These Films Are the “Worst Picture of the Year” and the “Best Picture of the Year” Winners Since 1980, and We Couldn’t Agree More

Ordinary People is a true gem of 1980s cinema. It’s a deeply moving family drama that tugs at your heartstrings and leaves a lasting impact. What’s really striking about the film is how it explores the complex dynamics of family relationships.

On the other end of the cinematic spectrum was Can’t Stop the Music. This movie inspired publicist John J.B. Wilson and his friends to organize a new award show that awarded only the worst films of the year. The first Razzies ceremony was held in Wilson’s living room, and since then, the Razzies have become a yearly tradition, giving recognition to the worst movies.

Chariots of Fire is a historical drama film based on the true events of the British Olympic team at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. It explores themes of identity in a way that’s deemed both inspirational and entertaining by the critics.

Mommie Dearest, however, despite having a serious subject matter, turned out to be a movie that people couldn’t stop chuckling over. Watching Dunaway portray Crawford with those exaggerated eyebrows and over-the-top expressions was like watching a caricature come to life.

The film Gandhi chronicles the life of Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian activist renowned for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance. It was praised for accurately portraying Gandhi’s life and his philosophies and is still remembered as one of the greatest biographical films ever made.

Inchon is, however, the movie that time forgot. While it was intended to be an epic production, it’s widely regarded as one of the most expensive films ever made that didn’t perform well at the box office.

Terms of Endearment is a romantic comedy-drama film done right. The movie deals with dynamics such as love, loss, family, and coming of age and is regarded as a classic of its genre. The film still continues to be a popular choice among fans of romantic dramas.

The Lonely Lady is a drama film directed by Peter Sasdy that was released in 1983. The film became an unintended comedy, offering a below-average cinema experience.

Amadeus is an award-winning historical drama about the rivalry between composers Salieri and Mozart in 18th-century Vienna. It was critically acclaimed upon its release, won eight Academy Awards, and was widely regarded as a landmark achievement in historical dramas.

On the other hand, Bolero, the Worst Picture of the Year 1984, follows the story of a young American woman named Ayre who travels to Morocco, where she meets several men and experiences various romantic encounters. The movie fails badly at conveying its themes, earning it a golden spot in the Razzies.

Out of Africa is a romantic drama film depicting the complex relationships between the Europeans and the native people of Africa. The film is a beautiful tribute to Africa’s beauty and complexity.

In the same year, the Razzies crowned Rambo: First Blood Part II as the Worst Picture of the Year. Ironically, it was a sequel to an extremely successful film. In the film, Sylvester Stallone is shown single-handedly taking on an entire battalion. How unrealistic do you want to be?

Platoon was considered one of the best movies of the decade. It talks about the psychology of young men in combat, the friendships they developed, and their struggles for survival in difficult times.

The Razzies had their first tie for Worst Picture in 1986. One was Howard the Duck, a truly strange superhero movie starring Lea Thompson. The other was Under the Cherry Moon, a movie so bad even the music legend Prince couldn’t save it.

The Last Emperor is a biographical film that tells the story of the last Emperor of China, Puyi. This masterpiece explored the life of one of the most important figures in Chinese history. It was also the first Western film to be permitted to film inside the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.

Leonard Part 6, Razzies Worst Picture of the Year for 1987, is a film that has been noted for its unusual title, which implies that it’s part of a larger film series. The movie’s opening sequence suggests that previous parts of the series were kept secret from the public.

Rain Man is a drama film about two estranged brothers, played by Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. The movie was praised for its nuanced exploration of the relationship between the two.

Ironically, Tom Cruise’s Achille’s heel, also called Cocktail (a movie that might make you cringe), won the Worst Picture of the Year award by the Razzies in 1988. Some die-hard fans argue that it’s an underrated guilty pleasure, but let’s be real, it’s a movie filled with cheesy lines and questionable plot choices.

Driving Miss Daisy, the 1989 Best Picture of the Year, is a comedy-drama that explores themes of aging and friendship as it follows the relationship between Daisy and Hoke through a series of events from the late 1940s to the early 1970s.

You might have heard the old Star Trek rule that stated that in the franchise, even-numbered movies were good and odd-numbered films were bad. This movie took this adage too seriously. It was a far cry from the success of the previous films and a low point in the history of this beloved franchise.

Dances With Wolves was a big success upon its release. The movie portrayed the Native American culture with great sensitivity and respect. Its stunning cinematography captured the beauty of the American West like never before.

We have two winners for the Worst Picture of 1990. First up was The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. The movie is termed “a big mess” by many critics, with a complicated plot and some seriously cringe-worthy dialogue. The second winner was Ghosts Can’t Do It — another cringefest classic.

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller that has stood the test of time, captivating audiences since its release in 1991 and continuing to do so to this day. With iconic performances by Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, the movie remains a landmark film in the genre.

Despite the star power of Bruce Willis, Hudson Hawk was a flop. It had a confusing and annoying plot. The movie was marketed as a fun and lighthearted action comedy but had over-the-top humor, leading to disappointing box office results.

Unforgiven was praised for its nuanced and complex portrayal of the Old West, its gritty realism, and the powerful performances of its star cast. The movie explores themes of redemption and the high cost of revenge.

1992 also witnessed the release of Shining Through, a movie so forgettable that it’s been almost entirely erased from the public consciousness. This drama movie starred the most nominated actress in Razzie history, Melanie Griffith.

Schindler’s List is a historical drama film. The movie has significantly impacted popular culture and education, with many schools using the film as a teaching tool to educate students. Its message of compassion and humanity in the face of evil was appreciated by people worldwide.

Leading the charge for the worst movie of 1993 is none other than Indecent Proposal. This thriller, starring Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, and Robert Redford, garnered some cultural significance over time but never made it to the list of movies people are eager to re-watch.

Next on the list of Best Movies of the Year is Forrest Gump. Forrest Gump’s narrative spans different eras and multiple intricate themes. The character of Forrest Gump is a beloved part of pop culture, and the movie’s popularity is a testament to its message of perseverance and kindness.

Let’s learn a bit about the Worst Picture of the Year, 1994, now: Color of Night, one of the many thriller and mystery classics released in the same year. While the movie turned out to be a flop, it was also one of the most rented movies of the year.

Braveheart has a strong emotional core, with themes of love, betrayal, and sacrifice strongly woven throughout the story. It’s regarded as one of the greatest historical epics ever made.

The Worst Picture of the Year by the Razzies for the year 1995 went to Showgirls. It was supposed to be a serious exploration of the world of showgirls but ended up being hilarious and cringy.

The English Patient is a romantic drama film that follows the story of a critically hurt unnamed patient who is being taken care of by a nurse in Italy. The patient gradually begins to recount his past, revealing many secrets. The movie is a storytelling masterpiece.

Striptease, the Worst Picture of 1996, had great potential but just didn’t live up to the viewers’ expectations. It had Demi Moore in the lead role but failed to live up to the buzz due to its weak plot.

Titanic is known for its stunning visual effects, including the detailed recreation of the 1912 RMS Titanic, its epic romance, and its emotionally gripping storytelling. The film won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Song for “My Heart Will Go On.”

On the other hand, there’s The Postman. The movie stars Kevin Costner in a post-apocalyptic future where the country has fallen apart, and Costner’s character, a pretend postman, becomes a symbol of hope for a group of survivors.

Shakespeare in Love is a fictionalized account of William Shakespeare’s life and follows the story of a young playwright who falls in love with a noblewoman while struggling to write his next play. The film is known for its entertaining dialogue and romantic storyline.

The Worst Picture of 1998, An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn, went on to become a “so bad that it’s good” classic. The movie showcased poor humor and a hard-to-follow plot. It received six Razzie nominations and won five of them.

American Beauty is known for its striking visual style and incisive commentary on American suburbia. It’s about beauty, desire, and the search for meaning in a society that values conformity and material success above all else.

The worst movie of 1999, Wild Wild West, revolves around two agents tasked with stopping the bad guy from coming into power. The movie’s poor storytelling and extreme reliance on special effects made it over-the-top and cartoonish.

The Academy Award winner for Best Picture of the Year in 2000, Gladiator was set in ancient Rome and follows the story of General Maximus and the emperor’s son.

The Worst Razzie Picture of 2000 was Battlefield Earth. It’s a science fiction movie starring John Travolta as the leader of a group of aliens that have taken over humanity. The movie’s failure is credited to its poor script and its connection to L. Ron Hubbard.

A Beautiful Mind won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture of the Year, making it a huge success. It is a biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard and based on the true events of mathematician John Nash’s life. The film really connects with audiences by conveying the message that extraordinary things can happen in life.

In the year 2001, Freddy Got Fingered received the Worst Picture of the Year Award. The film’s humor grossed out many audience members and arguably took things too far in some scenes.

Chicago is a musical film based on the 1975 Broadway musical of the same name and tells the story of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart in 1920s Chicago. Its success paved the way for other successful film adaptations of Broadway musicals and solidified the careers of its stars and director.

Swept Away, the winner of the 2002 Razzies for Worst Picture of the Year, was a total cinematic disaster. The film is full of awkward dialogue and average acting. Critics said, at the time, that “it’s a prime example of how not to make a romantic comedy.”

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2003. This film was the third and final movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on the epic fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The movie was a big success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and receiving widespread acclaim.

On the other hand, Gigli is a film that has been criticized for its approach to comedy and storytelling. Some viewers have found the plot difficult to follow, the dialogues confusing, and the writing insensitive when it came to certain subjects.

Million Dollar Baby tells the story of an underappreciated boxing trainer who helps a boxer become a successful fighter. The film won Academy Awards in a number of categories, including Best Director for Clint Eastwood, Best Actress for Hilary Swank, and Best Supporting Actor for Morgan Freeman.

Released in 2004, Catwoman is a superhero movie that takes inspiration from the DC Comics character of the same name. The film garnered criticism from some viewers for its subpar costume design, messy plot, and weird-looking CGI cat ears that look like a first-year graphic design student created them.

Crash is a drama film that depicts the lives of various people in Los Angeles whose paths intersect and collide due to their differences. The movie was recognized with Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.

Dirty Love, an American romantic comedy, was awarded Worst Picture of the Year in 2005. The movie centers around a photographer named Rebecca, who is grappling with the aftermath of a recent breakup.

The Departed is a drama-thriller film based on the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. The Departed is set in Boston and is a plot-driven film filled with suspense. It’s widely regarded as one of the greatest films of the 21st century, and its memorable scenes have become iconic in modern cinema.

Basic Instinct 2 is the 2006 Razzie Award winner for the Worst Picture. The movie is often criticized for being an unnecessary sequel and for its over-the-top melodrama, which failed to captivate audiences.

No Country for Old Men is remembered for its tense and suspenseful atmosphere, memorable characters, and great themes. It’s also recognized as one of the greatest films of the 2000s.

I Know Who Killed Me, the recipient of a Razzie Award in 2007, is a movie that had a confusing and illogical plot. Despite being marketed as a thriller, the movie’s execution resulted in unintentional laughter rather than suspense.

Slumdog Millionaire is a British drama about a young man from Mumbai, India, who becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” The film’s portrayal of the more difficult parts of India and its uplifting themes of hope and resilience resonated with audiences worldwide, making it an international hit.

The 2008 Razzie Award winner for Worst Picture, The Love Guru, is a cringe-worthy mess of a film that viewers found to be lacking in humor. The plot revolves around a character named Guru Pitka, a self-help expert specializing in love and relationships.

The Hurt Locker is a drama film based in Iraq. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. The film made history at the Academy Awards when Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the Best Director award.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will make you wish you could transform into a different theater. This Razzie Award winner is so confusing that it makes you wonder if they were trying to win a Razzie for it. According to critics, the movie lacks depth and relies heavily on stereotypes.

The King’s Speech tells the story of King George VI of Britain, his struggle with a speech impediment, and how he worked with a speech therapist to overcome it and deliver a radio address to the nation. The story was inspiring and engaging, and the film struck a chord with audiences worldwide.

On the other hand, The Last Airbender, the Worst Picture of 2010, is famous for its poor storytelling and misguided direction. The adaptation of the animated show also changed many of the original storylines and characters. It won five Razzie Awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay.

The Artist is a black-and-white silent film that tells the story of a declining silent film actor who falls in love with a young dancer as talkies begin to take over Hollywood. The film pays homage to the silent era of Hollywood and is shot in the style of a silent film.

Jack and Jill is an American comedy considered one of the worst films of 2011. People criticized the film’s crass and low-brow humor, calling it lazy and over-the-top.

Argo is a gripping and intelligent thriller directed by Ben Affleck, based on the true story of a mission to rescue six American diplomats. It was widely regarded as one of the best films of the year and a testament to the power of smart and well-crafted filmmaking.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 was the fifth and final film in the Twilight series. While the franchise had a large and passionate fandom, the film was widely criticized for its wooden acting and lack of substance.

Winner of the Best Picture of the Year award for 2013, 12 Years a Slave, is a drama film that has received critical acclaim for its depiction of the harsh realities of the world and the resilience of the human spirit. It is widely considered an exceptional work of cinema and a significant commentary on the history of the United States.

The Worst Picture of the Year for 2013 was awarded to Movie 43. It’s a comedic anthology movie consisting of a series of interwoven short stories directed by a team of accomplished filmmakers. It was criticized for its lack of coherence and tastelessness, making it a testament to uninspired filmmaking.

The Best Picture of the Year of 2014, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), was a critically acclaimed comedy-drama film praised for its innovative cinematography, excellent cast performances, and exploration of themes such as ego, creativity, and identity.

In contrast, Saving Christmas, the Worst Picture of the Year, was widely panned by critics and audiences for its heavy-handed messaging and overall lack of quality.

Tom McCarthy’s 2015 drama film, Spotlight, bagged the Best Picture of the Year. It’s a gripping story that follows the investigations of the Boston Globe’s “Spotlight” team, based on a series of groundbreaking articles. The film delivers a powerful and thought-provoking portrayal of courage and dedication.

As for the worst movies of 2015, Fantastic Four and Fifty Shades of Grey took home the Razzie. Fantastic Four is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics characters, and Fifty Shades of Grey is a romantic drama based on the best-selling novel of the same name.

The Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Moonlight is a coming-of-age drama that follows the story of a Black man as he navigates the challenges of growing up in a tough Miami neighborhood. The film stands out for its nuanced storytelling, stunning cinematography, and thoughtful exploration of complex themes.

Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party is a documentary film written by Dinesh D’Souza and Bruce Schooley. Despite some criticisms regarding factual inaccuracies, the film has received attention for its examination of past events. Yet, it was still nominated for five Razzies.

The Shape of Water won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017. It’s about a mute woman who falls in love with a humanoid amphibian creature being held in a laboratory.

The Emoji Movie is considered to be one of the worst films of 2017. The film follows the adventures of a “meh” emoji named Gene, who’s out on a journey to become a normal emoji.

Green Book is a comedy-drama film based on a true story about the journey of an African-American classical pianist and his Italian-American driver and bodyguard as they travel through the American South in the 1960s.

Etan Cohen’s 2018 mystery-comedy film and the Worst Picture award winner for the year, Holmes & Watson, attempts to offer a comedic spin on the iconic Sherlock Holmes detective stories. The film’s crude humor and language come across as over-the-top and detract from the overall experience.

Parasite won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019. It revolved around the gap between the lives of different classes. The film’s unique storytelling and social commentary are what really stuck with the audience.

Cats, the recipient of the Worst Picture of the Year, is based on the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which was itself based on the poetry collection of T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The film, when released, had many CGI errors and glitches, which were off-putting to the audience.

Nomadland is a drama film directed by Chloé Zhao that was released in 2020. It realistically depicts the nomad community. It’s considered a moving film that sheds light on the struggles of the working class and the human desire for connection and community.

The Razzies winner, Absolute Proof, is a documentary film released in 2020. However, the film has faced significant criticism due to a lack of credible evidence to support its claims.

CODA stands for “Child of Deaf Adults,” a term used to describe children who grow up with deaf parents. The film tells the story of Ruby as she navigates her desire to pursue a career in music and the expectations of her family, who rely on her as their interpreter and connection to the hearing world.

Diana: The Musical tells the story of Princess Diana’s life, from her engagement with Prince Charles to her demise in 1997. Its awkward staging and dull performances are often credited as the reasons why the movie failed at the box office and won the Worst Picture of the Year for 2021.