Let’s be real—no film is loved by all. With every blockbuster that controls the box office or garners critical success, there’s always a corner of the internet (or your social circle) quietly eye-rolling in response. Confessing you didn’t like a much-loved film can almost feel like a transgression—like admitting you never watched Breaking Bad from start to finish. But film is subjective, and even the most highly regarded films have their share of doubters. So, in the spirit of truthful movie talk, here’s a peek at some of the most polarizing films—regardless of genre and release date—that have generated as much criticism as they have applause.
1. The Godfather (1972)
Even The Godfather has its naysayers. Universally considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, Francis Ford Coppola’s crime epic is similarly panned by some fans as too slow, self-indulgent, or simply overrated. IMDb user comments include virulent criticisms, calling it “a three-hour snoozefest,” showing that even classics are not immune to criticism.
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
It’s an annual presence on “all-time greatest movie” lists, but there are those who aren’t taken in by Shawshank’s legend. Critics call it emotionally manipulative and full of prison-movie cliches. While most viewers are profoundly moved by Andy Dufresne’s tunnel-vision escape story, others are too neat, too sentimental, or outright hyperpraised.
3. Twilight (2008)
A pop culture phenomenon that lit a global fandom—and an even greater quantity of scorn. While Twilight has its devoted fans (and has in the past few years been embraced more graciously in hindsight), the critics scorned it for wooden performances and muddled plot twists. Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team “this was never any good,” it’s a film people love to fight over.
4. Joker (2019)
Joaquin Phoenix’s chilling performance won him an Oscar, and Joker was one of the most discussed films of the year. Yet it also polarized audiences and critics. While some admired its gritty, character-based style, others called it too dark or socially irresponsible. With a Rotten Tomatoes split of 68% (critics) to 88% (audiences), it is obvious that Joker resonated with people, for better or for worse.
5. Transformers (2007–2017)
Michael Bay’s Transformers movies made a toy franchise into a billion-dollar industry, but they’ve also become the byword for sensory overload. Critics would routinely excoriate them for thin plots and frenetic editing, but fans loved them as deafening, brain-dead entertainment. The original movie has a 58% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences weighed in at 85, emphasizing that popcorn fare doesn’t have to appeal to all.
6. Grown Ups (2010)
Adam Sandler and his cohorts collaborated on this group comedy, which performed reasonably well at the box office and with the occasional viewer. Critics weren’t so nice, though. With a brutal 11% critic rating compared to a far more generous 62% audience rating, Grown Ups is the sort of movie that gets written off as lazy but still manages to become a guilty pleasure for many.
7. Sausage Party (2016)
An R-rated animated film about talking food might have sounded fresh, but not everyone was sold on Sausage Party. Critics enjoyed its boundary-pushing satire (82%), while audiences were more mixed (50%). Some found its crude humor clever; others just found it, well… crude.
8. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
There were almost 20 years of anticipation for Indiana Jones to come back, but Kingdom of the Crystal Skull put a dent in many fans’ heads. With the CGI aliens and the so-called “nuke the fridge” scene, many long-time fans were underwhelmed. In an interesting contrast, critics (78%) were kinder than audiences (53%), demonstrating that nostalgia is a two-edged sword.
All films—no matter how much or little critical acclaim or how beloved they are—have their share of detractors. Whether or not it’s a slow-burning classic or a cult follow popcorn movie, taste is personal, and argument is what makes film fandom exciting. So go ahead, the next time someone shares their “unpopular opinion” with you, don’t judge, engage. Because one man’s masterpiece is another’s fast-forward button.