Linda Hamilton, the iconic actress who defined badassery in the 1980s, recently opened up about the one film she wishes she could erase from her resume. It’s a movie she calls 'the worst I’ve ever made,' and it still haunts her to this day. But before we dive into that controversial choice, let’s take a moment to appreciate why Hamilton is a legend in the first place.
If you’re crafting a TV show that screams nostalgia and coolness, who better to cast than the woman who stood toe-to-toe with Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator? That’s exactly what the Duffer Brothers did when they brought Hamilton into the fifth season of Stranger Things. Her addition wasn’t just a casting coup—it was a nod to her trailblazing career in action films, from the groundbreaking Terminator franchise to her roles alongside Sigourney Weaver, another queen of sci-fi. Hamilton’s presence in Stranger Things felt like a full-circle moment, especially given the show’s obvious nods to James Cameron’s universe, from Hawkins’ cinema screening The Terminator to the T-800-inspired assassin, Grigori.
But here’s where it gets controversial: even legends have their missteps. While Hamilton’s career spans over 40 years, including Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated roles in Beauty and the Beast, Chuck, and Weeds, she’s not afraid to admit which projects fell flat. Take King Kong Lives!, for instance. Hamilton recalls being stunned by its ridiculousness, acting against blue screens instead of a full-size Kong. Or Mr. Destiny, which she dismisses as 'mediocre.' Yet, it’s another film from her early career that truly earns her disdain.
And this is the part most people miss: In the same year she broke through with The Terminator, Hamilton starred in Children of the Corn, a horror adaptation she now calls 'the worst film I’ve made.' Based on a Stephen King short story, the movie featured creepy kids and a plot that, according to Hamilton, still haunts her. 'Can you believe they’re making a sequel?' she quipped. 'They didn’t dare ask me to reprise that role!'
Despite its mixed reviews, Children of the Corn was a box office hit in 1984, grossing nearly five times its budget and spawning a franchise that’s now ten films strong. Even King himself was unhappy with the adaptation, famously arguing with the filmmakers over the script. But here’s the real question: Does a movie’s financial success redeem its artistic shortcomings? Or, as Hamilton suggests, is it better to be forgotten entirely?
Hamilton’s candid reflections remind us that even the most celebrated careers have their low points. But what makes her story compelling is her willingness to own those moments. So, we leave you with this: What’s the one movie you wish you could erase from your watchlist—and why? Let’s debate it in the comments!
