Top 20 Worst Movies by TV Stars

Many well-known television actors have taken on leading roles in films that weren’t successful with viewers or critics – or both. Here’s a look at some widely criticized movies starring major TV names, with details on the actors, the film’s goals, and how they were received. We’ll focus on each actor’s background in television, the basic plot of the movie, and what happened afterward, so you can understand why these films are often remembered negatively.

‘Sex and the City 2’ (2010)

Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, famous from ‘Sex and the City,’ this movie brings back the original cast for a glamorous vacation story set outside of New York City. It takes the show’s themes of marriage and friendship abroad, but the film was widely criticized for its approach and how it depicted other cultures. Although the series was well-known, the movie didn’t do as well as expected and halted any plans for future films.

‘From Justin to Kelly’ (2003)

Okay, so this movie… it stars Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, you know, the first winners of ‘American Idol.’ It’s basically a beach movie with a lot of singing and dancing, about spring breakers getting all tangled up in romance and miscommunication. Honestly, critics hated it. They said the story was super weak and the whole thing just didn’t work. It bombed in theaters pretty quickly, and now it’s often held up as a prime example of why turning reality TV stars into movie leads can be a really bad idea. It’s a bit of a cautionary tale, really.

‘Jade’ (1995)

Featuring David Caruso, known from ‘NYPD Blue’, this suspenseful thriller centers on a prosecutor investigating a murder connected to influential figures. Directed by William Friedkin, the film is full of political secrets and blackmail. Caruso’s attempt to transition from television star to leading movie actor received a lot of attention, but the film was poorly received by critics and didn’t launch the successful movie career everyone expected.

‘Kangaroo Jack’ (2003)

This comedy follows a mix-up with a cash delivery in Australia, starring Jerry O’Connell and Anthony Anderson. While the marketing featured a rapping kangaroo, the animal appears briefly for laughs. Critics didn’t like the film’s confusing mix of crime and comedy, or its over-the-top slapstick. As a result, plans for a series of family-friendly movies never materialized.

‘My Boss’s Daughter’ (2003)

Ashton Kutcher, famous for his role in ‘That ’70s Show’, stars in this comedy about a house-sitting job that quickly spirals out of control. The movie throws together mistaken identities, burglaries, and a budding romance, all happening in one chaotic night. Critics didn’t like the humor or the way the story was put together. While Kutcher continued to make films, this one is often remembered as one of his least successful.

‘The Bounty Hunter’ (2010)

Starring Jennifer Aniston, known from ‘Friends’, this movie follows a bail bondsman who’s forced to team up with his ex-wife, a journalist, while they’re on the run. The marketing focused on the actors’ chemistry and exciting action sequences. However, critics generally didn’t like it, finding the plot predictable and the movie’s style inconsistent. Despite initial buzz from the tabloids, public interest dropped off quickly after the first weekend.

‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2’ (2015)

Kevin James, known for his role in ‘The King of Queens’, is back as a security guard who uses a Segway at a Las Vegas convention in this sequel. The movie ramps up the physical comedy and focuses more on family storylines, all set within a resort. However, critics found the jokes to be unoriginal and the plot weak. While the film relied on its recognizable brand, it wasn’t well-received by critics or many who watched it.

‘CHiPs’ (2017)

Dax Shepard, known from ‘Parenthood’, wrote, directed, and stars in this adult-themed reimagining of the classic highway patrol show. The story centers on a new and experienced officer team uncovering corruption within the California Highway Patrol. It’s packed with action and crude humor, prioritizing entertainment over strict police procedure. While the movie didn’t receive great reviews, it didn’t launch a new series of films either.

‘Fantasy Island’ (2020)

Lucy Hale, known from ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ stars in this horror take on the classic idea of wishes coming true – but with frightening consequences. The movie follows several different stories about wishes gone wrong, all connected to a central mystery. While the premise is familiar, reviewers found the plot confusing and the ending disappointing. Despite initial interest due to the well-known concept, the film quickly lost momentum and received negative feedback from audiences.

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

Okay, so I just saw ‘The Emoji Movie,’ and honestly, it’s… a lot. T.J. Miller voices the lead, an emoji who basically goes on an adventure inside a smartphone. Think of it as ‘Toy Story’ meets your apps – and yes, there are tons of product placements. The story is about this little guy trying to figure out who he is, but critics really didn’t buy it. In fact, it was almost universally panned, and quickly became a go-to example of how not to make an animated movie, especially when it comes to turning brands into characters. It’s… memorable, but not in a good way.

‘Entourage’ (2015)

The original cast of ‘Entourage’ is back in a movie that continues the story of Adrian Grenier’s character and his life as a movie star. The film delivers more of the same – industry fun, celebrity cameos, and behind-the-scenes deals. However, critics felt it didn’t offer much beyond the TV show, and it felt like a series of separate episodes. This led to disappointing box office results and ended plans for any sequels.

‘The Roommate’ (2011)

This campus thriller features Minka Kelly, known from ‘Friday Night Lights,’ and Leighton Meester of ‘Gossip Girl,’ and centers on a dangerously obsessive relationship between two college students. While the movie initially drew viewers thanks to the actresses’ popular TV shows, it quickly lost momentum as critics gave it poor reviews. It’s often remembered as a typical example of the suspenseful, but milder, thrillers that were popular at the time.

‘When in Rome’ (2010)

Okay, so I just heard about this new rom-com starring Kristen Bell – you know, the ‘Veronica Mars’ lady. It’s about a really ambitious museum curator who, get this, starts taking coins out of a fountain dedicated to love! Naturally, it attracts a ton of guys. The whole thing is built around this magical idea, and it’s supposed to be funny with all these different guys chasing her. Honestly, the reviews haven’t been great – people are saying the plot is a little too forced and the jokes don’t always land. There’s a lot of buzz because of Bell’s popularity from the TV show, but critics aren’t impressed, unfortunately.

‘House of Wax’ (2005)

This horror remake stars Elisha Cuthbert, known from ’24’, and Chad Michael Murray from ‘One Tree Hill’. The story follows a group of friends who find themselves stuck near a wax museum hiding a dangerous secret. The film relies on realistic gore and suspenseful chases. While reviews weren’t great, the TV-famous cast – including Paris Hilton – drew attention. Ultimately, the movie is more remembered for its action sequences than its plot.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

This live-action movie reimagines the popular anime ‘Shameless,’ starring Justin Chatwin. It aims for a Western teen audience but significantly changes the original story and characters, condensing major plotlines into a shorter origin story. Unfortunately, both fans and critics disliked these changes. The negative reaction led to the cancellation of any planned sequels and serves as a cautionary tale for adapting beloved works.

‘Max Steel’ (2016)

Ben Winchell, a familiar face from television, leads this superhero movie based on a popular toy line. The story follows a teenager who connects with an alien being, mixing typical high school experiences with a thrilling chase from government agents. Critics felt the movie lacked memorable action sequences and a unique setting. It didn’t perform well in theaters and ultimately halted plans to expand the franchise.

‘Elektra’ (2005)

As a big fan of Jennifer Garner from ‘Alias’, I was really excited about this spin-off. It centers around her character, an assassin brought back with some pretty intense mystical training, who ends up on a bodyguard assignment. Honestly, it leans hard into ninjas, secret societies, and a whole lot of comic-book style magic. Sadly, I found the story a bit all over the place, and the characters weren’t really fleshed out. It seemed like they had bigger plans for the show, maybe even a standalone series, but those ideas never really took off after it didn’t get a great response.

‘The Master of Disguise’ (2002)

The movie stars Dana Carvey, known from ‘Saturday Night Live,’ as a shy son of a family famous for their disguises. He has to save his parents after they’re kidnapped. The film is built around a series of short, comedic scenes and visual jokes, but critics didn’t like the humor or how quickly the movie moved. It’s often remembered as a failed attempt to turn a sketch comedian into a movie star.

‘Zoom’ (2006)

Tim Allen, known for his roles in ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Last Man Standing’, stars in this family-friendly superhero movie about a former super-fast hero who trains a group of unlikely kids. The film mixes classic superhero training scenes with the humor of a school comedy. While the idea was fun, reviewers pointed out that the special effects weren’t very strong and the characters weren’t developed enough. Ultimately, the movie didn’t appeal to families and any plans for sequels were canceled.

‘Dirty Love’ (2005)

Okay, so I recently checked out this movie starring Jenny McCarthy, and honestly, it wasn’t great. She plays a photographer going through a tough breakup, and the whole thing basically follows her awful dates. It felt really disjointed, like a bunch of funny scenes thrown together with a loose idea about her finding herself. Everyone pretty much panned it – the writing and how it was all put together just didn’t work. It quickly became known as one of those movies that fails because it tries to launch a TV personality’s film career – a real cautionary tale, actually.

Tell us about the worst movie you’ve ever seen in the comments, and let us know which TV actor disappointed you the most when they starred in a film.

2025-11-02 03:16