Movies

The 10 Worst Comedies of the Last 10 Years

BBG News

Today, it’s quite noticeable that the number of successful Hollywood comedies has significantly decreased. However, it’s essential to acknowledge a crucial aspect: Many comedies from the past decade have been as appealing as spoiled food left out for a week.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve learned my lesson: “Fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice, I won’t get tricked again.” If I’ve been duped into purchasing enough tickets for less-than-stellar comedies, it’s likely that the next trailer will have me questioning whether to head to the theater or wait for a streaming release. And once enough moviegoers stop buying tickets, Hollywood will eventually stop producing those types of films. It’s that straightforward.

In summary, these ten movies I’ve listed have significantly contributed to the lackluster state of contemporary cinema comedy over the past decade. I wouldn’t recommend spending your money or time on them, as they are far from amusing. Instead, consider checking out some of our recommended comedies; you won’t regret it. Enjoy!

The 10 Worst Comedies of the Last Ten Years (2015-2024)

10. Yoga Hosers (2016)

For quite some time, Kevin Smith attributed marijuana usage to boosting his creativity and work efficiency. However, when he stopped consuming cannabis in 2023, he offered a somewhat altered account, describing it as a “Band-aid” concealing a deep psychological wound inflicted by childhood abuse. In a video discussing this topic, Smith humorously addressed those dismayed about Silent Bob quitting weed: “Sorry, ‘Silent Bob should be smoking weed!’ He wasn’t. He didn’t when he filmed those initial movies. However, it could explain the enigma that is Yoga Hosers.”

Indeed, if there is any evidence against drug use in the film industry, it’s Yoga Hosers, a painful comedy about two Canadian convenience store clerks (Smith’s daughter Harley and Johnny Depp’s daughter Lily-Rose Depp) who become entangled with an eccentric Quebecois detective (Depp himself) and sentient Nazi sausages called Bratzis (Smith himself). The movie is incoherent, and the humor relies heavily on exaggerated accents and jokes like “Did you ever notice Canadians say ‘eh’ a lot?”. I’m relieved Smith is now clean, not just for his well-being, but mine too. As a longtime fan of Kevin Smith who still appreciates his early (funny!) comedies, I hope he experiences a successful comeback in the future.

9. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)

In a different yet understandable manner:

The initial “Hot Tub Time Machine” might not share the same literary elegance as Charles Dickens, but it skillfully intertwined a self-improvement narrative within the rowdy antics of a group of friends grappling with their mid-life crises. With the resolution of their emotional turmoil in the first movie, the sequel primarily focused on the excessive use of bodily fluids and hot tub water. Three out of four main characters from the original film accidentally find themselves in the future, seeking a mysterious assailant who injured Rob Corddry’s character in an unfortunate incident. John Cusack, one of the four stars, was absent for the sequel, with his role being taken over by Adam Scott as his character’s son. The makers of “Hot Tub Time Machine” were fortunate to pull off such a premise once; it’s not common for such lightning to strike twice, even with a time-traveling hot tub.

8. The Ridiculous 6 (2015)

Adam Sandler’s collaboration with Netflix has resulted in some genuinely good movies over time, such as “Leo” and “Hustle”, and I would defend the silly yet endearing “Hubie Halloween”. However, Sandler’s Netflix partnership began on a less favorable note with the comedic western “The Ridiculous 6”. Despite boasting an impressive ensemble cast that included Terry Crews, Will Forte, Luke Wilson, Steve Zahn, Harvey Keitel, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, and others, the film failed to elicit a single chuckle in its frontier setting, despite having so many talented individuals traversing the prairie.

7. Mother’s Day (2016)

During the later years of Garry Marshall’s career, he achieved commercial success by producing ensemble comedies featuring attractive individuals finding love across different holidays such as New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, and most notably, Mother’s Day. However, unlike its predecessor with a similar title that was a gruesome horror movie, this film, Mother’s Day, was less intentionally amusing. In fact, I’ve rarely experienced silence like the one in the comedy theater I attended for Mother’s Day – it was as quiet as a Benedictine monastery, not a bustling multiplex.

6. The Happytime Murders (2018)

In the racy puppet comedy “The Happytime Murders,” created by Brian Henson, there was more focus on making adults laugh with explicit humor and sex jokes involving puppets, rather than considering any deeper meaning. So, if you ever find yourself in a pub quiz and someone asks about Melissa McCarthy biting a puppet’s private area or Joel McHale mimicking a scene from “Basic Instinct” with a puppet, the answer would be “The Happytime Murders.” The only shining star in this film is Maya Rudolph. She manages to make a rice pilaf joke work, and for that, she deserves all our admiration!

5. Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

In the movie “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” Warner Bros. portrayed itself as a heartless conglomerate of intellectual properties controlled by an antagonistic AI, which was quite ironic and self-deprecating. The film overall lacked substance and seemed weak in comparison to the original “Space Jam,” making it appear more like a mediocre production rather than a masterpiece such as “2001: A Space Odyssey.” LeBron James isn’t a poor actor, but he certainly wasn’t any better in the lead role than Michael Jordan was in the first film. Unfortunately, almost everything else about “A New Legacy” was a disappointing mess from start to finish. The movie seems to have missed the mark when it comes to understanding what makes Looney Tunes, especially Bugs Bunny, appealing, and instead turned him into an unamusing whiner. It’s almost criminal to create a film where such a comedy icon as Bugs Bunny fails to deliver laughter.

4. Dirty Grandpa (2016)

In a simpler and more conversational style,

The movie titled “Dirty Grandpa” shares a similar comedic approach with “The Happytime Murders”: It assumes that if someone who seems pure or innocent (like grandparents or puppets) uses inappropriate language, it’s automatically funny. If you find humor in Robert De Niro saying explicit words like “smegma”, then this movie could be for you. However, if you prefer your humor to be more refined with actual jokes (or without frequent homophobia), you might be left feeling let down. On the bright side, the title does live up to its promise.

3. Marmaduke (2022)

If there’s an animated movie with a worse visual aesthetic than “Marmaduke,” I’ve never seen it. I sincerely hope I never come across such a film. To me, it seems like the product of a shady deal or one of those odd agreements where creators have to produce something by a certain deadline to keep the rights.

However, despite the atrocious animation quality, “Marmaduke” boasts some well-known and genuinely funny voice actors such as J.K. Simmons, David Koechner, and Pete Davidson. One must wonder if they didn’t read the script, weren’t shown the hideous characters they would be voicing, or perhaps received enticing incentives like a private Caribbean island in exchange for their services. How did this happen? “Marmaduke” is nothing more than unadulterated trash. I wouldn’t even give it to the kids on my old school bus who used to tease me by composing songs about my booger-picking — which, upon reflection, was more imaginative than this “Marmaduke.

2. The Emoji Movie (2017)

As a movie critic, let me tell you, the concept of a film centered around smartphone culture or even emojis could have potential if handled with sharper satire and wit. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with “The Emoji Movie”. While it does attempt to deliver a somewhat positive message about acceptance, it falls short in many ways.

In essence, this film feels more like an overt advertisement for a tech company that profits from selling millions of smartphones annually. It subtly suggests that owning a cell phone will magically transform you into a popular and attractive individual among your peers, particularly girls. Needless to say, it’s a bit nauseating.

In conclusion, “The Emoji Movie” is exactly what one would expect from a studio whose primary focus is on selling technology rather than crafting quality cinema.

1. Dolittle (2020)

You’re familiar with the part in Tim Burton’s Batman where a street doctor botches Jack Napier’s face reconstruction, transforming him into the grotesque Joker? Dolittle is similar – it’s a chaotic, senseless production that seems pieced together from scraps of earlier takes and re-shoots. It appears that what began as a more serious project was transformed into a cinematic Frankenstein’s monster filled with bathroom humor (poop jokes, fart jokes, even itchy butt jokes), talking animals, subpar CGI, and Robert Downey Jr.’s over-the-top performance, which makes Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, look like a wallflower.

As a cinephile, I’d like to acknowledge the following films that, while not quite reaching the pinnacle of cinematic excellence, still managed to provide their own brand of entertainment: “The Do Over,” “Get Hard,” “Guest House,” “Holmes and Watson,” “Masterminds,” “The Naughty Nine,” “Red One,” “Red Notice,” “Vacation,” and “Your Place or Mine.” Each offers a unique blend of humor, action, and adventure that makes them worth a watch for those seeking an amusing escape from reality.

Movies We Love Because They’re Always On Cable

Jaws (1975)

1. Although it hails from the 70s, “Jaws” stands out among this collection of ’90s and early-2000s cable blockbusters, yet we can’t overlook its significant influence. If not for “Jaws” and its ongoing impact on re-releases and constant cable TV appearances, these films may not have achieved the same level of success.

2. In a New England beach town during a sizzling summer, “Jaws” serves as both a chilling horror film about a man-eating shark and a suspenseful tale of governmental corruption. Since its release, it has left audiences everywhere with the creeps and even prompted the Discovery Channel to dedicate an entire week to its misconstrued predator. It’s quite possible that many individuals on this list watched “Jaws” for the first time not in a bustling IMAX theater but in their own cozy home, during a late-night summer movie marathon on their favorite channel, with Roy Scheider’s iconic line edited for family-friendly viewing.

Home Alone (1990)

Instead of creating an extensive list of annual Christmas movies that grace our televisions, we opted to single out one favorite: the iconic “Home Alone.” Although it occasionally airs throughout the year, its true charm unfolds during November. Much like other films on this list, initial critical reception was modest upon its debut, but over time and due to a mix of nostalgia and frequent television broadcasts, public sentiment has swung positively, making “Home Alone” a timeless classic today.

Regardless of whether you’ve ever intentionally watched it, chances are you’ve caught snippets of “Home Alone” in various settings: holiday gatherings, sleepovers, late-night channel surfing, or even during an unintentional doze off.

Point Break (1991)

Is “Point Break” truly exceptional or excessively absurd? Opinions on Kathryn Bigelow’s action drama about an FBI agent entangled with a gang of surfing outlaws are divided, but regardless of whether you adore it or despise it, it’s hard to resist if you happen upon it while flipping through channels. Even if you lean towards the “Point Break is dumb” perspective, Patrick Swayze’s philosophical musings will still reel you in.

You could almost convince yourself it’s any genre of film: a sports drama centered around surfing, an action movie involving cops pursuing criminals, a romance revolving around a tragic love story. “Point Break” encompasses all these elements, and its picturesque beachside backdrop certainly adds to its appeal. It makes for a fantastic summer movie, but there’s something particularly charming about watching it during the off-season.

The Sandlot (1993)

If there’s a film that perfectly captures the strange, dreamlike sensation of childhood, it’s “The Sandlot”. When young Scott Smalls’ life is disrupted by his mother’s remarriage and a move to a new place, he finds solace in a tight-knit group of misfit boys who play baseball on an empty local field during summer breaks from school. Throughout a sweltering summer, Smalls and his new companions retrieve stolen baseballs from a fearsome dog, pursue girls at swimming pools, and embarrass the snobbish Little League team while forming lasting friendships. “The Sandlot” delivers a powerful dose of wistful longing for a bygone era (the story is set in the 1960s), and every time you chance upon it on TV, you’ll wish you too were playing baseball under the glow of Fourth of July fireworks with your closest friends, until you remember how content you are nestled comfortably on your living room couch at home.

Stargate (1994)

If you haven’t intentionally watched it in a cinema or had someone show it to you, many science fiction movies you encounter on cable can feel like hallucinations. That’s the eerie atmosphere of the movie Stargate, which stars James Spader as an Egyptologist/linguist who journeys to another planet with Kurt Russell to battle a powerful deity-alien, and if not for its expansive universe of spin-off shows, it would still evoke that sensation.

In other words, Stargate is the ideal strange sci-fi movie to stumble upon on cable because you can jump right in and still make sense of what’s happening, just like if you had started watching from the beginning. It’s similar to another cable favorite, The Mummy, in that regard: it’s absurd, it’s fun, it has a peculiar take on ancient Egypt, and there’s always some cool dark magic/alien technology thrown in when things get dull.

Twister (1996)

In simpler terms, “Twister” is arguably the epitome of an engaging cable television movie. This disaster film features captivating lead actors with exceptional on-screen chemistry, technical jargon about weather patterns, and a seemingly endless procession of popular actors that leave you exclaiming, “I adore that person!” The movie has a unique knack for drawing viewers in instantly, much like a powerful vacuum.

As you become engrossed on your couch, it’s almost as if you forget you’re not watching it in a sprawling cinema hall where the audience cheers every time a tornado sends a truck, a house, or even a cow flying through the air. It’s thrilling, entertaining, and intriguing, with a compelling subplot that explores the price of obsession and the liberation that comes from embracing change.

Independence Day (1996)

1. Similar to how “Home Alone” and “Independence Day” are must-watch movies on national holidays, they’ve become an unavoidable tradition when the Fourth of July arrives. It seems as though watching them on America’s birthday should be made compulsory by another amendment to our constitution.

2. The concept for “Independence Day” was born during director Roland Emmerich’s promotional tour for his prior film “Stargate.” During an interview, a reporter inquired as to why he created an alien movie if he didn’t believe in them. His mental picture of colossal spaceships appearing over major cities served as the foundation for his alien invasion action-thriller. In this movie, Will Smith and the U.S. Air Force destroy an extraterrestrial mothership with a nuclear bomb. Given its length (about three hours with commercials), there’s no way you can miss it.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Horror films truly excel on cable, particularly slashers which make for an ideal late-night viewing option. Whether you’re home alone or hosting a party with friends, movies like “I Know What You Did Last Summer” are perfect choices. This movie, a blend of the absurd and terrifying, features an ensemble cast of ’90s stars such as Ryan Phillippe, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and keeps you on the edge of your seat with its intriguing mystery that delves into urban legends and classic revenge themes.

The horror films of the ’90s seem to suggest that there was nothing teenagers enjoyed more than stalking and killing each other, which, admittedly, we find quite enthralling to watch. Alongside “Scream”, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” helped bring the slasher genre into the modern era, inspiring numerous imitators who aimed to capture the fear of being pursued by a man wielding a large, sharp hook.

Miss Congeniality (2000)

TV via cable is predominantly known for its horror flicks, but comedies come in at a close second, especially gems like “Miss Congeniality.” This movie is a fantastic blend of action-packed crime caper and humorous reality competition satire, making it an entertaining choice for everyone within this genre that sometimes delivers inconsistently.

Sandra Bullock’s portrayal as a tough FBI agent in disguise as a beauty pageant contestant will have you laughing out loud, while still delivering a powerful message about embodying the quintessential Strong Woman without sacrificing one’s femininity. It’s a refreshing take that never feels forced or contrived. Make sure to jot down the release date for an unforgettable evening out!

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must confess that if I had my dream come true, the Fast & Furious series would perpetually play on every screen, in every corner of the world. Regrettably, our reality falls short of this ideal, yet these films remain effortlessly accessible.

It’s the quirky installments that linger longest in our memories, and 2 Fast 2 Furious is a perfect example of both its peculiarity and popularity within the franchise. Remarkably, it’s the only film devoid of Vin Diesel, allowing Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner to embark on his independent escapade and introducing us to the future comedic duo, Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson.

The Fast series has undeniably advanced since then, but there’s a certain allure in 2 Fast’s dedication to a minimally dramatic narrative and animated, almost Spy Kids-like racing visuals. Not to mention, it boasts Suki and her eye-catching hot pink Honda, an original Ludacris tune, and none of the other films can match that level of charm.

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2025-04-03 23:55

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