The second half of the 2000s delivered a number of movies that became frequently talked about for all the wrong reasons. They were riddled with plot holes, plagued by weak scripts, or incorporated terrible special effects. Some were mind-numbingly boring and a few managed to waste talented casts due to odd creative decisions. These memorable productions bombed at the box office or were ripped apart by moviegoers. In one way or another, they earned reputations as disappointments. Here are eight of the worst movies released between 2005 and 2009 according to critics and audiences.
1. Disaster Movie (2008)
Synopsis
A group of friends tries to survive ridiculous natural disasters while interacting with trope movie characters, celebrities, and pop culture icons. The film parodies dozens of disaster movies that were popular at the time. Attempting to copy the Scary Movie formula, the movie was intended to be one big spoof.
What Was Bad
Disaster Movie was widely accused of relying almost entirely on crude attempts at jokes. Pointless celebrity impersonations and endless cultural references seemed to pop up every few minutes. Many argued that the film lacked a real plot and inserted constant references in place of actual comedy. The jokes were so moment-specific that they felt dated immediately after the movie’s release. It is known as perhaps the worst parody film ever to hit theaters.
2. Dragonball Evolution (2009)
Synopsis
Teenager Goku commits to finding the seven mystical Dragon Balls before the evil Lord Piccolo can collect them himself and use them to conquer the world. To help his chances, he trains with Master Roshi and figures out his true destiny. It tried to capitalize on the popularity of anime.
What Was Bad
Fans of the beloved Dragon Ball franchise were deeply let down by this live-action adaptation. The movie didn’t stick to the source material whatsoever. For seemingly no reason, it changed the characters, storylines, and even the personalities of its leads. On top of this disconnect, the acting was poor, the action scenes generic, and the writing was bland. It overall failed anime fans dramatically.
3. The Love Guru (2008)
Synopsis
Self-help guru Pitka is hired to help a professional hockey player mend his marriage so he can better focus on winning a championship. Pitka’s nontraditional methods lead to ongoing awkward and bizarre situations.
What Was Bad
Following the massively successful Austin Powers films, Mike Myers hoped to create another memorable comedy, but audiences disliked The Love Guru and rejected its main character. Critics stated that the humor was juvenile, repetitive, and filled with offensive stereotypes. Even a comic genius like Myers couldn’t overcome the weak material. The movie was such a failure that it may have ended his run as Hollywood’s leading comedy star.
4. Epic Movie (2007)
Synopsis
Four unlikely heroes are drawn into a fantasy adventure that spoofs The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and numerous other fantasy films. Again, producers were hoping to create another Scary Movie.
What Was Bad
Like several parody films released during this time, Epic Movie tried very hard to be funny and completely missed the mark. It leaned on random references and neglected to come up with any well-crafted jokes. Reviewers said the movie couldn’t work with a nonexistent story and relentless crude humor. Audiences didn’t understand how an attempt at comedy could be so unfunny. It earned a reputation for being a truly terrible spoof.
5. Meet the Spartans (2008)
Synopsis
King Leonidas leads his small army against the invading Persians. The movie attempts to make fun of 300 and dozens of other movies, television shows, and celebrities.
What Was Bad
Although it earned money at the box office, Meet the Spartans was almost universally disliked by all who saw it. The cheap visual humor couldn’t carry the film. The constant toilet humor and off the wall references had little connection to the main story. It entirely lacked the clever satire that made parody films like Scary Movie fun to watch. It joined the ranks of Epic Movie and Disaster Movie as a spoof that isn’t worth watching.
6. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)
Synopsis
After witnessing tragedy as a child, Chun-Li commits to becoming an expert martial artist and defeating the criminal organization led by the savage M. Bison.
What Was Bad
Fans of the Street Fighter games that the movie was based on criticized the project for abandoning much of the original series’ spirit. Instead of embracing what fans loved about the games, they chose a generic action plot. Critics also pointed to boring performances, mediocre martial arts scenes, and an inconsistent script. Kristin Kreuk’s performance was perhaps the only good part of the movie, but even a terrific actress couldn’t save the weak material. It is one of the franchise’s least popular adaptations.
7. Land of the Lost (2009)
Synopsis
A scientist accidentally transports himself, his assistant, and a survivalist into a strange prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs, creatures, and ancient civilizations.
What Was Bad
Despite starring extremely well received Will Ferrell, Land of the Lost struggled to find its audience or its genre. Critics complained that it couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be a family adventure or an adult comedy, resulting in an awkward mix of the two that felt childish at times and inappropriate at others. Much of the humor didn’t land, and no amount of well-placed visual effects could make up for the poorly told story. Unsurprisingly, the movie underperformed significantly at the box office.
8. Old Dogs (2009)
Synopsis
Two best friends unexpectedly become caretakers for young twins just as they are trying to close a major business deal. Their new responsibilities lead to a many different chaotic adventures.
What Was Bad
Because this film featured comedy veterans John Travolta and Robin Williams, many expected Old Dogs to be decent. But it failed to impress anyone. Reviewers poked fun at the predictable story, crummy jokes, and outdated family comedy clichés. Many were surprised the talented cast took on such awful material. It soon became one of the lowest-rated comedies of the late 2000s.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.