Worst Movies Ever: Top 7 Razzie Award Winners

Summary

Movies on Razzies list can be fan favorites, showing opinions vary.
Some Razzie movies can have iconic symbols but subvert messages.
Razzie winners can be misunderstood, viewed as satire — like Showgirls.

If prestigious awards like the Oscars or the Golden Globes honor excellent films, it stands to reason that there should be similar recognition for poorly-made movies. These are the Golden Raspberry Awards, often referred to as the Razzies, and they’ve been acknowledging and “honoring” poorly-made films since their inception in 1981.

Just as some might argue that the quality of books or video games can be subjective, the same could be said about movies. Movies labeled as “Worst Picture” winners often have their fair share of dedicated fans. The distinction between a good and bad movie is largely based on personal opinion. Sometimes, an iconic character, distinctive directing style, eye-catching design, or familiar soundtrack can elevate a less-than-stellar film into a favorite.

7. Rambo: First Blood Part 2

Worst Picture 1985

To ensure we never overlook the heroic feats of John Rambo, who met his end in the book that spawned the initial film, but continued to thrive in the world of cinema – appearing in several more movies. Among them, none are as adored and despised as “Rambo 2“, which serves as a self-satire from its title onwards.

The red bandana and black tank top came to symbolize the character who propelled the Rambo series into numerous subsequent films. However, the Razzies aren’t about mainstream popularity. Instead, they recognized a movie that brazenly contradicted the anti-war message of the original and instead celebrated violence. Looking back now, it’s clear that the film was Cold War propaganda. Despite this, many children in the 1980s dressed up as Rambo for Halloween and hold fond memories of this film.

6. Hudson Hawk

Worst Picture 1991

In a somewhat contentious fashion among both fans and critics, the offbeat humor in Hudson Hawk was defended by some as having its own charm. This is because the actors themselves appeared to be part of the joke, which added an element of authenticity. During that period, action-comedies were all the rage, and this film employed a generous amount of physical humor and over-the-top sound effects to emulate a cartoon or comic strip. However, not everyone found this approach appealing.

One aspect that contributes to the film’s entertaining quality is its unique casting, but paradoxically, it could be considered worthy of the Razzies awards due to its focus on the exploits of villainous characters. In an unexpected twist, Bruce Willis portrays a safecracker who resorts to unconventional methods to tackle contemporary issues. For instance, he uses a musical number to synchronize his team’s actions instead of a digital timer, providing a glimpse into why the movie might not have been successful – or perhaps it was this very quirk that made it appealing.

5. Cocktail

Worst Picture 1988

1988’s “Cocktail” was initially marketed as a romantic comedy-drama, but it turned out to be something else entirely. For those who have worked behind a bar or lived during the ‘flair’ era, this movie offers an intriguing glimpse into history. Additionally, it serves as a list of popular vacation destinations from the 1980s that were renowned for their vibrant nightlife and drinking culture.

The main plot of this movie, unfortunately, feels distressingly reminiscent of the ’80s, which is why it received a Razzie award. It’s somewhat similar to “Dirty Dancing,” but with poor acting and an unengaging narrative – and a generous helping of sarcasm. In essence, “Cocktail” embodies every cringe-worthy cliché that has ever existed, featuring (but not limited to) a former soldier, multiple drunken encounters, the character Brian Flanagan who seems too real, and an estranged girlfriend who is pregnant and secretly wealthy.

4. Showgirls

Worst Picture 1995

Showgirls, one of the Razzie Awards’ least contentious winners, has an interesting backstory. Known for producing masterpieces like RoboCop, director Paul Verhoeven surprisingly accepted the award in person, demonstrating his gracious sportsmanship.

People who haven’t watched Showgirls still have an idea about its content due to the attention it received for its graphic sexual scenes and intense portrayal of workplace tension. When considered as satire, a genre in which Paul Verhoeven is proficient, the movie becomes more understandable. It appears that another film by Verhoeven, Starship Troopers, also faced misinterpretation because viewers tended to take it too literally.

3. The Postman

Worst Picture 1997

In this rephrased version, let me say: The acting and script are poor, but the idea behind the story is intriguing. Moreover, Tom Petty makes an appearance, portraying himself in a bleak, post-Asgardian America setting – that’s The Postman for you. Despite its grand budget and visually appealing presentation, some elements might make it resemble Waterworld’s less successful aspects all too well, considering its scale and cast.

The story unfolds as a wandering trickster, portrayed by Kevin Costner, stumbles upon a deceased postal worker and an unattended sack of letters. Suspecting an opportunity to infiltrate fortified settlements in search of sustenance, shelter, and riches, he assumes the uniform, takes the mail, and calls himself the Postman. With this new identity, he sets his cunning scheme into motion.

The plan exceeds his expectations, with the once disheartened American populace uniting under a revitalized federal administration. However, despite its promising concept, it ultimately fails due to poor chemistry among the performers and a script that lacks originality, struggling to choose between emulating ‘Mad Max’ or ‘Terminator’.

2. Wild Wild West

Worst Picture 1999

The enormous steampunk spider that failed to appear in Nicolas Cage’s Superman film still managed to bask in its brief moment of glory due to Wild Wild West. This movie is one of the more enjoyable ones on this list, largely because of the charismatic performances by stars Will Smith and Kevin Kline as the main characters. Notably, Kline also portrayed President Ulysses S. Grant. While it begins well, it eventually veers off course with bizarre elements such as, for instance, giant mechanical spiders.

The film “Wild Wild West” has a dedicated following among enthusiasts of steampunk and Western genres, and its substantial budget was used to create exceptional special effects. However, this same investment may have inadvertently led to the movie’s downfall. By the time the climactic third act arrives, the initial charm had faded, and the steampunk technology appeared absurd.

1. Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood And Honey

Worst Picture 2023

In a predictable turn of events, the film “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” serves as an intriguing demonstration of what transpires when copyright expires on a well-known intellectual property. This relatively new release might seem too apparent to some viewers, as those watching it likely aren’t anticipating an Oscar-worthy film.

Producing a horrifying film featuring beloved children characters such as Winnie-the-Pooh may initially strike one as a crass cash grab. However, it’s not a large studio exploiting fans; instead, it’s an independent slasher movie that serves as the kickoff to a planned satirical series called “The Twisted Childhood Universe.” While some may find this concept disturbing or offensive, there are plenty of enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the frightening thrills and gory scenes in this unique horror film, despite its Razzie award.

2025-01-18 11:08