Many would agree that we are currently living in a golden age of the superhero genre. Classic characters have been given a fresh chance at life, and new stories that are socially and culturally relevant have been able to engage even those who had been burnt out on the genre entirely.
However, standards were not always necessarily as high as they are today. Over the past few decades, the public has been exposed to plenty of failed ventures into the world of superhero content. Sometimes, a show will be so bad that people across the globe will take to the internet and express their nearly-unanimous disappointment, and IMDb is a great way to filter through the ire and scorn that some shows receive.
10 The Thundermans (2013-2018) – 5.8
The Thundermans is a sitcom with a very basic premise that it tries to play up as extremely original: a pair of twins both have superpowers, but they are very different people: one is an aspiring hero, and the other is an aspiring villain.
Nickelodeon’s live-action sitcoms are generally hit-or-miss and have a pretty rocky history. Unfortunately, The Thundermans did nothing to remedy Nick’s reputation – but it didn’t worsen it, either. And for what it’s worth, over-used canned laughter has never made anything better. While it isn’t the worst sitcom out there, Thundermans was ultimately just a blip on the radar.
9 Teen Titans Go! (2013-present) – 5.3
Some claim that Teen Titans Go! was intended to be a parody of the original Teen Titans and that it should be taken with a grain of salt. Others, especially fans of the original series, find it insulting to its source material and audiences of all ages.
Regardless of one’s own opinion, Teen Titans Go! is loathed among audiences, and in fairness, it is a cheap, immature knockoff of a classic. This show is just another studio’s attempt at a nostalgic cash grab, with a reboot that no one asked for.
8 Dino Squad (2007-2008) – 5.2
Despite its fun, pop-punk theme song, Dino Squad is exactly as absurd as it sounds. In this poorly-animated attempt at bringing awareness to environmental issues for children, five quirky teenagers receive the power to turn into dinosaurs, and fight crime… as dinosaurs.
The theme song does little to make things better as well. As a way of padding the show’s runtime, the song plays every time a character turns into a dinosaur and when they turn back into a human. In no other way could a child learn that climate change is real, apparently.
7 Inhumans (2017) – 5.0
Inhumans certainly isn’t the worst Marvel production, but it’s very far from the best. After a military coup, the royal family of the titular race of super-humans hides out in Hawaii, where they protect themselves while trying to save the world.
The vague premise is fitting for the show’s production: generic, stiff, and non-relatable. However, even if the overall production quality was held to a higher standard, nothing could save Inhumans‘ bland script. While the show isn’t a complete travesty, it was ultimately quite forgettable.
6 Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (1997-1998) – 4.3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has cemented its spot in the nostalgic subconscious of people who grew up in the 80s and 90s. However, even kids and the most die-hard fans couldn’t enjoy Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation when it first aired in 1997.
TMNT fans also noted the exclusion of the beloved character Shredder, who was replaced with Venus, the first female Ninja Turtle. While the attempt at gender inclusivity is a noble one, it ultimately did not serve any improvement to the series and only angered fans.
5 Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills (1994-1995) – 4.1
There couldn’t possibly be a more fun-sounding title for a TV series than Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills. Whether it’s genuinely good or meant to be enjoyed ironically, this show sounds like the best time ever.
Somehow, the creators were able to take a title like Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills and turn it into a show that’s so bad… it’s bad. Presenting more as a knockoff of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, this low-budget fever dream of a show can’t even be seen as a parody.
4 Batwoman (2019-present) – 3.5
Batwoman is a lot like its rhyming opposite, Catwoman: a chance to explore and develop a compelling, powerful female superhero that is squandered in nearly every way. Ryan Wilder was done so dirty in this equally dirty-looking adaptation, devoid of the fun, excitement, and pizazz that should come with the territory.
As well, Batwoman had the opportunity to be a strong, positive representation of queer women of color, but it was far from strong, or positive. Considering the amount of hatred from audiences, it’s a wonder the show is still airing.
3 Fanboy & Chum Chum (2009-2014) – 3.3
Going down in history as one of Nickelodeon’s most detested cartoons, Fanboy & Chum Chum follows the misadventures of two kids who dress up as superheroes and create havoc wherever they go. There is no excuse for a show to be bad all because it’s a “kids show,” and Fanboy & Chum Chum loudly ignores this. Very loudly, in fact.
Between animation that pains the eyes and endless toilet humor told in the most annoying voices possible, Fanboy & Chum Chum is insulting to children’s intelligence, and a non-stop headache for their parents.
2 Bibleman (1995-2010) – 2.8
Miles Peterson had everything, and suddenly he doesn’t. As a result, he assumes his new identity as Bibleman, a superhero who harnesses the power of holy scripture to ward off evil. Regardless of one’s religion, or lack thereof, Christians and atheists alike will finally agree on something: Bibleman is cartoonishly low-budget, lazily produced, and not-so-vaguely anti-Semitic.
Even the most devoted Christians find this one hard to stomach. One is likely to find large boxes of Bibleman VHSes hidden in church basements across the country. Veggie Tales, this isn’t.
1 Mega Babies (1999-2000) – 2.5
The rightfully despised Baby Geniuses series has met its animated match. Mega Babies is not something that can be enjoyed by any human of any age. It’s a mutant, dumpster-fire knockoff of classic cartoons like Rugrats and Ren & Stimpy, following a trio of super infants who defend their city from evildoers.
In addition to the animation being pure nightmare fuel, not a single moment exists without intentional gross-out humor that even the most immature children would find revolting.
