This Is the Worst Movie of the Year According to Rotten Tomatoes

by

2025 is just getting started in terms of movie premieres. There are still many films yet to hit theaters this year, including some highly anticipated ones such as Jurassic World Rebirth, How to Train Your Dragon, and 28 Years Later.

As for what’s been keeping me on the edge of my seat lately, there have been quite a few chilling horror films that graced the screens this year. Among them are the suspenseful sci-fi thriller “Companion” and the captivating creature feature, titled “Wolfman”.

Regrettably, a horror film that had sparked great anticipation failed to frighten viewers; instead, it seems to have driven them away.

As a movie enthusiast penning my thoughts, let me share my perspective on Jaume Collet-Serra’s recent release, “The Woman in the Yard,” which hit theaters on March 28. Starring Danielle Deadwyler, Russell Hornsby, and Okwui Okpokwasili, this film has stirred quite a buzz, but not necessarily for positive reasons. Intriguingly, it currently holds the record for the lowest Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes in 2025.

As a dedicated cinephile, I must admit that I found myself rather underwhelmed by this film. Its Popcornmeter score of 47% indicates a lack of engagement from the general audience, and personally, I couldn’t help but notice that it wasn’t particularly gripping or even frightening enough to keep me hooked. To make matters worse, it also garnered an abysmal 44% on the Tomatometer, based on over 60 professional reviews.

The response from both viewers and reviewers has been rather indifferent, and it doesn’t seem to improve matters that the movie’s title appears quite unoriginal within the current horror/thriller genre, given previous films like “The Woman in Black” and “The Woman in the Window” have already been released.

So, what’s The Woman in the Yard about?

The film centers around a household residing in a countryside farmhouse surrounded by a vast, verdant lawn. Each day, an enigmatic woman cloaked in secrecy takes up position before their dwelling, gradually advancing. As the eerie figure persists in terrorizing them, the family’s mother, still mourning her spouse’s demise and wounded herself, gathers strength to protect her offspring.

Based on viewer feedback, numerous people felt that the movie’s gradual unfolding storyline was “dull” and were annoyed by its “unresolved” ending as well as its absence of “explanatory details.

Watch the trailer for the Blumhouse-produced film, below.

Collet-Serra previously directed 2024’s airport thriller Carry-On, which critics loved.

The Taron Egerton-starring flick currently has an 88 percent Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Regardless, the film didn’t seem to captivate viewers much more than before, as it garnered a mere 51% rating on the Popcornmeter.

Movies With Surprising Rotten Tomatoes Scores

Batman (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 76
A 76 isn’t exactly a poor score, but it seems rather modest for a movie that has left such a lasting impact and redefined its genre in the cinematic world. It’s hard to believe that even Batman Returns, with an RT rating of 81, outshines this film. And yet, The Batman, with an impressive score of 85, surpasses both! This is quite unexpected.

Empire Records (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: A dismal 31
Empire Records, a movie that defined the ’90s for many, continues to resonate with my wife. She still quotes lines from it and even marks Rex Manning Day on her calendar annually. Unfortunately, this beloved film has received a rather disappointing rating of 31 on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

From my perspective, even though many rankings of the Fast & Furious movies would likely place Tokyo Drift close to the top, you’ll find it languishing towards the bottom in Rotten Tomatoes scores for these films. This movie is significant because it introduced Han and served as a breakthrough for director Justin Lin in Hollywood. However, it appears that critics were less enthused about this particular film compared to others in the series.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating for Halloween III: 50
Back in the day, Halloween III‘s Rotten Tomatoes rating seemed to mirror people’s initial feelings towards this film: They found it peculiar and out of place within the franchise because it didn’t star Michael Myers. Conversations about it often went along the lines of, “Can you believe this movie exists?” However, nowadays, that sentiment has shifted into a positive one, as Season of the Witch is seen as a remarkable oddity among slasher sequels. This has given it cult status within the horror genre. But alas, this change in perception isn’t fully reflected on Rotten Tomatoes… yet.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 40
Although now widely regarded as a nostalgic ’90s horror comedy for kids, “Hocus Pocus” initially flopped both critically and commercially when it was first released in theaters. It wasn’t until continuous airings on the Disney Channel and home video releases that the film gained popularity and became a beloved title of its time. So if you recall seeing this movie in theaters, a 40 rating might not be too shocking. On the other hand, if you’re discovering it as a newer fan, then yes, it may come as a surprise to learn that “Hocus Pocus” wasn’t initially well-received by critics.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 60
Today, “The Hudsucker Proxy” is often hailed as one of the Coen Brothers’ masterpieces, a delightful homage to vintage screwball comedies. However, much like other films on this list, its acclaim didn’t materialize immediately; it developed gradually over time. When it was initially released in the mid-1990s, it was met with some skepticism; even renowned critics Siskel and Ebert, who were avid supporters of other Coen Brothers’ films, gave it a negative review. Consequently, it’s not particularly shocking that this rating is relatively low, or that, given its initial reception, it has managed to attain this level.

Hulk (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 63%
These days, the film The Incredible Hulk is often seen as a somewhat noble failure or an unusual success in the superhero genre, with a small but dedicated fan base. Despite this, it managed to earn a decent amount of money and received relatively positive reviews. In fact, it’s considered “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes! It’s only four points below another popular superhero movie on the same platform…

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

In a different turn of phrase:

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 67
…the other Hulk film, which turned out to be a boisterous and less engaging spectacle as a reaction to criticisms towards Ang Lee’s movie. Today, this film, titled The Incredible Hulk, is often seen as one of the poorest productions within the Marvel Cinematic Universe; some even label it as the worst. However, surprisingly, it still maintains a Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 77

Puzzling, isn’t it? Finding someone who adores Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull seems like a challenge. Even as an advocate for this movie, I’d rate it at best a 4 or 5 out of 10, which on Rotten Tomatoes’ scale would be considered poor. However, astonishingly, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is not just Fresh; it’s “Certified Fresh,” indicating exceptional approval from Rotten Tomatoes critics! How did they arrive at this unusual conclusion?

Jurassic Park III (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 49
Interestingly, despite its renowned status, Jurassic Park is often associated with scores that don’t fully reflect its standing. For instance, The Lost World, a movie not particularly well-liked by many, boasts a higher score (54) than the critically acclaimed sequel, Jurassic Park III (49). It’s worth noting that even among these films, Jurassic World Dominion holds the lowest score in the franchise (29), a rating that may not come as a surprise to some.

The Mummy (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 60
The Mummy, starring Brendan Fraser, has become one of the beloved nostalgic favorites from the late 90s. It’s not uncommon to see car bumper stickers dedicated to this blockbuster hit. However, its moderate Rotten Tomatoes rating may not reflect the level of affection it inspires among viewers. Critics, on the other hand, seemed to be in agreement about the 2017 reboot of The Mummy starring Tom Cruise (with a dismal 15% rating).

National Treasure (2004)

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself utterly baffled by the critical reception of the classic swashbuckler film, “National Treasure.” This flick harks back to the golden era of adventure movies, much like its contemporary, “The Mummy,” and it’s every bit as thrilling and engaging.

It’s puzzling that despite this, “National Treasure” has a lower score on Rotten Tomatoes than “The Mummy.” The sequel, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” even took a bigger hit (a paltry 36), which leaves me scratching my head. I mean, come on! Nicolas Cage managed to pull off the daring heist of the Declaration of Independence! If that doesn’t keep you entertained, then perhaps you critics need a refresher course on what constitutes a good time at the movies!

Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959)

According to Rotten Tomatoes, “Plan 9 From Outer Space” isn’t considered a terrible film. In fact, it has a positive rating on this platform, which is quite surprising given its reputation. The movie directed by Ed Wood, often perceived as one of the worst ever made, has surprisingly received a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a reversal in its critical standing.

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: Slightly Fresh (63%)
Contrary to popular belief, Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig’s Bond film, doesn’t sit at the bottom of his tenure or even all 007 movies on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite going into production with an incomplete script due to a writers’ strike, it managed to garner a positive response from critics, earning a rating of 63% on this platform.

The Sandlot (1993)

In a nod to the passionate fanbase of ’90s films, it’s hard to find one more fervent than “The Sandlot”. I have a relative who even adorned each bridal party member with a “Sandlot”-themed t-shirt. The film evokes such deep affection in its viewers. However, it seems that critics might not share the same sentiment, as “The Sandlot” only just manages to earn a ‘fresh’ rating with a score of 65 from Rotten Tomatoes.

Sharknado (2013)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 75
This is quite puzzling. The film Sharknado, a spoof about tornados carrying sharks and produced by Syfy, has … a 75 on Rotten Tomatoes? Is it possible that Sharknado, which has spawned numerous worse sequels, received a higher rating than the critically acclaimed film The Hudsucker Proxy? Could there have been an error in the system or perhaps a twist in the Matrix? I’m left wondering how this could have occurred…

Silent Hill (2006)

Regarding the Rotten Tomatoes Score: 33

It’s true that many video game adaptations are not well-received, so perhaps the negative reviews for the 2006 film “Silent Hill” were simply a knee-jerk reaction from critics. However, it seems that quite a few critics overlooked what “Silent Hill” had to offer – a genuinely eerie haunted house setting, and some genuinely terrifying visuals. In fact, on our own list of video game movies ranked, it’s placed at #2!

(This paragraph rephrases the given text to make it more conversational and easier to read, while maintaining the original meaning.)

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

Personally speaking, I’d say that “Attack of the Clones” is the most disappointing film in the Star Wars saga for me. Contrary to my opinion, Rotten Tomatoes seems to have a different take, as they’ve given it a 65 score, which is significantly higher than the 52 rating they gave to “The Phantom Menace”.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 51
The movie Attack of the Clones scored higher than The Rise of Skywalker, a fact that surprised me. I thought that one would rank lower considering its place in the trilogy. The Last Jedi was met with mixed reactions, but it seemed like everyone disliked The Rise of Skywalker. In fact, many people consider it one of the worst final installments in cinematic history.

Step Brothers

In my opinion, Step Brothers, a movie that’s often hailed as a surrealist comic masterpiece and possibly the pinnacle of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s collaborative efforts, doesn’t seem to get the recognition it deserves on Rotten Tomatoes. At the moment, it carries a disappointing score of 55, which leaves me feeling a tad melancholic – so much so that I could use a pick-me-up, something strong and refreshing like a drink straight from the Catalina Wine Mixer.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 70
Popular opinion online suggests that no Terminator sequel has been good since Terminator 2, which was over 3 decades ago. However, critics have a different viewpoint; they awarded Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines a 70 on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally positive reviews. I concur with their assessment and am pleasantly surprised that so many critics share my opinion. I thought I was alone in this!
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 70
The general sentiment online is that no Terminator sequel has been any good since Terminator 2, which was over three decades ago. But critics have a contrasting perspective; they gave Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines a 70 on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting mostly positive reviews. I agree with their assessment and am surprised that so many other critics feel the same way as me. I thought I was the only one who appreciated it!

Both versions aim to convey the same idea while using slightly different wordings for variety and interest.

Thor: The Dark World

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 67
Many people I’ve spoken to consider Thor: The Dark World as the poorest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film and even the worst Thor movie. However, this view doesn’t align with the general critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes. On this platform, the movie receives a respectable 67 rating. I would have expected it to score at least 15 points lower.

Tommy Boy

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that Chris Farley’s films during his prime didn’t quite resonate with critics as much as they did with audiences. Most of his leading roles, along with many of his supporting performances, have been less than favorably reviewed on Rotten Tomatoes. Even the most well-known and beloved of his ’90s hits, such as “Tommy Boy,” only managed a 39 on the site.

Top Gun

In recent years, Top Gun: Maverick has been highly praised by critics on Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive score of 96. However, the original Top Gun didn’t receive such high acclaim; it was only given a 57 score on the same platform. It appears that we could have used more forward-thinking film critics in the ’80s to appreciate this iconic blockbuster better.

Wet Hot American Summer

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 38
It seems that not everyone appreciated the humor in the film Wet Hot American Summer initially, as evidenced by its 38 rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the Netflix sequel series has a fresh score of 85. It’s hard to imagine that the TV show surpasses the original movie. I suspect that two distinct groups of critics were surveyed, and it appears that the second group had superior taste.

Read More

2025-04-25 20:27