While the late 1980s produced some wonderful films, it also gave us some truly unforgettable flops. The latter category of films was criticized for confusing stories, poor acting, weak special effects, or just being downright boring. Several of these films earned Golden Raspberry Awards. Today, many people watch these movies simply to laugh at how bad they are. Here are seven of the worst movies released between 1986 and 1989 according to critics and audiences.
1. Leonard Part 6 (1987)
Synopsis
Retired secret agent Leonard Parker (a pre-convicted Bill Cosby) is reluctantly pulled back into his career when a mad scientist develops a way to control animals and use them as weapons. Leonard travels around the world trying to stop the bizarre plot before it’s too late. The movie was meant to be an over-the-top spy comedy.
What Was Bad
Critics said the jokes almost never worked and that the movie felt painfully unfunny from beginning to end. Audiences complained about the confusing story, strange pacing, and awkward performances. Incredibly, even Bill Cosby later admitted he thought the movie was terrible and encouraged people not to see it.
2. Ishtar (1987)
Synopsis
Two struggling lounge singers (Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman) accidentally become caught up in a politically motivated conflict while performing in the Middle East. Despite having almost no useful survival skills, they manage to make it through one dangerous situation after another. The film was intended to be a big-budget adventure comedy.
What Was Bad
Critics thought the movie was way too long and that the comedy simply wasn’t humorous. Audiences were disappointed that two legendary actors had taken on such awful material. Although the film has since gained a few fans over the years, Ishtar is one of Hollywood’s most notable box office disasters.
3. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Synopsis
Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to destroy all of the world’s nuclear weapons after receiving a heartfelt letter from a young fan. His plan is threatened when Lex Luthor creates Nuclear Man, a powerful being designed to conquer the Man of Steel. The movie tried to combine superhero action with a strong anti-nuclear message.
What Was Bad
Critics said the movie had cheap-looking special effects and poor production quality, which could be blamed on the movie’s tiny budget. Many fans thought the movie sped through the story and that the action scenes weren’t exciting at all. It has since been considered the worst movie in the original Superman series.
4. Mac and Me (1988)
Synopsis
A friendly young alien is separated from his family after coming to Earth and eventually meets a disabled boy in a wheelchair. Together, they try to reunite the alien with his family while hiding from government agents. The movie was clearly meant to be a family-friendly science fiction adventure.
What Was Bad
Many critics accused the film of taking advantage of the popularity of E.T. by all but copying the Spielberg film. It offered almost zero original ideas of its own. Constant product placement was obvious, especially for McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, which was distracting. The movie essentially feels more like one long commercial than an actual film.
5. Caddyshack II (1988)
Synopsis
An outspoken businessman (Jackie Mason) joins an exclusive country club, leading to conflict with its wealthy members. His attempts to fit in lead to a series of increasingly ridiculous situations. The sequel to the famed film tried to recreate the success of the original comedy with an almost entirely new cast.
What Was Bad
Critics thought the sequel lacked pretty much everything that made the original Caddyshack funny and memorable. Viewers missed watching the original cast and felt the replacement characters didn’t have anywhere close to the same chemistry. The movie quickly developed a reputation for being one of the most disappointing comedy sequels.
6. Speed Zone! (1989)
Synopsis
A new group of eccentric racers competes in a cross-country road race. Outrageous stunts and high-speed chases ensue. The film was another installment in the Cannonball Run series, though it didn’t feature many returning stars. It was meant to deliver nonstop comedy and action.
What Was Bad
Critics claimed the humor was tired and repetitive, while the lackluster story was simply an excuse to connect a string of car chase scenes. Audiences were also upset by the absence of many of the franchise’s most loved stars. The movie certainly didn’t capture the fun that made the earlier Cannonball Run films big hits.
7. The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987)
Synopsis
A lonely teenager finds a group of mischievous Garbage Pail Kids living inside an antique shop. The strange creatures try to help their new human friend but quickly create chaos wherever they go. The movie was based on the wildly popular Garbage Pail Kids trading cards.
What Was Bad
Critics were uncharacteristically harsh on this movie, calling it disgusting, poorly written, and unwatchable. Audiences hated the bizarre creature costumes, crude humor, and incoherent storyline. The movie was an attempt to capitalize on an enormously successful toy line, with not even an ounce of talent or plot to back it up. It is still regularly ranked as one of the worst family movies ever made.
8. She’s Out of Control (1989)
Synopsis
A nervous father (Tony Danza) grows increasingly uncomfortable when his teenage daughter suddenly blossoms into a beautiful young woman and starts attracting the attention of boys everywhere. Desperate to protect her, he resorts to ridiculous attempts to keep potential boyfriends away. The movie was intended to be a lighthearted coming-of-age comedy.
What Was Bad
Critics said the movie was a mix of tired stereotypes and outdated jokes and lacked any genuine humor. Many audiences thought the overprotective father’s behavior came across as unsettling instead of funny. Although Tony Danza was popular on television at the time, his popularity couldn’t save the movie. It is categorized alongside weak teen comedies of the late 1980s.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of Warner Bros..