Top 10 movies to avoid, worst movies of all time

By 135 Comments

Thousands of readers of the magazine “Empire” participated in the survey “The worst movie of all time”, and the final result was a list of these 10 movies

10. The Room is a 2003 independent film written and directed by its star, Tommy Wiseau. Without any studio support, Wiseau spent over $7 million on production and marketing for the film and failed.

9. Highlander II: The Quickening is the second installment to the Highlander film series, released on November 1, 1991 by Interstar. Upon release, this film was met with harsh criticism by both critics and audiences.

8. The Happening is a 2008 thriller film that follows a man and his family as they try to escape from an inexplicable natural disaster. The plot revolves around a mysterious neurotoxin from plants. The film was nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, Worst Actor (Mark Wahlberg, along with his performance in Max Payne) and Worst Director (M. Night Shyamalan) at the 29th Golden Raspberry Awards. In “The Happening” nothing actually happens.

7. Sex Lives Of The Potato Men is a British comedy film released in 2004. The film is about the sexual antics of a group of potato delivery men in Birmingham. The film was condemned by most film critics for being crude and tasteless. The Times review called it “one of the two most nauseous films ever made”. It was also controversial in that nearly £1 million of public money from the National Lottery via the UK Film Council was used to fund the project.

6. Heaven’s Gate is a 1980 American Western film based on the Johnson County War, a dispute between land barons and European immigrants in Wyoming in the 1890s. The film’s production was plagued by cost and time overruns, negative press, and rumors about director Michael Cimino’s allegedly overbearing directorial style. It is generally considered one of the biggest box office bombs of all-time.

5. Epic Movie is a 2007 American parody film. The film was a financial success despite its extremely negative reviews. Rotten Tomatoes ranked the film 21st in the 100 worst reviewed films of the 2000s, with a rating of 2%. Producers of the movie Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer were nominated for the “Worst Screenplay” award at the 28th Golden Raspberry Awards. Nothing Epic in this movie.

4. Raise The Titanic. The novel was a bestseller. The film, however, was poorly received by the critics and proved to be a box office bomb, losing most of its estimated $40m budget. Lew Grade, one of its major backers, is said to have remarked that it would have been cheaper to lower the Atlantic

3. The Love Guru is a 2008 comedy film, directed by Marco Schnabel and starring Mike Myers and Jessica Alba along with Romany Malco, Justin Timberlake . The Love Guru was panned by most critics. The film was listed as the worst movie of 2008 in the New York Post’s Top 10 Worst Movies of 2008 overview. Before the film’s release, some Hindus expressed unhappiness about how Hindus are portrayed, the disrespect of their culture and the bad impression that it would make for those not well exposed to Hinduism.

2. Battlefield Earth is a 2000 film adaptation of the novel Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard, staring John Travolta. Critically, the movie was seen as a disaster and reviews were nearly unanimously bad. The Washington Post commented: “A million monkeys with a million crayons would be hard-pressed in a million years to create anything as cretinous as Battlefield Earth.

1. Batman and Robin is a 1997 superhero film directed by Joel Schumacher. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, staring George Clooney. Even him once admitted Batman & Robin, the schlocky 1997 superhero movie that jump-started the actor’s career, was lame. Now director Joel Schumacher’s steaming heap of cinematic dung has been voted the worst film ever by readers of Empire magazine. Atempting to pick out just one bad scene from Batman & Robin is impossible, and it certainly wouldn’t do justice to just how painfully awful the rest of it is. The film is so dreadful that director Joel Schumacher actually apologized for it on the DVD commentary. That’s right, the man who proudly made 8MM, The Number 23 and Cousins thought Batman & Robin was so bad that it warranted an apology.

We all loved Avatar, Hangover and other top movies from 2009, but what did we actually learn from those movies? Check it out here, its hilarious

Comments

Steven Urkel says
January 14, 2011 at 12:51 pm

Somehow I have a hard time taking this seriously.
Top 10 worst movies of the 2000s, maybe, but certainly not all time.

Where are “Manos: The Hands of Fate”, “Robot Monster” and “Plan 9 From Outer Space”?

Sure, Mr.Freeze’s cheesy ice puns are enough to make anyone cringe, but worst movie of all time? Hardly.
nailbunny says
January 16, 2011 at 4:48 pm

you forgot street fighter: the legend of chun-li. good lord, that has got to be the most disgraceful, inconsistent and utterly banal production i’ve ever seen.
iham says
January 17, 2011 at 6:14 am

it’s almost as if they didn’t care about an accurate portrayal of the worst films ‘of all time’
They didn’t even accurately portray the worst films in the last few years.

This list is ridiculous

btw, Batman and Robin was worth it just to stare at Alicia Silverstone’s costumed rump
Frank says
January 18, 2011 at 3:46 pm

How is robocop 3 not here?
HOW?
Darrin says
January 19, 2011 at 5:57 pm

I would have added The Hangover to this Top Ten. It’s so dumb, I lost interest before the halfway mark. I don’t care how much money it made. I would rather watch Batman & Robin if I had to.
dip says
January 19, 2011 at 9:01 pm

Batman & Robin —–> I love that movie.
Lol, you guys must be bad tasters. It was the only Batman movie that made me find the BATMAN just like the comic book character.
dip says
January 19, 2011 at 9:04 pm

Just see “301”. You will understand what are Worst movies better.
gsprings says
January 19, 2011 at 10:44 pm

what about (heart beeps from 1981) and (xanadu from 1980) simply awful big budget films
Leah says
January 20, 2011 at 1:09 am

Agreed re: Batman and Robin. I particularly hate that movie because I went to see it on my birthday when I was alone on a trip and I had to walk out in the middle, it was so bad. Some birthday treat. But what about America’s Sweethearts, with John Cusack, Julia Roberts? THAT was a shitty movie.
Si says
January 20, 2011 at 11:17 am

These aren’t the worst movies of all time I am a fan of the batman movie and highlander films. The list is totally wrong, the worst movies should include basic instinct and spacejam both pointless movies.
rhen says
January 21, 2011 at 1:33 pm

for me the worst movie I’ve seen are “After the Sunset” and “Lady in the Water”!!!!!!!!
76million says
January 26, 2011 at 6:44 am

This is a terrible review. I haven’t seen any of these movies, but they and people reading this deserve better than just some random typist saying “worst ever! don’t watch!” At least describe something about them that made yo u think they’re awful.
Adam says
January 27, 2011 at 7:39 am

Some people’s comments made me laugh so hard… thank you for that… that Troll 2 comment… oh my god…hilarious
mellie says
January 28, 2011 at 2:56 pm

now way, loved Batman and Robin as a kid. I don’t care how bad it is in the eyes of hardcore film cats, it appeals to the youngens of the 90s.
lil.uhura says
January 29, 2011 at 5:52 am

I used to work for a movie theater where I saw all kinds of awful stuff (Kull the Conqueror w/Kevin Sorbo, anyone?), but at least I could walk out of the theater saying, “Well, at least I didn’t pay for it.” Batman and Robin was the only movie that I ever regretted seeing for free.
Masteradept says
January 30, 2011 at 1:32 am

Add The Last Airbender to that list.
Mew says
January 30, 2011 at 10:09 pm

I don’t really get why Batman and Robin is listed the worst movie ever. It’s cheesy as hell for sure, but there are far worse movies overall.
You're all Stupid says
February 1, 2011 at 12:26 pm

You are all stupid look how you rate the worst movie ever you all say ” This was the worst movie I have ever seen” see right there “SEEN” you dip shits vote from eyes.. If this was fact then all the damn land before times would be on my top 10.

But the 10 worst movies of all time this list is just a joke plane and simple. Movies have been around for a long time and not a single movie past 1980 made the list odd.

Want to see a bad movie? go watch santa muscles.
rameses says
February 1, 2011 at 2:55 pm

MARS ATTACKS!!!!!
tim says
February 1, 2011 at 7:56 pm

Somebody is forgetting the first Street Fighter movie! Skinny ass Blanka, a short Sagat, Jean Claude Van Damn’s accent?!! The list doesn’t stop!
toxic says
February 3, 2011 at 1:07 am

drama queens lol
Hugoagogo says
February 5, 2011 at 8:50 pm

I would have seriously included Twilight, Alien Vs Predator: Requiem, Skyline, Unborn, Oscar, Stop or my Mom will Shoot, and Highlander 3 in the list.
IJ Dee-Vo says
February 5, 2011 at 11:36 pm

Epic Fail. So many people seem to make the worst movies of all time based on movies they have seen or movies f a certain era. I have seen way worst movies then the ones listed here. It should be, Top 10 not quite worst movies of all time.
pete says
February 7, 2011 at 7:02 am

to be honest i actualy LIKED Battlfield Earth. and the love guru was actualy pretty funny. the happening was ok though i may not watch it again it weirded me out so much. and batman and robin? FRICKIN EPIC!!!!!!!!!! chris odonnel and george clooney? pretty good team up i say
Matt says
February 7, 2011 at 9:00 am

Last Boy Scout could be on this list, and has anyone seen an Indian movie called Lagaan?! Now that sucks!
Nathan says
February 9, 2011 at 12:08 am

The Tim Berton Remake of Planet of the Apes is the worst movie ever made… and it didn’t even get on the list. Sad.
Bill Adams says
February 9, 2011 at 3:15 am

BATMAN FOREVER was much worse. BATMAN AND ROBIN was memorably bad, because there was stuff to look at. BATMAN FOREVER’x badness is forgotten because people just slept through it. Ask people who was even in it.
Himself says
February 10, 2011 at 4:03 am

there’s some crap here but the number of movies that out crap these is absolutely and positively staggering. that said, I do have to admit to sitting through Battlefield Earth no less than 3 times… for some reason I just can’t turn it off, I know it sucks but I some how seem to enjoy the crappieness of this piece of poo over and over and over…
also, anything Highlander kicks ass, just cuz it does.
Damon Davenport says
February 10, 2011 at 6:40 am

Howard The Duck and Pootie Tang should be on this list. Not just awful… god awful.
palefinger says
February 10, 2011 at 4:13 pm

All three Star Wars prequels and Return of the Jedi absolutely belong on this list.
Weez says
February 12, 2011 at 6:21 am

It should be noted that TheForever already mentioned this, but the list is made by taking a poll. The movies listed do not represent the author’s opinion. Secondly, I agree with most of this list. Though I did enjoy Battlefield Earth, until I read the book.
Rck says
February 12, 2011 at 11:23 pm

Really? Loved the campy Batman movie. But Battle Field Earth is, without a doubt, the WORST MOVIE EVER!
Lizbebe says
February 14, 2011 at 11:25 pm

This is the NUMBER ONE worst movie of all time –> Battlefield Earth.

What seems to be a little known fact is that the director of this stupendously awful movie worked for George W. Lucas for many years, including Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999).

He was hand-picked by Lucas to direct the second unit during EP1.

His name is Roger Christian and he directed Battlefield Earth.

I saw Battlefield Earth with a few hundred people and the mastermind behind the movie, Travolta.

GWL welcomed John Travolta (and buddy Roger) with open arms, letting them land on the ranch with a helicopter, from which John, Kelly, etc., stepped into a limo and were driven to the screening just a few hundred yards away.

As Travolta put it, “please be kind to me.” He got a golf clap at the end. That’s all we could muster.

The whole event was funny and over the top. The attention paid to Travolta was in inverse proportion to the quality of the movie.

But it was very important that we not LAUGH while Travolta was in the area. We were to be good little boys and girls and not offend our guest. And this is very hard to not do when you are looking at rubber fingers bouncing in front of your face!

At best, Battlefield Earth is an over-the-top bomb. Watch it for a great laugh, preferably under the influence of something.

IMHO, American Graffiti was GWL’s last great film.
Kris says
February 18, 2011 at 10:25 am

Why no Dark Knight ?!
Marco says
February 21, 2011 at 1:58 pm

Worst movies of all time? Worst movies of the last 30 years, maybe, but then again, maybe not.
Where is:

The Dark Knight
AGnomeNamed Norm
Laserblast.
…and hundreds of others that make (most) of the above list look brilliant by comparison. Best to avoid the “of all Time” thing alltogether.

You did get Battlefield Earth, that’s important
dooki boi says
February 21, 2011 at 10:11 pm

The forty year old virgin who knocked up Sarah Marshall and felt super bad about it was the worst crap ever
dooki boi says
February 21, 2011 at 10:20 pm

Check out Big trouble in little China now that’s the worst
DLL137 says
February 24, 2011 at 3:39 am

The Stupids, Dumb and Dumber and Dumb and Dumberer …i cant believe they are not on this list…I’ve seen Batman and Robin, Battlefield Earth and Love Guru and those three are a million times more watchable and entertaining then the crap i suggested…my IQ actually dropped from watching The Stupids and Dumb and Dumber…i added the sequal because…well…im a bad movie racist i guess…never watched it and never will but it just has to be bad…like pet detective 1 and 2…both bad…just very bad…
George Roman says
February 25, 2011 at 8:49 pm

How is Batman & Robin in this list but House of the Dead isn’t? I mean sure Batman & Robin was terrible, but not bad enough to land on #1 or this list. House of the Dead is far worse than anything the world of movies has thrown us next to any of the shit Seltzer & Friedberg have done.
Paulina says
February 26, 2011 at 4:44 am

Ridiculous list. The Happening is my favorite Night Shyamalan movie because it has suspense, a good twist and an interesting storyline and acting. If Lady in the Water is superior to the Happening, this world is doomed for. Like somebody else said, people vote for bad movies they’ve seen but there are many worse movies. However, the Happening is an amazing movie.
EdwinJ says
February 27, 2011 at 5:44 pm

I find Battlefield earth to be an underrated movie.
Not good, but not bad either.A hillarius, funny and cheasy SciFi movie.
Far from the worst movies i have seen:
4: Quantum of Solace
3: Casino Royale
2: Sunshine
1: Life of Brian…. just why!
Destiny says
March 1, 2011 at 11:00 am

OMG, I can’t believe “The Happening” was listed here. I actually liked that movie. :-/
Destiny says
March 1, 2011 at 11:02 am

Also, they need to replace “The Happening” with “Splice”. That would B a smart move.
Bishwaroop Dasgupta says
March 4, 2011 at 8:13 pm

Son of the Mask is not bad. People just say it because maybe Jim Carey wasn’t there. But it’s good.

I didn’t like Half Past Dead 2. The people in the film were not using their heads. I’d say both the villain & the hero were stupid.
ceallaig says
March 9, 2011 at 12:23 pm

Whoever voted for these films hasn’t experienced some of the truly, monumentally AWFUL films that have been made:

The classic Plan 9 from Outer Space, which is fun to watch because it’s so hilariously inept.

Manos the Hand of Fate, which was voted by Mystery Science Theatre 3000 viewers as the worst ever, and these are folks that know horrid films

Ator the Fighting Eagle, which had only Miles O’Keefe’s buffed magnificence to save it — the rest of the film was so bad that, when the film broke at the screening I attended, we in the audience started shouting out our own dialog ….

Those are just a few. I am also in the camp with those that liked Batman and Robin. Yes, it could have been better and much less overblown, but it does have some very good moments, and I can’t say I was disappointed. Everyone’s taste is different.

But the readers of Empire magazine really need to broaden their horizons — there is a larger world of dreck out there.
The Exile says
March 10, 2011 at 8:02 am

Even as we speak, the war crimes trial for the producers, writers and director of Battlefield Dearth is being planned.
DJ Tagz says
March 11, 2011 at 6:41 am

wait a second….they forgot one….they need to add The Last Airbender, right up there with The Happening, Shayamalan can’t direct for shit!
DJ Tagz says
March 11, 2011 at 6:42 am

And no, I don’t give a shit if you don’t like the fact that I hate M. Knight Shayamalan and his shitty movies.
some dude says
March 15, 2011 at 12:44 pm

imo, worst movie ever would be Birdemic: Shock and Terror http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1316037/
trailer here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgAbVfh6WYg
but it looks so hilariously terrible that it could actually be worth seeing
vesey says
March 19, 2011 at 10:48 pm

Battlefield Earth was about a 2 on scale of 1 to 10, in other words not a very good flick. I have seen much worse though which makes me wonder if part of the problem was that Scientology, a strange “religion” at best, was being critiqued also either consciously or otherwise. In the early 80s a Korean War film called “Inchon” was savaged by the media also and like Battlefield Earth was not very good but better than some. The problem with Inchon was that it was likewise produced by a distasteful religion(the moonies) and likely again the religion as much as the film was being critiqued. Human nature being what it is, these things are going to happen, but i have noticed in recent years films put out by “mainstream” religious orgs have likewise been receiving negative reviews pretty consistently. An interesting trend to follow because of what it might subconsciously be implying about cultural perceptions in a wider sense by a predominately secular humanist media……..