10 Comedy Movies Critics Hated But Audiences Loved

There are far too many situations where the views of the critics don't match up with how the audience feels and it often happens with the comedy genre. A film might come out that people consider to be among the funniest they can recall, only to read reviews that blast it as something lackluster.

Even in cases where the film's disappointing reviews are accurate, there can still be plenty of reasons for people to love them. Sometimes, the movie might be bad as a whole but is hilarious enough for people to hold them near and dear, which is the case for these memorable releases.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

It's actually kind of surprising to learn that Wet Hot American Summer wasn't well received when it came out. The film is a cult classic and is so beloved that it has spawned several sequel and prequel shows more than a decade after the original movie was released.

Wet Hot American Summer is set at a camp and follows the misadventures of the counselors there. It's over the top, completely absurd, and that's why it holds up well enough over the years. However, reviews were poor and it's the kind of thing that became more popular as time went on.

Part of the reason for Wet Hot American Summer's success over the years is the incredible cast. Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Ken Marino, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon, and more make up one of the most impressive comedy casts ever assembled.

Tommy Boy (1995)

The comedic duo of Chris Farley and David Spade always made audiences laugh whenever they were together. The two had people splitting their sides in memorable Saturday Night Live sketches before appearing together in a couple of movies.

Black Sheep is relatively solid but if we're going for pure laughs, you can't really top Tommy Boy. The film follows Farley's Tommy Callahan, an immature man who loses his father and learns lessons on life and friendship while traveling with Spade's Richard Hayden.

Farley and Spade worked so well as a duo because Farley was as over the top as it got, while Spade made for a tremendous straight man. Unfortunately, Tommy Boy was poorly received by critics, though people still watch it over and over consistently to this day.

Hot Rod (2007)

Everyone knows that The Lonely Island are among the funniest people in all of Hollywood. Their music videos are classic, their lyrics are incredibly clever, and whenever they get together, it's guaranteed to be funny. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is all the proof anyone needs of that.

Before that hilarious movie, the group came together to release Hot Rod. The movie follows the titular Rod Kimble (Andy Samberg), an amateur stuntman who is always getting hurt, as he tries to raise money for his mean stepfather's heart surgery by attempting his biggest stunt ever.

Hot Rod was not well received, as critics pointed out that they found the screenplay and humor to be juvenile. However, that's fine because it has since become a cult classic. Samberg is joined by Isla Fisher, Bill Hader, and more to make up a surprisingly strong cast.

Just Friends (2005)

These days, movies featuring Ryan Reynolds are typically liked by critics and are big hits commercially because he's become such a star. That wasn't case around 20 years ago, when Reynolds was still carving out his niche in solid comedy movies.

One of those films is Just Friends, which is sneakily good and, for those who like it, has become a staple every holiday season. The story follows Reynolds' Chris Brander, a formerly obese teen who returns to his hometown and reconnects with his former best friend, who he was in love with.

Nearly every scene in Just Friends is hilarious and every actor delivers. Anna Faris as a dim-witted pop star is great, while Julie Hagerty steals the show as Chris' mother. Critics don't hold Just Friends in high esteem, but if you're looking to laugh, it's a stellar option.

The House Bunny (2008)

Speaking of Anna Faris, she has led some really funny movies that critics didn't appreciate. Following her stint in the Scary Movie franchise, Faris was put in the lead role of The House Bunny and once again knocked it out of the park.

The House Bunny centers on Shelley Darlington (Faris), a Playboy bunny who gets kicked out of Hugh Hefner's mansion and becomes the sorority mother to a band of misfit girls. Along the way, Shelley learns more about herself and helps the ladies get out of their shells.

Reviews for The House Bunny were mixed at best, with it sitting at 44% on Rotten Tomatoes. That said, it's clearly a funny movie that boasts a strong cast, as Faris is joined by Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, and more. Add in memorable bits like the deep voice Shelley uses to remember people's names and you've got a comedy classic.

Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

Around the same time that Scary Movie found success in parodying the horror genre, Not Another Teen Movie did the same thing with teen films. The project held nothing back, parodying She's All That, Pretty in Pink, 10 Things I Hate About You, Can't Hardly Wait, Varsity Blues, and more.

Unlike some of the later attempts at the parody genre, Not Another Teen Movie worked because it was genuinely funny and properly poked fun at the tropes we all know from teen movies. It helped that it was led by a pre-Captain America Chris Evans, while also featuring Jaime Pressly, Lacey Chabert, and more.

When it came to reviews though, Not Another Teen Movie wasn't a hit. Critics said that it had some funny moments but you needed a tolerance for toilet and sexual humor. Regardless, people have looked back fondly on the film, especially when compared to later parody films.

Major League II (1994)

Most people agree that 1989's Major League is one of the greatest baseball movies ever made. Almost nobody would say that about the 1994 sequel. Indeed, Major League sits at 83% on Rotten Tomatoes while Major League II has a paltry 5% rating.

Honestly, even the biggest fans of Major League II can admit that it's not a very good movie. That said, it has a lot of laughs and is even funnier than the original for a lot of reasons. For starters, Bob Uecker is even better this time around as commentator Harry Doyle.

Then, there's the absurdity of it all. Willie Mays Hayes ruins his game by trying to become a movie star, Rick Vaughn messes his play up by trying to become too professional, and Randy Quaid is outstanding as an angry fan.

Kung Pow! Enter The Fist (2002)

Steve Oedekerk is most known for his work as a writer, having helped penned films like Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Bruce Almighty, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and more. In a rare move, he stepped in front of the screen to play one of the weirdest protagonists of its era.

Kung Pow! Enter the Fist, which Oedekerk also directed and wrote, uses footage from the 1976 Hong Kong martial arts film Tiger & Crane Fists combined with new footage to create an original plot. That original story is as absurd as it gets, following Oedekerk's Chosen One as he looks for the man who murdered his family.

The voice dubs are hilarious, the villain is downright ridiculous, and there are so many quotable moments. Critics were pretty ruthless with Kung Pow! Enter the Fist, yet it's such a funny project that it has become a cult classic.

Scary Movie 2 (2001)

The Scary Movie franchise has never been a major hit with critics. The original has a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is easily the highest of the series. The third, fourth, and fifth entries sit at 35%, 34%, and 4%. Scary Movie 2 is the second lowest, at just 13%.

However, most fans agree that Scary Movie 2 is the best entry in the franchise, or at least the second best. The film parodies The Exorcist, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Poltergeist, The Amityville Horror, and more.

While aspects of it certainly don't make for a great film, the comedic stylings of the Wayans Brothers are evident. Anna Faris and Regina Hall are, as always, great together, and cast members like Tim Curry and David Cross added so much to it.

But I'm A Cheerleader (1999)

You'd be hard-pressed to find a more beloved cult classic from the late '90s than But I'm a Cheerleader. The premise is fun, centering on a cheerleader who is sent to a conversion camp to cure her "lesbianism" when her parents believe she's gay.

While at the camp, the gay guys and girls there bond through the ridiculous tasks they are given. Natasha Lyonne, Melanie Lynskey, Clea DuVall, and more make up a stellar cast, with the highlight being RuPaul as a newly "straight" camp counselor.

Critics only gave the movie mixed reviews at best, with some criticisms going towards several characters being stereotypical. However, But I'm a Cheerleader has aged remarkably well and is an iconic LGBTQ+ project.