There’s no doubt thatfilm critics are important. Their reviews, from both reputable and not-so-reputable places, have become an important tool for audiences, a go-to resource that helps viewers discern which films are worth their time and money.Critical acclaim might convince people that theyhaveto watch a movie, that it’s a must-see event. But on the flip side, negative critical reviews could bomb a movie at the box office. Even if a film is highly anticipated, negative reviews can convince viewers to wait until it’s available to stream or rent at home — or simply not see it at all.
But sometimes, even the best critics can miss the point of a film.Sometimes, a movie is just entertainment. Plain and simple. Audiences aren’t always looking for a masterpiece of filmmaking. Every now and then, we just want something that’s mindless and fun to watch. Will this kind of movie be nominated for an Oscar? Most likely not. Will critics bash and hate it? Most likely, yes. And these ten fun movies, which all received 30% or lower onRotten Tomatoesfrom film critics, are proof of that.
10Venom (2018)
30% on Rotten Tomatoes
Fans have been demanding to see Venom, one of Spider-Man’s most iconic villains, on the big screen since 2002’sSpider-Mandemolished the box office. The character finally appeared in 2007’sSpider-Man 3,though the portrayal and overall film left much to be desired. Sony gave the character another whirl in 2018 by giving Venom his own standalone movie, outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Venomcast Tom Hardy as the titular character. It wound up with a 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling the film “chaotic, noisy, and in desperate need of a stronger attachment to Spider-Man.”
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Fans, however, were thrilled to get a more comic book-accurate depiction of Venom that captured his monstrous appearance and conflicting duality. Most fans agree that they would’ve preferred a darker take on the character, a la 2019’sJoker.But with its 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes,Venomis a fun, albeit sometimes goofy, movie that brings some justice to an iconic villain –a villain that many fans are hoping will cross over into the MCUand finally face off against Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.
9Waiting (2005)
It’s no surprise that several movies on this list are mindless comedies with silly plots. Critics hated ‘em, but audiences loved ‘em. First up isWaiting.Long before he suited up as Deadpooland became one of Marvel’s most bankable stars, Ryan Reynolds starred in this vulgar comedy about the ridiculous employees working at a crappy franchise restaurant. Critics tore the movie apart, leaving it with a 30% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Waitingis “more gross than comic,” they said. It’s definitely gross; its characters spend half the movie trying to trick each other into unknowingly looking at their testicles. But it’s also that raunchy humor that madeWaitingso much fun to watch. Reynolds is also joined by a fun cast that includes comedic stars like Anna Faris, Justin Long, and Luis Guzman. The film’s audience score of 75% shows that viewers had stronger stomachs than critics when it comes to the comedy served inWaiting.
8Warcraft (2016)
29% on Rotten Tomatoes
Video game adaptations don’t have the best track recordin Hollywood. These movies are usually terrible and get trashed by critics,Borderlandsbeing the latest example. It didn’t surprise anyone whenWarcraft,the 2016 fantasy epic based on the bestselling video game, received a 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie was criticized for its overuse of CGI, its abundance of characters, and its sluggish storytelling.
Audiences, however, enjoyed the film. Or maybe it was the legions ofWarcraftfans around the world who enjoyed seeing this fantastical world and its iconic character designs come to life on a screen bigger than they’re used to. Either way,Warcraftlanded a 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, though its underwhelming box office numbers will likely prevent any sequels.
7Hook (1991)
Now an adult who’s forgotten about his legendary past, Peter Pan (Robin Williams) is lured back to the magical world of Neverland when his arch-nemesis, Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), kidnaps his children. Not even Steven Spielberg, who directed the movie,could spareHookfrom scathing reviews. The film holds a meager 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert, one of Hollywood’s most famous film critics, wrote, “The failure inHookis its inability to re-imagine the material, to find something new, fresh or urgent to do with the Peter Pan myth.”
But for many fans,Hookis perceived as a clever re-imagining ofthe classic tale of Peter Pan: what happens when the boy who never grows up actuallydoesgrow up? Audiences, especially kids, were enchanted by the magic and adventure ofHook.And they continue to love this movie as they themselves grow into adulthood, relating to Peter’s loss of childhood and innocence while finding nostalgia in his story.
That’s probably whyHookholds an impressive audience score of 76%. Between its talented cast, Spielberg’s creative vision, and John Williams’ masterful score,Hooksparkles with fairy dust and has become a definitive childhood film for the Millennial generation.
6Half Baked (1998)
28% on Rotten Tomatoes
Half Baked
Half Bakedis exactly like it sounds.It’s a stoner comedyabout three friends who sell stolen weed to raise bail money for their buddy, who’s been arrested for killing a New York City police horse with junk food. Yep, that’s what the movie about. It also stars comedy legend Dave Chappelle, just before he rose to prominence withThe Chappelle Show. Unsurprisingly, critics aren’t usually kind to stoner comedies.
The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, whereHalf Bakedholds a 28%, reads:
“You’d have to be high to digHalf Baked’s half-baked production and scattershot sense of humor – although maybe that was the point of this Dave Chapelle-led joint.”
And thatwasthe point.Half Bakedis a stupid, stoner comedy that’s only meant to make you laugh. And it seems like it did, judging by its 81% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
5The Boondock Saints -
26% on Rotten Tomatoes
The Boondock Saints
The Boondock Saintsfollows Irish brothers who become vigilantes and take on the Russian mafia. It’s one of those movies that went under the radar when it first released. Only its critics seemed to watch it, giving the film a pitiful Rotten Tomatoes score of 26%. They complained that its lead actors, Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus, gave blank performances in a “juvenile, ugly movie that represents the worst tendencies of directors channeling Tarantino.”
Boondock Saintsis a far cry from the quality of a Tarantino flick, but it’s still a fun, thrilling, and bloody watch. And Willem Dafoe as an eccentric FBI Special Agent has become one of his most memorable performances.
In the years since its release,The Boondock Saintshas become a cult classic. It holds an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s a whopping 65% difference between the critics’ score. The film’s cult status led to a sequel in 2009,The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.A third movie is currently in development, with Flanery and Reedus expected to reprise their roles.
4The Little Rascals (1994)
21% on Rotten Tomatoes
The Little Rascals
The Little Rascalswas a modern adaptation of the TV series of the same name,also known asOur Gang,which ranfrom the 1920s to the 1940s.It brought back the franchise’s most iconic characters, like Alfalfa, Spanky, Darla, Buckwheat, and many others. Its goofy, childish humor and cast of unseasoned young actors earnedThe Little Rascalsa 21% on Rotten Tomatoes. Gene Siskel, who was one-half of the original Siskel & Ebert team, wrote, “A dismal kids' comedy in which all creativity stopped after casting lookalikes for the old ‘rascals’ was completed.”
The Little Rascalsis very much for the kids – and the kids loved it. It has an audience score of 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.The Little Rascalswas embraced by a new generation of fans, who will likely show this movie to their own kids one day, keeping these classic characters alive for yet another generation.
3Step Up (2006)
Step Upwas all the rage when it was first released in 2006. It wasDirty Dancingfor the modern age, a teenage dance drama with a steamy romance. Its sexy, young cast includes the then-unknown Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, who both rose to prominence (especially Tatum) after the movie’s release. Audiences really stepped up for this movie (pun intended).
Step Uphas an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $114 million against a budget of only $12 million.Its success unsurprisingly led to a franchisethat has since pumped out four sequels. Critics, however, didn’t vibe withStep Upthe way that audiences did. “This trite teen romance has too little plot and not enough dancing” was their consensus, hitting the movie with a 21% on Rotten Tomatoes.
2Grandma’s Boy (2006)
15% on Rotten Tomatoes
Grandma’s Boy
Grandma’s Boyis another stoner comedy that critics took a dump on. It stars Allen Covert, a buddy of Adam Sandler who’s appeared in many of his movies, and Doris Roberts fromEverybody Loves Raymond.It also features a then-unknown Jonah Hill. InGrandma’s Boy, avideo game tester is forced to move in with his grandmother after being evicted from his home. Like withWaiting,critics foundGrandma’s Boymore gross than funny, a “lazy and unrewarding” comedy.
All this negativity couldn’t put out the fire on this joint. Audiences found the movie hysterical. Some of them even regard it as one of the best Happy Madison films, Adam Sandler’s studio that’s produced many of his comedies.Grandma’s Boyhas an impressive 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s a whopping 75% difference from the critics' score, by far the biggest gap on our list.
1Grown Ups (2010)
10% on Rotten Tomatoes
Comedy legend Adam Sandler is known for casting his buddies in his movies. So it didn’t surprise anyone when he rounded up his best friends for a new comedy calledGrown Ups– a group that includes some of the biggest names in comedy, like Chris Rock, David Spade, Kevin James, Rob Schneider, and Sandler himself.Grown Upsfollows five childhood friends and former teammates, who reunite in adulthood after the death of their old basketball coach.
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The film was panned by criticsfor its “flat direction and the scattershot, lowbrow humor of a stunted script”, earning a lowly 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet despite this,Grown Upswas a box office hit and grossed $272 million. Audienceslovedseeing these comedians in the same movie and turned out again for the film’s sequel,Grown Ups 2,earning Sandler and his boys another box office smash.
