19 Box office hits with unfavorable critic’s review

Modified Jan 25, 2025 09:57 ET

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Number 23, The Meg

16. Saw

Directed by James Wan in 2004, Saw is a thriller that critics labeled as too gory and unsettling for its own good. But audiences couldn’t get enough of its twisted plot and the iconic Jigsaw character, turning it into a major box office hit. Despite its low-budget origins, it earned a whopping $103 million worldwide, proving that sometimes, shocking horror and creative storytelling trump critical acclaim. With a budget of just $1.2 million, Saw definitely carved its own niche.