Comedy Movies That Didn’t Make Anyone Laugh

Throughout the history of film, many comedies have tried and failed to be funny, despite having big budgets and well-known actors. These movies often relied on tired clichés or relied on shock value instead of genuine wit, leaving audiences and critics unimpressed. This list highlights some of the most notorious comedic flops – from disappointing sequels to strange parodies – films that simply didn’t make people laugh.

‘Movie 43’ (2013)

As a film buff, I recently checked out this anthology, and wow, it really leaned into shock value and deliberately gross-out comedy. It’s packed with recognizable faces, but the sketches themselves were all over the place – one minute it’s about a guy with a really tough physical situation, the next it’s a crazed cat attacking someone! Honestly, most critics weren’t impressed, saying the ideas just didn’t quite land. It got pretty much universally panned when it came out, and I think a lot of viewers, myself included, were just baffled as to how so many talented actors signed on to be a part of it.

‘Jack and Jill’ (2011)

Okay, so Adam Sandler’s latest is… a lot. He plays both a straight-laced ad exec and his incredibly annoying twin sister, Jill, who basically moves in for Thanksgiving and just doesn’t leave. Things get really weird when Al Pacino shows up as himself, and becomes totally fixated on Jill. Honestly, I found it relied way too heavily on predictable jokes and slapstick. It’s no surprise it swept the Razzies – basically the awards for the worst movies of the year – because it really doesn’t offer much beyond those tired gags.

‘The Love Guru’ (2008)

Mike Myers plays an American man who was raised in India by spiritual teachers and returns to the US to become a self-help guru. He tries to help a hockey player reclaim both his wife and the championship title. However, the movie’s reliance on old-fashioned puns and slapstick comedy didn’t resonate with viewers or critics. After a string of successful films, this one was a letdown, with many finding the humor to be predictable and unfunny for today’s audiences.

‘Gigli’ (2003)

Ben Affleck stars as a small-time criminal tasked with kidnapping the brother of a federal prosecutor. Jennifer Lopez plays a fellow criminal brought in to manage the operation and make sure it goes as planned. Though advertised as a funny and romantic crime story, the movie never quite found its footing and suffered from an inconsistent tone. Reviewers noted a lack of spark between Affleck and Lopez, and a script that didn’t deliver on the comedy. The film has since become well-known as a notable example of a big-budget movie that didn’t succeed.

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

This animated movie is set inside a smartphone, where app icons live like citizens in a digital world. The plot centers on an emoji with many faces who wants to become a standard camera filter. However, many people felt the film was more of an advertisement than a genuinely creative story. Critics and audiences generally disliked it, finding the humor unoriginal and predictable, and it received poor reviews when it was released.

‘Holmes & Watson’ (2018)

As a comedy fan, I was really excited to see Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly team up again, this time as a take on a famous detective duo. The plot involved them trying to save the Queen of England, which sounded fun, but honestly, the movie just didn’t land for a lot of people. It relied a lot on current trends and over-the-top physical comedy, and many found it fell flat. I even heard stories about people actually walking out during the opening weekend! It just didn’t have the same spark as their previous movies together, which was a real disappointment.

‘Dirty Grandpa’ (2016)

This comedy follows a young lawyer who unwittingly agrees to drive his hilariously inappropriate grandfather to Florida for spring break. Starring Robert De Niro and Zac Efron, the film centers around raunchy humor and over-the-top partying. However, critics found the movie relied too heavily on shocking moments and didn’t offer much depth to the characters. Many reviewers felt the talented lead actor deserved a better script, and the film was largely criticized for being unnecessarily harsh and lacking wit.

‘Pixels’ (2015)

When aliens mistake old arcade game footage for a hostile attack, they retaliate by using the games themselves as blueprints for their invasion of Earth. The government then assembles a team of retired gaming pros to fight off these pixelated enemies. While the movie initially appealed to viewers with its nostalgic references, critics found it ultimately fell flat. Many commented that the humor became predictable, and the characters weren’t very compelling. The film struggled to effectively combine action and comedy.

‘Little Man’ (2006)

This comedy features a tiny jewel thief who cleverly disguises himself as a baby to steal back a diamond from a couple who unknowingly have it. The filmmakers used visual effects to put Marlon Wayans’ head on a smaller actor’s body. A lot of the humor comes from the thief behaving like an adult while pretending to be an infant. However, many reviewers found the special effects strange and the plot quite obvious. The movie was also criticized for depending too much on silly physical comedy and crude jokes that weren’t very funny.

‘Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star’ (2011)

A man growing up in a quiet town learns his parents were porn stars back in the 1970s. Determined to become famous like them, he moves to California, even though he doesn’t have any natural comedic ability. The resulting movie was almost universally panned by critics for being predictable and lacking a clear story. It’s exceptionally rare, but the film received a zero percent rating on popular review sites, with most critics finding the main character irritating rather than amusing.

‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2’ (2015)

Kevin James is back as the security guard in this movie, taking his daughter to a Las Vegas convention. He accidentally gets caught up in a robbery and has to try and stop the criminals, despite not being very skilled. However, the movie largely rehashed the same slapstick humor from the first film, relying heavily on the lead character’s clumsy antics. Critics found this approach uninspired and felt it didn’t offer anything new, even disappointing fans of the original.

‘Grown Ups 2’ (2013)

This movie catches up with a group of friends who’ve returned to their hometown to reconnect. It shows snapshots of their everyday lives and encounters with some quirky locals. However, reviewers felt the film lacked a strong storyline or clear purpose, and the comedy relied too much on silly, immature gags. While the movie made money, critics generally thought it was poorly made and lacked ambition.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

Eddie Murphy plays a nightclub owner on the moon who won’t sell his club to a dangerous gangster. He’s forced to flee across the lunar landscape with a waitress and a robotic bodyguard. Despite a huge budget, the movie didn’t succeed as either an action film or a comedy, and it became a major box office flop. Audiences generally found the story uninteresting and the humor unfunny.

‘Bio-Dome’ (1996)

This movie follows two clueless friends who blunder their way into being trapped inside a cutting-edge research facility focused on environmental sustainability – for an entire year! Their antics constantly disrupt the scientists’ serious work. The film depends heavily on the over-the-top energy of its stars, but critics found the characters annoying and the humor lacking. It’s generally considered a career low for those involved.

‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)

This movie is about a group of babies who can understand each other and have to save other children from a powerful media owner trying to control their minds. It’s known for showing babies doing impressive stunts and fighting bad guys with the help of special effects. However, it’s often considered one of the worst films ever made because of its silly story, bad writing, and lack of humor for both kids and adults. Critics also disliked the poor-quality visuals and confusing plot.

‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)

A cartoonist discovers Loki’s magical mask and has a child with superpowers. While the movie tries to capture the fast-paced humor of the original, it doesn’t quite work without Jim Carrey. Many found the special effects scary instead of funny, and the story felt messy and lacked the appeal of the first film. As a result, it flopped in theaters and critics heavily panned it.

‘Disaster Movie’ (2008)

This movie is a parody that makes fun of popular blockbusters and trends from when it came out. The story follows a group of friends as they deal with disasters and run into celebrities, but it doesn’t have a very strong plot. Critics thought the jokes were old and not very funny, and that the movie felt quickly made and depended too much on viewers simply recognizing the things it was making fun of, instead of offering smart satire. It’s generally considered one of the less successful films in the parody genre.

‘Epic Movie’ (2007)

Four orphaned children stumble into a fantastical factory and find themselves in a world that playfully mocks well-known fantasy movies. They meet characters that are clearly inspired by popular franchises, all presented with a rough, sketch-like style. However, the film received negative reviews for its excessive use of childish humor and weak attempts at imitating famous characters. Critics felt it focused too much on including references and not enough on crafting genuinely funny jokes, ultimately deeming it a lazy cash-in on successful films.

‘Meet the Spartans’ (2008)

This movie is a straightforward parody of the film about the Battle of Thermopylae. It tries to be funny by adding in TV shows and famous people, but most critics found the humor to be predictable and lacking in meaningful satire. They felt it was just a series of disconnected jokes, not a well-made film, and it didn’t attract many viewers despite poking fun at popular movies.

‘The Master of Disguise’ (2002)

In this movie, Dana Carvey plays a waiter whose family has a history of incredible disguises. He has to use these skills to rescue his father, transforming into different characters with costumes and accents to get close to a group of criminals. While intended for kids, many viewers found the humor odd and overly repetitive. Critics felt the movie resembled a series of unused sketches and pointed out the weak storyline and lack of truly funny moments.

‘That’s My Boy’ (2012)

A father who had a child as a teenager reconnects with his now-grown and successful son, hoping to borrow money. They spend time together leading up to the son’s wedding, and their interactions become increasingly reckless and inappropriate. However, critics found their relationship awkward rather than funny, and many felt the film’s harsh humor was unkind or fell flat. Ultimately, the movie didn’t do well in theaters and received negative reviews for its writing.

‘Norbit’ (2007)

In this film, Eddie Murphy plays a man and his demanding wife, among other characters. The plot centers around his attempts to reconnect with a past love while still married. Although the movie made a lot of money, critics generally disliked it, pointing out that its humor often relied on hurtful stereotypes and jokes about weight. Many reviewers felt that Murphy’s comedic skills were overshadowed by heavy makeup and weak material.

‘Dudley Do-Right’ (1999)

I’ve always been a fan of the original cartoon, so I was really excited to see Brendan Fraser take on the role of the Mountie in this live-action version. The story centers around him trying to save his town from a villain who wants to create a phony gold rush just to bring in tourists. Honestly, though, it didn’t quite capture the magic of the cartoon. The humor felt a little flat, and the movie just didn’t really move. It didn’t seem to connect with people who loved the show, or even those who were seeing it for the first time, which was a shame.

‘The Cat in the Hat’ (2003)

Mike Myers plays the iconic Dr. Seuss character who unexpectedly visits two children while their mother is out. The movie takes the basic children’s story and adds jokes for adults and references to popular culture. However, many people found the movie’s mood to be uneven and the main character surprisingly unsettling rather than playful. Critics also disliked the movie’s bright, overdone visuals, finding them distracting. The film was poorly received, leading the Dr. Seuss estate to prevent any future live-action movie versions of his books.

‘The Ridiculous 6’ (2015)

This comedy set in the Old West centers around six strangers who realize they all have the same outlaw father. They team up to find him, traveling across the landscape and meeting colorful characters and famous figures from the era. While notable as one of the first big original movies made for a streaming service, the film was widely panned by critics. Common complaints included its excessive length, reliance on predictable Western clichés, and humor that often felt uninspired and relied on offensive stereotypes.

‘Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo’ (2005)

The main character heads to Amsterdam to assist his old pimp, who’s been accused of killing several male escorts. To find the true killer, he has to go undercover within the city’s sex work scene. However, the follow-up film was panned for its predictable, crude humor and repetitive dialogue. Reviewers found it lacked the appeal of the original and felt it wasn’t needed. In fact, it won several awards recognizing it as one of the year’s worst movies.

‘Daddy Day Camp’ (2007)

Cuba Gooding Jr. stars in this follow-up film about two dads who start a summer camp. They struggle with everything from competing camps to their own inexperience in the outdoors. The movie received negative reviews, largely because it relied too much on slapstick involving kids and animals. Critics felt it was a poor copy of the first film, with a noticeably worse story, and it didn’t succeed with audiences or reviewers.

‘Envy’ (2004)

This comedy follows two friends whose relationship is strained when one of them invents a spray that magically makes dog poop vanish, leading to sudden wealth. Starring Ben Stiller and Jack Black, the film explores themes of jealousy and a struggling business partnership. However, it didn’t quite hit the mark with audiences or critics. Many found the story lacking depth and the humor surprisingly limited, resulting in negative reviews and poor box office performance.

‘Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot’ (1992)

In this film, Sylvester Stallone stars as a hardened police officer whose life is turned upside down when his overbearing mother moves in. She constantly meddles in his job, doing things like washing his guns with soap and water and tagging along on risky assignments. While the movie aimed to reveal a more comedic and vulnerable side of Stallone, most viewers didn’t find it funny. In fact, Stallone has repeatedly called it the worst film he’s ever made, and critics agreed it was a dull and uninspired story.

‘It’s Pat’ (1994)

The movie, inspired by a famous Saturday Night Live character, centers around a person whose gender is intentionally kept a mystery. The story follows Pat as they deal with everyday life, while everyone around them becomes fixated on determining whether Pat is male or female. Unfortunately, the film couldn’t successfully develop its original short sketch into a full-length movie. It performed very poorly in theaters and was quickly removed after its release. Critics found the character annoying when stretched out over ninety minutes.

‘Caddyshack II’ (1988)

This follow-up movie tried to recreate the fun of the original golf comedy, but it lacked most of the original actors. The story centers on a rich man determined to become a member of a fancy country club, only to be turned away by its stuck-up members. While fans loved the first film, they were let down by this sequel’s weak writing and excessive slapstick. The movie’s production was difficult, and the final product felt messy and incomplete. It’s often remembered as one of the worst comedy sequels ever made.

‘Zoolander 2’ (2016)

The popular male models are back in a new adventure, this time to foil a plot against the world’s most beautiful people. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson return, and the film features many celebrity appearances. However, reviewers thought the sequel came too late and felt it repeated jokes from the original. They found the story overly complicated and the humor wasn’t as witty as before, ultimately failing to capture the same magic as the first movie.

‘Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd’ (2003)

This movie goes back to the beginning, showing what the popular comedy characters were like in high school. While new actors play the roles, many viewers felt they didn’t quite capture the spirit of the originals and lacked the same on-screen connection. Critics and audiences alike found the story unoriginal and overly reliant on silly, slapstick humor. Ultimately, the film wasn’t successful and most people agreed the series didn’t need a backstory.

‘Saving Christmas’ (2014)

This movie, starring Kirk Cameron, tries to explore the religious roots of how we celebrate Christmas today. It centers on a man who’s lost his love for the holiday, and his brother-in-law attempts to rekindle it by explaining the history behind various traditions. Despite being advertised as a comedy, many viewers found it to be more like a sermon than a funny film. Critics gave it very low ratings for both how it was made and how the story was told. Ultimately, the movie gained notoriety for the overwhelmingly negative reactions it received online.

‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ (2009)

Jeremy Piven stars as a quick-witted auctioneer brought in to rescue a struggling car dealership over a holiday weekend. He and his unusual team try to sell all the cars using high-pressure sales methods. However, the show’s rapid-fire jokes and often rude behavior didn’t land well with many viewers, feeling more draining than funny. Critics also pointed out that the characters weren’t particularly likable and the story was predictable, ultimately leading to low ticket sales in theaters.

‘A Thousand Words’ (2012)

A literary agent who talks very quickly discovers a magical tree in his yard. The tree loses a leaf every time he speaks, and he learns he’ll die when all the leaves are gone. This forces him to find ways to communicate without using his voice. The film’s star, Eddie Murphy, had to stay mostly silent throughout the movie. However, reviewers didn’t think the physical humor was very creative, and the emotional parts felt unnatural. The film was delayed several times and ultimately received negative reviews when it was finally released.

‘Vampires Suck’ (2010)

This movie is a comedy that makes fun of popular vampire romance films from around the time it came out. It copies scenes and characters from those movies, but adds silly, over-the-top humor and references to current pop culture. However, critics thought the movie didn’t offer any clever observations about the films it was imitating. Many found the jokes unoriginal and the movie’s speed felt inconsistent. It was one of a wave of similar parody films that didn’t impress most critics.

‘Inappropriate Comedy’ (2013)

This movie is made up of short, deliberately shocking and offensive scenes. It stars recognizable actors in segments that poke fun at different social problems and common stereotypes. Originally, it was planned as a series of online videos before being developed into a film. However, critics felt it relied too much on shock value and wasn’t actually funny. The film received very few positive reviews and wasn’t shown in many theaters.

‘The Animal’ (2001)

In this comedy, Rob Schneider plays a police officer who receives organ transplants from animals after a car crash. As a result, he starts behaving like those animals – sometimes acting like a dog, other times like a horse – which is where the movie tries to find humor. However, many viewers felt the story was weak and the jokes got old quickly. Critics also found the movie to be childish and lacking in smart writing.

‘Boat Trip’ (2002)

A comedy follows two unlucky-in-love friends who mistakenly board a cruise for gay men instead of a singles cruise. While trying to find romance, they awkwardly navigate the unexpected situation. The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews, with critics criticizing its reliance on tired stereotypes, predictable storyline, and unfunny, offensive humor. It’s often considered a career low for the actors involved.

‘Bubble Boy’ (2001)

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a young man who must live in a plastic bubble due to a weakened immune system. Determined to stop his girlfriend from marrying someone else, he creates a portable bubble suit and travels across the country. The movie tries to be funny, focusing on his unusual life and encounters with others. However, critics found the humor uneven and often felt it came at the cost of the main character’s dignity. Ultimately, the film wasn’t a hit with audiences or critics.

‘Corky Romano’ (2001)

The movie centers around a clumsy vet who gets pulled into a wild scheme by his family – a notorious mob. He’s tasked with pretending to be an FBI agent to get rid of evidence that could put them away. The film relies heavily on slapstick humor and the energetic performance of its lead actor, but most critics didn’t find the character endearing. They also thought the storyline was unrealistic and ultimately considered the movie a predictable and unoriginal comedy.

‘The Ladies Man’ (2000)

Tim Meadows reprises his well-known radio host character from Saturday Night Live in this film, where he seeks a mysterious woman while also offering relationship advice on air. However, like many movies based on comedy sketches, it had trouble sustaining laughs throughout the entire film. Critics pointed out that the character was funnier in short sketches than as the focus of a full-length movie, and ultimately, the film didn’t perform well in theaters.

‘Say It Isn’t So’ (2001)

Okay, so I just finished watching this movie, and wow, it was a ride! It starts with this guy falling for a woman, but then they find out they’re actually brother and sister – seriously! After that, he goes on this huge quest to find her again, and it all leads to uncovering their family history. Honestly, though, a lot of the humor felt…off. There were these really awkward and gross-out moments that just didn’t land for me, and a lot of other people didn’t think they were funny either. The story itself wasn’t great, and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. It’s a shame, because everyone involved clearly put a lot of effort in, but it just didn’t come together. It was a pretty big letdown, to be honest.

‘Stealing Harvard’ (2002)

A man pledges to cover his niece’s college costs, but struggles financially when she’s accepted to Harvard. He’s persuaded by an unusual friend to resort to crime to get the money. The film follows their series of clumsy and humorous attempts at robberies, though critics found the connection between the two main actors weak and the plot predictable. The movie was also criticized for its direction and writing.

‘The Garbage Pail Kids Movie’ (1987)

This movie, based on a popular trading card series, brings those characters to life – and they’re as crude and messy as you’d expect. The story follows a boy who’s being bullied, and these characters both help him and create a lot of trouble in his town. While known for its strange and off-putting character designs and emphasis on gross-out humor, the film was largely disliked by both critics and audiences, who found it more disturbing than funny. It’s often remembered as a poorly thought-out movie.

‘Going Overboard’ (1989)

Adam Sandler’s first movie role is a comedy about a waiter on a cruise ship who dreams of making it big as a stand-up comedian. Made with very little money, the film included a lot of rough, unrefined scenes. It was re-released later when Sandler became famous, but many viewers felt it didn’t have the same comedic polish as his more well-known work.

‘Chairman of the Board’ (1998)

Carrot Top stars as a surfer and inventor who suddenly inherits a large company. He has to use his quirky inventions to protect it from a ruthless executive trying to take control. The movie is full of the slapstick and prop comedy Carrot Top is known for, but critics didn’t like the acting or the jokes, and it wasn’t successful. In fact, it was a significant flop that essentially marked the end of the actor’s film career.

Tell us about your most disappointing movie experiences in the comments.

2026-02-10 18:54