Search
  • Videos
  • Enterprise Software
  • Windows 10
  • Cloud
  • AI
  • Security
  • TR Premium
  • more
    • 5G Guide
    • Build a Website
    • Hardware
    • Innovation
    • Best Smartphones
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • Web Hosting
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Enterprise Software
    • Windows 10
    • Cloud
    • AI
    • Security
    • TR Premium
    • 5G Guide
    • Build a Website
    • Hardware
    • Innovation
    • Best Smartphones
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • Web Hosting
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet China
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Horrible movie bosses, ranked

17 of 20 NEXT PREV
  • Who is the baddest boss of them all? Time to find out...

    Who is the baddest boss of them all? Time to find out...

    Is Jesse Eisenberg's Mark Zuckerberg the worst boss moviedom has ever seen? Actually, no. There is one who is way worse... and he's in tech, too. Wait 'til you see who's No. 1.

    (Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments.)

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 19. J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) from Spider-Man

    19. J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) from Spider-Man

    Every other media outlet recognizes Spider-Man as a hero, but this editor-in-chief prefers to launch a smear campaign against the web-slinger. Beyond his disregard for good journalism, this bad boss has a rep for micromanaging employees, not remembering their names -- and smoking cigars at the office.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 18. Katharine Parker (Sigourney Weaver) from Working Girl

    18. Katharine Parker (Sigourney Weaver) from Working Girl

    Taking credit for your secretary's ideas? So not cool. This stockbroker boss did just that.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 17. Samuel L. Jackson (Richmond Valentine) from Kingsman: The Secret Service

    17. Samuel L. Jackson (Richmond Valentine) from Kingsman: The Secret Service

    This tech tycoon's SIM cards basically lead to a super-violent massacre. He may be a computer genius and business mogul, but he's also straight-up evil.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 16. Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) from Ocean's Eleven

    16. Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) from Ocean's Eleven

    This slick mogul operates three luxury casinos in Las Vegas and is a seemingly professional and nice guy. His downfall? He puts his money before his lady (Julia Roberts) whereas her ex, Danny Ocean (George Clooney), prioritizes love over riches.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: Warner Home Video

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 15. Professor Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) from the Harry Potter series

    15. Professor Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) from the Harry Potter series

    A Ministry of Magic bureaucrat is installed at Hogwarts, and once in power, uses abusive punishments on students. Her sadistic streak earns her the title of one bad boss.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: Warner Home Video

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 14. Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman) from Nine to Five

    14. Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman) from Nine to Five

    A sexist bigot of a boss who harasses women and takes credit for their ideas, Franklin M. Hart Jr. is such a nightmare to work for that his employees eventually kidnap him. And it's not seen as all that big of a crime.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 13. Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) from In The Loop

    13. Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) from In The Loop

    Want to be belittled, cursed at, insulted and verbally threatened, all before your morning coffee? Then this director of communications is the manager for you.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: MPI Home Video

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 12. Dick Jones (Ronny Cox) from RoboCop

    12. Dick Jones (Ronny Cox) from RoboCop

    This executive at Omni Consumer Products is ruthless -- he'll do whatever it takes to replace Old Detroit's police force with robots. He even hires an assassin to take out his competition.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 11. Les Grossman (Tom Cruise) from Tropic Thunder

    11. Les Grossman (Tom Cruise) from Tropic Thunder

    When you're not busy staring at the gold chains tangled in chest hair, you're probably busy being called a "f--kstick" by this abrasive Hollywood bigwig. His only redeeming quality? Those hilarious dance moves.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: DreamWorks Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 10. Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) from the Austin Powers series

    10. Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) from the Austin Powers series

    He has a few loyal henchman, but if you get on his bad side, this evil leader will throw you into hot lava... or worse. Plus, let's face it, there's no opportunity for advancement. He already has his No. 2.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: New Line Home Video

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 9. Montgomery Burns (Harry Shearer) from the Simpsons Movie

    9. Montgomery Burns (Harry Shearer) from the Simpsons Movie

    This power-hungry rich man is the most influential person in Springfield. Unfortunately, that's not a good thing. The power plant owner will do anything to acquire more wealth, including making life hell for his underlings.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 8. Emperor Palpatine from the Star Wars franchise

    8. Emperor Palpatine from the Star Wars franchise

    Even Darth Vader has to answer to upper-level management. This Sith Lord has created a company culture of giving promotions to evil overlords, and he tears families apart.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 7. Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) from The Muppet Christmas Carol

    7. Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) from The Muppet Christmas Carol

    Every version of the classic Charles Dickens character keeps one thing intact: Scrooge is one horrible person to work for. This interpretation of the iconic role seems extra mean, considering he keeps a cold office, pays low wages, and offers sparse vacation time to someone as cute as Kermit.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: Walt Disney Home Video

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 6. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) from The Devil Wears Prada

    6. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) from The Devil Wears Prada

    The editor-in-chief of Runway magazine is cold, sarcastic and encourages office backstabbing. She doesn't hesitate to fire people for nearly any reason, and sometimes, she doesn't even need one.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 5. Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) from Wall Street

    5. Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) from Wall Street

    He's dishonest. He's corrupt. He gives entire speeches about greed. This manipulative manager is a corporate raider who will do anything to get ahead, from breaking the law to taking others down with him.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 4. Blake (Alec Baldwin) from Glengarry Glen Ross

    4. Blake (Alec Baldwin) from Glengarry Glen Ross

    Blake is sent by the owners of a real estate firm to "motivate" their salesmen. He proceeds to verbally abuse them and pit them against each other. The options are to do whatever is takes to win or to get canned.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: Live Home Video

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 3. Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) in The Wolf of Wall Street

    3. Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) in The Wolf of Wall Street

    Fraud and scams are the name of the game when you're working with Belfort. And all that money the office makes will go toward drinking, drugs, and debauchery, of course.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: Paramount Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 2. Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from The Social Network

    2. Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from The Social Network

    This depiction of the Facebook founder paints him as antisocial, arrogant, and callous, a person not to be collaborated with and someone who got into the game just to complain about a woman who dumped him.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

  • 1. Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole) from Office Space

    1. Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole) from Office Space

    It's his utter realism that makes him so terrible. This corporate office drone annoys the people below him by harping about paperwork and making them work weekends. His passive-aggressive nature and habit for micromanaging are the thing of nightmares.

    Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

    Photo by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

    Caption by: Julia Hays

17 of 20 NEXT PREV

By Julia Hays | May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

  • Who is the baddest boss of them all? Time to find out...
  • 19. J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) from Spider-Man
  • 18. Katharine Parker (Sigourney Weaver) from Working Girl
  • 17. Samuel L. Jackson (Richmond Valentine) from Kingsman: The Secret Service
  • 16. Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) from Ocean's Eleven
  • 15. Professor Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) from the Harry Potter series
  • 14. Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman) from Nine to Five
  • 13. Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) from In The Loop
  • 12. Dick Jones (Ronny Cox) from RoboCop
  • 11. Les Grossman (Tom Cruise) from Tropic Thunder
  • 10. Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) from the Austin Powers series
  • 9. Montgomery Burns (Harry Shearer) from the Simpsons Movie
  • 8. Emperor Palpatine from the Star Wars franchise
  • 7. Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) from The Muppet Christmas Carol
  • 6. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) from The Devil Wears Prada
  • 5. Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) from Wall Street
  • 4. Blake (Alec Baldwin) from Glengarry Glen Ross
  • 3. Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) in The Wolf of Wall Street
  • 2. Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from The Social Network
  • 1. Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole) from Office Space

These on-screen managers, bosses, and CEOs are seriously the worst -- especially, as it turns out, the ones in tech.

Read More Read Less

4. Blake (Alec Baldwin) from Glengarry Glen Ross

Blake is sent by the owners of a real estate firm to "motivate" their salesmen. He proceeds to verbally abuse them and pit them against each other. The options are to do whatever is takes to win or to get canned.

Published: May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

Caption by: Julia Hays

17 of 20 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Innovation Hardware Reviews

By Julia Hays | May 26, 2017 -- 19:39 GMT (12:39 PDT)

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • This old tech: 10 reasons to get all nostalgic about hardware and software

    Love them or hate them – these nostalgic examples of hardware and software were the forerunner of many of the apps and devices around today.

  • 16 gadgets and services for beer nerds

    From an automated bartender to an automated homebrewing system or a home delivery beer service -- there's something here for everyone.

  • Best BBQ tech gadgets for a perfect July 4

    Make sure your food is cooked to perfection with these must-have tech tools and gadgets for your outdoor cooking kit.

  • The tech that changed us: 50 years of breakthroughs

    Technology can transform us, in good ways and bad. Do you recall the single most influential tech innovation from the year you graduated high school? We do. ...

  • Plagues then and now: Blood, frogs and locusts are no match for the ravages of 2019

    What would a modern-day Plague of Lice look like?

  • Top 10 workplace IT blunders

    UK-based IT support provider, Probrand.co.uk has revealed the top ten blunders reported to its helpdesk in 2018.

  • MWC fails: Gadgets that never made it

    Mobile World Congress showcases the best and the worst of emerging technologies. But sadly, these devices never succeeded – despite the hype.

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2019 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Advertise | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

  • Topics
  • All Authors
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • Site Map
  • RSS Feeds
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In | Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums