Summary
- Rotten Tomatoes scores don’t define a film’s worth, as evidenced by action flicks like Rambo with low ratings that still achieve classic status.
- Audience investment in a film’s universe can outweigh poor reviews, as seen in the success of action franchises despite negative feedback.
- Enjoying the “bad” parts of action films can be part of the fun, with humor and campy elements sometimes drawing audiences in for a memorable experience.
The Rotten Tomatoes score of a movie is not a surefire way to determine if it’s good or not. However, many people are quick to judge a film by its rating. This is true for action movies, which are usually harshly judged by critics for their use of tropes and gimmicks. Despite this, even a negative score on the popular reviewing website can’t stop certain films from achieving classic status. As time goes on, critics and audiences might both change their original opinions, realizing that even movies that flop at the box office can become cult classics.
If a film’s universe is popular enough, poor reception might not matter, as viewers are invested in the character’s stories.
Even the biggest action movie franchises of all time have faced their fair share of negative reviews, as critical and audience reception of a movie is subjective. However, if a film’s universe is popular enough, poor reception might not matter, as viewers are invested in the character’s stories. Additionally, with some action films that lean into their humorous and campy elements, part of the fun is the “bad” parts of the movie, as this is what draws audiences in. Movies that take themselves too seriously and refuse to have fun with their premises are rarely remembered for years to come.
Related 10 Best Action Movies That Helped Revolutionize The Genre
Several amazing action movies helped revolutionize the action genre with groundbreaking special effects, engaging fight scenes, and original stories.
8 Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
Critic Score: 33%
Rambo: First Blood Part II RActionAdventureThrillerWar Where to Watch
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Director George P. Cosmatos Release Date May 21, 1985 Cast Sylvester Stallone , Richard Crenna , Charles Napier , Steven Berkoff , Julia Nickson , Martin Kove Runtime 94 minutes
Rambo: First Blood Part II
completely shifted in tone and atmosphere, and critics were not thrilled about where the
Rambo
franchise was going.
Sylvester Stallone has played many strong action heroes, and Rambo is certainly near the top of the list. The first movie in the series, First Blood, received glowing reviews for its nuanced take on war and its ability to cement Stallone as one of the biggest action heroes of the 1980s. However, Rambo: First Blood Part II completely shifted in tone and atmosphere, and critics were not thrilled about where the Rambo franchise was going. Regardless, it earned several more movies and has remained popular.
From its initial release in theaters, it was clear that Rambo: First Blood Part II was going to be a hit no matter what the critics said. It came out at the perfect time, as patriotism and adherence to traditional masculinity were at an all-time high in the U.S. in the mid-1980s. Rambo was a complex character full of nuance who participated in violence for his cause in the first film and became a typical action hero in the second. However, part of why the sequel has endured is because it allows audiences to turn off their brains and enjoy.
7 Resident Evil (2002)
Critic Score: 36%
Resident Evil RActionHorrorSci-Fi Where to Watch
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Director Paul W. S. Anderson Release Date March 15, 2002 Cast Milla Jovovich , Michelle Rodriguez , Eric Mabius , James Purefoy , Martin Crewes , Colin Salmon Runtime 100 minutes
Resident Evil is an early example of the current trend of screen adaptations of video games, and viewers weren’t quite as ready then as they are today for these high-octane movies. Despite this, the video game, Resident Evil, had an enormous following even in the early 2000s, and the narrative story that took place in the game’s continuity appealed to a wide variety of audience members. The biggest criticisms against Resident Evil were that it was too similar to a typical zombie thriller, and lacked an original voice.
The many sequels that came after the first Resident Evil prove that there must be something worth remembering in the first movie to warrant so many successful follow-ups. In some ways, Resident Evil was well ahead of its time as it placed a woman into the role of action hero protagonist, with Milla Jovovich successfully capturing the hearts of the audience. Critics often react negatively to films that use formulas or tropes, but for a video game flick like Resident Evil, this is to be expected.
6 Warcraft (2016)
Critic Score:
Warcraft PG-13AdventureActionFantasy Where to Watch
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Director Duncan Jones Release Date May 25, 2016 Cast Travis Fimmel , Daniel Wu , Toby Kebbell , Paula Patton , Ben Foster , Dominic Cooper Runtime 123 minutes
Though the
World of Warcraft
video games are popular and fun, they don’t have the strongest story to draw from for a film.
Warcraft has recently seen a resurgence in popularity after being added to Netflix, as it reminded viewers of the fun of the game and introduced a new generation of audiences to the action fantasy film. Though it’s no Lord of the Rings, there is strong worldbuilding and lore to be found in Warcraft, and the actors give their all to portraying the magical creatures to the best of their ability. Though the World of Warcraft video games are popular and fun, they don’t have the strongest story to draw from for a film.
When viewed through a more campy and silly lens, it’s easy to see why so many audiences were captivated by Warcraft. Instead of treating it as an epic saga with high stakes and intense moral standings, Warcraft should be grouped with other high-fantasy worlds that are fun for the sake of fun. It’s an epic thrill ride full of solid performances and intricate visuals that immerse the audience in the story just as well as the game.
5 Bad Boys II (2003)
Critic Score: 24%
Bad Boys II RActionComedyCrime Where to Watch
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Bad Boys II is an action-comedy film directed by Michael Bay, featuring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. Released in 2003, the film follows the duo as they attempt to dismantle a drug trafficking ring while navigating personal tensions. Gabrielle Union and Jordi Mollà co-star.
Director Michael Bay Release Date July 18, 2003 Cast Will Smith , Martin Lawrence , Gabrielle Union , Jordi Molla , Peter Stormare , Theresa Randle , Joe Pantoliano , Michael Shannon Runtime 147 Minutes
Buddy cop action movies like Bad Boys have been some of the most popular iterations of the genre, but the Bad Boys franchise has Will Smith and Martin Lawrence to thank for its continued success. The first movie was a smash thanks to the lead actors’ chemistry and inventive script, but the sequel, Bad Boys II, went too far in some of the violent and inflammatory subjects that the film touched upon. However, opinions on this have ebbed and flowed, and Bad Boys is still a beloved film series.
While there are significant and valid criticisms that should be launched against Bad Boys II, as an action movie, it tells a tight story that keeps audiences engaged. Though it seemed as though Bad Boys II effectively ended the franchise, as the third installment didn’t come out until 2020, the recent increase in interest in the original films proves that these characters never went out of style. The newer films keep the humor and heart of the earlier iterations but are more respectful to all the characters and nuanced in their storytelling.
4 National Treasure (2004)
Critic Score: 46%
National Treasure PGActionAdventureMysteryThriller Where to Watch
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The first film in the National Treasure franchise, National Treasure stars Nicholas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian who discovers the map to a lost treasure hoard, hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. With the help of his friends Riley Poole and Abigail Chase, Gates embarks on a mission to steal the Declaration and locate the treasure before his former friend and crime boss Ian Howe can find it first. Along with Cage, the film stars Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, and Sean Bean.
Director Jon Turteltaub Release Date November 19, 2004 Studio(s) Disney Cast Nicolas Cage , Justin Bartha , Sean Bean , Harvey Keitel , Christopher Plummer , Diane Kruger , Jon Voight Runtime 131 minutes Franchise(s) National Treasure Expand
The defining factor that has endeared the film to so many audiences is that it’s the perfect adventure film for younger viewers.
There are a few special movies that will never fade from the cultural conversation, and Nicolas Cage’s National Treasure films are some of them. Aspects of the movie, like the thrust of the plot being that Cage’s character, Ben, has to steal the Declaration of Independence, show how much there is to recommend National Treasure. The defining factor that has endeared the film to so many audiences is that it’s the perfect adventure film for younger viewers.
Growing up watching National Treasure creates a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the style and aesthetic of the story. Though it pales in comparison, there’s an argument to be made that the film is a contemporary take on the Indiana Jones movies. Critically panned for the acting, writing, and ridiculous storyline, National Treasure has been forgiven for its outlandish premise because it’s too fun to fade into the background. For a generation of audience members, Cage will always be synonymous with this role.
3 Underworld (2003)
Critic Score: 31%
Underworld (2003) RFantasyActionThriller Where to Watch
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Underworld is a 2003 action-horror film directed by Len Wiseman. The plot revolves around Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire warrior caught in a centuries-old conflict between vampires and Lycans, a race of werewolves. As she delves deeper into the ongoing war, Selene uncovers hidden truths that challenge her allegiance and perception of both factions. The film features a dark, gothic aesthetic and blends elements of horror and thriller genres.
Director Len Wiseman Release Date September 19, 2003 Studio(s) Screen Gems , Lakeshore Entertainment , Laurinfilm , Subterranean Productions LLC , Subterranean Productions UK Ltd. , Underworld Produktions GmbH Cast Kate Beckinsale , Scott Speedman , Michael Sheen , Shane Brolly , Bill Nighy Runtime 122 Minutes
The audience is inclined to side with the world of vampires in Underworld, a supernatural thriller that sees the forces of vampires and werewolves at each other’s throats in a centuries-old battle. However, Underworld is careful to keep the audience guessing about the true nature of the conflict and who the real villains are. Kate Beckinsale plays the central vampire, Selene, who is certain of her hatred against the werewolves until her world is turned upside down. Unfortunately, its low score is a result of critics claiming it prioritized style over substance.
For fans of gothic and supernatural imagery and themes, Underworld is the perfect action movie as it’s not afraid to lean into the lore and mythology that define the history of vampire and werewolf stories. Despite the negative reviews, the 2006 sequel, Underworld: Evolution, was released and cemented the Underworld franchise as a cult classic of the early 2000s. This was not the last of the Underworld movies, and today, they’re a strong reminder of what made the genre films of the 2000s so unique.
2 Venom (2018)
Critic Score: 30%
Venom PG-13 Sci-FiActionHorror Where to Watch
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Venom is an action sci-fi movie that stars Tom Hardy as the titular Marvel anti-hero. When the Life Foundation begins experimenting on alien lifeforms they find on a comet that landed nearby, Investigative Journalist Eddie Brock begins to investigate them. When an infiltration goes wrong, Eddie finds that one of the aliens has bonded to him, forcing him to learn to live with his new uninvited host. Giving him superhuman powers, the two begin to work together to stop the rest of the symbiote’s invasive species.
Director Ruben Fleischer Release Date October 5, 2018 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Marvel Entertainment , Arad Productions Cast Woody Harrelson , Jenny Slate , Michelle Williams , Scott Haze , Tom Hardy , Riz Ahmed Runtime 112 Minutes Franchise(s) Marvel Expand
It’s a darker and meaner iteration of the story that proved to be divisive with critics but struck the right tone with audiences.
Though the character Venom belongs to the Spider-Man universe, the new movies starring Tom Hardy as Venom couldn’t be further from the franchise. It’s a darker and meaner iteration of the story that proved to be divisive with critics but struck the right tone with audiences. One of the biggest concerns surrounding the Venom movies is the reliance on CGI and how getting the visual effects to look realistic was of the utmost importance. However, this paid off as Venom stands out against other Marvel projects because it isn’t afraid to be serious and intense.
The sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, was released in 2021, with Woody Harrelson joining the cast as Carnage, a rival of Venom. This iteration received better reviews and resulted in the third movie, Venom: The Last Dance, which will be released in October 2024. If it follows the franchise’s trend, it will be the best-received of the three and see the relationship between Eddie and Venom finish on an exciting and explosive note. Hardy has been a driving force behind the trilogy’s popularity and does an excellent job embodying Eddie.
Related All Marvel Movies Releasing In 2024
The Marvel movies releasing in 2024 offer a range of film experiences – and some confusion, due to the changed dates of several incoming installments.
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1 Assassin’s Creed (2016)
Critic Score: 18%
Assassin’s Creed (2016) PG-13ActionAdventureScience Fiction
Assassin’s Creed is a 2016 action-adventure film directed by Justin Kurzel. Starring Michael Fassbender as Callum Lynch, the film follows Lynch as he relives the memories of his ancestor, Aguilar, through revolutionary technology. Set within a secret society of Assassins protecting free will against a powerful Templar organization seeking control, the narrative weaves through historical and contemporary settings, illuminating ancient conflicts. The film also stars Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons.
Director Justin Kurzel Release Date December 21, 2016 Studio(s) New Regency Pictures , The Kennedy/Marshall Company , Ubisoft Film & Television , DMC Film Cast Michael Fassbender , Marion Cotillard , Jeremy Irons , Brendan Gleeson , Charlotte Rampling Runtime 116 Minutes
Though the Assassin’s Creed movie is not as good a video game adaptation as Fallout or the other favorites that have come out in the past few years, it still ranks as one that should be re-evaluated. Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard have amazing chemistry as Cal and Sofia, the two protagonists, and their performances are the movie’s best parts. There are many good elements in Assassin’s Creed, but the lackluster CGI and the differences between the game and the movie overshadowed them.
Critics and many audience members were initially reluctant to see the merits of Assassin’s Creed because it differs strongly from the source material. Cal’s backstory and upbringing are original to the film and present a new way to understand the story of the Assassins. Though the sequel never got off the ground due to the negative reaction to the film, there’s an argument that Assassin’s Creed shouldn’t be judged as a video game movie but as a separate entity. As video game adaptations grow in popularity, the stage is set for a potential Assassin’s Creed revival.