Top 20 Worst Movies of the 2000s

The 2000s delivered plenty of memorable hits, but a few infamous titles stood out for all the wrong reasons. These films struggled with messy productions, weak scripts, awkward performances, or baffling creative choices that audiences could not ignore. Many earned scathing reviews, industry ignominy, and awards that no one wants on a shelf. Some even found cult followings later, though not for the reasons their makers intended. Here are twenty notorious misfires from that decade, along with straightforward context on what went wrong.

‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

Based on L. Ron Hubbard’s novel, this science fiction film follows humanity under alien rule in the year 3000. The production leaned on stylized camera angles and heavy makeup that drew widespread criticism for unintentionally comic visuals. John Travolta’s passion project became a major box office failure relative to its reported budget. It later swept multiple Golden Raspberry Awards and was labeled a cautionary tale for excessive creative control.

‘Gigli’ (2003)

This crime romance pairs Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in a kidnapping plot that tries to mix dark comedy with heartfelt drama. The script underwent changes during production that left tonal shifts visible on screen. The film opened to very weak ticket sales and was pulled from many theaters quickly. It became a frequent example of how star power alone cannot carry a project.

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry plays a new character named Patience Phillips who discovers catlike abilities after a corporate conspiracy. Visual effects and production design aimed for a sleek look but critics noted inconsistent action geography. The movie underperformed and quickly lost screens after a disappointing opening. Berry famously accepted a Razzie in person, acknowledging the film’s reception.

‘The Room’ (2003)

Tommy Wiseau wrote, directed, produced, and starred in this drama about a love triangle in San Francisco. The film had unusual dialogue, abrupt subplot shifts, and continuity issues that became part of its reputation. Initial attendance was minimal and marketing was limited to a single billboard and select midnight shows. It later grew into a cult phenomenon with audience participation screenings.

‘The Love Guru’ (2008)

Mike Myers returns to character comedy as a self help guru hired to fix a hockey star’s marriage. The movie relies on running gags and wordplay that critics found repetitive. Despite a wide release, it brought in modest receipts and faded quickly from theaters. It received Razzie attention and is often cited as a turning point in studio confidence for this kind of character vehicle.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

This live action adaptation reimagines a beloved anime and manga for a modern teen audience. Changes to character backstories and world building upset fans who expected the source material’s larger scale. The film underperformed in several markets compared to expectations for the brand. It remains a frequent reference when discussing the risks of compressing long running series into a single feature.

‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)

A follow up to the Jim Carrey hit, this entry shifts focus to a new character who discovers the magical mask. The effects heavy family comedy leaned on cartoon physics and digital baby gags that drew negative attention. Box office returns did not cover its reported production and marketing costs. It earned multiple Razzie nominations and stalled the franchise.

‘Disaster Movie’ (2008)

This parody strings together sketches that reference blockbuster titles and celebrity culture of the late 2000s. The humor centers on quick costume gags and brief impressions rather than a cohesive plot. Critics widely panned the film, and audience scores were also low. Theatrical play was short and home video performance could not reverse its reputation.

‘House of the Dead’ (2003)

Adapted from the arcade shooter, this horror action film mixes rave party settings with zombie attacks. Director Uwe Boll inserted game footage into action scenes, creating jarring transitions. The film faced harsh reviews for editing and story structure. It still spawned interest in more game adaptations despite poor word of mouth.

‘Alone in the Dark’ (2005)

Another Uwe Boll video game adaptation, this one follows a paranormal investigator confronting ancient creatures. The narrative uses heavy exposition and sudden scene cuts that reviewers found confusing. Box office numbers were low compared to its production scale. It earned several Razzie nominations and became shorthand for troubled game to film projects.

‘From Justin to Kelly’ (2003)

Capitalizing on early reality TV momentum, this musical pairs the first season winner and runner up of a popular singing competition. The beach party setup features song and dance numbers that felt quickly assembled. The release window landed during a crowded summer and attendance was minimal. It is often cited as a misread of what fans wanted from these performers.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

Set on the moon, this sci fi comedy stars Eddie Murphy as a nightclub owner fighting a crime boss. Production delays and reshoots pushed costs higher than similar comedies of the era. The film opened to extremely poor numbers and ended as one of the decade’s biggest money losers. It became a business case study in mismatched budget and audience demand.

‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)

This sequel continues a series about gifted infants who outsmart adults. Practical and digital effects aimed to match talking mouth movements with infant performances. Critics faulted the execution and family audiences did not turn out in strong numbers. It received Razzie nominations and marked the end of the theatrical run for the concept.

‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002)

An action thriller with Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu, this film centers on rival operatives with intersecting missions. The production emphasized gunplay and explosions but struggled to build a clear narrative thread. Reviews were overwhelmingly negative across major outlets. It earned a place in discussions about critical consensus against action titles from the period.

‘Basic Instinct 2’ (2006)

Sharon Stone returns as Catherine Tramell in a London set follow up to the 1992 hit. The film seeks a psychological angle with therapy sessions and legal intrigue. The release drew attention but attendance dropped sharply after opening weekend. It won Razzie awards and effectively closed the book on further sequels.

‘Swept Away’ (2002)

Directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Madonna, this remake follows a wealthy woman stranded on a deserted island with a deckhand. The remake shifted tone from the original and audiences did not respond. The movie had a limited theatrical run and quickly moved to home release. It became an example used in discussions about remake challenges.

‘The Wicker Man’ (2006)

Nicolas Cage headlines this reinterpretation of the 1970s folk horror classic. The plot features a missing child investigation on an isolated island with a matriarchal society. The film’s changes to character motivations and ending drew significant pushback. It earned Razzie nominations and later found second life through internet memes.

‘Meet the Spartans’ (2008)

Another spoof from the mid to late 2000s wave, this one targets sword and sandal epics and pop culture news. The structure relies on short sketches that reference the hit film it parodies along with current celebrities. Critics cited a lack of narrative and overreliance on quick cutaway jokes. Box office started strong but dropped fast after the first weekend.

‘Epic Movie’ (2007)

This parody mashes together fantasy franchises, superhero tales, and period adventures of the time. The film cycles through recognizable costumes and set pieces without sustained plotting. Reviews called out the film’s heavy dependence on name checking other properties. It nevertheless generated enough early interest to cover a modest budget before fading.

‘BloodRayne’ (2005)

Based on the video game, this period action horror follows a dhampir seeking revenge against a vampire overlord. The film was shot in Eastern Europe with a cast that included several well known actors in brief roles. Critics pointed to stiff dialogue and uneven pacing. It performed poorly but still spawned direct to video sequels that continued the storyline.

Share your picks for the worst 2000s movies in the comments and tell us which titles you would add to the list.