Known for showcasing the greatest and most respected cinema in history, The Criterion Collection has become synonymous with quality and meticulous restoration/distribution of many classics and contemporary hits. Their catalog consists of the work of the greatest directors of all time and movies taught in film school; there is no denying the reputation that comes with the Criterion moniker. However, a few films fall short of critical expectations in its expansive catalog.
While most of the movies included in The Criterion Collection boast a healthy Rotten Tomatoes score, a handful turned out to be downright rotten; all films included here landed under 50%. These are the Criterion Collection movies with the lowest Rotten Tomatoes scores.
11 Jabberwocky (1977) 45% Rotten With 22 reviews Jabberwocky PG
Release Date April 15, 1977 Director Terry Gilliam Cast Michael Palin , Harry H. Corbett , John Le Mesurier , Warren Mitchell , Max Wall Main Genre Adventure
A hapless peasant's life is changed when he is singled out as the one person who can say the legendary monster known as the Jabberwock. This causes Dennis Cooper (Michael Palin), who has no interest in adventure or fortune, to become an unlikely hero. With the promise of the princess's hand in marriage and riches, Cooper bumbles into the role of monster slayer. The movie, set in the Middle Ages, is loosely based on the abstract poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll.
Not Quite the Monty Python Critics Expected
Perhaps tying Jabberwocky to the famous comedy troupe Monty Python with Michael Palin starring and Terry Gilliam directing led to the movie's lukewarm reception. Jabberwocky is not nearly as witty as the renowned and rule-breaking TV show, relying heavily on slapstick humor, which led to many critics considering it dull in its approach.
The audience reaction is about the same, currently sitting at 47%. However, some respect the project and do not feel it is as out of step with Monty Python as others; some even see it as a complimentary follow-up to Monty Python and The Holy Grail with its visual direction and themes.
You can stream Jabberwocky on The Criterion Channel, Prime, Tubi, and Peacock
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10 Black Moon (1975) 45% Rotten With 11 reviews Close
Told through a series of dreamlike sequences inspired by Lewis Carrol's Alice in Wonderland, Black Moon sees a young girl, Lily, escape a complex relationship with men in favor of a life in the countryside with an eccentric family. Mostly free of dialogue or a straightforward narrative, the movie flows between various sequences and odd encounters to tell a surreal story of youth in revolt. Open to interpretation, Black Moon has primarily been recognized as a story about female empowerment.
Nonsensical Approach Fell Flat With many Critics
Director Louis Malle's abstract and nonsensical approach to retelling Alice in Wonderland met with mixed reviews from critics. Many felt the movie was tedious and overindulgent. In fact, many went so far as to say the film was hard to take seriously and a far cry from the profundity of its source material. On the other side of the spectrum, others compared the work to touch on the same brilliant surrealism of filmmakers like David Lynch and Luis Buñuel. At least, most agree that the cinematography is spot on.
You can stream Black Moon on The Criterion Channel
9 Indiscretion of an American Wife (1953) 43% Rotten With 14 reviews Close
Originally known as Terminal Station and containing (roughly) an extra 15 minutes of content, Indiscretion of an American Wife follows a married American woman, Mary Forbes, who, while visiting Rome, falls in love with an Italian-American professor, Giovanni Doria. The month-long affair leads to a passionate romance, and as Mary is set to leave, Giovanni ends up trying to convince her to stay. This leads to larger issues when the two are arrested for public indecency when they are caught in a passionate embrace on the train.
Either Cut of the Film Does not Seem To Cut it With Most Critics
Drawing unfavorable comparisons from critics who felt the movie was like a poor man's Brief Encounter (1945), outlets like Variety and Time seem to chalk the film's failure down to dull pacing and stilted performances; this critique is applied to both cuts.
At the same time, there is a stark contrast between critics and fans, with many of them having opposite takes on the chemistry between Montgomery Clift and Jennifer Jones. Others liked the exploration of cultural differences and the real-time storytelling of the Vittorio De Sica drama. With such contrasting opinions, it is best to check it out yourself.
You can stream Indiscretion of an American Wife on Prime, Plex, MGM+, or Fubo
8 Androcles and the Lion (1952) 43% Rotten With 7 reviews Close
Most will be familiar with Androcles and the Lion through loose childhood re-tellings of the classic play, which involves a man removing a thorn from the paw of a lion. Staying close to the play, the Chester Erskine and Nicholas Ray-directed feature follows Androcles, a persecuted Christian who, after evading the authorities, is eventually captured and set to be eaten by a lion for the amusement of the Roman people. Here, he runs into the lion he saved, and the two, instead of fighting, perform a dance that delights the crowd and signals the end to the persecution of Christians.
Many a Miscast Led to Some Being Sour
Perhaps there was still some bitter blood in the air for critics and cinema fans at the time, with Harpo Marx's firing clouding the production. The cast here is generally the most scrutinized element, including Maurice Evans' portrayal of the emporer, which was criticized by some when George Sanders was initially considered for the part.
Movies honoring traditional Christian values are also bound to be met with mixed reception in the modern era. Still, the supporting cast was well-received, and the film was generally enjoyed for its witty humor, script, and cinematography.
You can stream Androcles and the Lion (1952) on The Criterion Channel
7 Armageddon (1998) 43% Rotten With 177 reviews Armageddon PG-13
Release Date July 1, 1998 Director Michael Bay Cast Bruce Willis , Billy Bob Thornton , Ben Affleck , Liv Tyler , Will Patton , Steve Buscemi Main Genre Action
After NASA discovers an asteroid the size of Texas heading straight to Earth, they reach out to a crew of deep-core drillers led by Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis) to stop it, tasked with planting a nuclear device that will split the comet in two. The team undergoes a near-impossible mission with the odds stacked against them. Praised for its visual effects at release, the movie was equally criticized for its pseudo-science and ludicrous plot.
How Did Armageddon Even Get Included in The Criterion Collection!?
For long-time fans of The Criterion Collection, Michael Bay's Armageddon inclusion in their catalog has always been a bit of a joke. Released in 1998, the movie was boasted as Criterion's "first 2-disc release." This is just one of the earlier films that that company got the rights to release, and it is not indicative of their overall vision.
Fans of over-the-top sci-fi action films of the 90s may still get a kick out of this one. However, looking at it within the Criterion Collection, it sticks out like a sore thumb. This is notably true when the critiques against this one are more scathing and less nuanced than any other movie included in this list.
You can Stream Armageddon on AMC+ or Fubo
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6 Equinox (1970) 33% Rotten With 6 reviews Close
While going out for a picnic, four friends stumble across an old, destroyed home. Within, they find a mysterious book, the infamous Necronomicon. As they attempt to translate the text from the flesh-bound book, they are met by the devil in disguise, a park ranger named Asmodeus. Asmodeus ends up sending a plethora of monsters against the four to retrieve the cursed tome for himself.
Amateurish but Ambitious Attempt at Horror
The charm of B-movies will often be lost on critics, with everything from stilted dialogue, poor scripting, and emphasis on sensationalism over art sure to make Equinox unfriendly to the critical crowd. However, as far as B-movies go, Equinox still has its charms, including the overly ambitious effects on a budget.
Criterion picked up the film for its praise of George Lucas and practical effects from the maestro of stop animation, Ray Harryhausen. Some have even quoted it as a precursor to The Evil Dead. It is cheesy and objectively a 'bad movie,' but it still deserves its cult following.
You can stream Equinox (1970) on The Criterion Channel or Max
5 Valley of the Dolls (1967) 33% Rotten With 40 reviews valley of the dolls PG-13 Release Date December 27, 1967 Director Mark Robson Cast Barbara Parkins , Patty Duke , Paul Burke , sharon tate , Tony Scotti , Martin Milner Main Genre Drama
Valley of the Dolls follows three aspiring actors struggling to make it in the film industry: friends Anne Welles (Barbara Parkins), Neely O'Hara (Patty Duke), and Jennifer North (Sharon Tate). Each offering their approach to the craft with their distinct personalities, all three end up succumbing to the same downfall: an addiction to barbiturates, with "dolls" in the title, a reference to the slang term for depressants.
Trash Instead of Class in Dealing with The Struggles of Fame
The movie was generally seen as misdirected, with Roger Ebert best summarizing the distaste that most critics had for it when he said, "They fall because they drink too much and take too many pills, but their main offense seems to be their irregular private lives." Indeed, the movie focused more on vilifying the private lives of the three girls as opposed to the system that led to their addiction. The Valley of the Dolls was not the anti-Hollywood movie critics desired, lacking the depth many wanted to see.
In a humorous turn of events, the parody film of the commercial hit but critically panned The Valley of the Dolls, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls would see Roger Ebert writing and Russ Meyer directing; that film sits fresh at 76%. Still, there are fans of Valley of the Dolls, with many loving the movie's trashy, sensational, and over-the-top nature.
You can rent Valley of the Dolls on Amazon or Apple TV
4 Jellyfish Eyes (2013) 29% Rotten With 14 reviews Close
Masahi and his mother move to a small town after his father's passing, signaling a drastic change of pace and a period of grief for the family. However, things change when Masahi learns that students at his school can control strange companions known as F.R.I.E.N.D.s.
The young boy soon gets his creature, a jellyfish-like monster that forms a unique bond with Masahi. While everything seems picturesque, the students soon learn that their companions are being used as part of an evil ploy by a cult to harness negative energy.
Where Did It All Go Wrong?
Takashi Murakami is a renowned artist, and the prospect of him directing a visually rich film certainly had fans abuzz. Yet, when Jellyfish Eyes made it to the theaters, it was a complete flop commercially and critically. While the base designs were as adorable as stills suggest, the actual implementation of the various creatures was seen as crude, rushed, and ugly. In addition, the film was seen as a cacophony of horrible audio and colors, which was off-putting to many.
The inclusion of this film in The Criterion Collection was even a point of contention with many, who saw it as not reflecting the company's aim to give special editions to significant films. Still, Jellyfish Eyes is not without its fans, particularly those fond of shows like Pokemon or Digimon. The myriad of creatures and their unique designs were enough for many to enjoy the Japanese fantasy movie.
You can stream Jellyfish Eyes on The Criterion Channel
3 All Monsters Attack (1969) 29% Rotten With 7 reviews Close
Also known as Godzilla's Revenge, All Monsters Attack follows the imagination-driven adventures of a young boy named Ichiro, who fantasizes about what life would be like on Monster Island. Ichiro imagines getting revenge on his bullies, making friends with Minilla, and witnessing the big man himself, Godzilla, battling other kaiju.
A Colossal Failure For The Giant Kaiju
Godzilla could have been included in this list a few times over, with some of the Toho-era films failing to be deemed fresh by critics on Rotten Tomatoes. This is, however, misleading, and fans of the giant kaiju are likely to care more about how fans rank the entire Godzilla franchise than about critical response. Because of its cult following and significance, it makes sense that Criterion would release all the Toho Godzilla films regardless of their reception.
Why is All Monsters Attack rated the lowest among the Godzilla films in The Criterion Collection? There is the use of stock footage, a talking Minillla, a lack of monster battles, and a poor attempt at turning Godzilla into a property for kids. All these are valid criticisms of the movie, but fans of Godzilla will still watch All Monsters Attack.
You can stream All Monsters Attack on The Criterion Channel, Max, Tubi, or Plex
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2 All These Women (1964) 27% Rotten With 11 Reviews Close
The comedy by acclaimed director Ingmar Bergman centers around the exploits of a pompous music critic, Cornelius, who visits the summer estate of a famous cellist, Felix, to write his biography. However, Cornelius is unable to get direct access to the musician to complete his work and instead finds himself entangled with the man's various servants and lovers.
Ingmar Bergman's Failed Attempt at Comedy
Not only has time not been kind to the comedy in All These Women, but even at its release, critics saw it as a painfully misdirected attempt at humor. Bergman was not a fan of the work, especially the use of color, which he found horrid enough to return to a black-and-white format for five years before attempting a color film again. Constant contributors to the work of Bergman, Bibi Andersson and Harriet Andersson, were also seen as being underutilized and given a poor script that did a disservice to their talents.
There is little love for All These Women. However, some did appreciate the fourth-wall-breaking comedy, and the cinematography from Sven Nykvist, despite reservations about the use of color, was still considered visually alluring. Bergman was dismissive of the work; critics hated it; this is arguably the biggest misstep of the acclaimed auteur's career.
You can Stream All These Women on The Criterion Channel
1 The Serpent's Egg (1977) 20% Rotten With 20 Reviews Close
Set in 1920s Weimar Germany, The Serpent's Egg centers around the struggles of an unemployed American circus performer, Abel Rosenberg (David Carradine). Navigating through the decay of post-WWI, Abel deals with the death of his brother, alcoholism, poverty, and a turbulent romance. The Serpent's Egg acts as an exploration of Jewish identity, the rise of Nazism, and the moral decay of Germany following the First World War.
An Arguable Misstep by One of Cinema's Greatest Directors
Rotten Tomatoes summarizes the critical response to Serpent's Egg as "just about the worst thing for a film like this to be: it is indulgent and mercilessly dull." This includes Roger Ebert, who thought the movie was a loud piece that says nothing of substance. Fans who are quick to acknowledge the movie's shortcomings still praise the work, noting Liv Ullman's performance and Bergman's unique approach to the thriller genre, which offers enough intrigue.
Much like All These Women, the movie made its way to the Criterion Collection simply because it was an Ingmar Bergman production. The distributor owns most of the director's works, and including The Serpent's Egg is an extension of Criterion shining a spotlight on Ingmar Berman, who many believe is the greatest director of all time. The director has ten 100% fresh scores to his credit, so The Serpent's Egg, with a low score, is far from indicative of Bergman's command of the medium.
