10 Movies That Had MASSIVE Tomatometer Drops
9. Joker
Initial Score: 89%
Final Score: 68% (21% drop)
Joker has had one of the most fascinatingly unpredictable critical receptions of any major film in recent years.
After its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Joker opened to a strong 89% with a ludicrous 9.08/10 average score, no doubt boosted by it unexpectedly winning the festival's coveted Golden Lion award.
When general critics saw the film in the weeks that followed and discussion about its controversial themes reached boiling point, the consensus tumbled down to 68%, with the average score settling at a far lower 7.3/10. This steep drop even resulted in the film losing its "Certified Fresh" status.
Though Joker was still largely well-received, the general critical sentiment was far more measured compared to those effusive early raves, which if nothing else proves that early festival reviews should always be considered within the excited context of the festival itself.
Still, director Todd Phillips ultimately had the last laugh, as Joker went on to gross over $1 billion worldwide, was nominated for 11 Oscars, and won two, for Best Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) and Best Original Score.