10 Movies with Great Premises That Missed the Mark

Bad movies can sometimes unexpectedly hide the potential for a great idea, despite typically announcing their poor quality. They serve as intriguing case studies on the challenges of creating art, often plagued by financial issues, studio interference, or chaos behind the scenes. The central premise of a bad movie is often unbelievably terrible, adding to its unintentional entertainment value. However, there are instances where a promising concept is completely ruined by incompetent creative choices during production.

In the years following their release, bad movies often develop cult followings among enthusiasts of poorly made films. These movies carve out their own niche genre, where they are evaluated using unconventional standards. Regrettably, some films fail to achieve the coveted "so-bad-it's-good" status due to their wasted potential. Movies with intriguing ideas do not evoke amusement when they flop; instead, they evoke a sense of disappointment. While a captivating premise can draw viewers in, a movie must also effectively deliver on the basics to truly succeed.

Cats (2019)

Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical should have been a big screen hit

- Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical should have been a big screen hit - Cats (2019)

One of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time quickly became one of the worst movie musicals of all time.

Despite high expectations, Cats (2019) turned out to be a major disappointment. Director Tom Hooper, known for his success with Les Misérables, seemed like the perfect fit for this Broadway hit. However, the visual design and performances fell short, resulting in a box-office flop. What was once a beloved stage production quickly became one of the worst movie musicals in history.

The woefully misguided sketch anthology just needed a little more direction

One of the sketches from Movie 43, with Richard Gere and Jack McBrayer - The woefully misguided sketch anthology just needed a little more direction - Movie 43 (2013)

Despite being widely regarded as one of the worst movies of all time, Movie 43 still manages to hold a kernel of intrigue at its core. The film consists of a series of disconnected sketches, none of which succeed in generating any genuine laughter. However, the underlying concept that ties them together is undeniably fascinating. Each sketch within Movie 43 is framed as a terrible movie pitch from a has-been Hollywood producer desperately attempting to make a comeback. Unfortunately, the flaw in Movie 43 lies in the fact that each of these pitches is just as dreadful as the premise suggests.

Two astronauts return to Earth a thousand years after environmental devastation

Jaden Smith in front of a volcano in After Earth - Two astronauts return to Earth a thousand years after environmental devastation - After Earth (2013)

Gotti (2018)

John Travolta takes on the role of infamous mob boss John Gotti in this biographical crime drama. Gotti delves into the life of the "Teflon Don," showcasing his rise to power and eventual downfall. Despite Travolta's committed performance, the film failed to impress critics and audiences alike. Gotti was criticized for its disjointed storytelling and lack of depth in portraying Gotti's complex character. The film's release was marred by controversy, with accusations of marketing manipulation to boost its box office numbers. Ultimately, Gotti stands as a missed opportunity to explore the intriguing complexities of one of America's most notorious crime figures.

A John Gotti biopic should have been a compelling crime thriller

John Gotti inside a courtroom in Gotti - A John Gotti biopic should have been a compelling crime thriller - Gotti (2018)

Despite the popularity of Netflix's crime documentary Get Gotti, the film Gotti fails to capture the essence of the notorious "Teflon Don". John Gotti, a larger-than-life figure in the New York City criminal underworld, led a life filled with violent crimes and a love for the spotlight. While his story could have been a captivating biopic, Gotti instead portrays him as a likable family man, glossing over his darker deeds. Even John Travolta's performance cannot save the film from its lackluster script.

Gulliver's Travels (2010)

Updating Johnathan Swift's novel was a great idea, executed terribly

Gulliver looking at the Lilliputians in Gulliver's Travels - Updating Johnathan Swift's novel was a great idea, executed terribly - Gulliver's Travels (2010)

Despite being one of the most enduring adventure stories of all time, Gulliver's Travels also serves as a satirical piece of literature that may not resonate as strongly in the 21st century. With the intention to update the story for a modern audience and with Jack Black's comedic background, the 2010 film adaptation seemed promising. However, the end result fell short of capturing the sharp wit of Swift's novel and did not effectively showcase Black's comedic talents. Ultimately, Gulliver's Travels missed the mark and stands out as one of the worst fantasy movies of recent years.

The Bubble (2022)

Judd Apatow's studio satire could have been the defining comedy of the pandemic lockdowns

The cast of "Cliff Beasts" in Judd Apatow's The Bubble. - Judd Apatow's studio satire could have been the defining comedy of the pandemic lockdowns - The Bubble (2022)

Judd Apatow, known as one of the funniest comedy directors and producers in Hollywood, took a rare misstep with The Bubble. The film follows a group of pampered actors who are brought together under strict COVID-19 protocols to work on the next installment of a declining big-budget franchise. Despite setting itself up as a parody of lazy Hollywood studios and a comedy of manners about the strange realities of lockdowns, The Bubble ultimately falls short on both fronts. The film squanders the talents of a great cast, which includes Pedro Pascal, Keegan-Michael Key, and Maria Bakalova.

Passion Play (2010)

Passion Play puts a fresh twist on a familiar crime tale

Mickey Rourke following Megan Fox in Passion Play - Passion Play puts a fresh twist on a familiar crime tale - Passion Play (2010)

Passion Play, a crime thriller infused with magical realism, introduces a woman yearning for a better life amidst the presence of crime elements like a menacing mob boss. What sets this story apart is the woman's extraordinary feature - a pair of colossal wings protruding from her back. Surprisingly, the film underutilizes this fantastical element, reducing it to a mere symbol of her allure. With Bill Murray's casting falling short as the ruthless antagonist, the film's wandering plot quickly transforms a potentially unique concept into a mundane crime narrative lacking intrigue.

Jack & Jill (2011)

Adam Sandler's humor didn't gel well with a time-honored comedy premise

Adam Sandler in Jack and Jill - Adam Sandler's humor didn't gel well with a time-honored comedy premise - Jack & Jill (2011)

Adam Sandler's brand of humor is known to be polarizing, but even his most loyal fans would struggle to find merit in Jack and Jill. This painfully unfunny comedy has Sandler portraying both a brother and a sister, with its exploration of gender stereotypes falling flat. While there have been successful gender-bending comedies like Tootsie and Mrs. Doubtfire, Jack and Jill attempted to offer a unique twist by having Sandler take on dual roles. Despite the quirky premise, the film falls short and ranks among the lowest in Sandler's filmography.

The Circle (2017)

The tech thriller didn't get out of first gear

Emma Watson sitting in front of computer in The Circle - The tech thriller didn't get out of first gear - The Circle (2017)

Emma Watson stars in The Circle as a new employee at the world's largest tech company. The film delves into an ethically dubious experiment on mass surveillance and freedom, drawing parallels to real-life social media scandals involving privacy and data collection. While The Circle incorporates elements of a psychological thriller and dystopian sci-fi, it falls short in fully exploring the depths of its premise.

Fool's Paradise (2023)

Charlie Day's great comedy concept exposes the shallow nature of the film industry

Charlie Day as Latte Pronto looking suspicious in Fool's Paradise - Charlie Day's great comedy concept exposes the shallow nature of the film industry - Fool's Paradise (2023)

Fool's Paradise, a film satirizing the Hollywood movie industry, features Charlie Day in the lead role. Day, who also wrote and directed the movie, portrays a mute man catapulted into fame due to his striking resemblance to a troublesome method actor. The brilliance of Fool's Paradise lies in the character's muteness and innocence, serving as a blank canvas for various industry figures to project their own ambitions onto him. Despite a strong cast supporting its entertaining premise, the comedy in Fool's Paradise often misses the mark.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the intriguing paradox of bad movies with promising concepts. While these films often fail to deliver on their potential, they can also serve as fascinating case studies in the challenges of filmmaking. The examples provided, such as "Cats" and "Gulliver's Travels," highlight how even the most promising ideas can be ruined by incompetent execution.

The article also touches on the cult followings that bad movies can develop, which is a testament to their unintentional entertainment value. However, it emphasizes that true success lies in effectively delivering on the basics of filmmaking, even when working with an intriguing premise. Overall, the article provides a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between concept and execution in the realm of cinematic storytelling.