What comes to mind when you think worst movie of all time? I immediately think of the Razzie Awards, commonly disliked cult favorites like “Howard the Duck” and Prince‘s “Under the Cherry Moon,” which won five Razzies.
Yet, these cinematic missteps didn’t crack our top 10 worst movies list. There’s a whole new level of bad waiting to be explored.
This list plunges into the murkiest depths of the cinematic world, unmasking those movies that have truly tested viewers’ patience and sanity. Get ready for an onslaught of cringe-inducing comedies and fatally flawed fantasies. The genres that claimed seven and five spots in our list, respectively.
And for the brave souls among you, we’ve included links to watch these cinematic catastrophes. Who doesn’t love rubbernecking a good train wreck? So, prepare to cringe, laugh, or maybe cry out in disbelief as we reveal the ten worst movies of all time, as ranked by viewers.
And just in case these aren’t punishment enough for you, check out our dishonorable mentions at the bottom. They didn’t crack the top ten (due to lack of votes), but they’re still awful.
There are some truly craptastic gems from the land of one-point suck. You probably can’t even find them in your local Wal-Mart bargain bin. I can’t wait to package these for my next white elephant party.
10 Worst Movies of All Time, According to IMDb
- Catwoman (2004) – 3.4
- Jack and Jill (2011) – 3.3
- Cats (2019) – 2.8
- Date Movie (2006) – 2.8
- Meet the Spartans (2008) – 2.8
- Dragonball Evolution (2009) – 2.5
- Battlefield Earth (2000) – 2.5
- Epic Movie (2007) – 2.4
- Son of the Mask (2005) – 2.2
- Disaster Movie (2008) – 1.9
10 ‘Catwoman’ (2004)
IMDb: 3.4/10 122K | Popularity: 4,417 | Metascore:
Genres: Action, Crime, Fantasy
A superhero film that fails spectacularly in every aspect. Halle Berry may have had nine lives, but this cinematic catastrophe didn’t deserve even one. It’s a mishmash of uninspired action sequences and poorly delivered dialogues that earned it a measly 3.4 average rating on IMDb and just one star from Ebert & Roeper.
Roger Ebert: “Catwoman” is a movie about Halle Berry’s beauty, sex appeal, figure, eyes, lips and costume design. It gets those right. Everything else is secondary, except for the plot, which is tertiary. What a letdown. The filmmakers have given great thought to photographing Berry, who looks fabulous, and little thought to providing her with a strong character, story, supporting characters or action sequences.
It’s a classic case of a good concept gone bad. Intended to reinvent the eponymous DC Comics character, “Catwoman” tragically falls flat on its face, figuratively and literally. The inconsistent characterization of Patience Phillips/Catwoman, the underwhelming plot, and the questionable CGI work contribute to its abysmal rating.
Halle Berry‘s Razzie acceptance speech for Worst Actress is arguably more entertaining than the film. The feline failure managed to pick up three more Razzies and five awards from the now-defunct Stinkers Bad Movies Awards. It’s easily one of the worst movies of all time and takes the cake for 2004.
9 ‘Jack and Jill’ (2011)
IMDb: 3.3/10 87K | Popularity: 4,363 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy
Even Adam Sandler‘s comedic chops couldn’t save this film (as a Sandler fan, it pains me to say it). With its lackluster humor and a plot thinner than paper, this film drove viewers up the wall rather than splitting their sides.
The plot revolved around fraternal twins’ reunion at Thanksgiving – too thin for any real engagement from viewers. It served only as means to showcase Sandler’s talents in both characters — which came across more as one-dimensional caricatures than complex individuals capable of inspiring laughs through their wit and charm.
The film “Jack and Jill” was simply a missed opportunity. The dual roles Sandler took on were ambitiously creative, but the poor script failed to deliver genuine humor or intrigue.
Jack’s irritated tolerance of his twin sister and her over-the-top personality created an uncomfortable dynamic that did not pay off.
There are some lessons to be learned about comedy needing character depth alongside situational humor when creating engaging narratives audiences can invest in. Otherwise, we get predictable gags lacking freshness or vitality absent, so often seen in “Jack & Jill.”
8 ‘Cats’ (2019)
IMDb: 2.8/10 54K | Popularity: 1,937 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family
Given that this is the second film based on the household pet, it’s apparent that movies and felines don’t mesh well. While intended to be a whimsical musical, “Cats” was more of a cat-astrophic curiosity.
Viewers were scratching their heads after watching this adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s hit musical. Despite its star-studded cast, the uncanny valley CGI and the meandering plot turned it into a horror show rather than a whimsical musical journey.
Notable talents such as Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, and Ian McKellen promised a visual extravaganza that failed to materialize due to heavy reliance on digital fur technology. The resulting visuals were disconcerting rather than enchanting. Sadly, the cast’s star power could not distract from these shortcomings.
The narrative offered little beyond disconnected numbers; there was no overarching arc or story development for audience members to latch onto.
“Cats” aimed high but fell flat; its ambition overwhelmed it in this instance, leaving an oddity for viewers rather than delighting them with a musical romp as intended.
Audiences found it hard to purr with pleasure, with the film earning an average rating of 2.8 on IMDb.
7 ‘Date Movie’ (2006)
IMDb: 2.8/10 61K | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Romance
A parody of romantic comedies that leave viewers (joke’s on them) longing for the charm and humor of the films it mocks. Its low-brow humor and lack of originality place it squarely in our hall of shame.
Its jokes are juvenile and crass, while its narrative is simply uninspired. Ultimately lacking in originality or clever wit, this parody winds up as forgettable as an awkward dinner conversation – a cinematic blind date gone wrong that should be avoided at all costs. The film presents itself with promise but reveals nothing more than worn-out puns and stale references; it relies too heavily on clichés instead of offering true insight into the subject matter.
Above all, it’s missing the most important ingredient – humor. “Date Movie” attempts to spoof popular rom-coms but instead delivers a string of unfunny gags and crude humor. It’s a first date you’ll want to forget. And after seeing this film, you may never want to date again. I don’t plan to anytime soon.
Audiences will find no love lost here – just overused archetypes substituting for genuine charm and humor that can only come from original films within the rom-com realm.
With an abysmal Metascore (a number your kindergartener knows, 11) that is to be marveled at, this number comes in at #7 on our worst movies of all time.
6 ‘Meet the Spartans’ (2008)
IMDb: 2.8/10 110K | Popularity: 3,634 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
This parody of Zack Snyder‘s highly stylized “300″ missed its mark by a long shot. It fell more than a few Spartans short and ended up as an exercise in cinematic folly.
The filmmakers may have envisioned a battalion of humor marching bravely into the hearts of audiences, akin to the 300 Spartans themselves. Instead, they assembled an assortment of worn-out pop culture references and juvenile gags that stagger aimlessly across the screen like a disjointed phalanx. Each attempt at a laugh seems to thrust a spear into the gut of comedy, leaving a trail of failed jokes and disappointed viewers.
“Meet the Spartans” strives for satirical gold, hoping to capture the absurdity and over-the-top machismo of “300.” But instead of striking comedic iron, it rattles against the bronze shield of humor with a dull thud.
The wit here isn’t as sharp as a Spartan’s spear; it’s blunter than the rounded edge of a spoon. The film’s relentless reliance on low-brow humor and crude jokes feels less like clever parody and more like a comedic farce that has forgotten its mission. The sudden appearance of celebrities, reality TV stars, and other modern figures in ancient Sparta feels as misplaced as a Spartan warrior at a Hollywood premiere.
With a dismal average rating of 2.8 on IMDb, “Meet the Spartans” is far from the movie it set out to parody. It’s a film that stands as a cautionary tale, a testament to the delicate art of creating successful satire. Just as Leonidas and his 300 fell at the Battle of Thermopylae, “Meet the Spartans” stumbles and falls, leaving a battlefield strewn with failed jokes and unmet potential.
5 ‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)
IMDb: 2.5/10 77K | Popularity: 1,762 | Metascore:
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Take a beloved anime series, strip away its endearing characters and riveting plotlines, and what do you get? The cinematic equivalent of a misfired Ki Blast — that’s “Dragonball Evolution.”
This misstep of an adaptation turned a global fandom’s anticipation into collective disappointment.
“Dragonball Evolution” fails in its disregard for the rich lore of its source material and its shallow character development. In a universe where each character has deep-rooted motivations and arcs, the film’s characters seem to exist merely for exposition and clumsy action sequences. Our hero, Goku, traditionally a beacon of perseverance and spirit, is reduced to a caricature lacking depth or a compelling narrative.
The plot, too, takes a turn for the worse, becoming a predictably bland adventure that lacks the high stakes and emotional engagement fans had come to love in the original series. The heart and humor of ‘Dragonball‘ are lost in a rush to translate an intricate anime universe into a Hollywood action flick.
What “Dragonball Evolution” did achieve, perhaps unintentionally, was unite fans in shared disappointment. It serves as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the care and respect required when adapting cherished source material to the big screen. With an average rating of 2.5 on IMDb, ‘Dragonball Evolution’ may have better served as a Namekian Dragon Ball — left unfound and unwatched.
4 ‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)
IMDb: 2.5/10 82K | Popularity: 4,641 | Metascore:
Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Delving into the science fiction realm, one cannot ignore the meteor crash that was “Battlefield Earth.”
Despite its attempts to take flight, this spaceship was unfortunately weighed down by the gravitational pull of its shortcomings.
Attempting to navigate the vast cosmos of L. Ron Hubbard‘s novel, the movie is lost in a black hole of poor execution.
From plotlines that spiral into oblivion to special effects that fail to dazzle, “Battlefield Earth” struggles to maintain its trajectory throughout.
The star power of John Travolta could not salvage this cinematic wreckage. Despite his efforts to breathe life into the role of Terl, the overbearing Psychlo chief of security, the performance is obscured by the alien’s heavy prosthetics and the script’s melodramatic dialogue. In a film already hampered by bewildering narrative choices, the stilted performances only add another layer of perplexity for the audience.
And then, there’s the peculiar cinematography that seems to love Dutch angles almost as much as it loves garish, fluorescent lighting.
Overall, “Battlefield Earth” takes viewers on a confusing journey through a nebulous plot and strange production choices. It’s a cinematic voyage that left audiences feeling like they’d strayed into the event horizon of a bewildering movie black hole.
The film has since been memorialized in the annals of “worst film” lists. And its 2.5 average rating on IMDb (with a tied for worst Metascore) serves as a stark reminder of this misguided journey to the stars.
3 ‘Epic Movie’ (2007)
IMDb: 2.4/10 108K | Popularity: 3,188 | Metascore:
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
An attempt to create an “Epic Movie” spiraled into an epic failure, spinning a tapestry of clichés and missed opportunities. The film embarked on a comedic quest, but instead of a triumphant journey, it led viewers through a maze of rehashed gags and bizarre plot twists.
The term ‘epic’ should have been synonymous with grandeur, awe-inspiring narratives, and unforgettable characters. However, the title is the only thing ‘epic’ about this film. Attempting to parody blockbuster franchises, this cinematic expedition only managed to weave together a patchwork of poor imitation, resulting in a movie that’s as convoluted as it is unfunny.
This cinematic catastrophe attempted to spoof every popular movie from the early 2000s. No film was safe from its misguided parody attempts.
However, instead of biting satire, audiences were subjected to a relentless barrage of tired gags and humor that fell flatter than a deflated balloon. The jokes are about as sharp as a dull pencil, failing to land with the punch required for effective satire.
“Epic Movie” also indulges in tired stereotypes, a shortcut to humor that only underscores its lack of originality. The result is a film that feels like a tedious caricature of the cinematic landscape it attempts to satirize.
In the comedy world, timing is everything; unfortunately, “Epic Movie” is a beat too slow and a laugh too late. With an average IMDb rating of a dismal 2.4, it’s safe to say it fell short of its misleading title. Far from being a monument to hilarity, it is a testament to the pitfalls of parody filmmaking. The only thing indeed “epic” about this film is its place in the worst movies of all time.
2 ‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)
IMDb: 2.2/10 58K | Popularity: 3,752 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
How do you follow up a classic like Jim Carrey‘s ‘The Mask?‘
Not like this. “Son of the Mask” is a sequel that lands more like an unwanted interloper than a beloved successor. Stripped of the charm and comedic prowess that Jim Carrey brought to the original, this film stumbles with forced humor and unsettling visuals. A disheartening 2.2 rating on IMDb solidly lands this dud at #2 on our list.
In the cinematic landscape, Jamie Kennedy stepped into some oversized shoes — or rather, an oversized mask. His task was challenging, to recreate the explosive energy and perfect comedic timing of Carrey’s Stanley Ipkiss. But Kennedy’s performance as Tim Avery struggles to emerge from the shadow of its predecessor, leaving us longing for the original’s vibrancy.
One of the elements that made “The Mask” a beloved classic was its innovative use of CGI to accentuate the mask’s transformative abilities. But in “Son of the Mask,” the CGI seems to have taken a disturbing turn. From the mask-induced transformations to the hyper-expressive infant, the visuals vacillate between bizarre and disturbing.
“Son of the Mask” also falls prey to an unfocused and chaotic plot. It oscillates between adult and children’s humor, seemingly unsure of its target audience. Its attempts to recapture the magic of its predecessor feel like poorly constructed echoes of the original. Rather than a fresh, exciting story continuation, we get this turd of a movie.
“Son of the Mask” proves that not every successful film needs a sequel. Despite its attempts to emulate the original’s humor and energy, it is a cautionary tale of how a sequel can go awry.
1 ‘Disaster Movie’ (2008)
IMDb: 1.9/10 93K | Popularity: 3,320 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Quite appropriately named, this film was indeed a disaster.
Critics and audiences alike would attest that it’s not merely a playful jab at the film’s genre. It’s a painfully accurate description of the viewing experience.
It’s a comedy without laughs. A satire that’s devoid of cleverness. And most importantly, a cinematic calamity that comfortably nestles into the position of the worst movie of all time.
“Disaster Movie” sets out with an audacious goal: to spoof every disaster movie trope that’s ever graced the silver screen. But rather than a homage to the genre’s absurdities, it ends up like a messy scrapbook of forced pop culture references and incoherent storyline fragments. The humor lands with all the grace of a lead balloon. While the performances — the main cast and cameo appearances — are as flat and uninspiring as a cardboard cutout.
One of the cardinal sins “Disaster Movie” committed is its constant reliance on random pop culture references that neither add to the narrative nor elicit laughter. The parade of haphazardly stitched-together scenes and characters fails to merge into a cohesive storyline and steers the movie into a more bizarre realm than entertaining.
The 1.9 rating bestowed by viewers isn’t just a number; it’s a stark warning label, a cinematic hazard sign. It echoes a collective sentiment of disappointment and frustration.
Indeed, “Disaster Movie” isn’t merely an unsuccessful parody; it’s a blight on the concept of movie-making itself. The movie seems to revel in its failures, becoming a disaster of such epic proportions that it’s impossible to ignore, much like a slow-motion trainwreck.
It’s an actual disaster, from its opening scene to its merciful end.
Dishonorable Mentions: Worst Movies of All Time
Just because a movie doesn’t obtain enough haters doesn’t mean it’s not doo-doo on a stick. These recycled toilet papers of a film should be on everyone’s gag movie list.
Note: These duds didn’t make the top 10 worst movies of all time, as our cutoff was 50k votes.
Remember, each of these movies is widely considered a cinematic blunder, but one person’s trash could be another’s treasure. Watch at your own risk!
‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)
IMDb: 1.5/10 31K | Metascore: 9
Genres: Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
A sequel that might have been better left unberthed. It tried to use the original’s popularity but failed partly due to its poor story and laugh-grabbing gags that felt too forced. Our heroes have genius intellects with advanced language skills for their age, which leads them into kid-friendly predicaments–but these moments feel gratuitous more than entertaining.
“Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2” is best left forgotten, but it would make an excellent gag gift (or for toddlers).
‘Angels Apocalypse’ (2015)
IMDb: 1.6/10 43K
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
“Angels Apocalypse” is an attempted thriller that leaves you chilled, but not for the reasons you’d expect. This film doesn’t evoke suspense or terror but instills a creeping sense of disbelief that you’re still watching.
Ostensibly, “Angels Apocalypse” aims to delve into the fascinating subject of the biblical end times with a touch of a conspiratorial twist. But the result is less a thoughtful examination of divine judgment and more a haphazardly arranged sequence of confusing events.
Not intended to be a comedy, but the trailer alone had us rolling. We had hoped this glowing angel crotch film would get more haters so that it could top the worst movies of all time.
We’ll have to settle for sharing the trailer below.
‘Birdemic: Shock and Terror’ (2010)
IMDb: 1.7/10 25K
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
“Birdemic: Shock and Terror” – a movie people love to hate. Poor plot, clunky dialogue, sub-standard effects – this flick is so bad that it achieved cult status. The acting borders on lifeless, the direction seems misguided, and the editing was done with blunt force.
If you thought Alfred Hitchcock‘s “The Birds” had problems, wait until you experience what “Birdemic” has in store!
‘The Hottie & the Nottie’ (2008)
IMDb: 1.9/10 39K | Metascore: 7
Genres: Comedy, Romance
“The Hottie & the Nottie” is an exercise in how not to make a romantic comedy. Despite featuring Paris Hilton, who was at the height of her fame when the film was released, it sinks faster than a lead balloon.
The movie centers around a man in love with the “hottie,” Cristabel (played by Hilton), who won’t date anyone unless her “nottie” friend June also has a date.
‘From Justin to Kelly’ (2003)
IMDb: 1.9/10 27K | Metascore: 14
Genres: Comedy, Musical, Romance
Bwahahaha…I wonder if ‘Little Sweet,’ Justin Guarini, regrets making this utterly embarrassing flop.
Ah, “From Justin to Kelly.” A title that, for those who remember, may incite a wave of groans or perhaps incredulous laughter. Birthed from the behemoth “American Idol,” it was intended to catapult the first season’s finalists, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, to cinematic stardom. Instead, it became a cinematic trainwreck, with viewers cringing more than cheering.
FAQs About the Worst Movies of All Time
According to Rotten Tomatoes, what are the ten worst movies of all time?
- ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)
- ‘The Last Days of American Crime’ (2020)
- ‘Gold Diggers’ (2003)
- ‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)
- ‘Pinocchio’ (2002)
- ‘Gotti’ (2018)
- ‘A Thousand Words’ (2012)
- ‘Left Behind’ (2014)
- ‘One Missed Call’ (2008)
- ‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002)
Which movie has 0 on Rotten Tomatoes?
- ‘Staying Alive’ (1983)
- ‘Bolero’ (1984)
- ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)
- ‘Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol’ (1987)
- ‘Problem Child’ (1990)
- ‘Highlander 2: The Quickening’ (1991)
- ‘Return to the Blue Lagoon’ (1991)
- ‘Folks!’ (1992)
- ‘Look Who’s Talking Now!’ (1993)
- ‘Wagons East!’ (1994)
- ‘Simon Sez’ (1999)
- ‘3 Strikes’ (2000)
- ‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002)
- ‘Killing Me Softly’ (2002)
- ‘Merci Docteur Rey’ (2002)
- ‘Pinocchio’ (2002)
- ‘Derailed’ (2002)
- ‘National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers’ (2003)
- ‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)
- ‘Constellation’ (2005)
- ‘Redline’ (2007)
- ‘Scar’ (2007)
- ‘One Missed Call’ (2008)
- ‘Homecoming’ (2009)
- ‘Stolen’ (2009)
- ‘Transylmania’ (2009)
- ‘The Nutcracker in 3D’ (2010)
- ‘Beneath the Darkness’ (2011)
- ‘Dark Tide’ (2012)
- ‘A Thousand Words’ (2012)
- ‘Left Behind’ (2014)
- ‘The Ridiculous 6’ (2015)
- ‘Cabin Fever’ (2016)
- ‘Dark Crimes’ (2016)
- ‘The Disappointments Room’ (2016)
- ‘Max Steel’ (2016)
- ‘Precious Cargo’ (2016)
- ‘Stratton’ (2017)
- ‘Gotti’ (2018)
- ‘London Fields’ (2018)
- ‘The Queen’s Corgi’ (2019)
- ‘John Henry’ (2020)
- ‘The Last Days of American Crime’ (2020)
- ‘Hard Kill’ (2020)
Senior Editor, BuddyTV
