Despite (or perhaps because of) the scathing reviews, "Meet the Spartans" was a box office phenomenon. Made on a modest budget of $30 million, the film opened at #1 in the United States and Canada, debuting with $18.7 million and knocking the horror hit "Cloverfield" out of the top spot. It ultimately grossed over $84 million worldwide. This financial success cemented the business model for Friedberg and Seltzer: make a cheap, topical parody aimed at undemanding audiences, and let the controversy (and curiosity) drive ticket sales.

Critics were almost uniformly brutal. The Hollywood Reporter's Frank Scheck opined that "it...wouldn't be fair to judge 'Meet the Spartans' on a gag-to-laughs ratio because there virtually are no laughs". The Slate review was even more scathing, comparing the comedic team of Friedberg and Seltzer unfavorably to dictators like Stalin. The film was derided for its reliance on lazy pop culture references that were already dated upon release, its juvenile humor, and its paper-thin plot. It is routinely listed among the worst films ever made, a dubious honor its directors wear like a badge of shame.

Meet The Spartans Movie Filmyzilla Top 🌟 🆒

Despite (or perhaps because of) the scathing reviews, "Meet the Spartans" was a box office phenomenon. Made on a modest budget of $30 million, the film opened at #1 in the United States and Canada, debuting with $18.7 million and knocking the horror hit "Cloverfield" out of the top spot. It ultimately grossed over $84 million worldwide. This financial success cemented the business model for Friedberg and Seltzer: make a cheap, topical parody aimed at undemanding audiences, and let the controversy (and curiosity) drive ticket sales.

Critics were almost uniformly brutal. The Hollywood Reporter's Frank Scheck opined that "it...wouldn't be fair to judge 'Meet the Spartans' on a gag-to-laughs ratio because there virtually are no laughs". The Slate review was even more scathing, comparing the comedic team of Friedberg and Seltzer unfavorably to dictators like Stalin. The film was derided for its reliance on lazy pop culture references that were already dated upon release, its juvenile humor, and its paper-thin plot. It is routinely listed among the worst films ever made, a dubious honor its directors wear like a badge of shame. meet the spartans movie filmyzilla top