Even the most accomplished actors occasionally stumble with a lackluster performance. Whether driven by a desire to take bold risks that didn’t quite pay off or simply to secure a paycheck with minimal effort, these usually stellar actors have, at times, delivered underwhelming work. While we can’t always fault their motivations, it’s high time to shed light on these instances where greatness faltered.
15. Margot Robbie – ‘The Legend of Tarzan’
Margot Robbie reached new heights in 2023, demonstrating a keen eye for roles that balance both enjoyment and challenge. However, the same cannot be said for her portrayal of Jane Clayton in 2016’s “The Legend of Tarzan.” While her performance isn’t necessarily subpar, it veers towards blandness. The role feels like a mere placeholder in a forgettable movie, lacking the depth and impact usually associated with Robbie’s caliber. Revisiting a project like this feels disheartening when considering the heights she has since achieved.
14. Anthony Hopkins – ‘Thor’
Securing Anthony Hopkins to play Odin in “Thor” was a significant casting coup. Back in 2011, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston were not yet the household names they are today, and Hopkins’ star power seemed poised to bolster the film, an underdog in the MCU’s first phase. However, Hopkins, unfortunately, appeared to “phone in” most moments on screen. His performance oscillated between providing less than the bare minimum and over-the-top acting that felt discordant with the character.
Compounding the disappointment, a considerable portion of the movie featured Hopkins in an “Odinsleep,” captured in shots where he lies in bed covered with a blanket. This visual seems emblematic of his overall performance, encapsulating the lackluster nature that permeated his portrayal in the film.
13. Oscar Isaac – ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’
When it came to selecting someone from “X-Men: Apocalypse” for this list, the competition was stiff, but Oscar Isaac claimed the dubious honor. In the 2016 movie, it’s evident that he lacked enthusiasm for the project. Riding high after “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” taking on an iconic X-Men villain in a successful comic book movie series seemed like a trajectory booster.
However, reality fell short of expectations. Isaac, while stopping short of outright disowning the film, has openly expressed the challenges associated with his role. The heavy makeup and prosthetics proved taxing, and he acknowledged that the story had the potential for a better movie than what the production ultimately delivered.
12. Matthew McConaughey – ‘The Dark Tower’
The Dark Tower faced doom from the beginning, and while Matthew McConaughey’s portrayal of Walter Padick wasn’t the main factor for its status as one of the worst films of the 2010s, it certainly added to the disappointment. Despite the character’s popularity, McConaughey struggled to capture what made the Man in Black special, resulting in a performance that felt more like a hammed-up Looney Tunes character than the beloved villain fans had hoped for.
11. Natalie Portman – ‘Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones’
Determining whether the acting in 2002’s Attack of the Clones is subpar due to “phoned-in” performances or poor material is a challenge. Despite Natalie Portman’s talent, her performance fails to elevate the questionable script. The lack of on-screen chemistry between Portman and Hayden Christensen becomes evident, particularly problematic when the film’s core revolves around their characters’ attempts to evade assassins and develop a romantic connection.
10. Jared Leto – ‘Suic!de Squad’
Jared Leto undeniably put effort into his role as the Joker in 2016’s Suic!de Squad, standing in stark contrast to actors who appeared to be there solely for a paycheck. However, in his attempt to distinguish himself from iconic portrayals by Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, Leto ends up pushing the character excessively in a direction it may not have needed. The inclusion of a pimp/mob boss angle further complicates matters. While the Joker role will remain coveted, there’s solace in the possibility that Leto’s performance may have already claimed the title of the “worst Joker.”
09. Tom Hanks – ‘Cloud Atlas’
When tasked with portraying six distinct characters in a single film, the likelihood of hitting the mark with each one diminishes. In 2012’s Cloud Atlas, Tom Hanks faces the challenge of juggling various roles, and unfortunately, the results fall short. The character of gangster novelist Dermot Hoggins stands out as the most problematic, though he is not the sole offender. While many actors require focus and consideration to deliver a strong performance for one character, even Hanks, an accomplished actor, appears to have been stretched thin in Cloud Atlas, impacting the quality of his portrayals.
08. Matt Damon – ‘The Great Wall’
The Great Wall was destined for mediocrity, especially facing valid criticisms for prioritizing white characters in a Chinese narrative. While Matt Damon’s portrayal of hero William Garin may be less offensive, it still falls short. Damon appears on-screen as if anticipating the role’s impending failure and the movie’s inevitable downfall. His performance lacks vibrancy in action scenes, accompanied by an inconsistent accent, resulting in both the character and the 2016 film being disheartening disappointments.
07. Robert De Niro – ‘Dirty Grandpa’
Robert De Niro’s involvement in 2016’s Dirty Grandpa stands out as a prime example of someone taking a role for financial reasons. Amidst the schlock pile of raunchy comedies in the 2010s, the film fails to bring anything original to the table, squandering the talents of every actor involved. De Niro, seemingly up for anything, is unfortunately wasted in the role of Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Kelly, with his performance lacking genuine commitment. The film not only tarnishes De Niro’s filmography but also leaves a notable mark on the careers of co-stars Zac Efron, Aubrey Plaza, and Zoey Deutch.
06. Paul Giamatti – ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’
While Paul Giamatti’s stint as the Rhino in 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 may be brief, it adds an unfortunate touch to the overall poor choices in the film. The Rhino, a classic Spider-Man villain, is traditionally seen as a bit of a joke, yet comic book runs have demonstrated that even such characters can be explored with nuance. Giamatti isn’t inherently a bad casting choice, but the portrayal turns the Rhino into a hokey joke, lacking the menace needed to feel like a genuine threat. In a movie already featuring characters with lightning-infused transformations and estranged sons turning into goblin-like figures, a Russian mafioso in armor seems like the least realistic addition to the mix.
05. Halle Berry – ‘Catwoman’
Catwoman secures its place on the Mount Rushmore of terrible movies, with the 2004 film defying all logic. Amidst every famously bad moment, Halle Berry’s portrayal of the titular villain stands out as the film’s nadir. Berry’s performance, a blend of flat-out bad and baffling, contributes to the feline fiasco. While it didn’t spell the end of Berry’s career — she had recently won an Oscar for Monster’s Ball and earned Golden Globe nominations in 2006 and 2011 — Catwoman didn’t prove beneficial. The movie appears as a cringeworthy excuse to showcase Berry in increasingly revealing outfits, resulting in what could be considered the worst comic book movie of all time, a dubious throne unlikely to be challenged.
4. Robert Pattinson – ‘Twilight’
Robert Pattinson has amassed an impressive list of acting credits in the past decade, including notable films like The Lighthouse, Good Time, Tenet, and The Boy and the Heron. While he has portrayed the iconic Batman, his performance as Edward Cullen in the Twilight franchise (2008-2012) falls short. The character is inherently wooden and occasionally dull, and Pattinson amplifies these traits to an extreme. Instead of coming across as charming, he appears creepy, and rather than being mysterious, he comes off as boring. It’s not uncommon for successful actors to have reservations about the roles that brought them fame, but Pattinson’s aversion to his Twilight character has become a noteworthy aspect, and understandably so.
3. Al Pacino – ‘Jack and Jill’
Jack and Jill (2011) holds the dubious distinction of being one of the worst films ever made, with numerous subpar performances. Among them, Al Pacino’s stands out as particularly disappointing. It’s perplexing why he accepted the role – perhaps a desire to collaborate with Adam Sandler, or financial incentives persuaded him. Regardless, Pacino appears devoid of vitality in an already lifeless film, which is the most notable aspect of his underwhelming performance.
2. Nicole Kidman – ‘Bewitched’
When adapting a character and franchise for the big screen, the goal is to maintain the character’s essence. Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of witch Isabel Bigelow, who embodies Samantha Stephens in a 2005 in-movie version of Bewitched – a creatively bold choice – lacks much of the charm that Elizabeth Montgomery brought to the character on TV in the 1960s and ’70s. The intricate layers of the character in the film contribute to the disconnection in Kidman’s performance, though someone of her caliber could potentially have overcome this challenge. However, even with ample time, she couldn’t establish convincing chemistry with Will Ferrell’s character, Jack Wyatt, resulting in numerous stilted moments.
1. Russell Crowe – ‘Les Misérables’
The decision to cast an actor with limited singing ability in a film adaptation of one of the world’s most popular musicals is a perplexing choice. This sentiment echoed throughout the runtime and long after watching Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Inspector Javert in Les Misérables (2012). Despite the film’s numerous issues, including seven Oscar nominations, with one for Best Picture, Crowe’s musical performance stands out at the pinnacle of its problems. When his singing is more discussed and remembered than Anne Hathaway’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Fantine, it serves as a clear indicator of the performance’s quality, or rather, lack thereof.