The past few years have brought a new focus to the conversations around films and performances that were critically lambasted. That’s sparked an ongoing, vibrant discussion about what counts as a disaster really in Hollywood. Movies that get zero stars or productions declared “unwatchable” elicit such visceral responses. The public responds with unfiltered and passionate reactions, both good and bad, to these cultural flashpoints. Here are some of the biggest boneheaded cinematic and theatrical blunders to date. It’s narrated with the perspective of people who witnessed these mistakes in real time.
Unbreakable and The Sixth Sense: A Mixed Legacy
M. Night Shyamalan’s film Unbreakable features Samuel L. Jackson prominently holding up a comic book, symbolizing the film’s exploration of heroes and villains. Some viewers recall their experiences leading up to watching the film, including their impressions of The Sixth Sense, which they viewed shortly before.
One fan was so excited for Unbreakable after the success of The Sixth Sense that they sued Disney. One of them said, “It looks like it never stops. It. Keeps. Going.” A lot of critics seem to think that Shyamalan’s pacing is more boring than in his first few hits. This sentiment really hits home with his supporters.
Unbreakable is more than a superhero flick, it dives deeper in morose psychological reflections about subjects like identity and moral purpose. Others lambasted its slowly unspooling story. Unfortunately for many comic book film aficionados, this decision went from mysterious to maddening.
The Unwatchable: From The Room to Moonshine
The film The Room now serves as a kind of gold standard in discussions of unwatchability. One critic went so far as to call it “utterly unwatchable.” This cult classic, often celebrated for its shortcomings, has garnered a following that appreciates its unique form of entertainment.
The musical Moonshine has, at best, had a rocky run. This movie is a complete trainwreck. All of this would be forgivable if the plot weren’t completely nonsensical and the dialogue excruciatingly dull and heavy-handed. One viewer remarked on their experience at the production: “Waiting for Guffman meets Sartre’s No Exit,” indicating a blend of frustration and absurdity that characterized their viewing.
As tragicomic as this situation might be, the reality goes further. At other times, creative efforts just bomb catastrophically, earning cultural artifacts that are forever recalled not for their greatness but rather for their notorious failure.
Waterworld and Other Notable Disasters
Among the larger-than-life cinematic disasters of yesteryear, Waterworld—with its stars Kevin Costner and Jeanne Tripplehorn—stands tall as a triumph of failure. One respondent who was at the first screening in 1995 with a friend called it “notably hard to view earnestly. So many films fail to resonate with audiences, sometimes despite the benefit of large budgets, and marquee star power. This attitude really sums them up.
Other productions like Playmobil: The Movie have drawn ire for being “garish and loud,” failing to capture the charm that animated adaptations often promise. Similarly, An Officer and a Gentleman was described as “trauma” by one audience member who witnessed its musical adaptation in 2012.
The collective memories surrounding these films and shows create a tapestry of shared experiences among viewers who found humor or frustration in their failures.
The Impact of Cultural Moment Experiences
Some productions embody a perplexing dichotomy: while they are labeled as cultural disasters, they simultaneously forge connections among viewers. 28 Years Later Unfortunately, 28 Years Later is more often recalled for its ill-fated reception. It morphed into a five-star bonding experience for those very friends who tuned in.
From this perspective, even the lowest-rated zero-star disasters can create these moments that an audience members share and enjoy on a whole new emotional level. Michael Parker from London encourages others to “give the work a chance,” suggesting that even the worst can offer something valuable if approached with an open mind.
Talk of cinematic and theatrical flops, failures and catastrophes are all the rage. There’s no question that bad experiences, too, tell the bigger story about how we’re consuming culture.