Buckle up as we take a wild ride through the cinematic time machine back to 1980, a year filled with some truly atrocious movies. Get ready to wince as we dive into the 16 worst flicks of that unforgettable year!
1. HealtH
Is this a parody about health, politics, or American culture? “HealtH” struggles to make this clear which leaves you confused as to what it’s about. The characters are unlikable and the movie turns into a big mishmash. As one viewer warns “Avoid at all costs”.
2. Just Tell Me What You Want
Labeled as a comedy, you may struggle to find anything to laugh about in this film. The main character is egotistical and domineering. The plot and dialogue are weak. It also fails to cause the audience to connect with it because the film is more about the wealthy elite and their relationships. You might be saying “Just tell me when it’s over.”
3. Galaxina
As a spoof of sci-fi movies of the ‘70s, mainly “Star Wars” this movie failed to deliver. The characters are flat and uninspiring. The plot is paper-thin and unoriginal, following a clichéd story about a spaceship crew’s quest for a valuable crystal. As for the main star, Dorothy Stratten, she spends most of the film saying nothing. A person brave enough to watch this trash had this to say “Galaxina” is that rare movie where EVERY SINGLE ELEMENT of it is achingly, agonizingly, blindingly bad.”
4. When Time Ran Out
Disaster films can be awesome when done right. “When Time Ran Out” isn’t done right. It lacks tension and excitement. You don’t care if the characters make it or not. The plot copies from other disaster films, so lacks anything innovative or fresh. You may find that time is running out with your patience as you watch this trash.
5. Death Ship
The idea behind this movie was promising: A haunted Nazi warship. The opportunity to make this an incredible film was squandered because there is not much suspense or terror in the movie. Most of the characters are cliched which only adds to how pathetic “Death Ship” is. Spot the loopholes in the movie (at least that will give you some motivation to keep watching it). Sometimes it’s good to let the dead Rest In Peace and it is something they need to do “Death Ship”.
6. The Jazz Singer
Neil Diamond is a talented musician. As an actor, well watch this and judge for yourself. The movie is a remake of the 1920s film (which was one of the first “talkies”). However, this version didn’t offer anything new, so you wonder “Why bother making it?” The dialogue comes across as contrived and doesn’t capture the emotion required to make this a compelling film. Laurence Olivier, a legendary actor, was cast in a supporting role as the cantor’s father. While his presence adds prestige to the film, his talents are underutilized, and his performance feels wasted. One reviewer says “There are some people who think this is one of the worst movies of all time. I am one of these people. ‘The Jazz Singer’ is truly abysmal on almost every level.”
7. Honeysuckle Rose
Good singing in a terrible movie sums up “Honeysuckle Rose”. The plot is predictable, so that in itself is the makings of a boring film: Willie Nelson plays a fictional version of himself on tour. The characters are all stereotyped, therefore they offer nothing fresh. Also, if you aren’t a fan of Country Western music, you may find the film tedious.
8. Heaven’s Gate
No this isn’t that cult in which all those people thought they would meet a UFO in the sky. “Heaven’s Gate” is excessively long (3 hours 39 min) and it could easily have been shorter.
The budget for this film spiraled out of control and caused financial losses for United Artists. If you aren’t familiar with the historical background of the Johnson County War, you will get lost watching this. The characters are bland and the film is a display of the overindulgence of the director. You will be left saying “For Heaven’s sake, please just let this be over!”
9. Don’t Answer The Phone
A psychological thriller in which a Vietnam vet becomes a serial killer in Los Angeles. As a film, this lacks suspense or any real thrills that one expects from this genre. The acting is atrocious and the theme of a guy stalking and killing young women is one that many find disturbing. Do yourself a favor and don’t watch this trash from 1980.
10. Cruising
The subject matter of the film may be enough to turn people off. A serial killer is targeting gay bars. Its depiction of gay men as deviant and violent has caused many to speak out against the stereotype. The violence within the movie is gratuitous and disturbing. One person had this to say about the film: “There is absolutely no redeeming value to this film even as an exercise in gore.”
11. The Boogey Man
As a horror, this movie doesn’t provide anything fresh to the genre. The plot copies from other films in which an entity terrorizes a family. It fails to build and maintain suspense. John Carradine is dull and the rest of the cast act with the level you expect from a school play. “The Boogey Man” fails in all areas of filmmaking.
12. Emily’s Window
“Emily’s Window” looks at the world of voyeurism, stalking, and sexual violence. These issues are disturbing, yet one person who saw it at the theatre recalls the audience laughing hysterically throughout the movie. That’s a good sign of how much of a disaster “Emily’s Window” is. Uninspired acting and a boring film perfectly sum up this trash. It needs to be thrown out the window.
13. Saturn 3
This is a sci-fi movie in which two scientists living on a remote space station are threatened by an out-of-control robot. Kinda reminds you of HAl from “2001; A Space Odyssey”. Yep, it’s a plot that has been touched on before. The acting, sets, script, and special effects are terrible. Also, the huge age gap between Kirk Douglas and Farah Fawcett, who are in a relationship, may make many gag in disgust.
14. Raise the Titanic
A movie that seems to be about how great America is. The science and technology portrayed in the film is inaccurate. There is little development of the characters as “Raise the Titanic” is more focused on action and the mission, so you don’t get to real bond with any of the characters. The movie cost $40 million to make and raked in $7 million at the box office. That’s a flop.
15. Get Smart
“Get Smart” is one of the most classic shows on American TV. This film tries to revive the feel of the series, yet fails miserably. The humor is outdated. What was funny in the 1960s isn’t funny in the 80s. Another issue is the plot. It is flimsy and doesn’t have the complexity found in a good spy comedy. This is BOMB of a film.
16. Smokey and The Bandit II
This is just the first movie in a different form. The plot is recycled and so are the jokes, which equates to a tedious and unnecessary sequel. As one reviewer commented, “Everything that worked in part one was forgotten in part two.” An utter bomb of a film.
