As bad as some movies are, it’s difficult to earn a 0% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, but there are still plenty of films that have achieved this dishonorable feat. From cult classics to Oscar-worthy dramas, films are examined in exhaustive detail, always with an eye for both their strengths and weaknesses. Within this sea of critique, however, stands a rare group of movies that, according to Rotten Tomatoes, failed to impress a single critic. While many of these movies deservedly missed the mark due to their amateur production, hackneyed writing, and/or abysmal acting, earning a universal thumbs-down from critics is a special kind of cinematic infamy.
It’s worth noting that the majority of movies, even the truly terrible ones, tend to find at least a few defenders or apologists among the ranks of reviewers. Plenty of movies that deserved a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes somehow escaped such shame. Morbius has its fans with its 15% Rotten Tomatoes score, for example, while two of the 60 critics who reviewed Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey kept it from reaching a 0% rating. There are 44 films, however, that have achieved the unique distinction of uniting critics in collective disdain. To rub salt in the wounds, these 0% movies come with the feared “rotten” tag on Rotten Tomatoes, too.
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45 Staying Alive (1983)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 29 Reviews
Staying Alive was directed by Sylvester Stallone and is the sequel to the 1977 hit movie Saturday Night Fever. Staying Alive sees the return of John Travolta as Tony Manero, but where Saturday Night Fever is a gritty exploration of young life in Brooklyn against the backdrop of the disco era, Staying Alive shifts the setting to Manhattan and delves into the world of Broadway. The movie lacks the nuance, depth, and cultural significance that made its predecessor great. Staying Alive is all style, no substance, and there’s way too much of a focus on the musical numbers.
44 Bolero (1984)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 23 Reviews
Bolero is a curious artifact from the 1980s. The erotic thriller is set in the 1920s and follows Ayre MacGillvary, a woman of wealth and privilege who graduates from an English boarding school, determined to find the perfect man for her first sexual encounter. Intended as a passionate and exotic romantic adventure, Bolero was heavily marketed for its erotic content, but critics thought the film had a disjointed narrative with a plot coming across as a mere excuse to showcase a series of risqué scenes. The film’s approach to sensuality was viewed as heavy-handed, and its understanding of romance was considered naive.
43 Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 41 Reviews
Jaws: The Revenge
- Release Date
- July 17, 1987
- Director
- Joseph Sargent
- Cast
- Michael Caine , Lorraine Gary , Mario Van Peebles , Lance Guest
- Runtime
- 89 minutes
Jaws: The Revenge is the fourth installment in the Jaws franchise, and its premise veers into the implausible. The story focuses on the now-widowed Ellen Brody, who is convinced that a great white shark is specifically targeting her family and is out for revenge. While the original Jaws played with the fear of the unknown using shadows, clever camera angles, and the iconic John Williams score, Jaws: The Revenge opted for more direct shark action, which sadly showcased the limitations of the animatronics at the time. Michael Caine famously agreed to star in Jaws: The Revenge because while he knew the movie wasn’t good, it paid for his house.
42 Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol (1987)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 19 Reviews
The Police Academy movies are synonymous with slapstick and feature the most absurd comedic sensibilities of the 1980s. The movies revolve around a group of misfit recruits, and each film presents those recruits with a new set of challenges and comedic situations. However, by Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, the formula was showing signs of wear. The gags were totally recycled and the fourquel lacked the charm and originality of the earlier releases. However, the movie was still a hit, with a huge $76 million gross worldwide (via George Lucas’s Blockbusting).
41 Problem Child (1990)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 30 Reviews
In the annals of family comedy, Problem Child holds a unique, if somewhat controversial, position. The film introduces audiences to Junior, a mischievous orphan with a penchant for chaos who finds himself adopted by the unsuspecting Ben and Flo Healy. While desperate for a child, the Healys soon realize they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. Junior’s pranks escalate from harmless mischief to larger-scale disruptions, earning the ire of almost everyone around him. Critics found the comedy mean-spirited and felt it reveled in cruelty rather than the heartwarming moments typically found in family-centered stories. The narrative was seen as a series of juvenile pranks lacking depth and emotional resonance.
40 Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 25 Reviews
The first sequel to the cult classic Highlander sees Connor MacLeod teaming up again with Juan Ramirez to stop an evil corporation and its leader from destroying the Earth’s ozone layer. Critics and fans alike lambasted Highlander II: The Quickening for its convoluted plot and disregard for the original’s rules and mythology. The phrase “there should have been only one,” a play on the iconic Highlander line “there can only be one,” perfectly captures the sentiment. Over time, several Highlander II: The Quickening director’s cuts have tried to rectify the movie’s inconsistencies, but they’ve mostly all failed.
39 Return To The Blue Lagoon (1991)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 32 Reviews
Serving as a sequel to the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon, Return to the Blue Lagoon tries to recapture the magic of its predecessor but totally falls short. The story follows a man stranded on the same idyllic island as the one seen in the first movie who must navigate the challenges of isolation and burgeoning romance. While that sounds like an interesting concept and has the potential to be an engaging and emotional movie, the narrative is too similar to the original movie, and critics found it redundant. Return to the Blue Lagoon doesn’t have the depth or the novelty of the first film, despite its lush backdrop.
38 Folks! (1992)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 20 Reviews
Folks! aims to be a dark comedy revolving around the challenge of aging parents, with Tom Selleck playing a man burdened with the care of his increasingly erratic elderly mother and father. The film tries to weave humor into unfortunate incidents, from accidents to health scares, but the comedic elements often feel forced, overshadowing the potentially poignant moments. Critics took issue with the narrative’s reliance on ageist jokes and slapstick humor, which seemed more crass than genuinely humorous. Selleck couldn’t salvage a script that missed the mark, and the film has since faded into obscurity.
37 Look Who’s Talking Now! (1993)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 25 Reviews
The third installment of the Look Who’s Talking series shifts its focus from wisecracking toddlers to the inner thoughts of the family’s pets, voiced by Danny DeVito and Diane Keaton. The plot of Look Who’s Talking Now! centers around the Ubriacco family navigating the challenges of their changing lives, with the new additions of two dogs bringing both mischief and heartwarming moments. Critics felt that the movie lacked the charm and originality of its predecessors. The transition from babies to dogs, while novel, didn’t resonate as deeply with audiences either. The consensus was that while the initial concept had been refreshing, by the third film, the formula had gone stale.
36 Wagons East! (1994)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 30 Reviews
This Western comedy attempts to satirize the genre, telling the story of disillusioned pioneers led by a drunk wagon master (John Candy), as they journey back to the East. Intending to poke fun at classic Western tropes, Wagons East! had poor execution and was largely seen as lacking wit and genuine humor. Tragically, the movie is also remembered for being Candy’s final film, as the actor passed away before the movie’s release — actually while it was still in production. Critics and audiences found the film’s narrative weak and the comedy forced, drawing unfavorable comparisons to Blazing Saddles.
35 Simon Sez (1999)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 20 Reviews
Simon Sez is an action thriller that stars former NBA player Dennis Rodman as the title character, an Interpol agent tasked with rescuing the kidnapped daughter of a former friend from the clutches of malevolent arms dealers. Touted for its blend of action and espionage, the film was hampered by a convoluted plot, lackluster action sequences, and a noticeable disconnect between its cast members. Critics felt that Simon Sez made a misguided attempt to capitalize on Rodman’s off-court fame but did so with a weak script and uninspiring direction.
34 3 Strikes (2000)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 29 Reviews
Directed by DJ Pooh, 3 Strikes delves into the life of Rob Douglas, who finds himself on the run after being released from jail, aiming to avoid a third strike, which would land him a life sentence. The film attempts to mix comedy with a poignant commentary on the controversial “three strikes” law in California. However, critics thought that its potential was overshadowed by a disjointed plot and humor that totally missed the mark. Despite aiming for social commentary, the execution came across as lackluster, failing to blend comedy with the serious implications of the law effectively.
33 Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever (2002)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 119 Reviews
Starring Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu, Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever is an action film that depicts the high-stakes feud between two former government operatives. When a deadly weapon is stolen, the two protagonists, initially at odds with one another, are forced to unite against a common threat. Marketed for its high-octane action sequences, Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever ultimately disappointed critics, as the narrative is incoherent, and the action, though plentiful, lacked creativity and resonance. The movie was criticized for being devoid of wit and completely inept, and it’s a perfect example of how big-budget movies can still falter without a gripping story or well-executed set pieces.
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32 Killing Me Softly (2002)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 22 Reviews
Killing Me Softly revolves around a young woman’s dangerous obsession with a mysterious stranger, leading her into a whirlwind of passion and peril. The erotic thriller, despite aiming for intense sensuality and suspense, fell remarkably short of its ambitions. Killing Me Softly was Farewell My Concubine director Chen Kaige’s first English-language movie, and critics believed that many elements of the narrative were lost in translation. Along with the ridiculous plot twists, the cringe-worthy dialogue was endlessly criticized too, and the film is a cautionary example of how even accomplished directors can stall when navigating unfamiliar thematic terrain.
31 Merci Docteur Rey (2002)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 22 Reviews
Merci Docteur Rey is a Paris-based comedy that embroils its protagonist in a web of misunderstandings after he witnesses a murder and subsequently gets entangled with an eccentric therapist. The film aspired to be a zany farce, showcasing a blend of mistaken identities, colorful characters, and unexpected scenarios. However, critics found its attempt at humor overly contrived, resulting in more misses than hits. Merci Docteur Rey strained for sophistication but fell victim to its disjointed narrative and lack of polish.
30 Pinocchio (2002)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 55 Reviews
Roberto Benigni’s Pinocchio is a live-adaption adaption of the classic tale, but rather than resonating with heart and enchantment, the film was met with widespread criticism. Many found Benigni’s portrayal of the title character, despite him being an accomplished actor, strangely unsettling and not fitting for the innocence of Pinocchio. The film was also chastised for its lack of narrative coherence and emotional depth. Considered an unfunny, poorly-made, creepy vanity project, the adaptation failed to capture the magic and charm of the original story. Over time, its reputation remains that of a misguided attempt to reinterpret a beloved classic and even worse than Disney’s abysmal 2022 live-action Pinocchio remake.
29 Derailed (2002)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 5 Reviews
Not to be confused with the much higher-rated Clive Owen thriller of the same name, 2002’s Derailed is about a NATO Operative (Jean-Claude Van Damme) tasked with safeguarding a potentially lethal virus on a train. However, the operative finds himself and his family embroiled in danger when the train is taken over by terrorists. Though the film promised high-stakes action in a confined setting a la Bullet Train, it was critically panned for relying too heavily on implausible coincidences. Additionally, the execution lacked the tension and excitement typically associated with Van Damme’s better works.
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28 National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers (2003)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 44 Reviews
Intending to capitalize on the legacy of the National Lampoon name, National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers follows the comedic escapades of two young con men aiming to marry elderly women for their wealth, only to find the tables turned on them. The movie aspired to capture the edgy, irreverent humor associated with its brand name, but critics felt it was a pale imitation of its predecessors. With Gold Digger’s humor skewing more crass than clever, the film’s aspiration to reach Farrelly-brothers-level offensiveness felt muted by its PG-13 rating, and the lack of genuinely amusing gags rendered it the franchise’s lowest point.
27 Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 46 Reviews
A sequel to the 1994 film Baby Geniuses, Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 continues the premise of toddlers possessing secret knowledge. This time around, the “geniuses” aim to thwart an evil media mogul’s nefarious plans. The movie tried to amplify the cuteness and antics of its pint-sized protagonists while incorporating elements of adventure. However, it was met with overwhelming negative reception. Critics lambasted Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 for its lack of taste, arguing that merely placing words in the mouths of babies doesn’t guarantee humor.
26 Constellation (2005)
0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score From 19 Reviews
Constellation delves deep into the dynamics of a Southern African-American family as they confront unresolved issues surrounding a past interracial love affair. Set amid the backdrop of a family reunion in Huntsville, Alabama, the film seeks to navigate the intricate web of familial ties, racism, and personal regrets. Constellation is a genuine attempt to tackle profound themes and explore the human emotional landscape, but it unfortunately didn’t resonate well with critics. While the movie was earnest in its approach, Constellation lacked the necessary dramatic fireworks to make a lasting impact and felt like a TV movie with its overt sentimentality.
