15 Blockbusters That Are Controversial: Critics with Applauds

1. The Twilight Saga: New Moon 2009，IMDB Rating: 4.8, IMDB Votes: 302170, ID: 1259571
Photo by letterstotwilight.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0

Despite its massive box office success, ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ is often criticized for its sluggish pace and lack of depth. The film’s focus on Bella’s heartbreak and her growing friendship with Jacob failed to captivate many viewers, who found the plot tedious and the characters unengaging. However, the movie’s exploration of themes like love and loss resonated with its dedicated fanbase, making it a commercial hit despite its poor critical reception.
2. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse 2010，IMDB Rating: 5.1, IMDB Votes: 262859, ID: 1325004
Photo by wordpress.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ continues the saga with a love triangle that feels more forced than compelling. The film’s attempt to balance romance and action falls flat, with neither element being particularly well-executed. Despite its flaws, the movie’s appeal to its core audience ensured its box office success, even as critics panned it for its lackluster storytelling and character development.
3. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 2011，IMDB Rating: 4.9, IMDB Votes: 256165, ID: 1324999
Photo by letterstotwilight.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0

‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1’ is a melodramatic installment that struggles to maintain a coherent narrative. The film’s depiction of Bella and Edward’s wedding and subsequent honeymoon is overshadowed by its bizarre plot twists and uneven pacing. While fans of the series may appreciate the continuation of the story, the movie’s critical reception was overwhelmingly negative.
4. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 2012，IMDB Rating: 5.5, IMDB Votes: 264820, ID: 1673434
Photo by letterstotwilight.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0

As the final chapter in the Twilight series, ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ attempts to tie up loose ends but ultimately falls short. The film’s climactic battle scene is undermined by its reliance on CGI and a convoluted plot. Despite its shortcomings, the movie’s emotional moments and fan service helped it achieve significant box office success, even as critics remained unimpressed.
5. Transformers: Age of Extinction 2014，IMDB Rating: 5.6, IMDB Votes: 333692, ID: 2109248
Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ is a visual spectacle that lacks substance. The film’s over-the-top action sequences and special effects fail to compensate for its weak plot and shallow characters. Despite its critical panning, the movie’s appeal to fans of the franchise and its impressive box office performance highlight the disconnect between commercial success and critical acclaim.
6. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It 2021，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 142259, ID: 7069210
Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0

Despite its box office success, ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ falls short of its predecessors. The film’s attempt to blend horror with a courtroom drama results in a disjointed narrative that lacks the spine-chilling scares fans expect. While Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson deliver strong performances, the plot feels convoluted and fails to maintain the tension. The movie’s reliance on jump scares and predictable twists makes it one of the weaker entries in the franchise, despite its commercial success.
7. The Hangover Part III 2013，IMDB Rating: 5.8, IMDB Votes: 338291, ID: 1951261
Photo by m.cdn.blog.hu, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0

The Hangover Part III deviates from the blackout formula of the previous films, opting for a caper-style plot that feels more like a thriller than a comedy. While it attempts to provide a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, the film struggles with tonal inconsistencies and an overreliance on dark humor. Nevertheless, its financial success underscores the enduring popularity of the Wolfpack and their misadventures.
8. Grown Ups 2 2013，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 171933, ID: 2191701
Photo by m.cdn.blog.hu, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0

Grown Ups 2 is a collection of juvenile gags and slapstick humor that fails to capitalize on the comedic talents of its cast. The film’s lack of a coherent plot and reliance on crude jokes make it a tedious watch. Yet, its box office performance demonstrates that sometimes, audiences are drawn to the familiar comfort of a star-studded ensemble, even if the content is lacking.
9. Pixels 2015，IMDB Rating: 5.6, IMDB Votes: 161529, ID: 2120120
Photo by blog.hu, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Pixels (2015) is a nostalgic trip down memory lane that unfortunately crashes and burns. Despite its promising premise of video game characters attacking Earth, the film is bogged down by lazy writing and uninspired performances. Adam Sandler and Kevin James fail to bring any charm to their roles, and the special effects are surprisingly mediocre. While it may have been a box office hit, Pixels is a prime example of how a great idea can be ruined by poor execution.
10. The Smurfs 2011，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 97631, ID: 0472181
Photo by coyoteproductions.co.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Smurfs (2011) attempts to bring the beloved blue characters to life but ends up being a smurfing disappointment. The film’s blend of live-action and animation feels forced, and the humor is often cringe-worthy. Despite a talented cast, including Neil Patrick Harris and Hank Azaria, the movie fails to capture the magic of the original cartoon. It’s a colorful but ultimately forgettable film that relies too heavily on nostalgia.
11. The Boss Baby 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 143469, ID: 3874544
Photo by coyoteproductions.co.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Boss Baby (2017) is a quirky animated film that struggles to balance its clever concept with its execution. Alec Baldwin’s voice performance as the titular character is a highlight, but the film’s plot is convoluted and often nonsensical. The sibling rivalry storyline is relatable, but the movie’s attempts at humor are hit-or-miss. While it was a commercial success, The Boss Baby is a mixed bag that doesn’t quite live up to its potential.
12. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation 2018，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 87075, ID: 5220122
Photo by m.blog.hu, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018) takes the monster family on a cruise, but the film feels like it’s running on fumes. The animation is vibrant, and the character designs are creative, but the plot is thin and the jokes are repetitive. Adam Sandler’s Dracula falling in love with the ship’s captain adds a new twist, but it isn’t enough to save the movie from mediocrity. It’s a fun watch for kids, but adults might find it tiresome.
13. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel 2009，IMDB Rating: 4.5, IMDB Votes: 55266, ID: 1231580
Photo by dolphin-emu.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Despite its lack of originality and heavy reliance on slapstick humor, ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel’ managed to entertain young audiences and became a box office hit. The introduction of The Chipettes added a fresh dynamic, but the film’s predictable plot and uninspired jokes left much to be desired for older viewers. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, its success lies in its ability to captivate its target audience with catchy tunes and adorable characters.
14. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked 2011，IMDB Rating: 4.4, IMDB Votes: 40179, ID: 1615918
Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked takes the beloved chipmunks on a tropical adventure, but the film’s lazy plot and grating humor make it a chore to watch. Despite its flaws, it still managed to be a commercial success, proving that the franchise’s charm and appeal to young children are undeniable. The movie’s vibrant visuals and catchy songs are its saving grace, but it ultimately falls short of being a memorable family film.
15. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip 2015，IMDB Rating: 4.9, IMDB Votes: 22981, ID: 2974918
Photo by bigcartoon.org, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0

The Road Chip continues the Chipmunks’ antics with a road trip adventure that is both predictable and formulaic. While the film offers some laughs and catchy musical numbers, it fails to bring anything new to the table. Its success at the box office can be attributed to the franchise’s established fan base and the appeal of its cute, furry protagonists. However, it remains a forgettable entry in the series.