Top 20 Worst Movies of the 2000s

The 2000s gave us a lot of great movies, but also some truly terrible ones. These films were plagued by problems – from chaotic filming and bad writing to strange acting and confusing decisions – and audiences definitely noticed. They were often critically panned and became known for all the wrong reasons, even earning awards no one wanted. Surprisingly, a few later developed a dedicated, but unintended, fan base. Here’s a look at twenty of the most infamous flops from that decade, and what exactly went wrong with each one.

‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

This science fiction movie, adapted from a novel by L. Ron Hubbard, is set in the year 3000, where aliens control Earth. While the filmmakers used dramatic camera work and a lot of makeup, it ended up looking unintentionally funny, drawing criticism. Despite being a passion project for John Travolta, the film didn’t do well in theaters, especially considering how much it cost to make. It went on to win several Golden Raspberry Awards and is now often cited as an example of what happens when one person has too much control over a creative project.

‘Gigli’ (2003)

This movie, starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, centers around a kidnapping with attempts at both humor and emotional depth. However, the script was rewritten during filming, resulting in an uneven tone. The film performed poorly in theaters and was quickly removed from most cinemas, becoming a well-known example of how even famous actors can’t guarantee a movie’s success.

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry stars as Patience Phillips, a woman who gains cat-like powers after uncovering a company plot. While the filmmakers strived for a stylish look with special effects and set design, reviewers pointed out some confusing moments during the action sequences. The movie didn’t do well in theaters and was quickly pulled from most cinemas following a weak opening weekend. Notably, Halle Berry famously accepted a Razzie Award in person, openly recognizing the film wasn’t a success.

‘The Room’ (2003)

Tommy Wiseau was the driving force behind this San Francisco-based drama, writing, directing, producing, and starring in it. The film quickly became known for its strange dialogue, sudden changes in storyline, and noticeable editing errors. Though it initially struggled to find an audience – with only a single billboard and a few late-night showings to promote it – it eventually gained a dedicated following and became a cult classic, known for interactive screenings where audiences participate.

‘The Love Guru’ (2008)

Mike Myers tries his hand at character-based comedy again, playing a life coach tasked with saving a hockey player’s marriage. While the movie uses a lot of recurring jokes and clever wordplay, reviewers found them to be predictable. Despite being shown in many theaters, it didn’t make much money and quickly disappeared. It even received a nomination for a Razzie Award and is remembered as a moment when studios started to doubt the appeal of these types of films.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

This movie brings a popular anime and manga to life for today’s teenagers. However, some changes to the characters’ histories and the world they live in disappointed fans who were hoping for a more expansive story. The film didn’t do as well in theaters as expected, and it’s often used as an example of what can happen when a long, detailed series is condensed into a single movie.

‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)

This sequel to the popular Jim Carrey film introduces a new protagonist who finds the magical mask. The movie relied heavily on special effects, cartoonish slapstick, and digitally created baby humor, which received criticism. Ultimately, it didn’t make enough money to cover its production and advertising expenses, earning several Razzie nominations and effectively ending the film series.

‘Disaster Movie’ (2008)

This comedy film is a series of short sketches that poke fun at popular movies and celebrities from the late 2000s. It relies on fast-paced costumes and quick impressions for laughs, rather than telling one continuous story. The movie received negative reviews from critics and wasn’t popular with audiences either. It didn’t do well in theaters, and even after being released on home video, it remained unpopular.

‘House of the Dead’ (2003)

This horror movie is based on an arcade shooter and combines the energy of rave parties with zombie mayhem. The director, Uwe Boll, included clips from the original game during action sequences, which created awkward cuts. Critics heavily criticized the film’s editing and storyline, but it still sparked some interest in turning other video games into movies, even though most people didn’t like it.

‘Alone in the Dark’ (2005)

This movie, based on a Uwe Boll video game, centers around a paranormal investigator battling ancient monsters. Critics found the story hard to follow due to excessive explanation and jarring edits. Despite a large budget, the film flopped at the box office and became notorious for its poor quality, even earning multiple Razzie nominations – becoming a prime example of a failed video game adaptation.

‘From Justin to Kelly’ (2003)

This musical aimed to build on the success of a popular reality singing show by featuring its first season’s winner and runner-up. However, the show, staged as a beach party with lots of singing and dancing, felt rushed and poorly prepared. Released during a busy summer movie season, it didn’t attract many viewers and is now seen as a failure to understand what fans actually wanted from these artists.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

This sci-fi comedy, filmed on the moon, features Eddie Murphy as a nightclub owner battling a criminal. The movie went way over budget due to delays and extra filming. It performed terribly at the box office and became one of the biggest financial failures of the 1990s, often used as an example of how not to make a film when it comes to balancing costs and what audiences want.

‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)

I was really excited for the second movie, since the first one was so fun – it’s about these incredibly smart babies who are always one step ahead of the grown-ups! They put a lot of effort into making the babies’ mouths look like they were actually talking using special effects, but honestly, it didn’t quite work. It didn’t really catch on with families, and sadly, it even got nominated for a Razzie award. It seems like this was the last time they tried to bring these little geniuses to the big screen, which is a shame.

‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002)

This action movie, starring Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu, follows competing secret agents whose assignments unexpectedly collide. While packed with gun fights and explosions, the film’s story felt disjointed and confusing. Critics widely disliked it, and it became a prime example of how action movies were often poorly received during that time.

‘Basic Instinct 2’ (2006)

Sharon Stone reprises her role as Catherine Tramell in this sequel, set in London, to the popular 1992 film. The movie focuses on the psychological aspects of the character, using therapy and legal drama. While it initially gained attention, audiences quickly lost interest after the first weekend. It received several Razzie Awards and ended any plans for future installments.

‘Swept Away’ (2002)

This new version of the story, directed by Guy Ritchie and featuring Madonna, centers on a rich woman who finds herself shipwrecked on a deserted island with a sailor. Unlike the original, this remake didn’t resonate with viewers. After a brief time in theaters, it became available for home viewing and is now often cited as an example of the difficulties remakes can face.

‘The Wicker Man’ (2006)

Nicolas Cage stars in this new take on a well-known horror film from the 1970s. The story centers around the search for a missing child on a remote island governed by women. Changes to the characters’ reasons for acting and the film’s ending were controversial, leading to negative reviews and Razzie nominations. However, the film later gained popularity online as a source of internet memes.

‘Meet the Spartans’ (2008)

This comedy, released in the late 2000s, playfully mocks classic historical dramas and current celebrity trends. It’s built around short, fast-paced scenes that reference the movie being parodied, as well as popular figures of the time. While funny, reviewers felt it lacked a strong storyline and relied too much on quick gags. The movie initially did well at the box office, but its popularity quickly faded after the opening weekend.

‘Epic Movie’ (2007)

This movie is a comedic blend of fantasy, superhero stories, and historical adventures. It jumps between familiar costumes and settings but lacks a strong, consistent plot. Critics noted its reliance on referencing other popular works. Despite this, it initially gained enough attention to fund itself, though interest eventually waned.

‘BloodRayne’ (2005)

This action horror movie, inspired by a video game, centers on a dhampir—someone who is half-vampire—on a quest for revenge against a powerful vampire leader. Filmed in Eastern Europe, the movie featured some recognizable actors in small parts. While reviewers criticized the awkward dialogue and inconsistent rhythm, it wasn’t a commercial success. Despite this, it led to several direct-to-video sequels that continued the story.

Let us know in the comments what you think the worst movies of the 2000s were, and feel free to suggest any other films we should consider!

2025-11-01 08:30