The realm of cinema is vast and varied, but not all ventures are successful. Rotten Tomatoes, a prominent film review aggregator, has identified ten films that have notoriously earned a 0% rating, marking them as the worst in cinematic history. Each of these films is uniquely notorious, embodying what many perceive as the lowest points in filmmaking.
10. ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987) – The Downfall of a Franchise
“Jaws: The Revenge,” the fourth film in the Jaws franchise, starkly contrasts the original Spielberg classic. This sequel is infamous for its implausible plot, where a shark, bizarrely, seems to hold a personal grudge. Highlighting the film’s absurdity is one of the most notorious continuity errors in cinema history: Michael Caine’s character emerging from the ocean completely dry. Additionally, the film includes a scene where the shark emits a roar, akin to the MGM lion, further plunging it into the realms of ridicule. Despite its numerous flaws, the movie served as a lucrative project for Michael Caine, enabling him to make a significant personal investment. Its fleeting moments of unintentional humor do little to salvage its overall lack of watchability, marking it as a low point in the series.
Director: Joseph Sargent
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9. ‘The Last Days of American Crime’ (2020) – A Tedious and Overwrought Adaptation
Olivier Megaton’s “The Last Days of American Crime” is a lengthy adaptation of a comic book that misses its mark. Despite its ambition and a cast including Michael Pitt and Édgar Ramírez, the film fails to create compelling characters or a coherent narrative. Instead, it resorts to excessive shouting and overzealous camera work, trying hard to convey an edginess that never materializes. Critics unanimously panned the film, criticizing its overreliance on noise and flamboyance while lacking any real substance. This film’s attempt to capture the grit and drama of crime thrillers instead comes off as a desperate and hollow imitation, making it more of a caricature of the genre rather than a serious contender.
Director: Olivier Megaton
Watch on Netflix
8. ‘National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers’ (2003) – A Misfire in Comedy
National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers” takes an intriguing premise – two hapless men entangled with wealthy older women in a criminal scheme – and turns it into a lackluster comedy. Hindered by its PG-13 rating, the film fails to explore its potentially humorous setup, avoiding even the lowbrow jokes one might expect from a National Lampoon movie. The result is a comedy that is neither bold nor funny, lacking the edginess and wit that often characterize successful entries in the genre. This film stands as a particularly weak effort under the National Lampoon banner, often cited as one of the worst comedies ever made due to its inability to capitalize on its vulgar premise and deliver any memorable laughs.
Director: Gary Preisler
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7. ‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004) – A Sequel That Fails to Deliver
“Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2,” released in 2004, a year otherwise noted for exceptional films, is a sequel that manages to significantly underperform its already poorly received predecessor. The film’s premise involves toddlers embroiled in a plot to foil a media mogul’s sinister plan, played by Jon Voight, to control minds. However, the movie is bogged down by disturbingly poor CGI effects, often venturing into the uncanny valley, coupled with crass humor and lackluster performances from the adult cast. The film’s attempt to blend childish whimsy with an espionage-like narrative results in a disjointed and jarring viewing experience. Its failure to engage audiences on any level cements its position as not just a terrible sequel, but a fundamentally flawed movie, insulting the intelligence of its viewers with its nonsensical plot and poor execution.
Director: Bob Clark
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6. ‘Pinocchio’ (2002) – A Misguided Interpretation
2002’s “Pinocchio,” directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, is a live-action adaptation that veers drastically from the charm of the 1940 Disney animated classic. Benigni’s portrayal of Pinocchio, casting himself as the wooden boy, comes across as unsettling rather than enchanting. This interpretation of the classic tale suffers from Benigni’s over-the-top and incongruous performance, feeling more like a vanity project than a heartfelt retelling. The English dubbing, featuring Breckin Meyer, further detracts from the film’s authenticity, failing to capture the nuanced emotion and charm inherent in the original story. This adaptation is often criticized for its inability to resonate with audiences, lacking the warmth and magic that typically characterize successful fairy tale movies.
Director: Roberto Benigni
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5. ‘Gotti’ (2018) – A Crime Biopic Gone Awry
The 2018 crime biopic “Gotti,” directed by actor-turned-director Kevin Connolly and starring John Travolta, is a cinematic endeavor that falls remarkably short of its potential. The film attempts to chronicle the life of notorious mobster John Gotti but is marred by a disjointed narrative and a series of poor directorial choices. Despite Travolta’s proven track record in other films, his performance in “Gotti” is overshadowed by the movie’s overall lack of coherence and quality. The script’s failure to provide a compelling or accurate portrayal of Gotti’s life, coupled with inconsistent pacing and tone, results in a film that is more caricature than character study. Its reception was so negative that it inadvertently cast a more favorable light on “The Fanatic,” a similarly criticized film released later. “Gotti” stands as a stark reminder of how a biopic can go awry when it loses sight of its subject and narrative focus.
Director: Kevin Connolly
Watch on Hulu
4. ‘A Thousand Words’ (2012) – Misusing Murphy’s Talents
“A Thousand Words,” starring Eddie Murphy, is a film that significantly missteps by underutilizing the comedic talents of its lead. Known for his dynamic voice and charismatic screen presence, Murphy finds himself constrained in a narrative that paradoxically silences him. The movie, attempting to weave a family-friendly tale with elements of magical realism, echoes themes from “Liar Liar” but fails to capture the same charm and wit. Its failure lies in ignoring the very elements that have made Murphy a revered figure in comedy. As a result, “A Thousand Words” emerges as a major blemish in Murphy’s otherwise illustrious career, demonstrating how a film can falter when it fails to play to the strengths of its star.
Director: Brian Robbins
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3. ‘Left Behind’ (2014) – An Uninspiring Apocalypse
“Left Behind,” a film adaptation of the popular religious novels and starring Nicolas Cage, represents a missed opportunity in the realm of faith-based cinema. Set against the backdrop of the biblical rapture, the film fails to leverage its intriguing premise and Cage’s acting prowess. Instead, it offers a narrative that is lackluster and uninspired. While faith-based films have achieved critical acclaim, “Left Behind” falls short, reducing Cage’s potential to a mere shadow of his capabilities. The film’s inability to provide a compelling or engaging interpretation of its source material results in a forgettable experience that fails to resonate with audiences, religious or otherwise.
Director: Vic Armstrong
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2. ‘One Missed Call’ (2008) – A Forgettable Horror Remake
2008’s “One Missed Call,” directed by Éric Valette, is a prime example of a failed horror remake. Attempting to capitalize on the success of J-Horror adaptations like “The Ring,” this film falls dramatically short, lacking any sense of originality or suspense. Its premise, revolving around a killer cell phone, fails to evoke the eerie and unsettling atmosphere it aims for, instead becoming monotonous and dull. The film’s inability to even achieve the “so bad it’s fun” status of some horror movies underscores its failure as a remake and as a standalone horror film. “One Missed Call” serves as a cautionary tale of how remakes can falter when they fail to bring something new to the table or capture the essence of their source material.
Director: Éric Valette
Rent on Amazon Prime
1. ‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002) – The Worst of the Worst
Regarded by critics as the worst movie ever made, “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever,” starring Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu, is a film that misses the mark on every conceivable level. This cyber-espionage thriller is marred by an incoherent plot, uninspired action sequences, and subpar production values. Its title alone is a testament to the film’s overall lack of clarity and direction. Despite the presence of talented actors, the movie fails to deliver a compelling or engaging narrative, resulting in a viewing experience that is both tedious and forgettable. “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever” stands as a stark example of how a film can be a total misfire, lacking both the entertainment value and artistic merit to make it a worthwhile watch.
Director: Wych Kaosayananda
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Each of these films, in their unique way, serves as a testament to the challenges of filmmaking and the fine line between ambition and misfire. For more insights and film reviews, visit Hitplay for curated movie and TV collections.
