Hook (1991)
Directed by Steven Spielberg (yet hated by Steven Spielberg), Hook is based on the characters of Peter Pan, set in the future when Peter has started a family and moved on from life in Neverland.
While critics slated the movie for being too messy and bloated, the themes are interesting, exploring the differences between the imagination of children and adults.
Alien 3 (1992)
David Fincher made his directorial debut with Alien 3, a project that didn’t have a finished script or much of a budget when he signed above the dotted line. The first-timer had to jump through many hoops to get the sci-fi horror off the ground.
This included cutting over half an hour from the movie’s run time and paying extra to get star Sigourney Weaver back on board. The movie is by no means a classic, but it isn’t as awful as the critics would have you believe.
The Hunted (2003)
The Hunted is predominantly a chase movie, where ex-military trainer L.T. Bonham tracks down one of his former pupils through the Oregon forest after their post-war PTSD causes them to go on a spree killing deer hunters.
The movie is tense and worth a watch, even if it was disliked by critics and largely ignored by the wider audience back in 2003.
Man on Fire (2004)
Man on Fire is about a former bodyguard, played by Denzel Washington, who is struggling with alcoholism. He gets a shot at turning his life around when he is put in charge of protecting a nine-year-old girl.
After the girl gets kidnapped, the movie unfurls into a dramatic, violent drama. The critics seemed to think that the film was unnecessarily violent, causing them to mark it down.
National Treasure (2004)
The National Treasure movies are a cult favorite but have been widely mocked by movie critics. Nicolas Cage stars as Benjamin Franklin Gates, traversing the globe looking for ancient buried treasure.
The film does have some crucial historical inaccuracies, and can be rightly accused of being over the top, but it’s Hollywood – that’s all part of the magic, isn’t it?
Hot Rod (2007)
Hot Rod’s charm comes with how bad it actually is. It follows a failing stuntman played by Andy Samberg, who can’t help but try again and again to succeed.
When his stepdad falls ill and requires heart surgery, Samberg’s character goes on a mission to raise funds by jumping over 15 buses on his motorbike. The movie is so bad it becomes good, giving audiences a cheap laugh here and there.
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Clash of the Titans is unfairly hated by movie critics. Yes, it’s no classic, but it offers more entertainment value than it gets credit for.
The plot revolves around a planned rebellion in Ancient Greece, as the humans have become sick of the gods bossing them about. The battles that follow are ridiculous, and so are the creatures fighting them, but it adds to the movie’s charm.
RoboCop (2014)
2014’s RoboCop always had its back against the wall – after all, it is a remake of a beloved classic. The critical backlash was predictable, as critics are never going to watch any remake without feeling the incessant need to compare it to the original.
However, this movie has unique plot points and interesting issues are tackled, making it a far better flick than it gets any credit for.
Lost River (2015)
Lost River was Ryan Gosling’s debut as a director. It was a quirky, ambitious movie that may not have offered much substance, but it didn’t deserve the boos that came as the curtains fell at Cannes Film Festival.
It's a strange movie, but it shows promise and it shows heart, which is more than can be said for a lot of films coming out of Hollywood.
Anaconda (1997)
Anaconda is ridiculous from the first scene to the last. It focuses on a large anaconda that is going on a rampage, eating anyone that it comes across.
The acting is over the top, the script is so overblown that it quickly becomes hilarious, and some of the scenes of violence are so unrealistic, you can’t help but keep your eyes glued to the screen.
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
Cowboys & Aliens does exactly what it says on the tin. There is nothing discreet about the title nor the content of the movie, with Daniel Craig starring as an outlaw who doesn’t know where he is or who he is.
All he knows is that he has to fight the aliens that have come to Earth and have started abducting people. It’s, quite frankly, a whirlwind of a movie. But it’s fun, and worth a watch despite what the critics have said.
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Starring the likes of Charlize Theron, Kristin Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Nick Frost, Snow White and the Huntsman was no low-budget affair. Critics were not positive upon its release, criticizing it for being too dark for a movie based on a fairytale.
The movie does contain emotion and is bolstered by some great acting performances, making it a far better film than it gets credit for.
The Majestic (2001)
Jim Carrey stepped away from his comedic side in The Majestic, delivering a noble dramatic performance. The movie tries its best to defend some of the old American values, such as patriotism and free speech.
It can be fairly cringe-worthy, but it is easy to feel empathy for the characters and become immersed in the storyline.
The Book of Eli (2010)
The Book of Eli, starring Denzel Washington, is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama set in what remains of the United States. Washington’s character Eli is in possession of the last remaining copy of a holy book.
He has to defend and transport to a safe place on the coast. The movie was slated by critics and some audiences for being too dark and depressing, but its themes are interesting enough to make it a good watch.
The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
The Ghost and the Darkness was an easy victim for critics, many of whom gave it one-star reviews or less, complaining that the movie was over the top and unrealistic. The funny thing is, the movie was based on a true story.
It involves two men attempting to stop wildcats who have recently been picking off railroad workers one by one. It makes for an entertaining movie, even if it’s far from a classic.
The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Richard Gere stars in The Mothman Prophecies, an apocalyptic horror movie that had critics and audiences scratching their heads wondering what exactly was going on.
Despite this, the movie has an ability that keeps you thinking about it long after you’ve watched it, a sign of a film that has done its job.
Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
Ocean’s Eleven was a critical hit, with many praising its cleverness, cast, and storyline. However, the sequel, Ocean’s Twelve, seemed to come too soon for fans of the first movie, failing to get anywhere near the success of its predecessor.
Despite this, the relationships between the main crew are on par with the first movie, and there is still a lot of wit and humor in the script. It may not be as good as the first, but it certainly shouldn’t be considered a flop.
Triple 9 (2016)
The cast of 2016’s Triple 9 is outstanding, with Kate Winslet, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, and Gal Gadot all making an appearance. The premise of the movie surrounds a plan to rob a building, but not before a police officer is killed as a distraction technique.
The plan falls apart gradually, with a lot of violence and gore following. The movie isn’t up there with the very best of the heist genre, but it’s not as underwhelming as some reviews would suggest.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a movie based on a short story in which a man dreams up fantastical situations to try and escape the mundanity of the life he leads.
Despite the critics not falling in love with the movie, it offers a lot, from the beauty of the surroundings in which it is filmed to the innocence and cuteness of the storyline.
The Accountant (2016)
The Accountant centers around an autistic maths genius who gets hired by dangerous gangs and big-time criminals. The plot meanders and wanders off at times, which critics failed to get on board with.
Even so, The Accountant still offers up plenty of interest, showing an often underrepresented type of individual in a unique setting.
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China garnered a pretty awful reception on release, with box office figures meaning it could only be deemed as a flop.
It’s chaotic and messy, and its inherent silliness has seen some dismiss it as a 'so bad it's good film,' failing to recognize the wit and satirical overtones. Happily, it's become a bona fide cult classic.
Taken (2009)
Liam Neeson’s career has almost been defined by his role as Bryan Mills in the Taken movies, with his ‘particular set of skills’ line being quoted many a time.
However, before its release, it was slammed by some critics who believed that it was overblown and ‘preposterous’, as film critic Roger Ebert once said. However, audiences loved it, and it wasn’t too long before a sequel was made.
The Thing (1982)
Now a beloved cult classic, The Thing was originally hated upon its release. The movie follows a team of researchers who are looking into a parasitic creature near their Antarctic research station.
The movie was originally slammed for its overuse of gore and violence, however, its reputation picked up once it was made available for home release.
Grease 2 (1982)
Let’s preface this by saying that Grease did not need a sequel. The songs in the first movie were very good, the premise of the movie worked, and it spawned a whole new avenue of costumes that people would go on to wear at fancy dress parties.
Grease 2 was slammed upon its release, which was over a decade after the first iteration. However, the movie isn’t so bad, as long as you don’t go into it expecting anything like the first movie.
Bride Wars (2009)
Bride Wars got some pretty low ratings from critics upon its release in 2009, mainly because it’s just another one of those lazily written Hollywood comedies that get churned out every year.
However, if you want an easy watch with a trusted cast of good comedy actors including Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, and Chris Pratt, then it could be one for you.
The Village (2004)
The main issue with writer-director M. Night Shyamalan's The Village was not the film itself, but the fact that it had been marketed and advertised as a horror film.
Critics are known to get snooty and somewhat protective over genres in the same manner that Neapolitans do with their pizzas. If the film had been pre-classed as a suspense thriller, it may well have received better reviews.
Encino Man (1992)
Encino Man was one of Brendan Fraser’s earlier movies, featuring his Robert Smith from The Cure-style haircut. It has been rated horrifically, with just a 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The premise of the movie is bizarre and it’s clear to see why it wasn’t a commercial hit, but it is a charming little film.
White Chicks (2004)
White Chicks gained notoriety for the fact it is about two undercover FBI agents wearing whiteface and acting as women to ensure they don’t get caught out.
Despite its niche premise, the comedy isn’t overly subtle or witty, but the movie is probably worth a watch just on the basis of the stir that it caused.
Bewitched (2005)
Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell star in Bewitched, a critically regarded flop of a movie, centering around a failed actor who falls in love with a witch.
Regarded by one critic as an ‘unmitigated disaster’, the film didn’t go down well, but to a small selection of fans, it is a warm, charming movie that brings a level of nostalgia with it.
Death to Smoochy (2002)
Death to Smoochy is a tongue-in-cheek representation of the dark side of children’s television. It stars the late, great Robin Williams, but even he wasn’t enough to prevent the reviews from plummeting.
If you take the movie at face value you might agree with the critics, if you see past that, you may very well enjoy it.
Batman & Robin (1997)
This version of the Batman story is a far cry from the Dark Knight movies of the 2000s, with a significantly less aggressive George Clooney running the show.
The movie is camp and lacks any believable visual effects, but it’s charming and will capture the imagination of any child with an interest in superheroes.
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
Hot Tub Time Machine is as bizarre and far-flung a concept as you can imagine. It follows a group of four friends as they accidentally travel back in time to the mid-1980s by chilling in their hot tub.
The movie was thrown out by many, after all, it is ridiculous. However, the chemistry between the actors is clear to see, and actually makes the movie thoroughly enjoyable.
Xanadu (1980)
Xanadu is a musical fantasy movie, following a struggling freelance artist who mysteriously meets a roller skating girl while strolling about town. The movie is intensely camp, a tad silly, and widely disapproved of by many for these traits.
However, it has a great soundtrack, featuring music from one of its lead actors Olivia Newton-John, as well as songs from ELO and Cliff Richard.
The New Mutants (2020)
There are some movies that you watch where you’re fully aware that it’s not going to ever be regarded as a classic, or even be regarded as a good movie, but it is entertaining nonetheless.
The New Mutants is one of these movies, with its believable acting and entertaining storyline making it an entertaining watch. Despite this, it still received its fair share of dislike from critics and audiences alike.
View From The Top (2003)
Gwyneth Paltrow stars as a small town girl looking to make it big in the world of commercial air travel in View From The Top. The movie was, let’s say, awfully reviewed, with critics piling on for its weak storyline.
It even got an in-depth comic review written about it by comedian Richard Ayoade. Doesn’t this level of negativity not make you want to watch it?
Star Wars (1977)
When you think about the most famous movies of all time, Star Wars is right up there. It has become a behemoth of a franchise, with Star Wars movies and TV series still being released almost 45 years after the original movie first came out.
It wasn’t always destined to become so loved, with one critic describing it as an ‘epic without a dream’. Bet they feel silly now!
The Happening (2008)
Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel certainly don’t give their best performances in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening, but it doesn’t mean the movie should be totally disregarded.
This apocalyptic, terror-flick has a strong but strange twist at the end, capping off a semi-surrealistic watch.
Space Jam (1996)
The bizarre Space Jam fused together the animated cartoons of the Looney Tunes franchise and mixed them with live-action cinema.
It wasn’t originally well-received, with many believing it to be a bit too gimmicky to be taken seriously. Its cult appeal did stand the test of time, with its sequel being brought out 15 years later.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
It’s hard to believe that The Big Lebowski wasn’t always respected as a great movie. It was originally criticized for being too aware of its own cleverness, and too lacking in terms of substance.
However, as time has gone by, the appreciation for the movie and its wacky characters have only gone up, with many putting it in their top five movies of all time lists.
The Shining (1980)
Known primarily for the scene where Jack Nicholson is hacking his way through a door with an axe, The Shining is equally as horrific as it is thrilling.
It is a psychological standard for movie makers, but wasn’t always highly regarded by critics. In fact, director Stanley Kubrick won a Razzie Award for Worst Director the year the movie was released.
Disturbing Behavior (1998)
Disturbing Behavior stars a young James Marsden as a teen who discovers that his new school’s guidance counsellor is reprogramming teenagers.
Directed by TV legend David Nutter, Disturbing Behavior is an excellent entry into the teen-horror boom of the late nineties, and there’s no way it should be classed as rotten on Rotten Tomatoes.
Showgirls (1995)
The work of Dutch director Paul Verhoeven is often misunderstood by audiences, with the filmmaker often ahead of his time. Take Showgirls for example. Critics at the time called it “vile, contemptible, garish, and misogynistic.”
However, Showgirls’ gaudy construction was intentional. Verhoeven made Showgirls be all of those things in order to highlight how dangerous the fame game is.
Pet Sematary Two (1992)
In 1992, Mary Lambert directed Pet Sematary Two, a sequel to her 1987 adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel. The film was unjustly critically mauled.
Granted, Pet Sematary Two might be a little rough around the edges, but Lambert managed to capture both the spirit, and tone, of King’s novel. It also features a phenomenally creepy turn by Clancy Brown as the wickedest of stepfathers.
Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993)
Whilst horror fans will often praise 1985’s zombie-comedy Return of the Living Dead, few have time for the second sequel, Return of the Living Dead III.
This is a grave error however, as whilst it loses the more comedic tone, Return of the Living Dead III portrays a very exciting iteration of Romeo and Juliet, with Romeo’s beloved a brain-hungry zombie.
Idle Hands (1999)
Idle Hands stars Devon Sawa as the ultimate teen slacker Anton, who finds his idle hands are the perfect plaything for a demonic entity.
Currently sitting with a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Idle Hands could have been the next big horror comedy. However, it was released just ten days after the Columbine shooting and so audiences were reluctant to embrace such a violent film.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
Controversially, 2010’s A Nightmare on Elm Street isn’t actually that bad. Much of the backlash was aimed squarely at the decision to recast the role of Freddy Krueger.
The part was made famous by Robert Englund and for many, seeing Krueger played by anyone else felt sacrilegious. His replacement, Jackie Earle Haley, reinterpreted the character and made it his own rather than simply an imitation.
Drop Dead Fred (1991)
English comedian Rik Mayall starred as Drop Dead Fred, the former imaginary best friend of Phoebe Cates’ character, Lizzie. After Lizzie’s marriage collapses, Fred reappears to help her cope.
Whilst written off by many as a silly – and slightly crass – comedy, Drop Dead Fred has a lot of heart hidden within as it tells of one woman’s fight for independence and self-confidence.
The Thing (2011)
Incorrectly called a remake by many, 2011’s The Thing is actually a prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 film. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton, this version of The Thing fills in the history of the Norwegian base explored in Carpenter’s film.
It plays to similar tropes, but does them well, plus, it features Mary Elizabeth Winstead doing an excellent Ellen Ripley impression.
The Host (2013)
The Host is a science-fiction story that charts an alien invasion where the aliens take over human hosts. Saoirse Ronan gives a brilliant performance as alien Wanda whose host, Melanie, refuses to vacate her body.
Based on a novel by Twilight author Stephanie Myers, 2013’s The Host gained a lot of hate by its association.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Upon release, Karyn Kusama’s Jennifer’s Body received a negative response from both critics and audiences alike. The primary reason for this was that it was aimed at the wrong demographic.
Images of Megan Fox in a cheerleader outfit drew in a young male crowd, when in reality Jennifer’s Body is a story about female empowerment, friendships, and toxic masculinity.
Never Back Down (2008)
Despite being the perfect blend of The Karate Kid and The Fast and the Furious, Never Back Down struggled to connect with an audience. And yet, Never Back Down is a solid teen drama.
It follows Jake as he starts a new school and finds himself at war with the high-school mixed martial arts champion Ryan, which climaxes at the Beatdown tournament.
Sweet November (2001)
In Sweet November, Keanu Reeves plays Nelson, a workaholic advertising executive whose world is forever changed by an encounter with Charlize Theron’s Sara.
The pair start dating, but Sara has a very rigid rule – she only dates a man for a month and Nelson is to be Mr. November. A true tear-jerking romantic drama, it’s a mystery why people are so averse to it.
Speed Racer (2008)
Following The Matrix trilogy with an adaptation of a lesser known animation was a bold move from The Wachowskis. Sadly, the reception to 2008’s Speed Racer was less than stellar.
With little knowledge of the source, audiences were left cold and confused. However, the tide seems to be turning and hopefully Speed Racer will one day be treated as the classic it deserves to be.
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Paul W. S. Anderson’s Mortal Kombat is a stone-cold classic. A pioneer of the video-game adaptation, it is one of the best transfers from console to screen.
It displaces the beat-em-up format of the game, into a tournament on a mysterious island where humans Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade must defeat the evil Shang Tsung. The title track is also an absolute banger.
Beautiful Creatures (2013)
Beautiful Creatures, based on the novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl had the potential to be Twilight’s successor. Set in Southern America, the book series told of the star-crossed love between a mortal boy and powerful ‘caster.’
The frustrating aspect of Beautiful Creatures was the decision to merge all four books into one story. Nonetheless, it is still an enchanting little movie.
The Dirt (2019)
Adapted from Mötley Crüe’s autobiography, The Dirt was always going to be polarising. Mötley Crüe lived the ‘sex, drug, and rock n roll’ lifestyle to the extreme, and The Dirt mirrors that debauchery.
Criticised for embracing the excess of Crüe’s experiences without the substance, The Dirt instead highlighted that not every biopic needs to end in tears. Some can, and should, merely be a snapshot of history.
Batman Forever (1995)
Before the heady heights of Batman and Robin, Joel Schumacher tested the waters with Batman Forever. The film saw Val Kilmer put on the black cowl as he tried to take down both The Riddler and Two-Face.
Director Joel Schumacher's film also gives us the first big screen Robin and a new love interest in Nicole Kidman's Doctor Chase Meridian. After the more poe-faced Tim Burton outings, Batman Forever was a kitsch, camp, delight.
Halloween Ends (2022)
For the final (for now) instalment of Halloween, director David Gordon Green got weird. His decision to sideline the iconic Michael Myers for an unknown new killer outraged many fans and critics.
This inadvertently began a witch-hunt for those that tried to defend the film's honor online. However, in about ten years, people will look back on Halloween Ends and embrace its oddities.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
Critics weighing in on films based on popular children’s properties has never really made sense. Without the full breadth of knowledge, they are often overly harsh in their reviews. Case in point, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.
For anyone over the age of ten it was a jumbled disaster, but for those under that age bracket, it was all their dreams come true.
Predator 2 (1990)
Whilst Predator is well-regarded, its sequel is looked on less favorably. Set in the then near future of 1997, Predator 2 switched up the jungle location for the urban streets of Los Angeles.
The change-up was met with mostly negative reviews despite the new setting opening up so many potential new directions for the series.
The Crow: City of Angels (1996)
The critical consensus was that The Crow: City of Angels was a “sloppy pretender” that captured “neither the mood nor energy of the original.” These remarks are harsh and not true.
The story follows a ‘Crow’ brought back, this time to right the wrong of his son’s murder. An atmosphere is present, though it has a grungy rather than Gothic vibe.
Silent Hill (2006)
Far greater than its awful sequel Silent Hill: Revelation, the first Silent Hill film managed to capture the weird and spooky nature of the game series upon which it was based.
Its biggest mistake was sidelining game character Harry Mason, but otherwise Silent Hill is a twisted and creepy slice of popcorn horror, that introduced a world of new fans to the terrifying Pyramid Head.
Dune (1984)
Whilst even director David Lynch has gone on record saying he dislikes the project, his version of Dune, isn’t really that bad. Apart from some rushed scenes, and the sidelining of Duncan Idaho, the 1984 film manages to stay reasonably consistent with the book.
The 1984 film's main crime was an impenetrable script due to unfamiliar terminology, but it’s not that bad once you ease into it.
Into the Blue (2005)
Into the Blue is a sun-soaked crime thriller featuring the talent and beauty of Paul Walker and Jessica Alba. The story follows the young couple Jared and Sam after they discover a lucrative shipwreck and downed plane full of drugs.
The pair get embroiled with the local cartel and events spiral. Whilst not the cleverest of plots, Into the Blue remains an entertaining watch.
The Craft Legacy (2020)
Neither the critics nor audience score for The Craft Legacy on Rotten Tomatoes is particularly high. All the critiques were the same – it wasn’t the same as The Craft.
What everyone forgets though is that The Craft Legacy was not created for fans of the original. Instead it is targeting a new generation of witchy wannabes, and has rightly tuned into modern sensibilities.
Seed of Chucky (2004)
Don Mancini, writer of all of the Child’s Play and Chucky films, finally took his rightful place behind the camera for Seed of Chucky. Ahead of its time, Seed of Chucky was originally viewed as silly and crude.
In truth, the film is an engaging exploration of gender identity and non-traditional family units. Luckily Mancini has been able to expand these themes in the current Chucky television series.
I Am Number Four (2011)
I Am Number Four was meant to be the start of a whole new franchise of book adaptations. A savage reception from the critics and a lack-luster box-office put that dream to bed.
It’s disappointing as despite some familiar plot points, I am Number Four offered an interesting science-fiction and action driven angle in the tween adaptation arena.
Masters of the Universe (1987)
In 1987, Dolph Lungren took on the power of Grayskull in Masters of the Universe. But rather than battle in Eternia, He-Man ended up on planet Earth, a decision that made little sense and caused an uproar.
It may not be the He-Man film that audiences should have had, but the very existence of Masters of the Universe is a beautiful thing.
The Room (2003)
Tommy Wiseau’s The Room is universally regarded as one of the worst crimes committed to cinema. That being said, it is also a whole lot of fun. From a technical, structural, and script perspective, The Room is awful.
Even so, it has united hordes of strangers who gather at special The Room screening events where they quote along, throw spoons, and cackle with delight.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie took a critical hammering when it was released. Critics poked holes in the plot and dialogue, but its cheesy nature is part of its charm.
Kristy Swanson played a Beverly Hills brat who discovers that she is destined to hunt vampires. Though the film is hated, the television series became one of the most beloved of the nineties.