Comedy is often called the most subjective genre in film—and for good reason. What has one person laughing uncontrollably might leave another scratching their head. But even with different senses of humor, there are some movies so spectacularly unfunny, so cringe-inducing, and so tone-deaf that they’ve achieved a kind of cult infamy—not for their brilliance, but for their catastrophic failure.
In this post, we explore the worst comedies ever made, where jokes fall flat, premises go off the rails, and audience expectations are shattered—not with laughter, but with disbelief. Whether you’ve seen them or just heard the rumors, these films are the textbook definition of comedic disasters.
1. White Chicks (2004)
Directed by: Keenen Ivory Wayans
Rotten Tomatoes: 15%
Let’s start with the infamous White Chicks, a film that attempted to mix buddy-cop antics with undercover hilarity. The result? Two FBI agents (played by the Wayans brothers) dress up in unsettling prosthetics as white heiresses to prevent a kidnapping.
While some viewers defend it as a guilty pleasure, many were disturbed by the film’s over-the-top caricatures, stale gags, and awkward racial and gender commentary. The makeup alone was nightmare fuel, and not even a dance-off to “A Thousand Miles” could save it from infamy.
2. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)
Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James
Rotten Tomatoes: 14%
What could go wrong with two straight firefighters pretending to be a gay couple to receive partner benefits? Well—everything. Chuck & Larry aimed for heartwarming with a side of laughs but ended up delivering offensive stereotypes, tired jokes, and a whole lot of secondhand embarrassment.
The film’s outdated portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships didn’t sit well with modern audiences. While it tried to squeeze in a message about equality, it was buried beneath layers of cringe-worthy one-liners and lazy writing.
3. Evan Almighty (2007)
Starring: Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman
Rotten Tomatoes: 23%
The spiritual sequel to the successful Bruce Almighty, this biblical comedy imagined Steve Carell building a modern-day Noah’s Ark. Despite a star-studded cast and a massive budget (reportedly $175 million), Evan Almighty fell flat with audiences and critics alike.
The jokes were family-friendly to the point of being dull, the CGI animals felt cartoonish, and the story lacked any real punch. It’s a rare moment when even Morgan Freeman as God couldn’t save the script.
4. Freddy Got Fingered (2001)
Directed by and starring: Tom Green
Rotten Tomatoes: 11%
There’s bad, and then there’s Freddy Got Fingered. This chaotic mess of a film follows an unhinged cartoonist (Tom Green) who falsely accuses his father of abuse… and that’s just the tip of the absurd iceberg.
With scenes involving animal abuse jokes, bizarre musical numbers, and relentless gross-out gags, it’s not hard to see why the film “won” five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture. Though some now consider it a bizarre cult classic, most still agree: it’s the kind of movie that makes you question your life choices.
5. Zoolander 2 (2016)
Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Penélope Cruz
Rotten Tomatoes: 22%
The original Zoolander had just the right mix of absurdity and charm. Its sequel? Not so much. Zoolander 2 doubled down on the weirdness, added a confusing plot involving global assassinations and fashion conspiracies, and dragged its iconic characters through recycled jokes that simply didn’t land.
What once felt fresh and edgy came across as forced and outdated. Even cameos from celebrities like Justin Bieber and Benedict Cumberbatch couldn’t distract from the fact that this was a film that didn’t need to happen.
6. Meet Dave (2008)
Starring: Eddie Murphy
Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
Eddie Murphy is a comedic legend—but even legends stumble. Meet Dave tells the story of a group of tiny aliens piloting a human-shaped spaceship (played by Murphy) that lands in New York.
While the concept could have worked as a clever sci-fi spoof, the film is dragged down by childish humor, slapstick overload, and an overreliance on Murphy playing multiple roles. It’s more awkward than amusing, and the movie quickly sinks under its own absurdity.
Final Thoughts: So Bad, They’re Legendary
Comedy may be subjective, but sometimes the consensus is hard to ignore. These films tried to make us laugh but ended up on “worst ever” lists instead. From misguided scripts and awkward performances to humor that aged like unrefrigerated milk, these comedies are infamous examples of how not to do funny.
Still, there’s something fascinating about watching a trainwreck unfold onscreen—especially one that was meant to be hilarious. So, if you’re feeling brave (or just morbidly curious), give one of these a try. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
🎬 Think we missed a comedy even worse than these? Drop it in the comments and check out our other blog posts on the best, worst, and weirdest in film. We’re here for the laughs—even the terrible ones.
