Actors who win an Oscar are often considered the best in class in the profession. Their natural talent and on-screen charisma typically give them fantastic roles in successful movies. However, even the best actors can be involved in movies that flop.
Tom Hanks – Pinocchio
Tom Hanks has won two Oscars and is a beloved figure in the acting world, but that doesn’t mean he’s escaped being in poor movies. His role as Geppetto in Disney’s live-action adaptation of the classic Pinocchio was an example. Hanks couldn’t save this seemingly soulless remake, which failed to bring any of the character or charm people expect from this beloved story.
Emma Stone – Movie 43
Emma Stone has been in some huge movies throughout her career, but Movie 43 wasn’t one of them. This R-rated film brought together an impressive cast featuring Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet, but it was critically panned. With a 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this is one movie that was never going to win Stone a significant award.
Morgan Freeman – Just Getting Started
Morgan Freeman shines brightest when he’s involved in fantastic movies where he can add drama and nuance to his performances. That wasn’t required in Just Getting Started, a comedy that seriously needed more funny moments. Critics heavily panned the movie, and it didn’t perform well at the box office, failing to win over anybody.
Will Smith – After Earth
Will Smith might be best remembered for slapping Chris Rock when it comes to the Oscars, but he also won the award for best actor during that ceremony for his role in King Richard. However, he hasn’t escaped being involved in some flops throughout his career, as his role in After Earth proves, which Smith himself admitted was the most painful failure of his career.
Brendan Fraser – Furry Vengeance
Brendan Fraser showcased the scope of his acting range throughout his Oscar-winning performance in The Whale. But the same cannot be said for his part in Furry Vengeance, which saw him play a real estate developer who had his plans ambushed by various animals. It lacks any real comedic punch, with Fraser ramping up the goofiness to try and make it work.
Joaquin Phoenix – 8MM
Joaquin Phoenix is known for his charisma and eccentricity in his performances, which he attempted in 8MM. However, that didn’t stop him from having a regrettable role, as this movie received many negative reviews, with the focus on violence seemingly being used to distract audiences from the poor quality.
Gary Oldman – Red Riding Hood
Red Riding Hood was a modern take on the classic fairytale, but this version was not made with children in mind. Featuring no shortage of violence and plenty of vampires and werewolves, it was an attempt to tap into the popularity of those characters at the time due to Twilight’s success. However, this wasn’t a good movie, and it ended up being one of Gary Oldman’s weakest to date.
Judi Dench – Home on the Range
Judi Dench is a legendary actress who has shone both on stage and screen. She commands respect and brings an element of warmth and charm when needed. But those qualities weren’t enough to save Home on the Range. Taking on a voiceover role for a Disney animation is usually a recipe for success, but this farmyard story is one of the weakest that the company has ever produced.
Jamie Lee Curtis – Christmas with the Kranks
Jamie Lee Curtis is best known for her part in one of the scariest franchises of all time, Halloween. However, things didn’t quite go to plan when she flipped the switch and took on a lighter role in the festive film Christmas with the Kranks. The movie lacks the usual charm and heart that comes with this genre and is filled with cheap gags and characters that simply don’t provide the magical feeling people want from these types of stories.
Taika Waititi – The Green Lantern
Taika Waititi’s Oscar win might have been for his screenplay of Jojo Rabbit, but the talented New Zealander has also acted in several movies. That included being involved in one of the worst superhero films ever, The Green Lantern. It featured questionable CGI and a poor story, which has been ridiculed in pop culture ever since.
Robert De Niro – Dirty Grandpa
Dirty Grandpa was Robert De Niro’s attempt to be involved in something completely different from the norm for him, with this being a rude comedy where he worked alongside Zac Efron. While the two of them tried to create a charming family bond, the vulgar scenes and crude comedy didn’t lead to much success as this movie flopped.
Olivia Colman – Pudsey the Dog: The Movie
This live-action comedy based on a dog that won a British talent show is something few will have seen, and with good reason. It’s got abysmal reviews and is one of Olivia Colman’s least memorable roles, as she provides the voice for Nelly, a horse.
Helen Mirren – The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Helen Mirren has been involved in various projects throughout her legendary career, but The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is regrettable. The movie wasn’t positively received, with this modern take on the classic story proving that not everything needs a modern retelling.
Eddie Redmayne – Jupiter Ascending
Sometimes, science fiction movies go too far out of the box to try and develop creative ideas for the genre. That was one of the issues with Jupiter Ascending, which made it seem silly. Eddie Redmayne has admitted to giving a bad performance throughout this one, showcasing that he is at least self-aware and regrets his part in the story.
Natalie Portman – Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The Star Wars franchise always divides people regarding which movie fans prefer. However, the one opinion that tends to be universal is that The Phantom Menace is the weakest of the bunch. It remains one of Natalie Portman’s worst movies, with this featuring too much politics, several foolish characters, and a plot that audiences couldn’t get on board with.
Colin Firth – The Accidental Husband
Colin Firth has, at times, shined in romantic comedies where he doesn’t have to take himself too seriously. But that wasn’t the case in The Accidental Husband, a critically criticized movie for being cliched.
Jared Leto – Morbius
Morbius is an example of how a movie can have an exciting premise and look visually appealing but still be a complete flop. This story wasn’t well-written from a narrative perspective, and that’s reflected in the negative reviews it received.
Regina King – Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
There are many examples where sequels were created and instantly felt like movie studios looking to make a quick buck rather than produce something of substantial quality. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous fits that bill, with this lacking any real comedy to the point where people within the movie, such as Sandra Bullock, have called it out for its poor quality.
Rami Malek – Dolittle
Dolittle told the famous story of the doctor who can talk to animals, and it provided an incredible ensemble cast. Rami Malek was amongst them as he voiced Chee-Chee, the gorilla. But this was seriously lacking in imagination and heart for as many big names as were brought together here.
Al Pacino – Jack And Jill
Jack And Jill received countless negative reviews critically, with this Adam Sandler comedy being something few people enjoyed. One of the surprising elements of the movie was the fact that Al Pacino was involved, as it was a far cry from the type of content he usually makes. With an IMDb rating of 3.3/10, it is comfortably a movie that he would regret being involved in.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Critters 3
Critters 3 was Leonardo DiCaprio’s feature film debut, and anybody who saw it at the time wouldn’t have predicted the success he’d go on to have. While it took him a few attempts to land an Oscar, DiCaprio has been involved in many of the greatest movies of his generation. However, Critters 3 was an easily forgettable horror that failed to capture moviegoers’ attention.
