, the magic journey through history may well be interpreted as a fool’s travelogue as well. It is widely accepted that the Best Picture award to Forrest Gump instead of the revolutionary tale told in Pulp Fiction or the emotional profundity of The Shawshank Redemption was an extremely safe and conservative choice that has not aged well with time.
5. The Shining (1980)
King did not like much of this version either: it’s a great big beautiful Cadillac with no motor inside. Critics of the version of The Shining by Kubrick state that the acting by Nicholson, if it is crazy at all, is crazier with no trace of tragic pathos, but a lapse into madness of the character as played by him. Even if the balance of the visual elements, as well as the Room 237 theme, is traditional and classic, a traditional horror movie viewer may find that heart is lacking in this version as opposed to the original tale.
4. The Greatest Showman (2017)
The success of this film is the success of the soundtrack, infectious and Top 40 material courtesy of the songwriting duo Pasek and Paul, although this film has been thoroughly condemned for the ‘whitewashing’ of the true P.T. Barnum, a man who was far more exploitative than the charming hero he is in this musical incarnation by Hugh Jackman. From a story perspective, this film is obviously a series of music videos tied together by a story that breaks down the themes into ‘This Is Me’ anthems.
3. Frozen (2013)
Frozen may be the global phenomenon that “Let It Go” created, but real animation enthusiasts will agree that Frozen is not even in the same league as the “Disney Renaissance” era of animation, which includes The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. The presence of the villain in Prince Hans may be a cheat in the story, but the catastrophe that unfolds in the second act is also the way in which Frozen is less successful than the likes of Pixar or traditional Disney. It is, of course, the conclusion of the trilogy, but also the moment in which the series is thought to have compromised the integrity of the story in the interests of merchandising.
2. Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi (1983)
The Ewoks, small and cute creatures who succeed in beating “the Emperor’s best troops,” signaled the beginning of the series’ descent into “kiddie” movies and perhaps the weakest link in this trilogy, the “Second Death Star” plan, which is simply a rehashing of the first movie.
1. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Infinity War is a logistical nightmare that is a dream come true; nonetheless, as a film in itself, Infinity War is also thought to lack the proper feel of consequences. It is a reality that the snap can actually be undone (due to the upcoming sequels of Spider-Man and Black Panther) and that “the end of the movie seemed ‘fraudulent.’ Also, the Marvel quip, or the style of storytelling where they always hold a tension pause in order to deliver a joke, is a problem with the proper feel of a movie.
