Within the last decade, Rotten Tomatoes has been given significant importance by movie fans with many refusing to watch a film that ends up with a “Rotten” tag. Most of the time, Rotten Tomatoes reviewers do get the consensus right, but there have been plenty of films whose “Tomatometer” doesn’t reflect their quality.
If you’re seeking simple viewing enjoyment that will entertain you for the few hours a film is on, then the following movies are best to sit through. Some of these aren’t strictly “good” films, but they are a must-watch for a variety of reasons. In order to know more, check out these 10 “Rotten” films that need to be seen.
The Room - 26% (2003)
Your baptism into the film world can’t be complete until you’ve watched The Room which, while being atrociously made, is the movie with the largest cult following you can find. There’s not an ounce of high-quality material here, but what it does have is incredible replay value.
The whole film can be considered a highlight reel of unintentional comedy, and it’s so bad that you get addicted to the horrible direction and laughable acting. The Godfather is known as the greatest film ever made, but there’s no doubt The Room has been replayed far more times. It’s perfect for a good laugh and to the time.
Johnny English - 33% (2003)
There are legions of fans out there, but an underrated character of Rowan Atkinson has to be Johnny English. Rather than be a straight spy spoof along the lines of Austin Powers, Johnny English has a certain flair for action, what with the gorgeous cars on display and effective fight choreography in places.
It’s also a film guaranteed to make you laugh no matter what age range you lie in, as Atkinson’s signature physical comedy shines through in a movie that masterfully mixes comedy with fast-paced action.
Taken - 58% (2008)
Considered to be the film that put Liam Neeson on the map as a bona fide action superstar, Taken is one film that has a deep meaning of corruption and family honor lying beneath it. Perhaps reviewers might have found the film to be action-heavy, but that would be ignoring the stupendous performance of Neeson.
With fight scenes that highlight the protagonist’s “special skills,” Taken is a journey of one man who will stop at nothing to save his daughter. It’s one of those quick treats where the minutes trickle away before you know it.
Wind Chill - 46% (2007)
It’s a shame people think Emily Blunt’s turn in A Quiet Place was her first venture into horror, not being aware of the existence of Wind Chill, which had the actress in fine form. The beauty of this film is that there are only ever two people for the viewers to follow.
There’s also an unresolved mystery over what haunts these characters as they find themselves trapped in a blizzard while being hunted by a seemingly demonic force. Some critics found the lack of resolution of the mystery unsatisfying, but we think that is what makes this movie so scary in the first place.
A Case Of You - 44% (2013)
Romance films tend not to teach the viewer many life lessons and focus on the lovey-dovey part of it all, which is why you need to check out A Case of You as it subverts that practice. The slowish pace of the movie put some reviewers off, which is a shame, as it’s by following the main character’s journey that you see him find out the true meaning of love.
The winning formula here also has to do with superb chemistry between the leads in Justin Long and Evan Rachel Wood, compounded by the presence of several notable stars including Peter Dinklage, Vince Vaughn, Brendan Fraser, and Busy Phillips.
The Mummy Returns - 47% (2001)
If you can claim to dislike this movie when you were younger then you’re absolutely lying, because The Mummy Returns was the coolest thing most of us had ever seen back at the beginning of the millennium. And it still holds up on all fronts.
The first Mummy also has a “Rotten” score, but we think the second deserves special mention for delivering entertainment in its highest form. Making use of special effects superb for its time, the film is a wild ride around the world as the protagonists fight off threats from way back in the past. Had this film been released today, you can be certain the critical reception would’ve been much better.
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls - 32% (1995)
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with watching a film just for the laughs regardless of whether it makes sense or not. The second Ace Ventura bettered its predecessor by jumping in completely in its animalistic setting, with Jim Carrey’s antics turned up to the highest degree.
There’s really nothing here other than laughing at Jim’s craziness, which served to annoy some critics who blamed the film for not being too smart. But we think that when you’ve got Jim Carrey in his craziest brilliance onscreen, then why complain about anything?
Man Of Steel - 56% (2013)
Superman has a rich history in the comics and other media, so it’s a crying shame that his live-action appearances have been limited, with it being rather baffling how Man of Steel doesn’t get more praise. It was faulted for not following the usual superhero tropes, which we think is a thought that is very limited.
After all, Man of Steel teaches the viewer about the true meaning of being a superhero; even the excessive destruction at the end of the film carried context in that the consequences of too much power were on display. It’s a fine watch for an emotionally realistic take on the genre which fans shouldn’t miss.
Before We Go - 21% (2014)
It’s one of those hidden films in the filmography of this Avengers star, and Chris Evans is actually the director of this feature. If you’re familiar with Richard Linklater's Before series, then getting into Before We Go will be the easiest thing ever.
The story, which sees a man and a woman with deep-seated personal issues striking up a friendship across one night, is less romance and more about life lessons people learn as they mature. Perhaps it was because of the familiar format that critics ravaged this movie, but this is one of those times where you should ignore the reviews and enjoy a well-thought film.
Jurassic Park III - 49% (2001)
You can fight us on this one because Jurassic Park III was nowhere near as bad as the perception surrounds it. In fact, the film has aged very well over the years, as the effects still hold up and the presentation usurps the Jurassic World series in places.
If you ignore a few shortfalls (such as the infamous “dinosaur talking” scene), there’s nothing to complain about in this film as it takes you across Isla Sorna in a story featuring elements of horror, thriller, action, and even comedy. That, coupled with the incredible soundtrack the Jurassic Park series excels at, makes the third installment a film you need to rewatch to appreciate.
