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Throughout his extraordinary career, Robin Williams appeared in more than sixty feature films, solidifying his place among the most prolific entertainers in modern cinema. His body of work earned the admiration of audiences and critics alike, garnering him four Academy Award nominations and a single win for what is widely regarded as his finest performance — his emotionally rich turn in *Good Will Hunting*. Despite this crowning achievement, not every one of his many projects reached cinematic greatness.

Williams’ journey to stardom began with his breakout role as the eccentric alien Mork in the 1970s sitcom *Mork and Mindy*. The character’s zany personality and Williams’ manic improvisational style quickly captured public affection, paving the way for his swift ascension into the upper echelons of comedy and film. From his early television days, he leapt into motion pictures, eventually becoming one of the most widely recognized comedic talents alive. His cinematic résumé — a diverse collection that includes classics such as *Aladdin*, *Good Will Hunting*, *Mrs. Doubtfire*, *Jumanji*, and *Hook* — generated staggering box office returns and an enduring fan base.

Before his untimely passing in 2014, Robin Williams had long been celebrated as one of the most beloved comedians of all time, an artist whose warmth and spontaneity transcended performance genres. Few stand-up comedians in history managed to transition to mainstream film stardom as seamlessly as he did, blending lightning-fast wit with poignantly human vulnerability. Yet, even for someone of his prodigious gifts, audience acclaim did not always align with critical assessment. Many of his films polarized reviewers, some hailed as near-perfect triumphs while others faltered under the weight of inconsistent scripts or misguided direction.

To explore the full trajectory of his filmography, critics have compiled and analyzed his works according to their *Rotten Tomatoes* ratings, identifying the ten most critically acclaimed and ten most poorly received films of his career. The following sections illuminate both the missteps and the masterworks — revealing where your personal favorites might land within this spectrum.

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### The Lowest-Rated Films of Robin Williams’ Career

Even the brightest stars occasionally find themselves dimmed by less favorable circumstances. Robin Williams, a performer known for his spontaneous brilliance, inevitably encountered creative projects that fell short of expectation. Critics often cited uneven storytelling, tonal confusion, or uninspired direction as reasons that some roles did not reflect his true potential.

**10. “Absolutely Anything” (2015)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 20%
This late-career comedy centered on Neil Clarke (Simon Pegg), an everyman suddenly granted limitless power by extraterrestrials who wish to determine whether humanity merits salvation. Williams lent his voice to Dennis, the talking dog — an emblem of his willingness to infuse even minor roles with humor and warmth. Yet, despite its premise brimming with imaginative potential, reviewers like Stephen Dalton of *The Hollywood Reporter* found the execution flat and its moral message disappointingly trite.

**9. “Jack” (1996)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 17%
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this family drama told the story of Jack Powell, a boy born with a disorder causing him to age four times faster than normal. Williams’ portrayal infused the film with tenderness and mischief, capturing the emotional contradictions of a child trapped in an adult’s body. However, *The New York Times*’ Janet Maslin remarked that the performance, though at times touching, was constrained by a formulaic plot that limited his improvisational flair.

**8. “A Merry Friggin’ Christmas” (2014)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 14%
In this dark holiday comedy, Williams played Mitch, a quirky patriarch whose strained relationship with his son (Joel McHale) forms the heart of the narrative. The story of an awkward father-son road trip promised moments of reconciliation and madness, yet critics like Nick Prigge of *Slant Magazine* dismissed it as both timid and tonally uncertain — neither daringly subversive nor warmly comic.

**7. “Club Paradise” (1986)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%
Portraying retired firefighter Jack Moniker, Williams attempted to fuel this Caribbean resort comedy with exuberance and charm. Joined by Jimmy Cliff, his character’s misadventures with tourists and greedy developers should have offered vibrant satire but resulted in what critics, including Sheila Benson of the *Los Angeles Times*, called “frenetically unfunny.”

**6. “House of D” (2004)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 10%
Directed by David Duchovny, the film revisited 1970s Manhattan through a young boy’s coming-of-age story. Williams’ performance as Pappass, a developmentally challenged custodian, radiated kindness but struggled within a film that critics found emotionally artificial and overly sentimental. Tasha Robinson of *The AV Club* noted that Duchovny’s attempt to invoke nostalgia faltered under strained sentimentality.

**4 (tie). “The Angriest Man in Brooklyn” (2014)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 9%
As Henry Altmann, a man grappling with a terminal diagnosis and only ninety minutes to make peace with those he wronged, Williams delivered an earnest dramatic turn. Nevertheless, the narrative’s confused tone left reviewers like Bilge Ebiri of *Vulture* uncertain about what the film sought to achieve.

**4 (tie). “The Survivors” (1983)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 9%
Pairing Walter Matthau with Williams promised comedic synergy; however, critics found little chemistry between the leads. *The New York Times’* Vincent Canby observed that despite each actor’s considerable charm, the script’s incoherence undermined any comic rhythm they attempted to build.

**2 (tie). “License to Wed” (2007)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 7%
Here, Williams portrayed Reverend Frank, an eccentric clergy member whose pre-marital counseling tests an engaged couple’s patience. *Associated Press’* Christy Lemire dismissed it as a one-joke premise stretched thin, its humor never rising above sitcom-level absurdity.

**2 (tie). “The Big Wedding” (2013)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 7%
In this crowded ensemble comedy about a family reuniting for a chaotic wedding, Williams played the idiosyncratic officiant. Charlotte O’Sullivan of the *London Evening Standard* encapsulated the general consensus, calling it “big wedding, big fat nothing.”

**1. “Old Dogs” (2009)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 5%
Partnered again with John Travolta, Williams explored fatherhood through slapstick misfires. Critics overwhelmingly condemned the film for formulaic storytelling and tonal mismanagement. Reviewer Micheal Compton of *Bowling Green Daily News* admitted that his only joy came from reaching the movie’s merciful conclusion.

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### The Highest-Rated Highlights of His Career

While some films stumbled, others immortalized Robin Williams as an actor of depth and versatility, capable of awakening laughter and tears in equal measure. His best work often fused his natural comedic magnetism with profound humanity.

**10. “The Fisher King” (1991)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
In this haunting drama, Williams portrayed Parry, a homeless man bearing deep psychological scars after tragedy. His unlikely friendship with a guilt-ridden radio host (Jeff Bridges) unfolds into a heartfelt search for redemption and mythic purpose. Stephen Silver of *Tilt Magazine* praised its mix of humor and compassion, labeling it a humane and empathetic odyssey.

**9. “The Birdcage” (1996)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
Reimagining the French classic *La Cage aux Folles*, this colorful adaptation showcased Williams and Nathan Lane as a loving gay couple forced to masquerade as straight for the sake of their son’s conservative in-laws. Hal Hinson of *The Washington Post* lauded its manic energy and called it one of the funniest explorations of family values ever put on screen.

**8. “Dead Poets Society” (1989)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
As English professor John Keating, Williams inspired students to think independently and embrace life’s fleeting beauty through the rallying cry “carpe diem.” Critics, including Hank Gallo of the *New York Daily News*, admired the nuance behind his seemingly typical warmth, noting that the role revealed greater emotional depth than many of his earlier works.

**7. “World’s Greatest Dad” (2009)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
This dark comedy saw Williams as Lance Clayton, a struggling writer whose morally compromising choice to fake his son’s suicide note yields unexpected fame. Anna Smith of *Metro UK* applauded his restrained yet powerful turn, describing it as both guilt-ridden and consistently amusing.

**5 (tie). “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Set amid wartime chaos, Williams transformed the real-life figure of Adrian Cronauer into an irreverent, beloved radio DJ whose broadcasts lifted soldiers’ spirits. Vincent Canby of *The New York Times* hailed it as a tour de force that confirmed Williams’ status as both comedian and consummate actor.

**5 (tie). “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” (1989)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Although commercially unsuccessful, Terry Gilliam’s fantastical epic earned critics’ admiration for its lavish imagination. Williams, uncredited but unmistakable as the King of the Moon, contributed a brief burst of surreal humor. Dennis King of *Tulsa World* called the film a triumph of creative audacity over reason.

**4. “Insomnia” (2002)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Against type, Williams portrayed Walter Finch, a calculated murderer whose quiet menace played brilliantly opposite Al Pacino’s morally conflicted detective. David Edelstein of *Slate* described Williams as a surprisingly effective counterbalance, his calm demeanor intensifying the film’s psychological tension.

**3. “Hamlet” (1996)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Kenneth Branagh’s lavish adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy granted Williams a small but memorable appearance as Osric, bringing levity amid regal turmoil. Rob Humanick of *Slant Magazine* praised the production’s artistic scope and monumental ambition.

**2. “Aladdin” (1992)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Voicing the Genie, Williams delivered an exuberant, shape-shifting performance that redefined what animated characters could achieve. His rapid-fire improvisations blended pop-culture wit with timeless charm, a feat that critic Brian D. Johnson of *Maclean’s Magazine* celebrated as proof of his genius.

**1. “Good Will Hunting” (1997)** — Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
At the height of his dramatic powers, Williams embodied therapist Sean Maguire — the compassionate mentor who helps prodigy Will Hunting (Matt Damon) confront his pain and realize his worth. The performance earned Williams his long-deserved Academy Award and universal acclaim. Jason Bailey of *Vice* commended the film’s youthful optimism and its portrayal of limitless human potential.

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Together, these peaks and valleys encapsulate the breadth of Robin Williams’ cinematic legacy: a performer whose empathy matched his energy, whose humor illuminated sorrow, and whose artistry continues to inspire long after his passing.

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