The early 2000s introduced audiences to popular franchises, laugh-out-loud comedies, and some genuinely great films. Unfortunately, the time period also produced its fair share of spectacular duds. Whether they suffered from baffling scenes, terrible dialogue, or awkward performances, these movies became infamous with both critics and moviegoers. Here are eight of the worst movies released between 2000 and 2005 according to critics and audiences.
1. Battlefield Earth (2000)
Synopsis
Set in the year 3000, humanity has been taken over by an alien race called the Psychlos. One brave human named Jonnie Goodboy Tyler sets in motion a rebellion to take back the Earth from the extraterrestrials that enslaved them. Tyler attempts to overthrow the alien rulers.
What Was Bad
This movie was mocked exceptionally harshly for many well-deserved reasons. Critics blasted it for a winding, confusing story, melodramatic performances, and weird visual style, which featured plenty of tilted camera angles and random color filters. John Travolta’s over the top portrayal of the evil villain was especially criticized. It wasn’t just the worst science fiction film of the 2000s; it was the worst sci-fi ever made.
2. Glitter (2001)
Synopsis
Billie Frank is a talented young singer who dreams of becoming a music star to distract herself from a difficult childhood. Then her career takes off. Through the excitement, she struggles to balance fame, romance, and the pressures of the entertainment industry.
What Was Bad
Mariah Carey is a major musical talent, but even she couldn’t save this movie. Glitter didn’t impress audiences or critics. The film had an all-too-predictable plot, bad acting, and a script oozing with forced emotion. On top of that, reviewers said it functioned more like an ultra-long music video than a coherent drama. It fast turned into one of the biggest box office disappointments of the decade.
3. Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)
Synopsis
Two elite operatives from competing organizations are forced to play a high-stakes game involving secret weapons, betrayals, and espionage. The two eventually join forces to get to the bottom of a growing conspiracy.
What Was Bad
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever has the honor of earning one of the lowest critic scores ever recorded on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers accused the script of making zero sense, while incorporating nonstop action that grew repetitive and downright exhausting. Even talented actors like Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu couldn’t transform the weak material into something watchable. At the end of the movie, viewers still weren’t sure what had actually happened!
4. Gigli (2003)
Synopsis
Low-level gangster Larry Gigli is given the task of kidnapping the brother of a federal prosecutor. Along the way, he is paired with a female criminal, Ricki, and the two start an unexpected love affair.
What Was Bad
Released during the height of the media’s obsession with J.Lo and Ben Affleck’s relationship, fans rushed to see Gigli. But they were seriously disappointed and the film became a massive disaster. Critics claimed the dialogue was awkward to the point of unbelievable, the tone was inconsistent, and the romance was completely unconvincing. Ironically, the two leads had no chemistry, despite being in a real relationship at the time of the shooting. The film didn’t know if it was comedy, crime, or drama and didn’t successfully nail elements of any genre. Still to this day it is a major punchline in Hollywood, known as one of the most notorious flops ever made.
5. Catwoman (2004)
Synopsis
After being murdered by a shady cosmetics company, Patience Phillips is brought back to life with mysterious feline abilities. She embraces her new extraordinary powers, using them to get revenge and protect innocent people.
What Was Bad
Although Halle Berry is an excellent actress, Catwoman was widely criticized. It was mostly accused of having a weak script and confusing storyline. Though Catwoman is a popular comic book figure, Berry’s version bore little resemblance to the original character. The heavy use of bad CGI and over-choreographed fight scenes made it unintentionally funny. The movie had so many problems that even Berry herself couldn’t deny it. She famously accepted her Razzie Award in person with a sense of humor about the failure.
6. From Justin to Kelly (2003)
Synopsis
During spring break in Florida, two young singers meet, fall in love, and perform musical numbers while navigating their new young romance and dealing with jealous rivals.
What Was Bad
This one was created to capitalize on the popularity of the first season of American Idol and its then-newly famous contestants, Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson. From Justin to Kelly was rushed into production, leading critics to describe the story as paper-thin and the dialogue as excruciatingly cheesy. On top of the film’s overall poor quality, it failed to showcase the performers’ vocal talents. Today, it is remembered as a movie that never should have been made.
7. Alone in the Dark (2005)
Synopsis
Paranormal investigator Edward Carnby stumbles upon ancient supernatural forces connected to artifacts and terrifying creatures that threaten the existence of the human race.
What Was Bad
Alone in the Dark has an infamous reputation. Directed by Uwe Boll, the movie was criticized for incoherent storytelling, untalented actors, and action scenes that didn’t even seem to be part of the plot. Fans of the popular video game series were especially disappointed because the movie barely stuck to original elements. It is perhaps the lowest-rated video game movie ever.
8. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)
Synopsis
In the year 2087, nightclub owner Pluto Nash is obligated to battle organized crime after refusing to sell his popular lunar nightclub. He embarks on a series of adventures across a futuristic Moon colony.
What Was Bad
Despite starring the talented Eddie Murphy and boasting a budget of more than $100 million, The Adventures of Pluto Nash was wholly unsuccessful. Critics complained that the jokes fell flat, the pacing was sluggish, and the far-distant setting surprisingly uncreative. Audiences struggled to relate to anything in the story, and the film made only a tiny portion of its enormous production budget. It is still frequently regarded as one of the biggest bombs in movie history.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.