As the film industry gears up for its annual celebration of cinematic excellence, another, decidedly less glamorous, institution has emerged from the shadows to cast its critical eye on the year’s biggest blunders. The Golden Raspberry Awards, affectionately known as the Razzies, have unveiled their nominations for their 46th edition, shining a spotlight on the films and performances that left audiences and critics alike scratching their heads. This year, the live-action adaptation of Disney’s classic, *Snow White*, and Ice Cube’s genre-bending *War of the Worlds*, lead the ignominious pack, each garnering a disheartening six nominations.
Since its inception in 1981 by publicist John J. B. Wilson, the Razzies have served as the cheeky antithesis to the Academy Awards. Far from being a mere parody, they have evolved into a cultural phenomenon, a tongue-in-cheek roast that reminds Hollywood, and indeed the world, that even the biggest budgets and most revered talents can occasionally miss the mark—sometimes spectacularly. While the Oscars laud artistic achievement, the Razzies revel in cinematic misfires, celebrating the kind of creative decisions that make audiences cringe, laugh for the wrong reasons, or simply walk out of the cinema feeling utterly bewildered. It’s a tradition that has, over the decades, seen everyone from Sylvester Stallone and Madonna to Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock “accept” their dubious honors, often with a good-natured sense of humor that underscores the Razzies’ unique place in the awards season calendar.
This year’s crop of contenders for the coveted Golden Raspberry statuette (a golf ball-sized raspberry atop a Super 8 film reel, spray-painted gold) suggests a particularly fertile year for questionable filmmaking. Beyond the frontrunners, *Snow White* (2025) and *War of the Worlds* (2025), the prestigious Worst Picture category also includes the ambitious sci-fi epic *The Electric State*, the enigmatic *Hurry Up Tomorrow*, and the latest installment in a beloved franchise, *Star Trek: Section 31*. Each of these films, in their own unique way, seems to have fallen short of critical expectations, earning them a place on this year’s list of cinematic infamy.
The Weeknd’s Unconventional Performance and Other Acting Aberrations
The acting categories, always a highlight for Razzie watchers, feature a fascinating mix of seasoned veterans and unexpected newcomers. In the race for Worst Actor, the music sensation Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye finds himself nominated for his role as a fictionalized version of himself in *Hurry Up Tomorrow*. This particular nomination raises intriguing questions about the blurry lines between celebrity persona and cinematic performance, especially given Tesfaye’s recent foray into acting with controversial projects. *Hurry Up Tomorrow* clearly struck a sour note with Razzie voters, racking up five nominations in total, suggesting a widespread critical disdain for the film’s artistic direction and execution.
Tesfaye isn’t alone in this dubious competition. He faces off against a diverse group of actors, including Dave Bautista for his performance in *In the Lost Lands*, Ice Cube for his leading role in *War of the Worlds*, Scott Eastwood for *Alarum*, and Jared Leto for his turn in *Tron: Ares*. The inclusion of respected names like Bautista and Leto, known for their committed (if sometimes eccentric) performances, underscores the Razzies’ equal-opportunity approach to recognizing perceived acting missteps. It serves as a reminder that even the most acclaimed performers can occasionally deliver a performance that simply doesn’t resonate, or worse, actively detracts from the film.
The Worst Actress category is equally intriguing, featuring a roster of talented women whose recent performances, according to Razzie voters, left much to be desired. Ariana DeBose, an Oscar winner known for her dynamic presence, is nominated for *Love Hurts*. Milla Jovovich, a veteran of action franchises, is recognized for *In the Lost Lands*. Perhaps most surprisingly, Natalie Portman, an Academy Award-winning actress celebrated for her dramatic depth, finds herself on the list for *Fountain of Youth*. Rounding out this category are the usually comedic Rebel Wilson for *Bride Hard* and another Oscar winner, Michelle Yeoh, for *Star Trek: Section 31*. The presence of such esteemed actresses on this list speaks volumes about the challenges of filmmaking, where even the most accomplished talents can be let down by script, direction, or an unfortunate confluence of creative decisions. For women in Hollywood, this highlights the immense pressure to consistently deliver, and the unforgiving nature of public and critical perception when a project falls flat, regardless of individual effort.
The Art of the Awkward: Worst Screen Combo and Other Noteworthy Nods
One of the Razzies’ most anticipated and often hilarious categories is Worst Screen Combo, which celebrates the most jarring, chemistry-deficient, or simply inexplicable pairings on screen. This year’s nominations are particularly rich with comedic potential. The “seven dwarfs” from the live-action *Snow White* are singled out, a nod that likely addresses concerns about casting choices, special effects, or the overall portrayal of these iconic characters in the much-discussed remake. The juxtaposition of a beloved classic with what some perceive as a misstep in its adaptation has fueled considerable online debate, making this a particularly salient nomination.
Other notable combos include James Corden and Rihanna in 2025’s *Smurfs*, a pairing that on paper might raise eyebrows, given Corden’s polarizing public image and Rihanna’s relatively infrequent acting appearances. Ice Cube and “his Zoom camera” in *War of the Worlds* is a wonderfully meta nomination, hinting at the challenges of pandemic-era filmmaking, low-budget aesthetics, or perhaps a directorial choice that inadvertently created a disconnect between actor and audience. Robert De Niro, a living legend, receives a nomination for his dual role as Frank and Vito in *The Alto Knights*, suggesting that even a powerhouse like De Niro can deliver a performance so uninspired or self-indulgent that it warrants a Razzie nod. Finally, The Weeknd returns to the list with “his colossal ego” in *Hurry Up Tomorrow*, a delightfully pointed nomination that seems to comment as much on the character’s portrayal as on the perception of the star himself, further blurring the lines between art and celebrity.
Remakes, Sequels, and the Quest for Originality
The category for Worst Remake/Rip-Off/Sequel always serves as a poignant commentary on Hollywood’s reliance on existing intellectual property, and this year is no exception. *I Know What You Did Last Summer* (2025), *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2*, *Smurfs* (2025), *Snow White* (2025), and *War of the Worlds* (2025) all find themselves competing for this ignominious award. This collective nomination highlights a growing fatigue among audiences and critics for rehashed stories and uninspired continuations. While studios often chase the financial safety of established franchises, the Razzies remind them that not all reboots or sequels are created equal, and some are, quite frankly, cinematic travesties.
The creative forces behind these films also come under scrutiny. The Worst Director category includes Rich Lee for *War of the Worlds*, Olatunde Osunsanmi for *Star Trek: Section 31*, the acclaimed Russo Brothers for *The Electric State* (a surprising nod for directors known for their massive Marvel successes), Trey Edward Shults for *Hurry Up Tomorrow*, and Marc Webb for *Snow White*. Similarly, the Worst Screenplay nominations dissect the very foundations of these cinematic failures, calling out writers for their perceived missteps in crafting narratives, dialogue, and character arcs. *Snow White*’s screenplay, credited to “Erin Cressida Wilson and a bunch of others too numerous to mention,” along with its reliance on the Brothers Grimm, hints at the potential creative chaos and committee-driven decisions that can plague major studio productions.
The Razzies: A Mirror to Hollywood
The Golden Raspberry Awards, despite their comedic veneer, offer a valuable, albeit brutal, form of self-reflection for the film industry. They serve as a reminder that even in a world obsessed with box office numbers and critical acclaim, there’s a vital space for honest, if harsh, critique. For women in entertainment, these nominations can be particularly resonant. While the Razzies are indiscriminate in their nominations, they implicitly highlight the unique pressures faced by actresses, directors, and writers in a male-dominated industry. A female star’s perceived “flop” can sometimes carry a heavier burden than a male counterpart’s, making the lighthearted spirit of the Razzies a welcome, if double-edged, antidote to intense industry scrutiny.
The Razzies are more than just a joke; they are a tradition that playfully holds Hollywood accountable, celebrating the audacious failures that, in their own way, contribute to the rich tapestry of cinema. They invite us to laugh at the industry’s foibles, to question creative choices, and perhaps, to appreciate the true triumphs of filmmaking even more. All eyes will be on March 14, when the winners of the 46th annual Razzies are unveiled, providing a final, golden raspberry-flavored punctuation mark to a year of cinematic ups and downs.
Below, find the comprehensive list of nominations, a testament to the year’s most memorable misfires:
WORST PICTURE
“The Electric State”
“Hurry Up Tomorrow”
“Snow White” (2025)
“Star Trek: Section 31”
“War of the Worlds” (2025)
WORST ACTOR
Dave Bautista / “In the Lost Lands”
Ice Cube / “War of the Worlds”
Scott Eastwood / “Alarum”
Jared Leto / “Tron: Ares”
Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye / “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
WORST ACTRESS
Ariana DeBose / “Love Hurts”
Milla Jovovich / “In the Lost Lands”
Natalie Portman / “Fountain of Youth”
Rebel Wilson / “Bride Hard”
Michelle Yeoh / “Star Trek: Section 31”
WORST REMAKE/RIP-OFF/SEQUEL
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” (2025)
“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2”
“Smurfs” (2025)
“Snow White” (2025)
“War of the Worlds” (2025)
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Anna Chlumsky / “Bride Hard”
Ema Horvath / “The Strangers: Chapter 2”
Scarlet Rose Stallone / “Gunslingers”
Kacey Rohl / “Star Trek: Section 31”
Isis Valverde / “Alarum”
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR
All Seven Artificial Dwarfs / “Snow White” (2025)
Nicolas Cage / “Gunslingers”
Stephen Dorff / “Bride Hard”
Greg Kinnear / “Off the Grid”
Sylvester Stallone / “Alarum”
WORST SCREEN COMBO
All Seven Dwarfs / “Snow White” (2025)
James Corden & Rihanna / “Smurfs” (2025)
Ice Cube & His Zoom Camera / “War of the Worlds” (2025)
Robert DeNiro & Robert DeNiro (as Frank & Vito) / “The Alto Knights”
The Weeknd & His Colossal Ego / “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
WORST DIRECTOR
Rich Lee / “War of the Worlds” (2025)
Olatunde Osunsanmi / “Star Trek: Section 31”
The Russo Brothers / “The Electric State”
Trey Edward Shults / “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Marc Webb / “Snow White” (2025)
WORST SCREENPLAY
“The Electric State” / Screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Adapted from the illustrated novel by Simon Stalenhag.
“Hurry Up Tomorrow” / Screenplay by Trey Edward Shults, Abel Tesfaye, Reza Fahim
“Snow White” (2025) / Screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson and a bunch of others too numerous to mention. Drawing from the original fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
“Star Trek: Section 31” / Screenplay by Craig Sweeny with original story concept developed by Bo Yeon Kim & Erika Lippoldt
“War of the Worlds” (2025) / Screen Story and Screenplay by Kenny Golde and screenplay by Marc Hyman, adapting (or destroying) the classic novel by H.G. Wells.
