Every January, Hollywood performs a quiet ritual. After the dazzling prestige of December’s awards contenders and the frenzy of holiday blockbusters, the calendar resets with whatinsiders wryly dub “dump month.“January, stripped of the glamour and high stakes of other seasons, becomes a repository for films that studios, for one reason or another, would rather release than shelve indefinitely. These projects often come with a whiff of forewarning: tepid marketing campaigns, rushed post-production, or genre mishmashes that failed to inspire confidence in test screenings. While a rare gem may emerge, January’s cinematic landscape is largely populated by the awkward, the misguided, and sometimes the utterly unremarkable.
The Graveyard of Cinema: January’s Celluloid Missteps
Among the middling offerings, some films descend into the realm of embarrassment. In this context, “embarrassing” is not just about bad reviews or box office losses—it’s about films that seem to embody Hollywood’s excesses, misjudgments, or lack of creative ambition. These are the movies that left audiences scratching their heads (or outright jeering) at lazy scripts, incoherent plots, or baffling creative decisions. Whether it’s a poorly timed cash grab, an ill-conceived adaptation, or a deeply misguided attempt at family entertainment, these movies achieve a kind of infamy that lingers far longer than their fleeting runs in theaters.
15‘Monster Trucks’ (August 23, 2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 32%
Monster Trucks
InMonster Trucks, Lucas Till stars as Tripp, a small-town teenager who discovers Creech, an alien creature hiding inside his beat-up truck. Tripp learns that Creech, who escaped from an oil drilling site, has the ability to power and drive the truck, turning it into a literal “monster truck.” Co-starring Jane Levy as Meredith, a science-minded classmate, the film tries to blend environmental messaging with family-friendly action, but the absurd premise and clumsy execution left audiences scratching their heads.
The Wheels Fall Off the Premise
Despite its $125 million budget,Monster Truckswas plagued by tonal confusion. The movie’s attempt to appeal to children while packaging itself like a blockbuster alien adventure made it hard to find a consistent audience. Critics panned the uninspired script, derivative story beats, and the awkward mix of slapstick comedy and forced sentimentality. Even years later, the film is a cautionary tale about overinvesting in a concept too silly for mainstream appeal yet not quirky enough to become a cult classic.
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14‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop’ (July 27, 2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 34%
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Kevin James stars as Paul Blart, an earnest but clumsy mall security guard who dreams of becoming a police officer. When a group of criminals stages a heist during the holiday shopping rush, Paul inadvertently becomes the mall’s last line of defense. The film tries to balance slapstick humor with a heartfelt underdog story, but its reliance on physical comedy and predictable gags failed to resonate with critics, even as it found surprising box-office success.
A Comedy Without Security
Critics dismissedPaul Blart: Mall Copas formulaic and uninspired, relying too heavily on cheap humor like fat jokes and pratfalls. While Kevin James brought likability to the titular character, the movie’s over-reliance on one-note humor wore thin quickly. With a 34% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film may have earned an audience during its release, but it left little lasting cultural impact and is often remembered more as a punchline than a success story.
13‘The Bye Bye Man’ (July 30, 2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 19%
The Bye Bye Man
The Bye Bye Manfollows three college students—Elliot (Douglas Smith), Sasha (Cressida Bonas), and John (Lucien Laviscount)—who accidentally summon a sinister supernatural entity after discovering his name. The titular monster manipulates his victims’ thoughts and actions, driving them to madness and violence. While the premise hinted at psychological horror with a fresh villain, the execution fell apart, delivering an uninspired story filled with clichés andunintentional laughs.
Don’t Think It, Don’t Watch It
The movie’s biggest downfall was its lack of originality, with critics citing clunky dialogue, lifeless performances, and a complete absence of tension. It relied on cheap jump scares and a poorly developed mythology, making its titular villain feel hollow and unmemorable. Even its chilling tagline, “Don’t think it, don’t say it,” couldn’t saveThe Bye Bye Manfrom being an embarrassment that horror fans quickly forgot.
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12‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’ (August 23, 2025)
Texas Chainsaw 3D
In this direct sequel to Tobe Hooper’s iconicThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre(1974), Alexandra Daddario stars as Heather, a young woman who inherits a Texas mansion from a family she never knew she had. Upon arriving, she discovers that her newfound legacy includes none other than Leatherface, who has been hiding in the basement. The film attempts to modernize the slasher classic with callbacks to the original and a 3D update, but its incoherent plot and awkward tonal shifts left audiences cold.
A Franchise Flayed
Critics were quick to point out thatTexas Chainsaw 3Dfailed to capture the visceral terror of its predecessor, relying instead on gimmicky 3D effects and nonsensical plot twists. The decision to turn Leatherface into an anti-hero confused fans, and the script’s awkward dialogue and inconsistent logic undermined any potential scares. With its 19% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film stands as a reminder that nostalgia alone cannot sustain a franchise without a clear vision or respect for its roots.
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11‘Legion’ (June 11, 2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 20%
Legionstars Paul Bettany as Michael, the Archangel who descends to Earth to protect humanity’s last hope—a pregnant waitress named Charlie (Adrianne Palicki). Set in a remote desert diner, the film pits Michael and a group of stranded patrons, including Dennis Quaid as the diner’s owner, against a horde of possessed humans sent totrigger the apocalypse. Though its premise promised a mix of biblical intrigue and action-packed horror,Legionended up as an over-the-top genre mashup that never found its footing.
Angels with No Wings
Critics slammedLegionfor its inconsistent tone and underwhelming execution, with clunky dialogue and paper-thin characters. While the film delivers a few memorable action sequences—like an ice-cream man-turned-demon—it leans too heavily on spectacle without meaningful substance. The theological themes, which could have added depth, were glossed over in favor of cheap thrills. With a 20% Rotten Tomatoes score,Legionremains an example of high-concept ideas undermined by shallow storytelling.
10‘Dolittle’ (June 23, 2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 14%
Starring Robert Downey Jr. as the eccentric veterinarian who can speak to animals,Dolittlewas positioned as a whimsical reboot of the beloved children’s story. Accompanied by a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Emma Thompson as a parrot and Rami Malek as a nervous gorilla, the film promised an adventurous journey to find a mythical cure for Queen Victoria’s illness. However, what could have been a charming family film turned into an incoherent mix of slapstick humor, awkward CGI, and baffling creative choices.
A Cure No One Wanted
Critics tore intoDolittlefor its lack of narrative focus and bizarre tonal shifts. Downey’s performance, marked by an inconsistent Welsh accent, was emblematic of a production that felt chaotic and rushed. The CGI animals lacked the warmth or humor needed to connect with audiences, and the film’s infamous dragon enema scene became a symbol of its misjudged attempts at humor. Despite Downey’s star power,Dolittleremains a high-profile misstep, its 14% Rotten Tomatoes score a testament to its disjointed execution.
The 20 Greatest January Movie Releases of All Time
While January is historically known as a dreadful month for movie releases, here are 20 that prove otherwise.
9‘The Nut Job’ (July 30, 2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 13%
The Nut Job
InThe Nut Job, Will Arnett voices Surly, a self-centered squirrel who schemes to rob a nut store to survive the winter. Featuring a supporting cast that includes Brendan Fraser as an overeager hero squirrel and Katherine Heigl as Surly’s more earnest counterpart, the film attempts to combine slapstick comedy with a heist plot. Despite its colorful animation and energetic pacing,The Nut Jobwas widely panned for its lack of originality and over-reliance on tired jokes.
Cracking Under the Pressure
Critics found the film’s humor to be juvenile and uninspired, with too many gags falling flat. While it aimed to appeal to children,The Nut Joblacked the wit or emotional depth that would have made it appealing to adults as well. The plot felt like a shallow mashup of heist movie clichés, and the characters were often one-dimensional. Even with its bright visuals, the film couldn’t overcome its flimsy story, leaving audiences and critics unimpressed.
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8‘Season of the Witch’ (August 15, 2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 11%
Set in the 14th century,Season of the Witchstars Nicolas Cage as Behmen, a disillusioned knight tasked with transporting a young woman (Claire Foy) accused of being a witch to her trial. Along the way, Behmen and his companion Felson (Ron Perlman) face supernatural threats and moral dilemmas as they question whether the woman is truly possessed or a victim of fear and hysteria. Despite its intriguing medieval premise, the film’s execution veered into unintentionally campy territory.
Casting a Spell That Fizzles
Critics pannedSeason of the Witchfor its lackluster dialogue, uneven pacing, and lack of commitment to either horror or action. Nicolas Cage’s trademark intensity felt misplaced in a story that never fully embraced its potential for either tension or spectacle. The film’s CGI effects were often laughably poor, undermining its supernatural elements. Its 11% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects how an initially promising concept wasweighed down by sloppy storytelling and uninspired visuals.
7‘Supernova’ (July 03, 2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 10%
Supernovafollows a crew aboard a deep-space rescue vessel, led by Captain Nick Vanzant (James Spader), as they respond to a distress call from a rogue mining ship. The film combines sci-fi tropes with elements of body horror and psychological tension, but a troubled production history—including extensive reshoots and a director’s departure—left the final product feeling disjointed and incomplete.
A Star That Burned Out
Critics were quick to point outSupernova’s incoherent plot, thin character development, and uneven tone. Despite a promising cast that included Angela Bassett and James Spader, the film’s pacing felt rushed, and its attempts at suspense fell flat. The messy production translated into a lackluster visual style and an unfocused narrative, earning the film its 10% Rotten Tomatoes score and cementing its reputation as a forgettable sci-fi misfire.
6‘Bride Wars’ (July 05, 2025)
Bride Wars
Bride Warsstars Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson as childhood best friends turned rivals when their dream weddings are accidentally scheduled for the same date at the Plaza Hotel. What ensues is a battle of escalating pranks as the two women sabotage each other’s nuptial plans, testing their friendship in the process. While the premise had potential for sharp comedy, the film’s reliance on tired stereotypes and shallow humor left audiences and critics disappointed.
A Match Made in Comedy Hell
Critics lambastedBride Warsfor reducing its lead characters to one-dimensional caricatures obsessed with materialistic wedding fantasies. The film squandered the comedic talents of Hathaway and Hudson by relying on over-the-top antics instead of clever writing or meaningful character arcs. Its portrayal of women as catty and self-absorbed felt outdated even at the time of release, earning it a 10% Rotten Tomatoes score and a reputation as a missed opportunity in the rom-com genre.
