The 50 Most Hated Movies of All Time

Throughout film history, while many movies have become beloved classics, there’s also a group of films famous for being truly awful. These movies are usually poorly made, with confusing stories or cheap production quality, leaving audiences frustrated and confused. This list highlights those films that are remembered for all the wrong reasons.

‘The Avengers’ (1998)

This movie, starring Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman, is based on the popular 1960s British spy show. The story follows secret agents trying to thwart a villain with the power to control the weather. However, viewers didn’t feel any connection between the lead actors, and the plot was confusing. The film performed poorly in theaters and ended any hopes of making sequels. It serves as a reminder that adapting a well-loved TV show requires preserving what made it special in the first place.

‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)

Joel Schumacher’s take on Batman was much more lighthearted and flamboyant than previous versions, which turned off many longtime fans. George Clooney played Batman, facing off against villains Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy with help from his allies. The movie is well-known for its constant stream of puns and the much-debated look of Batman’s suit. Critics didn’t like that it felt more like an advertisement for toys than a compelling superhero story. This negative response caused the Batman film series to pause for several years before being restarted.

‘The Wicker Man’ (2006)

This remake of a classic British horror film features Nicolas Cage as a police officer investigating a missing girl on a remote island. While the original was a creepy and atmospheric folk horror film, this version leans heavily into comedy, becoming unintentionally funny. The movie is well-known for several scenes of Cage yelling about bees, which have become popular internet memes. Reviewers pointed out that the new script doesn’t capture the suspense and nuance of the 1973 original, and it’s often used as an example of a remake failing to live up to its source material.

‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ (1997)

Sandra Bullock is back in this follow-up film, but without Keanu Reeves. The story takes place on a cruise ship that’s been hijacked by a hacker, who threatens to crash it into an oil tanker. Many viewers found the slower pace and setting less exciting than the original movie, which was set on a speeding bus. The lack of the first film’s co-star also diminished the chemistry that made the original so successful, and it’s often considered one of the most underwhelming action movie sequels ever made.

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry stars as a quiet graphic designer who unexpectedly gains cat-like abilities after becoming the victim of a company plot. The movie doesn’t follow the character’s comic book background, instead focusing on a new story about a dangerous cosmetics company. Reviewers heavily criticized the confusing script and fast-paced editing, which made the action scenes hard to understand. Poor costume choices and an inconsistent tone also contributed to the film’s negative reviews. Berry famously accepted her Golden Raspberry Award – given for the worst films – in person, acknowledging the movie wasn’t a success.

‘Norbit’ (2007)

This comedy stars Eddie Murphy in several different roles, playing a man stuck in a difficult and controlling marriage. The movie uses a lot of makeup and relies on silly, often offensive, humor. Many jokes center around physical comedy, weight, and stereotypes. While it made good money at the box office, critics disliked its harshness and weak storyline, and it damaged Murphy’s reputation as a critically acclaimed actor.

‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)

The fourth ‘Jaws’ movie proposes that a Great White shark is specifically targeting the Brody family, following them all the way from New England to the Bahamas – a scenario that doesn’t make much scientific sense. Michael Caine appeared in the film, and later confessed he only took the role for the money. The movie suffered from noticeable technical issues, like visible mechanical parts when the shark appeared. It’s often criticized for its unrealistic shark sounds and over-the-top ending.

‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’ (1987)

Christopher Reeve reprises his role as Superman in a story where he aims to eliminate nuclear weapons. However, the film suffered from a limited budget, leading to visual effects that haven’t aged well. Superman’s opponent is the Nuclear Man, bizarrely created from a single strand of hair. While trying to deliver a strong political message, the movie lacks exciting action and unfortunately represents a weak conclusion to Reeve’s time playing the famous superhero.

‘Exorcist II: The Heretic’ (1977)

This follow-up to a famously frightening horror film trades scares for a confusing, philosophical journey. Richard Burton stars as a priest who uses a special hypnosis device to investigate the happenings of the first movie. The premiere audience reportedly laughed throughout the film because of its strange dialogue and overall lack of suspense. While the director aimed for a groundbreaking cinematic experience, the result was a disorganized and unclear story. Most viewers and critics agree it’s a significant step down in quality from the original, highly acclaimed film.

‘Highlander II: The Quickening’ (1991)

The new movie changes the backstory of the immortal characters, revealing they’re actually aliens from a planet called Zeist. This surprised and upset many fans because it went against what was originally shown in the first film. The story centers around a high-tech shield protecting Earth, and a shady company that secretly controls it. Unfortunately, problems during filming resulted in a confusing and poorly connected movie. The filmmakers have released several different versions since, hoping to fix the story.

‘Street Fighter’ (1994)

This movie, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Colonel Guile, is based on the classic Street Fighter arcade game. While it features a lot of characters, the story feels a bit disjointed. Raul Julia gives a fantastic performance as M. Bison, in what would be his last movie role. Many fans were let down by the movie’s over-the-top style and the lack of realistic martial arts. It’s a good example of how hard it can be to turn a video game into a successful film.

‘Mortal Kombat: Annihilation’ (1997)

This follow-up movie tries to include too many characters from the original game in just ninety minutes. The story centers around an invasion from Outworld that the heroes need to prevent within six days. Critics widely panned the unfinished-looking special effects and the stiff dialogue. The absence of several actors from the first movie resulted in awkward recasting choices. Ultimately, the film stalled the franchise for more than twenty years.

‘Super Mario Bros.’ (1993)

The movie stars Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo as the iconic plumbers, but this isn’t the bright and cheerful Mushroom Kingdom you might expect. It’s a dark and gritty sci-fi world taken over by evolved dinosaurs. The film was notoriously difficult to make, with clashes between creative minds and several accidents on set. Later, both Hoskins and Leguizamo admitted they weren’t happy with the final result. Interestingly, it was the first big-budget attempt to bring a video game to life with real actors.

‘Mac and Me’ (1988)

This film clearly tried to recapture the magic of E.T., telling the story of an alien who becomes friends with a boy who uses a wheelchair. However, it’s mostly remembered for its obvious and overwhelming advertising for McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. Many viewers found the alien’s appearance creepy instead of endearing, and a long dance scene in a fast-food restaurant brought the story to a complete standstill. Despite its flaws, the movie has gained a dedicated, though somewhat ironic, following because of its awkwardness and heavy commercialism.

‘Howard the Duck’ (1986)

Okay, so let me tell you about this movie… it’s a really strange one! George Lucas had a hand in it, and it’s based on a Marvel comic – a really weird one about a talking duck who ends up on Earth. Honestly, the effects for the duck itself haven’t aged well; the technology just wasn’t quite there yet, and it often looked… not great. The biggest issue, though, was that it couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. One minute it was silly and childish, the next it was trying to tackle more grown-up stuff, and it just didn’t gel. When it came out, critics hated it, and audiences were just… confused. It’s become infamous as one of the biggest flops in comic book movie history, and honestly, it’s fascinating because it’s so bad!

‘North’ (1994)

Elijah Wood stars as a boy who takes the unusual step of legally divorcing his parents and sets off on a global search for new ones. The film relies heavily on exaggerated and often offensive cultural stereotypes for laughs. Bruce Willis provides narration and makes several appearances in disguise as the boy travels. It received a famously harsh review from Roger Ebert, who reportedly disliked every second of it. The movie is largely remembered for its strange concept and inability to create a meaningful connection with viewers.

‘Troll 2’ (1990)

Don’t let the title fool you – this movie has nothing to do with trolls or the original film it shares a name with. The story follows a family whose vacation takes a strange turn when they visit a town populated by goblins who have the power to turn people into plants. The acting isn’t great, and the dialogue is famously clunky. One scene, where a character yells about flies, has become a popular internet meme. It’s often shown at ‘so bad it’s good’ movie events and is considered a classic of the genre.

‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959)

Ed Wood’s famously low-budget sci-fi horror film centers around aliens who bring the dead back to life in an attempt to prevent humans from building a weapon of mass destruction. While notorious for its obvious flaws – like boom mics appearing in shots and sets made of cardboard – the film also includes brief footage of Bela Lugosi, who passed away during production. Its many continuity errors and bizarre dialogue have earned it a devoted cult following, and for years, it was widely considered the worst movie ever made.

‘The Room’ (2003)

This movie, written and directed by Tommy Wiseau, is a dramatic story about a banker who’s betrayed by his fiancée and best friend. It’s known for its confusing plotlines and characters who act strangely. However, Wiseau’s unusual acting and the film’s odd script have made it a huge cult hit. Fans often go to showings to playfully yell lines and even throw spoons at the screen! It’s a rare case of a movie becoming popular because of how bad it is.

‘Birdemic: Shock and Terror’ (2010)

This thriller tries to raise environmental awareness with a bizarre premise: an attack by eagles and vultures. Unfortunately, the movie is poorly made. The birds appear as simple, unmoving computer-generated images placed over the live footage. The sound is inconsistent, and the acting feels unnatural. Many viewers found the endless driving scenes and slow, confusing plot frustrating. It became famous online not for being good, but for being remarkably low-budget and amateurish.

‘Cool World’ (1992)

This film, starring Brad Pitt and Kim Basinger, blends live-action with animation and was intended for mature viewers. It centers on a comic strip artist who finds himself inside the world he’s drawn. However, reviewers found the story confusing and the animation unattractive. The movie couldn’t quite decide if it was for kids or adults, and it didn’t achieve the same charm as films like ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’.

‘Barb Wire’ (1996)

This futuristic action film, loosely based on Casablanca, stars Pamela Anderson as a bounty hunter. However, it prioritizes Anderson’s image over a strong storyline. Reviews criticized the predictable action and lackluster performances, and the film’s attempt at a dark, gritty feel felt unoriginal. Ultimately, it wasn’t successful with audiences or critics and hindered Anderson’s work in movies.

‘Kazaam’ (1996)

I remember seeing Shaquille O’Neal as a rapping genie pop out of a boombox to help a kid, and honestly, it was such a unique idea! It really seemed like they were trying to make the most of Shaq’s fame at the time. But looking back, the story itself wasn’t very strong, and even when it came out, the special effects didn’t really impress anyone. Most people thought the plot was predictable and just weren’t that amused. It’s mostly just remembered now because, well, it was Shaquille O’Neal playing a genie – that’s what stood out!

‘Steel’ (1997)

Shaquille O’Neal stars in this superhero film as the creator of a high-tech armored suit. However, the movie significantly departs from the original comic book story and its ties to Superman. Unfortunately, the suit appeared cheap and the action sequences weren’t very exciting. Many critics felt the film had the quality of a TV movie instead of a big-screen release, and it ultimately failed at the box office, earning far less money than it cost to make.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

This sci-fi comedy stars Eddie Murphy as a nightclub owner on the moon who gets mixed up with the mob. Surprisingly, the movie was finished two years before it actually came out in theaters. Unfortunately, it was a huge financial failure, losing the studio almost all the money they put into it. Critics and audiences didn’t respond well to the jokes, and the futuristic world just didn’t capture anyone’s interest. It’s often mentioned as one of the biggest box office bombs ever made.

‘Swept Away’ (2002)

Madonna leads the cast in this updated version of a classic Italian movie, playing a rich woman who finds herself shipwrecked on an island with a sailor. Despite being directed by Guy Ritchie, the film received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Many critics disliked the characters and felt there was no spark between Madonna and her co-star. The movie was also criticized for its overly fancy dialogue and over-the-top acting, ultimately earning several Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture.

‘Glitter’ (2001)

The film follows Mariah Carey as a budding singer navigating the New York club scene in the 1980s. While the movie’s release happened around the time of the September 11th attacks, which affected how well it did in theaters, critics found it predictable and the acting wasn’t very strong. Although the film’s soundtrack was a hit, the movie itself received mostly negative reviews and is considered one of the weaker films made to showcase a musician’s talents.

‘From Justin to Kelly’ (2003)

Okay, so this movie musical came out right after the first season of American Idol blew up, and it felt very opportunistic. It starred Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini as college kids who meet on spring break, but honestly, the story was basically just a way to get from one song to the next. Critics were pretty harsh, calling it a blatant attempt to make money with no artistic value. And you know what? Both Kelly and Justin have kind of avoided talking about it ever since – which says a lot, right?

‘Crossroads’ (2002)

Britney Spears stars in a new movie about three friends taking a road trip. Though written by Shonda Rhimes, the film relies on familiar road trip clichés. While Britney Spears’ fans seem to enjoy it, critics found the story lacking depth. The acting was hit-or-miss, and the conversations felt unnatural. Many reviewers believe the movie focused too much on featuring a celebrity and not enough on a good story, resulting in a low approval rating.

‘Who’s Your Caddy?’ (2007)

Big Boi plays a hip-hop executive attempting to become a member of a very traditional country club. Unfortunately, the movie relies on tired jokes and predictable situations we’ve seen before. Critics disliked it, pointing out its use of overused stereotypes and crude humor. The writing isn’t clever, and the characters feel flat and unoriginal. Many consider it one of the decade’s least funny comedies.

‘Daddy Day Camp’ (2007)

This sequel replaces Eddie Murphy with Cuba Gooding Jr. and follows a group of dads running a summer camp. Unfortunately, the movie relies heavily on crude and silly humor, mostly involving bodily functions and slapstick. Critics overwhelmingly disliked it, calling it a boring and unfunny experience, and it received a rare zero percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. It completely lacks the appeal of the first film.

‘The Love Guru’ (2008)

This comedy, created by and starring Mike Myers, centers around an American man who grew up in an Indian religious community. However, the film heavily used suggestive humor and relied on potentially offensive cultural stereotypes. Many critics found Myers’ style of comedy to be stale and predictable. While the story involves lifting a curse on a hockey team, it gets bogged down in unrelated and confusing jokes. The film was a major critical failure and seriously harmed Myers’ reputation as a leading actor.

‘The Last Airbender’ (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan’s live-action version of the popular animated series received a lot of criticism. Fans disliked the actors chosen for the roles and how character names were said. The first season’s intricate story was crammed into a script that felt hurried and lacked emotional depth. Many also criticized the fight scenes, finding them poorly executed and relying too much on slow motion. Overall, it’s often ranked among the worst adaptations ever made.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

This movie, based on the popular manga and anime, significantly departs from the source material. The main character is now a typical high school student in a standard teen film, which upset many fans. Critics also pointed out the weak special effects and the film’s failure to capture the spirit of the original story. The creator of the series publicly expressed their dissatisfaction, and the screenwriter later apologized to the fans.

‘Movie 43’ (2013)

This movie is made up of several short, connected scenes featuring a huge cast of well-known actors. However, the comedy is extremely vulgar and relies heavily on shocking and disturbing situations. Both critics and viewers have been surprised that so many famous stars agreed to be involved, as the scenes are generally considered unfunny and unnecessarily harsh. Many people describe watching it as a truly unpleasant experience.

‘Jack and Jill’ (2011)

I have to admit, I was completely baffled by this Adam Sandler movie! He plays a slick ad guy, but also his incredibly irritating twin sister, and things get really weird when Al Pacino’s character falls for her. Honestly, the whole thing hinges on Sandler dressing up as a woman and a lot of screaming. It’s infamous, though – it actually won every single Golden Raspberry Award, which is… something. Most people agree it was definitely the low point of Sandler’s comedies, and looking back, I can kind of see why!

‘That’s My Boy’ (2012)

In this film, Adam Sandler portrays a father who unexpectedly shows up at his son’s wedding, despite their strained relationship. While aiming for a mature, edgy tone, the movie received criticism for how it dealt with difficult topics. Many viewers found the characters unpleasant and the comedy relied too much on being harsh. The film didn’t perform well in theaters, suggesting audiences were tired of Sandler’s usual style. Critics felt the script was offensive and failed to deliver truly funny moments.

‘Cats’ (2019)

Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of the popular stage musical used digital effects to create furry characters, but these visuals were widely criticized as creepy and unnatural. The movie also suffered from a confusing storyline, making the musical numbers feel disjointed. Many critics found the film to be a strange and bewildering experience, and it ultimately failed at the box office, becoming a frequent target of jokes.

‘Holmes & Watson’ (2018)

As a big fan of both Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, I was really excited for their take on a classic detective duo. Sadly, it just didn’t work. The movie wasn’t funny – a lot of the jokes just fell flat. They tried to be clever with things that felt out of place and relied too much on silly, physical humor that didn’t land. I even heard the studio tried to sell it to Netflix before it even came out because test screenings were so bad. Ultimately, audiences didn’t stick around, and the reviews were just brutal. It’s a shame, because I really wanted to love it.

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

This animated movie is set inside a smartphone and centers around a somewhat unenthusiastic emoji who can display many different faces. However, reviewers weren’t impressed, calling it a shallow, ninety-minute ad for various apps. The story feels borrowed from better films like Wreck-It Ralph and Inside Out, and the jokes didn’t land well with either kids or adults. Many see it as a clear example of a company promoting its products by disguising them as a movie.

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey’ (2023)

Once the original story became freely available, filmmakers reimagined the famous bear as a terrifying villain. The movie shows Pooh and Piglet violently attacking people throughout their familiar forest. While the low-budget film initially grabbed attention for its unusual premise, critics found the acting and visuals to be subpar. Ultimately, it felt like a typical, overly violent horror movie and was heavily criticized for upsetting fans’ nostalgic memories just for the sake of shock value.

‘Slender Man’ (2018)

This horror movie is based on a popular internet story, but it came out long after the character had its moment. The studio made a lot of changes to get a PG-13 rating, which left the story feeling messy and confusing. Several scenes shown in the trailers didn’t even make it into the final film. Most critics thought it was dull and lacked any real frights, failing to recreate the unsettling feeling that made the original online stories so effective.

‘Left Behind’ (2014)

Nicolas Cage leads this new take on the story of the biblical rapture. The movie centers on a pilot struggling to land a plane when millions suddenly disappear. Critics found the film poorly made, with an overly dramatic script. They also thought the religious themes were forced and the suspense was lacking. Overall, it’s received very negative reviews due to its weak acting and execution.

‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002)

This action movie stars Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu as rival spies, but it’s a chaotic and confusing experience. Filled with explosions and gun battles, the film lacks depth in its characters and is widely considered one of the worst-reviewed action movies of the 2000s. In fact, it’s remarkably infamous for having a zero percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over a hundred critic reviews, who found it noisy, dull, and difficult to follow.

‘Alone in the Dark’ (2005)

This movie, directed by Uwe Boll, is loosely based on a popular survival horror video game. Christian Slater stars as a detective looking into mysterious ancient objects and the creatures connected to them. The film is famous for its confusing start and inconsistent plot. Critics heavily criticized Boll’s direction, particularly the poor lighting and editing. It’s often considered one of the worst movies ever made based on a video game.

‘House of the Dead’ (2003)

Uwe Boll’s latest video game movie follows a group of teenagers at a rave that’s overrun by zombies on a remote island. Boll included footage directly from the game within the action scenes. The acting is consistently bad, and the script is unintentionally funny. Both critics and gamers strongly disliked the film, feeling it didn’t honor the original game. It further solidified Boll’s reputation for making poorly received movies.

‘The Hottie & the Nottie’ (2008)

Okay, so I recently heard about this movie starring Paris Hilton, and honestly, the whole thing sounds…rough. It’s a rom-com where a guy has to find someone to date this other woman just to get close to her friend. Can you believe that premise? Critics really slammed it – rightfully so, I think – because it’s pretty shallow and, frankly, kind of insulting to women. Apparently, Paris Hilton’s acting wasn’t great either; she even won a Razzie! And get this – the makeup they used on the actress playing the ‘unattractive’ woman was considered way over the top and really mean-spirited. Unsurprisingly, it totally flopped at the box office and barely played in any cinemas. A total mess, from what I gather!

‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)

This follow-up to the popular Jim Carrey film tries to recapture the magic without its original star. Jamie Kennedy stars as a cartoonist whose baby is born with the same powers as the Mask. The movie is filled with over-the-top visual effects and silly, unpredictable humor. Most critics found it irritating and not appropriate for families, and it’s often cited as a major disappointment compared to the first film.

‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)

This movie, starring Jon Voight, features babies who can talk – and who get into a conflict with a powerful media executive. While the effects that allow the babies to speak are technically impressive, many find them unsettling. Critics panned the film for its silly plot and childish humor, and it’s often listed among the worst movies ever made.

‘Disaster Movie’ (2008)

This comedy tries to make fun of popular movies and trends from the late 2000s, but it relies on easy, uninspired jokes instead of clever satire. Both critics and viewers thought the humor felt old and the movie looked cheaply made. It’s often considered one of the worst films ever made because of how little effort went into it, and many see it as a low point for parody movies in general.

Tell us about movies you really dislike in the comments – we’d love to see if your picks match our list of critically panned films!

2025-12-12 14:21