Bad Apples: 12 Movies That 1989 Is Still Apologizing for Today

Before we dive into these bad apples from 1989, let me clarify these are ranked on IMDb’s list, and I disagree with a couple of the films. So don’t come too hard for me. Let’s take a look.

1. Dream a Little Dream (1989)

Dream a Little Dream 1989
Image Credit: Vestron Pictures.

This comedy-drama turns unexpectedly when Bobby Keller and his friends discover a magical pair of sunglasses that allow them to enter other people’s dreams. What starts as a lighthearted adventure takes a darker twist as Bobby’s dream world becomes intertwined with an older man’s.

The film blends comedy, drama, and fantasy, but its convoluted plot and tonal shifts have left 1989 still trying to justify the intriguing yet muddled storyline.

2. Friday the 13th Part VIII Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)

Friday the 13th Part VIII 1989
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

The iconic Jason Voorhees is followed in this entry of the infamous horror series as he ends himself in the busy streets of Manhattan. Many fans were let down by the film’s low budget and insufficient use of the iconic cityscape, despite the concept’s promise of new terror in an unfamiliar locale. Sadly, 1989 still justifies releasing a mediocre installment in the adored slasher franchise.

3. Communion (1989)

Communion 1989
Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

Based on Whitley Strieber’s alleged alien abduction experiences, this sci-fi horror film explores the unsettling encounters of a man named Whitley (Christopher Walken) and his family with extraterrestrial beings.

While the subject matter is intriguing, the film’s execution has led 1989 to offer apologies for the uneven blend of suspense and questionable special effects that leave viewers more puzzled than spooked.

4. See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)

See No Evil Hear No Evil 1989
Image Credit: TriStar Pictures.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil is a comedy that pairs up Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder as a blind man and a deaf man who team up to solve a murder.

Despite the comic chemistry between the two lead actors, the film’s reliance on dated and often offensive humor has raised eyebrows over the years. As society’s sensibilities have evolved, 1989 finds itself explaining the cultural insensitivity that mars what could have been a classic comedy.

5. Cyborg (1989)

Cyborg 1989
Image Credit: The Cannon Group.

In a post-apocalyptic future, a martial artist named Gibson Rickenbacker (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is tasked with escorting a cyborg containing valuable information to safety. While the film’s action sequences showcase Van Damme’s signature moves, the disjointed narrative and lack of character development have led to ongoing apologies from 1989 for a movie that falls short of its action-packed potential.

6. Three Fugitives (1989)

Three Fugitives 1989
Image Credit: Touchstone Pictures.

This crime-comedy centers on Lucas (Nick Nolte), a career criminal, and Ned (Martin Short), a mild-mannered bank teller, who become an unlikely duo after a bank heist goes awry.

Despite the hilarious ability of its key performers, the movie struggles to reach the perfect mix between comedy and emotion, prompting 1989 to feel regret for a wasted opportunity to provide a more consistently amusing and memorable experience.

7. The Karate Kid Part III (1989)

The Karate Kid Part III 1989
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures.

In this third sequel of the iconic franchise, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) faces new challenges as he competes in a high-stakes karate tournament. However, The Karate Kid Part III‘s predictable plot and recycled themes disappointed many fans. 1989 continues to express regret for delivering a lackluster follow-up that failed to capture the magic of its predecessors.

8. Pink Cadillac (1989)

Pink Cadillac 1989
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Clint Eastwood stars as a bounty hunter who embarks on a cross-country chase to retrieve a woman on the run. Despite its action-packed premise, the film struggles to find its footing and balance its comedic and dramatic elements. 1989 acknowledges the uneven tone that hindered the movie’s potential and led to it being regarded as a misstep in Eastwood’s filmography.

9. Best of the Best (1989)

Best of the Best 1989
Image Credit: Taurus Entertainment.

This martial arts drama follows a team of American athletes as they compete against a formidable South Korean taekwondo team. While the film delivers impressive fight sequences, its lack of character development and formulaic plot has caused 1989 to apologize for failing to fully capitalize on its potential to become a memorable sports drama.

10. The January Man (1989)

The January Man 1989
Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Kevin Kline stars as an unconventional detective tasked with solving a series of murders in New York City. Despite the star-studded cast, the film’s disjointed narrative and tonal shifts have left 1989 explaining its struggles to balance suspense and humor. The movie’s attempts at quirkiness and unconventional storytelling have led to ongoing apologies for its missed mark.

11. Harlem Nights (1989)

Harlem Nights 1989
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Eddie Murphy directs and stars in this comedy-drama set in 1930s Harlem, where a nightclub owner (Murphy) and his partner (Richard Pryor) must navigate various challenges.

Even though the star power involved, the film’s blend of crime, comedy, and drama received mixed reviews. 1989 continues to address the disappointment surrounding the movie’s failure to capitalize on its potential as a standout comedy fully.

12. DeepStar Six (1989)

DeepStar Six 1989
Image Credit: Tri-Star Pictures.

This science fiction horror film portrays a group of researchers working on an undersea military station who encounter dangerous animals. In spite of its promising premise, the film struggles to establish a coherent and engaging storyline. Its similarities to other underwater creature features have led 1989 to offer apologies for delivering a lackluster and forgettable entry in the genre.

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Psycho Anthony Perkins
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

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Raiders of the Lost Ark
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

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Kim Cattrall Big Trouble in Little China
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

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Tombstone
Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures.

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Lucy Scarlett Johansson
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

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Source: IMDb.