Top 20 Worst Movies by TV Stars

Some big names from television have stepped into leading film roles that didn’t land with audiences, critics, or both. Below are widely panned movies fronted by major TV stars, with quick details on who led them, what the films tried to do, and how they were received. Each entry focuses on the television pedigree of the lead along with plot basics and notable aftermath so you can see exactly why these titles are remembered for the wrong reasons.

‘Sex and the City 2’ (2010)

Led by Sarah Jessica Parker, best known for ‘Sex and the City’, this sequel reunites the original TV ensemble for a luxury vacation storyline far from Manhattan. It expands the series’ focus to an overseas trip while centering on marriage and friendship arcs. The film drew heavy criticism for tone and cultural portrayal. Despite strong brand recognition, it underperformed against expectations and ended the franchise’s big-screen momentum.

‘From Justin to Kelly’ (2003)

Fronted by ‘American Idol’ winners Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, this musical pairs reality-TV fame with a beach party romance. The plot follows spring breakers who sing, dance, and chase mixed-up messages. Reviews were overwhelmingly negative, citing thin story and staging. It quickly disappeared from theaters and is often cited as a cautionary tale for reality talent vehicles.

‘Jade’ (1995)

Starring David Caruso from ‘NYPD Blue’, this erotic thriller follows a prosecutor pulled into a murder case tied to power players. William Friedkin directs a script loaded with political intrigue and blackmail. Caruso’s jump from TV to movie leading man was closely watched. The movie was critically panned and did not establish the big-screen career pivot that was anticipated.

‘Kangaroo Jack’ (2003)

Jerry O’Connell of ‘Sliders’ and Anthony Anderson of ‘Black-ish’ headline this crime-caper-turned-family-comedy about a misplaced cash delivery in Australia. Marketing emphasized a rapping kangaroo, though the animal functions mostly as a brief comic hook. Critics rejected the muddled tone and slapstick plotting. The film’s reception stalled attempts to build it into a lasting family franchise.

‘My Boss’s Daughter’ (2003)

Ashton Kutcher, widely known for ‘That ’70s Show’, leads this misadventure about house-sitting gone wrong at his intimidating employer’s home. The story stacks misunderstandings, break-ins, and romantic complications in a single night. It drew poor notices for humor and structure. Kutcher’s film push continued afterward, but this title became a frequent low point in retrospectives.

‘The Bounty Hunter’ (2010)

Headlined by Jennifer Aniston of ‘Friends’, this action-romance pairs a bail bondsman with his journalist ex-wife on the run. Marketing leaned on star chemistry and chase set pieces. Reviews were largely negative, citing formula and uneven tone. Interest cooled quickly after opening weekend despite tabloid-fueled publicity.

‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2’ (2015)

Kevin James, the face of ‘The King of Queens’, returns as the Segway-riding security guard during a Las Vegas convention. The sequel escalates pratfalls and family subplots inside resort settings. Critics derided the recycled gags and thin story. It sold on brand familiarity but landed poorly with reviewers and many viewers.

‘CHiPs’ (2017)

Dax Shepard of ‘Parenthood’ writes, directs, and stars in this R-rated take on the classic TV highway patrol series. The plot follows a rookie-veteran pairing investigating corruption inside the California Highway Patrol. Action and raunchy humor dominate over procedural elements. The movie earned weak reviews and failed to spark a revived film franchise.

‘Fantasy Island’ (2020)

Lucy Hale from ‘Pretty Little Liars’ leads this horror reimagining of the beloved TV premise where guests’ wishes come true with sinister twists. The film weaves multiple wish-based storylines into a single mystery. Critics flagged plotting issues and unsatisfying reveals. Despite brand recognition, word of mouth was poor and momentum faded quickly.

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

Voiced by T.J. Miller of ‘Silicon Valley’, this animated adventure follows a multi-expression emoji navigating a smartphone’s app world. It packs in app cameos, product integrations, and a quest for self-definition. Reviews were overwhelmingly negative for concept and execution. The film became a frequent punchline in discussions of branded animation.

‘Entourage’ (2015)

The original ‘Entourage’ TV cast returns with Adrian Grenier’s movie star character anchoring a feature-length extension. The plot continues industry hijinks, cameos, and insider deals. Critics found little evolution from the series format, noting an episodic feel. The lukewarm reception stalled hopes for further theatrical entries.

‘The Roommate’ (2011)

Minka Kelly of ‘Friday Night Lights’ and Leighton Meester of ‘Gossip Girl’ star in this campus thriller about an obsessive dorm pairing. The story leans on stalker tropes and escalating warnings. It opened strong due to TV fanbases but fell off fast as reviews skewed negative. The film is often cited as an example of PG-13 thriller trends of the era.

‘When in Rome’ (2010)

Kristen Bell from ‘Veronica Mars’ headlines a romantic comedy about a driven curator who grabs coins from a love fountain and attracts a swarm of suitors. The film uses a magical premise to set up overlapping comedic pursuits. Critics called out contrived setups and uneven jokes. Interest centered on Bell’s TV popularity but critical response was poor.

‘House of Wax’ (2005)

Elisha Cuthbert from ’24’ and Chad Michael Murray from ‘One Tree Hill’ lead this slasher remake about friends stranded near a wax museum with a deadly secret. The movie emphasizes practical gore effects and cat-and-mouse chases. Reviews were mixed to negative, with curiosity driven by TV-heavy casting that included Paris Hilton. It later lingered more for stunt moments than for story.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

Justin Chatwin of ‘Shameless’ fronts this live-action adaptation of the iconic anime, repositioning characters and lore for a western teen adventure. The film compresses major arcs into a brief origin quest. Fans and critics rejected the departures from the source material. The backlash curtailed any plans for sequels and became a case study in misfired adaptations.

‘Max Steel’ (2016)

Ben Winchell, known for TV work, stars in this toy-based superhero origin about a teen who bonds with an alien energy companion. It blends high-school drama with government chase elements. Reviews cited a lack of distinctive action or world-building. The film barely registered at the box office and ended brand expansion efforts.

‘Elektra’ (2005)

Jennifer Garner of ‘Alias’ leads this spin-off following the assassin revived by mystical training and hired for a protection mission. The story emphasizes ninjas, secret orders, and comic-book mysticism. Critics found the narrative disjointed and character work thin. Plans for a larger standalone path for the character faded after the reception.

‘The Master of Disguise’ (2002)

Dana Carvey from ‘Saturday Night Live’ stars as a timid heir to a family of disguise experts who must rescue his kidnapped parents. The plot strings together sketch-style impersonations and visual gags. Reviewers reacted very negatively to the humor and pacing. The project is frequently cited as a miscalculated TV-to-film vehicle for a sketch star.

‘Zoom’ (2006)

Tim Allen, a staple of ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Last Man Standing’, headlines this family superhero tale about a retired speedster training misfit kids. The movie combines comic-book training montages with school comedy beats. Critics cited weak effects and thin character arcs. It failed to connect with families and ended hopes for a franchise.

‘Dirty Love’ (2005)

Jenny McCarthy, a TV personality and host, writes and stars as a photographer reeling from a breakup who stumbles through a series of disastrous dates. The film features episodic comic set pieces connected by a self-discovery thread. It was widely derided for writing and execution. After a brief run, it became a byword for failed star vehicles built around preexisting TV fame.

Share the worst offender you’ve sat through in the comments and tell us which TV star let you down most on the big screen.