Hollywood isn’t short on big names and big budgets—but even star power can’t always save a film. Over the years, we’ve seen major studio releases packed with top-tier talent crash and burn at the box office or take a critical beating. Whether it was poor direction, messy storytelling, or the weight of impossible expectations, these films underwhelmed but also they did a disservice to the stars headlining them.
Catwoman (2004) – Halle Berry
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Halle Berry had worked hard, and she finally got her reward with her Academy Award win for Best Actress thanks to her role in ‘Monster’s Ball.’ However, her following works weren’t as successful, and the film that almost put her career in jeopardy was ‘Catwoman.’
While it has become somewhat of a cult classic, particularly among younger audiences, the movie was poorly received by critics and was a commercial failure. Berry famously received her Razzie Award for Worst Actress, while holding her Oscar. Despite continuing to work, her career suffered from the setback.
Mother’s Day (2016) – Julia Roberts
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With a great, long career there also come some missteps. Julia Roberts won America’s heart in great rom-coms, thrillers and dramas. She also earned critical acclaim with performances such as “Erin Brockovich,” for which she won the Academy Award.
But, with some early questionable choices such as “Sleeping With the Enemy,” her worst film, according to critics, is “Mother’s Day.” While it was supposed to be a feel-good comedy, critics loathed it, and it has an 8% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Man Trouble (1992) – Jack Nicholson
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With a career spanning over six decades, Nicholson is one of the most prolific and beloved actors thanks to his magnetic performances. He has earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards, including three Academy Awards for Best Actor (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in 1975, “Terms of Endearment” in 1983, and “As Good as It Gets” in 1997).
However, one of his worst films is the rom-com “Man Trouble,” which was released in 1992. The film failed to resonate with audiences. Critics lamented that Nicholson’s talent was overshadowed by the film’s shortcomings.
Aeon Flux (2005) – Charlize Theron
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Charlize Theron has built a critical and commercially successful reputation for her various roles in genres such as drama, thrillers and action movies. She won an Oscar relatively early in her career thanks to the crime thriller “Monster” (2003), and since then she has appeared in other acclaimed titles such as “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015).
However, just after her Oscar win, she appeared in one of the worst films of her career: the sci-fi ‘Aeon Flux.’ It was poorly poorly received by critics and grossed only $52.3 million against a production budget of $55–62 million, making it a box-office bomb.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) – Cate Blanchett
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Blanchett has earned widespread acclaim and numerous awards throughout her career. She has delivered great performances in different genres, and some of her most celebrated titles include “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Elizabeth” (1998), and, of course, “Blue Jasmine” (2013).
However, one of her worst roles was as the villain Irina Spalko in the poorly-received “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Her Russian accent and over-the-top performance received heavy criticism, particularly due to the one-dimensional nature of the role. However, some viewers appreciated it as a campy performance.
Proof of Life (2000) – Meg Ryan
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“Proof of Life,” released in 2000, marked a downturn in Meg Ryan’s prolific career to that moment. While the film itself received mixed reviews, its underperformance at the box office contributed to Ryan’s diminishing star power, which she had built based on beloved roles on rom-coms such as “When Harry Met Sally,” “You’ve Got Mail,” “Sleepless in Seattle” and more.
Moreover, Ryan’s highly publicized affair with co-star Russell Crowe, while married to Dennis Quaid, during filming created negative publicity, further damaging her public image as America’s sweetheart. After “Proof of Life,” Ryan struggled to regain her status as a romantic comedy queen and transitioned to smaller or supporting roles.
I Know Who Killed Me (2007) – Lindsay Lohan
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Lohan was a successful child and teen actor, gaining popularity and acclaim for her roles in comedies such as “The Parent Trap,” “Freaky Friday,” “Mean Girls” or “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.” However, the release of “I Know Who Killed Me” (2007) became a notorious entry in Lindsay Lohan’s filmography. The film was heavily panned for its nonsensical plot, poor acting, and gratuitous violence.
Lohan’s dual role in this film failed to showcase her acting talents, and the film’s failure further cemented her reputation as a tabloid fixture rather than a serious actress. Following “I Know Who Killed Me,” Lohan’s career spiraled downward due to personal struggles and legal issues.
Bewitched (2005) – Nicole Kidman
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With an illustrious career that spans decades, Nicole Kidman has achieved considerable success in Hollywood. She won the Academy Awards for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in “The Hours” (2002), after earning her first nomination with “Moulin Rouge!” a year prior. Other notable achievements include her roles in “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999), “The Others” (2001), and her performance in “Lion” (2016).
However, in 2005, she starred in “Bewitched,” which was inspired by the series of the same name. In the film, Will Ferrell’s character is starring in a remake of the actual Bewitched from the ’60s, only to find out that his co-star (played by Kidman) was a real witch. It was panned by critics, and, let’s be honest, it wasn’t very funny. Not her best work.
The Poison Rose (2019) – Morgan Freeman
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Morgan Freeman’s prolific career includes memorable performances in movies such as “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994), “Seven” (1995), “Invictus” (2009) and “Million Dollar Baby” (2004), for which he won the Oscar as Best Supporting Actor. However, even he has some regrettable choices of roles.
One of his worst movies is “The Poison Rose,” in which he stars alongside John Travolta. Despite the presence of the two legends, the film was disappointing and considered a lackluster in an otherwise illustrious career
