Even the biggest stars can have an off day. Or even an off entire movie. Here, we look at some of the worst performances by A-list actors, that are unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Some of these actors even have Oscars to their names, although you wouldn’t know if these films are anything to go by.
Sofia Coppola in The Godfather Part III
Sofia Coppola’s performance as Mary Corleone, the daughter of Michael Corleone, was heavily criticized for being wooden and lacking emotional depth, particularly compared to the rest of the cast. She must have gotten used to that; her acting career was frequently criticized amid accusations of nepotism (her father was legendary director Francis Ford Coppola). Even if she did rise much higher than her ability due to her father’s influence, Sofia became a very successful writer/producer/director, winning an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Golden Lion, and a Cannes Film Festival Award, as well as nominations for three BAFTA Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Adam Sandler in Jack and Jill
Sandler’s portrayal of both Jack and his obnoxious twin sister, Jill, was universally panned. The film was widely ridiculed for its reliance on juvenile humor and cringe jokes, and Sandler’s performance is one of the most infamous examples of bad acting in recent memory.
Ben Affleck in Gigli
Affleck’s performance was criticized for his lack of chemistry with co-star Jennifer Lopez, which was surprising given that they were romantically involved at the time. The rom-com was a commercial and critical failure and is one of the most expensive box-office bombs of all time, grossing less than 10% of its budget.
Halle Berry in Catwoman
This film was universally panned for its terrible dialogue, overall lack of coherence, and overreliance on Halle Berry’s sex appeal. Although not entirely Berry’s fault (she didn’t have much to work with), she won a Razzie Award for Worst Actress, which she collected in person.
Keanu Reeves in The Day the Earth Stood Still
Reeves’ performance as an alien emissary, Klaatu, was widely panned for its monotone delivery and lack of emotional depth (everyone loves Keanu, but it must be said he is not known for his emotional depth).
Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct 2
Stone’s return as Catherine Tramell in this sequel was criticized for being uninspired and lacking charisma. However, it wasn’t her acting ability that made everyone talk about the first film.
Nicolas Cage in The Wicker Man
This must be the worst performance ever from an Oscar-winning actor. Cage plays a police officer investigating a mysterious disappearance on a remote island. His performance was ridiculed for its over-the-top delivery and unintentional humor. If you’ve never seen the now infamous Not the bees! scene, I implore you to head over to YouTube.
Eddie Murphy in Norbit
Murphy is known for playing multiple characters (often quite well). However, in this comedy, his portrayal of an overweight, abusive woman was criticized for relying on crude stereotypes and offensive humor, earning him a well-deserved Razzie for Worst Actor.
John Travolta in Battlefield Earth
This science-fiction movie was based on the book of the same name by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Maybe that’s why devoted Scientologist John Travolta agreed to star in it. Travolta’s portrayal of the alien antagonist was ridiculed for its hammy acting and ridiculous costume design. The film is now considered one of the worst movies ever made.
Madonna in Swept Away
It may seem unkind to list a pop star on this list, but she did decide to act in a film, and she is a superstar, so I say fair game. She ‘acts’ as a spoiled socialite stranded on a deserted island. It’s pretty self-indulgent, and she has no chemistry with her co-star Adriano Giannini.
Sylvester Stallone in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Maybe your mom can’t understand a word you say, Sly, and she’s not the only one. Stallone’s performance as a tough cop forced to deal with his meddling mother was criticized for its reliance on tired clichés and lack of comedic timing.
Kevin Costner in The Postman
It seems a bit self-indulgent when someone produces, directs, and casts themselves in the lead role. Costner plays a drifter and reluctant hero in a post-apocalyptic world but does so with no charisma or emotional depth. Critics panned the film’s bloated runtime (177 minutes) and pretentious storytelling, and Costner won two Razzies for Worst Actor and Worst Director.
Lindsay Lohan in I Know Who Killed Me
Lohan plays a dual role as a kidnapped young woman and her identical amnesiac twin. Of course, it’s not the first time she has played a pair of identical twins, but it will probably be the last. The film was nonsensical, and Lohan’s acting was lackluster and distracted.
Tommy Wiseau in The Room
This list would not be complete without Tommy Wiseau in his writer/producer/director/lead actor role. His performance as Johnny, a banker whose life unravels, has become infamous for its stilted dialogue, bizarre delivery, and unintentional humor, earning the film a cult following as one of the best worst movies ever made.
Demi Moore in Striptease
Moore was paid an unprecedented $12.5 million to star in Striptease, making her the highest-paid actress at the time. However, the film was so bad that Moore’s career suffered, and she won that year’s Razzie for Worst Actress.
Jared Leto in Morbius
Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto was miscast as the living vampire Morbius. The role and script did him no favors, and he won the Worst Actor Razzie in 2023.
Robert Pattinson in Twilight
Pattinson’s portrayal of the brooding vampire Edward Cullen was criticized for its lack of charisma and wooden delivery. Although teen girls swooned, critics thought he had failed to capture the romantic allure of the character as depicted in Stephenie Meyer’s novels.
Kristen Stewart in Twilight
Stewart’s performance was no better than Pattinson’s. As the awkward teenager Bella Swan, her delivery was monotonous and lacked emotional range.
Will Smith in After Earth
Based loosely on Will Smith’s own idea of a father-son adventure in the wilderness, After Earth was a commercial and critical failure. Will and his real-life son Jaden put in poor performances, and Will called it “The most painful failure of his career”.
Jennifer Lopez in The Back-Up Plan
Lopez plays a single woman who becomes pregnant via artificial insemination. The movie relies on tired old rom-com tropes, and Lopez shares zero chemistry with co-star Alex O’Loughlin.
Jamie Dornan in Fifty Shades of Grey
Dornan’s performance as sex-obsessed billionaire Christian Grey, for which he won two Razzies, was widely panned for its lack of chemistry with co-star Dakota Johnson.
