Rotten Tomatoes ratings and scores for movies are something that many film lovers take to heart. The critical rating system - which accumulates different grades from verified critics to calculate an average score - is widely trusted in the film industry, and a film's score on the famous Tomatometer often holds a lot of weight.
That being said, the critics' words and reviews should not always be taken as seriously as they often are. This is especially true when it comes to comedy movies. The genre has a notable collection of films that have terrible scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Comedy, after all, is considered a hard genre to get just right. In that department, it's right up there with horror, and similarly, Rotten Tomatoes often comes down particularly tough on both comedy and horror films.
Let's take a look at 10 comedy films that have bad Rotten Tomatoes scores, even though they are widely regarded as classics...or at the very least, decent movies.
GHOSTBUSTERS II (1989) - 53%
The first Ghostbusters film lives on in movie history as one of the most hilarious and iconic comedy flicks ever created. The massive success that the original film saw would, of course, warrant a sequel. Ghostbusters II hit theatres in 1989. Unlike countless movie sequels, the second Ghostbusters featured the same cast and characters as the first.
Despite being almost as entertaining and hilarious as the first film, Ghostbusters II only holds a score of 53% on Rotten Tomatoes. The sequel had a lot to live up to, and it may not be as memorable as the first film, but it's still a classic in many fans' books.
THE SANDLOT (1993) - 60%
The Sandlot is considered a timeless classic by so many, that's its rather low score might be surprising. Directed and written by David Mickey Evans, The Sandlot premiered in theatres on April Fools Day, 1993. The comedy-drama was a box office smash hit and was a landmark in several film lovers' childhoods.
The Sandlot is definitely regarded as a classic, so it's not surprising that it is a popular opinion among fans that the film deserves a much higher score than 60%.
STEP BROTHERS (2008) - 55%
Among Will Ferrell's countless collection of fairly tasteless comedy films he has starred in over the past decade, Step Brothers is frequently regarded as one of the best. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are a beloved comedy duo, and their performances bring a lot to the table in this goofy comedy.
Step Brothers was not nearly as absurdly immature and tasteless as some other notable Ferrell films, so it doesn't really deserve the mediocre score of 55%.
THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (2013) - 51%
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty had an all-star cast that included Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, and Sean Penn. The film was released on Christmas Day of 2013 and was widely considered to be a profoundly moving comedy-drama. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty definitely had more of a clear moral and meaningful message than most comedies do, and that's largely why it's considered a modern classic today.
It seems quite surprising that Walter Mitty only scored 51% on the Tomatometer. A film with such wild imagination, a unique plot, and some creative comedy, surely deserves more than that. Admittedly, 1947's original is arguably superior, but the remake is more than enjoyable.
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (1996) - 49%
The First Wives Club was overlooked when it first hit theatres back in 1996. The comedy had an all-star cast - Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton as the leads - who put on captivating and hilarious performances. For a '90s film, The First Wives Club was pretty ahead of its time.
Today the movie is often considered an underrated classic. It's low Rotten Tomatoes score of 49% definitely speaks to that theory.
CASPER (1995) - 44%
Casper is one of the movies that didn't necessarily get better with age but is nevertheless a fun watch once in a while. At the time it was released in 1995, the quirky - notably expensive - spooky comedy dominated the box office and was one of the most buzzworthy films of the year.
Casper's low score isn't necessarily surprising, but it's not really well-deserved either. Many still consider this little film to be a classic, one that is unworthy of a 44% rating.
SUPER TROOPERS (2001) - 35%
Super Troopers was written and directed by a group of filmmakers who call themselves the Broken Lizard comedy quintet. Released in 2001, the film was definitely the underdog of the year. Super Troopers was created on a budget of roughly $3 million but grossed around $23 million.
Today, Super Troopers is a cult classic comedy. Although Rotten Tomatoes has the film at a meager $35% and describes it as "a more miss than hit affair", fans still adore this little film.
HOOK (1991) - 26%
Hook is one of Steven Spielberg's most notorious films and it has gained quite a bad reputation over the years since its theatrical release in 1991. With a cast featuring Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, and Julia Roberts - and with a generous budget of $70 million - Hook had the odds in its favor, but ultimately flopped in the critical reception department.
Rotten Tomatoes has Hook at a harsh score of 26%, calling it "sentimental and syrupy". Today, Hook has gained somewhat of a cult following due to the controversy that surrounded it.
DROP DEAD FRED (1991) - 9%
Drop Dead Fred is a film that many people remember fondly from their childhoods, but the film's quality drastically decreases with age. Despite being widely hated by critics ever since it was released in 1991, Drop Dead Fred has gained a cult following.
The black comedy definitely has some redeeming qualities but was so off-the-wall that it basically warrants a terrible 9% on Rotten Tomatoes.
THE CABLE GUY (1996) - 53%
Jim Carrey's comedy is definitely not for everyone. His over-the-top performances in films such as The Mask and Liar Liar tend to always receive mixed reviews, but it's undeniable that no one can really replicate Carrey's unique style.
The Cable Guy was a black comedy film that was released theatrically in 1996. This movie did not rely nearly as much on Jim Carrey's energetic performance, instead, it is primarily remembered for its unique and unforgettable subject matter. The Cable Guy has a score of 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, but to many, it is a cult classic.