10 Movies The Razzies Got Wrong

The Razzies, far from being the most compassionate event on Earth, have an undeniable existence due to movies like “Mac and Me” and “Madame Web.” Avoid creating films such as these, and you can steer clear of receiving a Razzie. Since its inception in 1981, the Razzies have been a constant force within the industry, dishonoring the worst of the previous year. Interestingly, they’re capable of acknowledging their mistakes. For example, they introduced the Razzie Redeemer Award, which has been bestowed upon individuals like Ben Affleck (following the success of “Argo” and “Gone Girl”) and Eddie Murphy (after “Dolemite Is My Name”). They even retracted their nominations for “Firestarter’s” Ryan Kiera Armstrong and, upon learning about his aphasia diagnosis, Bruce Willis.

However, these films that were all nominated for the title of Worst Picture, have yet to receive an apology. Given that film taste is subjective, it’s plausible that no such apology will ever be forthcoming. Yet, they are intriguing enough to provoke thoughts about whether they truly deserved their somewhat sarcastic nominations initially.

1) Friday the 13th

Despite frequent criticism over the years, it’s astonishing that just one of the Friday the 13th series has been nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Picture. Interestingly, neither Jason X nor Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan were nominated, but rather the original film received this unexpected recognition.

Despite being considered lackluster by some, was “Friday the 13th” from 1980 actually one of the worst films? That’s a strong claim, as “Friday the 13th” is undeniably frightening or at least eerie. Even with its apparent shortcomings when critically analyzed (from a film connoisseur’s perspective), it stands out for its gripping atmosphere, memorable soundtrack, and a final jump scare that surpasses the one in “Carrie” by about five times.

2) Rambo: First Blood Part II

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always held Sylvester Stallone in high regard, but even during his golden years, it seemed like the Razzies weren’t quite feeling the Rocky vibe. They did eventually acknowledge him with a Razzie Redeemer Award when Creed was released, which was well-deserved. I can understand why Rhinestone earned a nomination at the 5th Golden Raspberry Awards; it wasn’t exactly his finest hour. However, their subsequent nominations for both Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rocky IV left me somewhat puzzled. For many fans, these are some of Sylvester Stallone’s most iconic roles, and they hold a special place in our hearts.

Similarly to Cobra, these films didn’t entirely merit being labeled among the “worst” movies of their respective years. This is particularly evident with the first Rambo sequel, First Blood Part II, which stands out as an iconic representation in the genre of ultra-violent action adventures. On the other hand, Rambo III truly earned its nomination, and it received one. However, it was First Blood Part II that garnered the title of Worst Picture, not Rambo III.

3) Road House

At the 10th Golden Raspberry Awards, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier was declared the Worst Picture, while Road House wasn’t. However, many believe that Road House should not have been nominated in the first place because it is actually one of the most delightful and entertaining movies from the 1980s.

In simpler terms, “Road House” isn’t a sophisticated movie, but it doesn’t aim to be either. Instead, it’s an uncomplicated story about a wandering bouncer who travels from one gig to another until he lands one that could potentially cost him his life. This was one of Patrick Swayze’s finest roles, and the chemistry between him and Sam Elliott makes it hard to dismiss as one of the worst films of the year. Plus, Ben Gazzara delivers a superbly smarmy villain performance, making “Road House” a success rather than a failure. Interestingly, the 2024 remake has been underestimated and luckily didn’t get nominated for the 45th awards ceremony.

4) Cliffhanger

As a film enthusiast, I’ve often found myself defending Sylvester Stallone from unfair Razzie criticism, especially when it comes to movies like “Cliffhanger” that, in my opinion, are far from terrible or even good. In fact, I believe Renny Harlin’s “Cliffhanger” falls firmly on the “good” side of the coin.

At the sixth and fourteenth Academy of Misfit Films, Sylvester Stallone’s films such as “Rambo: First Blood Part II”, “Rocky IV”, “Cobra” (a bit gruesome but not terrible), “Rambo III” (a costly mess that’s hard to remember), and “Lock Up” (decent, if somewhat typical for the actor) were all nominated for the least desirable film award. “Rocky V”, a movie that truly earned its negative reputation, was also in the running. Interestingly, while Stallone was nominated for “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot”, this film, considered the low point of his career, did not make the list (somehow). All of these films fall short compared to “Cliffhanger”, a well-constructed action flick with stunning cinematography and arguably the most impressive opening scene in Stallone’s filmography.

5) Cliffhanger

Waterworld

Similar to the following entry, the movie “Waterworld” faced such challenging production that it seemed destined for chaos. However, it surprisingly turned out to be a notably well-executed ’90s blockbuster adventure. While not quite as strong as Kevin Costner and director Kevin Reynolds’ earlier collaboration, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”, it comes very close.

In simpler terms, “Waterworld” isn’t Kevin Costner’s most poorly-received ’90s film. That title would belong to either the overly lengthy “Wyatt Earp” or “The Postman,” which garnered a Razzie at the 18th awards ceremony. It seems like in 1995 and 1996, it became fashionable to criticize “Waterworld.” People seemed to overlook its ambition, striking visuals, and Dennis Hopper’s captivating villain performance, focusing instead on its acknowledged flaws. However, a movie that sparked a stunt show at Universal Studios Hollywood that’s still running after 30 years can’t be all bad.

6) The Island of Dr. Moreau

Similar to other movies on this list, The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) deviates from the conventional standards typically associated with a “good” movie. Nevertheless, it’s justifiable to argue its merits as it could have been significantly worse. In terms of chaotic film productions, this one stands out as exceptional.

Beyond that, some of the film’s imperfections are what make it so entertaining. The choices Marlon Brando made in portraying the title character are hilarious, from his white face paint to the absurd scene where he has a water jug on his bald head. It’s no surprise that the film was criticized, but there are certain aspects of it that are genuinely impressive, not so bad they’re good. For example, the makeup used to create Dr. Moreau’s creatures still looks impressive today. And, when it comes to standout performances amidst turmoil, David Thewlis delivers a particularly strong one.

7) Anaconda

There are two perspectives on the film “Anaconda”. Some viewers might consider it as an intentionally humorous monster flick that fails to be truly scary, while others may view it as a horror movie that misses its mark in terms of scaring audiences. Interestingly, the upcoming remake featuring Paul Rudd and Jack Black seems to acknowledge this, implying they understand that the original 1997 film falls into the former category. However, despite continuity issues and a backwards running waterfall, the movie is fast-paced and fun, making it easy to overlook these flaws. While “Anaconda” may not be the most intellectually stimulating film out there, it certainly knows how to deliver as a monster movie, gradually revealing more of the beast as the story unfolds.

Despite some criticism, several standout scenes make this movie deserving of being called underestimated. The initial scene featuring Danny Trejo is strong, the moment when Owen Wilson’s character Gary Dixon saves his girlfriend, only to be consumed himself, creates a palpable tension. The waterfall swallowing up Jumanji‘s Jonathan Hyde is a scene that could easily grace a movie trailer. Moreover, the first appearance of the full snake emerging from the boat’s stern is top-notch creature feature material. Add to that, John Voight’s performance, which was both impressive and mesmerizingly captivating – you simply can’t look away.

8) Godzilla

At the 1999 ceremony, the “Worst” film award went to “An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn“. It truly earned

Although both Roland Emmerich’s films, Godzilla and Armageddon, may seem deserving of criticism, they arguably didn’t warrant the harsh backlash that led to Worst Picture nominations. Over time, Godzilla has proven to be a fitting representation of the ’90s era. It might not meet our expectations for the Big-G, much like The Phantom Menace disappointed fans, but it offers an enjoyable rollercoaster ride experience. Moreover, if there was an Oscar category for exceptional marketing campaigns, Godzilla would undoubtedly have been a strong contender.

9) Big Daddy

At the 20th Razzie Awards, it’s typical to have five films nominated for Worst Picture. However, what was unusual was that three out of the five didn’t really fit the bill. Surprisingly, the “winner” was Wild Wild West, a choice that seemed fitting. Additionally, The Haunting, with its confusing tone and lack of scare factor, also deserved recognition. The most memorable scene in this movie is when Owen Wilson’s character gets dragged across the floor until he’s decapitated by a stone lion head (his characters had quite a run of bad luck in the ’90s, with movies like Armageddon and Anaconda).

Compare The Blair Witch Project and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, even though The Phantom Menace was met with significant disappointment at the time, labeling it as “Worst” of the year might be too harsh. Similarly, it’s surprising that The Blair Witch Project would receive such a negative accolade. The same observation applies to Big Daddy. While in the past Big Daddy may not have been everyone’s cup of tea compared to Billy Madison or The Waterboy, it did win over many who found those movies unappealing. After all, Big Daddy was still an Adam Sandler film featuring a manchild, but it also offered some genuinely heartwarming and touching moments.

10) Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Rise of the Beasts were not on their radar either.

Films numbered 2 through 5 were prominently featured at the Razzies, with Transformers: The Last Knight setting a record for most nominations without a win. It’s indisputable that The Last Knight, along with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Transformers: Age of Extinction, were all worthy contenders for being recognized as some of the poorest films from their respective years. However, contrary to this trend, Transformers: Dark of the Moon does not fit the bill. This film boasts a few exceptional action sequences and has scaled back on the overt racism that was prevalent in Revenge of the Fallen.

2025-05-18 23:41