The 2025 Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies, are here to ruffle feathers once again. This year’s nominations have sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with Joker: Folie à Deux—the highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning original—leading the pack with seven nods, including the dubious honor of Worst Picture.
Surprisingly, the film’s stars, Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, who portrayed Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn respectively, are up for Worst Actor and Worst Actress. This marks an unusual twist for two performers celebrated in the past for their extraordinary talent. Critics and fans alike are scratching their heads, wondering if the sequel failed to live up to its predecessor’s dark brilliance or simply fell victim to the Razzies’ infamous snark.
Joining Joker 2 in the hall of infamy are Madame Web, Megalopolis, and Reagan, each snagging six nominations. Madame Web, a Sony superhero film meant to expand the Spider-Man universe, was bashed for its confusing plot and lackluster performances. Francis Ford Coppola’s epic comeback Megalopolis also fell under the Razzies’ critical lens, a disappointment given the legendary director’s ambitious effort to reclaim his cinematic glory.
Meanwhile, Reagan, a biopic about the 40th U.S. President, was labeled a misfire, with critics pointing out its uneven storytelling and caricature-like portrayal of its subject. All three films are competing for Worst Picture alongside Joker 2 and a couple of other underwhelming entries.
The nominations stirred debates across social media, with fans defending Phoenix and Gaga. “No way they deserve this! Razzies are just trolling,” one Twitter user exclaimed. Others, however, suggested that the criticism could stem from the bold risks both actors took in the unconventional musical sequel.
The 2025 Razzies have also called out some repeat offenders. Adam Driver, who featured in Megalopolis, and Dakota Johnson, the lead in Madame Web, are among the contenders for Worst Actor and Worst Actress, respectively. Fans of Driver have expressed disbelief, given his reputation as one of the industry’s finest.
Despite its tongue-in-cheek nature, the Razzies often spark serious discussions about the state of Hollywood, artistic risks, and audience expectations. Whether or not these films and actors take home a “win,” the conversation surrounding them is already gaining momentum.
The winners—or losers, depending on how you look at it—will be announced on the eve of the Oscars, keeping up the Razzies’ tradition of being Hollywood’s cheeky counterpart to the prestigious awards season. For now, fans and critics will have to wait to see if Joker 2 manages to laugh its way out of this spotlight or becomes the butt of the ultimate Hollywood joke.