- The Last Temptation of Christ (1988): This movie generated controversy due to its portrayal of Jesus as a flawed and conflicted character. It faced intense criticism from religious groups and sparked protests, limiting its box office performance and overall success.
- New York, New York (1977): This musical drama received mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike. Some found the film's style and tone to be inconsistent, while others appreciated its artistic ambition. It did not achieve the same level of critical and commercial success as many of Scorsese's other works.
- Gangs of New York (2002): Despite its impressive visuals and performances, Gangs of New York was criticized for its lengthy runtime, complex narrative, and mixed character development. While it was a moderate box office success, it fell short of the commercial impact and critical acclaim of some of Scorsese's other crime-themed films.
- The Aviator (2004): The Aviator received critical praise for Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of Howard Hughes but faced criticism for its extended running time and dense storytelling. While the film was a financial success, it didn't leave the same cultural impact as some of Scorsese's more iconic works.
These movies may not be considered the "worst" in the sense of being poorly crafted or devoid of merit. Rather, they didn't achieve the widespread acclaim or resonance with audiences as some of Scorsese's other masterpieces, resulting in mixed or less enthusiastic responses.