10 of the worst box office hits of all-time
$200 million plus doesn't mean its good
Stars Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace
Release date: May 19, 1999
U.S. box office: $474.5 million (including the recent 3D re-release)
Why it's bad: Has there ever been a worse movie that more people desperately wanted to believe was good? Now that we have distance from George Lucas' frustrating, childish, wooden and downright dull prequel trilogy, it's easy to recognize the first as the very worst. Yes, the showdown with Darth Maul is fun. Does that make up for Jar Jar Binks, Young Anakin and midichlorians? There are so many glaring missteps it's hard to believe this is one of the top 10 movies of all time worldwide. But people -- justifiably -- love the original trilogy. And even if Lucas' filmmaking felt downright square in the year of "The Matrix," "Phantom Menace" was an event too massive to miss.
- Geoff Berkshire
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupTyler
May 13, 2012 at 5:54AM EST Reply to CommentThis was great. I couldn't agree more. I am no film snob. I just the avengers twice. But I hated all if these movies. They were so stupid and I was dragged to some while the others had trailers that were enough to annoy me.
j.r.bobdobbsthe11th
May 13, 2012 at 5:59AM EST Reply to CommentJust because The Phantom Menace wasn't your typical good vs. evil film, people who had to think to hard didn't like it. What are midi chlorians? Mita chondria. But I guess remembering middle school science is hard. Oh, my brain, thinking is hard. Oh no, I don't get to start out with a fully grown Anakin Skywalker in angry Jedi mode. Watching character development is hard. Oh, my brain hurts. What!?!? I have to endure a character designed as comic relief for children too. Multiple plots, I can't keep up with that. This movie must be terrible.
Give me a break
ZacharyTF
May 13, 2012 at 8:03AM EST Reply to CommentI wonder if it wasn't for The Matrix, Episode I would have been better received and remembered. I know the hype and expectations didn't help, but to follow in the footsteps of a sci-fi game changer just weeks later had to have made it worse.
I see the fanboy apologists are here already.
Mr.h
May 13, 2012 at 8:29AM EST Reply to CommentOut of the 10 i will agree with 5 but you can't be serious saying Alice, ep.1, and pirates were bad movies! They simply were not
Jonnybon
May 13, 2012 at 9:10AM EST Reply to CommentNo way should Shrek Forever After be anywhere near this list. It's sooo much better than Shrek the Third (and many, many other BO hits).
Jmz Totally agree. Shrek Forever After is my favourite of the series, and a great capper to the whole story. Not everyone's cup of tea perhaps but certainly not deserving of inclusion on this list.
May 13, 2012 at 12:21PM ESTj.r.bobdobbsthe11th I thought Shrek forever after to be the best of the series too.
May 13, 2012 at 9:04PM ESTMovielover Dude u guys r fucked up if u think shrek forever after is even slightly good. That movie is one of the worst fuckin movies I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!
July 24, 2012 at 2:07PM ESTJonnybon You must have seen about three movies then.
July 24, 2012 at 6:14PM ESTReed
May 13, 2012 at 9:56AM EST Reply to CommentWow...you guys are assholes. You spend a lot of time criticizing people and what they like, huh? Calling them "buffoons, loons," and saying that a great series of films are too convoluted to understand. I think that the loons in this case are you because you don't have enough respect to what people enjoy and think you have a right to say something when no one wants to hear your fucking opinion. Stop trying to speak for the "broader audience." You don't know the first thing about them.
sami
May 13, 2012 at 11:37PM EST Reply to CommentWrite a comment...no way new moon should have been on this list. It was a goid movie. But then critics arent known for their taste. Critics always pan good movies and rave horrible ones.
Juggernaut
May 30, 2012 at 1:13PM EST Reply to CommentI think your all idiots. Who the hell are you guys? They all made money and continue to.
prince
June 17, 2012 at 2:22AM EST Reply to CommentTo all of you children bitching about this (very reasonable) list, read up on the Dunning/Kruger syndrome. Maybe then you'll understand why you don't agree with the article.
Movielover
July 24, 2012 at 2:00PM EST Reply to CommentDude, I'm a huge movie guy and I agree with everything u said. Alvin and the chipmunks was a mistake in the first place. Pirates and indiana jones 4? WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!!!!!!!!