If you love watching movies, then you’re probably familiar with Rotten Tomatoes, the review website where you can compare opinions from movie critics and average Joes alike. Although there are some great movies out there, none of them are on this list. In fact, many of these are downright awful!
Here are some of the worst movies of all time according to Rotten Tomatoes, so you can avoid wasting your time on these films and watch something better instead.
Killing Me Softly (2002)
Chinese-born American Chen Kaige is a world-renowned director. With his 1993 Palme d’Or win for directing Farewell My Concubine, he cemented himself as one of the top 10 directors in history. His acclaim continued to grow with 2002’s Together, yet 2002’s Killing Me Softly was a major disappointment. Centered around an erotic thriller starring Heather Graham, Joseph Fiennes, and Natascha McElhone; this confusing film left audiences struggling through terrible dialogue and plot twists that were too complex for its own good.
If you’re looking for something just as bad but also double the length – then go ahead and watch Kaige’s foreign films instead.
Homecoming (2009)
Directed by Morgan J. Freeman – yes, that one – Homecoming tells an all-too-familiar tale of how two high school sweethearts reunite after college. When they were together in their youth, Shelby (Mischa Barton) was crowned homecoming queen and Mike (Matt Long) the star quarterback. Now apart at different colleges, they come back home to surprise each other during Christmas break with new relationships they’ve started while away from each other.
Underneath this perfect reunion hides a sinister plot where Shelby is hellbent on making Elizabeth’s life hell so she can win back her ex-boyfriend…but it proves futile when everything doesn’t go according to plan because Homecoming turns out to be no great movie.
Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
Starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery, the original Highlander film from 1986 had its redeeming moments. Some saw it as too corny while others appreciated those moments just because they were different. So when Director Russell Mulcahy wanted to make a sequel five years later; expectations were at an all-time high. But sadly, if you loved the first one there isn’t much to love about the second one; Highlander II: The Quickening proved to be among some of the worst sequels out there – barely worth watching (even for fans). Set in 2024 when most of Earth’s ozone was depleted, Connor MacLeod battles through time so he can stop things before they become catastrophic – but along the way, he faces tough moral dilemmas like whether or not humankind is worth saving since we’re our own worst enemy at times.
The Disappointments Room (2016)
It did not matter where The Disappointments Room was watched – whether it was at a theatre or in the comfort of one’s own home, it will always be the most disappointing part of any movie. Beautiful Kate Beckinsale portrays Dana – an architect who moves into a country house with her husband and son. After moving into their new home, Dana starts having nightmares and visions she cannot explain. Her husband does not believe her when she says what she sees and thinks she is delusional. Though this film claims to be a thriller, it certainly isn’t thrilling at all; Beckinsale plays a good role but other than that there really is nothing special about this movie.
Staying Alive (1983)
Who thought making a sequel to Saturday Night Fever was a good idea? Six years after that film’s success, John Travolta returned to the big screen as Tony Manero. Only this time, Manero isn’t focused on the disco scene. Instead, he is determined to make it big on Broadway. Directed and written by Sylvester Stallone, Staying Alive attempts to capture the magic of its predecessor but instead fails at every turn. While the story may seem disconnected from what came before- this does not succeed in capturing all that made its predecessor so enjoyable- nor does it even come close to feeling just as pleasurable as before.
Look Who’s Talking Now (1993)
Back-to-back films starring John Travolta may not be a great move for the actor who is struggling to find his footing since his career’s highest point in Pulp Fiction. For one, he and co-star Kirstie Alley have no chemistry whatsoever – it’s so bad that they play husband and wife in this new outing. In addition, James (Travolta) and Mollie (Alley) adopt two talking dogs – Rocks voiced by Danny DeVito, and Daphne voiced by Diane Keaton. The way the stray mutts carry on may sound cute if you were an outside observer listening to them bicker back and forth but neither James nor Mollie can hear anything they say which only adds insult to injury. If these are the kind of roles Hollywood has lined up for him then it would appear as though this movie was simply another opportunity squandered.
Mac and Me (1988)
An alien trying to escape from NASA is befriended by a disabled kid.
This sentimental film was written with good intentions but it feels to cliche and predictable – almost as if it was plagiarized.
Redline (2007)
Think of Redline as a poor, poor, poor man’s version of the Fast & Furious franchise. Nadia Bjorlin stars as Natasha – a talented singer and car enthusiast who can’t resist fast driving or making dangerously tight turns around corners. She loves cars so much that when she hears about an illegal drag-racing organization involving some really nice rides, she jumps at the chance to participate in those races. Sadly though, the film itself lacks intrigue – focusing too heavily on showing off girls with curves and sleek vehicles without diving deep into character development or storyline depth. But hey, all you need to know is that there are Ferraris galore! And despite producer Tony Scott’s claims, that it wasn’t deliberate (showing little regard for safety), an original Enzo Ferrari was totaled during filming.
Cabin Fever (2016)
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Fresh out of college, five friends head to the cabin…
That’s right, just another horror movie featuring a cast full of millennials heading out on an adventure into the woods. Written by Eli Roth (director), Cabin Fever follows these young adults on their journey until they end up at their backwoods getaway – unaware that there is something waiting for them behind its walls… Flesh-eating Zombie Virus! The only compliment I can offer is directed towards the Makeup Department… It was some great makeup – despite it making my stomach turn every time there was a new gruesome scene.
Shadow Conspiracy (1997)
Critics and diehard fans alike can agree – this movie stinks. Starring Charlie Sheen, Donald Sutherland, Linda Hamilton, and Stephen Lang, Shadow Conspiracy tells the tale of an assassination plot. Sheen plays Bobby Bishop – and assistant to the President of the United States – who comes face-to-face with a man named Pochenko. Pachinko is well aware of the plot to kill the President and warns Bishop; which instantly puts him in harm’s way. Though it may not sound terrible at first glance, this movie is atrocious. The actors don’t seem to care about their performances; instead, they just churn out lazy lines without any depth or emotion behind them whatsoever while simultaneously weaving together an obtuse yet outlandish storyline that leaves many people scratching their heads (or rather throwing up). Stay away from this film.
3 Strikes (2000)
In Baseball, after three strikes, you’re out. Unfortunately for this movie, its title is too appropriate. Minutes into viewing the production, you’ll be deciding that you’re out. Directed and written by DJ Pooh, 3 Strikes features a protagonist with two previous criminal charges – his third conviction would mean 25 years to life in prison. The storyline of this film was indeed mind-numbingly dull. After Rob Douglas (Brian Hooks) was released from jail following his second sentence; he gets picked up by one of his friends… who happens to steal a car and then shoots at some cops. Within seconds of these events occurring, Douglas goes on the run to avoid being caught again; but instead of an enjoyable ride through comedic relief – all viewers are left with what feels like hours of scenes without jokes or laughs.
Wagons East! (1994)
John Candy is a Hollywood legend. And although he may have had his fair share of underwhelming performances, he still managed to make unforgettable classics like Wagons East! Sadly, every once in a while even icons fall victim to the occasional bad performance. Starring Johnny, Wagons East! missed the mark really hard this time around – it followed settlers in the Wild West who were sick of their current living situation. When they meet a cowboy and decide they want to go back east (to civilization), things take an awkward turn when Johnny appears drunk and breaks down on the screen for one last time- it was shocking how unfunny Johnny could appear at times.
Problem Child (1990)
Problem Child certainly isn’t a masterpiece, but it’s not as horrible as this rank might imply. As the title says, the movie is about a problem child- one that goes by name of Junior and falls into the hands of Ben (John Ritter). Junior is mostly known for his malicious behavior- he signs up for a pen pal service with notorious serial killer The Bow Tie Killer and so much worse. He also cannot seem to go outside without someone getting hurt or some damage being done- either him or something else. With all these factors combined, then I think it’s fair to say that he is far from perfect. Yet there are moments where you can tell this troubled little boy doesn’t know what he’s doing – which makes it hard not to sympathize with him. But even when you see through those problems, junior still lacks something important- humor in general.
Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991)
In 1980, Brooke Shields was given a chance to show her skills in The Blue Lagoon. This film wasn’t hailed for its genius, but it did well enough to inspire another performance-albeit one lacking the finesse of its predecessor. As expected, this sequel pales when compared with the original’s charm and style; too much time is spent dwelling on attractive people having sex instead of developing anything worth caring about them beyond their looks or what they eat at dinner time. Neither does it have anything comparable to that moment in the first movie where our protagonist jumps off the boat ramp into the water; because if there was something inherently captivating about these characters before then, we would know it already by now.
The Nutcracker in 3D (2013)
The Nutcracker is a treasured ballet that’s been seen by many people all over the world since 1892. It was originally created for the amusement of children, but The Nutcracker in 3D has shamed the original work with its garish CGI animation and unimaginative direction. 3D technology did nothing to improve this Hollywood disaster for adults or children alike – instead, it only made everything worse. This film does not deserve your money or time – please don’t see it!
London Fields (2018)
Based on the popular 1989 novel of the same name by Martin Amis, London Fields fails to be as captivating as it could have been. Amber Heard stars as Nicola Six — a woman who has been living with a premonition of her death… and a dark death at that. Six goes on to have relationships with three men, including one man who she knows will end up killing her. With Billy Bob Thornton trying his best for everyone – he cannot make this film work despite his famous status in Hollywood. Unlike the novel, the film is dry from beginning to finish – if you really want to experience this story at its best- read the novel and do not bother watching the movie.
Stratton (2017)
There are many things that can make a film bad, but Stratton was stymied by its share of these problems. Directed by Simon West, Stratton failed to live up to expectations due to its uninteresting cast, lackluster set pieces, and lackluster storytelling. The plot follows a pattern often seen in movies – an agent attempts to locate a terrorist cell. It does so through the eyes of its protagonist Dominic Cooper who is given little nuance or depth for his part – he becomes boringly flat and unmemorable much like this imperfect copycat of James Bond films.
The Ridiculous 6 (2015)
This is a movie that Netflix probably doesn’t want to remember. Ridiculous 6 is an action comedy western and also the first movie produced as a result of the Adam Sandler/Netflix partnership. Written by Sandler, the film stars many well-known actors including Terry Crews, Luke Wilson, Rob Schneider, Jon Lovitz, Jorge Garcia, and Taylor Lautner (making up the six). There was some hope among fans for this movie because with so many big names attached to it there might be something worth watching. It ended up being chaotic, unfunny, and deeply offensive which makes it one of those movies no one wants to watch again. What could have been another refreshing addition to Sandler’s repertoire ends up becoming just another thing everyone would prefer forgotten.
Dark Crimes (2016)
Jim Carrey has been known for his comedy performances; however, he can play a more serious role. Jim Carrey plays Tadek, an officer who investigates a series of criminal acts – which leads him down dangerous paths. Unfortunately, the storyline moves so slowly that it lacks suspense or intrigue by the end of the film, and Carrey’s performance lacked intensity. Nonetheless, Dark Crimes offers an intriguing story about crime for those looking for something different to watch this weekend.
Jaws 4 – The Revenge (1987)
To get an idea of just how ridiculous this film is, let’s take a look at one tagline from Jaws 4: The Revenge—
Chief Brody’s wife thinks her family has been deliberately targeted by another shark in search of revenge.
You don’t say! A shark is capable of deliberately targeting a family? Wow…For a franchise that caused millions of people to fear the ocean, this edition of Jaws made people want to run out the nearest door. All it brought were more gory scenes involving sharks attacking humans.
The Last Days of American Crime (2020)
The tagline for The Last Days of American Crime reads like the anti-Purge – Two men and a woman plan the heist of the century before a government-broadcast signal wipes out crime forever. But instead of an announcement telling all criminals they can commit crimes until dawn, this broadcast says crime will never exist again. Boring? Heck yeah! Set some time in the future (the USA is over crime), due to terrorism and other violence against society, the United States government decides it’s had enough. That’s literally it; that’s the story. In terms of excitement levels, The Day America Died was less entertaining than those people who spent every day sitting at home doing nothing but watching Netflix. Yeah – you guessed it – it was really bad.
Gold Diggers (2003)
National Lampoon’s Vacation and its sequels starring Chevy Chase were wonderful. Unfortunately, National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers is a complete disaster. The film stars Will Friedle as Calvin and Chris Owen as Leonard – two losers who hatch a plan to marry a pair of elderly, rich sisters. Calvin and Leonard believe they will inherit the sisters’ wealth upon their eventual deaths; however, the women have other plans up the sleeves that are sure to destroy them completely. Unbeknownst to the losers, the sisters are broke and intend on murdering them for life insurance money—which we all know won’t work out in their favor at all because there is no possible humor found in this waste of time!
Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004)
The thought of somebody being entertained by a baby movie baffles me. And here’s something even stranger – how could there be enough viewers who liked the first one to get another made? In Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2, a group of brilliant toddlers joins forces to battle an evil man (played by Jon Voight). That evil man is determined to alter the minds of children while they grow up. However, will these helpless babies stop this grown-up from achieving his nefarious goals? I don’t want to know and neither should you! A film with no audience approval isn’t worth seeing for yourself – which is why it comes as no surprise that it has a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Pinocchio (2002)
This Italian film directed by Roberto Benigni should never have seen the light of day. Pinocchio is a creepy character, to begin with, so it is troubling that anyone thought bringing Pinocchio to life was a good idea. In Benigni’s Pinocchio, the titular character is played by Benigni himself. Yep, a balding adult plays the role of a boy. In addition to being utterly creepy, the movie is painfully boring. How an Oscar-winning actor and Oscar-nominated director can produce something this terrible only speaks volumes about how great they are when they do get things right!
Gotti (2018)
How can a tale so rich in detail be reduced to such simplicity? In the movie Gotti – directed by Kevin Connolly (E from Entourage) – Travolta plays an over-the-top rendition of the notorious mafia boss, leaving you constantly waiting for his next scene. It would seem no effort has been made to make him look like anyone but himself; which means you’ll be seeing nothing but Travolta every time he appears on the screen. If you’ve got some spare time on your hands or need something new to watch after binging Orange is the New Black, then this might just suit your needs. But don’t bother if mob movies are your thing because this won’t satisfy that craving at all.
A Thousand Words (2012)
Eddie Murphy is considered one of the most hilarious comedians of all time, so why would anyone want to silence him for a whole movie? In A Thousand Words, every word he speaks causes another leaf to fall off his tree. When the last leaf has fallen, Eddie Murphy’s character will die. It may sound interesting at first glance – but what use are they if they can’t speak? This is not the worst film you’ll ever see; there are plenty of worse films out there. But then again this film also isn’t worth wasting hours on end just to watch Eddie Murphy’s half-assed attempts at being funny – no matter how famous he is.
One Missed Call (2008)
Directed by Eric Valette, One Missed Call had an interesting premise. Many people experienced receiving a voicemail from themselves – not just anyone else, but themselves! The idea was quite exciting until they found out what the messages said; predicting every single detail of their death, down to the date and minute it would happen. With such dismal thoughts rolling around in their heads, there was nothing left for them to do but wait for their demise or find some way to escape it. Sadly enough, this didn’t happen either because when all was said and done – viewers were left feeling underwhelmed even though the movie had so much potential.
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)
One movie title could tell you everything about what to expect from that film – and this is certainly one of those times. Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever was shockingly bad, especially given the actors starring in it and the premise. Antonio Banderas played Ecks and Lucy Liu played Sever. They were both FBI agents who had been enemies for years; however, they were forced to work together with defeating a larger threat painlessly if they wanted to survive. Too many plot holes riddled this movie which made watching each scene painful – not just because of how long the scenes were drawn out but also because there was nothing really happening during them! Violence seemed excessive at certain points throughout the whole thing, which was highly off-putting from what movies usually are nowadays since they barely seem violent anymore at all!
A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994)
A Low Down Dirty Shame is a fitting name for this horrifying movie. When you make the unfortunate decision to watch it, you will most likely be regretting it afterward. Keenen Ivory Wayans tries his best with this terrible project – acting as the director, writer, and star – yet misses the target completely.
Wayans has directed some big hits before including In Living Color, Scary Movie, and White Chicks; but he fell short of success when making A Low Down Dirty Shame. He played the character of Andre Shame – a detective who encounters nothing but dead ends while investigating drugs dealt by one notorious kingpin on top of all other problems in his life. The movie lacked any humor similar to what we’re used to seeing from the Wayans family; furthermore, it was plagued by excessive use of slow motion that left viewers bored at best. There’s no wonder why they don’t have anything higher than 0% on Rotten Tomatoes!
Bolero (1984)
There are so many films that critics dislike yet people flock to see- Bolero is not one of those films. It has a measly 17% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which means there is absolutely no way Bo Derek can save this boring film. Set in the 1920s and following the life of a young woman trying to find someone who would show her what sex feels like, it features her chance meeting with a Spanish bullfighter and a Moroccan sheik. Sadly for Lida, her Spanish lover gets injured before they have time to do anything romantic together- something most men will identify with when watching him suffer on screen. There’s no denying that while Bo acted well here, this wasn’t one of her best performances either.
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
Did we really need a Speed sequel, let alone one that didn’t include Keanu Reeves? Speed 2: Cruise Control falls extremely short of its predecessor, lacking the fast pace of the first film while also possessing little in the way of story or logic.
Overall, it’s grossly disappointing, and Titanic is a far better film when it comes to movies about boats that are out of control.
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
After actor Macaulay Culkin’s stint as Kevin McCallister in the first two Home Alone films, many thought the franchise was finished. But no, they continued on with not one, not two, but four additional films, each more terrible than the last and culminating in the most recent installment, Home Sweet Home Alone in 2021.
Reviewers have stated this version is painful to watch, lacks the key slapstick elements that made the original films great, and that the villains are more likable than the child star. Ouch!
Steel (1997)
Remember when Shaquille O’Neal tried to be a superhero? That’s ok if not, as most people tried to block out this embarrassing film from their memories. Some call Steel just a marketing machine capitalizing on Shaq’s tall, yet talentless form. Others called it obnoxious and excruciatingly sentimental.
Glitter (2001)
What do you get when singer Mariah Carey makes her feature film debut? Unfortunately, it’s Glitter, a movie where Carey’s gorgeous voice is upstaged by countless cliches, bad acting, and a flimsy script.
Given the choice between watching Glitter and sweeping up a freshly spilled jar of actual glitter, we’d chose cleaning up the annoying product over watching this painful film any day.
Daddy Day Camp (2007)
Rarely do film sequels live up to the originals. And they have even less of a chance of succeeding when most of the original stars have been recast. Such is the case with Daddy Day Camp, a pitiful sequel to Daddy Day Care that’s lacking laughs and heart without Eddie Murphy.
Battlefield Earth (2000)
Catwoman (2004)
We love Halle Berry, we really do. But when it comes to superhero films, she really should have stuck with playing Storm in the X-Men franchise. While Berry does her best as the fierce feline vigilante, it’s just not enough to save Catwoman from its bad CGI and a costume that belongs on a stripper, not on a comic book character.
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)
Based on the classic German fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters imagines what the storybook siblings might have one day grown up to become, and that’s a team of badass, leather-clad bounty hunters. The movie certainly has an interesting premise, but the magic of its concept is overshadowed by unnecessary gore and ridiculousness.
Some report the film can be fun in a trashy, bad-action-movie way, but that’s only if you can stomach its uneven balance of blood and campiness.
The Master of Disguise (2002)
Some would call The Master of Disguise funny, but most would call it stupid and annoying. Dana Carvey is a comedy legend, and very talented with impressions, yet the film is messy, lifeless, and childish at best. According to one reviewer, the film is best watched if you’re either under 10 years old, or drunk, or both.
The Roommate (2011)
The Mod Squad (1999)
Disaster Movie (2008)
One for the Money (2012)
Rollerball (2002)
Material Girls (2006)
Fantastic Four (2015)
Down to You (2000)
Jack and Jill (2011)
Son of the Mask (2005)
Left Behind (2014)
