When it comes to movie critics, there are only a few voices that hold as much weight as Roger Ebert. By being utterly honest and describing what exactly drew him to a film and why others should give it a chance, he captivated readers. And while some critics enjoyed tearing films apart, Ebert approached them with the hope of finding something valuable.
If you have read his reviews, you know that Ebert did not simply label movies as good or bad. Instead, he understood that entertainment comes in many forms. That a single flaw or two does not define a movie’s intention. Which is why he occasionally praised movies that others derided as “bad.” He did not feel obligated to agree with popular opinion or trash a movie just because it did not perform well at the box office.
Through Roger Ebert’s movie reviews, audiences were given a chance to look at films differently, to focus less on technicalities and more on personal resonance. In this list, we take a look at 20 movies that disappointed viewers and most critics, but made Ebert curious.
20 The Golden Compass (2007)
Roger’s Rating – 4/4 Stars
An adventure film based on the 1995 novel Northern Lights, The Golden Compass is set in a parallel world where all humans have animal companions called ‘daemons’ that represent their inner soul. An orphan named Lyra Belacqua always has her dæmon, Pantalaimon, with her. When her friends are kidnapped, Lyra embarks on a quest to search her friends and uncovers a sinister plan being orchestrated by the universe’s rulers, the Magisterium.
While the film’s visuals and its depiction of a mystical world are undoubtedly stunning, the movie underperformed commercially and was not particularly a hit with the critics. Many reviews called it out for deviating from the source material. However, Roger Ebert awarded it four out of four stars. He praised it as “a darker, deeper fantasy epic than the The Chronicles of Narnia or the Potter films,” and marked how it “creates villains that are more complex and pose more intriguing questions.” Rent on Apple TV.
19 Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
Roger’s Rating – “An Essay on Our Generic Expectations”
Later praised for its satirical and metafictional elements, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is a film co-written and directed by Russ Meyer. It follows a star-struck all-girl band and three female singers as they travel to Los Angeles and eventually find themselves indulging in a wild night of free love pleasure-seeking in the great, big city. Without them realizing it, things take a darker turn and leave the group in a troublesome and nefarious situation.
Ridiculed as trash by most, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls was intended to be a direct sequel to 1967’s Valley of the Dolls but was later thought better as a parody of the same. As for the reviews, Ebert’s cohort Gene Siskel gave the film zero out of four stars and placed it on his list of “20 worst films of all time.” Having co-written the movie with Meyer, Roger Ebert thought of the movie as “an essay on our generic expectations.” Rent on Apple TV.
18 Garfield: The Movie (2004)
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
Featuring a character literally everyone is familiar with (but not especially fond of), Garfield: The Movie sees the lazy house cat in his typical lasagna-loving habitat. When his owner, Jon, buys another pet, this time a dog named Odie, Garfield takes an instant dislike to him. But then Odie is abducted and Garfield’s friends are disappointed in him, so he takes it upon himself to search for and rescue Odie.
While a commercial hit, the Peter Hewitt-directed film was not accepted by critics as a fun adventure. Instead, the adaptation drew derision for its average animation and uninspired humor compared to the comic strips. Roger Ebert seemed to enjoy it, though, because he stated that it “captures the elusive charm of the most egotistical character on the funny pages, and drops him into a story that allows him to bask in his character flaws.” Stream on Disney+.
17 Home Alone 3 (1997)
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
When it comes to Christmas classics/holiday flicks, there is only so many times you can reinvent the same premise. The original Home Alone starring Macaulay Culkin is a beloved title to this day, and so is the sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. But Home Alone 3 is rather bland and fails to achieve the same cult status. It sees 8-year-old Alex Pruitt trying to protect his house from two bumbling thieves, who are after a computer chip hidden in his remote control car.
Nowhere near as hilarious and heartwarming as the first two films, Home Alone 3 was seen by critics as a film that was “lacking all the hallmarks that made the original a classic.” Directed by Raja Gosnell and starring Alex D. Linz, the movie turned out to make Ebert laugh on a silly day. The film critic noted in his review that it was a “funnier and gentler” film as well as one that “provides splendid wish fulfillment and escapism for kids in, say, the lower grades.” Stream on Disney+.
16 Congo (1995)
congo
- Release Date
- June 9, 1995
- Runtime
- 109
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
In trying to be a delightful mix of science fiction and adventure, Congo follows a team of scientists who enter an African jungle in search of rare blue diamonds. But the jungle’s perils and sinister forces soon attack them, and they lose communication with those on the outside. Another group flies out to the jungle to encounter the mysterious dangers and killer apes, but this one has a hyper-intelligent gorilla named Amy to assist them.
With such an ambitious but convoluted plot, over-the-top special effects, poor character development, and little intrigue, Congo was bound to fail with the audiences. Roger Ebert, however, lauded the movie in his three out of four stars review as “entertaining and funny.” He also honestly mentioned that “a very particular kind of filmgoer is likely to relate to this movie: one raised on Saturday matinées, with a good sense of the absurd and an appreciation for movie clichés.” Stream on DirecTV.
15 Junior (1994)
Roger’s Rating – 3.5/4 Stars
In Junior, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the role of an eccentric scientist named Dr. Alex Hesse. Currently working on a fertility research process, he invents a drug that would reduce the chances of miscarriage. But when they cannot find a subject to test the drug on, Hesse uses it on himself and discovers the joys and perils of the unexpected results.
With director Ivan Reitman at the helm and legendary actors like Danny DeVito and Emma Thompson accompanying Schwarzenegger, one would think that this ridiculous premise would end up striking gold. But Junior was surprisingly panned as a missed opportunity. Regardless, Ebert saw the movie as one that reflects on fatherhood and gender roles. Quoting a snippet from Ebert’s review:
‘It’s goofy and ridiculous and preposterous, and yet it makes you feel good, and there is something oddly heartwarming about the sight of this macho guy melting with feelings of protectiveness and maternal concern.’
Stream on DirecTV.
14 Ghosts of Mars (2001)
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
Written, directed and scored by John Carpenter, Ghosts of Mars is an extravagant film that imbues genres like action and horror into a space Western. Set in the 22nd century in a Martian colony beset by dust storms and unrest, the movie centers around Officer Melanie and Sergeant Jericho as they transport convicts. Soon, they realize that the residents are possessed by ghosts of the planet’s original inhabitants, and with the prisoners, they fight back before the city succumbs.
The movie was Carpenter at rock bottom. It had bad acting, a confusing premise filled with flashbacks, dissatisfying action, and a dreary atmosphere. Roger Ebert disagreed with all of this in his review. He praised the director’s vision and ambition, which is surprising because he hated Resident Evil. He said the film “delivers on its chosen level and I enjoyed it,” and if the audiences are willing to embrace the absurd, they give it a go. Rent on Apple TV.
13 Hitman (2007)
Hitman
- Release Date
- November 21, 2007
- Runtime
- 89
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
Hitman is just another action-thriller flick adapted from a video game series. Its plot goes something like this: Agent 17 is a hitman for hire and the most lethal asset trained by the Organization. Genetically engineered, he’s known for carrying out every assignment with precision. But when he accidentally kills someone who looks like his target, 47 ends up awakening a long-buried secret, shakes up a conspiracy, and becomes the world’s most wanted person.
Hitman stars Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47, and while the star is known for his brooding personality and iconic Westerns, the film did not succeed in bringing justice to his talents. Many dismissed the movie as a brainless adaptation and one with an incoherent plot. However, Ebert gave a positive review that reads, “Hitman stands right on the threshold between video games and art,” with the praise extending towards the intriguing action and calculating antihero. Stream on Starz.
12 Land of the Lost (2009)
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
Taking the same characters from the 1974 Sid and Marty Krofft television series and placing them in a whole new situation, Land of the Lost arrived as a promising parody comedy. It centers around Dr. Rick Marshall, who gets sucked into a portal and sent on a strange land inhabited by dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. With the help of his research assistant, Roch must find a way home by understanding the bizarre laws of this place.
Starring Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel and Jorma Taccone, Land of the Lost was supposed to be a good-humored adventure. One can say that its box office numbers were down because of opening on the same weekend as The Hangover, but there’s little to defend the tepid humor and poort effects. Roger Ebert, unlike others, expressed his “moderate admiration” for the movie by giving it three out of four stars. Stream on Tubi TV.
11 Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Roger’s Rating – 3.5/4 Stars
After the universal success of the original Star Wars trilogy, director George Lucas arrived with this first film as a series of prequels. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace transports you to the planet Naboo, where Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi discover a young boy who has a greater destiny. As they strive to free the planet’s people from the evil Sith, they learn hidden secrets about the fate of the galaxy.
Phantom Menace was the first new Star Wars film in 16 years, so obviously, the film had a lot on its shoulders. But surprisingly, fans and critics were divided when the result finally arrived and reviews condemned its lack of emotion and poor acting. Ebert was the first among many to see the film as it is – “an astonishing achievement in imaginative filmmaking.” He even praised the world-building, familiar elements, and John Williams’ score. Stream on Disney+.
10 Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
Directed by F. Gary Gray, Law Abiding Citizen is a revenge thriller starring Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx. It follows Clyde Shelton, an engineer who was forced to witness the brutal murder of his wife and daughter. But because the prosecution, led by Nick Rice, is unable to sentence him to jail, the killer is returned to the streets. Clyde, boiling with rage, decides to exact a meticulous and unforgiving revenge against the perpetrator and the attorney.
Law Abiding Citizen grossed fairly well at the box office. The extreme violence and jarring action may even be a certain demographic’s cup of tea, but the film was harshly received by the critics, who called it implausible and amoral. Roger Ebert stood his own and called it “the kind of movie you will like more at the time than in retrospect,” while also appreciated the film’s ability to “generate considerable suspense and a sense of dread.” Rent on Apple TV.
9 Cars 2 (2011)
Cars 2
- Release Date
- June 11, 2011
- Runtime
- 113
Roger’s Rating – 3.5/4 Stars
Pixar’s worst film of all time and a disappointment at the Academy Awards (which was a first for the studio), Cars 2 sees star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater heading overseas to compete in and win the World Grand Prix. However, when they reach the venue of this prestigious three-race event, Mater gets in trouble and the whole film transforms into an espionage/adventure.
Putting a dent into Pixar’s streak of remarkable sequels, Cars 2 not only abandoned the original’s heart and warmth but was also mediocre in its attempt to increase the sales and marketing of Disney merchandise. The movie only had a few fans, and Ebert was one of them. The critic found the film colorful and diverting. A massive chunk of his review was dedicated to pointing out quirky details from the movie that evoked nostalgia of a simpler time. Stream on Disney+.
8 Daredevil (2003)
Daredevil
- Release Date
- February 14, 2003
- Runtime
- 103
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdoch clearly is a more celebrated superhero than Ben Affleck’s (DCEU and otherwise). The 2003 movie features the Marvel comics-inspired character as a lawyer defending the wrongfully accused by day and wielding his extraordinary senses as a crime-fighting anti-hero, Daredevil, by night. When he draws particular attention from Kingpin, Matt is faced with brutal confrontations as well as other threats.
Mark Steven Johnson probably had a great vision, but Daredevil falls short in execution. As an origin story, the narrative gets convoluted in certain places and dull in others. While fans may have grown to appreciate the film as an underrated superhero entry worth reconsidering, it was Roger Ebert who first appreciated Johnson for his efforts. He gave it three out of four stars, writing the movie is “better than we expect, more fun than we deserve.” Rent on Apple TV.
7 The Box (2009)
the box
- Release Date
- September 17, 2009
- Runtime
- 115
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
Director Richard Kelly adapts The Box from a short story written by Richard Matheson. The movie is set in 1976, where a suburban couple – a NASA engineer, Arthur and his wife Norma – receives a mysterious box. Inside, they find a button, and if they press it, they win a large sum of money. But there’s also a warning that comes with pressing the button – someone they don’t know will die. Stuck in a moral dilemma, Arthur and Norma try to make sense of this ominous situation.
Admittedly, The Boxgained a cult following years after its release and poor reception. With talents like Cameron Diaz and James Marsden leading the movie, it was only a matter of time for the audiences found something to appreciate. However, the movie was met with polarizing views; some felt its premise was anticlimactic, others thought it wasn’t Kelly’s best. Roger Ebert noted that the movie “kept [him] involved and intrigued, and for that I’m grateful.” Stream on Max.
6 Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
The sequel to Jan de Bont’s Speed, which was undoubtedly thrilling, this one sees Sandra Bullock reprise her role as Annie. She’s on a Caribbean cruise with her boyfriend, Alex when the ship is hijacked by a villain named Geiger, who forces it to sail into destruction and threatens the lives of over 2000 passengers. Annie and Alex are forced to outwit the villain and save the ship.
Speed 2: Cruise Control was seen as a massive letdown and there were many reasons the movie failed, some being the storyline and the slow-moving cruise ship. There was little scope in the action sequences and Keanu Reeves’ absence made it more unenergetic. While Roger Ebert was honest to point out the plot holes and disbelief, he was also amused by it, rewarding it as a perfect movie to watch on a hot summer day. Stream on Starz.
5 The Happening (2008)
The Happening
- Release Date
- June 11, 2008
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
- Runtime
- 91
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, The Happening is a sci-fi thriller that is staged in Philadelphia. When the people there start killing themselves for no apparent reason, Elliot Moore, a high school teacher, takes note of the bizarre behavior and realizes that an airborne toxin is spreading through the city. Along with his wife, Alma, he escapes into the countryside to escape the mystery.
Panned for its ridiculous plot, The Happening takes no time in descending to worse standards. Despite having Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, and John Leguizamo as the leads, the movie lacked the kind of tension and intrigue that makes sci-fi movies enthralling. The film critic thought otherwise because he gave the movie three stars. Apparently, Ebert was touched, and “appreciate[d] the quietly realistic way Shyamalan finds to tell a story.” Rent on Apple TV.
4 Knowing (2009)
Knowing
- Release Date
- March 19, 2009
- Runtime
- 115
Roger’s Rating – 4/4 Stars
The premise of Knowing is quite fascinating; you cannot deny it. Set in 1959, Massachusetts, it follows John Koestler, an astrophysics professor, who comes across a cryptic list of numbers – these numbers predict the dates and manners of multiple catastrophic events that are to occur decades later. As incidents around him come true, Koestler tries to investigate the matter and alter the fate of the Earth.
In the right hands and with the right visual style and atmospheric setting, maybe Knowing would’ve become a phenomenal science fiction thriller. But the movie divided audiences with its heady concepts and pretentious acting. Roger Ebert, who himself was criticized for his review of the movie, placed it in his top 10 movies of the year, and noted that Knowing was “frightening, suspenseful, intelligent and, when it needs to be, rather awesome.” Stream on DirecTV.
3 The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor (2008)
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
A sequel that arrived too late, when the original film’s exciting action sequences and good humor had already established itself as a standard, The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor followed explorer Rick O’Connell joining his son in China. They are carrying an ancient relic, through which they accidentally resurrect a mummy. Now having to pursue the Emperor and contain his wrath, the O’Connells find themselves in a pickle.
Even before the lackluster sequel arrived in theaters, The Mummy had transformed into a franchise, and it is only fitting to say that The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor was a very weak entry. In his review, Ebert disagreed and went as far as to call it “the best in the series.” Apparently, he felt that the film ensured fun and adventure for general audiences and Mummy fans. Rent on Apple TV.
2 Anaconda (1997)
Roger’s Rating – 3.5/4 Stars
1997’s Anaconda centers around a National Documentary filmmaker and her crew journeying deep into the Amazon rainforest. They are led by a snake hunter, Paul Sarone, who promises them an interview with an undiscovered indigenous tribe. However, the crew soon realizes that Sarone intends to capture the world’s largest and deadliest anaconda.
You know how some movies are so bad they’re good? Anaconda is one of them. Arriving during a creature feature craze, the B-horror managed to gather a few applauds but was overall forgettable. Directed by Luis Llosa, the movie ended up getting three and a half stars from Roger Ebert, who thought it was both scary and funny. A snippet from his review praises the movie as “beautifully photographed and splendidly acted in high adventure style.” Stream on Netflix.
1 The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000)
Roger’s Rating – 3/4 Stars
A live-action animated comedy based on the series of the same name, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle tells the tale of a fictional moose and flying squirrel. They come to animated life and deliver slapstick fun as their three archenemies try to take over the country and an FBI agent seeks their help in stopping the terror. But instead, they land into slapstick misadventures and complicate the mission.
Voiced by actors like Robert De Niro, Rene Russo and Jason Alexander, the movie brought back the spirit of the original cartoon, but the dialogue was far from funny, and the overall recreation was just strangling. However, Ebert celebrated the movie’s silliness in his review. He particularly enjoyed the “dumb puns and corny sight gags and sophisticated in-jokes” and defined it as a “fun” movie. Rent on Apple TV.
