Popular is a tough word when it comes to describing movies. Too often, something is given a negative connotation because it’s popular. Appealing to a wide range of audiences and connecting with them is not something to be embarrassed about. Liking or disliking a particular film has no morality attached to it, and there’s often a reason that so many viewers feel seen by a project and are engaged by it. However, there are plenty of films that were theatrical hits that have become mythologized by the culture that doesn’t live up to the standard set by their popularity.
Critiquing these films is not to say that they aren’t good. They are, and even if their initial shine has worn off in the years since they first premiered, that doesn’t make them any less fun to watch. It’s easy to say that the biggest movie box office bombs of all time deserve hate and are low quality. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that successes like the highest-grossing summer blockbuster movies will be infinitely better in quality and content. It can be frustrating to see films that tell better stories get overlooked because another project’s marketing budget was larger.
10
Superbad (2007)
Directed by Greg Mottola
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7.6/10
Superbad
R
Comedy
Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and produced by Judd Apatow, Superbad follows high school seniors Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), two best friends who are desperate to join the popular kids’ party before heading off to college. After asking their friend Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) – A.K.A. McLovin – to use his fake ID to purchase alcohol, Seth and Evan end up getting drawn into a night of criminal misfortunes that threatens the very fabric of their friendship.
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Release Date
August 17, 2007
Runtime
113 minutes
Cast
Seth Rogen
, Bill Hader
, Jonah Hill
, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
, Michael Cera
, Emma Stone
Director
Greg Mottola
Writers
Seth Rogen
, Evan Goldberg
Studio(s)
Sony
Expand
It’s been almost twenty years since the movie that catapulted Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, and Emma Stone to greater levels of fame was released. Easily one of Michael Cera’s best movies, there’s some hidden nuance within the goofy comedy of Superbad, but it’s not quite as complex as audiences might remember. Some of the over-raunchiness feels a little dated today, and though it isn’t the movie’s fault, many of the jokes are so famous that they’ve entered meme territory, making it difficult to laugh with the film instead of at it.
Lately, any film set in high school about two friends gets described as the “blank” version of Superbad.
There’s no doubt that Superbad will always be a standby of the high school movie genre, as countless films have copied its format and tried to recapture the magic of the project. Lately, any film set in high school about two friends gets described as the “blank” version of Superbad. However, there were movies about the tough transition from high school to college long before Superbad, and many of them have some interesting things to say.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Superbad (2007) |
88% |
87% |
9
Gravity (2013)
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
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7/10
Gravity
PG-13
DramaDocumentarySci-FiThriller
Alfonso Cuarón’s sci-fi thriller Gravity tells the story of Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) after they end up stranded in space after the destruction of their shuttle. Faced with near-impossible odds of survival, the pair plan to get themselves safely back to Earth despite the relentlessly harsh reality of space threatening to claim their lives at any moment.
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Release Date
October 3, 2013
Runtime
1h 31m
Cast
Sandra Bullock
, George Clooney
, Ed Harris
, Orto Ignatiussen
, Paul Sharma
, Amy Warren
Director
Alfonso Cuarón
Writers
Alfonso Cuarón
, Jonás Cuarón
, George Clooney
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Expand
Alfonso Cuarón is one of the most engaging directors of the 21st century, and many of his movies have been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. His most polarizing project to date, Gravity, takes sci-fi to another level and pushes Sandra Bullock to her limits as the protagonist, Ryan. For almost the entire runtime, Ryan is on her own, attempting to make her way back to Earth after what should be a safe space walk, except everything that could go wrong does go wrong.
One of the biggest pushbacks against Gravity is the fact that it’s not scientifically accurate at all. For some sci-fi fans, this isn’t a problem at all, as Gravity is formatted similarly to a metaphor for rebirth, and the film achieves its emotional beats. Visually, it’s hard to argue that Gravity accomplishes a lot, but at the same time, this lets the movie get away with a lighter story with only a few major plot thrusts. Regardless, the space adventure of Gravity maintains its propulsion.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Gravity (2013) |
96% |
79% |
8
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Directed by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
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Crazy, Stupid, Love
pg-13
ComedyDocumentaryDramaRomance
Written by Dan Fogelman and directed by both Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a Comedy and Romance film starring Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling. The plot sees a variety of characters and explores how all of their lives are interconnected by love.
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Release Date
June 19, 2011
Runtime
118 minutes
Cast
Steve Carell
, Ryan Gosling
, Julianne Moore
, Emma Stone
, Analeigh Tipton
, Jonah Bobo
Director
Glenn Ficarra
, John Requa
Writers
Dan Fogelman
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Expand
It’s largely thanks to the incredible star power featured in Crazy, Stupid, Love. that the movie has been elevated from the typical popularity of a mid-budget rom-com to something of a cult classic. One of the many movies Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling have worked on together Crazy, Stupid, Love. puts their chemistry to good use, and their budding romance in the film is one of the best narrative arcs. However, the central thrust of Steve Carell’s Cal re-discovering himself after his wife leaves him isn’t the most compelling.
It’s the performances that have kept the movie from fading into obscurity, and this is a vital part of the production.
Though it’s a fun movie to revisit, Crazy, Stupid, Love. isn’t really any better than the typical rom-com, following the same repetitive beats that are tried and true within the genre. Overall, it’s the performances that have kept the movie from fading into obscurity, and this is a vital part of the production. However, the script is on the same level as any other ensemble rom-com from the 2010s, which is fun in and of itself.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011) |
79% |
78% |
7
The Goonies (1985)
Directed by Richard Donner
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9.6/10
The Goonies
PG
FamilyAdventureComedy
When a small Oregon community is threatened by the foreclosure of their homes, a group of young misfits who called themselves the Goonies set out to find an ancient treasure in order to save the town. From a story by Steven Spielberg and a screenplay by Chris Columbus, Richard Donner’s The Goonies is one of the most iconic adventure movies of the 1980s, with a cast comprising the talents of Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, Jeff Cohen, Robert Davi, and Joe Pantoliano.
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Release Date
June 7, 1985
Runtime
114 minutes
Cast
Josh Brolin
, Jeff Cohen
, Corey Feldman
, Ke Huy Quan
, Sean Astin
Director
Richard Donner
Writers
Chris Columbus
, Steven Spielberg
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Expand
One of the most nostalgic movies of the 1980s, The Goonies is a classic addition to the children’s adventure genre and has the mark of a Steven Spielberg picture, as he contributed heavily to the story development. The large ensemble of young men has a charming chemistry, and any coming-of-age movie is going to connect with people who have gone through adolescence. Though it doesn’t push boundaries, this isn’t the point of a film like The Goonies.
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1
Ultimately, The Goonies is just a little more campy, cheesy, and low budget that the veneer of childhood might let viewers remember. Some of the performances from the child actors aren’t tremendous, and this does take the audience out of the dramatic moments. Over the years, The Goonies has been compared to a roller-coaster ride in the way that it throws you around a little and is a bucket of laughs.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Goonies (1985) |
77% |
91% |
6
Forrest Gump (1994)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
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34
8.6/10
Forrest Gump
PG-13
RomanceDrama
In this iconic piece of American film history, the presidencies of Kennedy and Johnson, the events of the Vietnam war, Watergate, and other history unfold through the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75.
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Release Date
July 6, 1994
Runtime
142 minutes
Cast
Mykelti Williamson
, Gary Sinise
, Tom Hanks
, Robin Wright
, Sally Field
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Writers
Winston Groom
, Eric Roth
Studio(s)
Paramount Pictures
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Forrest Gump might be the most successful project by both the director, Robert Zemeckis, and the star, Tom Hanks. Playing Forrest is the role that most audiences will likely remember Hanks from, as it set him on the path of taking on iconically feel-good movies that are often watched around the holidays. In the years since it was released, the critical opinion of Forrest Gump has fluctuated a great deal, with many people arguing that it didn’t deserve some of its many accolades.
For all its pitfalls, Forrest Gump is a well-crafted story that hits all the marks of a blockbuster.
When compared to the original book, it’s clear that Forrest Gump never intended to be a historical film or even a character study but a tribute to American mythology. The book is much more interrogative and critical of the major moments in U.S. history and uses Forrest more as a comical figure who’s a stand-in for America rather than a tragically heroic one. For all its pitfalls, Forrest Gump is a well-crafted story that hits all the marks of a blockbuster.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Forrest Gump (1994) |
75% |
95% |
5
Les Misérables (2012)
Directed by Tom Hooper
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10/10
Les Misérables
PG-13
MusicalDrama
Les Misérables is the 2012 musical movie adaptation of Victor Hugo’s eponymous 1862 novel, retelling the story of prisoner Jean Valjean and his quest for freedom in 19th-century France. It features a star-studded cast consisting of Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sacha Baron Cohen.
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Release Date
December 25, 2012
Runtime
158 minutes
Cast
Helena Bonham Carter
, Anne Hathaway
, Hugh Jackman
, Sacha Baron Cohen
, Russell Crowe
, Amanda Seyfried
Director
Tom Hooper
Writers
Victor Hugo
, William Nicholson
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
Expand
The 2012 movie musical adaptation of Les Misérables is an updated take on the sweeping epic by Victor Hugo, starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe as Jean Valjean and Javert. While every actor gives their all in Les Mis, some of the performances were critically panned, like Crowe’s, as he’s not a traditional musical theater actor. Many of the actors cast in the film were tapped for their star power rather than their skill as singers or dancers, which can be difficult with such a challenging musical that borders on being an opera.
Though there’s no question that the source material and the stage musical are dramatic and intense works, the 2012 movie treats the story as more of an action-packed blockbuster. Many of the moments of quiet tragedy are undercut by the more bombastic moments of the script. Critical reception was mixed from its first release, but that hasn’t stopped Les Misérables from becoming a classic of 21st-century movie musicals. It’s thanks to the inherent strength of the story and its timeless nature that this is possible.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Les Misérables (2012) |
70% |
79% |
4
The Blind Side (2009)
Directed by John Lee Hancock
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The Blind Side
PG-13
BiographyDramaSports
The Blind Side is a biographical sports drama film that follows the life of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American teenager who is adopted by a wealthy white family. Under the guidance of his adoptive mother, played by Sandra Bullock, Oher overcomes personal and academic challenges to become a successful college football player. The film, directed by John Lee Hancock, is based on the real-life story of Oher’s journey.
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Release Date
November 20, 2009
Runtime
129 Minutes
Cast
Quinton Aaron
, Sandra Bullock
, Tim McGraw
, Jae Head
, Lily Collins
, Ray McKinnon
, Kim Dickens
, Adriane Lenox
Director
John Lee Hancock
Writers
John Lee Hancock
, Michael Lewis
It’s almost universally agreed upon that The Blind Side has aged horribly since 2009, even though the film was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Bullock gives her all as the unlikable Leigh Anne Tuohy, but even she can’t save The Blind Side. However, the quality of the movie didn’t impact its box office success, as the film was a hit with audiences, and is often rerun on network television to this day.
The Blind Side relies on its heartwarming tale and built-in tension to carry the story forward, even though real-life narratives are rarely dramatic enough to propel a movie script.
There’s no hiding the fact that The Blind Side stretches the truth of the original story and perpetuates both racial stereotypes and white savior narratives. The Blind Side relies on its heartwarming tale and built-in tension to carry the story forward, even though real-life narratives are rarely dramatic enough to propel a movie script. Though Michael, played by Quinton Aaron, is the protagonist, the film doesn’t center on him and his development the way it should.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Blind Side (2009) |
66% |
85% |
3
Love Actually (2003)
Directed by Richard Curtis
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6.7/10
Love Actually
R
ComedyDramaHolidayRomance
The 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually follows various couples as they explore their relationships throughout the Christmas season. With a star-studded cast composed of Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martin Freeman, and Martine McCutcheon, Love Actually has since become a Christmas staple for rom-com lovers.
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Release Date
November 14, 2003
Runtime
135 minutes
Cast
Colin Firth
, Emma Thompson
, Liam Neeson
, Keira Knightley
, Chiwetel Ejiofor
, Laura Linney
, Alan Rickman
, Hugh Grant
, Bill Nighy
, Andrew Lincoln
Director
Richard Curtis
Writers
Richard Curtis
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
Expand
There’s no shortage of discourse surrounding the Christmas rom-com Love Actually, as it’s almost equally loved and despised. Of course, the best thing to do is to let loose and enjoy the fun moments and silliness of Love Actually, but that doesn’t mean the movie shouldn’t be critiqued. Released in 2003, Love Actually is of its time, perpetuating gender stereotypes and promoting relationships that can easily be viewed as unhealthy. It’s important to remember these are faults of most rom-coms of the early 2000s and 1990s.
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There are plenty of aspects of Love Actually that bring a tear to the eye and remind audiences what the holidays are all about, but this doesn’t change the fact that there are questionable moments as well. It doesn’t help that in the wake of Love Actually‘s success, a rash of imitators, like Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve, weren’t as iconic. While Love Actually could afford to shave off one or two storylines, there’s plenty of charm.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Love Actually (2003) |
64% |
72% |
2
Ted (2012)
Directed by Seth MacFarlane
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Ted
R
ComedyFantasy
Ted is a comedy film that follows John Bennett, who faces a challenging decision between nurturing his bond with his living childhood teddy bear, Ted, and maintaining his relationship with his girlfriend, Lori. The film explores themes of friendship and maturity as John navigates his personal and professional life.
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Release Date
June 29, 2012
Runtime
106 minutes
Cast
Mark Wahlberg
, Mila Kunis
, Seth MacFarlane
, Joel McHale
, Giovanni Ribisi
, Patrick Warburton
Director
Seth MacFarlane
Writers
Seth MacFarlane
, Alec Sulkin
, Wellesley Wild
Seth MacFarlane’s Ted stars Mark Wahlberg as John and MacFarlane himself as the stuffed-animal-come-to-live Ted. A raunchy adult comedy, Ted has some surprising sensitivity and includes some genuine romance and touching moments. The movie was such a success that it launched an entire franchise, like the recent Ted TV show, which has only increased interest in the films. Touching upon John’s failure to launch, Ted grapples with the struggle to balance the joys of childhood with the responsibility of adulthood.
Some of the criticism surrounding Ted revolves around the more “cringe” and gross-out humor, but this fulfills an important niche in comedy, even if that isn’t for everyone.
Some of the criticism surrounding Ted revolves around the more “cringe” and gross-out humor, but this fulfills an important niche in comedy, even if that isn’t for everyone. Though Ted retreads territory that’s been explored, likely better, in many films that came before it, the fantasy element gives it some intrigue. The one-off hilarious jokes in Ted do a lot to make for the weaker story moments. Without MacFarlane’s voice work as Ted, the entire premise wouldn’t be as strong.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Ted (2012) |
69% |
73% |
1
Saltburn (2023)
Directed by Emerald Fennell
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6/10
Saltburn
R
ComedyThriller
Written and directed by Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is a 2023 comedy-thriller film. When Oxford student Oliver Quick is invited to his friend Felix’s family’s wealthy estate, Saltburn, for a summer vacation, he is drawn into the world of eccentric characters and increasingly chaotic events as his obsession with Felix comes to a head.
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Release Date
November 17, 2023
Runtime
131 Minutes
Cast
Barry Keoghan
, Jacob Elordi
, Rosamund Pike
, Richard E. Grant
, Alison Oliver
, Archie Madekwe
, Carey Mulligan
Director
Emerald Fennell
Writers
Emerald Fennell
Studio(s)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
, MRC
, LuckyChap Entertainment
, Lie Still
Expand
A movie that’s all style and very little substance, Saltburn didn’t live up to the high expectations set by the cast and trailers. For a movie that marketed itself as a grotesque psychosexual thriller, Saltburn barely pushed boundaries and failed in its attempt to be a critique of class stratification. Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi have amazing chemistry and strike intense figures across the screen, but the gorgeous visuals of Saltburn don’t make up for its lacking script.
Emerald Fennell’s other film, Promising Young Woman, also subverted expectations in a bad way, leaving many audiences confused and dissatisfied. When it was released on streaming, Saltburn skyrocketed to fame, reaching different niches of the internet and making for an incredible project to grab clips from for a thirty-second video edit. Since it’s such a recent film, the jury is still out on how Saltburn will age, but it will be interesting.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Saltburn (2023) |
71% |
79% |