The early 1990s gave us gems like The Silence of the Lambs and Schindler’s List, but it was also responsible for some truly terrible movies. A handful of films from the early part of the decade were criticized for nonsensical plotlines, awful performances, or special effects that failed to impress. A few had enormous budgets and major studios to back them, yet they still became huge disappointments at the box office. Here are eight of the biggest film failures released between 1990 and 1994 according to critics and audiences.
1. Hudson Hawk (1991)
Synopsis
A world-famous cat burglar (Bruce Willis) is forced to steal priceless works of art for a group of eccentric criminals. Along the way, he becomes caught up in a bizarre conspiracy involving Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions. The movie was intended to be an action-packed comedy with a fun, quirky sense of humor.
What Was Bad
Critics said the movie couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be an action film, a comedy, or even a cartoon. Audiences thought the strange joke delivery and over-the-top performances were more confusing than entertaining. Despite Bruce Willis’ popularity at the time, the movie became a major box office disappointment.
2. Nothing But Trouble (1991)
Synopsis
A wealthy businessman (Chevy Chase) and his friends become trapped in a strange rural town after a minor traffic accident. They discover the town is controlled by an odd elderly judge alongside his equally odd family members. The movie attempted an ambitious mix of horror, comedy, and satire in one very unusual story.
What Was Bad
Critics thought the movie was unpleasant and lacked the intended humor, with several gross-out jokes falling flat. The disturbing makeup, strange characters, and confusing tone were simply off-putting. Due to its bizarre nature, it gained a small cult following over time. But it is still remembered as one of the weirdest studio comedies ever made.
3. Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
Synopsis
A tough Los Angeles police detective (Sylvester Stallone) is horrified when his overly helpful mother comes to visit. Before long, she begins inserting herself into his investigations and accidentally creates one disaster after another. The movie was supposed to be a family-friendly action comedy.
What Was Bad
Critics said the jokes felt old-fashioned and that the entire movie was one big cliché. Audiences thought that casting Sylvester Stallone in a slapstick comedy role simply didn’t work. Stallone himself has since admitted that it’s one of the worst movies he ever made.
4. Super Mario Bros. (1993)
Synopsis
Two Brooklyn plumbers (Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo) stumble upon a cartoonish parallel world ruled by the evil King Koopa. They set out to rescue a kidnapped princess while fighting creatures. The movie was obviously inspired by the Nintendo video game and was an attempt to bring the extremely popular franchise to the big screen.
What Was Bad
Critics said the movie barely resembled the colorful and joyful video games that inspired it. Many fans were scratching their heads over the dark setting, strange costumes, and overly convoluted story. Although it has earned some appreciation over the years, it was considered a huge disappointment when it was first released.
5. North (1994)
Synopsis
A young boy (Elijah Wood) decides to search for new parents after becoming frustrated with his own family. His unusual journey takes him around the world as he visits a multitude of dysfunctional households. The movie was produced as a heartfelt family comedy.
What Was Bad
Critics thought the movie tried to force-feed overly sentimental moments instead of creating genuine emotion. Many viewers struggled to connect with the story’s unlikely premise. It became one of the most heavily criticized family flicks of the decade.
6. Color of Night (1994)
Synopsis
A psychologist (Bruce Willis) goes to Los Angeles after the traumatic death of a colleague. He soon becomes involved with a mysterious woman while investigating a group of murders. As the clues begin to come together, he realizes danger is directly in front of him. The movie combined psychological suspense with romance.
What Was Bad
Critics felt the movie tried too hard to shock audiences, while at the same time almost completely neglecting the story. Many viewers thought the twists became increasingly unbelievable as the movie went on. Despite featuring several high-profile actors, it failed both critically and financially.
7. On Deadly Ground (1994)
Synopsis
An environmental expert (Steven Seagal) discovers that an oil company is cutting corners at one of its drilling sites in Alaska. Determined to stop a potential disaster, he takes on the powerful corporation almost entirely by himself. The movie mixed action with timely environmental themes.
What Was Bad
This film was accused of featuring wooden dialogue, predictable action scenes, and an overly preachy message about the environment. Audiences thought the long boring speeches slowed the pace of the movie. Even die-hard Steven Seagal fans consider it one of his worst movies.
8. RoboCop 3 (1993)
Synopsis
RoboCop returns to look out for the citizens of Detroit while going head to head against a powerful corporation determined to remove residents from their homes. He eventually teams up with a young computer genius and faces heavily armed enemies. The movie attempts to continue capitalizing on the popular science fiction franchise.
What Was Bad
Critics thought the movie nearly eliminated the violence and satire that made the original films so fun to watch. Fans were disappointed by the weak action and what they perceived as low production quality. Mostly, audiences couldn’t accept the replacement actor playing RoboCop.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of Orion Pictures.