Toy brands have had interesting relationships with the film and TV mediums over the last several decades. Many have served as the basis for some notable productions, each of which has found varying degrees of success. Some of those offerings are held in high regard by much of the public, like The Transformers, Clue and the critically acclaimed Barbie, which was even nominated for Best Picture. However, some of the projects that have been inspired by playthings are quite lackluster, even living in infamy in some circles, and we’re going to discuss a number of them.

Pound Puppies (1986-1987)

In the ‘80s, Tonka’s Pound Puppies toy line was popular enough to spawn an animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera. The show, which has two seasons, centers around the adventures of a group of talking dogs, who lived at a pound and befriended a human girl. All in all, the stories are relatively basic, and the characters aren’t as endearing as others birthed by H-B Productions.

Rainbow Brite And The Star Stealer (1985)

Inspired by Mattel’s Rainbow Brite brand, The Star Stealer is a motion picture that in no way justifies its existence. The less-than-stellar animation and the somewhat choppy storytelling are just two reasons why this film is far from a must-see today. It doesn’t even surpass its TV show counterpart in terms of quality, which honestly isn’t saying much, as that isn’t a high bar to clear.

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (2009)

You really shouldn’t be surprised to see a ranking of the Transformers films and find Revenge of the Fallen at the bottom of it. The second installment in Michael Bay’s blockbuster franchise is a discombobulated piece of work that has an overstuffed story, underdeveloped characters, and countless clichés (even for a Bay production). The copious amount of Autobot and Decepticon fights can’t even redeem it.

Challenge Of The GoBots (1984-1985)

Challenge of the GoBots has a following, but it certainly hasn’t reached the pop culture heights that Tonka likely envisioned for it decades ago. It’s a mostly generic piece of work with by-the-book stories and stock characters and, back in the day, it was ultimately outdone by its direct competitor, The Transformers.

Battleship (2012)

Peter Berg’s box office bomb Battleship is an empty sort of blockbuster that doesn’t even provide a thrilling spectacle to make up for its lack of a compelling narrative. What’s unfortunate is that it doesn’t take a cerebral approach, which is what’s needed to play the Hasbro board game of the same name. This likely isn’t what fans were expecting for the toy property or Rihanna’s feature film debut.

Dungeons & Dragons (2000)

In the lead-up to Dungeons & Dragons’ release in 2000, fans had long hoped for a live-action film adaptation that captured the essence of the beloved role-playing game. That final product is a poorly written and cheap-looking film that’s mostly dull. You’re better off carving out some time and watching 2023’s critically beloved Honor Among Thieves.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)

People may debate the merits of the G.I. Joe animated series inspired by Hasbro’s action figures, but it’s hard to argue against the notion that the first live-action film adaptation, The Rise of Cobra is weak. There are flashes of fun, but not even Channing Tatum can save it from being a nonsensical action flick.

C.O.P.S. (1988)

We’re not talking about the reality docuseries on Fox, but the ‘80s animated series C.O.P.S, which is based on Hasbro’s action figures of the same name. This program, set in the year 2020 and centered on law enforcement officials, simply lacks the fun, true thrills and endearing characters many of its peers possess. 

Masters of the Universe (1987)

He-Man, his cohorts and enemies feel like characters born to be on the big screen but, unfortunately, the live-action Masters of the Universe film doesn’t come close to doing them justice. This Dolph Lundgren-led action flick is hastily put together, poorly directed and fails to capture the energy and fun of the OG animated series.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)

The moderate success of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra in 2009 is what led to the sequel, Retaliation, in 2013. Led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson this time around, the movie is somewhat more polished than its predecessor, but it’s even more ludicrously over the top.

The Glo Friends (1986-1987)

Few people probably remember The Glo Friends, an animated series born from segments on My Little Pony 'n Friends and adapted from Playskool’s IP of the same name. Centered on a group of small, glow-in-the-dark insects and their adventures, this short-lived, by-the-numbers show is a shining example of how not to adapt a toyline.

Playmobil: The Movie (2019)

One could certainly assume that Playmobil: The Movie was (at least partially) made to get in on the success of 2014’s The Lego Movie and other toy-based adaptations. Unfortunately, this flick isn’t nearly as well-written, beautifully animated or funny as Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s masterpiece.

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (2011)

While Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a step up from its 2009 predecessor, Revenge of the Fallen, the third installment in Michael Bay’s saga of massive robots still has its issues. Among them are a contrived screenplay, underdeveloped (new and returning) characters and a series of disorienting action sequences.

Bobbleheads: The Movie (2020)

You may find this hard to believe but, yes, Bobbleheads: The Movie does exist. And, yes, this poorly animated, generic film about a group of bobbleheads seeking to fend off human threats to their existence is just as bad as you’d imagine. After watching this flick, you’ll be left shaking your head just like the titular protagonists.

M.A.S.K. (1985-1986)

Syndicated ‘80s cartoon M.A.S.K. does have a solid following and has some appeal for younger viewers. However, getting older is realizing that beneath the Kenner toy-adapted show’s weapon-based action, there’s no true substance to the proceedings.

Ouija (2014)

The name Ouija is trademarked by Hasbro, and I’m not sure how they feel about the abysmal 2010s horror flick that bears that name. What can be said is that the production merely offers one-note characters, a tired story and a lack of strong scares. Those who would like a more entertaining offering from this franchise, though, can check out Mike Flanagan’s 2016 prequel, Origin of Evil.

Rubik, The Amazing Cube (1983)

A Rubik’s Cube is meant to serve as a way for young people to stimulate their minds in a creative way. On the other hand, ABC’s Rubik, the Amazing Cube – which is about kids who befriend the titular Rubik and help him fend off an evil magician – is mostly mind-numbing. The sole bright spot is that it was one of the first major animated series to feature Hispanic or Latino characters in mostly prominent roles.

My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)

My Little Pony: The Movie doesn’t hit the right notes like some of the other adaptations of Hasbro’s famous toyline. And even more disappointing than its less-than-spectacular animation and limited appeal is the fact that it’s so blatantly designed to sell products.

Sky Commanders (1987)

Running for only 13 episodes, Sky Commanders – which is inspired by Kenner’s toys of the same name – is a military action series that doesn’t quite stack up to some of its contemporaries. The main characters may be soldiers fighting an evil general but, given how basic it is, they might as well be civilians. 

Max Steel (2016)

The Max Steel franchise from Mattel was incredibly successful in the 2000s, thanks to the awesome toys and fun show on Kids’ WB. But the 2016 feature film adaptation, which melted at the box office, is a truly uninspired superhero tale that lacks the fun, excitement and adventurous spirit that's historically associated with the titular hero.

Robosapien: Rebooted (2013)

One certainly can’t forget that WowWee has also contributed its fair share of memorable toys, with one of those being the robot Robosapien. The live-action/CGI film, Rebooted, was released less than a decade after the toyline launched, and one can’t help but think that this idea needed more time to percolate. It’s a slow drama film that won’t delight young kids or intrigue adults in any way.

The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987)

Films based on card-based games can be very hit or miss, and The Garbage Pail Kids Movie very much falls into the latter category. It’s crude and unfunny in all the worst ways, and the puppetry utilized to create the eponymous bunch may give some kids nightmares.

Potato Head Kids (1986)

TV critics lament the existence of shows like The Flintstone Kids and Tom & Jerry Kids, but those shows and others don’t hold a candle to the misfire that is Potato Head Kids. It sees Mr. Potato Head serve as an adult-type mentor to a bunch of impressionable spuds. Narrative and animation-wise, there’s nothing truly spectacular about this production. You’re better off just watching Mr. and Mrs. P in the Toy Story films (which we’ve ranked).

Bratz (2007)

The live-action Bratz movie released in the 2000s ultimately underperformed, which may be surprising given how popular the brand was at the time. Those who’ve seen the film – and how it underserves its cast with a clichéd story with weak characters – you may understand why.  

Pound Puppies And The Legend Of Big Paw (1988)

Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw isn’t much of an improvement on the TV show on which it’s based, as it has many of the same flaws. Another attempt to capitalize on Tonka toys, this TriStar-distributed motion picture bombed.

G.I. Joe Extreme (1995-1997)

Of all the various entries in Hasbro’s military-based media franchise, G.I. Joe Extreme is probably one of the most easily forgotten, and that’s understandable. While it places the main heroes in the future and pits them against a new enemy, the S.K.A.R. organization, it doesn’t really add anything truly interesting to the lore.

The New Adventures Of He-Man (1990)

Mattel’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is arguably one of the greatest animated series ever to hit the small screen, and its impact on pop culture is immense. That’s why it’s so disappointing that its spiritual successor, The New Adventures of He-Man, only (and barely) improves upon it when it comes to animation style.

The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017)

The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie are strong feature film efforts, which blazed a solid trail for The Lego Ninjago Movie. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t feel nearly as inspired as its predecessors and can’t hold a candle to the action-packed and humorous energy of the Ninjago animated series.

Jem And The Holograms (2015)

The critically derided Jem and the Holograms strips away most of what made the Jem show of the ‘80s so endearing. Director John M. Chu trades out high-energy storytelling for a bland drama while also mostly ignoring the technological elements that made the series so inventive. And, above all else, the songs – unlike the ones on the show – are mostly forgettable.

Visionaries: Knights Of The Magical Light (1987)

A very short-lived TV program, Visionaries: Knights Of The Magical Light focuses on the Spectral Knights in their quest to fend off the evil Darkling Lords on a distant planet. This feels like an odd mixture of Dungeons & Dragons and Transformers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t possess the action and sense of wonder that those franchises offer.

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

The critically panned Transformers: The Last Knight, Michael Bay’s fifth directorial effort in the franchise, sees the polarizing filmmaker give into all of his worst tendencies. There are one or two interesting ideas, such as Optimus Prime coming face to face with the extraterrestrial beings that actually brought the Autobots to life. However, the long-winded plot, which relies heavily on exposition, and repetitive action sequences leave much to be desired. 

Dino-Riders (1988)

Dino-Riders toys from Tyco may have seemed cool, but the cartoon created to promote them isn’t all that interesting. It offers a somewhat contrived concept about time-misplaced humanoid beings, who end up in the prehistoric era and forge telepathic bonds with dinosaurs to fight off enemies. It’s mostly generic – and not nearly as exciting as how the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers would command dino-inspired vehicles just five years later.

It should be said that these productions don’t truly represent the totality of toy adaptations movie and TV viewers have received over the years. As previously mentioned, there are plenty of excellent ones to check out. You can, however, still seek these out and watch in case you want to try to give them a chance.

Typically, actors will work their hardest to promote a film to the best of their ability... at first, that is. Sometimes, years (or months) after said movie releases, the stars will not hold back on their true feelings. See for yourself by taking a look at some of the, so-called, worst movies starring famous actors who would admit that even they agree with the most brutal critiques.

Ben Affleck (Daredevil)

Most would agree that he is one of the best live-action Batman actors, but Ben Affleck’s first stab at playing a superhero in 2003 was not very well received. The actor himself wasn't pleased either, as he told EW (via E!) that he agrees Daredevil “didn’t work, at all.” However, he later explained that what he appreciates about DD is that his commitment to accurately portraying Matt Murdock’s blindness paid off, at least.

Christian Bale (Newsies)

Newsies — a musical retelling of the 1899 New York newsboy strike — was a flop for Disney in 1992 but gained a cult following that star Christian Bale is not a part of. He told EW that the “wounds” he feels he suffered from starring in it healed over time. We suppose leading some great live-action Batman movies and winning an Oscar for The Fighter helped him as well. 

Halle Berry (Catwoman) 

When Halle Berry accepted her Razzie for Worst Actress of 2004 for Catwoman in person, she was one of the few actors to do so and thanked Warner Bros. for putting her in such a “god-awful movie.” At least the actor — who also has an Oscar for Monster’s Ball and a few well-received comic book movies under her belt (the X-Men movies) — has a sense of humor about starring in a DC movie that even John Rogers, one of its writers, thinks is bad.

Josh Brolin (Jonah Hex)

Future MCU and Deadpool 2 star Josh Brolin made his comic book movie debut in 2010 as the titular character in the DC Comics-inspired Western, Jonah Hex. The actor (and star of one of the best Neo-Westerns and, simply, best movies of the 2000s, No Country for Old Men) later told CBR (via CinemaBlend) that he would remake it if he had the chance, as he was not happy with how it turned out.

Sandra Bullock (Speed 2: Cruise Control)

Speed is considered one of the best action movies of all time, but Speed 2: Cruise Control is not remembered so fondly by most, including star Sandra Bullock. The Oscar winner brought up the 1997 sequel — which is set on a cruise ship — when asked by TooFab about movies she was initially embarrassed by before coming around later. However she never actually changed her tune on this one.

George Clooney (Batman & Robin)

While there are some people who actually do enjoy Batman & Robin, George Clooney — who played Bruce Wayne in the 1997 flop — is not one of them. On The Graham Norton Show, the Oscar winner talked about his propensity to constantly apologize for, as he believed at the time, ruining the Dark Knight’s big screen legacy forever, before Christopher Nolan saved it.

Sean Connery (The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen)

It's a shame to learn that an actor is not proud of their final live-action acting credit and such is the case with the late Sean Connery and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The former James Bond actor recalled in a 2007 interview unearthed by Heat Vision (via THR) how he tried to salvage the 2003 Alan Moore adaptation in the editing room and described director Stephen Norrington as insane.

David Cross (Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked)

According to The Washington Post, David Cross once felt the need to defend his participation in 2007’s Alvin and the Chipmunks, but he wasn't so kind about its 2011 threequel. During an appearance on Conan, the comedian recalled his “miserable” experience making Chipwrecked and recommended that the audience that was present not see the family film.

Viola Davis (The Help)

Even though her performance as 1960s Mississippi maid Abilene expanded her notoriety and earned her an Oscar nomination, Viola Davis regrets starring in 2011’s The Help. As she told Vanity Fair, “there’s a part of me that feels like I betrayed myself, and my people, because I was in a movie that wasn’t ready to [tell the whole truth]” and was “created in the filter and the cesspool of systemic racism.” 

Colin Farrell (Miami Vice)

When Michael Mann brought Miami Vice to the big screen in 2006, the action flick did not get the best reviews, based on its Rotten Tomatoes score of 47%. Lead actor Colin Farrell wasn’t too hot on it either, revealing to Total Film (via Far Out) that he “didn’t like it so much,” adding he felt it was “style over substance." Additionally, he even accepts some of the responsibility for that.

Crispin Glover (Back To The Future)

How could anyone dislike one of the best time travel movies ever made, 1985's Back to the Future? Well, George McFly actor Crispin Glover told AV Club that he felt the ending — which saw Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly return to an alternate present in which his family is rich — sent a misguided message, which is why he opted not to appear in the sequels.

Alec Guinness (Star Wars)

The Force was not strong with the Star Wars movies’ original Obi-Wan Kenobi actor, Alec Guinness, apparently. In 1975, the Oscar winner wrote a letter to his friend, Anne Kaufman — which was quoted in his biography and republished by Business Insider in 2013 — describing George Lucas’ script as “fairy-tale rubbish.”

Katherine Heigl (Knocked Up)

In 2008, Knocked Up cast member Katherine Heigl told Vanity Fair that it was “hard for [her] to love the movie,” as she believed it portrayed women in an unfavorable light. While the 2007 comedy is still remembered as one of the best Judd Apatow movies, the former Grey’s Anatomy cast member’s honest comments about sexism would have a negative impact on her career, unfortunately.

Bob Hoskins (Super Mario Bros.)

In 2011, the late Bob Hoskins was asked by The Guardian about his worst job, biggest disappointment, and element he would edit out from his past? His answer to each question was the infamous video game movie adaptation, Super Mario Bros., from 1993.

Jennifer Lawrence (Passengers)

Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence revealed to The New York Times that Adele actually recommended she should say “no” to 2016’s Passengers — in which she and Chris Pratt's characters wake up from a commercial interplanetary journey way too early. Lawrence then said she wished she hadn't ignored the advice from the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter.

Lindsay Lohan (I Know Who Killed Me)

According to a 2013 report by The Daily Mail, Lindsay Lohan was once tweeted at by a fan who told her she had watched I Know Who Killed Me twice the night before. The Parent Trap star replied by saying this fan had watched the 2007 psychological thriller “two times too many.”

Bill Murray (Garfield)

When Bill Murray said he regretted making Garfield during his iconic Zombieland cameo, that was not just a joke. In fact, it was during an interview with GQ that Murray said the only reason he agreed to voice the 2004 live-action movie’s titular cat was because he thought one of the Coen Brothers was writing it, only to learn too late that the scribe was Joel Cohen.

Paul Newman (The Silver Chalice)

According to the Irish Film Institute, Paul Newman’s choice for the “worst motion picture produced during the 1950s” was his screen acting debut: The Silver Chalice. Despite his feelings about it, the late, legendary actor actually received a “Most Promising Newcomer” Golden Globe nomination for playing the Holy Grail’s sculptor in the 1954 drama.

Robert Pattinson (Twilight)

There's no denying that playing Edward Cullen in the Twilight movies made Robert Pattinson the star he is now, but that doesn't change the fact that he's not big on the films. His 2011 interview with Vanity Fair, in which he says “representing something you don’t particularly like” is “weird” in reference to the teen vampire romance stories, is just one of many times the Batman actor has admitted to this.

Christopher Plummer (The Sound Of Music)

When asked about his most challenging role during a roundtable interview with THR, Christopher Plummer’s answer was Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music. His reasoning was nothing akin to Julie Andrews’ rough time shooting the iconic hill sequence, but was that he found the beloved 1965 musical itself to be “so awful and sentimental and gooey.”

Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern)

Has an actor ever been more shamelessly and frequently vocal about their disdain for their own work than Ryan Reynolds with Green Lantern? Most recently, Reynolds shared his horrified reaction to the 2009 DC flick at London’s Just for Laughs festival in 2023 (according to The Independent). But his most public and unapologetic expression of disappointment can be seen in both Deadpool movies.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Red Sonja)

While recognized as a cult favorite today, Red Sonja — which is being rebooted — is certainly not a film Arnold Schwarzenegger would call one of his best movies. In fact, the former California governor is quoted in Far Out as saying that he used to punish his children by forcing them to watch the 1985 comic book adaptation, which stars Brigette Nielsen as the titular warrior.

Sylvester Stallone (Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot) 

Apparently, Sylvester Stallone has Arnold Schwarzenegger to blame for his decision to star in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, which the Rocky star later told Ain’t It Cool News was “one of the worst movies in the entire solar system.” According to SlashFilm, the Terminator star revealed he tricked his then-rival, Stallone, into signing on for the panned 1992 comedy by feigning interest in the script.

Channing Tatum (G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra)

Radio host Howard Stern once named G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra as guest Channing Tatum’s star-making moment. In turn, Tatum bluntly admitted he hates the 2009 cinematic adaptation of the action figure line, claiming he was “pushed into” making it by Paramount. That explains why he requested to be killed off in the 2013 sequel, G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

Charlize Theron (Reindeer Games)

Academy Award winner Charlize Theron did not hold back when telling Esquire that she believes 2000’s Reindeer Games is a “bad, bad, bad movie.” However, she does not regret starring in the Ben Affleck-led Christmas action flick, as it a gave her the chance to work with director John Frankenheimer.

Mark Wahlberg (The Happening)

On a ranked list of M. Night Shyamalan movies, most people might put The Happening at a pretty low spot, including one of its stars. During a press conference for The Fighter, Mark Wahlberg admitted that he does not like The Happening either in an expletive-filled tirade. This came after he revealed that Amy Adams was up for Zooey Deschanel’s part in the unintentionally hilarious 2009 disaster thriller.

Sam Worthington (Clash Of The Titans)

Despite the fact that 2010's Clash of the Titans remake is one of his bigger hits outside of the Avatar movies, Sam Worthington is not a fan. He revealed to IndieWire that he put the blame on his “bland performance” as Perseus and promised to make up for it with the 2012 sequel, Wrath of the Titans.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Shallow Hal)

When Gwyneth Paltrow tested her friend and assistant Kevin Keating’s knowledge of her for a video on Netflix’s X account, he (almost) correctly names her least favorite performance of hers as Rosemary in Shallow Hal. The Academy Award winner and MCU star then describes the Farrelly Brothers’ 2001 fantasy rom-com, which also stars Jack Black, as a “disaster.”

Nicole Kidman (Australia)

Nicole Kidman revealed in an interview with a Sydney radio station (via Daily Mail) that she rarely watches her own movies but did attend the premiere of Australia, which reunited her with Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann. However, she found herself squirming in her seat over her performance in the 2009 romantic period drama, which paired her with Hugh Jackman.

Alec Baldwin (Rock Of Ages)

His fondness for director Adam Shankman and admiration for the all-star cast, including Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-Jones, convinced Alec Baldwin to star in Rock of Ages. However, as he revealed in a 2013 interview with American Magazine Media Conference in New York (via The Wrap), the 2012 movie based on a Broadway hit featuring ’80s rock tunes was a “complete disaster” in his eyes.

Brad Pitt (The Devil’s Own)

An action movie starring Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt sounds like a surefire success by those details alone but, as Pitt would share with Newsweek, The Devil’s Own is not all it's cracked up to be. Apparently, the 1997 thriller was a disaster from behind the scenes with the cast and crew being forced to make up the story as they went along after the previous “great script” was “tossed for various reasons.” In addition, Pitt and Ford couldn't get on the same page.

James Franco (Your Highness)

When James Franco jokes about not wanting to do a homemade sequel to 2011’s Your Highness in This is the End, he wasn't exactly kidding. The actor told GQ in 2013 that he thinks the medieval stoner comedy from director David Gordon Green “sucks."

Whether or not you agree with these celebrities’ opinion of their own films, you cannot deny that it takes guts for an actor to admit when one of their own films missed the mark in their eyes.

The first two G. I. Joe movies were surprise successes. The second film, titled G.I. Joe: Retaliation, did so well at the box office that talks for a third film started immediately after its release. There was even speculation/curiosity surrounding a potential G.I. Joe and Transformers crossover. And while we still don't really know what's next on the direct sequel front, we do have some news about a new spinoff. Will it get the Rock's seal of approval? We'll just have to see!

Encouraged by Retaliation's numbers, the studio has since confirmed that a G.I. Joe spinoff focusing on Snake Eyes has been in the works for quite some time now. With a 2020 release date and some interesting info already fed to the internet, the film's release is already a certainty and, honestly, I'm excited. But a recent article by Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter revealed that in addition to a Snake Eyes solo adventure, we're also getting a spinoff that will focus heavily on (or at least include) a character named Chuckles. Funny, right? Well, he's actually way cooler than his name suggests.

Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, the screenwriters behind the fabulous Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and the not-so-fabulous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies from 2014 and 2016, are currently working on the script for what is being called an ensemble of sorts. The article confirms that the project is officially underway so we'll probably find out more about the nature of the character's role sooner rather than later. Hopefully Chuckles gets tons of screen time and wins the hearts of millions. Wishful thinking, I know.

Chuckles (Phillip M. Provost) debuted as part of the line of G.I. Joe action figures, but did not appear in either Rise of Cobra or Retaliation. He appeared in the 1987 film G.I. Joe: The Movie but hasn't been seen since. He's not exactly Storm Shadow or Snake Eyes popularity-wise, but he's an expert at infiltration and other forms of spy craft, making him a perfect fit for the tone the film is presumably going for.

It will be good for Hasbro and Paramount to put under-appreciated characters in the spotlight, even if it's just for one movie. Marvel made a talking raccoon and a tree popular, so I'm ready to believe that, if done right, almost any character can work. So yeah, I'm excited to see Chuckles in action. Maybe the writers will realize his potential as a main character and put him front and center.

But what do you think? Are these spinoffs something you're interested in or are you passing on the franchise after the middling quality of the first two? Let us know in the comments below, and make sure you're aware of what's hitting theaters later this year!

A lot of movie fans are fond of avoiding spoilers now more than ever. Although trailers can sometimes reveal a lot, many people want to go into the theater knowing as little as possible. That’s become increasingly difficult in the internet age, where just casually strolling through social media or search engines can run the risk of throwing rumors or set leaks in your purview. However, the greatest risk for spoilers may actually be toys, either those officially revealed or those that are leaked ahead of a movie's official release.

The Russo Brothers -- no stranger to combating leaks -- recently said that 99% of the time, toys do not spoil movies. Well, I must finally be a member of the 1%, because toys have genuinely spoiled movies for me in the past. I’m not trying to particularly disagree with the Russo's math on this and given the sheer amount of promotional toys that are released each year, the amount of toys that manage to spoil something is probably slim. However, the ones that do usually drop a doozy.

I've compiled a list of products that have personally spoiled big movie moments. If there are other big examples, be sure to let us know!

Aquaman’s Orange And Green Costume Being Shown

I think that everyone defines spoiler a little differently, but if you’re the type of person who doesn’t even want to know what a character will be wearing, you probably were ticked to see Jason Momoa in Aquaman’s classic costume ahead of the film's release. The suit was revealed in promotional figures for the film before the actual release date. To be fair, the marketing put this suit everywhere it could -- including an extended trailer -- but considering it doesn’t arrive until the end of the movie, it was a bummer to learn about so far in advance.

The Cloverfield Monster's Appearance Revealed

Cloverfield without a doubt had one of the best movie marketing campaigns ever. This film captivated fans from the first teaser trailer, and the mystery around pretty much everything about it kept people hungry for details. That includes the appearance of the monster at the heart of it all, so fans were understandably bummed when that monster was revealed in a toy leak. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t call learning the appearance of the title monster as a spoiler for anything, but Cloverfield’s marketing had built such mystique around it that this leak felt especially brutal.

The Ghostbusters Villain Is The Reboot's Logo

The 2016 Ghostbusters reboot had it rough, but the villain of the film getting spoiled by action figures definitely didn’t help matters. Viewers learned that the ghost from the Ghostbusters logo was ultimately the villain of the movie. Out of context, that sounds pretty dumb, but toys often don’t come with elaborate explanations about how they fit into the movie. Therefore, this one contributed to a bad first impression to a movie that already needed support.

The Indominus Rex Shown Ahead Of Jurassic World

Another movie monster that was being kept close to the chest was the Indominus Rex, the man-made dinosaur from Jurassic World. The dinosaur had only been teased in footage and hadn’t yet been shown outright. However, you can’t expect the studio avoid attempts at profiting from merchandise, and it wasn’t that long before the I-Rex found its way online. It’s important to remember that unless it's Hot Toys, the figure will almost always look worse than in the actual film, so it stinks to have the look of your gruesome monster spoiled by cheap-looking plastic.

Ant-Man Turning Into Giant Man In Captain America: Civil War

When it comes to toys spoiling movies, there might be no greater perpetrator than LEGO. The company makes LEGO sets directly lifted from scenes of some of the most highly anticipated franchises like Marvel and Stars. They often aren't 100% accurate but that usually paint a picture of what to expect. One time, LEGO revealed that Ant-Man would transform into Giant Man during Captain America: Civil War, a moment that would have been a lot cooler to see for the first time on screen. Considering that Giant Man didn't show up in any promotional footage, this one stung fans as Marvel clearly had wanted to keep it as secret as possible.

Thor Gets A New Weapon In Avengers: Infinity War

The death of Mjolnir stunned Thor and MCU fans, but it didn't take him very long to forge an all-new hammer to stop Thanos. Thor's whole quest in Avengers: Infinity War was about finding that hammer, but some fans got a sneak peek at Stormbreaker thanks to toy leaks. You better believe Marvel and Disney were going to sell a kid-friendly version of Stormbreaker to whack each other with, and the hammer's design arrived online prior to the blockbuster's release. While not a major spoiler compared to some of the others, it was still disappointing for those who would rather have seen the new weapon in theaters.

The Secret Villain Revealed For G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra actually had the biggest twist leaked online before the movie released. An action figure of Joseph Gordon Levitt's character, The Doctor, revealed that his real name was Rex Lewis. His identity was kind of a big deal in the film and he was ultimately revealed to be the real villain, becoming Cobra Commander at the end of the movie. The package didn't ruin the Commander reveal, but it still dropped the ball pretty hard. I mean, do kids really care what the real names of G.I. Joe figures are?

Bruce Banner Is In The Hulkbuster During Avengers: Infinity War

Who is piloting the Hulkbuster? That was one of the questions fans had after the first Avengers: Infinity War trailer, and they wouldn't have to wait until the movie to find out the answer. Once again LEGO beat Marvel to the punch and revealed that Bruce Banner was inside of the suit designed for the sole purpose of beating him up. However, this also leads to an example of misdirection. Other toys had the Hulk bursting out of the suit, which ended up not happening in the film. Fans expecting Bruce to green-up were likely left surprised when it ultimately didn't happen.

The Mask Of The Phantasm Revealed For The Animated Batman Movie

Back in the 90s this type of thing happened way more often. Case in point, the action figure for the Phantasm in the beloved Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was unmasked in the packaging, her secret identity visible for all to see. Considering that this reveal is the mystery at the heart of the film, it completely ruins this moment! The movie is called MASK of the Phantasm! Imagine being excited to see the movie for the first time and then you see the plot twist that holds the whole movie together is right there clear as day in plastic casing. What an absolute bummer.

How Steppenwolf Looked In Justice League

While Darkseid had been the popular for a long time as the main villain of Justice League, Warner Bros. opted to go with the lesser known Steppenwolf. The general from Apokolips had already been confirmed to be the villain as well, but leave it to LEGO to give people their first taste of the character. A LEGO set revealed Steppenwolf in battle with DC heroes in the official toy for the movie. Justice League would have had to reveal this itself at some point before the premiere, but if given the chance, LEGO is going to beat you to it the majority of the time.

Rey Gets Luke's Lightsaber In Star Wars: The Force Awakens

It's hard to find a movie that was more anti-spoiler than Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The movie was kept under tighter wraps than almost any other movie, but even this behemoth wasn't immune to a retail screw-up. One lucky fan at Walmart found a new Rey action figure before the movie released and posted it online. The photo went viral and it contained a massive spoiler for The Force Awakens. It featured Rey with Luke Skywalker's lightsaber, revealing that she would ultimately become a Jedi. Reportedly, the toy was not supposed to have been on sale yet, but alas, it still ended up spoiling the flick.

All it takes is one person with a camera and an internet connection to drop a major spoiler for a film. Sometimes, these aren't the fault of the studio or marketing department. Some people just get their hands on stuff that they aren't supposed to. Still though, toy leaks remain as a source of spoilers for movies, especially big blockbusters. The closer a film gets to its release date, be sure to be on your guard regarding toy leaks.

It’s always good to hear actors say how they really feel about previous projects that we’ve always assumed they secretly hated. It’s refreshingly human. And so hearing Channing Tatum’s declaration that he hates G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra will probably make you love the aesthetically pleasing thespian even more.

Channing Tatum felt open enough to make this admission during his appearance on the Howard Stern Show, where he gave some surprising insight into how he was really pushed into taking the leading role as Duke in the Stephen Sommers-directed film. As soon as Howard Stern even mentioned G.I. Joe, Tatum declared, "I fucking hate that movie." This led the recording studio to erupt with laughter, but Stern was immediately intrigued as to why he despised the action adventure - especially since it was really the film that propelled Channing Tatum into mainstream Hollywood’s consciousness. Tatum then explained:

Tatum was also immediately attracted to the large sum of money that was being offered to him to star in G.I. Joe. However, between receiving plaudits for his turn in Coach Carter and the final draft of G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra being completed, Tatum’s career had reached such a point that he was thinking more responsibly about his roles and their effect on his career.

Of course, because he’d already signed a three-picture deal with Paramount Pictures Channing Tatum didn’t actually have a choice. In fact, he stated that if he hadn’t done G.I. Joe: The Rise Of The Cobra then Paramount had every right to sue him. He immediately recognized that the script for G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra "wasn’t any good," and he even looked to play damage control by trying to take the more intriguing role of Snake Eyes.

Unfortunately, Paramount Pictures were insistent that Channing Tatum actually needed to play the main protagonist. Tatum revealed to Stern that his main objections to participating in the potential dud, explaining, "I didn’t want to do something that I thought was 1) bad, and 2) I didn’t know if I wanted to be G.I. Joe."

Despite all of these issues with the project, Channing Tatum declared that he was "super lucky and blessed" to have been given G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, especially when you consider the other potential stinkers he could have been offered instead.

In the end, it all worked out rather well for Channing Tatum, because while G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra is wholly forgettable, he’s done an exceptional job of using the film’s success to help get other, better projects off the ground - all while proving that he’s actually a damn good actor too. Channing Tatum will next be seen in Magic Mike XXL on July 1st. And, unless something goes drastically wrong, he’ll probably never be seen in another G.I. Joe movie ever again.

Here’s the truth about Stephen Sommers: He makes fun movies. They’re usually dumb and full of too much CGI, and yes it’s easy to dismiss them if you’re one of those people who judges movies entirely by the dialogue written down in the script, but they are on some level, always fun. That’s especially true of G.I. Joe, an even dumber than normal Stephen Sommers movie which is as pure, popcorn fun as any other movie released in 2009.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra was so fun that it made a fair amount of money and so Paramount has been gearing up for a sequel. That seemed like a good idea to me, even with Sommers involved, but now he’s not. The LA Times said Paramount approached Sommers to helm G.I. Joe 2, but that Sommers has turned them down. Maybe it’s for the best.

Even though G.I. Joe was clearly a lot of fun, it’s just as clear that there’s plenty of room to make better movies out of this franchise. As long as Paramount doesn’t run out and hire Brett Ratner or McG to take a big dump all over everything, odds are that whoever they hire may be able to do more than dumb fun. Hey what’s Alex Proyas up to? He needs a comeback after the poor showing made by Knowing. I’d even be willing to give a shot to Shawn Levy. Those Night at the Museum movies are big, dumb, fun if anything.

Welcome back to FlixWorthy, your weekly guide to Netflix streaming. Yet again we're bringing you a handful of new or notable selections from Netflix's streaming catalogue. Some will be classics, some will be little-seen gems, some will be shows you might have missed, and some...some will be crap so awful they simply has to be seen to be believed.

We've missed a couple of weeks here at FlixWorthy, partly because I've been slammed with other work and partly because the Netflix pickings this past month have been slimmer than slim. Thankfully, Netflix just made up for that drought with one of the biggest catalogue updates I've ever seen. I'd estimate hundreds of titles have been added this week, likely the result of that billion-dollar deal the Netflix folks made a few weeks back. It's a strange mix of blockbusters, curiosities, and deep-cut insanity (Mac & Me?) We'd have to make this column the length of a decent-sized novella to cover it all, so this week I'm just highlighting a few of the biggest, weirdest, and most awesome additions. I'll profile even more of them in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Here's what's FlixWorthy this week, kids.

Iron Man

(2008, Rated PG-13, 126 min.)

I almost feel silly writing anything about Iron Man. What more is there to say that hasn't already been said? Along with The Dark Knight, it's the movie that marked the (so far) pinnacle of the recent comic-book-movie renaissance. Dark Knight demonstrated that it was imminently possible to tell a smart, layered, morally complex story using source material that has often been dismissed or woefully mishandled by Hollywood. On the other end of the spectrum, Iron Man proved that not every comic-book property needs to shoot for dark and angsty...sometimes it's enough to be true to the source material and just try to have as much fun as is humanly possible. Step one to achieving that goal? Cast Robert Downey Jr. as your dashing, quick-witted hero and let him polish out any flaws in your screenplay through the sheer power of his charisma. The recent sequel may not have recaptured all the silver-screen magic of this original, but Iron Man is the movie that not only firmly cemented the second coming of Downey, it almost single-handedly made Marvel's ambitious big-screen Avengers scheme a possibility. It's damn near the perfect summer-popcorn movie.

Double-Feature It With:

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

(2009, Rated PG-13, 118 min.)

Of course, not every excursion into the toy boxes of our youth can be as rousing a success as Iron Man. Arriving the same summer as the execrable Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, G.I. Joe made for a queasy one-two punch right in the nostalgia gland of '80s children such as myself. That being said, G.I. Joe does manage to nail some fun set pieces in amongst the idiocy, and at one point Rachel Nichols jogs on a treadmill while wearing a sports bra. Plus, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance literally defies description.

Star Trek

(2009, Rated PG-13, 126 min.)

J.J. Abrams' controversial not-a-reboot of the flailing Trek franchise succeeded on several levels. For the most part, it nailed the casting. Pine exuded the cool confidence of Kirk without simply aping Shatner's often-parodied delivery. Zachary Quinto went beyond his surface resemblance to Leonard Nimoy to portray a younger, more emotionally conflicted Spock. Zoe Saldana -- with all due respect to Nichelle Nichols -- finally made Uhura interesting. Karl Urban was an appropriately crusty Bones, despite not having that much to do. The visuals were sleek, the action was intense, and the script proved it wasn't afraid to take chances with this new continuity (sayonara, Vulcan). It wasn't all good news, however. Bana's Nero was seriously underdeveloped as a villain, the screenplay struggled to incorporate humor in ways that weren't cringe-inducing, and this new incarnation lacked the brains and heart of the best of the classic Trek outings. And the less said about Anton Yelchin's Chekov accent, the better. Still and all, it's a promising foundation for a newly reinvigorated franchise, and here's hoping Abrams and company fix what was broken and improve further on what worked whenever the sequel finally arrives. As long as they stay far away from anything involving "wrath" and anybody named "Khan."

Double-Feature It With...

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

(1986, Rated PG, 118 min., HD)

If Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman want to take notes on how to properly apply a sense of humor to the Star Trek template, they could do a lot worse than watch The Voyage Home. It may lack the pathos and intensity of Wrath of Khan, but it's just damned entertaining and packed with character-based humor. Plus, it's got that kickass whale probe.

The 'burbs

(1989, Rated PG, 102 min., HD)

How much do I love The 'burbs? I love The 'burbs as much as CinemaBlend head honcho Josh Tyler loves Clue, if not more. Actually, come to think of it, I love Clue, too. But The 'burbs is awesome, that's what I'm saying. Working from the thesis that we grown-ups shouldn't let little kids have all the awesome, Goonies-esque adventures, The 'burbs introduces us to Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks), an average suburbanite in dire need of a vacation. He just wants to sit around the house and relax, and he finally convinces his wife (Carrie Fisher) to let him do just that. Sadly, relaxation will not be on the schedule, because manchild-next-door Art (Rick Ducommun) soon entangles him in the neighborhood scuttlebutt that the new family on the block, the rarely seen Klopek clan, are psychopathic murderers. Ray's protestations lose some of their steam when another neighbor vanishes and leaves behind signs of a struggle, and soon Ray is reluctantly considering the possibility that yes, the Klopeks might have a backyard full of bodies and a cellar full of secrets. The cast is uniformly awesome, from Bruce Dern as gun-crazy vet Mark Rumsfield, to Corey Feldman as enthusiastic rubbernecker Ricky Butler, to the late, lamented Henry Gibson as the Klopek patriarch. The 'burbs is the perfect mix of the silly, the scary, and the surreal, and has been on regular rotation in my home for years. Come to think of it, it's about time for another spin...

Double-Feature It With:

Top Secret!

(1984, Rated PG, 90 min.)

One of the very best -- if not the best -- of the Abrahams/Zucker productions, Top Secret! casts Val Kilmer in one of his three best roles (the other two are Real Genius and Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, FYI) as an American rock singer who gets swept up in international intrigue. This pitch-perfect parody of WWII spy movies is loaded with killer lines my friends and I have been quoting for the past quarter century. Latrine!

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

(1984, Rated PG, 102 min.)

Any self-respecting list of cult classics compiled since the mid-'80s is virtually guaranteed to include this odd little gem. Trying to summarize the concept will in no way do it justice, but I'm going to give it a shot nonetheless. Peter Weller stars as Buckaroo Banzai, a world-famous physicist/neurosurgeon/secret agent/rock star who travels the world inventing stuff, rocking out, and having adventures. He's accompanied by a memorable pack of sidekicks known as the Hong Kong Cavaliers, an eccentric assemblage that could give Doc Savage's entourage a run for their money. (Any group that includes both Clancy Brown and Jeff Goldblum is formidable indeed.) In Across the 8th Dimension, which was written and shot as if it was one part of a long-running series, Buckaroo must save the world from inter-dimensional invaders known as "Red Lectroids." If it all sounds rather strange, that's because you haven't been paying attention...it is in fact exceedingly strange. But in a good way. But strange.

Double-Feature It With:

The Garbage Pail Kids Movie

(1987, Rated PG, 97 min.)

I'm not even going to attempt to explain the concept of Garbage Pail Kids to any of you born after 1990. If you're curious, go read the Wikipedia entry. Suffice to say, those of you who grew up in the '80s aren't even reading this anymore, because you've clicked the link up there and are busy adding it to your queue, if not already watching it. Seriously, this sort of deranged pop-cultural artifact is exactly why Netflix Instant Watch was invented.

DeepStar Six

(1989, Rated R, 99 min., HD)

Hollywood's tendency to release suspiciously similar movies one on the heels of the other is well documented at this point. Armageddon and Deep Impact. Volcano and Dante's Peak. The Transformers franchise and Michael Bay's bowel movements. It's hardly a new phenomenon, however, and denizens of the year 1989 got not two, but three sci-fi-tinged underwater thrillers over an eight-month period. Of the three, only one of them made any lasting impact: James Cameron's excellent The Abyss, which appropriately enough arrived in August, saving the best for last. The first out the gate, however, was DeepStar Six, which arrived 13 days into January and pit the crew of an experimental undersea nuclear base against a nasty critter with a taste for squishy humans. Being 11 at the time, I never saw DeepStar Six, but I've always wanted to see how The Abyss' lesser-known aquatic competition panned out, and now I have the chance. Even if it sucks, you've got to love that poster art.

Double-Feature It With...

Leviathan

(1989, Rated R, 98 min.)

Next up in the 1989 Underwater Thriller Three-fer was Leviathan, which surfaced in March of that year. It set itself apart from The Abyss and DeepStar Six by being about, um, an undersea team that encounters a mysterious creature. But hey, it stars Peter Weller and that guy from Home Alone who isn't Joe Pesci!

Zone Troopers

(1985, Rated PG, 85 min.)

Man, Netflix really dug deep into my childhood for this catalogue update. I remember endlessly watching a crappy VHS copy of Zone Troopers that we taped off some late-night TV airing, and it's one of those movies that immediately and powerfully conjures memories of my youth. It's also a movie damn near no one else I know has ever seen or heard of. Director/co-writer Danny Bilson went on to write the enormously entertaining Rocketeer movie and the quirky early-'90s Flash series, but if you ask me he peaked in 1985 with Zone Troopers. The flick follows two WWII American soldiers who discover a crashed alien spaceship in the woods of Italy and soon run across the charming alien chap pictured above. The G.I.s team up with their new furry extraterrestrial friend to try and reclaim his ship before those pesky Nazis can get their swastikas all over it. As near as I can tell, Zone Troopers has never gotten a DVD release, so its arrival on Netflix Instant Watch is nothing short of awesome.

Double-Feature It With...

Laserblast

(1978, Rated PG-13, 85 min.)

I remember watching this movie on some idle Saturday afternoon in the mid-'80s. Given that all I remember about it is the distinctive alien weapon the protagonist straps to his arm (and which soon begins mutating him each time he uses it), there's every possibility it's not very good. That being said, I can't wait to crack open a six pack and watch it again.

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Because we're trapped in this seemingly endless era of starting new franchises, we've been seeing a lot of child actors getting the chance to play superheroes. There was Young Kirk in Star Trek, Young Wolverine in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Young Snake Eyes in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, and now Young Conan in Conan the Barbarian-- who, as it turns out, will be the same kid as Young Snake Eyes.

Leo Howard, who played that key role in the opening moments of G.I. Joe, will be playing the Conan role in the first 15 minutes of the new film, according to Latino Review. From there Jason Momoa, whose casting was announced last month, will take care of the actual muscle-bound part of the role.

You may have also spied Howard in small roles in Robert Rodriguez's Shorts or on something called Leo Little's Big Show. He's classing rising-star child actor material, but don't forget to take him seriously, because last time a kid from a Robert Rodriguez children's film got cast in something big, he turned out to be Taylor Lautner.

Today Electronic Arts released the video game tie-in for upcoming film G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra. The game is now available for PC, DS, PS3, PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and select mobile phones.

The exact gameplay varies from platform to platform. However, each version is at its heart an arcade-style shooter in the vein of Contra. You're a member of the elite force G.I. Joe and you're running around killing stooges from the COBRA organization. The game is set after the events of the film so don't worry about spoilers. The 360, Wii, and PS3 versions cost $50, the PSP version is $40, and the PS2 and DS versions are $30.

In an un-eerie non-coincidence, G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra hits theaters on Friday, August 7th.

The Nintendo DS is one of the many, many platforms that will receive a G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra game this summer. EA sent out four screenshots this morning that demonstrate what this particular version will look like.

The DS G.I. Joe uses a top-down view rather than the third-person, behind-the-back perspective appearing in other versions. The graphics have a retro, hand-drawn look - which fits, because it's an arcade-style shooter. The look of the game isn't going to get you all hot and bothered but the graphics for the DS version seem more in line with the platform's capabilities than the graphics for say, the PS3/360 versions. One of the screenshots is entitled "Joe vs Cobra multiplayer" so apparently the game will make use of the DS' wireless connectivity.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra will hit theaters on August 7th. The game will probably be released on or around that date. In addition to the DS, it will appear on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360, and mobile phones.

EA has released a batch of new screenshots from their upcoming G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra video game. Note that these are from the Xbox 360 version so your mileage may vary if you're playing it on one of the other platforms.

Rise of Cobra is a third-person shooter that brings to mind Contra. Two players can team up for local co-op or you can play alone with an A.I. companion. If you're playing single-player, you'll be able to swap characters at will.

Cobra will be released for DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, and 360 in August alongside the film. The movie will hit theaters on August 7th so expect the game on or around that date.