Top 10 Worst Family Movies of All Time

Right as he was starting his eight-year stint as the legendary center for the Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O’Neal decided to take his career in a different direction with some acting roles. He chose to star as a 5,000-year-old genie in this family comedy, which became one of the most ridiculed films of the ‘90s. The premise, which sees Shaq’s titular genie emerge from a boombox after being found by a young boy, is absurd enough, but the film’s detractors said it was made worse by a mediocre script and Kazaam’s constantly creepy actions. If that’s not enough, Shaq also raps… repeatedly…

Despite a surprisingly capable cast that includes Zach Galifianakis and Will Arnett, as well as the voices of Sam Rockwell and Penélope Cruz, this guinea pig-filled spy film, no joke, lacks any of the power that its title may suggest. While its action scenes may be relatively entertaining, critics say it offers little of substance to its target audience, due to its contrived action movie plot and cliché-ridden script. “G-Force” was actually a box office hit, earning almost $300 million worldwide, but that’s probably only because it starred rodents with tiny guns and goggles.

Even before his highly publicized fall from grace, this movie was considered a blot on the then-distinguished résumé of Bill Cosby. Directed by legendary actor Sidney Poitier of all people, this story follows a father who DIES and comes back to life as a spirit – a concept some labeled ill conceived, and kind of unfunny. It constantly winds up on critic lists of Worst Films of the ‘90s and has even found its way on several “Worst of All Time” lists. Among its other flaws, haters say the fantasy comedy’s internal logic makes no sense, the movie features Satanists and the plot becomes really disturbing in hindsight. After all, the last thing anyone would want to give Bill Cosby is the ability to walk through walls.

It truly pains us to watch the legendary comedic talent of Leslie Nielsen being put to use in a movie this disappointing. In this adaptation of the classic cartoon, Nielsen plays the titular blind character - whose only purpose in life is to get into dangerous, contrived situations because of his blindness, only to then get out of said situations because of his blindness. The film received such a negative reaction from blind and near-sighted groups that Disney pulled it from theaters after only two weeks. Some say the only “funny” thing about this movie is the disclaimer at the end saying that it was not meant to be an accurate portrayal of near-sighted or blind people… thanks for clearing that up.

While 2003’s “Daddy Day Care” definitely wasn’t high art, it did have the always welcome presence of Eddie Murphy. But in this maligned sequel, Murphy was replaced by Cuba Gooding, Jr.; a man who some have said was suffering through the dreaded Oscar curse. The result is basically 90 minutes spent watching an Academy Award winner become the victim of unfortunate physical gags, interspersed with poop and vomit jokes thrown in for good measure. Amazingly enough, this film was directed by Fred Savage of “The Wonder Years” fame, who really should know more about making decent family entertainment.

It’s probably weird to see wrestling legend Hulk Hogan in movies meant for all ages, but he made a lot of those flicks in the ‘90s - to mixed results. Considered the worst of these vehicles was this poor excuse for a comedy, where Hogan plays an ex-wrestler (what a stretch), who’s assigned to look over the young kids of a tech mogul. It plays out as you’d expect, with the kids initially pulling a variety of pranks on the monstrously sized Hogan, and then having him warm up to them after saving them from a threat. Unfortunately, critics pointed out a few problems with this one, namely 1) Hogan can’t act. 2) The movie isn’t as funny as it wants to be, and 3) It’s not even that heartwarming.

While the original “Mask” wasn’t exactly aimed at adults, its humor and content weren’t necessarily family-friendly either. So when they decided to make a sequel eleven years later, the creators decided to gear it towards a younger audience… or so they say. Why do we say that? Because this film, in which raunchy stand-up comedian Jamie Kennedy fights Alan Cumming’s Loki for control of the Mask, contains some of the most unintentionally disturbing imagery and questionable excuses for comedy we’ve ever seen. The worst of it comes from Kennedy’s dog Otis and his son Alvey, who both possess the powers of the Mask and try to compete for Kennedy’s affections. This includes several instances of the dog trying to kill the baby. You know… for families.

Here’s a losing formula: Rip off one of the best family films of all time while amplifying the part no one asked for: the product placement. We think even advertising execs can agree that “Mac and Me” is shameless in every way, particularly in the way it replicates everything from Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.,”: from its friendship between a young boy and an alien, to adapting its working title, “E.T. and Me.” But “MAC and Me” is most infamous for is its barely veiled product placement, which prominently includes Coca-Cola, Skittles, and of course McDonald’s. What’s next? A Ronald McDonald cameo? Oh, come on! It’s like forcing your kids to watch an actual commercial, only instead of 30 seconds it lasts 99 minutes.

Maybe the reason this sequel was made is because its 1999 predecessor was marginally successful and its director, Bob Clark, had directed one of the greatest family films of all time: “A Christmas Story.” Unfortunately, any family who pops this one in looking to find an hour and a half of cute kids saying badly lip-synced dialogue will find just that. Complementing that is a story about mind control via television, a group of CGI toddlers with superpowers jumping around, and legendary actor Jon Voight putting on a faux-European accent that makes Borat sound authentic. Don’t be fooled by the adorable faces; this one can be skipped.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a couple honorable mentions:
- “The Cat in the Hat” (2003)
- “Baby’s Day Out” (1994)
- “The Smurfs” (2011)

More than anything, families deserve really good movies. Families don’t deserve movies that pander to their target audience, or teach questionable morals, or are shockingly unpleasant to sit through. All of these pieces of criticism have been levied at this film adaptation of the popular trading card series. Labeled by some as a gross, unfunny, and poorly made film in the guise of family entertainment, “The Garbage Pail Kids Movie” was criticized for its repugnant and annoying title characters, dark environments, and baffling excuse for a moral center based around what true ugliness really means. Spoiler: It makes no sense. Some say this movie belongs in a garbage pail, but even that may be too good of a fate for it.

Do you agree with our list? What movies would you hate to watch with your family? For more enjoyable top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.