10 Movies With Way Higher Critic Scores Than Audience Scores on Rotten Tomatoes

It’s shocking just how different critics’ opinions of a film can be from audiences, as proven by the massive disparity of certain movies’ scores on Rotten tomatoes. These were movies that, for one reason or another, ticked all the right boxes for professional critics and left general audiences feeling disappointed or, in some cases, downright hateful towards a release. Whether it was remakes of beloved classics, movies that didn’t live up to audience expectations, or franchise entries that went in surprising new directions, there are plenty of movies that divide critics and viewers alike.

Some of the most controversial movies ever split critics and audiences and have remained highly divisive. Although a high critic score does not automatically make a movie great, the fact that these films have received such a disproportionate reaction from critics and audiences means that they each have something interesting to offer and are worth checking out just to learn what all the commotion was about. Movies with high critic and low audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes point to everyone’s tastes differentlyAnd that just because a critic praises a movie doesn’t automatically mean that everyone will like it.

10

King Kong (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 84% / Audience 50%

Still powerfully bringing to life JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jackson sets his sights on a remake of the 1933 big monster movie classic King Kong. The visually spectacular production was a hit, with critics impressed by its spectacular visuals, which, with a budget of $207,000,000, made it one of the most expensive films ever made. Critics praised King Kong For its epic sense of adventureStrong performances, and recapturing the spirit of the original movie.

However, audiences were not so won over by Jackson’s King KongAs its bloated, more than three-hour runtime was perceived by some as overindulgent. There was also a sense that Jack Black was miscast as the dubious film director Carl Denham and that comes just two years after Return of the KingJackson didn’t give himself enough time. Despite the criticism, King Kong was not badly received by the audience; It just didn’t get the same kind of widespread acclaim it did with critics.

9

Sausage Party (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 82% / Audience 52%

Audiences found it difficult to accept Sausage party How its style made it like a lighthearted kids’ movie, almost akin to a Pixar movie, while its content was extremely common and truly only for adults. The disconnect between style and content made for uncomfortable viewing, and probably some shocked parents who accidentally allowed their child to watch anthropomorphic food products with sexually charged acts with one another. With the likes of Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig and Jonah Hill among the voice cast, Sausage party took the humor of Judd Apatow’s movies and repackaged it as animation.

While this raunchy comedy received a mixed reception from audiences, critics were much kinder to Sausage party and praised its subversion of genre expectations. Sausage party His crude humor mixed with a surprisingly moving story From self-discovery how supermarket products are shocked to discover their terrible role in the eco-chain of existence. While Sausage party wasn’t to everyone’s taste, it still managed to become the highest-grossing R-rated animated movie of all time (via Hollywood Reporter) until it was overcome Demon Slayer: Mugen Bane in 2020.

8

Ants (1998)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 92% / Audience 52%

Dreamworks Antz was released as computer-generated animated kids movies took off after Toy Story. Although Antz Receiving almost universal praise from critics, it was a different story for audiences, and it failed to become a beloved classic like its main competitor, A bug’s lifePixar’s film with a similar premise. with Woody Allen in the leading role of a worried worker antThe disparity between critical acclaim and audience indifference is understandable. While Antz Was marketed as a children’s movie, adult viewers and lovers of Allen’s unique brand of neurotic comedy are likely to get more out of it.

Antz Has impressive animation for its time, a fantastic voice cast with the likes of Allen, Gene Hackman, Sylvester Stallone and Christopher Walken, and an enjoyable sense of humor. Although this is the story of a worker ant who discovers his alienation from his work, it may have a little too much Marxist philosophy and radical politics to get mainstream audiences. in truth, Antz was an unusual film and felt a little less palpable to audiences than Pixar’s A bug’s life.

7

Ad Astra (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 83% / Audience 40%

While critics loved Ad AstraAudiences were divided over the psychological sci-fi thriller that followed Brad Pitt as an astronaut in space searching for his lost father. With space as a metaphor for loneliness, isolation and unresolved family issues, critics associated with technical realism and humanity at the center of his story, while many viewers failed to connect with Pitt as Chief Roy McBride. With long sequences that barely relate to the plot, the disparity seems to be the audience’s frustration with a film that values ​​artistry over narrative substance.

Critics and film lovers may enjoy this way Ad Astra Pays homage to other works, such as Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space OdysseyWhile to the everyday audience member, the appeared less than twin hidden details and more like pretentious indulgence. Director James Gray aimed to create a realistic sci-fi film with Ad AstraBut in the process, it ends up alienating some viewers. It’s truly a love-it-or-hate-it kind of movie, but those who connect with it will do so deeply.

6

Ghostbusters (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 74% / Audience 49%

The female-led reboot of Ghostbusters was one of the most notorious examples of critics and audiences having wildly different reactions to a movie. While Ghostbusters was well received by critics who praised its humor and the comedic talents of its cast, some viewers had a vitriolic reaction to the film, and An online hate campaign led to its trailer becoming the most disliked movie trailer in YouTube history. As one of the most divisive films in living memory, Ghostbusters Highlighted how some viewers are dissatisfied with the modern movie trend of restarting formerly male-dominated franchises with a new all-female cast.

The original Ghostbusters Movies mean a lot to many people who grew up watching Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Without any connection to original films, it appeared that the audience rejected the 2016 version of GhostbustersAnd the studio decided to later revive the franchise with a direct sequel to Ghostbusters II which featured appearances from some of the original cast. Whether the failure of this Ghostbusters Reboot came down to misogyny or mediocrity depending on whose being asked about it. Still, either way, the female Ghostbusters Never got a sequel and was ignored by subsequent installments.

5

It Comes at Night (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 88% / Audience 44%

It comes at night Was an excellent A24 horror that suffered from misleading marketing, which meant it wasn’t what audiences expected. Although the psychological horror looked like it had all the tenets of a terrifying monster movie, the truly scary presence was paranoia and fear as it explored concepts around tension with a slow-building and unnerving atmosphere. This meant that viewers waiting for the trend to pick up and the monster to appear were left disappointed.

Like a slow-burn movie without physical threats, It comes at night was truly unconventional And became even more effective when seen apart from the expectations of a traditional horror film. Filled with horror movie tropes and typical warning signs of imminent danger, director Trey Edward Schultz confounded audiences’ expectations and created a suspense-filled, paranoid viewing experience. With themes of fear, grief, loss and distrust, It comes at night Didn’t need traditional villains to be truly scary.

4

Uncut Gems (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 91% / Audience 52%

Uncut Gems was a divisive movie that received incredible praise from critics but pushed things a little too far for some audience members. With Adam Sandler, who delivered one of his best dramatic performances in an anxiety-inducing crime thriller from the Safdie brothers, Uncut Gems Featuring such a squishy, ​​selfish and unsympathetic lead character that it’s easy to understand why not everyone loved the story of a crippling gambling addiction. however, The polarizing nature of Uncut Gems was also part of his appealAs the dark nature of its characters made for difficult but engrossing viewing.

Not only did Uncut Gems Strong portrays a man in the throes of gambling addiction, but his willingness to risk it all for the thrill of a bet made for a truly stressful viewing experience. Uncut Gems Brought to mind the great psychological thrillers of the 1970s, where characters like taxi driver s Travis Bickle didn’t have to be likable to become a cinematic icon. Uncut Gems Certainly not for everyone, but the critical acclaim was warranted, because movies don’t have to be comforting to be compelling.

3

Under the Skin (2013)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 84% / Audience 55%

While Under the skin Standing as perhaps Scarlett Johansson’s greatest sci-fi movie, it’s also a deeply unconventional thriller that was far more popular with critics than mainstream audiences. As a minimalist investigation of a deceptive otherworldly entity preying on unsuspecting people in the Scottish countryside, director Jonathan Glazer focused more on slow-building tension than delivering a traditional narrative. With a lot of non-professional actors playing the alien’s victims, under the skin used hidden cameras to produce feelings of anxiety in viewers.

While audiences have had a mixed reception to Under the skinIt also appeared in many of the Best Films of the 2010s rankings and was even included in the BBC’s 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. Johansson’s intense and unusual performance also alienated viewers Who were more used to seeing her in mainstream comedies or as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As a nerve-wracking film that, as the title suggests, really got under the skin of the audience, it may not be for everyone, but it is certainly an artistic success.

2

Spy Kids (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 94% / Audience 47%

Robert Rodriguez started his Game Spy Kids Franchise back in 2001 With an enjoyable release that has received much more acclaim from critics than from audiences. As a fun-filled adventure about two kids who become spies to help save their ex-spy parents from an evil mastermind, Game Spy Kids was a rare kids movie because it was bursting with creativity and didn’t rely on crude, juvenile humor to keep younger viewers’ attention. Instead, it was a heartfelt story about the importance of family unity packed with gadgets and impressive world-building.

While Game Spy Kids Received universal praise from critics, viewers had a mixed response, probably because it was entirely focused on children. From his acting, dialogue and imagery, Game Spy Kids is not aimed for broad appeal and has less to offer mature viewers than other family-friendly series like Harry Potter Or Pixar movies. The child-centric appeal of Game Spy Kids Probably the older viewers feel disappointed, but critics are able to see this as a rare kids’ film aimed at under 12s that actually has a positive message to spread and does it with real creativity.

1

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: Critical 91% / Audience 41%

Star Wars: The Last Jedi was the most divided Star Wars movie ever made, as director Rian Johnson enthralled critics and alienated viewers with the eighth installment in the space opera franchise. While critics praised the film’s unexpected twists and the surprising risks Luke Skywalker’s character took, nostalgic viewers were horrified by how far Luke had strayed from his heroic image. While it is difficult to say how much of The Last Jedi Rotten Tomatoes score was either from genuinely disappointed viewers or a targeted online review-bombing campaign (via Quartz) It further highlighted the controversial reception of the movie.

Factors such as the insignificance of Rey’s parents, the portrayal of Snoke, and even the casting of racially diverse actors also contributed to The Last Jedi Detailed behavior. at the same time, Critics praised The Last Jedi Action sequence and sense of humor And highlighted how it did not simply repeat aspects of The empire strikes back In the same way The Force Awakens Has with A new hope. Although both sides of the divide have some good points, the massive disparity between its reception shows it as a film that certainly garnered an emotional response from viewers.

Sources: Hollywood Reporter, BBC’s 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century, Quartz