I will never watch these 5 movies again

Published Oct 25, 2026, 4:16 PM EDT After graduating from Marist University with a degree in communications and journalism, Dan Girolamo has over 10 years of experience writing about entertainment and sports. Dan's work can be seen in various publications, including Digital Trends, SportsCasting, and Tom's Guide. Throughout his career, Dan has interviewed several high-profile filmmakers and creatives, including Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Caitriona Balfe, Frank Grillo, Miranda Cosgrove, Jai Courtney, Chris Columbus and James Cameron. Dan joins How-To Geek as a Senior Editor. When he's not writing about entertainment, Dan is either watching a movie or praying for the New York Knicks to win a championship. As someone who tries to spend one weekend night at a theater, I see as many movies as I can. Not all of these movies will be masterpieces. Some might even feel like a waste of time, though I can usually justify why I watched them in the first place. Like most cinephiles, I have a sixth sense for a certain type of movie: one I don't have to rewatch. There are a few types of movies I'll never watch again. Devastating movies that punch me in the gut are ones that I tend to avoid a second time. Others might have subject matter I don't care for or performances I don't need to see again. To spice things up, two of the movies on this list have won Best Picture. Yet I don't plan on sitting down to rewatch them anytime soon. Still Alice As heartbreaking as it gets I'm starting the list with a movie that will shatter you: Still Alice, a 2014 tragic drama written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland. Julianne Moore stars as Alice Howland, a Columbia University professor whose life comes to a screeching halt after being diagnosed with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease. At first, Alice forgets little things here and there, but the symptoms don't seem too serious. As the film progresses, Alice's mental state rapidly deteriorates. At one point, she forgets where the bathroom is in her house. Watching her urinate in her pants is harrowing. Moore deserved every bit of that Oscar win for Best Actress. It's a sensational performance that left me physically unable to move when it ended. My heart goes out to anyone whose loved one is battling Alzheimer's disease. The Shape of Water Love knows no bounds The Shape of Water is my example of something I respect but don't like. Guillermo del Toro's monster fantasy movie examines an unconventional love. In 1962, mute janitor Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) works inside a secret government laboratory in Baltimore. Inside the lab is a humanoid amphibian creature, played by Doug Jones, who falls in love with Elisa. When Elisa discovers that the creature will be killed, she devises a plan to help him escape. The Shape of Water is a technical wonder, backed by strong visuals and del Toro's wild imagination. The Shape of Water's win for Best Picture paved the way for genre films to receive more critical acclaim at the Oscars. I'd be lying to you if I said that I've watched this movie a second time. I admire what del Toro did, but the love story between a woman and an amphibian isn't my cup of tea. Crash How did this win Best Picture? While The Shape of Water's win for Best Picture was unconventional, I can appreciate the Academy's willingness to reward a fantasy movie. I have no defense for Crash, Paul Haggis's ensemble crime drama, which won three Oscars, including Best Picture. The movie features interconnected stories in Los Angeles that tackle issues of racism, class conflict, and societal stereotypes. Crash attempts to be this provocative exploration of human behavior, particularly racism. Yet most of the racist characters experience "a-ha" moments that absolve them of their wrongdoings. Complex characters shouldn't receive instant redemption. Brokeback Mountain should have won Best Picture that year. In a way, refusing to rewatch Crash is my silent protest against the Academy's decision. Hostel Gore, gore, and more gore Eli Roth certainly caters to his audience. If you love ruthless violence and excessive gore, then step right up and watch an Eli Roth movie. Hostel remains one of his most recognizable movies. The story heads across the pond as college students Paxton Rodriguez (Jay Hernandez) and Josh Brooks (Derek Richardson) embark on a European trip with their friend, Óli Eriksson (Eyþór Guðjónsson). In Slovakia, beautiful women lure the boys to a mysterious hostel. It's the worst mistake of their lives: the trio ends up in a facility where wealthy clients pay to torture innocent people. I feel like puking just thinking about the Achilles tendon-slicing scene. If you're into these movies, more power to you. I have a weak stomach, so I'm out. ​​​​​​​ Hostel Release Date January 6, 2006 Mother! What just happened? If you asked me to explain the plot of Mother!, I might last only 15 seconds before you'd ask three questions. To that, I would say, "I'm also lost." Darren Aronofsky's 2017 psychological thriller stars Jennifer Lawrence as the titular Mother, a beautiful woman who lives with her husband, Him (Javier Bardem). Their relationship is disrupted by the arrival of Man (Ed Harris) and Woman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Why couldn't Aronofsky just give them real names? I bet I might understand it a bit more. Mother! is a biblical allegory—Bardem represents God, while Lawrence represents Mother Nature, and together, they facilitate creation. Honestly, I'm not even confident that my explanation is right. I'm still confused to this day. I like movies that take big risks, and Mother! swings for the fences. Ultimately, the movie belongs in the dugout, but hey, at least it took a chance. Mother! Release Date September 13, 2017 ​​​​​​​What should you watch instead? If you don't want to rewatch these five movies, here are some alternatives to stream instead. If you're looking for some great films, go to Netflix for Heat and Top Gun: Maverick, two movies impossible to stop watching after the first scene. As for classic movies, check out Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society.