10 Big-Budget Movies That Forgot to Write a Good Script

10. Melania (2026) — Budget: $75M

Marketed as one of the most expensive documentaries ever produced, this film chronicled the life and public role of Melania Trump. While production values were high and access appeared extensive, critics argued that it offered limited new insight or investigative depth. Instead of unfolding with narrative tension or discovery, it was described by some reviewers as overly polished and reverential, prioritizing image management over probing storytelling.

9. Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire (2023) — Budget: $166M

Directed by Zack Snyder, this space opera leaned heavily into stylized visuals, slow-motion sequences, and elaborate world-building. However, critics noted that the first installment functioned largely as an extended recruitment arc, assembling characters without delivering a fully realized narrative payoff. Despite impressive creature design and production scale, the film was often described as structurally incomplete, with its plot feeling more like a prologue than a standalone story.

8. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) — Budget: $300M

This legacy sequel invested heavily in de-aging Harrison Ford for an extended prologue, aiming to recapture the spirit of earlier installments. While nostalgia-driven moments resonated with some fans, others felt the central time-travel plot lacked urgency and coherence. The middle act was criticized for feeling like an extended chase sequence, and the ambitious final twist divided audiences. Despite its monumental budget and iconic branding, many reviewers described it as a polished but narratively uneven farewell.

7. Moonfall (2022) — Budget: $140M

Directed by disaster-film veteran Roland Emmerich, Moonfall delivered large-scale destruction with the moon literally crashing toward Earth. The visual effects were undeniably grand, but the plot twist involving ancient alien intelligence inside a hollow moon tested suspension of disbelief even by disaster-movie standards. For many critics, the escalating revelations tipped from thrilling absurdity into narrative overload, leaving the spectacle unable to fully compensate for the script’s excesses.

6. The Flash (2023) — Budget: $220M

Massive resources were allocated to de-aging technology, multiverse cameos, and elaborate CGI constructs such as the “Chrono-Bowl.” Yet many felt the emotional core was overshadowed by convoluted multiverse logic and inconsistent tonal shifts. The climactic sequences, heavy with digital effects, were compared by some viewers to extended video game cutscenes. While the ambition to reset an entire cinematic universe was evident, critics argued that narrative clarity was sacrificed in favor of spectacle.

5. Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) — Budget: $265M

Featuring a new ensemble cast led by Scarlett Johansson, this sequel reinvigorated the franchise visually with large-scale jungle sequences and updated dinosaur effects. However, the core premise—humans fleeing prehistoric predators in increasingly chaotic environments—felt overly familiar to longtime viewers. Despite its technical polish and blockbuster scale, critics argued that the narrative stakes mirrored prior entries too closely, giving the impression of a high-cost retread rather than a bold reinvention.

4. Tron: Ares (2025) — Budget: $200M

A neon-drenched visual spectacle, Tron: Ares impressed with cutting-edge digital environments and stylized action sequences. Yet reviewers frequently described its central storyline—revolving around artificial intelligence crossing into the real world—as overly familiar. Compared to the philosophical ambition of the 1982 original and the sleek aesthetic-driven identity of Tron: Legacy, this installment was perceived as lacking thematic depth. The visuals dazzled, but critics argued the script leaned heavily on generic AI tropes without expanding the franchise’s conceptual boundaries.

3. The Marvels (2023) — Budget: $270M

This cosmic sequel delivered vibrant visuals and high-energy ensemble chemistry, but many viewers cited “homework fatigue” as a barrier to engagement. Tightly interwoven with multiple Disney+ series, the film’s plot relied heavily on pre-existing character arcs and lore, leaving casual audiences struggling to follow the stakes. Despite colorful action and ambitious world-building, the narrative was criticized for feeling fragmented, as though it functioned more as a crossover event than a standalone story.

2. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) — Budget: $400M

As one of the most expensive action films ever produced, this installment showcased gravity-defying stunts and globe-spanning set pieces that reaffirmed Tom Cruise’s commitment to practical spectacle. However, critics noted that the narrative—centered on a rogue, sentient AI—felt derivative of the previous chapter’s techno-thriller themes. While the action choreography was widely praised, the plot was seen as thin connective tissue between increasingly elaborate sequences, leading some to argue that the franchise concluded with explosive visuals but comparatively muted storytelling impact.

1. Snow White (2025) — Budget: $330M+

With a reported budget exceeding $330 million, Disney’s live-action remake delivered lavish production design, dense CGI forests, and meticulously crafted fantasy visuals. Yet many critics argued that the narrative struggled under the weight of competing priorities. Attempting to preserve the charm of the 1937 animated classic while updating themes for contemporary audiences created tonal whiplash. Character motivations felt inconsistent, and the thematic messaging often overpowered organic storytelling. The result, according to detractors, was a visually stunning film that resembled a glossy corporate presentation more than a cohesive fairy tale.