Top 20 Worst Movies of the 1980s

The 1980s weren’t just filled with beloved movies – there were also plenty of big failures that people still remember. From sequels that didn’t live up to expectations to odd creative choices, many films flopped with both critics and audiences. Here are twenty of the most infamous examples from that decade, with a brief look at what caused their failures and why they remain cautionary tales in the world of cinema.

‘Heaven’s Gate’ (1980)

Michael Cimino’s epic western film had a difficult production, going way over budget and resulting in a very long first version. The studio, United Artists, initially withdrew the film, then re-edited and re-released it, but it didn’t perform well at the box office. Ultimately, it earned far less money than it cost to make, and the whole experience changed how studios managed film projects, becoming a famous example of out-of-control spending.

‘Xanadu’ (1980)

The movie Xanadu wasn’t a hit with critics, but its soundtrack, featuring Olivia Newton-John, became incredibly popular. While the film itself flopped, the album kept it visible and even played a role in the creation of the Razzie Awards. Today, Xanadu is best remembered for its music and has gained a dedicated fan base who enjoy the soundtrack more than the movie itself.

‘The Apple’ (1980)

This science fiction musical, released by Cannon Films, imagined a future where pop music ruled, but it wasn’t a success with audiences or critics. Initial screenings were poorly received, with many people leaving, and reviews criticized its strange style and presentation. Despite a lot of advertising, the film flopped in theaters. While its over-the-top costumes and music later gained it a dedicated following, it never became a popular hit.

‘Tarzan the Ape Man’ (1981)

John Derek’s version of the story prioritized showcasing Bo Derek over a traditional adventure plot. Critics disliked the film’s focus on visual effects and grand scenes at the expense of a strong narrative. While it initially sold a good number of tickets, the movie received several Razzie nominations and is now remembered more for the controversy surrounding it than for its artistic merit.

‘Megaforce’ (1982)

As a big fan of action movies, I remember Hal Needham really trying to deliver something spectacular with this film – a total showcase of amazing stunts and tricked-out cars. Honestly, it felt like the focus shifted to the gadgets and effects, and even the costumes, more than the actual story. Sadly, it didn’t quite connect with audiences, and it ended up getting nominated for a bunch of Razzies. They had big plans for toys and merchandise, but with the film not doing well, those ideas never really took off.

‘Grease 2’ (1982)

This follow-up movie lacked the appeal of the original and featured a new cast, including a young Michelle Pfeiffer. The musical performances didn’t resonate with audiences, and box office numbers were significantly lower than the first film. Critics found the plot weak and the songs unmemorable. While it gained some popularity through home video and television, it never achieved mainstream success.

‘Staying Alive’ (1983)

Sylvester Stallone’s follow-up to ‘Saturday Night Fever’ emphasized dance more, but critics thought it was all flash and no depth. Despite the negative reviews, the film was financially successful around the world, largely thanks to a popular soundtrack. It received more nominations for the Razzie Awards (given to the worst films) than for any major awards.

‘Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn’ (1983)

This sci-fi movie came out during the early 1980s when 3D films were becoming popular, but it focused more on the 3D gimmick than a compelling story. Although the filmmakers hoped to make more films in the series, it didn’t happen because the first movie didn’t earn much money. The 3D effects, which were impressive at the time, quickly looked outdated as the 3D trend died down, and the film was largely forgotten as part of that short-lived 3D boom.

‘Supergirl’ (1984)

This film, a spin-off from the Superman series, didn’t fare well with critics or audiences. Despite being Helen Slater’s first time playing the lead role, the movie suffered from a weak story and inconsistent special effects. Disappointing box office numbers meant sequels were never made, and even longer versions released internationally couldn’t improve its overall reputation.

‘Bolero’ (1984)

Bo Derek starred in a romantic adventure film that struggled to find an audience. It was initially released without a rating in the US due to concerns about its content. Critics strongly disliked the movie, and it went on to win several Razzie Awards, highlighting its poor reception. The film’s box office performance seemed to be driven more by the surrounding controversy than by genuine interest from viewers.

‘Red Sonja’ (1985)

This sword-and-sorcery film, produced by Dino De Laurentiis and starring Brigitte Nielsen, featured Arnold Schwarzenegger in a significant supporting role. While fantasy movies were popular at the time, the film didn’t perform well in the US, and critics pointed to awkward acting and a low-budget feel. As a result, plans for sequels featuring the same character were cancelled.

‘Howard the Duck’ (1986)

This comedy, based on a Marvel comic, had a lot riding on it – and a hefty price tag. Critics weren’t impressed with the realistic duck costume or the film’s changing style, and it didn’t earn much money at the box office. It even received multiple nominations for the Razzie Awards, which recognize the worst films of the year. The movie’s failure became a warning to others making comic book movies.

‘Leonard Part 6’ (1987)

This comedy spy film, starring Bill Cosby, received a lot of pre-release publicity. However, critics and audiences didn’t find it funny, and it quickly disappeared from theaters. It gained notoriety for winning several Razzie Awards, including the worst-of-the-worst categories. To make matters worse, Bill Cosby himself publicly disowned the movie, damaging its chances of success even further.

‘Ishtar’ (1987)

Filming in Morocco went over schedule and significantly exceeded the original budget. Despite the star power of Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty, the movie didn’t attract enough moviegoers. It failed to earn back its production costs domestically, and news reports largely focused on its disappointing performance. While some critics later highlighted positive aspects, the film’s box office failure remained the dominant story.

‘The Garbage Pail Kids Movie’ (1987)

This movie, created during the height of the trading card boom, relied on robotic masks for its characters, which made it difficult for the actors to show emotion. Reviewers didn’t like the film’s simple jokes and clumsy scenes. It failed to make money in theaters and was quickly forgotten, becoming known mostly as a poorly made film that people now laugh at when watching it at home.

‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)

The fourth shark movie took the action to the Bahamas, but it was made very quickly. Critics didn’t like the unbelievable plot and the poor special effects. While the movie made a little money back globally, it performed much worse than previous films in the series. Most people believed audiences were simply tired of the franchise.

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

After the project switched leadership, funding was reduced, leading to fewer special effects and less elaborate sets. The finished movie ended up using old footage and had noticeably uneven visuals. Reviews criticized the weak storyline and disappointing action sequences, and as a result, the film didn’t sell many tickets. The character didn’t appear in another movie for quite some time.

‘Mac and Me’ (1988)

This family movie followed a familiar story structure similar to a previous successful alien film, but it heavily featured advertisements for various products. Some scenes, like one involving a wheelchair near a cliff, became widely mocked online. The film didn’t perform well in theaters and was nominated for several Razzie Awards. Even efforts to partner with charities couldn’t improve its poor reviews.

‘Caddyshack II’ (1988)

The second movie was noticeably different, aiming for a broader audience with a PG rating, which toned down the intensity of the original. Many of the original actors didn’t return, and the new cast couldn’t quite recreate the magic of the first film. Critics didn’t like it, and it didn’t perform well at the box office, quickly becoming known as a disappointing and unnecessary sequel.

‘Star Trek V: The Final Frontier’ (1989)

William Shatner directed this film, but it faced challenges with special effects because the usual companies weren’t available. The story’s beginning, which focused on a quest, didn’t appeal to all longtime fans. While the movie opened well, it didn’t maintain its audience as strongly as the previous one. Later films in the series changed direction to win back viewers.

Let us know in the comments what you think were the biggest disappointments of the last ten years, and feel free to suggest any other titles we should have included.

2025-11-01 01:48