Great Young Actors Who Consistently Star in Bad Movies

Many talented performers in Hollywood struggle to find projects that match their actual skill level. These actors often possess charisma and dramatic range yet find themselves trapped in critical flops or generic blockbusters. Agents sometimes push rising stars into franchises that fail to launch or comedies that rely on lazy writing. Even the most promising young leading men can accumulate a resume filled with poorly rated films despite their best efforts. This list highlights male actors who deserve better scripts than the ones they usually receive.

Zac Efron

This former teen idol has proven his dramatic acting chops in films like ‘The Iron Claw’ and ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’. However his resume remains cluttered with poorly received comedies such as ‘Dirty Grandpa’ and ‘Baywatch’. Critics often praise his charisma while lamenting the shallow scripts he chooses to accept. He frequently relies on his physique rather than his genuine talent in these lackluster projects. Audiences continue to hope he pursues more serious roles that utilize his full potential.

Tom Holland

Holland captures hearts globally as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet struggles outside that franchise. His starring roles in ‘Chaos Walking’ and ‘Cherry’ received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. Audiences often feel disconnected from his characters when he steps away from his superhero persona. Even the box office hit ‘Uncharted’ failed to impress those looking for narrative depth. He is a fantastic physical performer who needs a prestige drama to solidify his standing.

Liam Hemsworth

Hemsworth looks every bit the movie star but has difficulty anchoring successful films on his own. His lead role in ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ failed to reignite the franchise and was panned by reviewers. Action thrillers like ‘Paranoia’ and ‘Killerman’ came and went without making a cultural impact. He possesses a strong screen presence that is frequently wasted on derivative scripts. Many feel he lives in the shadow of his brother due to these lackluster project choices.

Taylor Kitsch

Kitsch burst onto the scene with immense potential from ‘Friday Night Lights’ but hit a string of high-profile failures. He starred in ‘John Carter’ and ‘Battleship’ back to back and both were critical and commercial disasters. These massive flops unfairly stalled his momentum as a leading man for years. He remains a capable actor who brings intensity to his roles despite the surrounding production issues. His recent work shows promise even if his blockbuster era was plagued by bad luck.

Jai Courtney

Courtney is a reliable action star who appears in major franchises like ‘Terminator’ and ‘Die Hard’. Despite his physical presence and clear dedication he often lands in the worst entries of these series. Films like ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ and ‘Terminator Genisys’ were panned for their writing rather than his performance. He consistently brings energy to roles that are fundamentally underwritten by the studio. Hollywood keeps casting him in expensive projects that fail to connect with audiences.

Scott Eastwood

The son of a legend looks the part of a classic Hollywood leading man but struggles to find his own classic film. He often appears in critically maligned movies such as ‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’ and ‘Overdrive’. His role in ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ did little to elevate him beyond generic action hero status. Eastwood has the jawline and the squint but rarely gets the material to show his range. He is a serviceable actor who needs a director to push him toward more complex characters.

Dane DeHaan

DeHaan was once hailed as the next great character actor with his work in ‘Chronicle’. His momentum crashed after starring in the visual spectacle but narrative mess ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’. Other projects like ‘A Cure for Wellness’ and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ disappointed fans and critics alike. He possesses a unique energy that is often lost in bloated blockbusters. He shines brightest in smaller indie films rather than the tentpole movies he frequently joins.

Kit Harington

Harington became a household name through ‘Game of Thrones’ but his film career has been rocky. The historical disaster film ‘Pompeii’ was widely mocked for its script and acting. His foray into horror with ‘Silent Hill: Revelation’ is often cited as one of the worst sequels ever made. Even his entry into the Marvel universe with ‘Eternals’ was met with a lukewarm reception. He has undeniable star power on television that has not yet translated smoothly to the silver screen.

Charlie Hunnam

Hunnam is a charismatic lead who carried a hit television show for years but struggles with box office success. His attempt to launch a franchise with ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ resulted in a massive financial loss. Sci-fi epics like ‘Rebel Moon’ have also failed to garner critical acclaim despite his committed performances. He often chooses ambitious projects that collapse under their own weight during production. He remains a fan favorite who simply needs a tighter script to work with.

Ansel Elgort

Elgort showed immense promise in ‘Baby Driver’ and ‘The Fault in Our Stars’. However his career momentum slowed with the critical failure of ‘The Goldfinch’. The movie ‘Billionaire Boys Club’ was released to empty theaters and abysmal reviews. He is a talented musician and actor who seems to have lost his footing in selecting quality projects. His potential remains high if he can find roles that recapture his earlier charm.

Jamie Dornan

Dornan is a skilled Irish actor who became trapped by the stigma of the ‘Fifty Shades’ franchise. Those films were financially successful but are considered some of the worst movies of the decade. He starred in the disastrous ‘Robin Hood’ reboot which wasted his action capabilities. Recent turns in films like ‘Belfast’ show what he can do with good direction. He works hard to shed the reputation of his most famous but critically reviled role.

Henry Golding

Golding broke out as the perfect romantic lead in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ but then pivoted to lackluster action. ‘Snake Eyes’ was intended to start a franchise but ended up being a critical misfire. The Jane Austen adaptation ‘Persuasion’ was panned for its modern dialogue and tone. He has a natural suaveness that feels out of place in the gritty genre films he has attempted. He shines when he embraces his charm rather than trying to be an action hero.

Lucas Till

Till is a likeable actor who spent years leading the reboot of ‘MacGyver’ on television. His film career includes the bizarre flop ‘Monster Trucks’ which lost the studio millions. He appeared in the ‘X-Men’ franchise but was given very little to do across multiple movies. His talent for comedy and action is evident even when the special effects around him look cheap. He needs a project that treats him as a serious actor rather than just a distinct face.

Brenton Thwaites

Thwaites has held major roles in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ and ‘Gods of Egypt’. Both films were heavily criticized for their overreliance on CGI and weak storytelling. He often plays the generic handsome hero who is overshadowed by visual effects. His work on television shows more depth than his cinematic outings have allowed. He is a solid performer who keeps getting cast in hollow blockbusters.

Douglas Booth

Booth is undeniably handsome and has played romantic leads in films like ‘Romeo & Juliet’. Unfortunately that adaptation and the space opera ‘Jupiter Ascending’ were critical failures. He often gets cast for his looks while the scripts he is given lack substance. His performance in ‘Noah’ was one of the few bright spots in a divisive film. He has the potential to be more than just a pretty face if given grittier material.

Jaden Smith

Smith started strong as a child actor but his transition to adult roles has been difficult. ‘After Earth’ is frequently cited as one of the worst science fiction films of the modern era. His focus shifted to music and fashion after a string of poorly received acting projects. Critics felt his performances were often flat and lacked the necessary emotional weight. He has largely stepped away from major film roles in recent years.

Taylor Lautner

Lautner became a global sensation overnight due to the ‘Twilight’ saga. His attempt to become an action star with ‘Abduction’ was met with harsh reviews and low box office returns. Comedies like ‘The Ridiculous 6’ did little to restore his status as a serious actor. He was typecast early on for his physique and struggled to break out of that mold. He has recently taken a step back from Hollywood after a turbulent run of projects.

Cam Gigandet

Gigandet often plays the villain or the rival in movies that fail to impress critics. He appeared in ‘Burlesque’ and ‘Priest’ which were both panned for their writing. His role in ‘Twilight’ gave him visibility that led to a string of direct-to-video thrillers. He brings a specific intensity to his characters that is rarely matched by the quality of the film. He is a working actor who consistently elevates bad material.

Kellan Lutz

Lutz is another ‘Twilight’ alum who struggled to find his footing in solo vehicles. His leading role in ‘The Legend of Hercules’ was a critical disaster that failed to compete with rival films. Action movies like ‘Extraction’ and ‘Money’ went largely unnoticed by general audiences. He has the physical build of an action star but rarely gets scripts with decent dialogue. His career highlights the difficulty of transitioning from a teen franchise to serious action.

Max Irons

Irons has a prestigious acting lineage but has starred in several young adult flops. ‘The Host’ and ‘Red Riding Hood’ were attempts to capture the teen romance market that failed miserably. He delivers solid performances even when the world-building around him is nonsensical. Films like ‘The Riot Club’ show he is capable of dark and complex work. He deserves roles that rely less on romance and more on his dramatic heritage.

Jeremy Irvine

Irvine started his career with Spielberg in ‘War Horse’ but has had a rocky road since. He starred in the fantasy adaptation ‘Fallen’ which was delayed and eventually buried by critics. The sequel ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’ was a hit but his role was relatively minor. Action films like ‘Billionaire Ransom’ failed to showcase his actual acting ability. He remains a talent who just needs one great indie hit to bounce back.

Nat Wolff

Wolff is a talented actor who starred in the polarizing adaptation of ‘Death Note’. The film was widely disliked by fans of the original anime and critics alike. He has appeared in other critical disappointments like ‘Home Again’ and ‘Ashby’. Despite these missteps he often receives praise for his individual performances. He has a relatable everyman quality that is frequently wasted on confused genre mashups.

Cole Sprouse

Sprouse returned to acting with ‘Riverdale’ but his film choices have been questionable. The sci-fi romance ‘Moonshot’ was released quietly and received mixed to negative reviews. ‘Five Feet Apart’ was a commercial success but critics found it emotionally manipulative. He tends to play the brooding intellectual in projects that lack nuance. His massive social media following has not yet guaranteed critical success in film.

KJ Apa

Apa is best known for television but his film roles have been critically ravaged. The pandemic thriller ‘Songbird’ was considered by many to be in poor taste and poorly made. ‘I Still Believe’ was a standard faith-based drama that failed to cross over to mainstream audiences. He has a classic leading man look that is being spent on low-budget melodramas. He needs to step away from teen romances to be taken seriously.

Noah Centineo

Centineo charmed audiences in Netflix rom-coms but has struggled to expand his range. His role in the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ reboot was forgettable and the film flopped. He played a superhero in ‘Black Adam’ which was a critical and commercial disappointment for DC. Critics often typecast him as the goofy boyfriend and he rarely gets to show other sides. He risks being permanently associated with a single genre if he does not diversify.

Hero Fiennes Tiffin

Fiennes Tiffin is the face of the ‘After’ franchise which is commercially successful but critically hated. The movies are frequently mocked for their toxic storylines and poor dialogue. He has spent years playing the same brooding character across multiple sequels. His acting ability is hard to judge because the material he works with is so repetitive. He needs to escape this franchise to prove he has range.

Robbie Amell

Amell is a hardworking actor who often appears in mid-tier sci-fi and horror films. ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’ was a disappointment for fans of the video games. The horror-comedy ‘The Babysitter’ was fun but his resume is filled with forgettable Netflix originals. He has the charm and timing to be a big star but the projects never quite land. He is consistently the best part of bad movies.

Luke Bracey

Bracey was tasked with replacing Keanu Reeves in the remake of ‘Point Break’. The film was a critical failure that lacked the soul of the original. He starred in ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ which was another entry in a struggling franchise. Romantic comedies like ‘Holidate’ show he has charisma but the scripts are often generic. He is an action-capable actor waiting for a franchise that actually works.

Toby Kebbell

Kebbell is an incredibly talented actor who has suffered some of the worst flops in history. He played Doctor Doom in the disastrous ‘Fantastic Four’ reboot. He also starred in the ‘Ben-Hur’ remake which lost the studio a fortune. Despite these failures his performance capture work in ‘Planet of the Apes’ is legendary. He is a prime example of a great actor with terrible luck in picking blockbusters.

Ed Skrein

Skrein left ‘Game of Thrones’ and stepped into ‘The Transporter Refueled’. The movie failed to capture the magic of the Jason Statham originals. He played the villain in ‘Rebel Moon’ which was criticized for being derivative and overlong. He has a distinct look and voice that make him a perfect antagonist. Hollywood needs to stop casting him in reboots and give him original characters.

Finn Jones

Jones was cast as the lead in ‘Iron Fist’ which is widely considered the weakest Marvel Netflix series. His performance was criticized though much of the blame lay with the rushed production schedule. He appeared in the horror prequel ‘Leatherface’ which was dismissed by genre fans. He has struggled to shake the negative reception of his superhero debut. He is a capable actor who was set up to fail by poor showrunning.

Lewis Tan

Tan is a martial artist and actor who often elevates the action in bad movies. He starred in the ‘Mortal Kombat’ reboot which had great fights but a messy script. ‘Fistful of Vengeance’ was a chaotic action film that lacked a coherent plot. He consistently delivers physical performances that are better than the movies deserve. He needs an action vehicle that cares as much about the story as the stunts.

Diego Boneta

Boneta is a massive star in Latin America but his Hollywood crossovers have been rough. ‘Rock of Ages’ was a box office bomb that stalled his musical film career. He appeared in ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ which failed to restart the franchise. The video game adaptation ‘Monster Hunter’ was another critical misfire on his resume. He has the talent to be a global star but keeps picking the wrong ensembles.

Avan Jogia

Jogia is a favorite among younger audiences but his filmography is filled with critical duds. He starred in ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’ which pleased very few fans. The comedy ‘The Outcasts’ was delayed for years and released to little fanfare. He has a cool and relaxed screen presence that is often wasted on C-list material. He directs his own interesting projects but his acting roles need a quality upgrade.

Emile Hirsch

Hirsch was incredible in ‘Into the Wild’ but his career trajectory shifted downward. He now appears frequently in direct-to-video action thrillers that receive little attention. Films like ‘The Darkest Hour’ and ‘Speed Racer’ were commercial disappointments despite his committed efforts. He is a powerhouse actor who seems to have drifted into the content mill of low-budget cinema. His early work proves he is capable of greatness.

Shiloh Fernandez

Fernandez was once a contender for major leading roles but fell into obscurity. He starred in ‘Red Riding Hood’ and the ‘Evil Dead’ remake. While ‘Evil Dead’ has a cult following his other projects like ‘Syrup’ failed to connect. He brings a brooding intensity to his roles that works well in indie thrillers. He is an actor who is constantly on the verge of a breakout that never happens.

Joel Kinnaman

Kinnaman is a fantastic actor who led the ‘RoboCop’ remake to middling reviews. He was part of the first ‘Suicide Squad’ which was a tonal mess despite commercial success. He shines in television roles but his film choices often result in critical disappointment. Action thrillers like ‘Silent Night’ show his dedication even if the gimmick wears thin. He is a leading man who is consistently better than the movies he headlines.

Michiel Huisman

Huisman is a Dutch actor who took over a role in ‘Game of Thrones’ seamlessly. However his film roles like ‘2:22’ and ‘The Age of Adaline’ are often melodramatic and poorly rated. He had a major role in ‘Rebel Moon’ which did him no favors with critics. He often plays the romantic interest in films that rely too heavily on clichés. He has the range for darker roles but keeps getting cast as the lover.

Sam Claflin

Claflin is a charming British actor who elevates every scene he is in. He was the best part of the flop ‘Charlie’s Angels’ reboot. The romantic comedy ‘Love Wedding Repeat’ was confusing and received mixed reviews. He often plays supporting roles in blockbusters or leads in forgettable romances. He has shown in ‘The Nightingale’ that he can play terrifying villains effectively.

Patrick Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger has worked hard to build a career independent of his father. He starred in ‘Midnight Sun’ which was a tearjerker that critics found formulaic. ‘Moxie’ was a well-intentioned film that got lost in the Netflix algorithm. He has a natural ease on camera that makes him watchable even in bad movies. He is slowly building a better resume but still has some early flops.

Ben Hardy

Hardy broke out in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ but has had mixed luck since. He starred in the Michael Bay film ‘6 Underground’ which was loud and critically panned. The romance ‘The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight’ was cute but slight. He often plays the drummer or the bad boy in ensemble casts. He has a unique look and energy that deserves a spotlight role.

Jack Huston

Huston is a character actor with leading man looks who starred in the ‘Ben-Hur’ remake. That film is notorious for being one of the biggest flops of its release year. He appeared in ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ which was a tonal mismatch that failed at the box office. He is incredible in period pieces but keeps picking the wrong ones. He needs a serious drama to remind audiences of his talent.

Mena Massoud

Massoud starred in the billion-dollar hit ‘Aladdin’ but has struggled to find work since. He led the romance ‘The Royal Treatment’ which was critically dismissed as generic filler. The horror film ‘The Sacrifice Game’ flew under the radar for most audiences. He has spoken openly about the difficulty of getting auditions despite anchoring a massive Disney blockbuster. He is a talented actor who has been unfairly sidelined.

Dylan O’Brien

O’Brien has a massive and loyal fanbase from his time on ‘Teen Wolf’. His transition to action star in ‘American Assassin’ was met with mediocre reviews. The sci-fi film ‘Infinite’ was widely panned as one of the worst movies of its year. He is incredibly charismatic and does his best to save these sinking ships. He chooses interesting concepts that unfortunately turn out to be bad movies.

Charlie Heaton

Heaton is known for ‘Stranger Things’ but his film career has been cursed by delays. He starred in ‘The New Mutants’ which sat on the shelf for years and flopped upon release. The thriller ‘Shut In’ has a rare 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. He brings a moody intensity to his roles that fits the horror genre well. He needs to find a project that actually makes it to theaters on time.

Justice Smith

Smith is a talented young actor who often plays the audience surrogate in CGI-heavy films. ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ and ‘Dominion’ were box office hits but critically ravaged. He starred in ‘Detective Pikachu’ which was fun but not a critical darling. The fantasy film ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ was great but sadly underperformed. He is a fantastic actor who needs to stop running from green screens.

Are there any other actors who seem to have bad luck with their scripts? Share your thoughts in the comments.