21st Century Movies Hated By Critics But Loved By Audiences
When the Audience Rejected Critical Reviews
These movies are some of the most legendary films of the 21st century. There were plenty of reasons for audiences to fall absolutely in love with them. However, critics never expected these plots to gain such massive attention and harshly dismissed them. That’s when the audience stepped in and proved them wrong.
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Critics dismissed it as a "plotless" and "generic" B-movie, a loud, empty ripoff of Point Break with cars instead of surfboards. It was a lightning-in-a-bottle cultural moment. Audiences were captivated by the charismatic chemistry of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, the thrilling street-racing subculture, and the high-octane practical stunts. It launched one of the biggest franchises in history.
The Holiday (2006)
With a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics found it "cloying," "overlong," and "painfully predictable." They saw it as a fluffy, low-effort piece of romantic fluff. The charming cast (Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black), the cozy "house-swap" premise, and the picturesque winter setting made it an instant "feel-good" classic and an annual holiday re-watch.
Constantine (2005)
Critics and comic-book purists panned the film for changing the main character from a blonde, British occultist to a black-haired, American demon hunter (Keanu Reeves). Meanwhile, the audience cared only about the stylish action and a cool-hero. For them the source material was something they did not even consider.
Transformers (2007)
Apparently critics did not understand the cultural phenomenon that Transformer was budding to become. They accused Michael Bay of creating a two-hour toy commercial with a nonsensical plot. It was a visual spectacle unlike anything audiences had seen. The childhood fantasy of giant robots transforming and battling in photorealistic CGI was a massive thrill. It was a loud, fun, and spectacular summer blockbuster, plain and simple.
Suicide Squad (2016)
The marketing, the music, and the characters (specifically Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn) were a huge draw. Audiences were far more forgiving of the messy plot, embracing the film's anarchic energy, a stark contrast to the more "serious" superhero films. Again, it did not fit well with the critics, with a dismal 26% on RT, critics called it a "disaster," "choppy," and a "muddled mess" that clearly suffered from studio interference.
A Knight's Tale (2001)
The audience soared at the 70s rock anthem from Queens, ‘We Will Rock You’. In an instant the movie had hooked the viewers with a charming cast and high-energy soundtrack in a medieval setting. But for the critics it was supposed to be a mere gimmick and they hated this aspect of the movie. They did not like the big, bad, bold energy of the movie one bit.
Underworld (2003)
In the eyes of the scrutinizing critics, it was nothing more than a basic rip-off of 'Matrix'. The aesthetic was the substance. Audiences loved the slick, leather-clad, blue-tinted gothic action. The Romeo and Juliet-style war between vampires and werewolves, led by the iconic Kate Beckinsale, was simply cool.
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
It's the definition of comfort food cinema. Audiences loved the charm of Reese Witherspoon, the romantic fantasy of a woman torn between two worlds, and the nostalgic, feel-good ending. It delivered exactly what it promised. But for the critics it was too cliche with the generic romance plot. They were unable to find anything remotely good in the movie owing to the overly-simplistic plot.
Man of Steel (2013)
The movie was famous for the contrasting reviews it had. On one hand, critics slammed it for repressing a joyless, overly dark and nihilistic plot about Superman. But for the audience, the visually stunning story and epic scale was amazing as they wholeheartedly embraced the sci-fi plot, Hans Zimmer’s score about the Superman with a godlike Aura.
Zoolander (2001)
Many critics saw it as a one-joke sketch stretched too thin. They found its humor to be painfully dumb and its plot to be nonexistent, calling it a "really, really, ridiculously" bad movie. But for the audience, it was the dumb humor that mattered and made the movie an instant hit. From "Blue Steel" to "a center for ants," the film's relentless silliness and perfect satire of the fashion world made it an instant classic.
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
The "stupid" and "amateurish" feel was the whole point. Audiences embraced its bizarre sense of humor, its quotable non-sequiturs, and its cast of future superstars (Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler) committing to the bit. It’s now a bona-fide cult comedy. Critics at the time were baffled on the other hand, for them it was too immature and somehow they were too disconnected from the emotions felt by the audience.
Saw (2004)
As a movie, Saw was bloody, gore-filled and introduced the audience to a stomach-turning puzzle movie that launched a billion-dollar franchise. But critics saw it as something else altogether. It was a low-budget ‘torture fantasy’ for them. In front of the audience however, it was a high concept horror film with an amazing twist at the end.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Audiences heard the music, and that's all that mattered. The soundtrack was a global phenomenon. People embraced the film's powerful message of acceptance, its dazzling spectacle, and its earnest, feel-good energy. Critics found it to be a shallow, formulaic, and historically inaccurate biopic that glossed over the darker parts of P.T. Barnum's life in favor of cheesy inspirational songs.
Twilight (2008)
In front of the critics, it was a failed attempt at gothic romance turned into melodramatic teen romance story. But in front of the audience, it captured the hearts of a generation. They were completely swept up in the forbidden, high-stakes romance between Bella and the sparkling vampire, Edward. It became a global phenomenon.
Step Brothers (2008)
Critics saw it as Will Ferrell and Adam McKay at their most self-indulgent. They found it to be a plotless, mean-spirited, and "exhaustingly stupid" one-joke movie about two unlikable man-children. The plotlessness and absurd, quotable lines ("Did we just become best friends?!") made it a comedic goldmine. The chemistry between Ferrell and John C. Reilly is legendary.
Venom (2018)
The "lobster tank" scene alone was worth the price of admission. Tom Hardy's bizarre, sweaty, all-in performance. The film's "tonal mess" was its greatest strength, creating a bonkers buddy-comedy between a man and the alien parasite living inside him. Critics found it to be a chaotic and dated throwback to pre-MCU comic book movies with a goofy script and sloppy CGI.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
It's a glorious celebration of Queen. Audiences saw it as a tribute, not a documentary. Rami Malek's Oscar-winning performance and the film's breathtaking, note-for-note recreation of the Live Aid concert created a euphoric theater experience. Critics savaged the film for its by-the-numbers biopic structure, its historical inaccuracies, and its sanitized portrayal of Freddie Mercury's life.
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)
It's one of the most beloved "stupid-genius" cult films ever made. Its humor is so absurd, from the "we-e-e-e" fighting sounds to the killer cow, that it's impossible not to laugh. "That's a lot of nuts!" This spoof, which digitally inserted creator Steve Oedekerk into a 1970s kung fu movie, was called "painfully unfunny," "excruciatingly stupid," and "a strong contender for worst movie of the year' when the critics saw it. The audience loved the slapstick comedy but for the critics it was way too much.
Bad Boys II (2003)
It's the pinnacle of "Bayhem." Audiences embraced the gleeful excess, the spectacular (and real) car-chase stunts, and the hilarious, bickering chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. It's a masterpiece of action-comedy chaos. Critics saw it as Michael Bay's most excessive, "bloated, and morally bankrupt" film. It was famously called "a film that hates you" for its non-stop, deafening, and cynical violence.
P.S. I Love You (2007)
Audiences connected deeply with its message of love after loss. They found the premise (a dying husband leaves his wife letters to find) to be sweepingly romantic, and it became a massive sleepover and date-night hit. With a stunning 15% score, critics found this to be one of the most "cloying, manipulative, and emotionally bankrupt" tearjerkers ever made. They also relentlessly mocked Gerard Butler's Irish accent.
National Treasure (2004)
Audiences saw a "Declaration of Independence-stealing" good time! It’s a fast-paced, family-friendly adventure film. It’s a puzzle, a history lesson (sort of), and a treasure hunt all in one, and it never pretends to be anything more. But somehow, for the critics, it was supposedly some over the top ‘Indiana Jones’ ripoff and had a laughable plot.
The Notebook (2004)
It became the romance film of a generation. The epic story, the passionate chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, and the famously romantic lines. However, the critics were way too busy slandering the movie calling it- "sappy," "schmaltzy," and "predictable" melodrama, a by-the-numbers tearjerker that was manipulative and overly sentimental.
John Q (2002)
With a 23% on RT, critics destroyed this film, calling it "a shamelessly manipulative" and "ludicrously over-the-top" melodrama that bludgeoned the audience with its message. Audiences saw a powerful, heart-wrenching story about a desperate father (Denzel Washington) pushed to the limit by a broken healthcare system. His emotional plea, "I'm not gonna bury my son!," resonated deeply with viewers.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Fans of Zack Snyder's vision embraced the epic, mythological tone. They loved seeing Batman and Superman fight on the big screen for the first time, the visually stunning action, and the "darker" take on the heroes. Critics (29% on RT) found it "incoherent," "joyless," "overstuffed," and "a narrative mess," famously mocking the "Martha" scene as a ridiculous resolution.
Super Troopers (2001)
It became a word-of-mouth sensation, especially on college campuses. It's relentlessly silly, quotable gags. The goofy charm made it one of the defining cult comedies of the 2000s. Critics dismissed the Broken Lizard comedy troupe as amateurish, finding their low-budget film about prank-loving Vermont state troopers to be unfunny and poorly made.
