Nostalgia is a trap. Yes, the 2000s produced some enjoyable cult classics and outrageous blockbusters, but not all of their DVDs have aged well. What was once cool, frightening, or hilarious now feels dated, embarrassing, or downright bad. Here’s a top ten countdown of the worst film offenders from the 2000s that haven’t aged as well—evidence that not everything needs a rewatch.
10. House of the Dead (2003)
Video game films tend to be sloppy, but House of the Dead is notorious for being among the worst. From the wooden acting, strange camera transitions, and five-minute dialogue, it’s a chore to watch. It’s less of a horror film and more of a lesson on how not to make a game adaptation.
9. Alone in the Dark (2005)
Uwe Boll’s at it again. This remake of the cult horror video game is a parody of itself—silly plot, dead performances, and special effects that were already dated at the time. Christian Slater and Tara Reid give it their all, but it’s futile. The most frightening thing about this film is that it was ever produced.
8. One Missed Call (2008)
Hollywood attempted to cash in on Japanese horror remakes, and One Missed Call is one of the most lifeless efforts. The scares fall flat, the CGI is embarrassingly awful, and the creepy atmosphere of the original is lost entirely. It’s an empty, unmemorable remake that gets nothing right.
7. The Happening (2008)
M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller regarding a strange environmental crisis had promise… until it became an unintentional comedy. Cringe-worthy acting, strange dialogue, and Mark Wahlberg’s bewildered looks turned this one notorious. It was supposed to be frightening, but it’s largely remembered for how ridiculously funny it is.
6. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
The first Blair Witch Project was a revelation; its sequel was not. Gone was the gritty found-footage magic—replaced with a confusing plot and lackluster acting. It felt hurried, artificial, and detached from why the original was so successful. A textbook cash-grab.
5. The Fog (2005)
Re-making John Carpenter’s eerie classic was risky enough, and this one showed why. Rather than slow-burning suspense, viewers were treated to a plodding, CGI-fest of a ghost movie with no atmosphere. It took away all the eeriness of the original and left me with something generic and forgettable.
4. Prom Night (2008)
Yet another unnecessary remake, Prom Night took a cheesy slasher and made it a dull teen thriller. The frights are formulaic, the kills are unimaginative, and the cast is bored-looking. Worst of all, it’s not even fun-bad—it’s just boring. A horror remake without horror.
3. The Wicker Man (2006)
The 1973 Wicker Man is a chilling classic. The 2006 remake? A meme mill. Nicolas Cage completely overdoes it, delivering to us unintentionally funny moments (“Not the bees!”) that eclipse the movie’s numerous shortcomings. Where it should be creepy, it’s ridiculous—guaranteed to remember for all the wrong reasons.
2. Norbit (2007)
Eddie Murphy starred in several roles in this box-office hit, but the comedy has not weathered well. Excessive fat jokes and racist caricatures are rampant in the film, especially in his depiction of Rasputia and the cringeworthy Mr. Wong. What was funny in 2007 now only comes across as mean-spirited.
1. Shallow Hal (2001)
Ranking lowest is Shallow Hal, a film that attempted to say something about inner beauty but was drowned out by shallow fat jokes. Even Gwyneth Paltrow has disowned the film, saying it was a disaster. Whatever the intent of the filmmakers was, the follow-through hasn’t aged well—and seeing it now is more cringeworthy than hilarious.
The 2000s provided some gems, but these ten sure aren’t one of them. If you’re having a nostalgia movie night, you may need to leave these in the past where they reside.