Freddie Prinze Jr. Deserves Better Than ONE “Fresh” Movie on Rotten Tomatoes

Last week, I decided to pop by Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Rotten Tomatoes page. Why? Because I live a life full of heart-pounding ecstasy and non-stop intrigue, that’s why. As a child of the ’90s and avowed FPJ supporter, I developed an affinity for the classic teen comedies of the era. From legendary favorites like Clueless and 10 Things I Hate About You to misunderstood cinematic gems like Empire Records, Drive Me Crazy, and Can’t Hardly Wait, I can’t get enough of the low-stakes tom-foolery of ’90s/’00s teen cinema. I’ve come to terms with the borderline criminal Rotten Tomatoes scores of the aforementioned trinity of ’90s movie excellence — Empire Records (28%), Drive Me Crazy (28%), and Can’t Hardly Wait (40%) — but what I discovered about Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Rotten Tomatoes presence is downright offensive.

Only one film on FPJ’s Rotten Tomatoes filmography is considered “Fresh.”

This is tantamount to cinematic anarchy and, also, it’s just plain rude. Out of the 26 movies listed on Prinze’s filmography, seven have no score and every other film except one — and I’ll save you the gasp; it’s not She’s All That — is considered Rotten. Oh there’s something rotten alright, but it’s not the tomatoes.

The only film to survive the slaughter is Mark Waters’ 1997 comedy The House of Yes, earning a 62% Fresh (but not Certified Fresh) rating. I understand RT is an aggregator of critical reviews, so it’s not technically their fault, but this madness is going on under their roof. WHERE MOVIES SLEEP, NO LESS.

Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Rotten Tomatoes “Fresh Filmography Ratio” (1/26) is an appallingly incorrect 3.85%. I’m not saying the guy possesses the theatrical razzmatazz of a Brando or Season 3 Dawson’s Creek Joshua Jackson, but Freddie Prinze Jr. is more talented than the sum of his cinematic parts. Let’s take a closer look at some of these movies.

Down to You: 3%

Sure, this FPJ/Julia Stiles romp about attractive people falling in love isn’t making the rounds during award season, but any film with the gumption to include a scene where a heartbroken character tries to end it all via shampoo overdose deserves better than a paltry 3%. Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo has a 9% on Rotten Tomatoes. Is that film three times better than Down to You?

I’m honestly asking. I haven’t seen Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo.

Note: Matthew Lillard does not appear in this film.

Head Over Heels: 10%

Despite what the above photo would have you believe, Head Over Heels is not about a charismatic hypnotist who bamboozles a bevy of beautiful women into joining his magician’s cult. Instead, it’s a film in which FPJ portrays an undercover FBI agent named Bob Smoot. BOB SMOOT. Critics were mixed about the movie. Reel Film Reviews said Head Over Heels “isn’t exactly terrible,” while the News & Observer noted that they’d “rather unclog a toilet — with the director’s head,” which I’m almost certain is hyperbole.

If you can look at the above photo without your mind instantly thinking about ZZ Top singing “cause every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man,” then you and I would have nothing to talk about while attending a ballgame together, friend.

Note: Matthew Lillard does not appear in this film.

She’s All That: 40%

No. Absolutely not. I recently honored this theatrical gift for its twentieth anniversary. This film doesn’t just deserve a “Fresh” rating, oh no. It deserves the dignity of being Certified Fresh.

Note: Matthew Lillard appears in this film.

Scooby-Doo/Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed: 30%/22%

Honestly, I’ve never seen these films, so I can’t speak to their RT scores. I’ll use this section to bring up two FPJ-related points:

1. Matthew Lillard appears in both of these films.

2. Isn’t it crazy that we never got an Amanda Peet/Freddie Prinze Jr. teen movie? Peet starred in/appeared in a slew of similar films around this time (Saving Silverman, Whipped, Simply Irresistible, A Lot Like Love); how did she not have Claire Forlani’s role in Boys and Girls, in which, you guessed it, Forlani portrayed one of the titular girls?

I Know What You Did Last Summer: 36%

Am I watching truTV right now because I swear I’m surrounded by Impractical Jokers.

*brief moment of reflection about every decision I’ve ever made that led to me typing that line* *bravely moving on*

You name me one ’90s teen horror franchise (not including Scream, The Faculty, The Craft, Halloween H20, Urban Legend, Idle Hands, Disturbing Behavior, or The Rage: Carrie 2) that had a bigger impact on the horror movie boom than I Know What You Did Last Summer. And don’t you dare say Final Destination because everyone knows that film premiered in 2000.

This movie deserves a “Fresh” status.

Note: Matthew Lillard does not appear in this film.

Wing Commander: 10%

Wing Commander, aka Space Top Gun, features Freddie Prinze Jr. in space. Actually, you know what? 10% seems just about right for this one. Disregard.

Note: Matthew Lillard appears in this film.

Summer Catch: 8%

Two of our nation’s greatest pastimes, baseball and Freddie Prinze Jr., collide in Summer Catch. If a film about FPJ trying to break into the Major Leagues that also features Jessica Biel playing a character named “Tenley” isn’t Fresh, what is?

Note: Matthew Lillard appears in this film.

She’s All That, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and (maybe) Summer Catch, deserve better. Freddie Prinze Jr. deserves better. We deserve better. The world deserves… no too far.

Still, only one film? Not cool, Rotten Tomatoes. Not. Cool.

Where to stream She's All That