10 Comedy Movies Critics Hated But Audiences Loved

It’s common for critics and audiences to disagree about movies, especially comedies. A film can be incredibly popular and have people saying it’s one of the funniest they’ve ever seen, yet receive negative reviews.

Even if a movie gets bad reviews, people can still enjoy it. Sometimes a film isn’t very good overall, but it’s funny enough to become a beloved favorite – and that’s true for many memorable movies.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

It’s surprising to discover that Wet Hot American Summer didn’t do well when it first came out. Today, it’s a hugely popular cult classic, so beloved that it led to multiple sequel and prequel series over a decade after the original film.

Wet Hot American Summer is a comedy about the wacky things that happen at a summer camp, seen through the eyes of its counselors. It’s intentionally ridiculous and over-the-top, which is part of why it’s remained popular. When it first came out, critics didn’t love it, but it’s gained a following over time.

A big reason Wet Hot American Summer has remained popular is its amazing cast. Featuring comedy stars like Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, and many others, the film boasts one of the most talented ensembles ever put together.

Tommy Boy (1995)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Chris Farley and David Spade were a hilarious comedy team, always getting big laughs from audiences. They first became famous for their funny sketches on Saturday Night Live, and then starred in a few movies together.

While Black Sheep is a good movie, Tommy Boy is funnier. The film centers on Tommy Callahan, played by Chris Farley, who is a bit of a man-child. After his father passes away, Tommy goes on a road trip with Richard Hayden (David Spade) and learns valuable lessons about life and friendship along the way.

As a movie fan, I always thought Chris Farley and David Spade had incredible chemistry. Farley was just a force of nature – totally wild and over-the-top – and Spade was the perfect dry, sarcastic foil. It’s a shame Tommy Boy didn’t get much love from critics when it came out, because honestly, people still quote it and watch it constantly. It’s a classic!

Hot Rod (2007)

The Lonely Island is widely considered one of the funniest comedy groups in Hollywood. They’re famous for their hilarious music videos and witty lyrics, and consistently deliver laughs whenever they collaborate. Their movie, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, perfectly showcases their comedic talent.

Before making that really funny movie, the team created Hot Rod. It’s about Rod Kimble (played by Andy Samberg), an aspiring but accident-prone stuntman, who tries to raise money for his stepfather’s life-saving heart surgery by performing his most ambitious stunt yet.

The movie Hot Rod didn’t get great reviews when it came out, with many critics finding the story and jokes a bit immature. But it’s gained a dedicated following over the years and become a beloved cult classic. The film features Andy Samberg alongside a talented cast including Isla Fisher and Bill Hader.

Just Friends (2005)

Ryan Reynolds is now a major star whose movies consistently receive positive reviews and perform well at the box office. However, about twenty years ago, he was still an up-and-coming actor building his career through consistently good, but not blockbuster, comedies.

The movie Just Friends is surprisingly funny and has become a holiday favorite for many. It centers around Chris Brander, played by Ryan Reynolds, who revisits his hometown and reconnects with a childhood friend he once had a crush on. He used to be overweight as a teen, and the story follows his reconnection with her.

Just Friends is consistently funny, with strong performances from the entire cast. Anna Faris is particularly good as the somewhat clueless pop star, and Julie Hagerty is a standout as Chris’s mom. While critics haven’t loved the movie, it’s a great choice if you want a good laugh.

The House Bunny (2008)

Anna Faris has starred in a lot of hilarious films that didn’t always get good reviews. After becoming known for the Scary Movie series, she took the lead in The House Bunny and delivered another fantastic performance.

The movie The House Bunny follows Shelley Darlington (Anna Faris), a former Playboy bunny who finds herself unexpectedly in charge of a quirky sorority. As she helps the girls come out of their comfort zones, Shelley also discovers a lot about herself.

Critics weren’t overly impressed with The House Bunny – it has a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it’s a genuinely funny film with a talented cast, including Anna Faris, Emma Stone, and Kat Dennings. Plus, memorable moments like Shelley’s unique way of remembering names make it a comedy favorite.

Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

Just as Scary Movie became popular by poking fun at horror films, Not Another Teen Movie did the same for teen comedies. It didn’t hold back, spoofing well-known movies like She’s All That, Pretty in Pink, 10 Things I Hate About You, Can’t Hardly Wait, Varsity Blues, and many others.

While many parody films miss the mark, Not Another Teen Movie succeeded because it was actually hilarious and cleverly satirized familiar clichés from teen films. The movie benefited from a young Chris Evans, before his Captain America fame, and also starred Jaime Pressly, Lacey Chabert, and others.

Despite some funny scenes, Not Another Teen Movie didn’t receive good reviews from critics, who found its humor reliant on crude jokes. However, the film has gained a nostalgic following, and many now see it as better than some of the parody movies that came after it.

Major League II (1994)

Everyone loves the 1989 baseball comedy Major League, and it’s often considered a classic. The 1994 sequel, Major League II, however, wasn’t nearly as well-received. This is reflected in their Rotten Tomatoes scores: the first film has an 83% rating, while the second only scores 5%.

Even people who enjoy Major League II will admit it’s not a cinematic masterpiece. However, it’s surprisingly funny – many actually find it funnier than the first Major League film. A big reason for this is Bob Uecker, who is even more hilarious as the commentator Harry Doyle in the sequel.

Okay, let’s talk about the sheer fun of this movie. It’s brilliantly silly! We’ve got Willie Mays Hayes letting Hollywood go to his head and completely losing his baseball mojo, and Rick Vaughn, who ironically struggles when he tries too hard to be perfect. But honestly, Randy Quaid steals every scene as this wonderfully unhinged, irate fan – he’s absolutely fantastic. It’s just a really enjoyable, lighthearted ride.

Kung Pow! Enter The Fist (2002)

Steve Oedekerk is famous as a writer, contributing to movies like Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Bruce Almighty, and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. But in an unusual step, he also starred in one of the most eccentric lead roles of his time.

The movie Kung Pow! Enter the Fist, written and directed by Paul Myerberg (Oedekerk), is a unique blend of old and new. It takes clips from the 1976 martial arts film Tiger & Crane Fists and mixes them with newly filmed scenes to tell a completely original, and hilariously over-the-top, story. The plot centers around Oedekerk’s character, a hero destined for greatness, as he seeks revenge for his family’s murder.

The voice acting is incredibly funny, the villain is over-the-top and silly, and the movie is packed with memorable lines. While critics weren’t kind to Kung Pow! Enter the Fist when it first came out, its humor has earned it a dedicated following and cult classic status.

Scary Movie 2 (2001)

The Scary Movie films haven’t generally been well-received by critics. The first movie has the best score of the series on Rotten Tomatoes, at 51%. However, the sequels have consistently scored lower, with the third, fourth, and fifth films earning ratings of 35%, 34%, and 4% respectively. Scary Movie 2 performed particularly poorly, with a score of only 13%.

Most fans consider Scary Movie 2 to be the strongest film in the series, if not the very best. It playfully spoofs classic horror movies like The Exorcist, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Poltergeist, and The Amityville Horror, among others.

Although the movie isn’t perfect, you can definitely see the Wayans Brothers’ signature humor. Anna Faris and Regina Hall have great chemistry, and the supporting cast, including Tim Curry and David Cross, really made the film memorable.

But I’m A Cheerleader (1999)

It’s hard to think of a more popular and well-loved movie from the late 1990s than But I’m a Cheerleader. The film has a playful story: a cheerleader is sent to a camp designed to change her sexual orientation when her parents assume she’s a lesbian.

At camp, a group of LGBTQ+ attendees connect while completing silly challenges. The film features a fantastic cast including Natasha Lyonne, Melanie Lynskey, and Clea DuVall, with RuPaul stealing the show as a camp counselor who’s trying out being straight.

While the movie initially received only lukewarm reviews, with some complaints about stereotypical characters, But I’m a Cheerleader has become a beloved and important film within the LGBTQ+ community over time.

2026-01-30 18:04