The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (2024)

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The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (1)

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The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (2)

Family movies are supposed to offer fun, engaging, and heartwarming experiences for audiences of all ages. However, not every film aimed at younger viewers manages to deliver on that promise. Many of them fall short due to poor storytelling, lackluster animation, awkward performances, or simply misguided concepts. The worst of these movies often end up confusing, boring, or even irritating kids and adults alike.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of atrocious family films to choose from, whether it's the grossness of The Garbage Pail Kids Movie or the uncanny valley of Baby Geniuses. These projects have become notorious for their cringe-worthy dialogue and plotlines that defy all logic. With this in mind, here's a look at some of the worst family and kids’ movies that failed to charm and entertain, making them unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. They're all best avoided - unless the viewer intends to watch them ironically.

10 'The Nutcracker' (2010)

Directed by Andrey Konchalovskiy

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (3)

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." This reimagined take on the classic holiday tale that attempts to blend the magic of Tchaikovsky's ballet with a bizarre sci-fi twist. The story follows young Mary (voiced by Elle Fanning), who is gifted a Nutcracker (Charlie Rowe) by her uncle on Christmas Eve. However, this Nutcracker isn't just a toy; he’s a prince under a curse, leading Mary into a surreal world filled with talking rodents, robots Rottweilers, and a villainous Rat King (John Turturro).

Pretty much everything about this movie was panned, from the poorly executed 3D and the ill-fitting steampunk aesthetic to the convoluted plot and clumsy World War II references. The movie focuses away from ballet (the whole point of the story to begin with) and adds subpar new lyrics to the classic tunes. Unsurprisingly, it was a colossal box office bomb, grossing just $20m against a $90m.

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (4)
The Nutcracker: The Untold Story

PG

Family

Action

Fantasy

Cast
Richard Philipps , Fernanda Dorogi , Kriszta Dorogi , Dániel Mogács , Elle Fanning , Stuart Hopps , Aaron Michael Drozin , Nathan Lane

Runtime
110 Minutes

Writers
Andrey Knochalovskiy , Chris Solimine

Release Date
November 24, 2010

Director
Andrey Konchalovskiy

Main Genre
Family

Budget
90000000.0

Studio(s)
Vnesheconombank , Nutcracker Holdings , HCC Media Group , Russian Roulette Ltd.

WATCH ON APPLE TV+

9 'Barney's Great Adventure' (1998)

Directed by Steve Gomer

"I do not believe in you." The Barney TV shows are great, but the whimsy of the series is notably absent from this misfire of a film. Barney's Great Adventure follows the beloved purple dinosaur as he embarks on a quest with his young friends to find a rainbow-colored egg that’s fallen from the sky. The film tries to capture the show's educational and uplifting spirit, but instead feels more like a series of disconnected skits stitched together without much plot or purpose.

The characters stumble through a series of predictable and unexciting scenarios, lacking the engagement and energy that made the show a favorite among young viewers. It's wholesome to the point of being sickly sweet, populated by generic characters and held together by aggressively bland and formulaic plot developments. Perhaps part of the problem is the increase in visual quality, which reveals all the seams and rough edges that are harder to see on TV.

8 'Bratz' (2007)

Directed by Sean McNamara

"Didn't you hear, munchkin? Everyone does what I tell them to." The Bratz dolls went toe-to-toe with Barbie in the 2000s, becoming nearly as popular over just a handful of years. However, the franchise's appeal did not extend to this live-action movie, which flopped at the box office and drew critical ire. The plot focuses on four high school girls as they navigate cliques, friendships, and an over-the-top antagonist who seeks to control the social hierarchy, and the storytelling is decidedly lackluster.

Reviewers eviscerated the film's paper-thin plot, cringeworthy dialogue, amateurish performances (Jon Voight is especially bad in his supporting appearance), and materialist message. Even the youngest of viewers should be able to see through its shallowness. The tie-in videogame was even worse. All told, Bratz makes for one of the least enjoyable movies based on a toy line, which is saying something. The only thing vaguely appealing about it is the poppy soundtrack, though even that's more mediocre than magnificent.

Bratz is currently not available for streaming.

7 'Doogal' (2005)

Directed by Dave Borthwick, Jean Duval, and Frank Passingham

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (5)

"Hey, I thought we said no Disney jokes." Doogal (aka The Magic Roundabout) revolves around a candy-loving dog named Doogal (voiced by Daniel Tay in the US version) and his group of friends as they try to stop an evil sorcerer from freezing the world. Despite a voice cast that includes big names like Bill Hader, Jimmy Fallon, and Jon Stewart, the film is hampered by its lackluster animation, weak storyline, and forced humor. Rather than telling a coherent story, the narrative meanders through a series of random and uninspired set pieces.

The finished product is tacky, soulless, and blatantly commercial. Unfortunately, it's not even good at being a cash grab. The character designs are equal parts amateurish and off-putting, while the humor falls flat and the plot developments are ridiculous beyond belief. This movie feels like it was made without passion or care, which perhaps reflects its tortuous production and later re-dubbing for the American release. It's just painful.

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (6)

Doogal

G

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

Fantasy

Cast
Tom Baker , Jim Broadbent , Lee Evans , Joanna Lumley , Ian McKellen , Kylie Minogue , Bill Nighy , robbie williams , Ray Winstone

Runtime
82 Minutes

Writers
Paul Bassett Davies , Ted Safram , Raolf Sanoussi , Stephane Sanoussi

Release Date
February 11, 2005

Director
Jean Duval , Frank Passingham , Dave Borthwick

Main Genre
Comedy

Tagline
Things are about to get hairy.

Budget
$20 Million

Distributor(s)
Pathé Distribution

WATCH ON PRIME

6 'The Garbage Pail Kids Movie' (1987)

Directed by Rod Amateau

"Did you get the blood of a toad and the eye of a newt?" This movie, based on the trading card series, centers on a group of grotesque, mischievous kids who escape from a magic garbage pail and wreak havoc in the life of a young boy named Dodger (Mackenzie Astin). While the movie attempts to capture the irreverent humor of the cards, it veers into nightmare-fueled territory with disturbing character designs, crude jokes, and a nonsensical plot that feels more unsettling than funny.

Overflowing with gross-out humor centered on bodily functions, the film manages to repel both kids and adults. The animatronics are particularly creepy and some of the content is wildly inappropriate for child audiences. For example, one of the characters openly ogles people, while another flirts outrageously. However, for these same reasons, The Garbage Pail Kids Movie has become something of a cult movie and a so-bad-it's-good classic.

The Garbage Pail Kids Movie is currently not available for streaming.

5 'Santa With Muscles' (1996)

Directed by John Murlowski

"Santa, you sleigh me!" Santa with Muscles stars Hulk Hogan as a self-centered millionaire who, after a bout of amnesia, comes to believe he is Santa Claus. From there, he makes it his mission to protect an orphanage from an evil scientist (Ed Begley Jr.) who wants to take over the building. What could have been a lighthearted holiday romp instead turns into a poorly written and absurd adventure that lacks any real Christmas spirit.

The resulting trainwreck features brawls, muscle-bound Santa costumes, and an abundance of protein shakes. The plot is riddled with clichés, and Hogan’s over-the-top performance only adds to the film's unintentional comedy. The movie is also notable for being Mila Kunis's feature debut, though she later ranked it on the same level as her similarly disastrous project American Psycho 2. All told, Santa with Muscles is a contender for the worst holiday movie of all time.

Santa With Muscles is currently not available for streaming.

4 'Mac and Me' (1988)

Directed by Stewart Raffill

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (7)

"It wasn't me, mom! It was a little creature!" This blatant rip-off of E.T. tells the story of a boy named Eric (Jade Calegory) who befriends an alien called Mac, short for "Mysterious Alien Creature," after Mac escapes from a government facility. The film purports to be a heartwarming tale of friendship but is constantly undermined by its awkward product placements, stilted dialogue, and poorly designed alien effects that verge on the creepy rather than cute.

Indeed, the product placement is shockingly heavy-handed, most notably with Coca-Cola and McDonald's. Even the title is a not-too-subtle-wink toward the latter. For these reasons, Mac and Me has become a symbol of the worst impulses of commercial filmmaking in the 1980s. As with The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, Mac and Me's awfulness has earned it an ironic cult following. A true travesty on multiple levels, it has since appeared on several publications' lists of the worst films ever made.

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (8)
Mac and Me

PG

Family

Fantasy

Science Fiction

Adventure

Cast
Jade Calegory , Lauren Stanley , Christine Ebersole , Jonathan Ward , Tina Caspary

Runtime
95 Minutes

Writers
Stewart Raffill , Steve Feke

Release Date
August 12, 1988

Director
Stewart Raffill

Main Genre
Family

Studio(s)
Orion Pictures , Mac and Me Joint Venture

WATCH ON PRIME

3 'Baby Geniuses' (1999)

Directed by Bob Clark

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (9)

"I was chanting mantras before you were born." This disaster is about two talking babies who have knowledge of a secret language and are the subjects of a nefarious experiment by an evil corporation. The plot attempts to mix comedy with science fiction, but the result is jarring, to say the least. In particular, the special effects, which include superimposing adult voices on the babies, come off as unsettling and awkward, making the film feel more bizarre than funny.

The end result is like a bizarro, live-action Rugrats. The adult actors fare little better, turning in the most uninspired and noncommittal performances. Consequently, where most bad movies are simply boring, Baby Geniuses is actively unpleasant to watch. This extends from the unfunny humor to the absurd third act, which swerves into Home Alone levels of cartoony violence, but without the charm. It more than earns its place in the cinematic Hall of Shame.

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (10)
Baby Geniuses

PG

Science Fiction

Comedy

Family

Cast
Kathleen Turner , Christopher Lloyd , Kim Cattrall , Peter MacNicol , Dom DeLuise

Runtime
97 Minutes

Writers
Bob Clark , Greg Michael

IMDb ID
tt0118665

Release Date
March 12, 1999

TMDB User Rating
4 .1

Director
Bob Clark
Main Genre
Science Fiction

Budget
12000000.0

Studio(s)
Crystal Sky Worldwide , Triumph , TriStar Pictures

WATCH ON APPLE TV+

2 'Son of the Mask' (2005)

Directed by Lawrence Guterman

The 10 Worst Family and Kids Movies of All Time (11)

"I'm the God of friggin' Mischief, what did you expect?" Son of the Mask is a sequel to the 1994 hit The Mask but lacks all the charisma, humor, and creativity of the original. The story focuses on Tim Avery (Jamie Kennedy), a struggling cartoonist whose life is turned upside down when his baby gains the powers of the magical mask.

Unlike the first film, which was a clever mix of slapstick and heart, Son of the Mask is a chaotic mess of bad CGI, forced jokes, and subpar performances. Kennedy lacks the charm to carry a project like this, and Jim Carrey's absence is solely felt. Shoddy execution aside, Son of the Mask also features some scenes that are totally inappropriate for younger viewers, undermining it further. It's thus the poster child of egregious sequels, one that traffics on its predecessor's name but squanders its appeal in every way.

Son of the Mask

PG

Adventure

Comedy

Family

Fantasy

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast
Jamie Kennedy , Alan Cumming , Traylor Howard , Kal Penn , Steven Wright , Ben Stein , Peter Callan , Liam Falconer , Ryan Falconer , Brett Pickup , Ashley Lyons , Wayne McDaniel , Sandy Winton , Rebecca Massey , Issac Longmuir , Tayzin Fahey-Leigh , Skyla Laginha , Lochie Nazer Hennings , Andie Rogers , Trilby Glover , Josephine Chu , Solomon Freer , Ethan Coker

Runtime
94 minutes

Writers
Lance Khazei

1 'Fred: The Movie' (2010)

Directed by Clay Weiner

"This is my cul-de-sac! It always has been and it always will be. Maybe." Fred: The Movie was one of the worst cinematic misfires of the social media age. It's based on the popular YouTube character Fred Figglehorn (Lucas Cruikshank), a hyperactive teenager with a high-pitched voice. The film follows Fred’s misadventures as he tries to track down his crush, Judy (Pixie Lott), only to find that she has moved away. What ensues is a chaotic journey filled with cringe-worthy humor and awkward situations.

While the character was popular in short videos, stretching the premise into a feature-length film quickly wears out its welcome. The lead performance is grating, Lott's supporting performance is worse, and the jokes are all one-note. The protagonist is so annoying and self-absorbed that Fred: The Movie almost seems like a parody or satire at times. A disappointment for fans of the YouTube channel and utterly inscrutable for those who aren't, Fred: The Movie is an anti-masterpiece of family entertainment.

Fred: The Movie is currently not available for streaming.

Keep Reading: The 10 Best Sci-Fi Comedy TV Shows of All Time, Ranked

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  • Mac and Me
  • Baby Geniuses

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