The 50 Most Hated Movies of All Time

Cinema history is filled with masterpieces that define generations and artistic movements. However there also exists a notorious collection of films that have garnered universal disdain from critics and audiences alike. These movies often suffer from incoherent scripts or poor production values that leave viewers baffled. The following list explores the productions that have cemented their legacy for all the wrong reasons.

‘The Avengers’ (1998)

Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman star in this adaptation of the stylish British spy series from the 1960s. The narrative involves secret agents attempting to stop a villain who controls the weather. Audiences found the chemistry between the leads nonexistent and the plot largely incomprehensible. The film was a significant box office failure that effectively ended plans for a franchise. It remains a cautionary tale about adapting beloved television properties without capturing their original charm.

‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)

Director Joel Schumacher took the Caped Crusader in a campy direction that alienated many dedicated fans of the character. George Clooney dons the suit to fight Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy alongside his partners. The movie is infamous for its excessive use of puns and the controversial design of the Batsuit. Critics panned the film for functioning more like a toy commercial than a serious superhero narrative. This reception led to a lengthy hiatus for the franchise before its eventual reboot.

‘The Wicker Man’ (2006)

Nicolas Cage stars in this remake of the classic British horror film about a policeman searching for a missing girl on a secluded island. The movie shifts the tone of the original from eerie folk horror to unintentional comedy. Several scenes featuring Cage screaming about bees have become internet memes. Critics noted that the script lacked the suspense and subtlety that made the 1973 version iconic. It is often cited as a prime example of a remake losing the essence of its source material.

‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ (1997)

Sandra Bullock returns without Keanu Reeves in this sequel set on a slow-moving cruise ship. The plot involves a hacker seizing control of the vessel and setting it on a collision course with an oil tanker. Viewers felt the setting lacked the visceral speed and tension of the first film on a bus. The absence of the original male lead hurt the dynamic that drove the predecessor’s success. It is frequently listed among the most disappointing sequels in action movie history.

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry plays a shy graphic designer who acquires feline powers after a corporate conspiracy leads to her demise. The film ignores the character’s comic book origins in favor of a standalone story involving evil cosmetics. Critics ridiculed the script and the chaotic editing style that made action sequences difficult to follow. The costume design and tonal inconsistencies further contributed to the negative reception. Berry famously accepted her Golden Raspberry Award in person to acknowledge the film’s failure.

‘Norbit’ (2007)

Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles in this comedy about a mild-mannered man trapped in an abusive marriage. The film relies heavily on prosthetics and crude humor that many reviewers found offensive rather than funny. The narrative focuses on slapstick gags involving weight and stereotypes. It received criticism for its mean-spirited tone and thin plot. despite the negative reviews the film performed well financially but hurt Murphy’s critical standing.

‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)

The fourth installment in the shark franchise suggests that a Great White shark holds a personal vendetta against the Brody family. The shark follows the family from New England to the Bahamas in a premise that defies biological logic. Michael Caine co-stars in a role he famously admitted to taking solely for the paycheck. Technical flaws such as the visible machinery of the shark were evident in the final cut. The movie is often ridiculed for its roar-making shark and improbable finale.

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

Christopher Reeve returns as the Man of Steel to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Budget cuts plagued the production and resulted in poor visual effects that looked dated even for the time. Superman battles a villain named Nuclear Man who was created from a strand of hair. The plot is heavy-handed in its political messaging and light on compelling action. It marked a disappointing end to Reeve’s tenure as the iconic superhero.

‘Exorcist II: The Heretic’ (1977)

This sequel to one of the most terrifying horror movies ever made abandons the scares for metaphysical confusion. Richard Burton plays a priest investigating the events of the first film through a synchronized hypnosis device. Audiences laughed at the screen during the premiere due to the bizarre dialogue and lack of tension. The director attempted to create a visionary experience but delivered a muddled narrative. It is widely considered a massive drop in quality from the original masterpiece.

‘Highlander II: The Quickening’ (1991)

The sequel retcons the mystical origins of the immortals by explaining they are actually aliens from the planet Zeist. This revelation contradicted the lore established in the first film and angered the fanbase. The plot involves a futuristic shield around Earth and a corrupt corporation controlling it. Production troubles led to a disjointed final product that made little narrative sense. Filmmakers have since released multiple cuts in an attempt to salvage the story.

‘Street Fighter’ (1994)

Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Colonel Guile in this loose adaptation of the popular arcade fighting game. The movie struggles to balance a massive roster of characters with a cohesive storyline. Raul Julia delivers a memorable performance as M. Bison in his final film role. Fans were disappointed by the lack of faithful martial arts action and the campy tone. It serves as an early example of the difficulties in translating video games to cinema.

‘Mortal Kombat: Annihilation’ (1997)

This sequel attempts to cram dozens of characters from the video game roster into a ninety-minute runtime. The plot involves an invasion from Outworld that the heroes must stop in six days. The special effects were widely criticized for looking unfinished and the dialogue was derided as wooden. Several actors from the first film did not return which led to jarring recasts. The film killed the momentum of the franchise for over two decades.

‘Super Mario Bros.’ (1993)

Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo play the famous plumbers in a dystopian sci-fi reimagining of the colorful video game. The setting is a grimy alternate dimension ruled by evolved dinosaurs rather than the Mushroom Kingdom. The production was fraught with creative differences and on-set accidents. Both lead actors later expressed regret for participating in the project. It holds the distinction of being the first major live-action video game adaptation.

‘Mac and Me’ (1988)

A blatant attempt to replicate the success of E.T. features an alien befriending a boy in a wheelchair. The movie is infamous for its excessive product placement for McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. The creature design was considered unsettling rather than cute by many viewers. A lengthy dance sequence in a fast-food restaurant halts the narrative completely. It has gained a cult following primarily due to its awkward execution and commercialism.

‘Howard the Duck’ (1986)

George Lucas produced this adaptation of a satirical Marvel comic about a talking duck trapped on Earth. The animatronic effects for the main character were technically limited and often unconvincing. The tone swings wildly between childish humor and adult themes which confused audiences. Critics found the film bizarre and unfunny upon its release. It remains a notorious bomb in the history of comic book adaptations.

‘North’ (1994)

Elijah Wood plays a young boy who legally divorces his parents and travels the world to find new ones. The film utilizes broad cultural stereotypes for comedy that many found tasteless. Bruce Willis narrates the story and appears in various costumes throughout the boy’s journey. Roger Ebert wrote a famously scathing review stating he hated every moment of the film. The movie is often cited for its misguided premise and failure to connect emotionally.

‘Troll 2’ (1990)

Despite the title this film features no trolls and has no narrative connection to the original movie. The plot concerns a family vacationing in a town inhabited by goblins who turn people into plants. The acting is amateurish and the dialogue has become legendary for its awkwardness. A scene involving a character shouting about flies is a viral internet staple. It is frequently celebrated in bad movie festivals as the best worst movie.

‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959)

Ed Wood’s sci-fi horror features aliens resurrecting the dead to stop humanity from creating a doomsday weapon. The production is famous for its visible boom mics and cardboard sets. Wood used brief footage of Bela Lugosi who had died before filming began. The continuity errors and nonsensical dialogue have made it a cult classic. For decades it held the reputation as the worst movie ever made.

‘The Room’ (2003)

Tommy Wiseau wrote and directed this melodrama about a banker whose fiancée betrays him with his best friend. The film is riddled with unresolved subplots and inexplicable character behavior. Wiseau’s unique delivery and the bizarre script have generated a massive global cult following. Fans attend screenings to shout lines at the screen and throw spoons. It is a rare example of a film becoming successful solely because of its incompetence.

‘Birdemic: Shock and Terror’ (2010)

This romantic thriller attempts to deliver an environmental message through an attack by eagles and vultures. The birds are rendered using rudimentary CGI gifs that hover statically over the live-action footage. The sound quality fluctuates constantly and the acting is incredibly stiff. Viewers were baffled by the long driving sequences and lack of plot progression. It gained notoriety as a viral sensation for its sheer lack of production value.

‘Cool World’ (1992)

Brad Pitt and Kim Basinger star in this mix of live-action and animation that aimed for an adult audience. The story follows a cartoonist who is pulled into the universe he created. Critics felt the plot was chaotic and the animation style unappealing. The film struggled to find a tone that worked for either children or adults. It failed to capture the magic of similar productions like Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

‘Barb Wire’ (1996)

Pamela Anderson stars as a bounty hunter in a post-apocalyptic future in this loose remake of Casablanca. The film focuses heavily on the lead actress’s image rather than developing a coherent story. Critics found the action sequences generic and the acting uninspired. The plot attempts to be gritty but ends up feeling derivative of better sci-fi films. It was a critical and commercial failure that stalled Anderson’s film career.

‘Kazaam’ (1996)

Shaquille O’Neal plays a rapping genie who emerges from a boombox to help a young boy. The movie attempts to capitalize on the basketball star’s popularity but suffers from a weak script. The special effects were criticized for looking cheap even by mid-90s standards. Audiences found the plot formulaic and the humor lacking. It is often remembered only for the novelty of its lead casting.

‘Steel’ (1997)

Shaquille O’Neal tries his hand at the superhero genre as a weapons designer who builds a suit of armor. The film abandons the comic book source material’s connection to the Superman mythos. The suit looked rubbery and the action scenes lacked impact. Critics noted that the movie felt like a made-for-television production rather than a theatrical release. It was a box office bomb that grossed a fraction of its budget.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

Eddie Murphy stars in this sci-fi comedy about a lunar nightclub owner fighting the mob. The film sat on the shelf for two years before being released to theaters. It was a massive financial disaster that lost the studio nearly all of its investment. The humor fell flat and the futuristic setting failed to engage audiences. It is frequently cited in discussions about the biggest box office flops in history.

‘Swept Away’ (2002)

Madonna stars in this remake of an Italian film about a wealthy woman stranded on an island with a sailor. Guy Ritchie directed the project which was panned for its unlikable characters. Critics found the chemistry between the leads completely absent. The dialogue was criticized for being pretentious and the acting for being melodramatic. It won multiple Golden Raspberry Awards including Worst Picture.

‘Glitter’ (2001)

Mariah Carey plays a young singer rising to fame in the New York club scene of the 1980s. The release coincided with the tragic events of September 11 which impacted its box office performance. However critics noted that the screenplay was full of clichés and the acting was subpar. The soundtrack was successful but the film itself was widely derided. It remains a low point in the trend of musician-led cinema vehicles.

‘From Justin to Kelly’ (2003)

This musical was produced to capitalize on the success of the first season of American Idol. Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini star as college students who meet during spring break in Florida. The plot is virtually nonexistent and serves only to bridge various musical numbers. Critics described it as a cynical cash grab with no cinematic merit. Both stars have since distanced themselves from the production.

‘Crossroads’ (2002)

Britney Spears makes her film debut in a story about three childhood friends on a road trip. The script was written by Shonda Rhimes but relied heavily on road trip tropes. While fans of the pop star enjoyed it critics found the narrative shallow. The acting was considered uneven and the dialogue contrived. It holds a low approval rating for prioritizing star power over storytelling.

‘Who’s Your Caddy?’ (2007)

Big Boi stars as a rap mogul who tries to join a conservative country club. The film recycles jokes from similar fish-out-of-water comedies without adding anything new. Critics panned the movie for its reliance on lazy stereotypes and toilet humor. The script lacks wit and the characters are one-dimensional caricatures. It is often ranked among the worst comedies of its decade.

‘Daddy Day Camp’ (2007)

Cuba Gooding Jr replaces Eddie Murphy in this sequel about fathers running a summer camp. The movie relies on gross-out gags involving bodily fluids and physical mishaps. Reviewers found the film to be a tedious endurance test with little redeeming humor. It holds a very rare zero percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The charm of the original film is completely lost in this installment.

‘The Love Guru’ (2008)

Mike Myers created and starred in this comedy about an American raised in an Indian ashram. The film relies on heavy use of innuendo and cultural stereotypes that many found offensive. Critics felt that Myers’ comedic style had become dated and repetitive. The plot involves breaking a hockey curse but gets lost in a series of disjointed gags. It was a critical bomb that significantly damaged Myers’ career as a leading man.

‘The Last Airbender’ (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan directed this live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series. Fans were outraged by the casting choices and the pronunciation of character names. The complex narrative of the first season was compressed into a rushed and emotionless script. The action sequences were criticized for their poor choreography and excessive slow motion. It is widely considered one of the worst adaptations of a source material.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

This Hollywood adaptation of the famous manga and anime series strips away most of the original elements. The protagonist is reimagined as a high school student in a generic teen movie setting. Fans criticized the poor visual effects and the complete misunderstanding of the lore. The creator of the original series famously voiced his disappointment with the film. The screenwriter later issued a public apology to the fanbase.

‘Movie 43’ (2013)

This anthology film features a massive cast of A-list stars in a series of interconnected sketches. The humor is aggressively crude and often involves grotesque scenarios. Critics and audiences alike were baffled as to how the producers attached so many famous names to the project. The sketches are widely regarded as unfunny and mean-spirited. It is frequently described as one of the most painful viewing experiences in recent memory.

‘Jack and Jill’ (2011)

Adam Sandler plays both a successful advertising executive and his annoying twin sister. The film features a bizarre subplot involving Al Pacino falling in love with the sister character. The humor relies almost entirely on Sandler in drag and shouting matches. It became the first film in history to sweep the Golden Raspberry Awards in every category. Critics viewed it as the nadir of Sandler’s comedic output.

‘That’s My Boy’ (2012)

Adam Sandler plays an irresponsible father who crashes the wedding of his estranged son. The movie attempts an R-rated tone but was criticized for its handling of sensitive subjects. The characters are largely unlikable and the humor is often mean-spirited. It was a box office disappointment that signaled audience fatigue with Sandler’s formula. The script was deemed offensive and lacking in genuine laughs.

‘Cats’ (2019)

Tom Hooper directed this adaptation of the long-running stage musical using digital fur technology. The visual effects were universally mocked for creating uncanny and disturbing human-cat hybrids. The film lacks a coherent narrative structure which makes the musical numbers feel disconnected. Critics described the experience as a fever dream filled with bizarre choices. It was a colossal financial failure that became an instant target for ridicule.

‘Holmes & Watson’ (2018)

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly reteam for a comedic take on the legendary detective duo. Despite the talent involved the film suffers from a script devoid of successful jokes. Several scenes rely on anachronisms and slapstick that fail to land. Reports surfaced that the studio attempted to sell the film to Netflix before a theatrical release due to poor test scores. Audiences walked out of theaters and critics gave it abysmal ratings.

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

This animated feature takes place inside a smartphone and follows a “meh” emoji with multiple expressions. Critics slammed the film for being a cynical ninety-minute advertisement for various apps. The plot borrows heavily from superior films like Wreck-It Ralph and Inside Out. The humor was considered lazy and insufficient for both children and adults. It is often cited as a prime example of corporate product placement masquerading as entertainment.

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

After the original book entered the public domain filmmakers turned the beloved bear into a slasher villain. The movie features Pooh and Piglet going on a murderous rampage in the Hundred Acre Wood. Critics found the low-budget production to be poorly acted and visually dark. The novelty of the concept wore off quickly leaving a generic and violent horror film. It was criticized for ruining childhood memories for shock value.

‘Slender Man’ (2018)

Based on the internet creepypasta this horror film arrived years after the character’s peak popularity. The studio heavily edited the film to achieve a PG-13 rating which resulted in a disjointed narrative. Key scenes from the trailers were missing from the final theatrical cut. Critics found the movie boring and devoid of genuine scares. It failed to capture the eerie atmosphere that made the original online myths successful.

‘Left Behind’ (2014)

Nicolas Cage stars in this reboot of the faith-based franchise about the biblical rapture. The film focuses on a pilot trying to land a plane after millions of people vanish. Reviewers criticized the cheap production values and the melodramatic script. The theological elements were considered heavy-handed while the thriller aspects lacked tension. It holds an extremely low rating for its poor execution and acting.

‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002)

Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu star as opposing secret agents in this action thriller. The plot is a convoluted mess of explosions and gunfights with little character development. It holds the rare distinction of maintaining a zero percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes with over one hundred reviews. Critics described it as loud, boring, and incoherent. It is arguably the most critically reviled action movie of the 2000s.

‘Alone in the Dark’ (2005)

Uwe Boll directed this loose adaptation of the survival horror video game series. Christian Slater plays a paranormal investigator in a plot involving ancient artifacts and creatures. The film is notorious for its nonsensical opening crawl and lack of continuity. Boll’s direction was panned for its incompetence in lighting and editing. It is frequently listed among the worst video game adaptations ever produced.

‘House of the Dead’ (2003)

Another video game adaptation by Uwe Boll features teenagers attending a rave on a zombie-infested island. The director inserted actual clips from the video game into the action sequences. The acting is uniformly poor and the script is filled with unintentional comedy. Critics and gamers alike despised the film for its lack of respect for the source material. It cemented Boll’s reputation as a director of terrible movies.

‘The Hottie & the Nottie’ (2008)

Paris Hilton stars in this romantic comedy about a man who must find a date for an unattractive woman to woo her friend. The premise was criticized for being shallow and offensive to women. Hilton’s performance was widely panned and earned her a Golden Raspberry Award. The makeup effects used for the “nottie” character were considered cruel and excessive. It was a box office bomb that played in very few theaters.

‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)

This sequel to the Jim Carrey hit attempts to continue the story without the original star. Jamie Kennedy plays a cartoonist whose baby is born with the powers of the Mask. The visual effects are garish and the humor relies on terrifying cartoon logic. Critics found the movie aggressively annoying and unsuitable for the intended family audience. It is often considered one of the steepest drops in quality for a sequel.

‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)

Jon Voight stars in this sequel featuring talking toddlers who fight a media mogul. The special effects used to make the babies speak are uncanny and disturbing. The plot is nonsensical and the humor is painfully juvenile. It received universally negative reviews for its strange premise and poor execution. It is frequently cited as one of the worst films ever made.

‘Disaster Movie’ (2008)

This spoof film attempts to parody various blockbusters and pop culture trends from the late 2000s. The jokes consist of lazy references rather than actual satire or wit. Critics and audiences found the humor dated and the production values cheap. It holds the top spot on many “worst of” lists due to its sheer laziness. The film represents the decline of the parody genre in modern cinema.

Share your own list of despised films in the comments to see how they compare to these critical failures.