34. The Scarlet Letter (1995)
This adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic is often cited as one of the most misguided attempts in Hollywood history. Starring Demi Moore, the film made the baffling decision to drastically alter the ending, turning a somber tale of guilt and societal judgment into a bizarre action-drama with a “happy” conclusion. Critics and fans of the 1850 novel were reportedly horrified by the inclusion of a literal “Rambo-style” skirmish at the end.
It allegedly prioritizes 90s star power over the book’s deep psychological themes, making it a definitive example of how not to adapt a literary masterpiece.