MomSkoop
Hollywood stars might seem like they love every project they work on, but that’s not always the case. Some actors have been surprisingly honest about their regrets, admitting they weren’t proud of certain films they starred in. Whether it was a bad script, poor direction, or just a project that didn’t turn out as expected, these celebrities didn’t hold back their disappointment.
1. Michelle Pfeiffer – Grease 2 (1982)
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Michelle Pfeiffer took on the lead role in this musical sequel. She played Stephanie Zinone, a tough Pink Lady looking for the perfect guy. While the movie tried to capture the magic of the original Grease, it fell flat with critics and audiences alike.
Pfeiffer has openly called the film terrible and expressed embarrassment about her performance. She admitted that watching herself in it makes her cringe. Despite the movie’s failure, it didn’t stop her career from skyrocketing.
Looking back, she considers it a learning experience that taught her to be more selective. The actress went on to earn multiple Oscar nominations and became a respected Hollywood icon.
2. Ben Affleck – Daredevil (2003)
Ben Affleck suited up as the blind superhero Matt Murdock in this Marvel adaptation. The film attempted to bring the comic book character to life with action sequences and romance. Unfortunately, critics and fans weren’t impressed with the final product, calling it disappointing and poorly executed.
Affleck himself has been vocal about his regret over the role. He’s joked that wearing the Daredevil costume was embarrassing and that the movie didn’t work. His honest comments have resonated with fans who also felt let down.
Interestingly, he later redeemed himself in the superhero world by playing Batman. The actor has said he learned valuable lessons from the Daredevil experience about choosing better projects.
3. George Clooney – Batman & Robin (1997)
George Clooney took over the Batman role in what became one of the most criticized superhero movies ever made. The film featured colorful sets, campy dialogue, and the infamous bat-suit with nipples. Critics destroyed it, and audiences stayed away, making it a box office disappointment.
Clooney has repeatedly apologized for the movie, calling it a waste of money. He’s even joked about refunding ticket prices to disappointed fans. His willingness to own up to the failure shows his humility and sense of humor.
The actor has said that the experience taught him to read scripts more carefully. Despite this setback, Clooney went on to become an A-list star and Oscar-winning filmmaker.
4. Jessica Alba – Fantastic Four (2005)
Jessica Alba brought Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, to life in this superhero team movie. The film brought together Marvel’s first family with big special effects and action scenes. While it made decent money at the box office, critics weren’t kind to the movie or its sequel.
Alba has spoken about feeling disrespected on set by the director. She revealed that she was told not to act and to just look pretty, which hurt her confidence. The experience made her question whether she wanted to continue acting.
She’s described the filming process as demoralizing and creatively frustrating. Despite these challenges, Alba persevered and later found success as a businesswoman with her company, The Honest Company.
5. Halle Berry – Catwoman (2004)
Fresh off her Oscar win, Halle Berry took on the role of Patience Phillips in this superhero flop. The movie strayed far from the Batman comics, creating an entirely new character and origin story. Critics savaged it for poor writing, bad special effects, and a confusing plot.
Berry famously accepted her Razzie Award in person for Worst Actress. She brought her Oscar to the ceremony and gave a hilarious speech mocking herself and the film. Her grace and humor in the face of failure earned her respect from fans.
She’s admitted the movie was awful but doesn’t completely regret doing it. Berry has said she got a big paycheck and learned from the experience.
6. Brad Pitt – The Devil’s Own (1997)
Brad Pitt starred opposite Harrison Ford in this thriller about an Irish terrorist hiding in America. Production was troubled from the start, with constant script rewrites and creative disagreements. The final product felt disjointed and failed to connect with audiences or critics.
Pitt has called the movie a disaster and said he hated the experience. He revealed that the script was never properly finished, and they were making it up as they went along. The actor felt frustrated throughout filming and wasn’t proud of the result.
He’s described it as one of the most irresponsible things he’s been part of professionally. Despite this setback, Pitt continued to choose more carefully and became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
7. Bill Murray – Garfield: The Movie (2004)
Bill Murray lent his voice to the lasagna-loving orange cat in this live-action adaptation. The film combined CGI animation with real actors to bring the comic strip to life. While kids enjoyed it, critics found it bland and uninspired, lacking the charm of the original comics.
Murray has admitted he made a huge mistake by doing the movie. He revealed he confused the writer Joel Cohen with the famous Coen Brothers, thinking it would be clever. Once he realized his error, it was too late to back out.
The actor has called it a dumb decision and expressed regret over the project. Despite this misstep, Murray’s legendary career remained intact with many acclaimed performances.
8. Mark Wahlberg – The Happening (2008)
Mark Wahlberg starred as a science teacher trying to survive a mysterious apocalyptic event. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, the film featured plants releasing toxins that made people commit suicide. Critics mocked the premise, dialogue, and acting, calling it unintentionally funny.
Wahlberg has been brutally honest about how bad the movie turned out. He’s called it a terrible film and apologized for his performance in it. The actor admitted he didn’t understand what was happening during filming.
He’s joked about the ridiculous scenes, including talking to a plastic plant. Despite this embarrassing entry in his filmography, Wahlberg bounced back with successful action movies and comedies. His willingness to laugh at himself has endeared him to fans.
9. Ryan Reynolds – Green Lantern (2011)
Ryan Reynolds played Hal Jordan, a test pilot who becomes an intergalactic superhero with a power ring. The film relied heavily on CGI, including the entire costume, which looked fake and cartoonish. Critics and audiences rejected it, making it a major box office bomb for Warner Bros.
Reynolds has made countless jokes about how terrible the movie was. He’s referenced it in Deadpool movies and interviews, showing he’s not afraid to mock himself. The actor has said the experience was disappointing and creatively frustrating.
He’s admitted the film tried to do too much and lost focus. Fortunately, Reynolds got his superhero redemption with the wildly successful Deadpool franchise, which constantly pokes fun at Green Lantern.
10. Channing Tatum – GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
Channing Tatum suited up as Duke in this action-packed adaptation of the classic toy line. The movie featured high-tech weapons, international villains, and explosive set pieces. While it made money at the box office, critics found it noisy, confusing, and lacking substance.
Tatum has admitted he was contractually forced to do the movie and hated it. He revealed that he signed a three-picture deal early in his career without reading the fine print. The actor felt trapped and wasn’t passionate about the project.
He’s described the experience as a learning moment about being careful with contracts. Despite his dislike for the film, Tatum’s career continued to flourish with better roles in romantic comedies and dramas.
11. Viola Davis – The Help (2011)
Viola Davis delivered a powerful performance as Aibileen Clark, a maid in 1960s Mississippi. The film told the story of Black domestic workers sharing their experiences during the Civil Rights era. It was a commercial success and earned Davis an Oscar nomination for her emotional work.
Despite the acclaim, Davis has expressed regret about doing the movie. She’s said the film focused too much on white characters and didn’t properly honor the maids’ stories. The actress felt the narrative was told from the wrong perspective.
She’s called it a missed opportunity to tell a more authentic story. Davis has been thoughtful in her criticism, acknowledging her performance while questioning the film’s approach. Her honesty sparked important conversations about representation in Hollywood.
12. Jim Carrey – Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
Jim Carrey played Colonel Stars and Stripes, a born-again Christian vigilante leading a superhero team. The sequel to the surprise hit featured more violence and darker humor than the original. Carrey filmed his scenes but later distanced himself from the movie before its release.
Following the Sandy Hook school shooting, Carrey said he could no longer support the film’s violence. He publicly withdrew his endorsement, saying the level of violence bothered his conscience. This created controversy and awkwardness for the film’s marketing.
While he didn’t trash the movie’s quality, his moral objection was clear. The actor’s stance showed his willingness to stand by his principles even when contractually obligated. The film underperformed at the box office without his promotional support.
13. Katherine Heigl – Knocked Up (2007)
Katherine Heigl starred as Alison Scott, a career woman who gets pregnant after a one-night stand. The Judd Apatow comedy was a massive hit, earning over $200 million worldwide. Critics praised its humor and heart, and it became one of the defining comedies of the 2000s.
Despite the success, Heigl criticized the movie as sexist in interviews. She said it portrayed women as uptight shrews while letting men be lovable goofballs. Her comments created a media firestorm and damaged her relationship with Apatow and the industry.
Many felt she was ungrateful since the film boosted her career significantly. Heigl later said she regretted how she expressed her feelings. The controversy affected her Hollywood reputation for years afterward.
14. Colin Farrell – Miami Vice (2006)
Colin Farrell stepped into Don Johnson’s iconic shoes as Detective Sonny Crockett in this big-screen adaptation. Director Michael Mann created a stylish, dark update of the 1980s TV show. The film featured undercover cops, drug cartels, and moody cinematography throughout Miami and beyond.
Farrell has admitted he doesn’t remember much about making the movie due to personal struggles. He’s said the experience was difficult and that the final product didn’t work. The actor was dealing with substance abuse issues during production, which affected his memory.
He’s described the shoot as challenging and the result as disappointing. Despite the film’s problems, Farrell later got sober and revitalized his career with acclaimed performances in smaller, character-driven films.
15. Josh Brolin – Jonah Hex (2010)
Josh Brolin played the disfigured bounty hunter Jonah Hex in this supernatural Western. The film combined Old West settings with mystical elements and steampunk-style weapons. Extensive reshoots and studio interference resulted in a choppy, incoherent mess that bombed spectacularly at theaters.
Brolin has called the movie awful and expressed frustration with how it turned out. He’s said the final cut was nothing like what they originally filmed. The actor felt the studio ruined the movie by cutting it down and changing the story.
He’s described watching it as a painful experience that made him angry. Despite this disaster, Brolin’s career remained strong, and he later joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thanos to great acclaim.
16. Jennifer Lawrence – Passengers (2016)
Jennifer Lawrence starred as a passenger on a spaceship who’s awakened 90 years too early from hibernation. The sci-fi romance paired her with Chris Pratt in a story about isolation and survival. While visually stunning, critics found the premise creepy and the story morally problematic.
Lawrence has admitted she’s not proud of the movie and wishes it had turned out better. She’s said the script sounded better on paper than it played on screen. The actress felt the execution didn’t match the potential of the concept.
She’s expressed disappointment that audiences didn’t connect with the film. Despite this misstep, Lawrence remained one of Hollywood’s highest-paid and most sought-after actresses with multiple Oscar nominations to her name.
17. Robert Pattinson – Twilight (2008)
Robert Pattinson became a global superstar playing vampire Edward Cullen in this teen romance phenomenon. The film launched a massive franchise that earned billions worldwide. Teenage fans went crazy for the brooding vampire and his forbidden love story with human Bella Swan.
Despite the success, Pattinson has been openly critical of the movies for years. He’s mocked the dialogue, the character, and the entire premise in countless interviews. The actor has called Edward creepy and questioned his appeal to audiences.
His willingness to trash the films that made him famous is both refreshing and controversial. Pattinson has since proven himself as a serious actor in acclaimed indie films. His honesty about Twilight has actually made fans respect him more.
18. Charlize Theron – Reindeer Games (2000)
Charlize Theron starred opposite Ben Affleck in this Christmas-themed crime thriller. The film followed an ex-con forced to rob a casino by dangerous criminals. Critics panned it for a ridiculous plot, poor dialogue, and unbelievable twists that made little sense.
Theron has called the movie terrible and said she wishes she hadn’t done it. She’s admitted it was a bad choice early in her career when she was still learning. The actress has joked about how awful the final product turned out to be.
She’s described it as a learning experience about reading scripts more carefully. Despite this early misstep, Theron went on to win an Oscar and become one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses and action stars.
19. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Red Sonja (1985)
Arnold Schwarzenegger played Lord Kalidor in this sword-and-sorcery adventure about a female warrior. Coming after his success in Conan movies, expectations were high for another fantasy hit. Unfortunately, the film suffered from a weak script, poor special effects, and wooden acting throughout.
Schwarzenegger has repeatedly called it his worst movie and joked about using it as punishment. He’s said he once made his kids watch it when they misbehaved. The actor has been refreshingly honest about how terrible the film turned out to be.
He’s admitted that not every movie in his career was great. Despite this embarrassing entry, Schwarzenegger became one of the biggest action stars ever and later the Governor of California. His self-deprecating humor about Red Sonja has become legendary.
20. Megan Fox – Transformers (2007)
Megan Fox became a household name playing Mikaela Banes in this blockbuster robot action film. Director Michael Bay’s explosive spectacle made over $700 million worldwide. Fox’s character was known for being attractive and mechanically skilled, though critics noted she was often just eye candy.
Fox has criticized Bay’s direction and called the movies soulless and shallow. She famously compared the director to Hitler, which got her fired from the third film. The actress felt objectified and frustrated by how her character was portrayed.
She’s said the franchise made her famous but didn’t respect her as an actress. Despite the success, Fox has expressed regret about how the films defined her early career. She’s worked to choose more meaningful roles since leaving the franchise.
21. Sandra Bullock – Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
Sandra Bullock returned for this sequel that traded a speeding bus for a hijacked cruise ship. Without Keanu Reeves, the film paired her with Jason Patric in a slower, less thrilling adventure. Critics and audiences rejected it, calling it boring and unnecessary compared to the original’s excitement.
Bullock has admitted the sequel was a terrible idea and regrets doing it. She’s said it made no sense to set an action movie on a slow-moving ship. The actress has called it one of her worst career decisions and wishes she had trusted her instincts.
She’s been open about learning from the mistake and being more selective afterward. Despite this flop, Bullock remained a beloved star and later won an Oscar for The Blind Side.
22. Oscar Isaac – X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
Oscar Isaac played the ancient mutant villain Apocalypse in this superhero blockbuster. The character required hours of makeup and prosthetics to create his imposing appearance. Despite the film’s massive budget and special effects, critics found it overstuffed and the villain underwhelming and forgettable.
Isaac has expressed regret about taking the role, calling the experience claustrophobic and frustrating. He’s said the heavy makeup made it impossible to actually act or show emotion. The actor felt trapped under all the prosthetics and couldn’t connect with the character.
He’s described it as a learning experience about choosing roles more carefully. Despite this disappointment, Isaac’s career continued to thrive with acclaimed performances in Star Wars and smaller dramatic films that showcased his actual talent.