10 Worst Romantic Movies That Shouldn’t Have Existed

Gigli

Gigli is often considered one of the worst romantic movies ever made. Ben Affleck plays a small-time mob enforcer paired with Jennifer Lopez as Ricki, a lesbian hitwoman hired to assist in a kidnapping. The plot is confusing, the dialogues are awkward, and many scenes feel strange for all the wrong reasons.

From Justin to Kelly

Set during spring break in Miami, From Justin to Kelly stars American Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini in a rushed romance filled with musical numbers. While both leads can sing, the weak script, awkward choreography, and lack of chemistry hurt the film badly. The songs are especially disappointing, with generic melodies and embarrassing lyrics.

In the Mix

In the Mix stars Usher as Darrell, a successful DJ who becomes a bodyguard for a mob boss’s daughter, Dolly. As expected, romance develops while criminals create trouble. The film feels like a poorly planned romance, comedy, and crime. The story is extremely predictable, the characters feel flat and stereotypical, and the acting is weak.

The Hottie & the Nottie

Paris Hilton stars as Cristabel, the “hottie,” while Christine Lakin plays her best friend June, labeled the “nottie.” Nate (Joel David Moore) wants to date Cristabel but must first help June find love. What follows is a predictable makeover storyline with no depth or sensitivity. The film was widely criticized for its shallow message and heavy use of body-shaming as humor. On top of that, dialogue is awkward, and Hilton’s performance feels very empty.

Swept Away

Directed by Guy Ritchie, Swept Away is a remake of a 1970s Italian film and stars Madonna and Adriano Giannini. Madonna plays a rich, spoiled woman stranded on an island with a working-class man, leading to a change in power dynamics and an unusual romance. The film tries to explore class differences and control but fails to do so convincingly.

Mr. Wrong

In Mr. Wrong, Ellen DeGeneres stars as Martha, a woman who thinks she’s found the perfect boyfriend in Whitman (Bill Pullman). That illusion quickly breaks when he turns out to be controlling and obsessive. The film tries to be a dark romantic comedy but instead becomes filled with loud, unfunny slapstick.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Based on the hugely popular novel, Fifty Shades of Grey follows college student Anastasia Steele and billionaire Christian Grey. Originally written as Twilight fan fiction, the story suffers from weak characters. Despite its reputation, the film isn’t very steamy, and its handling of BDSM made many viewers uncomfortable.

Aloha

Directed by Cameron Crowe, Aloha stars Bradley Cooper as Brian Gilcrest, a defense contractor sent to Hawaii for a military satellite launch. While there, he reconnects with an old girlfriend and starts bonding with Air Force pilot Allison Ng. Despite the big cast, the film feels messy and unfocused.

LOL

LOL stars Miley Cyrus as Lola, a high school student dealing with breakups, friendships, and family issues. After her boyfriend dumps her, her close friend Kyle (Douglas Booth) admits he has feelings for her. The movie was clearly aimed at younger viewers, especially fans of Cyrus.

Accidental Love

Jessica Biel plays Alice, a waitress who ends up with a nail stuck in her head after a strange accident. Unable to afford surgery, she travels to Washington, D.C., where she meets and falls for a politician played by Jake Gyllenhaal. The story aims to be funny and satirical but rarely succeeds.