AND THE TOMATO GOES TO…

The Aviator, Ray, Sideways, Million Dollar Baby, Finding Neverland — which of these contenders will beat the odds and come away as this year’s Golden Tomato Awards winner? Or will some other movie come out of left field to take the prize? Welcome back to the 6th annual Golden Tomato Awards, where we honor the best reviewed films of 2004. This year we have divided the Golden Tomato Awards into two categories — one for the major studio releases and one for the indies. There are many worthy contenders this year, so see which two movies took away the top prize. Read on for the results.


Best Wide Release

#1

The Incredibles (2004)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#1
Adjusted Score: 105565%
Critics Consensus: Bringing loads of wit and tons of fun to the animated superhero genre, The Incredibles easily lives up to its name.
Synopsis: In this lauded Pixar animated film, married superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) are forced to... [More]
Directed By: Brad Bird

Best Limited Release

#1

Sideways (2004)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#1
Adjusted Score: 104803%
Critics Consensus: Charming, thoughtful, and often funny, Sideways is a decidedly mature road trip comedy full of excellent performances.
Synopsis: Struggling writer and wine enthusiast Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes his engaged friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church), on a trip to... [More]
Directed By: Alexander Payne

User

#1
Adjusted Score: 100717%
Critics Consensus: Propelled by Charlie Kaufman's smart, imaginative script and Michel Gondry's equally daring directorial touch, Eternal Sunshine is a twisty yet heartfelt look at relationships and heartache.
Synopsis: After a painful breakup, Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergoes a procedure to erase memories of her former boyfriend Joel (Jim Carrey)... [More]
Directed By: Michel Gondry

Moldy

#1

Twisted (2004)
Tomatometer icon 2%

#1
Adjusted Score: 6144%
Critics Consensus: An implausible, overheated potboiler that squanders a stellar cast, Twisted is a clichéd, risible whodunit.
Synopsis: Recently promoted and transferred to the homicide division, Inspector Jessica Shepard (Ashley Judd) feels pressure to prove herself -- and... [More]
Directed By: Philip Kaufman

Best Action/Adventure

#1

Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#1
Adjusted Score: 102479%
Critics Consensus: Boasting an entertaining villain and deeper emotional focus, this is a nimble sequel that improves upon the original.
Synopsis: When a failed nuclear fusion experiment results in an explosion that kills his wife, Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) is... [More]
Directed By: Sam Raimi

Best Animation

#1

The Incredibles (2004)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#1
Adjusted Score: 105565%
Critics Consensus: Bringing loads of wit and tons of fun to the animated superhero genre, The Incredibles easily lives up to its name.
Synopsis: In this lauded Pixar animated film, married superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) are forced to... [More]
Directed By: Brad Bird

Best Comedy

#1

Mean Girls (2004)
Tomatometer icon 84%

#1
Adjusted Score: 91345%
Critics Consensus: Elevated by a brilliant screenplay and outstanding ensemble cast, Mean Girls finds fresh, female-fronted humor in the high school experience.
Synopsis: Teenage Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) was educated in Africa by her scientist parents. When her family moves to the suburbs... [More]
Directed By: Mark Waters

Best Documentary

#1

Super Size Me (2004)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#1
Adjusted Score: 97440%
Critics Consensus: Entertaining doc about the adverse effects of eating fast food.
Synopsis: Director Morgan Spurlock's social experiment in fast-food gastronomy sees him attempting to subsist uniquely on food from the McDonald's menu... [More]
Starring: Morgan Spurlock
Directed By: Morgan Spurlock

Best Drama

#1

Sideways (2004)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#1
Adjusted Score: 104803%
Critics Consensus: Charming, thoughtful, and often funny, Sideways is a decidedly mature road trip comedy full of excellent performances.
Synopsis: Struggling writer and wine enthusiast Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes his engaged friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church), on a trip to... [More]
Directed By: Alexander Payne

Best Foreign

#1

Hero (2002)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#1
Adjusted Score: 101182%
Critics Consensus: With death-defying action sequences and epic historic sweep, Hero offers everything a martial arts fan could ask for.
Synopsis: In this visually arresting martial arts epic set in ancient China, an unnamed fighter (Jet Li) is being honored for... [More]
Directed By: Yimou Zhang

Best Kids/Family

#1

Two Brothers (2004)
Tomatometer icon 79%

#1
Adjusted Score: 82268%
Critics Consensus: A charming family-friendly movie with stunning cinematography.
Synopsis: Twin tiger cubs Kumal and Sangha are torn apart when their father is killed by hunter Aidan McRory (Guy Pearce).... [More]
Directed By: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Best Romance

#1
Adjusted Score: 100717%
Critics Consensus: Propelled by Charlie Kaufman's smart, imaginative script and Michel Gondry's equally daring directorial touch, Eternal Sunshine is a twisty yet heartfelt look at relationships and heartache.
Synopsis: After a painful breakup, Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergoes a procedure to erase memories of her former boyfriend Joel (Jim Carrey)... [More]
Directed By: Michel Gondry

Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy

#1
Adjusted Score: 98946%
Critics Consensus: Under the assured direction of Alfonso Cuaron, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban triumphantly strikes a delicate balance between technical wizardry and complex storytelling.
Synopsis: Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman)... [More]
Directed By: Alfonso Cuarón

Best Thriller

#1

Collateral (2004)
Tomatometer icon 86%

#1
Adjusted Score: 94107%
Critics Consensus: Driven by director Michael Mann's trademark visuals and a lean, villainous performance from Tom Cruise, Collateral is a stylish and compelling noir thriller.
Synopsis: A cab driver realizes his current fare is a hit man that has been having him drive around from mark... [More]
Directed By: Michael Mann