 |
|
Beyonce is a musical megastar, of course, but she’s also appeared in over a dozen movies. RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCE promises to marry these two sides of her artistry in a bold new way. While we anticipate the movie’s December 1 release, let’s take a look at her cinematic output, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.
12. Obsessed (2009)
Tomatometer: 19%
Audience Score: 46%
Synopsis: Things couldn't be better for Derek Charles (Idris Elba). He's just received a big promotion at work, and has a wonderful marriage with his beautiful wife, Sharon (Beyoncé Knowles). However, into this idyllic world steps Lisa (Ali Larter), a temporary worker at Derek's office. Lisa begins to stalk Derek, jeopardizing all he holds dear.
Critics Consensus: The inevitable Fatal Attraction comparisons aside, Obsessed is a generic, toothless thriller both instantly predictable and instantly forgettable.
Starring: Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter
Directed By: Will Packer
11. The Pink Panther (2006)
Tomatometer: 21%
Audience Score: 51%
Synopsis: When the coach of a French soccer team is killed, his ring featuring the legendary Pink Panther diamond goes missing. Luckily, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) has a plan: assign his most intelligent, most driven officers to track down the thieves in secret, while publicly assigning the bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) as head of the case. Clouseau seems hopeless, until his various mistakes and misjudgments miraculously put him on the real killer's trail.
Critics Consensus: Though Steve Martin is game, the particulars of the Inspector Clouseau character elude him in this middling update.
Starring: Steve Martin, Beyoncé Knowles, Kevin Kline
Directed By: Shawn Levy
10. The Fighting Temptations (2003)
Tomatometer: 42%
Audience Score: 66%
Synopsis: Advertising executive Darrin Hill (Cuba Gooding Jr.) loses his job and his girlfriend after his many lies about his background and education are discovered. Soon after, he returns to his small Georgia hometown to collect an inheritance from his Aunt Sally (Ann Nesby). To receive it, he must lead the church choir to victory in a gospel competition. With the help of childhood friend Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles), now a beautiful singer, Darrin gets the choir ready to perform.
Critics Consensus: The music is the only saving grace in this predictable and eager-to-please comedy.
Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Beyoncé Knowles
Directed By: Jonathan Lynn
9. Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001)
Tomatometer: 50%
Audience Score: 70%
Synopsis: An engaged Philadelphia policeman (Mekhi Phifer) falls in love with a beautiful woman (Beyoncé Knowles) while dealing with a corrupt superior (Mos Def).
Starring: Beyoncé Knowles, Mekhi Phifer, Mos Def
Directed By: Robert Townsend
8. The Lion King (2019)
Tomatometer: 52%
Audience Score: 88%
Synopsis: Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny on the plains of Africa. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother -- and former heir to the throne -- has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is soon ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. Now, with help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba must figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
Critics Consensus: While it can take pride in its visual achievements,The Lion King is a by-the-numbers retelling that lacks the energy and heart that made the original so beloved--though for some fans that may just be enough.
Audience Says: A Disney live-action remake that successfully updates the original, The Lion King adds gorgeous new visual effects to a story the audience knows by heart.
Starring: Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Directed By: Jon Favreau
7. Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Tomatometer: 53%
Audience Score: 44%
Synopsis: Teaming up with the mysterious yet peculiar Goldmember, Dr. Evil hatches a time-traveling scheme to take over the world, one that involves the kidnapping of Nigel Powers, Austin's beloved father and England's most renowned spy. As he chases the villains through time, Austin visits 1975 and joins forces with his old flame, Foxxy Cleopatra, a streetwise but stylish detective. Together Austin and Foxxy must find a way to save Nigel and stop Dr. Evil and Goldmember from their mischievous mayhem.
Critics Consensus: While the narrative structure is messy and doesn't make much sense, the third installment of the Austin Powers franchise contains enough inspired bits to entertain.
Starring: Mike Myers, Beyoncé Knowles
Directed By: Jay Roach
6. Epic (2013)
Tomatometer: 65%
Audience Score: 65%
Synopsis: Mary Katherine (Amanda Seyfried), or M.K., is a headstrong, spirited teenager who has a strained relationship with her father (Jason Sudeikis). She loses patience with her dad's tales of unseen people who live in the woods, but when she is magically transported to that mythic realm, she gains new perspective. M.K. joins a race of beings known as the Leafmen in their battle to protect their queen (Beyoncé Knowles) from their enemies, evil Mandrake (Christoph Waltz) and his crew of Boggans.
Critics Consensus: Though its narrative themes are all too familiar, Epic is beautifully animated and crafted with just enough flair to make for solid family entertainment.
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Beyoncé Knowles
Directed By: Chris Wedge
5. Cadillac Records (2008)
Tomatometer: 66%
Audience Score: 65%
Synopsis: In 1947 Chicago, Polish emigrant and bar owner Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) hires a blues combo that includes guitarist Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright) and harmonica player Little Walter (Columbus Short). Waters' and Walter's success leads to Chess' management of stars Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles), Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker), Chuck Berry (Mos Def) and others. Inevitably, business and personal lines blur as the sometimes-turbulent lives of the musicians play out.
Critics Consensus: What Cadillac Records may lack in originality, it more than makes up for in strong performances and soul-stirring music.
Starring: Adrien Brody, Beyoncé Knowles, Jeffrey Wright
Directed By: Darnell Martin
4. Dreamgirls (2006)
Tomatometer: 79%
Audience Score: 71%
Synopsis: Deena (Beyoncé Knowles), Effie (Jennifer Hudson) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) form a music trio called the Dreamettes. When ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx) spots the act at a talent show, he offers the chance of a lifetime, to be backup singers for a national star (Eddie Murphy). Taylor takes creative control of the group and eventually pushes the singers into the spotlight. However, one becomes the star, forcing another out, which teaches them about the high cost of fame.
Critics Consensus: Dreamgirls' simple characters and plot hardly detract from the movie's real feats: the electrifying performances and the dazzling musical numbers.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose
Directed By: Bill Condon
3. Black is King (2020)
Tomatometer: 94%
Audience Score: 90%
Synopsis: Beyoncé compiled this visual album as both a companion to 2019's The Lion King and a tribute to Black history and ancestry. In the course of the film, a young prince learns valuable lessons about what it means to carry the legacy of Black men in the African diaspora. It's a visually and emotionally stunning work, featuring contributions from many of Beyonce's famous friends and relatives.
Critics Consensus: Beyoncé is King.
Starring: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Directed By: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Blitz Bazawule, Emmanuel Adjoin and others
2. Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé (2019)
Tomatometer: 98%
Audience Score: 87%
Synopsis: This intimate, in-depth look at Beyoncé's celebrated 2018 Coachella performance reveals the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement.
Critics Consensus: Beychella forever.
Directed By: Beyoncé
1. Lemonade (2016)
Tomatometer: 100%
Audience Score: 85%
Synopsis: Lemonade is a visual album by Beyoncé in the form of an hour-long film, described as "a conceptual project based on each woman's journey of self-knowledge and healing."
Directed By: Beyoncé
