The Worst Movie of Each Decade, According to Letterboxd

Surprisingly, some people are only interested in watching high-quality films. They actively steer clear of movies that have negative reviews or are generally considered bad.

I call these people “suckers.”

Let’s be honest: sometimes a truly terrible movie is exactly what you need. While a good movie is great, there’s a special joy in watching something hilariously bad – clunky dialogue, strange acting, shaky camera work, and a plot that makes no sense. It can even be inspiring! You might think, ‘Hey, if they can make a movie, maybe I can too!’ In those moments, a polished, well-made film just doesn’t hit the spot. You need something wonderfully awful.

When I’m curious about which movies flopped, I head to Letterboxd, a great social media app for film lovers. I use their huge database of over a million films to find the lowest-rated movies each year. By sorting by average score and release year, I can easily see the worst-reviewed film from every decade since the beginning of cinema. I’ve put together a list of these films, covering a little over a century of cinematic history.

I’m a little embarrassed to say I’ve only seen eight of the ten lowest-ranked movies on the list so far. However, the good news is I now have a clear plan for what to watch next time I’m in the mood for some truly awful films.

The Worst Movie of Every Decade, According to Letterboxd

1920s: The Broadway Melody (1929)

With an average Letterboxd score of 2.4, The Broadway Melody is known as one of the most disappointing Best Picture Oscar winners. This explains why it’s the lowest-rated film from the 1920s on the site. While it’s not necessarily the worst movie of the decade, it’s surprisingly popular today simply because people like to watch every film that’s won the Best Picture Oscar – and this one doesn’t hold up well!

1930s: Reefer Madness (1938)

With an average Letterboxd score of 2.1, this film is famously bad. It’s a cautionary tale, originally titled Tell Your Children, meant to scare people away from marijuana. It’s the source of the term “reefer madness” and is incredibly over-the-top, even for its time in 1938. Today, it’s considered ridiculous – and many people ironically enjoy watching it while using marijuana.

1940s: I Accuse My Parents (1944)

The average Letterboxd score for this film is 2.0. One reason for low scores, particularly for older movies, is Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K). The show, known for hilariously riffing on bad movies, is a great way to discover them. I Accuse My Parents is a particularly famous and well-loved episode; Joel Hodgson, the creator of MST3K, often mentions it as a favorite, and it consistently ranks highly in viewer polls.

1950s: King Dinosaur (1955)

The movie King Dinosaur received an average Letterboxd score of 1.8. It originally aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1990 and was a typical low-budget production from director Bert I. Gordon. Gordon was known for making films perfect for MST3K, including The Amazing Colossal Man, Earth vs. the Spider, War of the Colossal Beast, The Magic Sword, Tormented, Beginning of the End, and Village of the Giants.

1960s: Monster A Go-Go (1965)

With an average Letterboxd score of just 1.5, Monster A Go-Go is widely considered one of the worst films ever made. Directed (uncredited) by exploitation filmmaker Herschell Gordon Lewis, this low-budget sci-fi horror was famously lampooned in a Season 4 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The plot, about an astronaut who transforms into a monster, is nearly incomprehensible due to being filmed in two separate, disjointed segments. Even before its MST3K appearance, Monster A Go-Go had a terrible reputation, and that notoriety continues to draw attention on Letterboxd.

1970s: The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

The Star Wars Holiday Special is widely considered one of the worst pieces of Star Wars media ever made. While many fans dislike The Rise of Skywalker, it’s a masterpiece compared to this infamous 1978 TV movie. Made quickly between the first Star Wars film and The Empire Strikes Back, it’s a painful 100 minutes filled with silly songs, bad jokes, and bizarre celebrity cameos (like Art Carney and Bea Arthur!). It does include a decent cartoon that marks the first appearance of Boba Fett. Despite never being officially released on home video, the Holiday Special has become legendary for how bad it is. It’s become a cultural reference point – if something is being compared to it, it’s truly terrible and embarrassing.

1980s: Going Overboard (1989)

With an average Letterboxd score of just 1.4, Adam Sandler’s early film Going Overboard is considered a major flop. This “comedy,” set on a cruise ship with beauty pageant contestants, isn’t funny at all. In fact, according to IMDb, the movie was famously rushed into production – the script was written in just three days, casting took one day, preparation lasted two days, and filming was completed in six. Despite that incredibly fast turnaround, it’s still worse than anyone could expect.

1990s: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)

With an average Letterboxd score of 1.5, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is widely considered a terrible film. Despite having a budget nearly double that of the first Mortal Kombat movie, it looks shockingly bad – the special effects are so poor they wouldn’t even be acceptable for a 90s video game cutscene. This proves that a large budget doesn’t guarantee a good movie. While the original Kombat wasn’t a masterpiece, it was at least watchable. Annihilation is so awful that it feels deliberately made to be bad, almost like a scheme to swindle investors, similar to the plot of The Producers.

2000s: Dragonball Evolution (2009)

With an average Letterboxd score of just 0.9, the 2009 live-action Dragonball movie is considered the lowest-rated film from the 2000s on the platform. The adaptation of the popular manga and anime series was heavily criticized for casting white actors in roles originally belonging to Asian characters and for straying significantly from the source material. The screenwriter, Ben Ramsey, later publicly apologized for his work on the film, admitting he lacked passion for the project and that the result was a failure. However, this apology hasn’t improved the film’s reception among Letterboxd users.

2010s: Swiped

With an average Letterboxd score of just 1.1, this Noah Centineo comedy has become infamous. The film, about a college student who enlists his awkward roommate to build a dating app, has surpassed M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender as the lowest-rated movie from the 2010s on the platform. As one reviewer put it, it’s a film people watch when they’re angry – a harsh assessment, to say the least!

2020s: War of the Worlds (2025)

This new take on H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds stars Ice Cube, but the real hero isn’t a person – it’s Amazon. The movie essentially turns Amazon into the company that saves Earth from aliens. For example, a key device needed to fight the invasion can only be delivered to Ice Cube’s character via Amazon’s drone delivery service, Prime Air. The delivery driver even takes a moment to advertise the service as “the future of delivery!” It’s surprising, given all this, that the movie has received such negative reviews on Letterboxd.

The Best Oscar Best Picture Winners Ever

20. A Man For All Seasons (1966)

The film A Man For All Seasons centers on Sir Thomas More, a man of strong principles who found himself at odds with King Henry VIII’s desire to marry Anne Boleyn. Despite facing both tempting offers and serious threats, More steadfastly refuses to compromise his beliefs. The movie compellingly portrays his struggle to navigate a dangerous situation, defending himself while carefully avoiding any statement that could be construed as treason and lead to his execution. Ultimately, it’s a fascinating exploration of law, and the delicate skill of communicating without revealing one’s true stance – a skill that, as the film shows, has its boundaries.

19. It Happened One Night (1934)

Comedies, especially romantic comedies, are often overlooked by the Academy Awards. However, It Happened One Night, with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, stands out as a rare and delightful exception. The film tells the story of a reporter and an heiress who unexpectedly fall for each other – a classic romantic comedy trope! Remarkably, It Happened One Night still feels fresh, funny, and charming decades later, despite inspiring countless imitators.

18. The French Connection (1971)

The film The French Connection offers a raw, exciting experience that the Academy Awards often overlooks. It’s known for its fast-paced action and realistic portrayal of New York City, which might explain its enduring popularity among Oscar’s best-picture winners. Looking back at the films that have won, you’ll find many musicals, biographical dramas, and large-scale war stories—but only one French Connection.

17. Rebecca (1940)

Alfred Hitchcock arrived in Hollywood in the late 1930s and immediately achieved success with his first American film, Rebecca, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Surprisingly, despite making many more acclaimed films, he never won that award again. But that doesn’t diminish Rebecca, which remains a classic Hitchcock story about obsession and the lingering memories of those we’ve lost—there are actually multiple obsessions at play in the film.

16. An American in Paris (1951)

Before the late 1960s, movie musicals were incredibly popular with the Academy Awards. During that time, several fairly weak musicals actually won the Best Picture Oscar, like The Great Ziegfeld, Gigi, and Going My Way. However, Vincente Minnelli’s An American In Paris was a truly exceptional film. It starred Gene Kelly at his best as a World War II veteran in Europe who falls in love with a French woman (Leslie Caron). The movie includes some of Kelly’s most famous dance numbers, classic songs by George and Ira Gershwin – such as “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “Love Is Here to Stay” – and culminates in a stunning 17-minute ballet sequence.

15. The Apartment (1960)

In Billy Wilder’s The Apartment, C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) hopes a promotion at his New York office will come if he allows his bosses to use his apartment for affairs. However, things get complicated when the woman he loves (Shirley MacLaine) starts seeing his boss (Fred MacMurray) in his apartment. The film is notable for being a rare comedy to win major awards, likely because its humor is mixed with genuine emotion and relatable truths.

14. Schindler’s List (1993)

Steven Spielberg won his only Best Picture Academy Award (and one of his two Best Director awards) for this powerful historical drama. The film tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who risked everything – his wealth and his life – to save hundreds of Jewish people by employing them in his factories during World War II and the Holocaust. Widely considered one of the greatest biographical films ever made, it skillfully portrays both Schindler’s remarkable life and the immense suffering endured by millions during the Holocaust.

13. Moonlight (2016)

The 2017 Academy Awards will forever be remembered for a shocking mistake: Moonlight was actually the winner of Best Picture, but La La Land was initially announced as the winner by presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty. This surprising turn of events capped off an incredible journey for Moonlight, a powerful and deserving film that went from a small independent production to one of the most celebrated winners in Oscar history. (It’s worth noting that La La Land was also a fantastic movie!) Moonlight tells the story of a young Black man’s coming-of-age, following him through three important stages of his life. The film honestly and sensitively portrays his emotional and personal growth with remarkable depth.

12. Amadeus (1984)

As a film buff, I’ve always noticed the Oscars love a good biopic. But Amadeus is different. It’s not really about Mozart, the genius. It’s about Salieri, a talented but ultimately ordinary composer who recognizes Mozart’s brilliance and his own limitations. That’s something most of us can connect with – the feeling of striving for something and realizing it might always be out of reach. I understand the film takes liberties with the historical facts about Mozart and Salieri, but honestly, that doesn’t bother me. It feels like one of those cases where a film gets to a ‘deeper truth’ by bending reality a little – a bit like what Werner Herzog talks about with ‘ecstatic truth.’ It’s about the emotional core, not necessarily the historical details.

11. Terms of Endearment (1983)

While the emotional impact of Terms of Endearment might be lessened for modern viewers due to its now-famous ending, it remains a truly beautiful, funny, and heartbreaking film. It stands out for its honest portrayal of complex relationships – especially the often-difficult bond between a mother and daughter, and the struggles within a troubled marriage – something rarely seen in Hollywood. James L. Brooks isn’t known for flashy visuals, but he has a remarkable talent for directing and writing compelling performances from his actors.

10. The Sting (1973)

Few films are as purely enjoyable as The Sting, a classic Hollywood movie that reunited Paul Newman and Robert Redford with director George Roy Hill. It’s a remarkable follow-up to their hit Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and many consider it even better. The film follows two charming con artists as they plot revenge against a ruthless gangster (Robert Shaw) who harmed a friend they both cared about. The story is cleverly written, Newman delivers a phenomenal performance, and the use of vintage ragtime music perfectly captures a feeling of bittersweet nostalgia. I first saw The Sting on PBS as a teenager, and I used to identify with Redford’s character. Now, I relate more to Newman. As long as I don’t see any of Robert Shaw’s character in myself, I figure I’m doing alright.

9. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Growing up as a film fan in the 90s, my first experience with Lawrence of Arabia was on VHS, and honestly, I didn’t quite understand the hype. It wasn’t until I saw it projected on a large 70mm screen that I truly grasped the film’s impact. While home video can be enjoyable, David Lean’s epic about T.E. Lawrence—starring Peter O’Toole—can feel underwhelming. (Especially if you remember watching a cropped version on an old television!) Seeing it on the big screen, though, is a truly captivating and unforgettable experience.

8. Parasite (2019)

The movie Parasite is meticulously crafted, with every element – dialogue, camera angle, plot twist, and design choice – serving a purpose. The film opens with a shot of the Kim family’s cramped, half-basement apartment, highlighting their poverty, and foreshadowing the literal flooding that soon follows. As the Kims gradually infiltrate the lives of a wealthy family as employees, they face numerous challenges. The final shot of the film powerfully connects back to the opening and reinforces director Bong Joon-ho’s critique of social inequality.

7. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Many thrillers feature disturbed criminals, but Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs is far more layered and insightful. It’s a surprisingly deep look at Agent Clarice Starling (played by Oscar winner Jodie Foster) as she navigates a world dominated by powerful, often violent, men. While Hannibal Lecter (also an Oscar winner for Anthony Hopkins) is a prominent figure, the film uniquely presents him from Clarice’s perspective, which is what truly sets it apart.

6. The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946)

While some movie lovers might disagree, The Best Years of Our Lives is arguably even better than It’s a Wonderful Life and remains a powerful American film. It tells the story of three veterans – played by Frederic March, Dana Andrews, and Harold Russell (a WWII veteran who actually lost both hands in service) – as they return home to their small Midwestern town and try to rebuild their lives. Instead of celebrating war, director William Wyler honestly portrays the difficulties these men face, offering a realistic and surprisingly modern look at the lasting physical and emotional wounds of combat.

5. No Country For Old Men (2007)

The Coen brothers are known for their excellent films, and No Country for Old Men is often considered their best. It explores a theme they revisit frequently: the damaging and empty chase for wealth. The film follows a man (Josh Brolin) who finds millions of dollars after a drug deal goes bad, triggering a series of unnecessary and brutal deaths. Skillfully directed by the Coens, and based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, No Country portrays a harsh and unpredictable world where fate seems as arbitrary as a coin flip.

4. Rocky (1976)

People who dismiss Rocky as just another boxing movie likely haven’t seen the original in a while and are confusing it with its weaker sequels. The first Rocky is more of a realistic character study, similar to Italian neorealist films, than a typical sports drama. A large part of the movie focuses on the harsh realities of Rocky’s life in Philadelphia, where he struggles to make a living collecting debts. The film intentionally downplays big moments, like announcing the boxing match winner, because things like Rocky and Adrian falling in love are more important. Much like Sylvester Stallone himself was underestimated in the 1970s and unfairly typecast, the original Rocky is often overlooked, especially since it won Best Picture over acclaimed films like Taxi Driver and Network. The truth is, some years simply produce multiple exceptional movies.

3. The Godfather Part II

Many people debate whether The Godfather or The Godfather Part II is the better film. I believe The Godfather is stronger overall, though Part II could have been even better if Richard Castellano had returned as Clemenza, as the director, Francis Ford Coppola, originally wanted. There are different stories about why he didn’t come back, but his absence was a real setback for the sequel. The themes of honor and betrayal in Michael’s story would have been more impactful with Clemenza involved, rather than the new character, Frank Pentangeli, who wasn’t in the first film. Having Clemenza appear in both movies would also have strengthened the connections between Michael and young Vito’s stories. The Godfather Part II is still a fantastic sequel – the scenes of young Vito arriving in America are especially powerful and moving for anyone with immigrant ancestors. It’s a shame that disagreements, likely about money or creative vision, prevented Coppola from making his original plan a reality.

2. Casablanca (1942)

Despite being set during World War II and focused on a very specific situation—an American living abroad (Humphrey Bogart) choosing whether to aid a resistance leader (Paul Henreid) who is married to the woman he once loved (Ingrid Bergman)—the film Casablanca explores universal themes of sacrifice, love, and duty. The poignant connection between Bogart and Bergman’s characters, Rick and Ilsa, adds to its enduring appeal, as does its incredibly memorable dialogue. This combination makes Casablanca a beloved classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.

1. The Godfather (1972)

We don’t need another review explaining why The Godfather is a classic. Instead, consider this single moment that perfectly captures the film’s power: When Michael Corleone learns his father has been shot, he immediately runs to a phone booth to call home. Up until then, Michael has claimed he wants nothing to do with the family business. But seeing the news headlines changes something within him. He shuts Kay, his girlfriend, out of the phone booth to make his call, mirroring how his father conducted business privately, while the wedding continued outside. This moment also hints at the film’s final scene. It’s a simple shot, but it powerfully shows Michael taking his first, fateful steps into a world he previously rejected.

2025-11-04 23:02