Not every comedy lands its punchlines, and sometimes even big Hollywood names can’t save a film from a critical disaster. Over the years, several comedy movies have hit theaters with high hopes, only to be torn apart by reviewers.
Critics have called some of these films lazy, offensive, or just plain unfunny. From Adam Sandler to Eddie Murphy, even beloved comedians have stumbled hard at the box office of public opinion.
1. Jack and Jill (2011)
Adam Sandler wearing a dress might sound like a funny premise, but critics were not laughing. In Jack and Jill, Sandler plays both a regular guy named Jack and his loud, over-the-top twin sister Jill.
Reviewers called the humor lazy and the jokes painfully forced.
The film actually won a record-breaking 10 Razzie Awards, including Worst Picture. Fun fact: it swept every single category it was nominated for that year, making it one of the most mocked films in history.
2. The Love Guru (2008)
Mike Myers had the world laughing with Austin Powers, so expectations were sky-high for The Love Guru. Sadly, critics said the jokes fell flat and the humor leaned heavily on tired stereotypes.
Many reviewers found the film more cringeworthy than clever.
The movie bombed both critically and at the box office, earning only a 14% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Myers had waited years to release this passion project, making the brutal reception even more disappointing for fans who had been eagerly waiting.
3. Holmes & Watson (2018)
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are one of comedy’s most beloved duos, so Holmes & Watson seemed like a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Critics, however, called it a massive misfire. The Sherlock Holmes parody was described as painfully unfunny and shockingly poorly written.
Audiences reportedly walked out of early screenings, and the film scored a jaw-dropping 8% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some theaters even replaced it with other films ahead of schedule.
The chemistry that worked in Step Brothers simply never showed up this time around.
4. Norbit (2007)
Eddie Murphy playing multiple characters in one film had worked brilliantly before, but Norbit took things in a very different direction. Critics hammered the movie for its mean-spirited humor and stereotypical portrayals.
The film earned a dismal 9% on Rotten Tomatoes upon release.
What makes this story even more dramatic is the timing. Norbit hit theaters right as Murphy was receiving Oscar buzz for Dreamgirls.
Many critics believe the film’s terrible reputation may have cost him the Academy Award that awards season.
5. Movie 43 (2013)
Imagine gathering some of Hollywood’s biggest stars for one film and still producing something critics called unwatchable. That is exactly what happened with Movie 43.
The anthology-style comedy featured names like Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, and Kate Winslet, yet reviewers were absolutely horrified.
Rolling Stone called it the Citizen Kane of awful. With a 5% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it remains one of the worst-reviewed comedies ever made.
Reportedly, many cast members later admitted they only agreed to appear as a personal favor to the producers.