Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Your movies and TV digest from the team at GamesRadar+

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

20 Worst Movie Leaders

Features
By Joshua Winning
Published 22 October 2010

Con Dem Nation? Try this lot…

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Top Gun (1986)

The Leader: Maverick, cocky flyboy who enjoys flouting both rules and safety.

Why So Bad? His complete inability to adhere to rules is rooted in daddy issues (papa was a better pilot than me!), meaning he's a wreckless presence with little regard for his fellow pilots. Also, he’s just really short and annoying.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: He’d meet Sarah Newton in a bar, not realise she’s a politician, chat her up, then be severely embarrassed the next day at an important conference.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

Conan The Barbarian (1982)

The Leader: Big brute with massive muscles and an even massiver sword. Generally talks in mono syllables and leads quests.

Why So Bad? Well, y’see, he’s all kind of, y’know, it’s just... He’s thick, alright? More brawn than brains and all that. Yeah, he saves a few princesses, but he loses them, too.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: He’s already the Governor of California - this is scarily possible.

Inception (2010)

The Leader: Dream-obsessed Dom Cobb is in the business of infiltrating peoples’ unconscious minds and extracting information for money.

Your movies and TV digest from the team at GamesRadar+

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we’ve got you covered.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Why So Bad? Because he’s so haunted by the death of his wife that he’s a liability to have on a mission – especially a mission involving dream infiltration, which is where the phantom of his ex-beau can come to life.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: He’d be unable to distinguish reality from dream, and put through the Tuesday Tie Bill, which says everybody has to wear a silly tie on a Tuesday on penalty of death.

Species (1995)

The Leader: Xavier Fitch, a government worker in allegiance with SETI who are seeking signs of alien life.

Why So Bad? Having a) created an abomination of human/alien DNA, he then b) cries about having to destroy her, before c) letting her escape, and then d) hiring an absolutely ridiculous team of psychics, assassins and scientists to track her down. His e) death can’t come soon enough.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: He’d spike the water cooler with an unstable genetic protein and take notes as his co-workers morphed into weird alien things. Then cry about it.

300 (2007)

The Leader: King Leonidas, ruler of Sparta and owner of impressive facial hair.

Why So Bad? Despite having battle advice handed to him on a golden plate, Leonidas ignores the revelation of a secret path that could undo his war formation - and scupper his attack on the Persians. For a war lord, war really isn’t his forte.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: Turning a blind eye would be his first reaction to every dodgy situation. The resultant catastrophe could rock the Earth off its axis.

Office Space (1999)

The Leader: Bill Lumbergh, Vice President of Initech, and general pain in the ass.

Why So Bad? He runs his team with military precision, demanding that everything is completed perfectly, and often dragging staff in on weekends for no reason. Also, he has a vanity plate. Worst. Boss. Ever.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: “If you could just go ahead and work another eight day week that would be great, m’kay?” is the new most commonly used phrase around the office.

Love, Actually (2003)

The Leader: The US President, a thinly-veiled caricature of George W. Bush, who is hoping to form an alliance with nitwit Hugh Grant's British Prime Minister.

Why So Bad? He’s a sleazy womaniser who doesn’t mind feeling up the PM’s secretary. Also, he keeps secrets regarding future policies that could prove disastrous.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: He’d make all women in the office come to work in bikinis. Doesn’t sound too bad, actually…

Terminator 2 (1991)

The Leader: Sarah Connor, mother of the future saviour of mankind. She's been targeted by futuristic Terminators who want to make sure their dystopia is never overthrown.

Why So Bad? She’s been banged up in the loony bin for a time, and deemed unfit to look after son John. When she’s broken out of the asylum, Connor has turned into an obsessed military-style warrior who will do whatever it takes to preserve the future – including killing innocent people.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: Anybody gets in her way? Say hello to my trusty machine gun...

This Is England (2006)

The Leader: Andrew ‘Combo’ Gascoigne, fresh out of jail and a skinhead overlord.

Why So Bad? He’s an English nationalist and all-out racist who doesn’t mind getting his fists bruised and blood on his face if it’s in the name of England. In the end, he joins the National Front and beats black friend Milky to a pulp.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: He’d get high, then ponder why he was a part of the coalition government considering he’s a Nationalist.

Deep Impact (1998)

The Leader: Tom Beck, the US President (yes, Hollywood got there first Mr Obama).

Why So Bad? Even though he knows a massive meteor is on a crash collision course for Earth, Beck keeps the information from the public. Then he refuses to set up safehouses, instead building a mountain-side bunker for the world’s leading figures (sportsmen, professors), leaving everybody else to face their Gods.

If They Were In Charge Of The Coalition Government: We’d all be dead by now.

  • 1
  • 2

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
Joshua Winning
Social Links Navigation

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.  

Latest in Movies
David Corenswet as Superman
DC Movies Superman is leaving HBO Max in several countries, and DC fans are thoroughly confused
 
 
Mission Impossible movies in order: Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt during Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning.
Comedy Movies Tom Cruise know he's "intense" to work with: "Trust me, the rumors are true"
 
 
Zach Cregger and Julia Garner on the set of Weapons
Horror Movies Resident Evil director Zach Cregger weighs in on PlayStation ending physical games: "I'm not a physical media guy"
 
 
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Family Movies Classic Disney movies look worse on streaming than they did in theaters for a very specific reason
 
 
Tom Cruise in Digger
Comedy Movies Guillermo del Toro says Tom Cruise's new movie is "great" as he shuts down weird rumor circulating about it
 
 
James Gunn
DC Movies James Gunn says the "DCU is not a Xerox of DC Comics" as he teases a different take on an iconic DC villain
 
 
Latest in Features
Logan in his black tanktop with pointy hair screams in Marvel's Wolverine as he is hurled into the air with his claws out
Action Games The MCU's post-Doomsday X-Men should take notes from Marvel's Wolverine, just like Brand New Day did with Spider-Man
 
 
Close up of Mario's face as shown on the Super Mario Galaxy series amiibo.
Toys & Collectibles Nintendo's Customer Appreciation Sale rolls out rare amiibo discounts that I need collectors to grab ASAP
 
 
Wardogs screenshots
FPS Games Wardogs feels like Call of Duty without the pressure to kill – as long as you're making phat stacks
 
 
Star Wars Zero Company screenshots
Strategy Games I've learned to love Star Wars Zero Company's permadeath – by letting the new hires die
 
 
A cropped image of Logan examining fibers in Marvel's Wolverine as he tracks kidnap victims
Games 32 Marvel's Wolverine Easter Eggs and comic book references that you may have missed
 
 
Diablo 5 character concept art showing a mysterious figure with a cloaked hood, armor, and large wings
Diablo Diablo 5: Everything you need to know about the next era of Diablo
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Diablo 4 Barbarian trailer screenshot shows a man wielding two axes shouting.
    1
    Diablo 4 season 15 is officially live following server issues and delay
  2. 2
    After 24 years, one of GameCube's most beloved cult classics shows signs of life with a tease from an excellent remaster studio
  3. 3
    Bungie's mantra was "I love playing Destiny. I hate that it’s not better" in the MMO's early years, says former lead
  4. 4
    Exodus lets you do polyamory, but the Mass Effect-like RPG's companions won't all be happy about it
  5. 5
    "I expect people to crunch," says Wardogs boss, so his studio will "check people's socials" to see if they criticize crunch online before hiring them

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...