Worst Films that Destroyed Actors' Careers

The entertainment industry is full of tales of star-studded actors who, at some point in their careers, took on roles that backfired spectacularly. These poorly-received films have not only tarnished their reputations but also had a significant impact on their career trajectories. Here are some of the most notorious cases where an actor's career took a nosedive after their involvement in a film that is considered a disaster.

John Travolta: 'The Brother From Another Father'

One of the most talked-about career-disrupting roles is John Travolta's in 'The Brother From Another Father'. This 1980 science fiction film is often cited as a low point in Travolta's career, despite his status as a box office draw. The film's critical reception was devastating, with harsh reviews that bashed both the plot and Travolta's performance. Although Travolta has since gone on to have successful films like 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Face/Off', 'The Brother From Another Father' is often referenced in discussions of his less favorable roles.

Nicholas Cage: 'Left Behind'

Nicholas Cage also had a significant setback with his role in 'Left Behind' in 2014. Producing this religious/biblical drama was a career move that backfired dramatically. The film was a religious action-drama about the concept of the rapture, featuring highly elaborate and expensive production values. Despite the scale and scope of the production, 'Left Behind' received an overwhelmingly negative response, scoring a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. Cage's performance in the film earned him a Razzie award as the Worst Actor, and the movie's failure severely impacted his box office appeal.

Kevin Costner: 'Waterworld'

Kevin Costner had a similar experience with his epic flop 'Waterworld' in 1995. Preceded by a major marketing push, 'Waterworld' was expected to be a blockbuster, similar to 'Dances with Wolves'. However, the film was widely panned by critics for its poor plotting and special effects, leading to a significant box office failure. Costner faced criticism for making this film, which detracted attention from his previous successes. Although Costner continues to be a respected actor, 'Waterworld' remains a dark chapter in his career.

Halle Berry: 'Cat's Eye'

Halle Berry earned a Razzie Award for her controversial role in 'Cat's Eye'. This 1997 film was critically panned and garnered Berry a nomination as the Worst Actress. While the film did not end her career, it marked a significant setback and Berry later discussed it as a low point in her career. It served as a wake-up call for Berry, who went on to have more successful films like 'X-Men' and 'Carol'.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck: 'Out of Sight'

'Out of Sight' (1998) was a major box office flop for both Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. The romantic comedy received terrible reviews and both actors faced significant backlash. It was a low point for their careers and they struggled to recover, with pauses in their acting careers. While Lopez and Affleck have since returned to Hollywood success with other notable roles, their careers took a downturn due to the film's failure.

Mike Myers and His Co-Stars: 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'

Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, and Justin Timberlake were co-stars in 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back', a 2001 independent film. The reaction to the film was overwhelmingly negative, with harsh reviews criticising the writing and direction. While Myers has had a successful acting and comedy career, the film is often cited as a low point for him, as it marked a period where he struggled to return to his earlier comedic success.

Eddie Murphy in 'Big Daddy'

Eddie Murphy’s involvement in the box office bomb, 'Big Daddy', also had a negative impact on his career. The 1999 film was a critical and commercial failure, leading to significant financial losses for the studio. Although Murphy has had other successful films since, 'Big Daddy' remains a major misstep in his filmography.

While some actors have managed to recover from these setbacks, the films listed above had notable negative impacts on their careers at the time of release. These disaster roles serve as a stark reminder that even the most acclaimed actors can fall victim to making what seem to be foolish choices in film.