Razzies 2025: Is ‘Megalopolis’ Truly One of the Worst Films of the Year?

Every awards season brings its share of surprises, but nothing ruffles feathers quite like the Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies. Designed as a tongue-in-cheek counterpoint to Hollywood's love affair with accolades, the Razzies often spark heated debates about what truly defines “bad” cinema. This year, their crosshairs are locked on Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis, a film that ties for the most nominations, including Worst Picture and Worst Director.

But how much weight do these infamous awards carry? And is Megalopolis—a project decades in the making—really deserving of this dubious distinction?

A Closer Look at the Razzies

The Razzies are often dismissed as a playful jab at Hollywood excess, but the way they operate has raised eyebrows. With membership open to anyone willing to pay a fee, critics question the credibility of the voting body. Members aren't required to watch all the nominated films, and the criteria for judging can feel arbitrary.

This is the same group that once labeled Stanley Kubrick's The Shining as one of the worst-directed films of 1980 and gave Ennio Morricone a nomination for Worst Film Score for The Thing. Clearly, even cinematic legends aren't safe from their ridicule.

The 2025 Nominees: What's in a Name?

The 45th Razzie Awards nominees for Worst Picture include:

• Megalopolis
• Joker: Folie à Deux
• Reagan
• Madame Web
• Borderlands

It's no surprise to see Megalopolis stirring controversy. The film, with its sprawling narrative and ambition, has divided critics and audiences alike. Some call it a masterpiece weighed down by its own aspirations; others see it as a misfire that fails to capture the magic of Coppola's earlier works.

Another polarizing nomination is Todd Phillips's Joker: Folie à Deux. While not universally beloved, the film's nomination for Worst Picture feels more like a reaction to its divisive reputation than an assessment of its actual quality.

Is Megalopolis Truly Razzie-Worthy?

Coppola's ambitious project has been years in the making, and while it may not be his magnum opus, calling it one of the year's worst films feels hyperbolic. Megalopolis explores big themes: urban utopias, societal decay, and the eternal clash between ambition and reality. While its execution may falter at times, its sheer scope and thematic boldness deserve recognition, not derision.

The Razzie voters, however, seem to have a penchant for targeting audacious failures over safe mediocrity. This raises a question: Are the Razzies holding films to an unfair standard? Should daring visions be mocked for falling short, or celebrated for their courage to reach?

Other Controversial Picks

The nominations extend to acting and directing categories, with Lady Gaga (Joker: Folie à Deux) and Cate Blanchett (Borderlands) landing Worst Actress nods. These performances, while not flawless, hardly merit such harsh criticism. The Razzies' tendency to conflate polarizing projects with poor craftsmanship dilutes their purpose and risks reducing their impact to mere shock value.

Full List of 2025 Razzie Nominees

Worst Picture

• Borderlands
• Joker: Folie à Deux
• Madame Web
• Megalopolis
• Reagan

Worst Actor

• Jack Black (Dear Santa)
• Zachary Levi (Harold and the Purple Crayon)
• Joaquin Phoenix (Joker: Folie à Deux)
• Dennis Quaid (Reagan)
• Jerry Seinfeld (Unfrosted)

Worst Actress

• Cate Blanchett (Borderlands)
• Lady Gaga (Joker: Folie à Deux)
• Bryce Dallas Howard (Argylle)
• Dakota Johnson (Madame Web)
• Jennifer Lopez (Atlas)

Worst Supporting Actor

• Jack Black (Voice Only) (Borderlands)
• Kevin Hart (Borderlands)
• Shia LaBeouf (in drag) (Megalopolis)
• Tahar Rahim (Madame Web)
• Jon Voight (Megalopolis, Reagan, Shadow Land & Strangers)

Worst Supporting Actress

• Ariana DeBose (Argylle & Kraven the Hunter)
• Leslie Anne Down (as Margaret Thatcher) (Reagan)
• Emma Roberts (Madame Web)
• Amy Schumer (Unfrosted)
• FKA twigs (The Crow)

Worst Director

• S.J. Clarkson (Madame Web)
• Francis Ford Coppola (Megalopolis)
• Todd Phillips (Joker: Folie à Deux)
• Eli Roth (Borderlands)
• Jerry Seinfeld (Unfrosted)

Worst Screen Combo

• Any Two Obnoxious Characters (But Especially Jack Black) (Borderlands)
• Any Two Unfunny “Comedic Actors” (Unfrosted)
• The Entire Cast of Megalopolis (Megalopolis)
• Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga (Joker: Folie à Deux)
• Dennis Quaid & Penelope Ann Miller (as “Ronnie and Nancy”) (Reagan)

Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off, or Sequel

• The Crow
• Joker: Folie à Deux
• Kraven the Hunter
• Mufasa: The Lion King
• Rebel Moon 2: The Scargiver

Worst Screenplay

• Joker: Folie à Deux
• Kraven the Hunter
• Madame Web
• Megalopolis
• Reagan

Personal Impressions

As much as I love the idea of poking fun at Hollywood's missteps, the Razzies sometimes miss the mark. Nominating Megalopolis feels like an easy punchline rather than a considered critique. Yes, Coppola's film is flawed, but it's also earnest and ambitious—a rare combination in an industry increasingly dominated by sequels and remakes.

If the Razzies aimed to start conversations about cinematic failures, they might find more success by holding a mirror to Hollywood's risk-averse tendencies rather than ridiculing bold efforts like Megalopolis.

What do you think: Are the Razzies a harmless joke or an outdated institution that unfairly targets creative risks? Share your thoughts below!