As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always found it fascinating how some films can flop critically yet soar financially. Case in point, here are 11 movies that were panned by critics, received less than stellar ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, but still managed to rake in over a billion dollars worldwide at the box office. It just goes to show you, sometimes what audiences want is not always what the critics approve of!
Despite receiving unfavorable critiques, the Minecraft film has astonishingly surpassed $940 million at the box office so far, outperforming industry predictions.
The risks aren’t particularly high, the acting isn’t notably good, and the action isn’t especially thrilling.
Occasionally, negative reviews don’t dissuade followers of a series, and this is true for the movies discussed below. Despite receiving less than 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, they all managed to earn over a billion dollars at the box office.
Aladdin
- Year: 2019
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%
- Box office total: $1.051 billion
This retelling of the beloved animated tale revolves around Aladdin, a street-smart orphan, joining forces with a mystical genie to confront the wicked sorcerer Jafar and vie for the affections of Princess Jasmine.
As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that Disney’s live-action adaptations of their classic animations have been quite profitable. However, by 2019, even I found myself yearning for something fresh, as critics seemed to be growing weary of these remakes. Despite the charming performances from the leads and Guy Ritchie’s skillful creation of exciting action scenes, it fell short of the enchanting brilliance of the original animated version, according to the general consensus on Rotten Tomatoes.
Minions
- Year: 2015
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 55%
- Box office total: $1.159 billion
Overview: In this Despicable Me spin-off, Kevin, Stuart, and Bob set out to find a new master, leading them on a worldwide adventure that eventually lands them with the wicked super-villain Scarlett Overkill, who harbors ambitions for global conquest.
Reviews: The Despicable Me series holds the record as the most successful animated franchise ever, but while young audiences adore the Minions, critics find them excessively irritating. According to Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus, their nonsensical antics contribute to an uneven film.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
- Year: 2006
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
- Box office total: $1.066 billion
Title Explanation: Dead Man’s Chest – In this story, Jack Sparrow is headed towards a confrontation with the fearsome Captain of the Flying Dutchman, Davy Jones, whom Jack has an outstanding debt that requires payment in blood.
According to the critics: The initial Pirates of the Caribbean film, fueled by Johnny Depp’s highly praised/controversial performance, was a shock hit among both critics and viewers. However, each subsequent film received lower scores on Rotten Tomatoes compared to its predecessor. The consensus for Dead Man’s Chest was: “The first movie’s unpredictability and humor, as well as much of its originality, seem to have vanished.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Year: 1999
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
- Box office total: $1.047 billion
The initial Star Wars prequel finds Jedi masters Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi involved in a commercial conflict, where they encounter a young lad named Anakin, who possesses a powerful connection to the Force.
Critics’ Review: In 1999, the anticipation was immense for Episode I. The Phantom Menace certainly ruled the summer box office, but it didn’t live up to its predecessors in terms of innovation and warmth. Critics generally gave it a thumbs down, with most finding it weighed down by excessive exposition and filled with stereotypical characters – elements that set an uneven tone for the series right from the start.
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
- Year: 2019
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%
- Box office total: $1.077 billion
The Skywalker storyline concludes as the struggle between the Resistance and the First Order persists, while Rey uncovers the secrets of her ancestry.
The Critics’ View: The Rise of Skywalker left many Star Wars fans disappointed, as some puzzling narrative choices ended the series in a way that fell short of expectations. Despite fans flocking to see the conclusion, critics were not kind, with Rotten Tomatoes stating it “lacks imagination” but also noting it “concludes this cherished saga with dedicated focus on the fans.
Alice in Wonderland
- Year: 2010
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
- Box office total: $1.025 billion
In essence, Alice embarks on an adventure by chasing a white rabbit into a burrow, which leads her to a fantastical world inhabited by eccentric personalities such as the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, and the duo Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
According to the critics, yet another Disney remake resulted in a movie that raked in money at the box office but received unfavorable reviews. Tim Burton directed Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, a role that audiences either adored or despised. Critics generally disliked it, stating through Rotten Tomatoes that Alice in Wonderland lacks the book’s clear narrative and much of its emotional depth.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
- Year: 2018
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%
- Box office total: $1.308 billion
Overview: Characters from Jurassic World head back to Isla Nublar, this time for a daring rescue operation as a volcano looms over the dinosaur population, ready to erase them once more.
In their reviews: The Jurassic Park series kicked off with rave reviews, as the 1993 film scored an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, since then, the quality seems to have declined, with critics suggesting that “exciting scenes are becoming scarce” in the most recent installment, Fallen Kingdom.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
- Year: 2011
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 35%
- Box office total: $1.124 billion
The third Transformers film revolves around the Autobots and Decepticons fighting over a technology capable of rejuvenating their home planet, Cybertron.
Critiquing a series primarily marketed for toys can be tricky, but despite audiences enjoying the spectacle of large robots engaging in combat, Rotten Tomatoes noted that the movie’s special effects and 3D sequences are indeed striking, however, they fail to compensate for its noisy, overlong runtime or conceal its shallow, unengaging script.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
- Year: 2011
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 23%
- Box office Total: $1.046 billion
In the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Captain Jack Sparrow embarks on a quest to find the legendary Fountain of Youth, crosses paths with an enigmatic figure from his history, and eventually lands on Blackbeard’s notorious vessel.
Critics had grown weary of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, as suggested by their reviews. The general consensus on Rotten Tomatoes indicates that the movie “struggled with a fragmented storyline and an excess of loud action scenes.
Jurassic World: Dominion
- Year: 2022
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 29%
- Box office total: $1.001 billion
The plot revolves around: After the demolition of Isla Nebular, dinosaurs coexist with humans, as depicted in the Jurassic film featuring returning actors Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, along with fresh additions Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
According to the reviews: Jurassic World: Dominion, being a movie that combines the original cast with new actors, was expected to be a success. However, critics were not satisfied with it, as they criticized both the characters and dialogues. Some even went so far as to say that this franchise has significantly lost its luster from its initial, classic beginning.
Transformers: Age of Extinction
- Year: 2014
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 18%
- Box office total: $1.104 billion
In essence: The Autobots, hailing from the planet Cybertron, join forces with the inventor, Cade Yeager, in a bid to escape a secret military force that’s in pursuit of them.
According to critics’ reviews: The film with the poorest rating on Rotten Tomatoes, yet managed to earn over a billion dollars at the box office, was Transformers 4. Critics, from all directions, panned it, particularly its script, which was deemed illogical and incoherent, along with some cringe-worthy dialogue. RT’s statement was: “If you’re a fan of action packed with loud effects, you’ll find enjoyment; others need not apply.” Despite this, many did find enjoyment in it, as Age of Extinction raked in huge sums and became the highest-grossing film of 2014.
Here are some highly-praised films from 2025 that you might want to watch, along with the top-grossing movies of the year.
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2025-06-04 11:19