“The Stupidest Ever Made” — Johnny Depp’s Brutally Honest Take on His First Lead Film

When fans think of Johnny Depp, they picture the eccentric genius of Captain Jack Sparrow, the gothic creativity of Edward Scissorhands, or the quirky brilliance of his many collaborations with director Tim Burton. But rewind to the very start of his career, and you’ll find a film that the actor himself has called “possibly the stupidest movie ever made.” That film is Private Resort (1985)—Depp’s first leading role, and one he still cringes about to this day.

A Hollywood Career with a Rocky Start

Before Johnny Depp became a household name, his path into Hollywood was like that of many young actors—full of auditions, uncertain opportunities, and projects that didn’t always reflect the heights of their future talent. His screen debut came in Wes Craven’s horror classic A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), where he played Glen Lantz, the boyfriend of Heather Langenkamp’s character. His gruesome death at the hands of Freddy Krueger remains one of the most iconic kills in horror history, and even though it was a supporting role, it gave Depp an important entry into the industry.

Just a year later, in 1985, Depp landed his first starring role in the sex comedy Private Resort. On paper, it was an opportunity any 22-year-old aspiring actor would take: a lead role in a major motion picture. But in hindsight, it was the kind of early-career misstep that Depp has never been able to live down.

Why Depp Calls Private Resort “The Stupidest Ever Made”

Private Resort tells the story of two friends—Jack (Depp) and Ben (Rob Morrow)—who spend a weekend at a luxury Miami hotel with one goal in mind: chasing women. What follows is a series of raunchy, slapstick misadventures involving mistaken identities, wealthy guests, and plenty of juvenile humor.

The film was panned by critics, ignored by audiences, and quickly forgotten in the broader landscape of 1980s teen comedies. For Depp, it became a source of embarrassment. In interviews, he has openly admitted that he considers the project an “embarrassment” and has described it as one of the worst decisions of his career.

Looking back, Depp’s disdain for the film is understandable. The script lacked substance, the comedy relied heavily on nudity and cheap gags, and it did little to showcase his acting range. The actor who would later bring nuance to complex characters like Donnie Brasco, Sweeney Todd, and Willy Wonka was reduced to playing a stereotypical “teen guy chasing girls.”

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The film’s reception was as poor as Depp remembers. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 14% rating, with one critic dismissing it as “a bottom-of-the-barrel, crass excuse for lots of nudity.” At the box office, it made just $331,816, an abysmal figure even by mid-1980s standards.

For fans curious to see just how bad it is, Private Resort has gained a kind of cult status—not for quality, but as a curiosity. Watching it today is more about seeing a young Depp and Rob Morrow before they became respected actors than about enjoying the film itself.

Hollywood Regrets: Depp Isn’t Alone

Depp’s regret over Private Resort is far from unique in Hollywood. Many major stars have films they’d rather erase from their résumés.

• Leonardo DiCaprio has admitted embarrassment over his 1991 film Critters 3, a straight-to-video horror sequel.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger has joked for decades about his disastrous debut in Hercules in New York (1970).

• Quentin Tarantino, despite being a legendary filmmaker, has been candid about regretting some of the projects he lent his name to early in his career.

• Ice Cube once referred to one of his own films as “the worst movie of the century.”

These admissions show that even the biggest names in the industry sometimes have to start at the bottom before climbing to the top.

A Career That Rebounded Spectacularly

If Private Resort was a false start, Depp’s career soon corrected itself. Just two years later, he found steady recognition with the TV series 21 Jump Street, which turned him into a teen idol. But Depp resisted being typecast as just a heartthrob and deliberately sought out more challenging, eccentric roles.

His career-defining collaboration with Tim Burton in Edward Scissorhands (1990) proved that he was more than just a handsome face—he was a versatile and fearless actor. Over the next three decades, Depp became known for his willingness to take risks, playing offbeat characters that other actors might shy away from.

Of course, his most iconic role remains Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which not only brought him worldwide fame but also earned him an Academy Award nomination. Ironically, the man who once regretted starring in a “stupidest ever” teen comedy later became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

Depp’s Legacy Beyond His Regrets

Today, Depp’s early misstep with Private Resort is little more than a footnote in an otherwise extraordinary career. As the actor navigates a comeback following years of legal disputes and public scrutiny, his story serves as a reminder that even legends have humble—and sometimes embarrassing—beginnings.

In Depp’s case, the regret is real, but so is the redemption. He turned what could have been a career-ending misstep into motivation to seek out better roles, collaborate with visionary directors, and ultimately carve out a career defined by creativity and risk-taking.

Conclusion

Johnny Depp may still cringe when he thinks of Private Resort, but fans see it as little more than a youthful mistake at the very start of a long and illustrious career. In fact, the contrast between that “stupidest ever” film and his later masterpieces only underscores his growth as an actor.

As rumors swirl about a potential return as Captain Jack Sparrow and a new chapter of collaborations with Tim Burton, Depp’s legacy is secure. Private Resort may remain his most regrettable project, but it also serves as proof that even the greatest actors sometimes have to stumble before they can soar.