In addition to evaluating the artistic merits of movies, modern film critics are generally expected to help the average moviegoer wade through the endless film releases to find the very best cinematic offerings. With thousands of new movies released each year, audiences must rely on professional reviewers to avoid wasting as much time as possible on bad movies.
Critical consensus is generally in line with audiences’ approval of a film. This allows audience trust in critical authority to endure. Yet sometimes the tastes of critics and laymen diverge in ways too great to ignore.
24/7 Wall St. has identified 50 films that audiences love but critics hate. In order to do so, we created an index based on the disparity between audience and critic ratings from reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and the Internet Movie Database.
Many of the films with the greatest differences in critical and audience appreciation would be considered “low brow.” They do not aim for lofty intellectual goals but exist as unpretentious entertainment for the masses. These titles include Tyler Perry and Adam Sandler comedies, redundant horror sequels, and even recent superhero fare, such as this year’s “Venom” movie.
Other films on the list simply fail at the basics of what is considered by many to be requirements for “good” filmmaking. They feature poor acting, unconvincing dialogue, or jumbled narratives. These are all faults that audiences can apparently forgive if other aspects of the film can compensate for them, while critics cannot.
Click here to see the 50 films critics hate but audiences love.
Click here to see our methodology.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
50. Gods and Generals (2003)
> Starring: Stephen Lang, Robert Duvall, Jeff Daniels
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.5/10
> Domestic box office: $12,870,000
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Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
49. The Longest Ride (2015)
> Starring: Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Alan Alda
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 7.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.4/10
> Domestic box office: $37,430,000
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
48. Because I Said So (2007)
> Starring: Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Gabriel Macht
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.2/10
> Domestic box office: $42,670,000
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
47. Good Luck Chuck (2007)
> Starring: Dane Cook, Jessica Alba, Dan Fogler
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.4/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.9/10
> Domestic box office: $34,930,000
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
46. Almost Heroes (1998)
> Starring: Chris Farley, Matthew Perry, Bokeem Woodbine
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 5.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.4/10
> Domestic box office: $6,110,000
Source: Courtesy of Relativity Media
45. Safe Haven (2013)
> Starring: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Cobie Smulders
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.4/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4/10
> Domestic box office: $71,350,000
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Source: Courtesy of Open Road Films
44. The Loft (2014)
> Starring: Karl Urban, James Marsden, Wentworth Miller
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 5.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.1/10
> Domestic box office: $5,980,000
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of THINKFilm
43. The Air I Breathe (2007)
> Starring: Brendan Fraser, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Andy Garcia
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.9/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.8/10
> Domestic box office: $30,000
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
42. Step Up (2006)
> Starring: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Damaine Radcliff
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.5/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.5/10
> Domestic box office: $65,330,000
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Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
41. Warcraft (2016)
> Starring: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.9/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.3/10
> Domestic box office: $47,370,000
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
40. The Choice (2016)
> Starring: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Alexandra Daddario
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.7/10
> Domestic box office: $18,710,000
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Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
39. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)
> Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.6/10
> Domestic box office: $120,060,000
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
38. Dirty Grandpa (2016)
> Starring: Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Deutch
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.9/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.8/10
> Domestic box office: $35,540,000
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Corporation
37. The Benchwarmers (2006)
> Starring: David Spade, Jon Heder, Rob Schneider
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.1/10
> Domestic box office: $57,650,000
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Source: Courtesy of Screen Gems
36. No Good Deed (2014)
> Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Idris Elba, Leslie Bibb
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.1/10
> Domestic box office: $52,540,000
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
35. Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013)
> Starring: Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Vanessa Williams, Brandy Norwood
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.4/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.6/10
> Domestic box office: $51,980,000
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Source: Courtesy of Open Road Films
34. A Haunted House (2013)
> Starring: Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Marlene Forte
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.4/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.6/10
> Domestic box office: $40,040,000
Source: Courtesy of Lions Gate Films
33. See No Evil (2006)
> Starring: Glenn Jacobs, Christina Vidal, Michael J. Pagan
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.4/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.1/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.7/10
> Domestic box office: $15,030,000
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
32. Big Momma’s House 2 (2006)
> Starring: Martin Lawrence, Emily Procter, Nia Long
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 4.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3/10
> Domestic box office: $70,170,000
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Corporation
31. Venom (2018)
> Starring: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.4/10
> Domestic box office: $210,350,000
Source: Courtesy of Screen Gems
30. Underworld: Evolution (2006)
> Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.8/10
> Domestic box office: $62,320,000
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Corporation
29. Grown Ups (2010)
> Starring: Adam Sandler, Salma Hayek, Kevin James
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.3/10
> Domestic box office: $162,000,000
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
28. The Shack (2017)
> Starring: Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, Tim McGraw
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.9/10
> Domestic box office: $57,330,000
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
27. Sweet November (2001)
> Starring: Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.5/10
> Domestic box office: $25,290,000
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Source: Courtesy of Open Road Films
26. A Haunted House 2 (2014)
> Starring: Marlon Wayans, Jaime Pressly, Cedric the Entertainer
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 4.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2/10
> Domestic box office: $17,330,000
Source: Courtesy of Miramax
25. Four Rooms (1995)
> Starring: Tim Roth, Antonio Banderas, Sammi Davis
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.5/10
> Domestic box office: $4,300,000
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Corporation
24. 88 Minutes (2007)
> Starring: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Ben McKenzie
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.9/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.6/10
> Domestic box office: $16,930,000
Source: Courtesy of Relativity Media
23. The Best of Me (2014)
> Starring: James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan, Luke Bracey
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.6/10
> Domestic box office: $26,760,000
Source: Courtesy of Open Road Films
22. Little Boy (2015)
> Starring: Jakob Salvati, Emily Watson, David Henrie
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 7.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.5/10
> Domestic box office: $6,420,000
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Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
21. Courageous (2011)
> Starring: Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel, Kevin Downes
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.8/10
> Domestic box office: $34,520,000
Source: Courtesy of Screen Gems
20. The Covenant (2006)
> Starring: Steven Strait, Sebastian Stan, Toby Hemingway
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.8/10
> Domestic box office: $23,290,000
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Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
19. The Life of David Gale (2003)
> Starring: Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 7.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.2/10
> Domestic box office: $19,590,000
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
18. Old Dogs (2009)
> Starring: Robin Williams, John Travolta, Seth Green
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.3/10
> Domestic box office: $49,490,000
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
17. Saw V (2008)
> Starring: Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.9/10
> Domestic box office: $56,750,000
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Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
16. See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)
> Starring: Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, Joan Severance
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.2/10
> Domestic box office: $46,910,000
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
15. Collateral Beauty (2016)
> Starring: Will Smith, Edward Norton, Kate Winslet
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.6/10
> Domestic box office: $30,980,000
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Source: Courtesy of Affirm Films
14. Fireproof (2008)
> Starring: Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.3/10
> Domestic box office: $33,460,000
Source: Courtesy of Cannon Film Distributors
13. Death Wish 3 (1985)
> Starring: Charles Bronson, Deborah Raffin, Ed Lauter
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.2/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.9/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.4/10
> Domestic box office: $16,120,000
Source: Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films and Destination Films
12. Facing the Giants (2006)
> Starring: Alex Kendrick, Shannen Fields, Jason McLeod
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.1/10
> Domestic box office: $10,180,000
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Source: Courtesy of Dendy Films
11. Grind (2003)
> Starring: Adam Brody, Joey Kern, Mike Vogel
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.1/10
> Domestic box office: $5,110,000
Source: Courtesy of First Look International
10. An American Crime (2007)
> Starring: Ellen Page, Hayley McFarland, Nick Searcy
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.4/10
> IMDb audience rating: 7.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4/10
> Domestic box office: N/A
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Source: Courtesy of Catfish Productions
9. Waiting for Forever (2010)
> Starring: Rachel Bilson, Tom Sturridge, Richard Jenkins
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.3/10
> Domestic box office: $30,000
Source: Courtesy of Davis Entertainment
8. A Little Bit of Heaven (2011)
> Starring: Kate Hudson, Gael García Bernal, Kathy Bates
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 6.6/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.8/10
> Domestic box office: $10,000
Source: Courtesy of Pure Flix Productions
7. God’s Not Dead (2014)
> Starring: Shane Harper, Kevin Sorbo, David A.R. White
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 4.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.7/10
> Domestic box office: $60,760,000
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Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
6. Grandma’s Boy (2006)
> Starring: Allen Covert, Linda Cardellini, Shirley Jones
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7.4/10
> IMDb audience rating: 7/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.6/10
> Domestic box office: $6,090,000
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
5. War Room (2015)
> Starring: Priscilla C. Shirer, T.C. Stallings, Karen Abercrombie
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8.8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.4/10
> Domestic box office: $67,790,000
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Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
4. Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011)
> Starring: Martin Lawrence, Brandon T. Jackson, Jessica Lucas
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7/10
> IMDb audience rating: 4.4/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.7/10
> Domestic box office: $37,920,000
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
3. Out Cold (2001)
> Starring: Flex Alexander, David Denman, A.J. Cook
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 7/10
> IMDb audience rating: 6.3/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 2.9/10
> Domestic box office: $13,900,000
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
2. Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)
> Starring: Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, Tyler Perry
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8/10
> IMDb audience rating: 5.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 3.9/10
> Domestic box office: $50,630,000
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Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
1. The Boondock Saints (1999)
> Starring: Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus
> Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb audience rating: 7.8/10
> Rotten Tomatoes critic rating: 4.3/10
> Domestic box office: $30,000
Methodology
To determine the films audiences love but critics hate, 24/7 Wall St. calculated the difference between each film’s average user rating and average critic rating. The average user rating was calculated as an average of a given film’s Rotten Tomatoes’ average audience rating and Internet Movie Database’s average user rating weighted by the number of votes placed for each. Critic ratings were the average critic score from Rotten Tomatoes. To be considered, each film needed to have at least 10,000 user ratings on IMDb, 5,000 audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, and 10 approved tomatometer critic reviews.
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