Digging into Henry Cavill’s filmography, we found 5 less impressive projects done by the actor, during his initial years.

Rising to fame from his starring role in The Tudors, Henry Cavill gradually turned into a Hollywood staple. Thereafter, from big-budget superhero movies like Man of Steel to appearing in iconic franchises like Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible, Cavill gained prominence in the entertainment industry.

Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel
However, there was a time when the actor struggled in Hollywood, despite his good looks and prolific acting skills. Rumored to run for James Bond, Batman, and even Twilight, Henry Cavill lost out on many renowned roles during his initial years. Although the actor was eventually launched into the A-List by DCEU, let’s check out Cavill’s filmography and note down 5 of his worst movies.

1. The Cold Light of Day

Henry Cavill, with his striking looks and robust physique, is often deemed a natural fit for action films. However, like many actors, he faced challenges securing major roles in the beginning. Consequently, Cavill took part in lesser-known movies, such as the 2012 action thriller The Cold Light of Day, reminiscent of the Bourne series.

The film, which featured a typical plot about a family man compelled to become a vigilante after his family is abducted by foreign spies for a missing briefcase, also starred notable actors like Bruce Willis, Emma Hamilton, and Sigourney Weaver. Despite the star-studded cast, The Cold Light of Day is considered one of Cavill’s least successful films due to its overly predictable narrative.
Cavill in The Cold Light of Day (2012)
Playing the role of Will Shaw, a Wall Street businessman, Cavill appeared clearly phoning-in his role in the movie. With oddly cheap-looking affairs and a ridiculous storyline, The Cold Light of Day appeared in Cavill’s filmography that seems better forgotten.

The Cold Light of Day is available on Netflix.

2. Night Hunter

Yet again, much like The Cold Light of Day, Henry Cavill’s 2018 action thriller, Night Hunter, landed on our list of worst movies, from the actor’s filmography. With nothing much to differentiate in terms of style, content, or creative ineptitude, Cavill’s movie featured him as a weathered Lieutenant Walter Marshall alongside A-listers like Ben Kingsley, Alexandra Daddario, and Stanley Tucci.
Cavill as Walter Marshall in Night Hunter (2018)
The film’s narrative centers on the investigation into the death of a woman linked to a series of recent vanishings, attempting to deliver startling twists at every juncture. Regrettably, it devolved into a commonplace action-thriller, squandering the talents of an exceptional ensemble cast.

Night Hunter is available on Netflix.

3. Red Riding Hood

Taking a trip back to the early 2000s and hovering over Henry Cavill’s filmography, we landed our hands on 2006’s Red Riding Hood. Not to be confused with Catherine Hardwicke’s movie of the same name, Cavill’s film was apparently a musical adventure retelling the classic fairy tale with a twist.
Cavill as The Hunter in 2006’s Red Riding Hood
In the film, Cavill portrayed the charming hunter with notably lovely hair, with Morgan Thompson co-starring as Red. Despite its efforts to delight audiences with its quasi-eccentric family humor, the movie has largely faded from memory, save for its most outlandish scenes, which include Joey Fatone in the role of the big bad wolf who devoured an entire child.

Red Riding Hood is available on Roku.

4. Hellraiser: Hellworld

Henry Cavill, widely recognized for his roles in major franchises such as DC and Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible, began his career in the horror media franchise Hellraiser. While the early Hellraiser films were acclaimed chillers, Cavill’s 2005 installment, Hellraiser: Hellworld, unfortunately tarnished the franchise’s reputation.

Straying from the original vision and distinctive elements of the series, the narrative evolved into a more conventional slasher film, causing Hellraiser to lose its unique identity and fade into obscurity. Thus, the 2005 Hellraiser: Hellworld became a stark illustration of the degradation of Clive Barker’s original concepts. Cavill, portraying the unremarkable Mike, who becomes a sacrificial offering to the Cenobites, starred with Doug Bradley, Katheryn Winnick, among others.
Henry Cavill as Mike in Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
Despite great attempts put into Henry Cavill’s Hellraiser: Hellworld, the movie ended up being so bad that it went straight to DVD in the US. And now, after decades, it’s almost forgotten as a part of the Hellraiser franchise.

Hellraiser: Hellworld is available on Prime Video.

5. Tristan and Isolde

Finally wrapping up our list of Henry Cavill’s worst movies, we have the 2006’s Tristan and Isolde. Based on the medieval romantic legend, the story of Tristan and Iseult is one of the most influential tales in Western culture, which has been reimagined countless times since the 12th century. But for Hollywood, the 2006 movie was the first time the tale was being taken into consideration.
Cavill as Melot in Tristan and Isolde (2006)
Produced by the brothers Tony and Ridley Scott, the movie sadly aimed for historical realism over the more fantastical source material. Therefore, failing to grasp the romanticism and emotional grandeur of the story, that made it so beloved through centuries, Tristan and Isolde fell flat and ruined the essence of the tale. With Henry Cavill playing the role of Melot, the movie starred A-listers like Sophia Myles, James Franco, and Rufus Sewell.

Unfortunately, in the end, with a lack of chemistry between Franco and Myles, who played the lead, Tristan and Isolde turned into an adaptation of the tale, empty of life.