A comedy film from 2006 that was widely panned by critics upon its original release is experiencing a remarkable second life, climbing the popularity charts on Netflix in the United Kingdom two decades later.
From Box Office Flop to Streaming Success
The film 'Accepted', released in 2006, is currently sitting at number nine on Netflix UK's Top Films list. This places it above high-profile titles like 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. The movie, which initially flopped at the box office, appears to have finally found its intended audience through the power of streaming.
The plot follows Bartleby Gaines, a high school graduate played by Justin Long, who faces rejection from every university he applies to. In a desperate attempt to deceive his parents, Bartleby, with the help of his friends, invents a fake university called the South Harmon Institute of Technology (S.H.I.T.) on an abandoned property. The scheme spirals out of control as other rejected students begin applying, forcing Bartleby and his friends to actually run the institution.
A Star-Studded Cast and Critical Backlash
Directed by Steve Pink in his directorial debut, the film boasts a notable ensemble cast. Jonah Hill stars as Sherman Schrader, Bartleby's best friend, in one of his early film roles. The cast also includes Blake Lively, Adam Herschman, and Columbus Short.
Despite this talent, the film was met with harsh reviews. On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, 'Accepted' holds a decidedly 'rotten' critics' score of just 38%. The critical consensus describes the film as having an "inconsistent and ridiculous plot" that "gets annoying, despite a few laughs."
Audience Love Defies Critical Opinion
In stark contrast to the professional reviews, the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is a far more generous 72%. This divide in opinion is being mirrored on social media, where new viewers on Netflix are championing the film.
Fans have taken to online platforms to share their enthusiasm. One viewer strongly urged others to watch, stating they had seen it "at least 10-15 times." Another labelled it a "must see," praising its meaningful message and hilarious delivery. The film has been called "legendary" by some, with a final fan declaring it "the single funniest movie I've ever seen."
The resurgence of 'Accepted' highlights the growing disconnect between traditional critical reception and the tastes of streaming audiences, who are now able to rediscover and reappraise films on their own terms. The movie is available to stream now on Netflix in the UK.
