Despite poor reviews and plenty of behind-the-scenes drama, Olivia Wilde's Don't Worry Darling has proven itself a hit at the box office. It's somewhat rare that a poorly reviewed or rated film finds itself in such a position, and only time will tell if this remains the case once Don't Worry Darling is more widely seen. Nonetheless, select few films do exist that have managed to endure years - even decades - after receiving a substantial critical drubbing.
While the designation of a film as good or bad is arguably subjective, some films simply weren't given a fair chance upon their initial release. The passage of time can be a considerable help in this respect, allowing audiences to view a film without the added influence of a negative review. With this in mind, Redditors have supplied their picks for films that were once considered awful by the greater public but actually had some real appeal.
Last Action Hero (1993)
Die Hard director John McTiernan joined forces with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the height of the Terminator’s career for this wild romp through the fantastical world of cinema. The film was a considerable bomb (via Box Office Mojo), but Redditor Due-Handle2865 thinks it’s great regardless of its past box office troubles, saying, “Last Action Hero...funny and clever, maybe drags a bit at times but just so g****m fun.”
Given how popular so many of Schwarzenegger’s films were during the 1980’s and 90’s, the initial perception of Last Action Hero was that it would be yet another success. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but the truth is that Last Action Hero is a lot of fun, and while it may not be perfect, it definitely didn’t deserve the reaction it received upon release.
TRON: Legacy (2010)
This sequel to the original 1980 Disney movie was highly anticipated and received plenty of attention early on for its Daft Punk soundtrack. Despite a very strong box office performance (via Box Office Mojo), the film was critically panned for its plot and characters. Redditor Ghostspider1989 objects to the critique, commenting, "Tron legacy... people online bashed it so hard but that movie is f******g amazing."
From an aesthetic point of view, TRON: Legacy is a stunning achievement. The film was released in 3D, enhancing the realities of The Grid – the virtual reality environment in which the sequel is set. Tron: Legacy’s plot might not be the most engaging, but far lesser films have certainly been rewarded with more praise and further sequels.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
Walk Hard did its best to emulate the charm of classic musical mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, but failed to find similar success. Redditor Missy_Agg-a-ravation states, “ Walk Hard has pretty low ratings, but I think it's as good a parody of musical biopics as Airplane was of disaster movies.”
With the talents of John C. Reilly, Tim Meadows, Nat Faxon, and others, it’s a genuine shame that Walk Hard wasn’t able to find the audience it deserved. The upside to this, however, is that its appeal is proving strong as a cult favorite, with some people praising the biopics' playfulness and Reilly's energetic performance. Perhaps in time, the film will eventually be more widely acknowledged, but for now, it’s still quite obscure.
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)
Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison productions made this comedy about an aquarium cleaner turned gigolo its first priority. Despite decent box office results (via Box Office Mojo), audiences weren’t impressed. A now deleted Redditor remains defiant, however, saying, “Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo i thought it was funny, you may now call the cops and have me locked up.”
Throughout his career, Adam Sandler has repeatedly made films with his best friends. Rob Schneider has featured consistently in these films, but in terms of being capable of pulling off his own comedy franchise, it’s tough to acknowledge Deuce Bigalow as a worthwhile contender. Nonetheless, the film was strong enough to merit a 2005 sequel.
Grandma’s Boy (2006)
Yet, another Happy Madison release, Grandma’s Boy told the story of a stoner video game tester who finds himself living with his grandmother and roommate after he blows his rent money. Redditor ww_crimson points out the film’s lack of approval since “Grandma's Boy has a 15% on rotten tomatoes.”
Despite its horrendous box office take, the film has since gone on to rake in over $34 million in DVD sales (via The Numbers). For fans, this is great to see because Grandma’s Boy is actually downright hilarious due to the amusing dynamic between the cast. While it’s certainly not for everyone, those who appreciate late-night stoner comedies are sure to find something worthwhile here, regardless of its past failures.
Jingle All The Way (1996)
This Christmas season comedy was the late Phil Hartman’s second last film. Also starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the film followed a desperate father as he searches for the season’s most in demand action figure. Redditor Brown_Panther- laments, “Jingle all the Way is one of my favorite xmas movies and I have no idea why its 20% on RT.”
Jingle All the Way’s box office take was far less than expected (via Box Office Mojo), considering that a mega star like Schwarzenegger was involved. Still, when it comes to seasonal film favorites, Christmas films often manage to get a pass, regardless of how poorly their initial performances were. It might not be perfect, but Jingle All the Way has gained favorability over the years due to the amusing antics and Schwarzenegger's funny and memorable quotes.
Snow White And The Huntsman (2012)
A modern re-telling of the fairy tale classic, this Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth action film found moderate financial success upon its release (via Box Office Mojo). But as far as audiences and critics were concerned, the film just didn’t satisfy. Redditor andro_7 disagrees with this assessment, however, marking it as underrated with, “Snow White and the Huntsman... this one really hit the right beats for me.”
There is a lot of unique action in the film, and Charlize Theron delivers a solid performance as antagonist Ravenna. Also, the visuals were simply stunning by taking a grimmer approach in this fairytale. Whether it deserves to be more widely seen and re-appraised is another matter altogether. While Snow White and the Huntsman is not a bad film, it’s not exactly a fascinating fantasy either, and its initial box office run was hardly limited or obscure.
Alien 3 (1992)
Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise has fascinated fans of the original sci-fi/horror hit for decades. Yet, when it came time for a third entry in the saga, director David Fincher was simply not able to deliver a largescale hit. Redditor insane_knight acknowledges this with, “Alien 3 was ravaged by critics. I loved it.”
Many dedicated fans of the franchise disliked Alien 3's disjointed story and lack of sci elements, and even director Fincher hated his own movie. But the fact that there remains a solid camp of fans willing to lend their support to the film suggests it’s worth a look. It might not have the same strengths as the first two Alien films, but it does offer a very different look at an exceptionally fun franchise with its dark atmosphere and Ripley's new outlook.
Baywatch (2017)
The Baywatch TV series exploded in syndication, running for a good 11-seasons. A comedic adaptation hit the big screen in 2017 with Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, but it found itself at odds with audiences. Redditor Am_I_Really_Groot can’t understand this reaction, saying, “Baywatch at 17% is painfully low for a movie I love.”
Arguably, a big reason for Baywatch’s unfavorable reaction among critics and audiences was that the concept of lifeguards acting as huge stakes crime fighters was weak at best. That said, Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron did have a certain on-screen comedic chemistry, which gets overshadowed by the film’s admittedly preposterous concepts.
Death To Smoochy (2002)
Actor turned filmmaker Danny Devito delivered this superbly cast dark comedy about a disgraced kid’s show host who loses his job and seeks revenge against his replacement. Redditor akrobert lists the film as their pick for a great film with a bad reputation by stating, “Death to smoochy....I think Robin Williams and Edward Norton are hysterical. Jon Stewart is funny as the corporate toady...”
It’s hard to deny the charm of the late Robin Williams in the role of Rainbow Randolph, but overall Death to Smoochy might have been just a little too overstuffed for audiences. The film does offer some quality laughs, but the plot itself isn’t particularly strong, and it’s likely for this reason that many found little to celebrate in Death to Smoochy’s tale.