There comes a time in every adult’s life that one has to accept the fact that not all classic movies are good movies. In fact, some are very, very bad. On the other hand, there are many movies which were poorly received upon release, only to become huge classics later on. These 23 classic movies that have terrible ratings on Rotten Tomatoes include a mix of both. Some, unfortunately, are just bad. Others, just hated by critics. But all have one thing in common: they are classics with a rotten rating — meaning they have a 50 percent or less on Rotten Tomatoes.
At the risk of stating the obvious, Rotten Tomatoes is a fairly new invention, meaning it wasn’t around when classic old Hollywood movies were released. Moreover, without the invention of the Internet, there were much fewer critics roaming around, willing to give their opinions to the world. Consequently, a lot of classic movies do not have official ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, but those that do aren’t all so great. It turns out, critics were just as fierce and unforgiving then as they are now. Hollywood classics both old and new are subject to some pretty harsh reviews. It turns out a movie needs more than big names and huge cultural impact to be well received by critics, as these 23 classic movies with terrible ratings on Rotten Tomatoes proves.
‘The Long, Long Trailer’ (1953)
Critics were not kind to the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz-starring comedy The Long, Long Trailer, resulting in a sad 38 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘The Wiz’ (1978)
The Wiz has a shockingly low rating of 36 percent. Yes, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross are rotten according to Rotten Tomatoes, which is a tragedy.
‘Hook’ (1991)
Hook is a delightful classic, at least according to audiences. Critics, however, somehow gave the movie only a 30 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Rufio deserves better.
‘How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days’ (2003)
How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days has a 42 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so apparently I have to question everything I’ve ever known about love.
‘Cleopatra’ (1963)
Arguably Elizabeth Taylor’s best-known film, Cleopatra only has a 55 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Granted, this might sound pretty good, but it’s still certified rotten.
‘Gidget’ (1959)
Gidget may have helped establish Sandra Dee as a standard of young beauty and purity, but critics weren’t thrilled, and the movie only has a 44 percent rating.
‘Space Jam’ (1996)
Part of the reason Space Jam is such a classic is because it is considered so very bad, so it makes sense that the movie would have a 37 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Yours, Mine And Ours’ (1968)
Two big families come together in Yours, Mine and Ours, a movie that inspired an early 2000s remake despite its 50 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes
