Marlon Brando’s ‘On the Waterfront’ Tops Rotten Tomatoes Over ‘The Godfather’

LOS ANGELES, CA — Marlon Brando is celebrated as one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, with his most iconic role in ‘The Godfather‘ (1972). However, another film featuring Brando, Elia Kazan’s ‘On the Waterfront‘ (1954), boasts a higher Rotten Tomatoes score, achieving a remarkable 99% from critics.

While ‘The Godfather’ holds an impressive 97% score based on 152 reviews, ‘On the Waterfront’ has garnered universal acclaim, with a consensus of 114 positive reviews. This film is known for its portrayal of anti-hero Terry Malloy, a former boxer who takes a stand against mob union leader Johnny Friendly.

‘On the Waterfront’ not only won Brando his first Academy Award but also remains influential in film history. Critics have noted the film’s powerful narrative and Brando’s compelling performance, contributing to its elevated status in cinema, particularly among films from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, only five movies have achieved a higher favorable rating based on a greater number of reviews, including ‘Toy Story 2‘ (1999) and Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Seven Samurai‘ (1954). Despite its accolades, ‘The Godfather’ has been scrutinized by some critics who found its storytelling too sensationalized to be considered a masterpiece.

Some have pointed out that ‘The Godfather’ is perceived as pretentious or overly focused on themes of revenge without moral ambiguity. This dichotomy is evident given that a small percentage of critics rated it negatively, attributing it to a polarizing reception. In contrast, ‘On the Waterfront’ was less controversial upon release and celebrated as a classic shortly after its debut.

The contrast in critical reception is particularly intriguing, as both films are heralded for their cinematic excellence. ‘The Godfather’ remains a frequent contender for the title of the greatest film of all time, yet its critical consensus does not match that of ‘On the Waterfront’.

In terms of box office success, ‘The Godfather’ was once the highest-grossing film of all time. However, the statistics show that ‘On the Waterfront’ is seen as the film with the fewest detractors, an interesting detail when analyzing both films’ impact and legacy. Despite differing opinions, both films solidly anchor their places in cinematic history.