You're Not Ready for 'The Greatest Showman's Criminally Low RT Score: Why Is It Underrated?
When The Greatest Showman hit theaters, it received brutal critical reviews that seemed completely at odds with the audience’s enthusiasm. Why did the industry hate this iconic film? Let's find out!
When it was released in 2017, critics literally hated the star-studded The Greatest Showman. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 56% from critics, you'd expect this Hugh Jackman musical to be a forgettable flop.
Instead, it became a cultural phenomenon that refused to fade away, grossing over $434 million worldwide and spawning countless viral covers of its infectious soundtrack.
After becoming one of the highest-grossing movie musicals of all time, it's clear that The Greatest Showman had widespread appeal and a devoted fan base despite its critical failures.
Why Did the Critics Hate ‘The Greatest Showman’?
This disconnect reveals something fascinating about how we evaluate entertainment. Critics slammed the film for taking liberties with history, pointing out its sanitized portrayal of P.T. Barnum and its glossing over complex social issues. While these concerns are valid, the critics missed the bigger picture entirely.
The Greatest Showman succeeds precisely because it prioritizes emotional authenticity over historical accuracy. The film understands that audiences don't need a documentary, they need inspiration.
Songs like "This Is Me" and "Rewrite the Stars" tap into universal themes of acceptance and the courage to be different. These aren't just catchy tunes, they're anthems that speak to anyone who's ever felt like an outsider or dreamed of something bigger.
Critics also underestimated the power of sincerity in an increasingly cynical world. The Greatest Showman wears its heart on its sleeve without apology. In an era of dark and complex tales, it's revolutionary to see a movie that simply wants to make people feel good about themselves and their potential. And the film's lasting impact proves its worth.
“Hugh Jackman was fantastic, the acting of the rest of the cast was great, but the music was absolutely brilliant. Every song was catchy, they all had a purpose, different cast members singing about their feelings and such, I am completely blown away by how much I loved this movie and felt like I had to share,” Redditor Goodvibes 9821 said.
Where to Stream ‘The Greatest Showman’?
The Greatest Showman is streaming on AppleTV+.
