List of movies that have been considered among the worst ever

The following is a list of movies that have been considered among the worst ever. Although taste and judgment are subjective, the movies listed here have achieved a notable level of infamy, through critical and popular consensus. This list excludes productions which did not receive major distribution, and which therefore were not expected to be successful. The 1998 advent of Rotten Tomatoes, a website which aggregates reviewers' scores, has greatly assisted the process of selecting infamous films.

The movies listed here are not simply box office bombs, although many of them are; rather, they are films which spectacularly failed to meet critical and commercial standards set by advance publicity, or the weight of expectations. Although a movie usually achieves infamy by being very poorly written, directed, or acted, it can become notable for other factors, such as an excessive amount of hype, or a backlash against overexposed celebrities. Two examples of the former are the Star Wars prequels, or Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate, released immediately after his previous film, The Deer Hunter, had won the Academy Award for Best Picture, whilst the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez vehicle Gigli is an example of the latter.

Bad filmmaking does not necessarily prevent a movie from becoming popular. Several of the big-budget films below actually made a profit, including Batman & Robin and the 1998 American Godzilla. Fans of low-budget cult films often use the term "so bad it's good" to describe dramatic movies that are so poorly made they actually become an entertaining comedy of errors, the most famous examples being Ed Wood's 1956 Plan 9 from Outer Space and Phil Tucker's 1953 Robot Monster. Unlike more mundane bad films, these films actually develop an ardent fan following who love them because of their poor quality.

These cult favorites are the result of filmmakers who cannot perceive their own incompetence, or whose creative vision outstrips their technical or financial resources. The most popular examples are the movies of Ed Wood or Coleman Francis, or any of the myriad obscure films featured on the television spoof show Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Motion pictures that are frequently cited by some as among the worst movies ever made include:

A

An Alan Smithee Film Burn Hollywood Burn (1998) 

Worst Picture "winner" of the 1998 Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies). Tells the story of a director who wants to credit Alan Smithee (the Director's Guild of America's official pseudonym for directors who feel their work has been mutilated by studios) as director of his latest film but cannot as his name is Alan Smithee. In one of Hollywood's great ironies, the director of this movie, Arthur Hiller, protested the handling of the film by the studio by refusing to accept credit for the movie, resulting in the Alan Smithee credit being used.

B

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)

This action movie, starring Lucy Liu and Antonio Banderas, was universally panned by critics, earning a rare 0% rating (with 98 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics variably described the film as "A picture for idiots", "Boring to an amazing degree", "A fine achievement in stupidity and dullness", "It's dreadful", "Gives new meaning to the word incoherent", and "The film is bad on just about every level".

Batman & Robin (1997)

The fourth and final film of the 1989–1997 Warner Bros. franchise based on Bob Kane's DC Comics character, and the lowest-grossing movie in the film series, this film is often billed as the worst superhero movie of all time, even to the point that star George Clooney says he will refund people's money if they stop him on the street and say they paid to see it. Regarding Batman & Robin, humorist Michael J. Nelson wrote in his book Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese:

"For those of you who were scared away by the abysmal reviews of Batman & Robin, let me lay to rest some of the prejudices you might have about the film. It's not the worst movie ever. No, indeed. It's the worst thing ever. Yes, it's the single worst thing that we as human beings have ever produced in recorded history."

Battlefield Earth (2000)

Based on L. Ron Hubbard's book of the same name, starring John Travolta, incorporating Scientology. Many reviewers of this movie describe the pain experienced while watching. Rotten Tomatoes lists 5 positive reviews out of 98. Won seven Golden Raspberry Awards including Worst Picture. In 2005, an eighth Razzie (for Worst "Drama" of Our First 25 Years) was awarded to the film.

Blood Feast (1963)

Pioneering, if not the first film in the "gore" genre. Called worst movie of the year by Time magazine.

Blood Sucking Freaks (1976)

Considered to be a very controversial (and very violent) movie, it was briefly banned by the MPAA after the Women Against Pornography movement refused to see this movie released. In the movie, the main character, Master Sardu (played by Seamus O'Brien) runs a macabre theatre and specializes in S&M and killing people in public, following with making them think it is fake. Containing a mix of naked women, midgets, excessive torture, and women eating ears, this movie is considered so bad, it appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

The Brown Bunny (2003)

A version that ran 118 minutes was shown at the Cannes Film Festival, and was voted by Screen International as the worst movie ever shown at Cannes. [1] A later version cut out 26 minutes, and was given much more positive reviews. Subject of a notorious (if resolved) feud between critic Roger Ebert and actor/director Vincent Gallo. [2]

C

Can't Stop the Music (1980)

Starring the Village People, this movie was horribly panned by critics, and was the first film to win a Razzie for Worst Picture. It also won Worst Screenplay. Valerie Perrine, Bruce Jenner, and Steve Guttenberg all make appearances in this movie.

Catwoman (2004)

Ostensibly based on the DC Comics character and starring Halle Berry in a film that resembles next to nothing of its source material. Upon release it had 0 positives on Rotten Tomatoes with only 11% positive during its opening weekend, and was declared "arguably the worst superhero film ever made" by the Orlando Sentinel. Winner of 4 Razzies for Worst Picture, Worst Actress, Worst Director (Pitof) and Worst Screenplay. In a rare move, Halle Berry accepted her Razzie in person, and apologised for having appeared in such an awful film.

The Conqueror (1956)

Howard Hughes funded box-office disaster featuring John Wayne as Genghis Khan and redheaded Susan Hayward as a Tartar princess. The movie was filmed on a Utah atomic testing range and is often blamed for the cancer deaths of many of the cast and crew, including Wayne. Appears in Michael Sauter's book The Worst Movies of All Time, and made the ten-worst list in The Book of Lists.

Cool as Ice (1991)

This vehicle for Vanilla Ice, loosely based on Rebel Without a Cause, is infamous for its awful dialogue, bad acting, and overall clunky and stupid plot. It won Vanilla Ice a Razzie for "Worst New Star".

The Crawling Hand (1959)

When an astronaut dies in an explosion in outer space, one of his severed hands is left. It strangles townspeople and possess the main character named Paul, a nerdy teenager, who is later about to be posessed by the hand. Burt Reynolds auditioned for the character of Paul and reportedly did such a terrible job acting that he was asked not to return to the set. However, Alan Hale Jr. did this movie before he did Gilligan's Island. Appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

The Crippled Masters (1982)

Simplistic kung fu movie in which an armless man and a legless man become kung fu masters and fight against their evil teacher who maims them. Appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Crossroads (2002)

The first movie starring Britney Spears and her younger sister Jamie Spears, both playing 'Lucy'. It fell far below commercial expectations, despite the singles that Britney used to promote the movie. Was nominated for seven Razzies, and won two (Worst Song, and a tie for Worst Actress).

D

Da Hip Hop Witch (2000)

With crude language in the vein of Martin Lawrence concert movies, this is a comedy anthology featuring music by rap artists, such as Eminem and Vanilla Ice, about a woman who is treating them terribly. Though it is not currently on IMDb's Bottom 100, it is both getting there (the film needs 625 votes) and has the single lowest rating of any movie listed by IMDb.

Daniel: Der Zauberer (2004)

A low-budget film from Germany, starring singer Daniel Küblböck as himself. Küblböck was voted Germany's Most Irritating Personality in 2003, causing the film to be predictably unsuccessful. The title isn't even accurate, as it implies that Küblböck is "Der Zauberer", who is actually a different character (played by Ulli Lommel, the writer/director of the film). Went straight to #1 on the IMDb Bottom 100, and remained there for most of 2004.

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

A Dracula with an afro joins forces with a mad scientist, Dr. Duryea (played by J. Carrol Naish in his last film role), to resurrect the Frankenstein monster, whose face appears to look like a raw steak. Like Naish, Lon Chaney Jr. also makes his makes his last film appearance, playing an axe-wielding maniac who is a henchman to the mad doctor. Appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made. Previously held a spot in the IMDB Bottom 100.

The Driver's Seat (1973)

Comedy of a character played by Elizabeth Taylor making a movie in Rome, Italy; cited in a 10-worst list in The Book of Lists.

E

Eegah (1962)

A low-budget shocker, featuring a prehistoric caveman emerging in mid-1960s California and finding love with another teenager. Arch Hall, Jr. performs musical numbers with simply terrible lyrics. Included in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

F

Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster (1965)

Famous in the genre of "so-bad-it's-good," this flick features James Karen as an astronaut who discovers a ship full of cheesy-looking aliens who have sent a hairy space robot, named Mull, to conquer Puerto Rico. One of the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Freddy Got Fingered (2001)

Of this Tom Green comedy vehicle, which he gave zero out of four stars, Roger Ebert wrote:

"This movie doesn't scrape the bottom of the barrel. This movie isn't the bottom of the barrel. This movie isn't below the bottom of the barrel. This movie doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with barrels... The day may come when Freddy Got Fingered is seen as a milestone of neo-surrealism. The day may never come when it is seen as funny." [3]

Tom Green was awarded five Razzies, including Worst Picture, for this film; he accepted the awards in person, and used his acceptance speech to pour scorn on the audience.

Frogs for Snakes (1999)

A torturous caper film, of which Roger Ebert wrote:

"I was reminded of Mad Dog Time (1996), another movie in which well-known actors engaged in laughable dialogue while shooting one another. Of that one, I wrote: 'Mad Dog Time is the first movie I have seen that does not improve on the sight of a blank screen viewed for the same length of time.' Now comes Frogs for Snakes, the first movie I have seen that does not improve on the sight of Mad Dog Time." [4]

From Justin to Kelly (2003)

American Idol finalists Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini star in this movie musical that stayed in theaters only 2 weeks, and was out in stores 6 weeks thereafter. Rotten Tomatoes lists the film as getting only 5 positive reviews out of 57 listed, as well as topping IMDb's bottom 100 movies, with an almost record-breaking score of 1.4. The film was awarded a special Razzie (for Worst "Musical" of Our First 25 Years) in 2005.

Future War (1995)

A longtime entry in the IMDb bottom 100, the film is notorious for poor special effects (including shots of dinosaurs that amount to little more than someone holding a toy dinosaur right by the camera) and badly staged martial-arts sequences. Almost half of the film was shot in a few days with next to no budget, after the original director's cut consisted of only 40 minutes of footage with no action sequences. The producers admitted they expected it to be shown on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (which happened a few years later).

G

Galaxy of Terror (1981)

Cheap ripoff of Alien, featuring appearances from Erin Moran, Robert Englund, and Ray Walston. The movie involves a terrifying pyramid found in space that turns many things into horror. One plus of the film, however, was that its unit director was a young James Cameron, who made maggots wiggle on a severed arm. Appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Gigli (2003)

A movie featuring Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck that was immediately declared the worst movie of 2003. Reviewers dubbed the film "The ultimate turkey of all time", referring to Lopez's character's sex talk to Affleck's character inviting him to commit an act of oral sex: "It's turkey time." "What?" "Gobble, gobble." This film is also said to have destroyed the relationship between its two stars. Winner of 7 Razzies (including 2005's Worst "Comedy" of Our First 25 Years).

Glen or Glenda (1953)

An inept quasi-documentary from Ed Wood about transvestism, this film also stars Wood as Glen, a man who enjoys wearing women's clothing. After a nightmarish dream sequence (which is considered extremely awful, and probably worse than the rest of the film), Glen undergoes psychotherapy to help cure his affliction. Bela Lugosi appears for the sole purpose of spouting bizarre psychobabble at the camera. Many of Wood's fans—and also Leonard Maltin, who actually thought it was the worst movie ever made—insist that this was worse than even Plan 9 from Outer Space. Also included in the 2004 DVD Documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Glitter (2001)

Based on Mariah Carey's life story. Mariah plays the role of a young singer who is eager to become a big star. She dates a DJ who helps her get into the music business. One of the ranking members of IMDB's bottom 100 movies.

Great White (1980)

The movie is widely decried as an Italian-made copy of Jaws, with its many similarities to Jaws and Jaws 2. Its release in theatres was blocked after Universal Pictures sued the film's makers and won the case. Appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

H

Hobgoblins (1987)

low-budget film about the title creatures destroying an urban city. Though this film was not on IMDB's Bottom 100 until August 2004, it was once lower than Manos: the Hands of Fate (q.v.).

Howard the Duck (1986)

Despite being produced by George Lucas, this movie was an enormous big-budget bomb. It was notorious for having six stunt actors each have a chance at wearing a Howard the Duck suit. In some countries it was renamed as "Howard: A New Breed of Hero" leading to the joke that it should have been renamed "Howard the Turkey". Listed among The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Hudson Hawk (1991)

Starring Bruce Willis, this movie was a notoriously panned big-budget flop and a "winner" of three Razzie awards for Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay (which Willis co-wrote). Over the years, however, it has garnered quite a large fanbase, and is now often seen as an over-the-top parody that most people didn't "get" when it came out.

I

Inchon (1981)

Although the movie had a cast of prominent stars, including Laurence Olivier, this war epic "won" four Razzies, which were Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Olivier), Worst Director (Terence Young), and Worst Screenplay. It was named Worst Movie of the Year by Esquire. This movie was also criticized for being financed and produced by the Unification Church, and Sun Myung Moon was a "Special Advisor" to the film.

The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed Up Zombies (1964)

Billed as "the first monster musical ever made", the movie was made by and also starred Ray Dennis Steckler (a.k.a. Cash Flagg), who made the film on a budget of $38,000. Named the worst movie ever made on a 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Ishtar (1987)

Would-be comedy starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman that failed at the box office, losing $42 million; very near, but not currently in, IMDb's Bottom 100. Cited in The Far Side as an example of an awful movie.

J

Jury Duty (1995)

Pauly Shore stars in this comedy that was thought about by the publishers to be given a lower rating than BOMB, the lowest rating, in Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide.

K

The Killer Shrews (1959)

In this film, a mad scientist creates shrews the size of dogs, which were actually dogs with fake hair and fangs glued on them. One of the stars of this film, James Best (before playing Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on The Dukes of Hazzard), played a hero in this movie. Appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made. Also appeared on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

L

The Last House on the Left (1972)

Leonard Maltin and Gene Siskel both rated this movie "no stars", rare occurrences for both critics. However Roger Ebert has always spoken favorably of the film, and it has achieved cult classic status among horror fans.

Leonard Part 6 (1987)

Those who thought this movie stank had one notable person agreeing with them: the writer and star, Bill Cosby. Cosby went on various talk shows, denouncing the movie and warning people against wasting their time or money on it. Won three Razzies for Worst Picture, Worst Actor, and Worst Screenplay.

Lost Horizon (1973)

A unanimously panned remake of the original Frank Capra classic, starring Peter Finch, Liv Ullman, and John Gielgud; hailed as the worst movie of the year by Esquire. John Simon observed that it "must have arrived in garbage rather than film cans."

M

Mad Dog Time (1996)

Repetitive gangster movie, probably intended as a comedy, with a voice-over at the beginning explaining that it takes place in an alternate universe. Roger Ebert comments in his zero star review that this flop (renamed Trigger Happy for video release) "is the first movie I have seen that does not improve on the sight of a blank screen viewed for the same length of time" [5].

Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966)

No-budget horror film made by an El Paso fertilizer salesman. The film gained cult popularity from being featured on the Mystery Science Theater 3000 television show. Has topped the IMDb Bottom 100 for half of the time of its existence.

Mesa of Lost Women (1952)

Cheesy fantasy flick which features an ampliphied image of a puppet spider, sent by a mad scientist played by Jackie Coogan to destroy everything. Won the award of "Most Primitive Male Chauvinist Fantasy" in the 1986 book, Son of Golden Turkey Awards, and included in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Moment by Moment (1978)

Unwatchable love story between John Travolta (playing a character named Strip) and Lily Tomlin. The movie was so bad it was never released on video. Critic John Simon referred to it as "Aeon by Aeon". Named worst movie of the year by Esquire magazine.

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)

The second film in the Mortal Kombat franchise, this is widely considered by fans to be a major disappointment. Holds a position on IMDB's bottom 100 list.

N

North (1994)

High-profile Rob Reiner movie with numerous celebrity parts and cameos, about which Roger Ebert famously said:

"I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie. Hated it. Hated every simpering stupid vacant audience-insulting moment of it. Hated the sensibility that thought anyone would like it. Hated the implied insult to the audience by its belief that anyone would be entertained by it...one of the worst movies ever made". [6]

O

P

A Place For Lovers (1968)

A supposedly romantic contender for the title of the worst film ever made, starring Faye Dunaway and Marcello Mastrioanni. The Los Angeles Times called it the worst movie made since 1926, and it also appeared in The Fifty Worst Films of All Time.

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1956)

The first film even to get film fans thinking of "worst ever" movies when it was officially labelled the worst film ever by the Golden Turkey Awards. This Ed Wood classic is the last film appearance of Bela Lugosi, but most of it was filmed after his death, so it features an actor holding a cape in front of his face in place of the late Lugosi in most of his scenes. Because of financial troubles, Wood was not able to release it until 1959. The film has played almost anually at the New Orleans Worst Film Festival. Also included in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made. Well, it just had to, didn't it?

The Postman (1997)

"Winner" of 5 1997 Razzies and runner-up for the worst picture of the 1990s.

R

Robot Monster (1953)

Bad Ed Wood style science fiction featuring a actor dressed up in a gorilla suit with a diving helmet. The director attempted suicide shortly after its release. Appears in Michael Sauter's book The Worst Movies of All Time as among "The Baddest of the B's". Also made The Book of Lists 10 worst list, The Fifty Worst Films of All Time, and the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

S

Santa with Muscles (1996)

Features professional wrestler Hulk Hogan in a Santa Claus outfit, fighting with Ed Begley, Jr for control of mysterious crystals beneath an orphanage. Featuring a Clint Howard cameo, this film has repeatedly dipped to the number one spot on the IMDb's bottom 100, thanks in part to a campaign by professional wrestling fan-site Wrestlecrap.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)

When Martians children only watch Santa Claus' TV-show, their parents decide to abduct Santa. Famous in the 'so bad it's almost good'-category. Has been featured on MST3K and holds a spot in IMDb's worst 100. Also cited on a 10-worst list in The Book of Lists, The Fifty Worst Films of All Time, and the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Showgirls (1995)

Won seven of the thirteen Razzie Awards it was nominated for. It is widely considered to have ruined the career of Elizabeth Berkley, the movie's lead.

The Silver Chalice (1954)

The motion picture debut of Paul Newman: he has described it as the worst movie of the 1950s.

Sinbad of the Seven Seas (1989)

This stinker, starring Lou Ferrigno as Sindbad, was so bad it was never released in cinemas. Said by a correspondent on The Unknown Movies Page that it "may be the most inept fantasy ever put onto celluloid.

Solomon and Sheba (1959)

Start with the Biblical legend of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (Yul Brynner and Gina Lollobrigida), and then throw in sappy romantic slop and campy action, and you have this epic, cited in a 10-worst list in The Book of Lists.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

Generally considered the worst Star Trek film, and won worst picture at the Razzies by what was at the time a record margin (though it has since been surpassed).

SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004)

A recent addition to the "worst movies of all time" list, dropping to Number 2 on IMDb's worst 100. Some choice critical reactions:

"Unspeakably ghastly sequel to the merely ghastly original." — Joanne Kaufman, Wall Street Journal.
"The most perversely unnecessary sequel in recent memory." — Nathan Rabin, The Onion (A.V. Club).
"Spectacularly awful." — Lou Lumenick New York Post.
"May quite easily put an end to any discussion of what is the worst theatrical release of 2004." — Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times.

T

Teenage Zombies (1958)

Jerry Warren was a director in the late 1950s who took stock footage from foreign films and made them into horrible movies. This is his second most famous, behind 1981's Frankenstein Island. Appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

That Hagen Girl (1947)

A period melodrama about Shirley Temple who's convinced she's the illegimate daughter of Ronald Reagan. Not only did Reagan try to greatly distance himself from the picture, but it was cited in a 10-worst list in The Book of Lists.

The Thing With Two Heads (1972)

Unbelieveable film starring Oscar-winner Ray Milland as a wealthy bigot who demands that his head be transferred onto the body of Rosey Grier's character. Spoofed at the end of the "Treehouse of Horror II" episode of The Simpsons, in which Homer notices that Mr. Burns's head is affixed to his body. Also appeared in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Troll (1985)

A horror/fantasy film with laughable special effects and a queer concept. As famously odd as its sequel (see the below), this film was included in the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Troll 2 (1990)

Notable in part for not featuring any trolls (the baddies are goblins from the town of "Nilbog"), and for not having anything to do with Troll, this famously odd movie has both topped the IMDB bottom 100, and been cited in most of the few reviews (the picture being slightly obscure) as a "so bad it's good" movie, in the vein of Ed Wood. [7] [8] [9]

W

X

Xanadu (1980)

Notorious musical flop featuring Olivia Newton-John, Michael Beck, and Gene Kelly in his last starring role. Newton-John plays Terpsichore, the muse of dancing, who appears on Earth as a roller-skating woman named Kira who falls in love with Beck. The three actors collaborate on opening a nightclub named Xanadu. Appears in Michael Sauter's book The Worst Movies of All Time, as well as the 2004 DVD documentary, The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.

Y

You Got Served (2004)

Dance film went soaring to the top (plummeting to the bottom?) of IMDb's worst 100 film list in the immediate aftermath of its release. The contrived plot and incomprehensible dialogue were instantly spoofed in the South Park episode You Got F'ed in the A.

See also

• Alan Smithee
• Golden Turkey Award
• Golden Raspberry Awards
• List of commercial failures
• List of movies generating losses (box office bombs)
• List of movies that have been considered the greatest ever
• Mystery Science Theater 3000
• It's a Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad Movie

External links

• 100 worst films at IMDb
• Guardian Newspaper's Highs and Lows of Cinema