Directors Behind the Most Controversial Films Ever Made

When filmmakers set out to create a film, they focus on the elements that make up a movie, including characters, conflict, or plot, and what kind of story they'd like to tell. They also consider what themes will captivate and engage viewers. But whether a film is accepted by audiences and critics is always a gamble. Some even wind up becoming the most controversial films ever made.

Audiences may love any critically reviled movies, which then turn huge profits or become cult classics.But some films that may have received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and are beloved by critics, didn't perform well at the box office and end up quietly fading into obscurity.

To determine the directors behind the most controversial films ever made, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on audience and critic reception from Rotten Tomatoes. Directors were ranked based on the number of movies for which the Rotten Tomatoes audience score and Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score differ by at least 25 percentage points.

Tyler Perry's "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" has one of the largest differentials of any movie – an audience score of 86% and a Tomatometer score of 16% – a difference of 70 percentage points – and counts towards the director's total tally.

Only directors with at least seven feature films who have released at least one movie since 1985 were considered. Audience and Tomatometer scores were used to calculate average career-long audience scores and the number of audience votes and critic reviews weighted Tomatometer scores.(Check out the best R-rated movies ever made.)

45. Paul W.S. Anderson

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 52% (1,835,570 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 31% (1,256 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (41.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Resident Evil (2002), Event Horizon (1997), Soldier (1998)

44. Alan Rudolph

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 50% (28,589 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 63% (346 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (41.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Roadie (1980), Made in Heaven (1987), Afterglow (1997)

43. Bob Clark

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 68% (470,450 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 32% (271 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (41.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: It Runs in the Family (1994), From the Hip (1987), Turk 182 (1985)

42. Randal Kleiser

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 75% (1,571,386 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 54% (227 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (45.5% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: The Blue Lagoon (1980), Grandview, U.S.A. (1984), Lovewrecked (2005)

41. Mel Brooks

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (1,405,848 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 69% (439 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (45.5% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995), The Twelve Chairs (1970)

40. Luc Besson

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 77% (1,300,431 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 49% (1,092 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (50.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Anna (2019), Arthur and the Invisibles (2006), The Big Blue (Le Grand Bleu) (1988)

39. Adam Shankman

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 77% (34,413,679 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 40% (1,294 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (55.6% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: A Walk to Remember (2002), Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005), The Wedding Planner (2001)

38. John Singleton

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 51% (33,567,826 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 52% (810 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (55.6% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Poetic Justice (1993), Abduction (2011), Higher Learning (1995)

37. Daniel Petrie

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 54% (72,309 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 62% (87 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (55.6% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Resurrection (1980), Six Pack (1982), Rocket Gibraltar (1988)

36. Steven Brill

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 59% (1,769,897 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 24% (699 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (55.6% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Without a Paddle (2004), Heavyweights (1995), Mr. Deeds (2002)

35. Kevin Reynolds

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 69% (1,044,452 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 51% (547 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (55.6% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: The Beast of War (1988), Rapa Nui (1994), Tristan + Isolde (2006)

34. Frank Coraci

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 68% (2,956,688 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 29% (848 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (62.5% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Blended (2014), The Waterboy (1998), The Ridiculous 6 (2015)

33. Christopher Cain

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 53% (193,172 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 22% (193 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (62.5% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: That Was Then… This Is Now (1985), Pure Country (1992), Young Guns (1988)

32. Charles Band

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 37% (19,542 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 22% (32 reviews)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Blood Dolls (1999), Evil Bong (2006), Head of the Family (1996)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (62.5% of filmography)

31. Les Mayfield

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 44% (1,173,869 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 19% (462 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (71.4% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: American Outlaws (2001), Encino Man (1992), Code Name: The Cleaner (2007)

30. Robert Luketic

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 62% (3,410,484 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 31% (1,028 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (71.4% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: The Ugly Truth (2009), Monster-in-Law (2005), Killers (2010)

29. Randall Miller

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 57% (58,115 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 30% (340 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (71.4% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Class Act (1992), Houseguest (1995), Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School (2005)

28. Deon Taylor

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 75% (20,668 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 39% (333 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (71.4% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Supremacy (2014), Meet the Blacks (2016), Fatale (2020)

27. Andy Fickman

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 65% (1,526,451 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 29% (699 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 5 (71.4% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Playing with Fire (2019), Parental Guidance (2012), The Game Plan (2007)

26. Abel Ferrara

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 60% (76,817 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 66% (330 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (42.9% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: The Blackout (1997), The Driller Killer (1979), Body Snatchers (1993)

25. Michael Winner

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 59% (54,307 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 47% (133 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (54.5% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Hannibal Brooks (1969), Chato's Land (1972), Death Wish 3 (1985)

24. Howard Deutch

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 65% (720,596 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 32% (494 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (60.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Grumpier Old Men (1995), The Whole Ten Yards (2004), My Best Friend's Girl (2008)

23. Joseph Ruben

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 43% (374,745 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 43% (435 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (60.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Sleeping with the Enemy (1991), The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017), True Believer (1989)

22. Andy Tennant

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 62% (34,773,418 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 39% (916 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (66.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: It Takes Two (1995), The Secret: Dare to Dream (2020), Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

21. Hal Needham

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 63% (182,657 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 41% (137 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (75.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Rad (1986), The Villain (1979), Cannonball Run II (1984)

20. Jay Chandrasekhar

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 66% (884,849 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 28% (589 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (85.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Super Troopers (2001), Puddle Cruiser (1996), Beerfest (2006)

19. Sam Firstenberg

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 51% (32,904 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 19% (32 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (85.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Revenge of the Ninja (1983), Avenging Force (1986), American Warrior (1985)

18. Rowdy Herrington

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 57% (108,956 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 30% (172 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (85.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: A Murder of Crows (1998), Gladiator (1992), Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)

17. Aaron Norris

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 39% (43,633 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 15% (46 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 6 (85.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Forest Warrior (1996), Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988), Hellbound (1994)

16. Ron Howard

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 68% (4,810,360 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 58% (3,698 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (25.9% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Hillbilly Elegy (2020), The Missing (2003), Edtv (1999)

15. Arthur Hiller

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 65% (157,220 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 49% (348 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (35.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Penelope (1966), Tobruk (1967), Author! Author! (1982)

14. Richard Fleischer

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 56% (319,052 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 56% (347 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (36.8% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Between Heaven and Hell (1956), The Jazz Singer (1980), The Spikes Gang (1974)

13. Bruce Beresford

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 62% (311,142 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 48% (621 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (43.8% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Mr. Church (2016), Double Jeopardy (1999), Paradise Road (1997)

12. Donald Petrie

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 62% (2,925,126 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 27% (839 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (53.8% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Little Italy (2018), How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days (2003), Opportunity Knocks (1990)

11. Sidney J. Furie

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 36% (139,603 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 24% (110 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (70.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: The Boys in Company C (1978), Hollow Point (1996), The Appaloosa (1966)

10. Tim Story

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 52% (2,746,943 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 33% (1,315 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (70.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Shaft (2019), Tom and Jerry (2021), Ride Along (2014)

9. Brian Robbins

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 51% (1,399,484 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 23% (778 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (77.8% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: A Thousand Words (2012), Norbit (2007), Varsity Blues (1999)

8. Roger Kumble

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 68% (1,338,465 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 31% (538 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 7 (100.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: After We Collided (2020), The Sweetest Thing (2002), College Road Trip (2008)

7. Larry Cohen

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 41% (38,016 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 59% (153 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 8 (57.1% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: The Ambulance (1990), It's Alive III: Island of the Alive (1987), Full Moon High (1981)

6. Joel Schumacher

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 54% (3,419,683 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 39% (1,649 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 9 (40.9% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: The Phantom of the Opera (2004), The Number 23 (2007), Dying Young (1991)

5. Michael Bay

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 68% (10,769,166 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 38% (2,815 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 9 (60.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Bad Boys II (2003), Pearl Harbor (2001), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

4. Michael Schultz

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 72% (54,196 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 49% (108 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 9 (90.0% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Scavenger Hunt (1979), Which Way Is Up? (1977), Disorderlies (1987)

3. Garry Marshall

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 67% (35,564,851 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 28% (1,397 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 10 (55.6% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Beaches (1988), The Other Sister (1999), New Year's Eve (2011)

2. Dennis Dugan

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 67% (5,293,909 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 20% (1,373 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 12 (85.7% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), Grown Ups (2010), The Benchwarmers (2006)

1. Tyler Perry

Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (936,863 votes)
Avg. career Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 29% (729 reviews)
Movies with audience-critic differentials of at least 25 ppts.: 14 (82.4% of filmography)
Movies with largest audience-critic differentials: Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013), Madea Goes to Jail (2009), Madea's Family Reunion (2006)