17 Actors Who Took The Blame For Big Movie Failures
Hollywood loves a good comeback story, but sometimes the fall comes first.
When a big-budget movie crashes and burns, someone usually has to face the music.
Surprisingly, many famous actors have stepped up and owned their part in these cinematic disasters, showing grace and humor even when the reviews were brutal.
1. Halle Berry (Catwoman, 2004)
Berry actually showed up to accept her Razzie Award for Worst Actress, clutching her Oscar in one hand for comedic effect.
She thanked Warner Bros. for casting her in what became one of cinema’s most infamous superhero flops.
The film tried to reinvent Catwoman but ended up with a confusing plot and a costume that raised more eyebrows than excitement.
Berry’s willingness to laugh at herself earned her respect even when the movie couldn’t.
2. George Clooney (Batman & Robin, 1997)
For wearing the cloak and hood in this neon-lit catastrophe, Clooney has apologized more times than anyone can remember.
He’s openly admitted he thought he’d destroyed the entire Batman franchise with his performance.
Thankfully, Christopher Nolan eventually saved the Dark Knight, but Clooney still jokes about owing everyone refunds for their movie tickets.
3. Elizabeth Berkley (Showgirls, 1995)
After leaving her wholesome role on Saved by the Bell, Berkley dove headfirst into this notorious drama about Las Vegas dancers.
Critics savaged the film, and her career took a major hit she spent years recovering from.
The movie became a cult classic for all the wrong reasons, but Berkley has since discussed how the experience taught her resilience. She’s rebuilt her reputation through theater and television work.
4. Taylor Kitsch (John Carter, 2012)
Kitsch headlined one of Disney’s biggest financial disasters, a sci-fi epic that cost over 250 million dollars but left audiences confused.
The marketing failed to explain what the movie was even about, dooming it before opening weekend.
Though critics didn’t blame Kitsch’s performance, the film’s colossal failure became attached to his name. He’s acknowledged how the flop impacted his career trajectory and the types of roles offered afterward.
5. Taylor Kitsch (Battleship, 2012)
Lightning struck twice in the same year for Kitsch when this board-game-inspired naval action movie sank at the box office. Audiences couldn’t understand why anyone thought turning Battleship into a film was a good idea.
Alien invaders and naval warfare collided in a messy plot that felt more like a video game than a movie. Kitsch has been gracious about both 2012 disasters, acknowledging the tough year publicly.
6. Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern, 2011)
With his many comments about the CGI outfit and confusing plot, Reynolds turned criticizing Green Lantern into a form of art.
He’s admitted the film didn’t work and has even referenced it in Deadpool movies for comedic gold.
The movie tried to launch a DC franchise but crashed hard with poor visual effects and a confusing villain. Reynolds’ self-deprecating humor about the failure has actually made him more likable to fans.
7. Kevin Costner (Waterworld, 1995)
Costner’s post-apocalyptic adventure became infamous for its ballooning budget and troubled production.
Stories of on-set disasters overshadowed the actual movie, which wasn’t terrible but couldn’t justify its massive costs.
The film became shorthand for Hollywood excess and financial mismanagement. Costner has defended aspects of Waterworld over the years while acknowledging the production problems.
8. Geena Davis (Cutthroat Island, 1995)
Davis starred in what became one of the biggest box office bombs in history, a pirate adventure that sank the studio behind it. The film lost over 100 million dollars and essentially ended the pirate movie genre for years.
Despite Davis delivering a committed performance, audiences stayed away in droves.
She’s reflected on how the massive failure affected her career opportunities and the types of roles available to women afterward.
9. Ben Affleck (Gigli, 2003)
In this romantic criminal comedy, Affleck costarred with Jennifer Lopez, his then-girlfriend, which was completely destroyed by critics.
The movie became a punchline instantly, with reviewers competing to write the harshest takedowns.
Tabloid overexposure of Bennifer didn’t help matters, as audiences seemed tired of the couple before the film even opened.
10. Jennifer Lopez (Gigli, 2003)
Lopez shared the blame for Gigli alongside Affleck, with their real-life romance making the film’s failure even more public and painful.
Critics tore apart everything from the dialogue to the chemistry between the leads.
The movie tried to be quirky and edgy but came across as confused and boring. Lopez has moved past the disaster with grace, focusing on her music career and later film successes.
11. Dakota Johnson (Madame Web, 2024)
Portrayal of a Marvel character most fans had never heard of resulted in a confusing superhero origin story that baffled audiences.
The film struggled with tone, pacing, and a plot that felt disconnected from the larger Spider-Man universe.
Critics weren’t kind, and Johnson herself made comments suggesting she wasn’t thrilled with the final product. The movie became yet another cautionary tale about launching obscure comic characters.
12. Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen, 2021)
The role originated back on Broadway but Platt 27 when the film adaptation arrived, making his portrayal of a high school student feel awkward. The age gap became a major distraction that reviews couldn’t ignore.
Heavy makeup tried to make him look younger but had the opposite effect, creating an uncanny valley situation.
Platt has acknowledged the criticism while defending his emotional connection to the character he helped create.
13. Mariah Carey (Glitter, 2001)
Carey’s semi-autobiographical musical drama arrived during a difficult period in her personal life, and the timing couldn’t have been worse.
The film opened the same week as September 11th, ensuring almost nobody saw it.
Critics panned the predictable plot and Carey’s acting, though the soundtrack had some decent songs.
She’s been remarkably open about how Glitter represented a low point she had to overcome professionally and personally.
14. John Travolta (Battlefield Earth, 2000)
One of the most mocked science fiction movies ever produced was Travolta’s passion project, which was based on a novel by a Scientology founder.
The bizarre camera angles, over-the-top acting, and confusing plot made it an instant cult disaster.
Critics savaged everything about the production, and it swept the Razzies that year. Travolta has defended his love for the source material while admitting the film didn’t translate well to screen.
15. Warren Beatty (Ishtar, 1987)
This comedy, which starred Beatty and told the story of two awful composers entangled in Middle Eastern intrigue, came to represent Hollywood excess.
Though some critics have tried to rehabilitate Ishtar’s reputation, it remains a punchline decades later. Beatty has discussed the production challenges and defended director Elaine May’s vision over the years.
16. Dustin Hoffman (Ishtar, 1987)
Hoffman shared top billing with Beatty in Ishtar, playing the other half of the world’s worst musical duo. The film’s failure surprised everyone since both actors were at the height of their powers.
Critics couldn’t understand how two legends ended up in such a messy comedy. Hoffman has been philosophical about the experience, noting that even great actors can’t save every project from itself.
17. Sandra Bullock (All About Steve, 2009)
Winning both an Oscar and a Razzie in the same year, Sandra Bullock personally accepted the latter for this quirky stalker comedy. She showed up with copies of the DVD, joking that voters clearly hadn’t watched it.
The film followed a crossword puzzle writer obsessed with a cable news cameraman, but the humor never clicked.
Bullock’s good-natured acceptance of the award showed she could laugh at herself even during award season.
