Release date: May 20, 2011
U.S. box office: $241 million
Why it's bad: Frankly, we could put any "Pirates" sequel on this list and not hear many complaints. But at least Gore Verbinski's original "trilogy" had a singular vision to go along with its convoluted mythology and increasingly ponderous adventures. The fourth "Pirates" film -- directed by "Chicago" Oscar nominee Rob Marshall -- attempted to set a new course for Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow, gave him promising co-stars in Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane, and still fell flat. Depp once nabbed an Oscar nomination for his role. Now he just sleepwalks through it -- the better to ignore all the nonsense that surrounds him. This one wasn't just bad, it was completely unnecessary.

- Geoff Berkshire