When people watch a movie, they can only look at it through their lens. Movie critics dedicate their time to looking at multiple aspects of a film such as a plot, cinematography, acting, editing, and other factors that matter to them. Moviegoers can be this way as well, having a sharp eye for inconsistencies in movies. Then, some movie watchers don't think about movies that deeply. They want merely want to share an experience with the people that they love, cure their boredom, or maybe have a laugh.
In a nutshell, the beauty of a movie is in the eye of the beholder. It's impossible for fans and critics always to agree. Everyone takes something different away from a film, which brings us to our list of ten critically panned movies that were a smash at the box office.
10 'Hannah Montana: The Movie' (2009)
Fans admit that Hannah Montana fans would love this movie, but average moviegoers would not, which is what happened. Tweens appreciated the movie, and older fans enjoyed the nostalgia, giving the film a 67% rating. Critics gave the film a 43% rating, which isn't that low compared to the other entries. Still, it's safe to say critics didn't enjoy watching Miley Cyrus take a trip back to Tennessee for a life grounded in reality away from her superstar double-life as Hannah Montana. They called it a generic coming-of-age story. The film made $155 million with a $30 million budget.
9 'Bad Boys II' (2003)
According to Rotten Tomatoes, this film's audience score is 78%, while the Tomatometer rates this film as an underwhelming 23%. Some critics dislike the film, ironically for how much violence there is when the film focuses on two detectives, played by Martin Lawrence and Will Smith, investigating an illegal drug ring in Miami, Florida. Other critics call the movie poorly written and too busy with many camera tricks. Fans, however, praised the chemistry between Lawrence and Smith and appreciated the over-the-top action. The film grossed a whopping $426.5 million.
8 'Suicide Squad' (2016)
Critics praise this film for its talented actors, but ultimately, they intensely disliked the film's production, lack of character development, and incohesive plot. Murjani Rawls, a movie, music, tv director, states that DC seemed "confused in tone." Simultaneously, some fans liked the comedy, entertainment value, and Jared Leto playing the Joker and his chemistry with Harley Quinn, actress Margot Robbie. Interestingly enough, Rotten Tomatoes ranks it as 26%, while fans overall rated the movie at 59%. It's safe to say that this movie wasn't stellar in both the critics' and fans' eyes, but some fans didn't completely trash the film. Suicide Squad grossed $746 Million with a budget of $175 million.
7 'God's Not Dead' (2014)
God's Not Dead depicts a devout Christian college student, played by Shane Harper, who has his faith tested by his philosophy teacher, played by Kevin Sorbo. The professor challenges his student to prove that God is real or else he will fail the class. Critic Mike McCahill, a writer for the Guardian and BBC film critic, scores the film a 1/5 and states, "ban this sick film," while some fans called the movie inspiring, heartfelt, and an accurate description of what Christians experience. The movie came grossed $64 million against a $2 million budget.
6 'Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit' (1993)
Commonsense critics give this sequel a 2/5, and Rotten Tomatoes rates it as 19%. Critics such as Kenneth Turan, who writes for The Los Angeles Times, talks about how the film lacks creativity and how even a talented young cast could not save it. Nonetheless, this movie received an audience score on Rotten Tomatoes of 75%. The film grossed $57.3 million with a $38 million budget. While the film didn't gain money in astronomical numbers, it is interesting how high the audience rating is compared to the critic rating. The music in the movie is one of the things that captivated the fans.
5 'Step Up' (2006)
Step Up is a romantic dance flick set in Baltimore, MD, that pits the privileged against the disadvantaged. Tyler Gage, played by Channing Tatum and Nora Clark, played by Jenna Dewan, end up in a showcase together that plays a significant role in their futures, and they have to learn to solve their differences to win. The fans the film at a high 85% while the critics ranked it at 20%! The movie's budget was $12 million, bringing in $114 million.
4 'Harlem Nights' (1989)
Harlem Nights has an all-star cast with beloved singer and actress Della Reese and legendary comedians Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Eddie Murphy. The film takes place in the 1930s, where a New York gambling house owner, played by Murphy, tries to fight off the mob. Critics give this movie a 21% rating while fans praise it an 80% rating. Critics bash Murphy's directing skills and critique him for trying to be so uncomedic that, as a result, the film ended up boring them. The movie brought in $95 million with only a budget of $30 million.
3 'Sweet November' (2011)
Two actors not having chemistry can break the entire movie, which is what critics said of Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, who rate the film at 15%! The romantic story tells of two strangers stuck waiting at the DMV for an hour. The two are charmed by each other but not willing to commit. They start their courtship in a one-month with trial and can walk away without any attachments. With a 76% rating, fans agreed that they loved seeing the beautiful actors on-screen together and that the romantic flick was underrated. The movie fared reasonably well at the box office with a budget of $40 million, making $65 million.
2 'Diary Of A Mad Black Woman' (2005)
In short, critics gave this movie a 16% rating based on it going in too many directions and being inconsistent by blending so many film elements such as slapstick comedy and melodrama. Some fans, however, praise the film for its accurate depiction of Black culture and its comedic elements, contributing to an 87% rating. The premise of this dramedy is that after eighteen years of being married to a lawyer, Helen, played by Kimberly Elise, is shocked to find that her husband has been cheating. Helen then seeks solace in her grandmother Madea, played by Tyler Perry, dressed as a woman. With a $5 million budget, the film garnered $50 million overall.
1 'Venom' (2018)
In Venom, an investigative journalist becomes the host of an alien symbiote. The two have to share a body and work together. The budget was around $100-$116 million, but it grossed $856 million! Tomatometer-approved critics like Victor Pineyro call the film "predictable ." He further says that without Spiderman, it's not worth it to watch Venom, and ultimately critics rate it with a score of 29%, and fans give the 81%.