Jon Favreau’s Movies from Best to Worst – RT Critics

Jonathan Kolia Favreau (born 19 October 1966) is an American actor and filmmaker.  His best known acting roles include Happy Hogan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and roles in the films Rudy (1993), Swingers (1996), Very Bad Things (1998), The Replacements (2000), Daredevil (2003), The Break-Up (2006), Couples Retreat (2009) and Chef (2014), as well as playing Pete Becker in the TV series Friends (1994-2004).  He is known for directing the MCU’s first and third installments, Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010), as well as Elf (2003), Zathura (2005), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), The Jungle Book (2016) and The Lion King (2019).  He was executive producer on, and actor in, Avengers: Endgame (2019) – the 2nd-highest-grossing film of all time – and several other MCU movies.  He is also creator and executive producer of the web TV series The Mandalorian (2019-present), part of the Star Wars universe.  The following are his 51 films, including credits as actor, writer, director, producer and executive producer, arranged in order from “best” to “worst” according to the collective opinions of Rotten Tomatoes film critics.  Contained is each film’s critical approval, average rating, and critical consensus (if there is one). I’ve previously made a list of Jon Favreau’s Movies from Best to Worst – RT Critics, but it’s now rather out of date.

Alien Xmas (2020)

100% – 7.5/10 (7 reviews)

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

94% – 8.2/10 (557 reviews)

Exciting, entertaining, and emotionally impactful, Avengers: Endgame does whatever it takes to deliver a satisfying finale to Marvel’s epic Infinity Saga. Read critic reviews

The Jungle Book (2016)

94% – 7.7/10 (332 reviews)

As lovely to behold as it is engrossing to watch, The Jungle Book is the rare remake that actually improves upon its predecessors — all while setting a new standard for CGI. Read critic reviews

Iron Man (2008)

94% – 7.7/10 (281 reviews)

Powered by Robert Downey Jr.’s vibrant charm, Iron Man turbo-charges the superhero genre with a deft intelligence and infectious sense of fun. Read critic reviews

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

93% – 7.9/10 (431 reviews)

A bigger, bolder Spider-Man sequel, No Way Home expands the franchise’s scope and stakes without losing sight of its humor and heart. Read critic reviews

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

92% – 7.6/10 (400 reviews)

Spider-Man: Homecoming does whatever a second reboot can, delivering a colorful, fun adventure that fits snugly in the sprawling MCU without getting bogged down in franchise-building. Read critic reviews

The Avengers (2012)

91% – 8.1/10 (368 reviews)

Thanks to a script that emphasizes its heroes’ humanity and a wealth of superpowered set pieces, The Avengers lives up to its hype and raises the bar for Marvel at the movies. Read critic reviews

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

90% – 7.4/10 (459 reviews)

A breezily unpredictable blend of teen romance and superhero action, Spider-Man: Far from Home stylishly sets the stage for the next era of the MCU. Read critic reviews

Swingers (1996)

88% – 7.7/10 (56 reviews)

Funny, heartfelt, and effortlessly cool, Swingers made stars out of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, established Doug Liman as a director to watch. Read critic reviews

Chef (2014)

87% – 6.8/10 (190 reviews)

Chef‘s charming cast and sharp, funny script add enough spice to make this feel-good comedy a flavorful — if familiar — treat. Read critic reviews

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

85% – 7.6/10 (492 reviews)

Avengers: Infinity War ably juggles a dizzying array of MCU heroes in the fight against their gravest threat yet, and the result is a thrilling, emotionally resonant blockbuster that (mostly) realizes its gargantuan ambitions. Read critic reviews

Elf (2003)

85% – 7.1/10 (201 reviews)

A movie full of Yuletide cheer, Elf is a spirited, good-natured family comedy, and it benefits greatly from Will Ferrell’s funny and charming performance as one of Santa’s biggest helpers. Read critic reviews

I Love You, Man (2009)

83% – 6.9/10 (206 reviews)

I Love You, Man makes the most of its simple premise due to the heartfelt and hilarious performances of Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. Read critic reviews

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

80% – 7.8/10 (289 reviews)

Funny, self-referential, and irreverent to a fault, The Wolf of Wall Street finds Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio at their most infectiously dynamic. Read critic reviews

Iron Man 3 (2013)

79% – 7/10 (331 reviews)

With the help of its charismatic lead, some impressive action sequences, and even a few surprises, Iron Man 3 is a witty, entertaining adventure and a strong addition to the Marvel canon. Read critic reviews

Rudy (1993)

77% – 6.9/10 (48 reviews)

Though undeniably sentimental and predictable, Rudy succeeds with an uplifting spirit and determination. Read critic reviews

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

76% – 6.8/10 (378 reviews)

Exuberant and eye-popping, Avengers: Age of Ultron serves as an overstuffed but mostly satisfying sequel, reuniting its predecessor’s unwieldy cast with a few new additions and a worthy foe. Read critic reviews

Zathura (2005)

76% – 6.6/10 (161 reviews)

Dazzling special effects for the kids + well-crafted storytelling for the ‘rents = cinematic satisfaction for the whole family. Read critic reviews

Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994)

76% – 6.3/10 (33 reviews)

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

72% – 6.6/10 (172 reviews)

Though it occasionally stumbles into sitcom territory, Something’s Gotta Give is mostly a smart, funny romantic comedy, with sharp performances from Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, and Keanu Reeves. Read critic reviews

Iron Man 2 (2010)

72% – 6.5/10 (304 reviews)

It isn’t quite the breath of fresh air that Iron Man was, but this sequel comes close with solid performances and an action-packed plot. Read critic reviews

Made (2001)

71% – 6.3/10 (106 reviews)

Not as good as Swingers, but it’s still witty and goofy enough for some laughs. Read critic reviews

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

69% – 6.4/10 (486 reviews)

A flawed yet fun and fast-paced space adventure, Solo: A Star Wars Story should satisfy newcomers to the saga as well as longtime fans who check their expectations at the theater door. Read critic reviews

The Big Empty (2003)

67% – 6.2/10 (6 reviews)

Wimbledon (2004)

61% – 5.9/10 (146 reviews)

A predictable, bland rom-com, but Bettany proves to be an appealing lead. Read critic reviews

People Like Us (2012)

53% – 5.7/10 (119 reviews)

Though calculated and melodramatic, People Like Us benefits from a pair of solid leads and its rare screenplay that caters to adult filmgoers. Read critic reviews

The Lion King (2019)

52% – 6/10 (437 reviews)

While it can take pride in its visual achievements,The Lion King is a by-the-numbers retelling that lacks the energy and heart that made the original so beloved–though for some fans that may just be enough. Read critic reviews

John Carter (2012)

52% – 5.8/10 (239 reviews)

While John Carter looks terrific and delivers its share of pulpy thrills, it also suffers from uneven pacing and occasionally incomprehensible plotting and characterization. Read critic reviews

Hoffa (1992)

52% – 5.4/10 (25 reviews)

Jack Nicholson embodies Hoffa with malevolent relish, but a dearth of meaningful insight knocks this crime epic off the mark by a nose. Read critic reviews

Open Season (2006)

49% – 5.4/10 (103 reviews)

Open Season is a cliched palette of tired jokes and CG animal shenanigans that have been seen multiple times this cinematic year. Read critic reviews

Love & Sex (2000)

47% – 5.6/10 (49 reviews)

Famke Janssen’s charm fails to rescue the movie from a dull screenplay. Read critic reviews

Deep Impact (1998)

45% – 5.8/10 (97 reviews)

A tidal wave of melodrama sinks Deep Impact‘s chance at being the memorable disaster flick it aspires to be. Read critic reviews

Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

44% – 5.6/10 (259 reviews)

Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford are as dependably appealing as ever, but they’re let down by director Jon Favreau’s inability to smooth Cowboys & Aliens‘ jarring tonal shifts. Read critic reviews

PCU (1994)

44% – 5.6/10 (16 reviews)

Daredevil (2003)

43% – 5.2/10 (228 reviews)

While Ben Affleck fits the role and the story is sporadically interesting, Daredevil is ultimately a dull, brooding origin story that fails to bring anything new to the genre. Read critic reviews

Very Bad Things (1998)

41% – 5.9/10 (58 reviews)

Mean-spirited and empty. Read critic reviews

The Replacements (2000)

41% – 5/10 (108 reviews)

The cliched characters and obvious outcome make all the fun and excitement amount to nothing. Read critic reviews

Batman Forever (1995)

40% – 5.2/10 (70 reviews)

Loud, excessively busy, and often boring, Batman Forever nonetheless has the charisma of Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones to offer mild relief. Read critic reviews

The Break-Up (2006)

34% – 5/10 (194 reviews)

This anti-romantic comedy lacks both laughs and insight, resulting in an odd and unsatisfying experience. Read critic reviews

Rocky Marciano (1999)

33% – 5.6/10 (6 reviews)

Entourage (2015)

33% – 4.7/10 (214 reviews)

Entourage retains many elements of the HBO series, but feels less like a film than a particularly shallow, cameo-studded extended episode of the show. Read critic reviews

Four Christmases (2008)

25% – 4.3/10 (145 reviews)

Despite a strong cast, this sour holiday comedy suffers from a hackneyed script. Read critic reviews

G-Force (2009)

22% – 4.4/10 (128 reviews)

G-Force features manic action, but fails to come up with interesting characters or an inspired plot. Read critic reviews

Identity Thief (2013)

19% – 4.2/10 (175 reviews)

Identity Thief‘s few laughs are attributable to Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman, who labor mightily to create a framework for the movie’s undisciplined plotline. Read critic reviews

Persons Unknown (1996)

14% – 4.6/10 (7 reviews)

Zookeeper (2011)

14% – 3.6/10 (133 reviews)

Zookeeper smothers Kevin James’s with a sodden script and a surfeit of jokes inappropriate for the young viewers who would be intrigued by its juvenile storyline. Read critic reviews

The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest (2002)

11% – 3/10 (9 reviews)

Speechless (1994)

10% – 4/10 (29 reviews)

Couples Retreat (2009)

10% – 3.8/10 (164 reviews)

Despite a talented cast and some reliably pleasant interplay between Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn, Couples Retreat leaves viewers stranded in an arid, mirthless comedy. Read critic reviews

Folks! (1992)

0% – 2.8/10 (20 reviews)

Don’t watch this alleged comedy looking for more than pained performances in support of ill-advised ageist jokes, because that’s all Folks! has to offer. Read critic reviews

Term Life (2016)

0% – 2.1/10 (7 reviews)