EJ Moreno looks at Best of the Razzies’ Worst Picture…
Every year since 1981, The Golden Raspberry Awards (better known as The Razzies) drop a collection of nominees “honoring” the worst in cinema.
Many people reject The Razzies as cruel, while some filmmakers embrace the cheeky element of the award show. Who can forget Halle Berry accepting her Razzie for Catwoman during the same time she won an Academy Award? The Razzies are harmless fun for many, but that doesn’t mean they’re above criticism.
As any awards fan knows, it’s fantastic to look back and think, “What if this won?” So, we’ll take our spin at that and look at what movies should’ve won Worst Picture while highlighting the rare film that might be too good for its Razzie Worst Picture win.
So, join us for our look at The Best of the Worst A.K.A. Ranking the Best Worst Picture Winners…
Mommie Dearest
One of the earliest Worst Picture winners, it’s easy to see why folks “awarded” Mommie Dearest at the time. But was it worthy of the title?
While the film is melodramatic as all get out and puts a spin on the Joan Crawford story that even her alleged abused daughter hated, it’s a well-made film with a deliciously deep performance from Faye Dunaway. As we’ll see with a few of these winners, it often feels like the movie fell into the lap of the wrong audience and didn’t get a fair shake at things.
Mommie Dearest is working at the highest level of insanity, but it’s still better than some of its Worst Picture nominees.
Who Should’ve Won: Heaven’s Gate (1981)
Wild Wild West
You’d think nothing could knock him down at the height of Will Smith’s career, but one wild, wild blockbuster changed things.
Wild Wild West is a mess, especially when compared to the output of Smith at the time of release, but it’s also a crazy, fun time that felt like one of the must-see movies of the late ’90s. Even if it was to poke fun at the absurd performance from Smith, Kevin Kline, and Kenneth Branagh, you had to see what these usually great actors cooked up.
Maybe it’s the millennial in me, but I find the film hilarious to watch, even if it’s one of 1999’s weaker movies.
Who Should’ve Won: The Haunting (1999)
Blonde
None of the films included were going to win any Best Picture awards, but out of all of these, Blonde was closer than any movie included.
As one of the newer Worst Picture winners, you’d expect the film to be pure trash on every level, and it’s hard for me to label the film as such. Exploitive? At times, but so are all biopics. Andrew Dominik’s Blonde is filled with solid acting performances, impressive visuals, and a polish that most Worst Picture winners only hope to reach.
With lead Ana de Armas racking in Best Actress nominations, this movie is far from deserving of its “win” here.
Who Should’ve Won: Disney’s Pinocchio (2022)
Under the Cherry Moon
In one of the more infamous “actor takes over the movie as director,” Prince made a movie that felt so on-brand, even with no experience.
Under The Cherry Moon is pure camp, unintentional and intentional. All mayhem, all the time. The plot, or lack thereof, lends itself to Prince and former The Time member Jerome Benton having a blast. It’s also hilariously the film that launched Kristin Scott Thomas’ career, even if she isn’t a perfect match for the material.
Some argue Under The Cherry Moon is better than Purple Rain. There’s a strong case, but I’ll add that both have perfect soundtracks.
Who Should’ve Won: Shanghai Surprise (1986)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
As a defender of the first Twilight, protecting the wild sequels is hard. Yet, there’s no world where Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is the worst of the year.
Looking at the 2010s, especially 2012, there are plenty of bad films, most of them were not even nominated this year. The final Twilight film, Breaking Dawn – Part 2, wasn’t an Oscar-winning excursion but a fan-serviced romp many franchise film fans would crave these days. It delivered spectacle and rewarded longtime fans.
With rumblings of a Twilight reboot, we’ll continue to look back at this film as we move further away and enjoy it more.
Who Should’ve Won: That’s My Boy (2012)
Freddy Got Fingered
Esoteric humor will always be a hard sell, and no comedy feels more niche than the wildly bizarre Freddy Got Fingered.
Out of all the films here, I almost understand this winning Worst Picture, even if I find it a bizarrely hilarious comedy masterpiece. Not every joke works, but what Tom Green cooked up with this should be studied and honored, not mocked with the Worst Picture label from a faceless awards body mocking cinema.
Freddy Got Fingered is a challenging comedy, and in the comedic drought, it’s lovely to know something like this exists.
Who Should’ve Won: Glitter (2001)
Showgirls
As someone who saw this movie years after its initial release, I’ve never been in the camp that Showgirls is a “bad movie.”
Much like Mommie Dearest, the film is doing the absolute most at all times, but that all serves the story directly. Showgirls, crafted by the masterful Paul Verhoeven, is an in-your-face and outlandish experience, and everything works. You get the glitz and glamour, but you can’t ignore the dark underbelly the film is exposing.
Especially living post-Me Too, Showgirls sadly ages like fine wine, but that’s also a testament to a strong script and stronger director.
Who Should’ve Won: It’s Pat (1994)
What are your favourite Razzie Worst Picture winners? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth, and check out the 2024 Razzie nominations here…
