It’s a very rare feat when the citric score is identical to the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience scores are generally more forgiving than critic scores, since critics are more focused on the elements of the filmmaking while audiences base their reviews mostly on entertainment value. Take some of the most popular movies of 2023 into consideration: A Man Called Otto has a 69% critic score and a 97% audience score. The Super Mario Bros. Movie has a 59% critic score and a 96% audience score. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania scored a 47% critic score while achieving an 83% audience score.
When a film is undeniably good, the scores tend to reflect one another within a 1-6 point range. This infers that the film is both well-made and highly entertaining, such as the big box office hit Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (91% critic, 93% audience). The same is true when the movie is agreeably mediocre or just plain terrible, like The Dilemma (24% critic, 29% audience). There are even cases where the audience score is much lower than the critic score, as with Peter Pan & Wendy (62% critic, 12% audience). No matter the situation for any given movie, it’s highly unusual for both the critic and audience scores to match identically. Here are 15 movies that defied the odds on Rotten Tomatoes.
15 How It Ends – 17%
How It Ends is a 2018 sci-fi mystery thriller starring Forest Whitaker. Most critics thought the movie was generally underwhelming and boring, even with its intriguing post-apocalyptic premise. Audiences seemed to agree with these sentiments, with some wishing they hadn’t wasted their time watching the film. How It Ends follows a man who struggles to reach his pregnant wife thousands of miles away from him. Despite its hook and star power, both fans and critics agree that How It Ends is a universal failure.
14 The Matrix Resurrections – 63%
The Matrix Resolutions is the fourth installment in The Matrix franchise that ended up disappointing both critics and audiences alike. Fans were still excited to be viewing another Matrix movie and greatly enjoyed the visual effects in the film. Critics were quick to scrutinize the movie’s lack of an original plot, which was the biggest critique of the hotly-anticipated 2021 film between both critics and audiences. The Matrix Resurrections has redemptive qualities, however, such as retaining Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss to reprise their roles.
13 Beau Is Afraid – 70%
Beau Is Afraid is the third feature film from breakout director Ari Aster. Based on critic and audience scores alone, it is arguably Aster’s worst movie in comparison to his previous movies Hereditary and Midsommar which collectively revolutionized the modern horror genre. Even with its generally disappointing response, Beau Is Afraid is still an interesting watch despite that had most audience members leaving the theater utterly perplexed by the film’s lack of a plot. As the Rotten Tomatoes scores imply, both audiences and critics either adamantly love or passionately dislike Beau Is Afraid.
12 Scream – 80%
The original Scream movie came out in 1996 and was generally well-received by both critics and audiences. Critics at the time originally were equally impressed and annoyed by director Wes Craven’s deconstruction of the horror genre, but found the film overall to be effective and entertaining. Fans carried the same opinions, noting that it was a perfect date night film to go watch at the movie theater. This impact of Scream launched five sequels, the most recent of which, Scream VI, has the highest audience Rotten Tomatoes score of all Scream movies and had the biggest box office opening weekend of the entire Scream franchise.
11 Avatar – 82%
Avatar released in 2009 with the expectation that James Cameron would break his own box office record, which it did. Avatar became the highest-grossing film of all time, passing Titanic’s entire gross in just six weeks. That record was held for over a decade and was only broken by Avengers: Endgame in 2019. Despite its insurmountable popularity, both fans and critics had common criticisms of the movie’s simple and predictable story. The technical aspects of the movie were the main attraction, which was built on and expanded in the first sequel Avatar: The Way of Water to set up the franchise’s future.
10 The Way Back – 84%
The Way Back stars Ben Affleck as a high school basketball coach struggling with alcoholism. Fans and critics agreed that Affleck’s performance was one of the strongest aspects of the movie, but they also complained of an underdeveloped, formulaic storyline. The 2020 film was said to have been plagued by clichés, which didn’t make the movie necessarily bad, just predictable. Fans and critics agreed that if it weren’t for Affleck’s role in The Way Back, the movie would likely not have received the acclaim that it did.
9 1917 – 88%
1917 was a Best Picture nomination at the 2020 Academy Awards and winner of Best Cinematography and two other Oscars. Common praise for 1917 was the level of immersion it was able to inspire in its audiences, even though the characters were not always easy to engage with emotionally. The film is still undeniably impressive and well-designed. Director Sam Mendes and Director of Photography Roger Deakins successfully orchestrated an impressive amount of choreography in order to make the film appear as one long sequence.
8 All Quiet On The Western Front – 90%
All Quiet on the Western Front is another recent example of a great war movie with identical audience and critic Rotten Tomatoes scores, as well as an Oscar-winner in cinematography. The storytelling elements of All Quiet were successful in creating a story with emotionally engaging characters despite the language barrier for English-speaking audiences. The acting was also a highlight of the movie for critics and fans, which spoke to the inhumane brutality of warfare, especially in the WWI trenches of battle.
7 The Martian – 91%
The Martian won over both critics and fans for its powerful adaptation of the 2011 novel. The 2015 Ridley Scott movie featured a fan-favorite cast of Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wig, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, and Jeff Daniels. The Martian was celebrated by audiences and critics for its smart and funny storytelling elements. Ridley Scott and Damon combined to deliver a stellar movie that became one of the favorites at the 2016 Academy Awards, with seven nominations.
6 Jurassic Park – 91%
Jurassic Park has stood the test of time and remains one of the greatest and most original action-adventure movies of all time. The Spielberg film inspired three sequels and a rebooted franchise trilogy starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. The original Jurassic Park represents Spielberg at his best and most iconic form, combining catchy one-liners with special effects spectacles that are loved by anyone who is a fan of the movies. The identical Rotten Tomatoes critic and audience scores of 91% prove the film’s universal acclaim.
5 Guardians Of The Galaxy – 92%
Guardians of the Galaxy provided a fun counterpart to the Avengers movies in the earlier phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is largely responsible for the breakouts of Chris Pratt and director James Gunn. The original film inspired a trilogy of Guardians movies within the MCU. The movie encapsulates all that critics and fans loved about Marvel movies during the 2010s: witty humor, visual spectacle, and an action-packed plot, which explains its high ratings. The third installment of its successful trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 sets up MCU’s phase 5 and 6 and is currently playing in theaters.
4 Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery – 92%
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is the 2022 follow-up to Rian Johnson’s hugely popular murder-mystery movie Knives Out. Glass Onion follows similar elements as Knives Out with its luxurious setting and outstanding ensemble cast. The two films even share the same Rotten Tomatoes audience scores. The original Knives Out was loved by critics so much that it almost earned the coveted 100% fresh Rotten Tomatoes movie accolade, but currently sits at a very impressive 97%.
3 Hustle – 93%
Hustle is another 2022 Netflix film that toed the line of a 100% fresh Rotten Tomatoes score but fell just short at 93%. The Adam Sandler-led sports drama was enjoyed by both fans and critics for its feel-good qualities and inspiring story that made it simple and fun to watch. Sandler plays the role of an NBA scout that guides a developing basketball player into professional stardom. Hustle is another great example of Sandler’s range as a dramatic actor, similar to his memorable performance in Uncut Gems.
2 Whiplash – 94%
Whiplash sparked the careers of Top Gun: Maverick actor Miles Teller and La La Land director Damien Chazelle. Critics were impressed by Teller’s spectacular performance as an aspiring jazz drummer and J.K. Simmons’ portrayal as his ruthless music instructor. Fans were riveted by the fast-paced story and enamored by a young Miles Teller’s commitment to his craft. Whiplash won 3 Oscars and was considered one of 2014’s best films.
1 The Dark Knight – 94%
The Dark Knight is one of the highest-rated movies between both critics and audiences. Every aspect of the film is captivating and executed with expert precision, from the iconic acting performances to the innovative plot and the philosophical approach to the storytelling elements. Before The Dark Knight’s release in 2008, very few films existed that legitimized the superhero genre as much as Nolan’s blockbuster did. The Dark Knight arguably influenced the development and massive success of superhero franchises such as the MCU and DCU. Based on its identical critic and audience Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s safe to say it’s a movie that almost everyone can enjoy.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
