Comedies Audiences Love But Critics Hate

A teen comedy set in the late ’70s, “Detroit Rock City” follows four high school students who embark on an epic quest, full of setbacks at every turn, as they try to find their way into a Kiss concert after one of their mothers burns their tickets.

“Beerfest” is a comedy directed by Jay Chandrasekhar and featuring the comedy troupe of which he is a founding member, Broken Lizard. The film humorously revolves around a German drinking game and an American team’s quest for revenge and honor at the underground Beerfest tournament.

“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” is a rom-com about a magazine writer (Hudson) and an advertising executive (McConaughey), both with hidden agendas, entering into a romantic relationship to achieve their professional goals – which leads to humorous and unpredictable results.

In this rom-com – a modern take on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” teenager Viola Hastings, inspired by her love of soccer, impersonates her twin brother at his new boarding school, Illyria Prep, and finds a place on the boy’s soccer team. Matters complicate as she develops new friendships, rivalries, and potential romances.

“Bad Boys” is a popular action-comedy buddy film starring Smith and Lawrence as Miami narcotics detectives. It was followed by two sequels, and between them the three films grossed over $840 million globally. The series also inspired a spin-off TV show, “L.A.’s Finest”.

In this poignant comedy-drama directed by Rob Reiner, Nicholson and Freeman play terminally ill men fulfilling a wish list of experiences before they die – along the way creating an unexpected bond and sparking personal revelations. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box office hit.

“Wet Hot American Summer” is a satirical comedy spoofing teen sex comedies of the 1980s. Despite initially flopping, the film, set in a fictional summer camp on its last day, has endured as a fan favorite. Netflix boosted its popularity further by producing two series based on the film, a prequel and a sequel.

In “Billy Madison,” Sandler is showcased as a spoiled heir who must prove his competence by completing all 12 grades of school in a short time span to inherit his father’s hotel empire. Despite initial mixed reviews, the film developed a loyal following.

This dark comedy crime drama delves into the methamphetamine subculture in Eugene, Oregon. The film, the feature directorial debut of noted music-video director Jonas Åkerlund, showcases the chaotic lives of several addicts and dealers over a three-day period.

“The Chumscrubber,” an American-German co-production, is a comedy-drama about a teenager dealing with the aftermath of his drug-dealing friend’s suicide in a town full of shallow people. The film explores themes of failed parent-teen communication and suburban inauthenticity. Its ensemble cast didn’t save it from becoming a commercial and critical flop.

In this comedic dance film, a pre-“Sex and the City” Sarah Jessica Parker plays Janey, a dance enthusiast who defies her strict father to compete on her favorite TV show, “Dance TV.” Despite mixed reviews and low ratings, it screened on cable TV for some years and developed a cult following.

“Robin Hood: Men in Tights” is a parody of the classic Robin Hood story. Directed by Mel Brooks, it features comedic references to earlier Robin Hood films. Elwes stars as Robin Hood, with Rees playing his foil, the Sheriff of Rottingham and Dave Chappelle making his film debut as the man who succeeds the sheriff.

The first cinematic adaptation of the popular comic books and animated series, and the start of a multi-part franchise recently rebooted, this adventure comedy follows the Turtles as they try to save their mentor, Splinter the rat, from their evil archenemy, Shredder, with the help of TV reporter April O’Neill and a mysterious vigilante named Casey Jones.

In this romantic comedy, relationship expert Shante Smith (Fox), embarks on a “Ten Day Plan” to keep her straying boyfriend, Keith (Chestnut), in check. The film explores the battle of the sexes with humor and wit.

“Waiting…” is a black comedy, directed by Rob McKittrick, that unfolds over the course of a day at a restaurant, throwing light on the antics of the staff and the dilemmas they face. Despite negative reviews, the film grossed over $18 million.

“All About the Benjamins” is a 2002 buddy action comedy featuring Ice Cube and Epps as a bounty hunter and con artist teaming up to catch diamond thieves, while also retrieving a lost lottery ticket. Despite poor reviews, the film was a moderate box office success.

In Steven Spielberg’s take on the Peter Pan story, Williams stars as a now-grown-up Peter Pan turned lawyer, who must return to Neverland to save his children from Captain Hook (Hoffman). Along the way, he reclaims his past and becomes a better person.

“Beaches” navigates the complex lifelong friendship of Cecilia “C.C.” Bloom (Midler), a New York actress and singer, and Hillary Whitney (Hershey), a San Francisco lawyer. Despite critical disapproval, the film was a commercial hit, grossing $59 million.

The third installment in the Friday trilogy, “Friday After Next,” is a 2002 stoner comedy about two men who take last-minute jobs as mall security guards on Christmas Eve after a Santa-clad robber steals their rent money.

With its mile-long title, “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood,” directed by Paris Barclay, is a satirical exploration of South Central Los Angeles, parodying prominent 1990s “hood” films.

“Half Baked” is a stoner comedy in which four friends, including Chappelle, need to raise $1 million to bail their friend out of jail. Despite negative reviews, the film has earned a cult following.

This coming-of-age comedy-drama revolves around four women reminiscing about their transformative adolescent experiences in 1970. Despite initial negative reviews, the film grossed $37.5 million against a $12 million budget, becoming a cult classic praised for celebrating girlhood and female friendships.

“Empire Records” is a coming-of-age comedy-drama set in a record shop. The film’s core narrative follows a group of employees trying to prevent the store’s sale to a major chain. Despite initial negative reviews and box office failure, it gained cult status and launched the careers of some of its actors, including La Paglia and Renée Zellweger.

“How High” is a 2001 stoner comedy featuring Method Man and Redman as two cannabis users who ace their exams and land scholarships to Harvard – aided by the ghost of a deceased friend. Despite the unique plot, the film largely received negative reviews.

This dark comedy-drama marks Ice Cube’s directorial debut. The film focuses on the tumultuous life of a young woman who starts working in a strip club, encountering a variety of characters and challenging situations along the way.

“Poolhall Junkies” is a comedy thriller about a pool hustler, Johnny, who goes against his former mentor in a high-stakes nine-ball match. Despite negative reviews, the film is distinguished by performances from Callahan, Palminteri, and Christopher Walken.

“Next Friday” is a stoner comedy, the sequel to the 1995 film “Friday”. This second installment in the series, produced by Ice Cube’s Cubevision, follows Craig Jones who moves to live with his lottery-winning relatives in Rancho Cucamonga to avoid a vengeful neighborhood bully, leading to run-ins with the criminal Joker Brothers.

The first of Tyler Perry’s films not to be based on one of his plays and also the first of his directorial efforts in which he does not appear, “Daddy’s Little Girls” stars Elba and Union in a story about a mechanic fighting a custody battle with his cruel ex-wife.

“Bad Boys II,” a sequel to the original, again features Lawrence and Smith as detectives investigating drug trafficking in Miami. Despite negative reviews, the movie grossed $273 million worldwide. Notable scenes include extensive gun battles, high-stake car chases, and comedic undercover operations.

A film by the Broken Lizard comedy group, “Super Troopers” concerns four Vermont state troopers who, on the brink of their station closure, display their preference for pranks over law enforcement. Amidst their antics, they stumble upon a murder and a drug bust, leading to hilarious results.

“Meet the Browns,” a romantic comedy-drama directed by Tyler Perry, is based on his play of the same name and was the third installment in his popular Madea series. It’s about a struggling single mother from Chicago who attends her estranged father’s funeral in Georgia, meeting unknown relatives.

“Harlem Nights” is a 1989 crime comedy-drama directed by as well as co-starring Murphy. The film follows “Sugar” Ray and Vernest “Quick” Brown running a nightclub in 1930s Harlem, battling gangsters and corrupt cops. Despite strong initial ticket sales, it was a box office disappointment.

The seventh film in the Dr. Dolittle franchise, based on Hugh Lofting’s children’s books, stars Downey as the eccentric eponymous veterinarian, here on a quest to find a cure for the poisoned Queen Victoria – aided by his unique ability to talk to animals.

In this black comedy fantasy, Cates plays Elizabeth Cronin, a woman haunted by her mischievous imaginary childhood friend, Fred (Mayall), who reappears in her adult life. Despite causing chaos, Fred aims to bring happiness back into Elizabeth’s life.

“Madea Goes to Jail” follows Tyler Perry’s character Madea, who is sent to prison for anger issues that surface after a high-speed car chase. In jail, she befriends an incarcerated prostitute who has a connection to an assistant district attorney. Despite criticism, the film grossed $90.5 million globally.

“Madea’s Family Reunion,” a 2006 comedy-drama sequel to “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” showcases Madea navigating family drama while planning a reunion. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film, starring and directed by Tyler Perry, was a box office success.

This is a stoner comedy about a video game tester who, after an eviction, moves in with his grandmother. He faces the challenges of living with her while falling for a woman overseeing the production of his company’s next game.

Tyler Perry made his feature debut as an actor – and introduced his subsequently popular character Madea – in this romantic comedy-drama, directed by music video specialist Darren Grant and written by Perry, based on his play of the same name. It tells the story of a woman abandoned by her husband on their 18th anniversary who finds solace and courage with her grandmother. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box office hit.

This skateboarding comedy centers on four teenage skaters striving to turn pro. Despite poor critical reception and box office performance, it has been appreciated by audiences for its portrayal of the skateboarding subculture.

“Out Cold” was directed by Brendan and Emmett Malloy and features a group of snowboarders in Alaska. It parodies ’90s “ski school” films and references “Casablanca.” The movie revolves around the characters’ fight against a takeover of their beloved ski resort.