This Classic Comedy Only Has 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, But It's One of the Funniest Movies I've Ever Seen

When White Chicks dropped in 2004, Common Sense Media called it a "predictable farce." Time Out said the "gags are as weak as they are derivative," and The Seattle Times went as far as to label it "the worst movie of the year." Currently, it holds a measly 15 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. And yet, the crime comedy was a smash hit at the box office, grossing a whopping $113 million, and it has since become a cult classic.

In case you haven't seen it, White Chicks, directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, revolves around Kevin Copeland (Shawn Wayans) and Marcus Copeland (Marlon Wayans), two detectives who are tasked with escorting two wealthy sisters to a fashion event after accidentally ruining a drug bust. Unfortunately, the siblings refuse to attend after suffering minor injuries in a car crash, and in a desperate attempt to save their jobs, they decide to pose as the sisters, with the help of a makeup expert.

Is the plot ridiculous? Absolutely, I won't deny that. But perhaps that is exactly the point—and I'm convinced that most critics completely missed this. Keenen Ivory Wayans is a master at finding humor in controversial topics, and he knows how to get viewers thinking—even as they fall out of their chairs laughing. He intentionally leans into the silly and absurd to make a point. (If you've ever watched In Living Color, then you know what I mean.) And he does this brilliantly in White Chicks, proving that a far-fetched tale about two Black men in whiteface can still offer thought-provoking messages on white privilege, identity, and racial and gender stereotypes.

It is genuinely fascinating to see the dynamic between a tight-knit group of rich white women, and how two Black men navigate their newfound privileges while dressed as one of them. However, it's also worth noting that this movie is just as enjoyable when you don't take it too seriously. Even if you're not fishing for deeper themes and commentary, you are guaranteed to laugh out loud throughout the film, thanks in part to the incredible chemistry and comedic timing of the Wayans brothers.

I still giggle when I recall certain scenes, like the classic "Yo Mama" battle, where Kevin and Marcus (while posing as the twins) mercilessly roast two white women who try to pick a fight. (My personal fave? "Your mother is so old that her breast milk is powdered.") And of course, there's the iconic car scene, where all the girls blast "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton and the guys struggle to sing along.