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The new romantic comedy “Mother of the Bride” has taken the top spot on the Netflix movie chart, despite receiving harsh criticism from reviewers. Starring Brooke Shields and Miranda Cosgrove, the film debuted with 26.7 million views worldwide in its first four days, making it the second Netflix original in recent weeks to be panned by critics yet still dominate the streaming platform’s most-watched list.

Critics have described “Mother of the Bride” as “mindless,” “unremarkable,” and “threadbare,” resulting in a dismal 14% score on Rotten Tomatoes—the lowest performance of any Netflix original this year. In the previous week, the film “Unfrosted,” directed by Jerry Seinfeld, also faced negative reviews but managed to secure the second spot on the chart with 8.8 million views.

Despite the criticism, “Mother of the Bride” and “Unfrosted” have outperformed other popular films on Netflix, such as “Shrek,” “Barbarian,” and “Secrets of the Neanderthals.” The success of these controversial films highlights the disconnect between critical reception and audience preferences on the streaming platform.

With 21 English Netflix original movies released so far this year, the average score for these films stands at 55.3%, with many receiving “rotten” ratings. Despite the negative reviews, the resurgence of the “Shrek” franchise on Netflix showcases the enduring popularity of the animated series, which has grossed billions worldwide and continues to captivate audiences across different mediums.

As the debate between critical acclaim and audience appeal rages on, “Mother of the Bride” and “Unfrosted” serve as prime examples of how viewer engagement can sometimes outweigh critical reception in the world of streaming entertainment.