16 Critically Acclaimed Films That Audiences Weren’t Impressed With

It’s unfortunate that movie critics and audiences don’t always see eye-to-eye. Is the film going to be a banger, or are we expecting another stinker? Audiences never really know until the production logos start appearing, unlike some VIPs who get to watch it before a premiere. Though, with review aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic to reference, moviegoers and critics gladly share their honest takes.

However, in a perfect world, theater attendees and paid analysts would agree on every released feature. Reviews, box office numbers, and praise supply the lines for a cinema utopia, yet reality isn’t always the prettiest to acknowledge. In truth, some pictures that garner acclaim from critics only sometimes apply to what some audiences genuinely think.

From award-winning dramas and musicals to highly-praised animated features, these movies didn’t impress all the theatergoers.

Gravity (2013)

Space films either hit or miss in the playhouse, and Gravity’s trajectory applies to both. Metacritic stamps its “Must-See” sticker onto Alfonso Cuarón’s orbital voyage to highlight its 96 ranking. Rotten Tomatoes sees similar numbers, and Gravity’s boom resonates with many film critics and award shows.

While audiences survived Sandra Bullock’s descent to Earth, some folks left unsatisfied with the overall journey. The film’s CGI illusions disintegrated some of the thrills involving primary characters. Regarding movies set in space, Gravity flies in the lower atmosphere.

Dunkirk (2017)

Christopher Nolan expertly curates a war flick with Dunkirk. The film supplements its intensifying action sequences with bombastic sound effects and editing. As a result, Dunkirk captivates movie critics with its troubling depictions of wartime bloodshed and sacrifice. Some outlets even note it as one of the greatest war films, like Rolling Stone and India Today.

Sadly, war never changes, and this sentiment affects any living soul who witnesses its treachery. Dunkirk didn’t enthuse the whole Nolan fanbase, with some finding the narrative a confusing saga. The non-linear structure pulls only enough weight to keep some of us intrigued with the action on the screen.

Nevertheless, Nolan attained a Best Director Oscar years later for his Oppenheimer project. Not bad, huh?

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Capping off the Dark Knight trilogy opens many eyes and ears, and Christopher Nolan intended to deliver the package. Critics view The Dark Knight Rises as a worthy conclusion to Nolan’s trilogy. It helped propel audiences’ interest in Batman for future films while obtaining over a billion dollars at the box office.

Despite its achievements, many fans point out the film’s inconsistencies and unanswered questions. How did Bruce Wayne escape the Middle East? Why did every cop in Gotham retreat to the sewers? Why does no one recognize Bruce Wayne in another country, out in public?

The magic wears off for some viewers, with certain critics noting its lack of Caped Crusader presence.

Boyhood (2014)

Trilogies take years for producers to complete, yet Boyhood’s singular basket digs into more than a decade of filmmaking. The results spell out an honest work of art from creator Richard Linklater. Metacritic notably bestows its “Universal Acclaim” tag for the film’s 100 ranking — a rarity on the review aggregator.

Linklater dazes and dazzles audiences across generations, but Boyhood’s presentation did only so much for the casual theater-loving friend. Audience opinions on Linklater’s flick illustrate slightly lower positions, with a few fans refusing its 165-minute runtime and pacing. Watching Ellar Coltrane evolve provides excellent amusement, sure, but audiences overlook the film’s other aspects.

Hugo (2011)

Martin Scorsese stands as another famous Hollywood director whose works produce promising tales of murder and heartbreak. His Hugo flick shares a wild, introspective look into movie wizardry, with official commentators noting its glamourous presentation. James Cameron hails Hugo as a “masterpiece,” as do other influential creators who share similar opinions.

Hugo offers Scorsese fans a different dose of cinema that surprises many eager folks. Hugo brings fun for the whole family, yet its 3-D direction and thematic conveyance distract some from the experience. Keen admirers enter the experience expecting a familiar Scorsese picture, only to witness something different.

Regardless of negative viewer reception, Hugo walked away with five Academy Awards, including one for Best Visual Effects.

Antz (1998)

Competing against Disney draws the interest of every moviegoer, and Antz climbs to considerable praise with millennials. Film critics raved on DreamWorks Animation’s debut, with many enjoying its voice cast, humor, and animated entertainment. It currently holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, the same review aggregator displays a 52% rating from audiences for Antz. Compared to Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, the anthill suffered great losses after the film’s release. A deserted sequel highlights the animation’s brief life cycle.

Sausage Party (2016)

By introducing a foolish concept with hilarious animation, Sausage Party gets the crowd hot and moving. In a nutshell, the film follows a group of runaway food items on a journey of delicious self-discovery. Employed reviewers applaud its humor, voice cast, and writing, which led to the film’s sequel series on Amazon Prime Video.

Of course, not everyone possesses a sense of humor, and some audiences find Sausage Party distasteful and expired. The climactic party scene especially turned some folks away from Nitrogen Studios’ juicy animation. Quite a few attendees remarked on the animation’s narrative structure as troublesome.

Crash (2004)

Some motifs are tailored specifically to some souls on the planet, and movie critics see Crash upholding a few sensitive touches. Director Paul Haggis speaks on several crucial matters in Crash, including bigotry and racism. Brutal and honest, it earned producers a Best Picture Oscar, beating out competitive classics like Brokeback Mountain and Capote.

Though Crash’s intentions remain sincere, many bystanders don’t like the portrayals of racial divisions. Even with a stellar cast (Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle, Thandiwe Newton, and others), Crash runs out of fuel on the audience’s end. Its racial tones prevent the messages of unity from shining through. It achieved Oscar glory, but we’re still neglecting the film’s existence years after its 2004 launch.

Drive (2011)

Standing ovations reverberated through film festivals that premiered Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive feature. The action drama explores an unnamed stuntman’s perils as a getaway driver. Its score, acting performances, driving sequences, and direction received praise, as well as noted appreciation for its soundtrack.

Still, Drive only speeds ahead so quickly for everyone to catch up with; its slow pacing leaves some moviegoers in the rearview mirror. Though a few couldn’t stomach the film’s violence, a good number turned off the engine somewhere during the runtime.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Director John Madden blends romance and fiction for his Shakespeare in Love picture, and film critics continuously eat it up. Its timeless depiction of love sticks close with many reviewers, with a magnitude of accolades coming its way. It earned Best Film recognition in the following ceremonies: Academy Awards, British Academy Film Awards, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.

Though Shakespeare in Love’s prominence remains high, mainly due to its award-worthy blend of drama and comedy, some film admirers simply don’t enjoy it. Its mediocre reception falls heavily with tons of opinions sharing similar favoritism for Saving Private Ryan and Life Is Beautiful as Best Picture contenders. Regina Hall’s Brenda Meeks perfectly interprets the audience’s reaction in Scary Movie when she becomes a nuisance during a screening of Madden’s flick.

Babe (1995)

D. King-Smith’s story of a “sheep-pig” for Chris Noonan’s Babe adaptation won many hearts in the 1990s. Its enjoyable premise brought significant acclaim during award season, with the Academy Awards nominating Babe in seven categories. Moreover, its $30 million budget efficiently farmed in $254.1 million at the box office.

Even though Babe’s family-friendly focus appeals to various age groups, a few families didn’t love the product’s delivery. Some find issues with its tonal shifts between scenes, while several viewers snooze at the thin plot details.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

The Skywalker Saga ranks highly as one of cinema’s most successful franchises, and film analysts particularly adore The Last Jedi. The 2017 Star Wars installment sees many familiar ingredients on display (John Williams composition, Lucasfilm production, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, etc.), and the final results provide a new take on the sci-fi series.

However, Star Wars: The Last Jedi abandons the faith of many fans who anticipated another fantastic trip into a distant galaxy. It holds a 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and plenty of dedicated buffs neglect its existence. Sadly, the Force is not entirely strong with the Star Wars fanbase.

Uncut Gems (2019)

The directing duo of Josh and Benny Safdie destroys the type-casting associated with Adam Sandler in their Uncut Gems film. By wowing practically every reviewer with his performance as a gambling-addicted moron, Sandler attracted $50 million in box office revenue. Also, Oscar buzz floated around Sandler’s performance and the Safdies’ direction.

While watching Adam Sandler under a different layer builds an impressive résumé, Uncut Gems spoils the fun near its closing act. This reasoning alone undermines the anxious uncertainty of what’s to come in the film’s narrative. Though the Safdie name entices audiences, Uncut Gems cooks a fine meal suitable only for a few consumers.

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

A new joint from filmmaker Spike Lee attracts considerable attention from film critics and cinema attendees. BlacKkKlansman especially grasps the political handle with its harsh subject matter on race and fascism. With these pointers in mind, it gains respect from multiple movie circles, including the American Film Institute.

The discrete and extremely “in-your-face” narrative structure disappoints some moviegoers, however. BlacKkKlansman touches on racism in America, and its concluding footage, which pins Donald Trump and the 2017 Unite the Right rally together, hand-delivers the themes home. While some fans enjoy Lee’s direction, others find the execution a bit much.

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Administering a terrifying display of international affairs flies into action with Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty historical feature. The film reports a fictional CIA analyst’s efforts to bring down militant leader Osama bin Laden. Movie critics recognize its tough themes while praising the project’s overall presentation.

Compared to Bigelow’s other works, Zero Dark Thirty offers little entertainment for a second viewing. Though genuine in its discretion, the war drama keeps its safety feature on to share specific opinions on foreign policies. Patriotic folks look up to Bigelow’s displays of American presence in the world, though some quietly wave their flags when torture topics are thrown in.

La la Land (2016)

A famous cliché attached to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences involves its undying love of film musicals. The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and many others became immediate gems, and La La Land instilled its presence before and after the 89th Academy Awards. The latter especially acquired 14 nominations, which led to a famous Oscar mistake entangling Moonlight into a web of confusion.

Many admirers praised La La Land’s release, though some film buffs expressed opinions on a bland product. Some find the tale insulting to the jazz genre, while others bat their eyes at Damien Chazelle’s writing.