15 Films That are More Yawn Than Thrill—Skip These

Not all films are made to entertain everyone. Sometimes, a movie may have good intentions, artistic merit, or even awards, but their lack of excitement, unclear plots, or tedious pacing can leave you staring at the clock, waiting for the credits to roll. 

If you’re looking for something to keep you entertained, these might be films to avoid.

1. Last Year at Marienbad (1961)

This movie can feel confusing because the story is hard to follow. It jumps between time, memory, and imagination in a way that makes it difficult to tell what’s real—opaque as one movie review mentioned.(ref)

Film critic Pauline Kael’s description of Marienbad as “the high-fashion experimental film, the snow job at the ice palace … back at the no-fun party for non-people” reflects her view that the film is stylish and visually striking but lacks emotional depth or substance.(ref)

2. Sleep (1963)

An Andy Warhol film that is literally five hours of a person sleeping.(ref) That’s all. There’s no story, no dialogue, and nothing really happens.

It’s an experiment in filmmaking, but if you’re looking for excitement, user reviews point out that this one might bore you because it’s just one long, uninterrupted shot of someone doing absolutely nothing​.(ref)

3. Gigli (2003)

This crime-comedy is about a low-level mobster who kidnaps a man with disabilities, but things get complicated when a woman sent to oversee the job gets involved.

The movie is considered boring due to its slow pacing and weak plot. Film critic James Bernardinelli said, “This isn’t a good film, but, when set alongside the likes of Dumb and Dumberer and Legally Blonde 2, Jen & Ben offer less pain.”(ref)

4. Gerry (2002)

For most of the movie, two characters are seen wandering through a desert. IMDb users criticize that there’s barely any dialogue, and the focus is on their walking and the scenery, which can make it feel really slow.(ref)

If you like action or fast-paced movies, this might seem dull because nothing much happens except the two characters getting lost​. According to one film critic, it needs an “investment of attention”.(ref)

5. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

This movie has a strange, unsettling atmosphere, but the way the characters speak and act is deliberately robotic and emotionless. That can make the film feel distant and slow.

You might find this film boring because it’s intentionally cold and odd, and the intense horror never gets settled. This makes the audience feel uneasy and unsure when things take a dark turn.(ref)

6. Caramel (2007)

Although it’s a heartfelt and charming film about women in Beirut navigating their lives, the pace is quite slow, focusing more on small, personal moments rather than big plot twists.

Some might find it a bit uneventful, especially if you’re looking for more dramatic or action-packed stories​. One movie review mentioned that the “humor is broad, characters stereotypical, the situations formulaic”.(ref) 

7. Paranoid Park (2007)

This film is visually artistic, but it has a very slow-moving plot and relies on internal reflections and emotions rather than action or dialogue.

William Arnold of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer gave the film a C+, calling it a story about a teen hero who struggles to express his feelings to anyone, including the audience. He criticized the “amateurish” cinematography, weak mystery elements, and the “wooden” acting.(ref)

8. Apollo 18 (2011)

This “found footage” horror movie has an interesting concept but fails to keep up the suspense. Many viewers felt it was too slow and repetitive, with not enough scares or plot developments to keep you engaged​.

Rotten Tomatoes’ general consensus: “A boring, suspense-free Paranormal Activity rip-off that feels long even at just 90 minutes.”(ref)

9. John Henry (2020)

Despite being based on an American folk hero, the film has been criticized for its confusing story and sluggish pace. Viewers often mention that it feels longer than it should, with too much focus on mood rather than action​.

One film critic wrote, “Not that there was any expectation of cinematic gold being spun here, but director and co-writer Will Forbes never achieves any satisfying sense of momentum, interrupting the occasional burst of cartoonish violence with ponderous stretches of banter straining at QT irreverence.”(ref)

10. The Turin Horse (2011)

This is a very slow, minimalist film that focuses on repetitive, everyday tasks. It’s intentionally meditative and bleak, which might make it feel tedious and hard to sit through if you’re not in the right mindset​.

Peter Debruge from Variety pointed out that the story is bleak, which offered very “little to cling to.”(ref)

11. The Fog (2005)

This remake of the original horror film doesn’t live up to expectations. Many say it lacks scares and suspense, which is crucial for a horror movie. The characters are seen as dull, and the plot drags.

Critics point out that the movie feels too long before anything exciting happens. Variety said that “interest lags between the grisly deaths, and, worse, none of the characters generates rooting interest.”(ref)

12. High Life (2018)

While this film offers a visually striking space adventure, it’s very slow-paced and filled with philosophical themes. It focuses more on mood and psychological tension than excitement​.

Film reviews do have positive notes about the movie; RogerEbert.com even described it as “tailor-made for viewers who like science fiction in a cryptic 1970s art-house mode.”(ref)

13. Caligula (1979)

This film is notorious for its graphic content, but beyond the shock value, many find it tedious. It has long, meandering scenes that don’t always move the plot forward. It can feel like a chaotic mix of historical drama and exploitation, which might lose your interest​.

One movie review said that “there were no scenes of joy, natural pleasure, or good sensual cheer. There was, instead, a nauseating excursion into base and sad fantasies.”(ref)

14. The English Patient (1996)

Although it won many awards, some viewers find this film slow and overly drawn out. Its deep focus on love and loss in a long, sweeping story can feel like it takes forever to get to the point, which can be tiring if you prefer faster-paced films​.

The “results are the kind of half-baked and over-baked confection that this particular film turns out to be,” according to a movie review.(ref)

15. Hulk (2003)

While this superhero film has its fans, it’s often seen as slow and overly serious for a movie about a giant green hero. Instead of focusing on action, it digs into Bruce Banner’s psychological struggles, which can feel like a drag for those wanting more dynamic superhero fun​. Website critics on Rotten Tomatoes pointed out that this film has “too much talking and not enough smashing.”(ref)

In the end, whether a film is boring or not depends on your personal taste. If you’re up for something different, you could give them a try.