Audiences are more than happy for the sequel to the beloved Halloween cult classic, Hocus Pocus. With the release date set on September 30, the countdown until the Sanderson sisters fly through the night sky again has definitely begun. However, while Hocus Pocus has become a household favorite, its Rotten Tomatoes score has left something to be desired.
Every so often, a movie will impress the fans but will flop when being revied by critics. It ends with a low score on sites like Rotten Tomatoes while amassing a cult following despite of its score, and people are still watching it years later.
Taken (2008) - 59%
Taken is a great action movie with some amazing action scenes. The plot follows a man who must do everything he can to save his daughter, who has been kidnapped by a ring of sex traffickers while she was vacationing in Paris.
Many critics complain that as an action movie, it isn't convincing enough or realistic enough. As one critic put it "The action sequences start great, but then they go too far over the edge of believability." However, when watching an action movie, one rarely expects it to be realistic, and the audience score of 85% proves that people enjoyed this movie more than its critics.
The First Wives Club (1996) - 50%
This rom-com has an all-star main cast of Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler and follows three divorced women who seek retribution for being left by their husbands for younger women. The cast isn't the bone of contention though - it's the script that the critics have a problem with.
The First Wives Club might not be the peak feminist cinema that it pretends to be. It's at times silly, but often smart and sassy, and the comedic trio of actresses is the high point of the movie. However, it's a cult classic that many people have seen at least once whether through reruns on television or via streaming services.
The Holiday (2006) - 50%
The Holiday is among the holiday classics that millions of people watch every year. It's nostalgic and hopeful and oftentimes just what people need in the season when many feel lonely and sad.
But the movie did not impress the critics, despite an all-star cast. The consensus is that it's predictable and trite, even though most romantic comedies are, even more so those that are set in the holiday season. Sometimes predictability isn't the worst trait of a movie, and this one is fun and enjoyable, and on its way to becoming a true holiday classic.
The Mummy Returns (2001) - 47%
There was a time when The Mummy also didn't have a great score, even though it's barely in the fresh category now. But its sequel, The Mummy Returns, hasn't shared the good fate and remained in the rotten despite being a classic.
Even though this movie is just as entertaining as the first one, the critics feel it might have been overcompensated by thrice as many special effects as its predecessor. This might be true, but this isn't a movie that takes itself too seriously and is only meant to be enjoyed without being overanalyzed.
National Treasure (2004) - 46%
There seem to be two types of people - those who need every single detail in a movie to be probable and plausible, and those who simply enjoy movies for what they are meant to be. Entertainment.
While the plot of National Treasure is ridiculous and highly unlikely, it's well-thought-out and engaging for its audience. It's one of those adventure movies that are a staple in every household and fans never get tired of watching it. It has an audience score of 76%, which means somebody did like it, it just wasn't the critics.
Bad Boys (1995) - 42%
For those growing up in the 90s, Bad Boys was an iconic staple in the action movie genre. However, instead of the dry non-stop action scenes, it delivers a witty story with hilarious scenes in between to make sure nobody is bored while watching it.
But this is exactly what seemed to bother the critics, as one of them said that the violence was "diluted by banal banter". But the banter is exactly what separates this movie from every other action movie, even if it was Bay's directorial debut and he was still finding his footing.
Hocus Pocus (1993) - 38%
Hocus Pocus is perhaps the proof that critics don't always know what they're doing. It does not pretend to be a cinematic masterpiece, but it achieves its goal in its entirety. It aims to be a family-friendly Halloween-themed entertainment, and it hits all the sweet spots.
It's silly and at times lacks good pacing, but it has one of the most powerful movie witches of all time, and there is no doubt that this movie is a staple in many households and that people rewatch it every Halloween with joy.
Armageddon (1998) - 38%
Even for the non-lovers of the genre, Armageddon is entertaining as it has something for everyone. If the saving-the-world plot does not convince someone, there is always a cute romantic secondary plot that can be enjoyed or a father-daughter connection that Bruce Willis and Liv Tyler portray to perfection.
The story itself is full of adrenaline and wit. The strong bonds built between the characters are the reason why the near end of the world hits that much harder.
Brother Bear (2003) - 37%
Brother Bear perhaps isn't a Disney staple that is most famous. However, the plotline has a great moral and the soundtrack is one of the best Disney has produced to this date. The songs are catchy and uplifting and it makes one wonder why this animated movie didn't get more attention when it was released.
The story might be predictable and corny - really what kids' movie isn't - but it's a lovely story about family, love, and tolerance. It might not be the best Disney animated movie, but it's still one most of the intended audience enjoys and fans would love to see it as a live-action film.
Practical Magic (1998) - 23%
This romantic comedy/drama is a popular Halloween staple for kids and adults. The story of two witch sisters who realize the importance of family might be recycled, but them accidentally killing Gilly's boyfriend and then bringing him back only to kill him again doesn't seem like something that's ever been done before.
The end is perhaps slightly predictable, but the sisterly love winning and breaking the curse instead of romantic love is a fresh concept and deserves more recognition. Performances by Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, and Goran Visnjic are also remarkable and this is a fun movie to watch every year as the leaves turn red. Practical Magic is a true fall/Halloween classic to dust off come October and one of the best witch movies ever made.