The 5 Highest-Grossing Films That Received a Zero on Rotten Tomatoes
Here are the five highest-grossing movies that hold a zero rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
There are films that critics and audiences both reject, but these aren’t among them. Viewers chose to ignore the critics’ negative feedback and made their preferences known through box office success.
Let’s dive in.
First, some context:
To achieve a zero rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a film must receive entirely negative critiques.
The 1983 sequel to Saturday Night Fever, Staying Alive, was once the top-grossing film with this rating. However, after one critic gave it a positive review, the John Travolta film lost that distinction.
Thus, we're left with the following five films representing the highest-grossing movies with a zero on Rotten Tomatoes.
5 — The Queen’s Corgi (2019)
This Belgian animated movie follows the escapades of Rex, Queen Elizabeth II’s pet corgi.
It grossed $31 million against a $20 million budget and features a scene where the corgi bites President Trump. The film includes stylized animated portrayals of both Donald and Melania Trump as well.
Though we haven’t seen it, the movie appears to be entertaining.
4 — Pinocchio (2002)
After winning two Oscars for Life is Beautiful, Italian actor Roberto Benigni had the luxury to pick his roles. He chose to portray Pinocchio as an adult.
This adaptation earned $41 million, which was about equal to its production budget.
It's important to distinguish this film from the original Disney animated Pinocchio from 1940, which holds a 100% rating, and Guillermo del Toro’s 2022 Pinocchio, which boasts a 96% rating.
The contrast in ratings between these adaptations and Benigni’s version highlights the significance of execution.
3 — One Missed Call (2008)
This American remake of the acclaimed Japanese film by Takashi Miike from 2003 did not resonate with critics.
Despite this, it found moderate success with audiences, bringing in $46 million on a $20 million budget. It stands as the highest-ranking horror film on this list and features an impressive cast, including Shannyn Sossamon, Ed Burns, and Ana Claudia Talancón.
The next two films on our list are undeniable successes.
2 — Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987)
The fourth installment of the Police Academy series earned $77 million on a $17 million budget.
It’s also significant for being one of Sharon Stone’s early films and marks David Spade’s film debut.
In addition to these facts, Citizens on Patrol brings back beloved characters like Tackleberry, Hightower, Mahoney, and Sweetchuck.
We enjoy this movie.
1 — Problem Child
This film achieved an impressive $72 million gross on an $11 million budget and features the late John Ritter among its stars. Its success led to two sequels and an animated series.
Furthermore, its writers, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who were roommates at USC, later penned great films like Ed Wood, The People Vs. Larry Flynt, and Dolemite Is My Name, along with the acclaimed Ryan Murphy series The People vs. O.J. Simpson.
Main image: Sharon Stone and Steve Guttenberg in Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol. Paramount.
Other articles
Comic Book Sneak Peek – Altered States: Warlords #1
Dynamite Entertainment launches its Elseworlds-inspired series, Altered States, this week with the debut of Altered States: Warlords #1, which includes characters like Red Sonja, Vampirella, Dejah Thoris, and Joh…
The 12 Most Transformative Films of 1976, a Year of Uprising
Here are the 12 most groundbreaking films of 1976, a year when outcasts and nonconformists dominated the box office.
“The Effort Lies in Screenwriting”: John Sayles Discusses Resourceful Filmmaking, James Cameron, and His TIFF Retrospective
The remarkable aspect of filmmaker John Sayles is that he has explored every facet of the industry. Are you a fan of Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or Tobe Hooper's Poltergeist? Sayles’ unused screenplay Night Skies served as a foundation for both iconic films. And what about The Big Chill? Sayles’ delightful Return of the Secaucus 7, which he both wrote and directed, is worth mentioning.
"‘The Effort Lies in Screenwriting’: John Sayles Discusses Inventive Filmmaking, James Cameron, and His TIFF Retrospective"
The interesting aspect of filmmaker John Sayles is that he has accomplished a wide range of work. Are you a fan of Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or Tobe Hooper's Poltergeist? Sayles' unproduced screenplay Night Skies serves as a foundational element for both of those iconic films. And what about The Big Chill? Sayles' charming Return of the Secaucus 7, which he wrote and
Tribeca Review: Ponderosa Delivers a Cryptic, Humorous Perspective on America’s National Legends
Family and the sense of belonging shape society on a mythical level, and their symbolic significance is easily integrated into ideologies that divide the world into binaries—“us” and “them,” “familiar” and “foreign,” “left” and “right.” Although these echoes of a bygone purity are deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, they emerge in new forms through the creations of filmmaker Rob Rice. Originally from Massachusetts,
Tribeca Review: Ponderosa Offers a Mysterious and Humorous Perspective on America’s National Myths
Family and belonging organize society on a mythical level, with their symbolic significance easily integrated into ideologies that dichotomize the world into pairs— "us" and "them," "familiar" and "foreign," "left" and "right." While these echoes of past purity remain prevalent in our shared consciousness, they manifest in different ways in the creations of filmmaker Rob Rice. Originating from Massachusetts,
The 5 Highest-Grossing Films That Received a Zero on Rotten Tomatoes
Here are the five highest-grossing films that have received a score of zero on Rotten Tomatoes.