Buzz
It's Oscars season! And with it comes the Razzie Awards, for better or worse (mostly worse).
Originally conceived as a sharp critique of Hollywood's self-importance, the Golden Raspberry Awards debuted on March 31, 1981, in the living room of co-founder John J. B. Wilson. Inspired by a double feature of Can't Stop the Music and Xanadu, Wilson and co-founder Mo Murphy launched a four-decade tradition of mocking films deemed by Razzie voters as the year's most glaring examples of Hollywood excess.
Interestingly, many Razzie-nominated films are actually exceptional. In a playful rebuke to the anti-Oscars, prestige streaming platform The Criterion Channel is showcasing a selection of past Razzie winners for Oscar month, including Cruising (1980), Heaven’s Gate (1980), Under the Cherry Moon (1986), Ishtar (1987), Cocktail (1988), Barb Wire (1996), Freddy Got Fingered (2001), Swept Away (2002), Gigli (2003), and The Wicker Man (2006). While some of these films are undeniably flawed, others are quirky, campy, or have gained appreciation over time. The Razzies often target specific genres or performances, sometimes revealing underlying biases like racism or misogyny.
While Oscar darlings like Crash and Green Book escaped Razzie attention, many superior films weren't so lucky. It's entertaining to mock the Razzies when they hit the mark, but their accuracy is often questionable. Here are 20 genuinely great films that received Golden Raspberry nominations—enough to curate an impressive film festival.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Nominations: Worst Picture, Worst Actress (Heather Donahue, Winner)
The Worst Picture nomination for The Blair Witch Project reeks of envy: this low-budget indie emerged unexpectedly, dominated the box office, and became a cultural sensation. How dare it succeed? The nomination (and win) for Heather Donahue as Worst Actress is more troubling. As the lead in one of the year's biggest hits, Donahue portrayed a determined character labeled as unlikable. Her tearful tent scene became a punchline, though it was raw and relatable. Donahue has shared how the role, which should have been celebrated, turned her life into a nightmare as audience disdain for her character bled into reality.
Where to stream: The Criterion Channel, Freevee
The Shining (1980)
Nominations: Worst Director (Stanley Kubrick), Worst Actress (Shelley Duvall)
While Can't Stop the Music dominated the first Razzies, The Shining also found itself in the running. This horror masterpiece, often revisited and celebrated as one of Stanley Kubrick's best works (despite Stephen King's disapproval), earned Kubrick a Worst Director nod alongside John G. Avildsen and Brian DePalma. Shelley Duvall's performance as Wendy Torrance, often unfairly labeled as "shrill," was also criticized. Yet, her portrayal of the film's sole relatable character amidst supernatural chaos was remarkable. In 2022, the Razzies apologized for her nomination, acknowledging Kubrick's harsh treatment during filming. Duvall, a standout talent of the 1970s, delivered one of the most memorable performances in horror history.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Nominations: Worst Actor (Harvey Keitel)
At its release, The Last Temptation of Christ was overshadowed by controversy, obscuring its cinematic brilliance. A departure from Martin Scorsese's usual mobster tales, the film puzzled many. Harvey Keitel's bold portrayal of Judas Iscariot, infused with a crime-drama flair, was a deliberate and unconventional choice. Rather than a straightforward antagonist, Keitel's Judas offers a unique perspective, making him an unexpected audience surrogate.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Nominations: Worst Actor (Kevin Costner, winner), Worst Supporting Actor (Christian Slater)
While I won't argue that Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a cinematic masterpiece, Kevin Costner's Razzie win highlights the awards' occasional absurdity. As the year's second-highest-grossing film, the nomination feels like a cheap shot at mainstream appeal. Costner was ridiculed for opting out of an English accent, but comparing him to fellow nominees Andrew Dice Clay and Vanilla Ice seems unjust. The criticism doesn't hold up.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Exorcist III (1990)
Nominations: Worst Actor (George C. Scott)
This nomination is puzzling, likely stemming from the assumption that any Exorcist sequel is inherently bad. While most sequels fit that mold, this third installment stands out as a gripping crime drama with supernatural elements. George C. Scott lost to Andrew Dice Clay (The Adventures of Ford Fairlane), in a year that also saw Donald Trump win Worst Supporting Actor for his role in Ghosts Can't Do It—one of his last victories by popular vote.
Where to stream:
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Nomination: Worst Screen Couple (Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, winners)
Neil Jordan's adaptation of Anne Rice's gothic novel initially puzzled audiences and critics, but it eventually earned strong reviews and box office success. Even Rice, initially skeptical of Tom Cruise's casting, praised the film, which also cemented Brad Pitt's early stardom. The film's subtle portrayal of the homoerotic bond between the vampire duo led the Razzies to create a Worst Screen Couple category specifically for Cruise and Pitt, a decision that feels more like a homophobic jab than a legitimate critique.
Where to stream: Paramount+
Batman Returns (1992)
Nomination: Worst Supporting Actor (Danny DeVito)
Danny DeVito's portrayal of the Penguin has set the benchmark for all future cinematic versions of the character. His exaggerated, grotesque performance is both captivating and unsettling, as he masterfully conveys Oswald's tragic backstory and society's role in shaping his villainy. The film has grown into an unconventional holiday favorite, with the Penguin's corrupt political campaign feeling eerily relevant today. While DeVito's nomination is questionable, his co-nominee Tom Selleck as King Ferdinand in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery is harder to defend.
Where to stream: Max, Tubi
The Thing (1982)
Nomination: Worst Musical Score (Ennio Morricone)
Ennio Morricone, a legendary composer, created a strikingly minimalist score for John Carpenter's The Thing, blending the director's iconic synths into a soundscape that perfectly matches the film's tense, isolated vibe. That same year, Morricone was also nominated for his work on Butterfly, a mediocre film with a score that showcased his versatility through traditional horns and noir-inspired tones. Two Razzie nominations in one year for a composer of Morricone's caliber, delivering exceptional work, feels utterly nonsensical.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Friday the 13th (1980)
Nominations: Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actress (Betsy Palmer)
Whether slasher films appeal to you or not, Sean S. Cunningham's original Friday the 13th was undeniably inspired by Halloween. Yet, its low-budget charm and raw scares established a blueprint that spawned over a dozen sequels and an entire subgenre of campy horror flicks. Betsy Palmer, nominated for Worst Supporting Actress, delivers a chilling performance as Pamela Voorhees, the vengeful camp caretaker turned killer.
Where to stream: Max
Annie (1982)
Nominations: Worst Picture, Worst Director (John Huston), Worst Supporting Actress (Aileen Quinn, winner), Worst New Star (Aileen Quinn), Worst Screenplay (Carol Sobieski)
Calling the Razzies' treatment of Annie "harsh" is an understatement. While the film didn't resonate with adults, it was a hit with its target audience: children. The nominations for Worst Picture, Screenplay, and Director are one thing, but the dual criticism of Aileen Quinn—an 11-year-old in her debut role—as Worst New Star and Worst Supporting Actress is downright cruel. It's hard to justify adults, mostly men, publicly shaming a child for her performance.
Where to stream: Netflix
Dressed to Kill (1980)
Nominations: Worst Director (Brian De Palma), Worst Actor (Michael Caine), Worst Actress (Nancy Allen)
The early Razzies had a clear bias against Brian De Palma, nominating him for Worst Director for Dressed to Kill, Scarface, and Body Double—all of which are iconic films undeserving of such criticism. Dressed to Kill is a stylish, Hitchcock-inspired erotic thriller that embraces its campy elements. Far from being a failure, it stands as a standout neo-noir classic. The Razzies' focus on unconventional, daring films like this suggests a preference for easy targets over genuine cinematic missteps.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Tubi, The Roku Channel
Road House (1989)
Nominations: Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Patrick Swayze), Worst Supporting Actor (Ben Gazzara), Worst Director (Rowdy Herrington), Worst Screenplay
While I’m not a fan of the "so bad it’s good" label—it feels like a backhanded compliment—Road House embodies that description perfectly. This gritty, over-the-top action film, with its surprisingly star-studded cast, has become a cult classic. Its enduring popularity has even inspired a high-budget remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Far from being high art, it’s a masterclass in campy entertainment.
Where to stream: Max
Showgirls (1995)
Nominations: Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Kyle MacLachlan), Worst Actress (Elizabeth Berkley, winner), Worst Supporting Actor (Robert Davi and Alan Rachins), Worst Supporting Actress (Gina Gershon and Lin Tucci), Worst Screen Couple ("Any combination of two people (or two body parts!," winner), Worst Director (Paul Verhoeven, winner), Worst Screenplay (Joe Eszterhas, winner), Worst New Star (Elizabeth Berkley, winner), Worst Original Song ("Walk Into the Wind," winner), Worst Remake or Sequel
Whether viewed as a guilty pleasure or a deliberate camp masterpiece, Showgirls has earned its place as a cult classic alongside The Rocky Horror Picture Show. While its reception in 1995 was harsh, the Razzies' over-the-top criticism highlights the awards' tendency to follow popular opinion rather than offer genuine critique. The film's bold, provocative style made it an easy target, but its enduring appeal proves it’s far more memorable than many Oscar darlings of the time, like Braveheart.
Where to stream: Tubi
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Nomination: Worst Written Film Grossing Over $100 Million
In 1996, the Razzies introduced a bizarre category: "Worst Written Film Grossing Over $100 Million." The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a visually stunning and emotionally rich Disney film, was unfairly targeted. While darker than other Disney classics, it’s a masterpiece in its own right. Oddly, none of the nominated films, including Twister, Independence Day, A Time to Kill, and Mission: Impossible, received nominations elsewhere. The category seems to punish success rather than quality.
Where to stream: Disney+
Who's That Girl (1987)
Nominations: Worst Picture, Worst Actress (Madonna, winner), Worst Director, Worst Screenplay (Andrew Smith and Ken Finkleman)
While Razzie voters dismissed Madonna's Who's That Girl, the film has since gained a cult following, particularly among middle-aged gay men who can recite it line by line. This quirky, fast-paced screwball comedy channels 1930s charm, and Madonna’s playful performance shines through.
The Razzies have consistently targeted Madonna, making her one of their most nominated and awarded actresses. She "won" for films like Shanghai Surprise, Who's That Girl, Body of Evidence, Four Rooms, The Next Best Thing, Swept Away, and Die Another Day. Even her documentary Truth or Dare earned her a Worst Actress nod. In 2000, she was crowned Worst Actress of the Century, a title that overlooks her successes in Vision Quest, Desperately Seeking Susan, A League of Their Own, Evita, and Dick Tracy. The label feels excessive and unfair.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Jennifer's Body (2009)
Nomination: Worst Actress (Megan Fox)
Diablo Cody's satirical horror film Jennifer's Body was misunderstood by both Razzie voters and audiences, largely due to poor marketing by 20th Century Fox. The film, a sharp revenge fantasy, was misrepresented as a typical high school horror flick. Megan Fox's performance, often criticized, is only "bad" if the film's deeper themes and satire are overlooked.
Where to stream: Max
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Nominations: Worst Actress (Cassandra Peterson)
By targeting future cult classics like Showgirls, Who's That Girl, and Elvira, the Razzies reveal a clear disdain for campy, fun films—and perhaps a lack of appreciation for their unique charm.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Tubi
Yentl (1983)
Nominations: Worst Actor (Barbra Streisand), Worst Supporting Actress (Amy Irving), Worst Musical Score
Barbra Streisand's Yentl is a heartfelt and subtly rebellious musical that garnered mostly positive reviews, despite its lengthy runtime. The Razzies, however, nominated Streisand for Worst Actor—a jab at her portrayal of a Jewish woman disguising herself as a man in 1904 Poland. Amy Irving, nominated for Worst Supporting Actress, also received an Oscar nod for the same role. Similarly, the film's score, which won an Oscar, was Razzie-nominated. The backlash against Yentl feels like a strange overreach, possibly rooted in discomfort with a woman directing and writing a major film in 1983.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Querelle (1982)
Nominations: Worst Original Song x2
Rainer Werner Fassbinder's Querelle is a visually stunning queer film about a sailor entangled in a tale of desire, rivalry, and hidden passions at a French brothel. Surprisingly, the Razzies only targeted its two original songs. Jeanne Moreau's rendition of "Each Man Kills the Thing He Loves," with lyrics from Oscar Wilde, and Günther Kaufmann's "Young and Joyful Bandit" perfectly suit the film's tone. The nominations feel unwarranted, as both songs enhance the movie's unique atmosphere.
Where to stream: Max, Tubi, The Criterion Channel
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
Nominations: Worst Supporting Actress (Estelle Getty, winner), Worst Actor (Sylvester Stallone, winner), Worst Screenplay (winner)
Admittedly, this film is far from great, but targeting Estelle Getty feels entirely unjustified.
Where to stream: Digital rental
