Movie studios release a number of films every year. Some are hits, some are misses, but the continual churn of storytelling is that you have to take chances and put things in theaters and online to get butts in seats and to get subscription dollars.
Now, Paramount is a studio that just sold to Skydance, so we’re unsure how things will look as they move forward as a company. This year, they put a lot of cash into sequels and intellectual property. And even took a chance on a big original idea.
Like any place, some of the movies they made were great, while others faltered.
So, what were the worst to best Paramount movies to come out this year?
‘Dear Santa’
Critics or audiences did not embrace this aim for a splashy Christmas release on the Paramount+ platform. It’s getting views, but it’s also getting a lot of hate from different groups online.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 24%
‘Apartment 7A’
Another twist on a Paramount classic, this prequel to Rosemary’s Baby is a spooky story that debuted on Paramount+ . We don’t have the numbers to see if it did well, but it was an enjoyable watch with a few scares.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 41%
‘Bob Marley: One Love’
This biopic failed to connect with a wide audience. Marley himself is an icon, but the movie didn’t come together in a way that would be a success with the studio.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 44%
‘IF’
This original idea had everything going for it: famous faces, a famous director, and a favorable family rating, but the marketing never gave us anyone to hang onto and audiences didn’t find it on the big screen. It’s doing well on the streamer, but you can tell Paramount wanted more from this movie.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%
‘Gladiator II’
A legacy sequel that brought back one of Paramount’s most successful movies of all time and gave it another chapter. It’s doing well at the box office, but reviews have not been as exciting as they were with the original.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
‘September 5’
Definitely perceived as an awards contender, this dramatic look at the Munich Olympics and the terrorism there is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that has yet to go wide.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
‘Smile 2’
A fun horror sequel that amps up all the action in the first film and delivers on its spooky premise. This one had an even more shocking ending that got everyone talking.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
‘A Quiet Place: Day One’
The third part of the Quiet Place trilogy, this movie felt like it was a little too depressing to break out. While it did okay at the box office, it never quite became the event that the first movie was in theaters.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
‘Transformers One’
By far, it is the best movie Paramount made this year. This animated prequel brought back all the characters we know and love from Transformers and gave us their original story.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’
The Sonic movies have been sneakily good and make a lot of money. Their successes should be attributed to hilarious writing, great characters, and tapping into IP that both parents and kids know.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: Not released yet.
‘Better Man’
Music biopics can be kind of boring, but what about one starring a chimpanzee? This story of Robbie Williams’s rise to prominence is told in such an interesting way, with a CGI chimp at its center.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: Not released yet.
‘Hot Rod’
Did Hot Rod release this year? No, it did not. Is it a particularly important anniversary that qualifies it for this list? Nah, man. Is it produced by Paramount? Why, yes. yes in fact it is.
We included Hot Rod on this list because Hot Rod stands the test of time as one of the highest accomplishments cinema has to offer. Hot Rod is a story of family, of triumph against all odds, of hope, of love, of beans, and, of course: of stunts. Part Shakespearean tragedy, part affable sports fair, Hot Rod deserves to be the best of any list.
Thank you, Paramount, for this gift you have bestowed to the world. We’re all better for it, Paramount.
This is what we thought was the best and worst of the year, but I’m sure you have a different ranking.
Put yours below in the comments.
Author: NFS Staff
This article comes from No Film School and can be read on the original site.
