13 Movies That People Absolutely Hated Or Truly Adored

From the MCU to The Wolf of Wall Street.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about movies, but there are some films that seem to split those opinions right down the middle. Writing about movies has made me realise how divisive some of them can be.

NBC

So, here are 13 movies people seem to either love or hate:

1. Avatar

20th Century Studios

You only need to look at the box office figures to see how this film (and the second one) garnered a lot of attention. But that doesn't always translate to universal praise, and, despite many people swearing by them, I've heard a lot of people agree with me about how they're just too damn long, and not interesting enough. 

Take a look at the trailer:

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2. The Big Lebowski

Gramercy Pictures

This movie has two traits that often lead to a movie being pretty 'love it or hate it'. Them being the fact that it's become a bit of a cult movie, and the other is that it's a Coen brothers film. Despite me being with the 'love it' side – anything with the great Philip Seymour Hoffman tends to get my approval – I have still come across many many many people who can't stand it, find it 'boring', or simply don't 'get' it. 

Have a look:

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3. Pretty much any MCU film

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Okay, because they're action-packed films, there are probably a fair few people who are happy to just watch one when they're in the mood and have no strong feelings about it. BUT you don't need to go very far to find someone deep into the MCU fandom, who will defend them to the hilt.

At the same time, there are people who are part of the Martin Scorcese school of thought when it comes to Marvel movies, believing that they are not real cinema, and are ruining filmmaking. 

I tend to be in the indifferent camp, I am happy to sit through one if it's on, but the amount of arguments I've seen about the whole MCU means it deserves a spot on the list.  

Have a look:

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4. Taxi Driver

Columbia Pictures

Speaking of Scorsese, his sleazy New York movie got rave reviews from critics, earned four Academy Award nominations, and is still considered a classic to this day. All of this being said, whether it's on this site, or elsewhere, there are many who find it too uncomfortable, too creepy, or just don't really seem to get it. I admit, it's not a film I'm going to watch regularly and requires perhaps to be in a certain type of mood, but I'd still say it's an excellent bit of filmmaking. 

Have a look:

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5. Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood

Sony Pictures Releasing

Much like with the Coen brothers, Tarantino also seems to often split opinions, however, Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, seemingly divides fans of his movies. Amongst Tarantino fans, you'll hear many saying it's up there with Pulp Fiction as one of his best movies ever, while some will swear it's one of his worst ever. I've actually heard such differing opinions on this movie that I think I'll have to rewatch it, because it was a bit 'meh' for me but now I'm questioning even my own opinion. 

Have a look:

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6. Everything Everywhere All At Once

A24

You may be surprised to see EEOAO here, but that was the exact same surprise that I felt when I saw so many people saying it was terrible (IKR). Personally, I loved the film, and so did the critics, the Academy, and many other viewers. But it seems like those who didn't love it hated it. Yet, it's a bit all over the place (that's kind of the point) but a fairly large contingent I've come across thought it was awful and made no sense – which kind of makes no sense to me but each to their own I guess. 

Have a look:

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7. Uncut Gems

A24

Despite thinking very highly of this film, I can see why it put some people off. The Safdie brothers arguably fall into the 'love them or hate them' camp, as their frantic movies can be pretty stressful viewing experiences. I'd have to say that Uncut Gems definitely can be described as stressful, or anxiety-inducing, and while lots loved the film, many found the experience too uncomfortable clearly. 

Here's the trailer:

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8. Synecdoche, New York

Sony Pictures Classics

Okay, you know my thoughts on Philip Seymour Hoffman, but I can definitely understand why some people didn't get this film. I remember finishing it and having no idea if I loved it or hated it – kinda loved it and hated it? It's certainly an interesting watch, but I've seen starkly different opinions about it, from one of the best movies ever made to it being unwatchable...

Have a look:

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9. Zack Snyder's DC Movies

Warner Bros. Pictures

People who like Zack Snyder's DC movies tend to LOVE them, seriously. On the other hand, there are those who consider his Suicide Squad, Justice League, Batman Vs Superman, etc to be frankly awful. I'm sadly in the second camp, which is kind of annoying because I wanted to like all of these films – I guess you just cant win them all. 

Have a look:

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10. The Tree of Life

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Terrence Malick may be the pinnacle of Marmite directors, and I've heard so many contrasting opinions about The Tree of Life that I'm not even sure people watched the same movie. Terrence's style will always put some viewers off, while his breathtaking cinematography will endear him to other filmgoers. Many people just thought it didn't make any sense, while others were blown away.  

Watch the trailer:

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11. The Wolf of Wall Street

Paramount Pictures

Back to Scorsese, and his debauched dive into excess that was The Wolf of Wall Street. With it being one of the sweariest, lude movies of all time, it's understandable that those who don't enjoy such things found it too crude or simply just too much. Others, however, were fully there for the wild ride that was this movie. I've heard people calling it disgusting and vulgar, and others saying it was fun and exciting, so it definitely split opinion. 

Watch here:

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12. The Lobster

Picturehouse Entertainment

This movie was never going to appeal to everyone, it's simply too strange to do so, but there are some who consider it one of their favourites, and others who could barely finish it. Genuinely, every review I saw of The Lobster was utterly different, with some calling it diabolical and others calling it a masterpiece – if that's not a Marmite movie I don't know what is. 

Have a look:

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13. Asteroid City

Universal Pictures

Frankly, I could have picked a number of Wes Anderson movies, because he's another director who seems to polarize viewers. Many of his movies get labelled with the criticism 'style over substance' while some people are such a big fan of his 'style', that they don't even seem to care about an apparent lack of 'substance.' 

Take a look:

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What other movies seem to split opinion? Let us know in the comments below!