15 Great Movies That Have Surprisingly Low Scores on Rotten Tomatoes

Whether we’re curious about the newest rom-com or eager to get hot takes on a psychological thriller that’s breaking the internet, we can always count on Rotten Tomatoes to help us figure out what’s really worth watching. In fact, some of the best movies that we’ve seen were due to the site’s thoughtful critic reviews. But while most of these reviewers typically have an eye for great films, there have been quite a few cases where their ratings left us confused.

Unfortunately, some of the most iconic films wound up with surprisingly low scores—and we’re not talking about films that are so bad that they’re good. We’re talking Hocus Pocus, Home Alone 2 and Beaches (yep, we’re just as shocked as you are). Read on for more movies that we absolutely love, regardless of what the critics say.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%

Where else can you find a fun, Black musical that features comedy, romance and martial arts sequences? In The Last Dragon, Taimak Guarriello plays Leroy Green, a Black, New York-based martial artist who trains to obtain a powerful force known as "The Glow." His life is turned upside down when he rescues and falls for the famous singer, Laura Charles (Vanity), whom he must protect from the evil gang leader, Sho'nuff (Julius J. Carry III). Does this movie have its corny moments? Absolutely, but that’s part of what makes it so charming.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%

Where else can you find a fun, Black musical that features comedy, romance and martial arts sequences? In The Last Dragon, Taimak Guarriello plays Leroy Green, a Black, New York-based martial artist who trains to obtain a powerful force known as "The Glow." His life is turned upside down when he rescues and falls for the famous singer, Laura Charles (Vanity), whom he must protect from the evil gang leader, Sho'nuff (Julius J. Carry III). Does this movie have its corny moments? Absolutely, but that’s part of what makes it so charming.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%

What do you get when you add a funeral, three fabulous middle-aged women and all of their ex-husbands? A delightful, feminist flick that deserves way more than a 50 percent score. In this fun comedy, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton shine as three divorcées who vow to get back at their exes for taking them for granted. From fancy parties to a lively performance of “You Don't Own Me,” what’s not to love?

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 43%

It may have one of the most ridiculous plots ever, but let’s be honest: Michael Jordan and Looney Toon squad make one heck of a team on the basketball court. In the film, Bugs Bunny enlists the help of Jordan to defeat an evil team of aliens. Despite the mixed reviews from critics, Space Jam wound up earning a whopping $250 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing basketball film of all time. And now, fans await the highly anticipated sequel, Space Jam: A New Legacy, starring LeBron James. Here’s hoping it lives up to this nostalgic gem.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%

Fans are typically quick to point out that this buddy-cop film feels a bit too formulaic, which we can understand. But does this even matter when there’s great dialogue and talented stars with killer chemistry? As much as we do enjoy the fast-paced action sequences, we could literally watch Marcus (Martin Lawrence) and Mike (Will Smith) sit and exchange funny clap-backs all day. Follow the two detectives as they team up to investigate a major heist.

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Rotten Tomatoes Score: 41%

If you’ve yet to see this entertaining thriller, then think of it as a cross between The Giver and The Matrix. Set in a futuristic world where war is avoided by forcing everyone to suppress their emotions, the movie follows Clerick John Preston (Christian Bale), a government official who suddenly finds himself in a position to overthrow this regime. Given that we now live in the digital age, where people’s behaviors are manipulated and true privacy feels nonexistent, the premise for Equilibrium definitely hits close to home.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 40%

It’s impossible to watch this without breaking out the tissues and belting the words to "Wind Beneath My Wings," but it does have its funny moments. This comedy-drama, based on Iris Rainer Dart's novel of the same title, follows two close friends as they grow up and navigate the ups and downs of their personal lives. Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler are incredible together.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%

Come this Halloween season, we’ll be joining the iconic trio of witches (again) as they scheme and plot for their immortality. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy are simply delightful as the villains in this film—a fun and spooky classic that will forever remain one of the best inspirations for Halloween costume ideas.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 35%

OK, so it’s not exactly Oscar-worthy, but it’s the ultimate feel-good movie for your next (virtual) girls’ night. When pregnant teenager Novalee Nation’s (Natalie Portman) boyfriend abandons her high and dry, a kind-hearted nurse named Lexie (Ashley Judd) decides to take her in. It’s impossible to not be moved by their growing bond and Lexie’s generosity.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 34%

There have been way too many cases where sequels just didn’t live up to their predecessors, but Home Alone 2 isn’t one of them. In this fun follow-up, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is all alone, but this time, in New York City and he’s upped his game when it comes to creating complicated traps. Ridiculous suspension of disbelief aside, seeing Kevin outsmart those two bandits while simultaneously fooling a suspicious concierge just never gets old.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 30%

Since the film came out in The Matrix's shadow at the time, it didn’t exactly blow up at the box office. Murder-mystery meets sci-fi thriller in this fascinating film, where a computer scientist becomes the prime suspect after his colleague is found murdered. It may seem like another version of The Matrix at first glance, but it’s actually a really thoughtful film that will challenge any viewer’s perception of reality.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 29%

Hook is the movie that we’ll watch for the millionth time, right along with the kids—and with zero shame. From cool special effects and impressive musical scores to Williams’s sincere portrayal of Peter Pan, it’s impossible to not enjoy this thrilling adventure.

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Rotten Tomatoes Score: 23%

Whether you grew up watching this movie or not, it still remains one of the most memorable sports films of the ‘90s—even if most critics would beg to differ. In The Mighty Ducks, Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) breaks the law and gets a unique community service assignment: to turn a group of beginner hockey players into a successful team. But of course, there’s more to the film’s message than winning. With its solid cast and great humor, this flick deserves a much higher rating.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 19%

Yes, you read that number correctly—and we’re still not over this shockingly low score. Whoopi Goldberg brought her A-game to this colorful sequel, where her character, Deloris, goes undercover once again to help save a struggling school. Considering its talented diverse cast, inspiring message and cultural impact, we’d say the critics are 100 percent wrong on this one.