2010s Movies That Are so Bad They Became Famous

Some films become household names because they’re great; others get there because people can’t stop talking about how spectacularly they missed the mark. The 2010s delivered a bumper crop of the latter—titles whose reputations were forged by viral buzz, disastrous production stories, or award-season infamy of a very particular kind.

Below is a verified, sourced tour through the decade’s most (in)famous cinematic misfires. For each entry, you’ll find concrete details—box-office performance, production quirks, notable accolades (or ignominies), and the documented reasons these titles refused to fade away.

‘Birdemic: Shock and Terror’ (2010)

Independent theaters across the U.S. booked midnight screenings of ‘Birdemic: Shock and Terror’ after word spread about its DIY production and unusual visual effects; coverage in major outlets chronicled how the film built a cult following through these roadshow-style events.

Distributor Severin Films capitalized on the attention by expanding screenings and home-video availability, helping the title sustain its cult status beyond its initial run as curiosity and social chatter continued to snowball.

‘The Last Airbender’ (2010)

‘The Last Airbender’ earned more than $319 million worldwide, a commercial turnout documented by box-office reporting, even as it drew widespread critical pans.
That contrast fed its notoriety further when it was named Worst Picture at the Golden Raspberry Awards, an outcome widely reported at the time.

The film’s combination of sizable grosses and awards for poor quality kept it in headlines well past release, with round-ups noting how it dominated that year’s Razzie results across multiple categories.

‘Jack and Jill’ (2011)

‘Jack and Jill’ achieved a Razzie first by winning every category at the 32nd Golden Raspberry Awards, a sweep confirmed by industry trades that covered the ceremony and its records.
Coverage also highlighted how its nominations set new marks ahead of the show, underscoring the film’s unique place in awards infamy.

Those results turned the title into a perennial reference point whenever the Razzies tally historic “worst of” feats, cementing its reputation far beyond initial reviews.

‘Foodfight!’ (2012)

After years of delays and financing turmoil, the assets and rights to ‘Foodfight!’ were auctioned to Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, a turning point documented in production histories and trade coverage.
The release strategy that followed—direct-to-video in many territories—was likewise reported as the project finally surfaced after its long, troubled gestation.

Animation press chronicled the film’s unusual path, from brand tie-ins to lost materials and reconstruction, explaining how its behind-the-scenes saga became as discussed as the on-screen result.

‘Sharknado’ (2013)

The Syfy telefilm ‘Sharknado’ caught fire on social media during its first airing, peaking at thousands of tweets per minute and generating press about its trending dominance despite modest initial viewership.
Follow-up coverage documented how the sequel’s ratings surged to 3.9 million viewers and drove massive Twitter activity, turning the franchise into a case study in real-time virality.

Retrospectives and network reports have since detailed how rapid sequel greenlights and fan engagement tactics extended the brand, ultimately spawning multiple installments and anniversary re-releases.

‘Movie 43’ (2013)

‘Movie 43’ assembled a vast ensemble of A-list talent—a feat producers explained in interviews that broke down the unconventional, segment-by-segment approach used to secure appearances.
Awards coverage then chronicled how the film took Worst Picture, Director, and Screenplay at the Razzies, ensuring it remained a touchstone for star-studded misfires.

Trade and popular outlets continue to revisit the production as an example of how an anthology with marquee names can still become notorious when the final cut lands poorly.

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

Despite heavy critical drubbing at launch, ‘The Emoji Movie’ opened with a strong domestic weekend and ultimately grossed over $217 million worldwide, according to box-office ledgers.
The Razzies later “honored” it with Worst Picture and additional trophies, coverage that amplified its reputation as a byword for poorly received studio animation.

The combination of commercial performance and award-season ignominy kept the title in cultural conversation, often cited in year-end lists and ratings wrap-ups.

‘The Snowman’ (2017)

Director Tomas Alfredson publicly stated that portions of the script were never shot due to a compressed schedule, remarks reported in multiple outlets that examined how missing material affected the final cut.
Those admissions became central to post-release coverage, with reports reiterating that 10–15% of planned scenes went unfilmed, clarifying why the production’s timeline loomed large in its legacy.

‘Gotti’ (2018)

‘Gotti’ opened to a domestic weekend under $2 million and finished with just over $4.3 million in the U.S., box-office figures that framed the conversation around its performance.
Its marketing drew additional headlines by attacking professional reviews after the film registered a zero-percent critics’ score on a major aggregator, a campaign reported by national outlets and trades.

‘Cats’ (2019)

Soon after opening, ‘Cats’ received an unprecedented studio memo to theaters: an updated print with “improved visual effects” was being issued, a move widely covered as unusual for a big-screen release.
Box-office records show the film totaled about $75–78 million worldwide against a large budget, a shortfall frequently cited in reporting on its high-profile release and subsequent awards-season “worst of” tallies.

Enjoyed this dive into infamous titles? Share which “so bad it’s famous” 2010s films you’d add to the list in the comments!