Action movies are one of those genres that often doesn't get high praise from critics. There are obvious exceptions to that rule but a lot of the most popular and beloved action flicks were panned by critics. They're still typically loved because a good action film is just a blast to watch and audiences adore that.
That has led to plenty of cases where action movies will end up being considered "rotten" on Rotten Tomatoes but score higher when it comes to IMDb ratings given out by fans. They might not always have a very high IMDb number but it's better than the RT score.
The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) - RT: 38%/IMDb: 6.0
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After the original Fast and the Furious became a surprise hit, the franchise dipped in popularity with the next two entries. Most of the cast didn't return for the sequel and this third entry, Tokyo Drift, featured completely new characters in a totally different setting.
This was only a mild box success and critics didn't like the performances or screenplay. However, it has become a beloved entry in the series for the emphasis on street racing, fun action sequences, and introducing iconic characters like Han. Later installments even brought some characters back from this movie, making it mean more in the long run.
Red Notice (2021) - RT: 37%/IMDb: 6.4
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It seems like Netflix has cornered the market on the modern action movie that attracts a big audience but isn't appreciated by critics. They did just that with their biggest budget movie to date, Red Notice. It was always going to hit with viewers given the trio of lead actors and impressive cast.
Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot are a charismatic group to center a movie around and it worked. While reviews were mixed, Red Notice broke records on Netflix and subscribers fell in love with the chemistry between Reynolds and Johnson. In fact, two sequels are currently in development.
Need For Speed (2014) - RT: 22%/IMDb: 6.4
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Most people know not to expect much from this genre. Movies based on video games can be a mixed bag and according to Rotten Tomatoes, there are almost none that are certified "fresh." Need for Speed is one of those that happen to fall way below the mark.
Critics had issues with the plot and considered many of the action scenes to be unrealistic. While some of that is true, there's no doubt that it's a fun time. Aaron Paul delivers a solid performance as the lead (critics were sure to praise him), the supporting cast is enjoyable, and the racing sequences are well done.
Smokin' Aces (2006) - RT: 31%/IMDb: 6.7
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There was just something cool about the premise of Smokin' Aces that intrigued moviegoers in 2006. Even if it wasn't a huge hit, there was interest in a film about a bunch of assassins competing for the chance to kill a magician mafia informant when a bounty of $1 million is placed on his head.
The film was also boosted by a strong ensemble cast including Ryan Reynolds, Alicia Keys, Taraji P. Henson, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Chris Pine, and more. Some critics called it a mess and others felt it was overly violent but that's apparently just what audiences wanted from it.
Rush Hour 3 (2007) - RT: 17%/IMDb: 6.2
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The Rush Hour trilogy is a beloved entry in the realm of action comedy movies but surprisingly, none of the films have been certified "fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes. Each movie has a lower score than the last, bottoming out at a meager 17% for the final leg of the trilogy.
Rush Hour 3 was obviously a box office hit as the popular franchise even spawned a TV show. The critics weren't all that pleased, calling it nothing more than a rehash of what came before it. However, it's clear that fans were pretty happy to get more of the same as the banter between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker is what they loved in the first place.
Hitman (2007) - RT: 16%/IMDb: 6.3
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Returning to the world of movies based on video games, there's Hitman. Again, critics weren't pleased with this adaptation despite the fact that Hitman is a game that feels like it should easily work on the big screen.
The biggest criticisms were lobbed at the overabundance of violence, the dialogue, and the storyline. While that's understandable to a point, those who loved the games wanted to have high levels of violence involved. Plus, Timothy Olyphant made for a pretty good Agent 47.
Bad Boys II (2003) - RT: 23%/IMDb: 6.6
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Similar to Rush Hour, it's hard to deny the place of Bad Boys in the pantheon of iconic buddy cop flicks. It's up there with the likes of Lethal Weapon in terms of popularity but those who review films professionally have felt differently about the franchise as a whole.
The first entry only holds a 42% rating (but a 6.9 on IMDb) and the sequel is even lower on RT. Of course, director Michael Bay is known to be a crowd-pleaser and he made sure that Bad Boys II had tons of action, slow-motion shots, and banter between Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. Interestingly, Bad Boys for Life is the only 'fresh' entry in the series.
Peppermint (2018) - RT: 13%/IMDb: 6.5
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Sometimes, it can be difficult to figure out why there's such a divide between audiences and critics. That's not at all the case with Peppermint as you can totally see why moviegoers were into it and why critics felt there was nothing remarkable about it.
Peppermint is another in a long line of female-driven revenge movies and critics felt that this didn't offer anything new because of that. However, they were sure to praise Jennifer Garner's efforts as a mother who becomes a killer in her quest for revenge after her husband and daughter are killed by a drug cartel. Fans loved her work and the action as well.
Man On Fire (2004) - RT: 39%/IMDb: 7.7
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It's honestly a pretty big surprise that critics weren't pleased with Man on Fire. It seems to have aspects they'd love, including a strong lead performance by Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and a heartwarming relationship at the center between him and the young girl he protects.
Alas, the consensus on Rotten Tomatoes was that it became too violent of a movie in the second half. Once again, this is a case of the audience liking the violence that comes with an action movie, which is understandable. The 7.7 rating on IMDb is impressively high.
The Boondock Saints (1999) - RT: 28%/IMDb: 7.7
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Speaking of movies to score a whopping 7.7 on IMDb, it's The Boondock Saints, which was actually heavily panned upon release. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus literally calls it a "juvenile, ugly movie."
Even with those poor reviews, fans have flocked to the action movie and it has become a cult classic. From Willem Dafoe's over-the-top performance to Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus's chemistry as brothers to the gritty nature to the comedic elements, this is a film that is a crowd-pleaser.