By now, it’s rarely surprising to see critics and audiences respond vastly differently to films, as seen in the inconsistent scores on sites like Rotten Tomatoes. Though audiences are left scratching their heads most of the time at the considerably large amount of praise given to films thought to be mediocre, there are a few times when the roles have been reversed. Audiences have been quick to give a positive response to films that left critics feeling unsatisfied. None of the selected films have been flat-out panned by critics, but the few redeeming qualities still weren’t enough to earn a fresh score.
There are numerous explanations as to why critics and audiences review and score films differently, but the most logical explanation comes down to the role of the viewer. When watching a film as a critic, factors within the film are expected to be graded, such as the strength of a script and the originality of a concept. However, audiences are granted the freedom to ignore such technicalities, allowing for an easier viewing experience. Therefore, audiences are more able to enjoy an imperfect but entertaining film that critics find fault with.
10 Memoirs Of A Geisha (2005)
Critics Score: 36% / Audience Score: 83%
A few years after the critically acclaimed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha saw the on-screen reunion of Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh. Based on Arthur Golden’s novel of the same name, Memoirs of a Geisha looks at the harrowing journey of Ziyi’s character as she becomes a geisha amid World War II. Both critics and audiences agreed that Memoirs of a Geisha has some of the most historically accurate costuming in film and the sets within the film successfully pulled audiences into its setting.
However, critics felt that there was little in Memoirs of a Geisha for a compelling story beyond its aesthetic. The performances of the film’s leading cast and John Williams’ affecting score did much of the heavy lifting, according to many critics, who stated that Memoirs of a Geisha prioritized its style over the moving narrative needed in the period drama. Still, Memoirs of a Geisha managed to find success at the Academy Awards, winning three awards, including Best Costume Design.
9 Step Up (2006)
Critics Score: 21% / Audience Score: 83%
Helping launch Channing Tatum’s career, Step Up holds a special place in audiences’ hearts but left critics unimpressed. Starring Tatum and Jenna Dewan as its romantic leads, Step Up follows the two characters’ love story as they grow closer through their dance partnership. Step Up‘s leading performances, particularly that of Tatum, who also starred in She’s The Man the same year, captivated audiences and the dance numbers in the film made for a fun, easy viewing experience.
However, critics were harsher towards the film, disapproving of its lack of originality. Though the performances of Dewan and Tatum weren’t entirely disfavored, critics also didn’t feel they were enough to save the film from its predictable romance story seen many times before in the genre. Despite this, Step Up was just the first film in what would eventually become a franchise. Echoing the response to Step Up, each of the sequel films received a similar divide in scored responses.
8 The Boondock Saints (1999)
Critics Score: 26% / Audience Score: 91%
Starring Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus as vigilante twin brothers, The Boondock Saints follows the two as they rid their city of crime. A limited release of The Boondock Saints led to failure at the box office, but the action film would eventually grow a cult following after its DVD release. Audiences appreciated The Boondock Saints‘ unique tone with its balance of dark humor and gritty action scenes. The film and its 2009 sequel have continued to entertain audiences over the years, leading to high levels of anticipation for The Boondock Saints 3.
Critics, though, felt differently. To many, The Boondock Saints felt like an unsuccessful Quentin Tarantino copycat. The consensus among critics on Rotten Tomatoes is that The Boondock Saints‘ bloody action scenes have no purpose in its overall narrative. In other words, the film is more concerned with brutal action than creating an interesting story. Despite this, performances by the cast, specifically David Della Rocco and Willem Dafoe, were still given praise.
7 Tommy Boy (1995)
Critics Score: 40% / Audience Score: 90%
Featuring the comedic duo of former Saturday Night Live cast members Chris Farley and David Spade, Tommy Boy is a lighthearted film that many fans of comedy have enjoyed over the years. The on-screen pairing of Spade and Farley is wildly entertaining and the performance of the latter actor in particular has been fondly looked back on. Both audiences and Saturday Night Live alumni point out Farley’s ability to tap into a vulnerable side wasn’t often shown throughout his career.
Critics too made note of Spade and Farley’s well-matched comedic charm in the film, saying fans of the two are guaranteed to enjoy it. However, critics also suggest there was little substance in Tommy Boy to elevate it to the quality of other comedy films at the time. The laughs are consistent, but there are points in Tommy Boy where it appears its premise is best suited for a short live sketch rather than its hour-and-a-half runtime.
6 Hook (1991)
Critics Score: 29% / Audience Score: 76%
Set in the modern day and acting as a sequel to J. M. Barrie’s Peter and Wendy, Hook sees a grown-up version of Peter Pan — referred to as Peter Banning — returning to Neverland to save his kidnapped children from the titular antagonist. The production design of the fictional setting is eye-catching and Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman’s performances as Peter and Captain Hook, respectively, highlight the best of the actors’ abilities. These elements and the overall nostalgia within the film have made Hook a success with audiences.
On the other hand, critics have faulted Hook for its lack of magic and imagination, which are crucial to Peter’s journey in the film. Additionally, director Steven Spielberg has also been critical of the film. Speaking with Empire in 2018, Spielberg said, “I didn’t have confidence in the body of it…I didn’t quite know what I was doing and I tried to paint over my insecurity with production value.” (via Den of Geek).
5 Harlem Nights (1989)
Critics Score: 26% / Audience Score 80%
By the end of the ’80s, Eddie Murphy had already proven he was a strong comedic actor, and with Harlem Nights, Murphy decided it was time to try his hand at directing. Harlem Nights, which details two nightclub owners’ encounters with local gangs and police officials, is the only film Murphy has directed, and that could be due to the critical response given to the film. Audiences appreciate the humor as a result of Harlem Nights‘ talented comedic cast, including Murphy, Richard Pryor, and Redd Foxx.
However, critics have been largely disappointed by other elements of the film. Harlem Nights‘ script is a main point of criticism. Written by Murphy, reviews on Rotten Tomatoes say Harlem Nights‘ story is largely boring. Contradicting the consensus from audiences, many critics find that Harlem Nights isn’t as fun as it should be, and it doesn’t succeed in mixing the comedy genre with its dramatic elements.
4 Where The Crawdads Sing (2022)
Critics Score: 34% / Audience Score: 96%
Based on Delia Owens’ novel of the same name, Where the Crawdads Sing found success in theaters and with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, undeterred by negative reviews by critics. Where the Crawdads Sing is led by Daisy Edgar-Jones, who plays Kya, an isolated girl who is suspected of murder when the dead body of her ex-boyfriend is found. Many fans of Owens’ novel eagerly went to theaters to see the familiar story on the big screen and appreciated the positive changes Where the Crawdads Sing made to the book.
Critics, on the other hand, were displeased with the lack of stakes and mystery in the film’s story. The harsh conditions of Kya’s life, as a result of her physical environment and the company she keeps, aren’t depicted as effectively on screen as they are in the original text. An element of Where the Crawdads Sing that critics and audiences could agree on was Edgar-Jones’ strong performance.
3 Man On Fire (2004)
Critics Score: 39% / Audience Score 89%
There’s no denying Denzel Washington’s star power in Man on Fire. Washington portrays a former CIA operative, John Creasy, who is fueled by revenge after the young girl (Dakota Fanning) he was tasked with protecting gets kidnapped. Washington and Fanning have a believable connection, leaving audiences conflicted about how they feel about John’s actions. His numerous kills are brutal, but the harm isn’t inflicted on just anyone. His mission to take out the kidnappers makes him a hero in some audiences’ eyes, placing John among Washington’s best action characters.
More so, audiences enjoyed all the action Man on Fire delivers, but critics were exhausted by it. Giving Man on Fire a rotten critics’ score, many negative reviews deemed the film to be more violent than necessary. According to a few reviews, the story is grim and there is little payoff in Man on Fire‘s ending to justify its repeated use of violence.
2 Grown Ups (2010)
Critics Score: 10% / Audience Score: 62%
Co-written and produced by Adam Sandler, Grown Ups has a stacked cast full of comedic talent. Grown Ups sees the reunion of childhood friends following the death of their old basketball coach and what happens next are days full of fun as the adult friends revert to their childlike shenanigans. Sandler is supported by comedic actors like Chris Rock and Rob Schneider, and the energy bounced off one another is infectious, causing audiences to laugh out loud and have a good time.
However, critics view their performances differently. Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes have a shared disappointment in the film as they expected more from the seasoned comedians. Many critics conclude that the immature jokes, though fitting for Grown Ups‘ characters, quickly become tiresome. Regardless, Grown Ups was a success at the box office and a sequel film was released a few years later, this time earning rotten scores from both critics and audiences.
1 Venom (2018)
Critics Score: 30% / Audience Score: 80%
Kicking off Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is Venom, starring Tom Hardy as the titular Marvel character. Venom follows journalist Eddie Brock as he merges with an alien symbiote that gives him superhuman abilities. Hardy earned praise from both critics and audiences for his performance, but Venom was otherwise reviewed negatively. Still, Venom holds the title of the highest-grossing film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe as of now.
Audiences have continued to enjoy Venom for its standard fun that’s expected of a superhero film, and because of how Hardy handles the two characters, especially when portraying their relationship to one another. But for critics, Venom was just another formulaic superhero film in a line of conventional releases at the time. To critics, Venom‘s poor pacing, restricting PG-13 rating, and uninspired script were enough to discredit the film in its entirety.
