 Metacritic gave the movie a score of 27 out of 100, based on reviews from 26 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a B grade, with under eighteens (28% of those surveyed) giving it a B+ grade.Mick LaSalle of the "San Francisco Chronicle" gave the movie a positive review, suggesting that "Norbit" might help Murphy's chances of winning an Oscar for his role in "Dreamgirls", saying that his work playing three distinct characters in "Norbit" is more impressive than anything he did in "Dreamgirls".