10 Ways The ‘Justice League’ Movie Aged Poorly

When ‘Justice League’ (2017) hit theaters, I was excited to see DC’s iconic heroes team up on the big screen. The promise of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman joining forces felt like a dream come true for comic book fans, but the execution left many of us wanting more.

Eight years later, the film’s flaws are even more glaring. From production troubles to outdated visuals, here are ten reasons why ‘Justice League’ (2017) hasn’t aged well, explored through key aspects that stand out when I revisit it today.

10. Rushed Character Introductions

‘Justice League’ (2017) threw Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash into the mix without proper setup. Each got a brief moment to shine, but their backstories felt like quick sketches rather than fully fleshed-out arcs, leaving me disconnected from their motivations.

This lack of depth made the team feel like strangers thrown together. Unlike ‘The Avengers’ (2012), which built its heroes across solo films, ‘Justice League’ (2017) rushed to form the team, making characters like Cyborg feel more like plot devices than people.

9. Weak Villain in Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf, the film’s main antagonist, was forgettable from the start. His generic ‘conquer the world’ motive and lack of personality made him a bland threat, and revisiting the movie only highlights how little impact he has.

Compared to compelling DC villains like the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008), Steppenwolf’s one-dimensional evil feels outdated. His lack of depth drags down the stakes, making the climactic battle feel more like a chore than a thrill.

8. Tonal Inconsistency

The movie struggles to balance Zack Snyder’s dark, gritty vision with Joss Whedon’s lighter, quip-filled reshoots. Watching it now, the jarring shifts between somber moments and forced humor feel like two different films stitched together.

This clash creates an uneven experience. For example, Batman’s brooding scenes clash with The Flash’s awkward jokes, leaving me unsure whether the film wants to be serious or fun, a problem that feels more pronounced years later.

7. Overreliance on CGI

The heavy use of CGI in ‘Justice League’ (2017) hasn’t held up. From Steppenwolf’s uninspired design to the poorly rendered Parademons, the visuals often look dated compared to modern blockbusters like ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019).

Superman’s CGI-altered face, due to Henry Cavill’s mustache removal, is especially distracting. What might have passed in 2017 now looks like a relic of an era when studios leaned too heavily on digital fixes instead of practical effects.

6. Lackluster Plot

The story revolves around collecting three Mother Boxes to stop Steppenwolf, but it feels like a generic MacGuffin hunt. Revisiting the film, I find the plot thin and predictable, lacking the emotional weight of other superhero team-ups.

Without a strong narrative backbone, the movie relies on action to carry it, but even those sequences feel repetitive. The simplicity of the story makes it hard to stay invested compared to more complex superhero films today.

5. Underdeveloped Team Dynamics

I wanted to see the League bond as a team, but their interactions feel surface-level. Batman and Wonder Woman have some moments, but characters like Aquaman and Cyborg barely connect with the group, making the team-up feel forced.

This lack of chemistry is more noticeable now, especially when compared to films like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014), where character relationships drive the story. The League’s unity feels unearned, leaving me wanting more genuine camaraderie.

4. Superman’s Rushed Return

Superman’s resurrection is a pivotal moment, but it happens too quickly and lacks emotional depth. His return feels like a plot necessity rather than a meaningful arc, and watching it now, it feels like a missed opportunity.

The rushed pacing undermines the impact of his death in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016). A slower buildup could have made his comeback a triumphant moment, but instead, it feels like a checkbox ticked off.

3. Dated Gender Portrayals

Wonder Woman’s portrayal often leans into outdated tropes, with moments like The Flash falling on her feeling unnecessarily sexualized. These choices stand out as cringeworthy in 2025, when superhero films strive for more respectful character depictions.

Gal Gadot shines as Diana, but the script doesn’t always do her justice. Compared to her solo film ‘Wonder Woman’ (2017), these moments feel like a step backward, clashing with modern expectations for strong female heroes.

2. Production Chaos Impact

The film’s troubled production, with Zack Snyder stepping down and Joss Whedon taking over, is evident in the final cut. The mix of Snyder’s dark visuals and Whedon’s brighter reshoots creates a disjointed experience that feels more chaotic with time.

Reports of extensive reshoots and a mandated two-hour runtime hurt the film’s coherence. Watching it now, I can feel the seams of a movie pulled in two directions, making it hard to see it as a unified vision.

1. Comparison to the Snyder Cut

The release of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021) casts a long shadow over the theatrical version. The Snyder Cut’s deeper character arcs and richer story make the 2017 film feel like a watered-down compromise.

Watching the original now, I can’t help but think of what could have been. The Snyder Cut shows the potential for a more cohesive epic, making the theatrical version’s flaws—like its rushed pacing and shallow characters—painfully obvious.

Which part of ‘Justice League’ (2017) do you think has aged the worst, or is there another superhero film that’s lost its shine? Drop your thoughts in the comments!