The 20 Worst Lines In Movie History

Content warning: sexual material and language

How does a movie line transcend being just plain bad and become one of the worst lines ever written? It could be a serious scene that unintentionally turns into comedy, or a supposedly humorous moment that fails so miserably it induces cringing. Sometimes poor delivery by the actors can elevate ordinary bad dialogue to legendary flops, but even the best actors in the world can’t salvage the most inept scriptwriting.

Regardless of what’s behind these ear-grating instances, they’re uncomfortable to endure – yet some people derive pleasure from discomfort. For those with peculiar tastes and unusual preferences, we’ve gathered clips from the most aggravating scenes you can imagine. Looper has previously shone a light on cringe-worthy dialogue in films, but there are many more such examples waiting to be unearthed. This compilation will steer clear of specific lines already highlighted, although it may include a few other atrocious lines from the earlier list (unfortunately, we can’t feature any excerpts from “The Room” because the previous list encompassed the entire movie).

Jon Voight asks an inappropriate question in Megalopolis

– I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse. (Original: “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”)
– I’ll present him with a proposal that he won’t be able to turn down.

– Leave the gun. Take the cannoli. (Original: “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”)
– Put down your weapon, and pick up some cannoli instead.

– I love the smell of napalm in the morning. (Original: “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”)
– The scent of napalm first thing in the day is something I appreciate.

– Francis Ford Coppola wrote some of the most memorable lines in cinema history, but he also penned the questionable line “What do you think of this b I got?” in his 2024 passion project “Megalopolis.” (Original: “Francis Ford Coppola wrote some of the most iconic lines in cinema history. He also wrote the line ‘What do you think of this b I got?’ in his misbegotten 2024 passion project ‘Megalopolis.'”)
– Francis Ford Coppola created some of the most unforgettable phrases in film, but he also composed the debatable question “What do you think of this woman I have?” in his controversial 2024 work “Megalopolis.”

In a particularly amusing yet poorly executed movie, the standout moment is when Aubrey Plaza’s character, Wow Platinum, meets her demise and Shia LeBeouf’s character, Clodio Pulcher, gets hit by a crossbow bolt in the rear end. This film, which flops miserably, has its moments of unintentionally funny entertainment. The cherry on top is Jon Voight’s portrayal of Hamilton Crassus III, which seems more like his everyday speech rather than acting, adding an extra layer of awkwardness to the mix.

Birdemic: Shock and Terror should take An Inconvenient Truth out of its beak

“That film was really well-done.” In contrast, “An Inconvenient Truth” is a thoughtful movie, and it likely motivated some individuals to invest in eco-friendly vehicles. However, it’s unlikely that anyone discussed it like Rod (Alan Bagh) and his peers from “Birdemic: Shock and Terror” did; and it’s difficult to envision any conversations about Al Gore’s climate change presentation ever veering off into ‘intimate labor.’

If you’ve never encountered James Nguyen’s 2010 low-budget film, “Birdemic: Shock and Terror,” which resembles “The Birds” from 1963, I apologize in advance for introducing you to some of the poorest acting and arguably the most cringe-worthy sound mixing ever included in a commercially released movie.

Use your Bible app to pray you can escape Assassin 33 A.D.

Among numerous Christian films, the standout exception is “Assassin 33 A.D.” or “Black Easter,” which uniquely depicts Jesus being shot by time-traveling Islamic extremists. It seems that writer-director Jim Carroll may have overlooked the fact that Jesus is also revered as a prophet in Islam.

In a peculiar, complex, and racially insensitive blend of faith-based science fiction, this script is filled with unintentionally amusing scenes. However, the quote from an eccentric character named Ram (portrayed by Morgan Roberts) that truly stands out is: “Could you read to me from your Bible app about what happened when they captured Jesus.” This line shines for its straightforward absurdity. Although it seems odd on its own, in the context of the story, it becomes even more ridiculous.

Anakin has a sand problem in Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones

George Lucas may excel in various areas, but crafting compelling romantic dialogue, particularly without input from Irvin Kershner and Harrison Ford, does not seem to be one of his strengths. One might liken his ear for such dialogue to coarse, rough, and somewhat irritating sand, in stark contrast to the soft and smooth nature of the dialogue as spoken by Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) in “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” a comparison that Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) himself might make when expressing his disdain for sand.

As a kid who grew up watching the Star Wars prequels, I can say that over time, the attitude towards these films might have softened for some, thanks to nostalgia. However, no matter how much we joke about it online or meme it semi-ironically, Anakin’s sand monologue just doesn’t make for good writing in my book.

This line crashed and burned in Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker

Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” that has been widely criticized for its unclear explanation of the villain’s return and Oscar Isaac’s apparent weariness while delivering it. However, given the increasing complexity and fatigue-inducing nature of real-world politics today, there is a sense of familiarity and even a strange sort of positivity in that (still rather absurd) line.

Instead of the repetitive banter about the First Order’s enhanced stormtroopers resembling a feeble attempt at humor, which barely skims the surface of a joke and falls short, one might describe it as a poor illustration of what is often referred to as “Whedonspeak” – the imitation of Joss Whedon’s sarcastic, self-aware writing style without considering whether it aligns with the material at hand.

Frankly my dear, I don’t give a Spam about Foodfight!

2012’s direct-to-video release “Foodfight!”, a chaotic mix of excessive product placement, offensive stereotypes, and questionable computer-generated visuals, is one of the most notable flops in the annals of animated cinema, taking an astonishing 12 years to produce.

Among all the cheesy food puns available in this shopping trip story, Dex Dogtective’s (Charlie Sheen) line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a Spam,” is particularly noteworthy due to its cringe-worthy nod to one of the most iconic and unforgettable lines in film history (“Gone with the Wind”). It seems that the movie “Foodfight!” doesn’t limit itself to poor parodies; it also imitates a musical sequence inspired by “Casablanca,” where generic products are equated with Nazi ideology.

When can I leave to be on my own and not watch Pinocchio: A True Story?

2022 brought forth the debut of no less than three distinct takes on the classic tale of Pinocchio. The stop-motion collaboration between Guillermo del Toro and Netflix was simply outstanding. Conversely, the live-action adaptation by Robert Zemeckis on Disney+ left much to be desired. Lastly, there was “Pinocchio: A True Story,” a modestly budgeted Russian animated film with an English dub that turned out to be so haphazard it transformed into a hilarious spectacle.

Pauly Shore’s casual and nonchalant line, “Father, when can I go off on my own?”, from the movie trailer, gained immense popularity on TikTok. Internet users found humor in this seemingly unintended source of amusement, referring to him as a ‘modernized, effeminate character’, which wasn’t likely the filmmakers’ intention.

More than Martha needed saving in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Mentioning “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” in a list of disappointments could invite backlash from the #RestoreTheSnyderverse group, but it’s hard to deny that the widely-ridiculed “Martha” scene lived up to its notoriety.

It’s likely that screenwriters Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer thought they were quite ingenious when they wrote Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) ending their battle upon discovering their mothers share the same name. However, this concept could have been more effective with improved execution. Regrettably, one of the most ridiculous moments in the movie, which tried hard to escape being seen as trivial, is Ben Affleck shouting “WHY DID YOU SAY THAT NAME?”

The writers might have thought they were smart by having Batman and Superman stop fighting when they found out their moms had the same name. However, this idea could have been stronger if it was done better. Unfortunately, one of the silliest scenes in a movie that wanted to be taken seriously is Ben Affleck yelling “WHY DID YOU SAY THAT NAME?” after learning the name.

This line in Suicide Squad didn’t have anyone’s back

In simpler terms, “Katana, as described by Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) in ‘Suicide Squad’, is a deadly assassin who can slice people in half with a single sword stroke, much like mowing the lawn. He warns against meeting such an untimely end by her. Her sword captures the souls of those she slays.” This introduction to Katana (Karen Fukuhara) in the movie is awkward and seems unnecessary, adding to the overall poor quality of the film’s character development.

It’s possible that the unseen director’s cut of Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” offers a more logical flow, perhaps providing Katana with a role – but the theatrical version, unfortunately, adds to the list of disappointments in the DC Extended Universe.

The future looks, uh, futuristic in Plan 9 From Outer Space

“Plan 9 From Outer Space” is often humorously referred to as the most poorly-made film ever. This 1957 B-movie by director Ed Wood features aliens and zombies, and it’s introduced as a prophecy by psychic The Amazing Criswell. In the beginning, he says, “We are all intrigued by the future, for that is where we will spend the remainder of our lives. Incidents such as these will influence your lives in the future.

Appreciation to the Department of Unnecessary Repetition. Midway through his explanation, Criswell transitions from speaking about what will occur to what has already happened, setting the stage for the confusing narrative of a film where scenes shift erratically between day and night. At the end of the movie, Criswell reappears, leaving it uncertain whether he’s referring to the past or the future, by posing the question, “Can you prove that it didn’t take place?

We don’t want anything from Manos: The Hands of Fate

1966 horror film “Manos: The Hands of Fate”, in its original version, might be an intense watch for dedicated fans of poorly-made films. Most people would benefit from the humorous commentary provided by shows like “Mystery Science Theatre 3000” or “RiffTrax”. These productions add humor to the film’s lengthy scenes where not much is happening.

Even if it doesn’t put you to sleep, the movie “Manos” has its amusing moments. One such instance occurs when one of The Master’s wives switches her mind about her desires in just four sentences (“The woman is everything we desire…we don’t even want the woman”). Whether this scene is brilliantly written or painfully awkward depends on your point of view.

Pearl Harbor’s start of World War II was off by 2 years

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: The Great War II in Europe commenced in September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, a full two years prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Journalists were already referring to the European conflict as the “Second Global Conflict” mere weeks after the invasion. Countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, Yugoslavia, and the Soviet Union were all embroiled in battles against the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan long before the U.S. joined the fray. China, on the other hand, had been at war with Japan since 1937.

Essentially, the point being made here is that Josh Hartnett’s character, First Lieutenant Danny Walker, seems rather uninformed given his statement “I think World War II just started!” in the movie “Pearl Harbor.” It implies that director Michael Bay might be better off focusing on action-packed robot films and steer clear of depicting real historical events.

We have met the enemy, and it is this line in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Michael Bay’s robot films, such as those in the Transformers series, often lack quality screenplays compared to movies like “Pearl Harbor.” However, the writing in the Transformers franchise deteriorates significantly, with the second movie, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” being particularly poor due to its hurried production during the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike.

Placing such a crass and offensive line in a film centered around children’s toys, like suggesting John Turturro’s character is standing underneath his adversary’s private parts, not only lacks humor but also represents an embarrassing misuse of a talented actor’s skills.

It was definitely turkey time for Gigli

For $200, let’s discuss some of the least romantic dialogue! Movies like “Gigli,” with its awkward lines such as Jennifer Lopez saying “It seems it’s turkey time — gobble, gobble” to Ben Affleck, and poorly acted love scenes, have earned a notorious reputation. It’s no surprise that this gangster romantic comedy became one of the most significant flops of the 21st century and a source of great embarrassment for both Affleck and Lopez.

In the end, their professional lives bounced back – though their tumultuous personal relationship had more brushes with danger than they preferred.

What do you say we try to forget this Shark Attack 3: Megalodon embarrassment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1XOfHax6Q8

Whoa there! I can’t believe I’m shelling out $600 for the least charming pick-up lines, but here we are. Fun fact: This raunchy come-on wasn’t even scripted for the questionable, potentially plagiarized direct-to-video movie, ‘Shark Attack 3: Megalodon’!

John Barrowman improvised the line, “Let’s go home and I’ll eat your dinner,” as a light-hearted attempt to amuse his co-star Jenny McShane, thinking it would be edited out. However, unexpectedly, the line remained in the film. This unexpected turn made watching the movie with his nieces and nephews a lot more uncomfortable for him.

Yes I would never watch Samurai Cop again

The least appealing pick-up lines in this 90-second clip from the 1991 cult action film ‘Samurai Cop’ just keep getting cringier! From his ‘Thanks, nurse’ to his ‘Bingo’, and even the unexpected mention of circumcision, each line is so awkward it could easily earn a spot on its own list.

Even the most skilled actors would struggle to bring life to such heavy dialogue, but the stiff performances in this scene of courtship and eventual rejection – “Would you like to explore what you see?” “Yes, yes I would” – elevate it into realms of amazement and unintended humor.

It’s lines like this that killed Batman and Robin

In a different phrasing: Is Akiva Goldsman’s screenplay for Joel Schumacher’s “Batman & Robin” filled with poor puns – but could these puns be considered good writing instead if the movie’s campiness was purposeful? And, considering Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career as an actor known for delivering over-the-top one-liners, don’t these same puns become more appealing when delivered by him?

It doesn’t make sense when Mr. Freeze claims, “What caused the extinction of dinosaurs? The Ice Age!”, because dinosaurs probably went extinct due to a meteor impact that happened much earlier in the Cenozoic Era, and surprisingly, dinosaurs were actually well-equipped for cold climates. So, it seems he may be lacking in scientific knowledge on this topic. It’s understandable that fans might take issue with this statement.

This line made Troll 2 more inhospitable than it already was

The film titled “Troll 2” is infamous on the internet not for being a troll-centric sequel to the original “Troll,” but rather for its numerous flaws. One of its most memorable scenes features the iconic line, “They’re eating her … and then they’re going to eat me … OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!” However, this is just one example of many cringe-worthy or hilariously bad dialogue lines that make up the so-bad-it’s-good classic known as “the worst best movie.

In this instance, we discover that scribbling names on construction paper is considered a form of hospitality, and it’s inappropriate to urinate on it. To provide some background, Joshua (Michael Stephenson) has just soiled the disgusting food supplied by the vegetarian goblins from Nilbog, who aim to transform his family into plants through this method. Understanding the context only serves to make this fact even more puzzling.

Bright only matters as an example of an offensive film

Back in the day, I recall Max Landis fervently believing that the 2017 Netflix urban fantasy film “Bright” would be his very own “Star Wars”. In a way, he was spot on; much like some “Star Wars” movies, “Bright” is not spared from cringe-worthy dialogue. The dialogue flaws become evident as soon as LAPD officer Daryl Ward (played by Will Smith) cold-bloodedly states before slaying a fairy, “Today, fairy lives mean nothing to me.

In a less than amusing manner, the film’s initial portrayal of the “Black Lives Matter” phrase seems to indicate that its forced use of mythical beings to symbolize racial issues may not lead to any profound or beneficial outcomes.

Madame Web’s trailer included a line so bad it was left out of the movie

When the trailer for the Spider-Man spinoff film “Madame Web” premiered online, viewers were taken aback by the peculiar phrasing and Dakota Johnson’s delivery in her statement, “He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders just before she died.” What made this feel so jarring? It turned out that the line didn’t appear as is in the actual movie, but instead was a fusion of several separate lines.

In the film “Madame Web,” both the screenplay and performances are less than impressive, possibly worsened by significant alterations during filming. However, one particularly jarring line from the trailer has become synonymous with the movie’s enduring reputation.

2025-01-18 22:31