Just as not every film hits theaters to critical or commercial success, not every film that plays on the big screen gets positive marks fromallwho paid to see it. Film lovers, or even just general audience members, can be hard to please, but some big-budget or small-scale studio projects divide audiences right down the middle. From early, experimental superhero films to controversial Best Picture winners, these are the movies that have been considered a success to at least some degree, yet have had a divisive effect. Whether they’re strong or weak depends on the viewer, of course, but with these movies there a greater chance of them loving it or hating it than falling in the middle.
20Hulk (2003)
Ang Lee made a lot of odd choices bringing his vision forHulkto life, with a surplus of stylization and oddly robotic characters. Yet there’s an argument to be made thatthe film was ahead of its time, diversifying what would become an increasingly repetitive subgenre.
It’s hard to callHulkan entertaining film, but it is an interesting one. The tumultuous relationship between father(s) and son that drives the narrative certainly builds up the audience’s empathy for Bruce Banner, but it wasn’t what people were looking for from the Hulk.
19Crash (2004)
Paul Haggis has gained a lot of clout in the industry, and hisCrasheven managed to score the Academy Award for Best Picture. But even at the time many werescratching their heads at the win, and that surprise has only grown with time.
The biggest complaints detractors have leveled against the film is that it’s vapid. On the surface it looks to be an in-depth analysis of racism, but unconvincing characters and a glaring lack of insight behind the scenes leads to a film that feels like it would end up on basic cable were it not for a few A-listers.
18Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Jared Hess has such a unique ultra-indie style that it’s not but so surprising his debut,Napoleon Dynamite, ended up doing so well at the box office. It’san innocent feel-good moviethat features a star-making performance from Jon Heder (well, a temporary star).
But Napoleon Dynamite’s wavelength isn’t one everyone will be able to get on. It’s both a new take on the coming-of-age story as well as a play on it, with Dynamite fully embracing his awkwardness in a way that makes him not only endearing to his peers, but much of the audience as well.
17The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Any religious film is going to generate a certain amount of controversy. But Mel Gibson’sThe Passion of the Christtook things to another level (even if it was a gargantuan box office success).
Specifically, some found the violence, while realistic, excessive. Others saw several scenes where it seemed as if Gibson was pointing a nasty finger at Jewish people which, given what would go on to happen after the film, isn’t remotely surprising.
16Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Reviled by fans of the IP and general audiences, it’s almost hard to even callIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulldivisive. But, as time has progressed, some of that hatred audiences felt has been softened.
People still hate the CGI groundhog, they still hate the aliens, and they still hate Shia LaBeouf swinging on vines alongside some monkeys, but they’ve grown fonder of other elements, e.g. Cate Blanchett’s performance. Not to mention, everyone loved Karen Allen’s inclusion from the jump, which was arguably the one thing that bound audiences positively back in 2008. Furthermore, whileIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyhad some problems and mixed reactions of its own, it feels back in thatRaiders of the Lost Arkspirit, and as far as those who saw it were concerned it was amore fitting finale for Ford’s characterthanKingdom of the Crystal Skull.
15Avatar (2009)
One of the biggest films of all time, James Cameron’sAvatarmade a ton of money at the worldwide box office. It also scored solid critical reviews, was liked by many audience members, and even did well at the Academy Awards.
The same could be said of its delayed sequelAvatar: The Way of Water. Yet, there are plenty of viewers (even fans of the IP) who level rational complaints against it. Is it close to the plot ofPocahontas(not to mention her true story)? Sure. And it’s covered in hundreds of millions of dollars of gloss. Thusly, audiences fell into two categories: Those who were aware of that and didn’t care, just enjoyed the ride, and those who saw it as utterly hollow.
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14Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
An intense thriller, F. Gary Gray’sLaw Abiding Citizencertainly has scenes that work for it. But, as a whole, it’s a fairly forgettable experience.
The biggest reason for this (and some audience members' outright dislike of it) is that neither Gerard Butler’s supposedly villainous Clyde Shelton nor Jamie Foxx’s lawyer Nick Rice is really any more likable than the other. The viewer needs someone to root for, and neither one of them earn it.
13Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
With a wonderful cast and breezy pacing,Scott Pilgrim vs. the Worldis a lot of stylistic fun. The film didn’t do well at the box office at the time of release, but time has been very kind to it, allowing it to build a large enough cult following to warrantan animated series with the same castway down the line.
Time has been very kind to Edgar Wright’s film. It’s entertaining from front to back, the cast is clearly having a ball. Chemistry meant a lot toScott Pilgrimsuccess as a film, and Wright assembled the perfect group of people to get on the material’s wavelength.
12Drive (2011)
Nicolas Winding Refn’s best movie,Drive, is a masterpiece, flat-out. But, the film arguably has as many detractors as it does fans, even to this day.
It’s hard to understand why, at least until someone looks back on how the film was marketed. IsDriveaFast & Furious-type movie? Not in the slightest. Was it sold to audiences as such? Yep. In all fairness, if someone goes to a deli and orders turkey only to get ham, it can be the best ham in the known universe and there’s still a justifiable complaint that it’s not what was requested.
11Sucker Punch (2011)
The films of Zack Snyder are nothing if not divisive. And, were there to be an official fan ranking of his filmography’s controversies,Sucker Punchwould be top of the heap.
But there are die-hard Snyder fans who see what he was going for. And, even if the theatrical cut is pretty much broken in a narrative sense, it has a few standout battle scenes. One just wishes the director would release his extended cut, which he’s certainly been known to do before (Justice League,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, andWatchmen).
