26 Movies That Turned Out Better Than Anyone Expected

Sometimes, we don’t have high hopes for a movie, but it pleasantly surprises us. Someone recently asked, “What movie did you expect to be bad but was actually good?” We compiled the top 26 answers.

Tremors (1990)

Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.

“Hands down, my favorite movie of all time. No excuses, no justifications, just because it’s awesome. It’s actually a very good film for film students- the pacing, editing, and the way it establishes the physics of the universe and sticks with them (rare). Well acted, well cast, well designed/executed monsters, practical effects done right.”

“That movie was so full of over-the-top stupid jokes it kept me laughing.”

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Edge of Tomorrow - Warner Bros
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

“I have a hard time separating Cruise from all of his Scientology nonsense, and I dislike him, but I gave that movie a chance and had a great time watching it.”

“I dislike him too. It probably didn’t hurt that you got to see Tom Cruise die dozens of times. The mistimed truck roll was my favorite.”

“Tom Cruise the person: terrible. Tom Cruise, the actor: brilliant.”

The Fifth Element (1997)

The Fifth Element (1997) Sony Pictures
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures.

“My husband wanted me to watch it with him because it’s one of his favorite movies. I thought it looked dumb and boring, but he kept saying that he thought I’d like it. Turns out I did, and now it also is one of my favorites. We also named our son after Bruce Willis’s character. If you haven’t seen it, watch it!”

“Chris Tucker had no boring scenes. Also, an impressive amount of innuendo for one character. The plane takeoff scene cracks me up every time.”

The Mummy (1999)

The Mummy (1999) Universal Studios
Photo Credit: Universal Studios.

“The trailers of the time didn’t do it many favors. It looked like a brainless summer movie, aka fast food- perhaps filling but forgettable. It was a summer movie, but it was so much fun and really well-crafted and fresh. It’s still one of my favorite movies to this day. It’s a classic!”

“I haven’t watched it because the trailer was trash. I’ll have to watch it now!”

Stargate (1994)

Stargate (1994) MGM Studios
Photo Credit: MGM Studios.

“As a kid, I really didn’t want to go see it. Egyptian aliens? Boring. But I loved it.”

“1994 had lots of cool movies; Shawshank Redemption, The Lion King, Pulp Fiction..if you didn’t see the trailer in theaters, just a description, Stargate sounded boring.”

“I can watch this movie anytime. I miss having cable because it would be on the Syfy channel every so often.”

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder DreamWorks Pictures.
Photo Credit: DreamWorks Pictures.

“My friends dragged me to see it; such a great movie.”

“My absolute favorite part is when they’re trying to get the map from Ben Stiller because of the absurdity of RDJ being the rational, clearheaded one. While wearing blackface.”

“The synopsis sounds terrible, but it’s so well done. And the commentary of this movie is something else. Highly recommend a listen if you haven’t already. It’s still on YouTube.”

Pirates of the Caribbean” The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)

Pirates of the Caribbean_ The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003) Walt Disney Pictures
Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures.

“A movie based on a Disney ride? About pirates? This is going to be so bad and a lame Disney kids’ cash grab. Then the first movie turned out to be outstanding.”

“This is pretty well-known, and of course, a lot of factors went into making that movie great, but Johnny Depp really showed he knows how to make a character. I think he even said Keith Richards was one inspiration.”

Role Models (2008)

Role Models (2008) Universal Studios
Photo Credit: Universal Studios.

“A very silly movie, but it had some good laughs, and the larping scene was hilarious.”

“My friends and I got to the cinema too late to watch the movie we wanted, so we saw Role Models instead. I hadn’t seen any marketing for it at all beforehand, so we were a little hesitant since it could have ended up being terrible. It wasn’t. One of the best decisions we ever made, and even now, it’s one of my favorite comedies.”

The Lego Movie (2014)

The Lego Movie (2014) Warner Bros
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

“I thought it was going to be a stupid commercial, and it ended up being one of my favorite movies ever with a surprisingly deep message.”

“True! Now I sincerely believe “Everything is Awesome” is the best encapsulation of how the rest of the world sees the default American. It’s hilarious.”

“I love a kids’ movie that has clever adult humor sprinkled throughout.”

The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

The Emperor_s New Groove (2000) Walt Disney Pictures
Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures.

“I was dragged to the movie theatre against my will, and I went home still laughing.”

“It is comedy gold; I can understand why you were laughing.”

“I remember all of the ads for this movie before it came out made it look terrible… Just so insipid and forgettable. I was so glad to be proven wrong when I saw it!”

The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix (1999) Warner Bros
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

“When the trailer came out, we thought it was another Johnny Mnemonic. Same actor, the same cyberpunk setting, same black clothes. The trailers were also very vague. We didn’t know what to expect, but we had nothing better to do on a Friday night. Wow, was it an experience! So much so that I went back twice.”

“The Matrix changed the game. We went in expecting a run-of-the-mill action movie from the guy that was in Bill and Ted but got something totally different.”

The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride (1987) MGM Studios
Photo Credit: MGM Studios.

“I remember thinking it would be bad because of the name, and it was an 80s adventure film, but that is a good movie and totally stands the test of time. To think I once thought it might be bad? Inconceivable!”

“This has been my favorite movie my whole life. I’m 41. My boyfriend secretly bought me tickets to see it live with Cary Elwes doing commentary after, and it was amazing!”

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

The Cabin in the Woods (2011) Lionsgate
Photo Credit: Lionsgate.

“So good; I loved this one and was so pleasantly surprised by the overall theme twist of the movie.”

“Really a victim of failed marketing. I remember seeing the trailer for it and thinking that it looked like derivative horror schlock. Then I watched it, and it completely surpassed my expectations while also being a completely different movie than I expected.”

Dredd (2012)

Dredd (2012) Lionsgate
Photo Credit: Lionsgate.

“I was surprised at how good it was.

“Yes! I’d really like to see a sequel to this one, done in the same style. It’s simple, fun, non-stop action with great one-liners. Sometimes I want that in a film. I loved the most recent Mad Max (2015) for the same reasons.”

“It was surprising. Karl Urban deserves a sequel more than anyone.”

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) Lionsgate
Photo Credit: Lionsgate.

“I was expecting it to be bad. Turned out to be an absolute riot of a film.”

“I had low expectations and thought that Pedro would not be able to save the train wreck. He did save it and more!”

Paddington (2014) & Paddington 2 (2017)

Paddington (2014) _ Paddington 2 (2017) Studio Canal
Photo Credit: Studio Canal.

“I’d put Paddington and Paddington 2 on the very top of that list. I expected it to be a boring baby movie or something along the lines of the live-action Yogi Bear. I was absolutely not expecting them to be beautiful and heartwarming movies. I was so happy when they made a point to acknowledge how good those movies are in the new movie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.”

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)

Tucker _ Dale vs. Evil (2010) Magnet
Photo Credit: Magnet.

“An ex made me watch it; that movie was unexpectedly awesome.”

“Agreed! It’s perfectly dumb. Tight script, excellent performances, and the right amount of reverence for horror.”

Puss In Boots 2: The Last Wish (2022)

Puss In Boots 2_ The Last Wish (2022) Universal Studios
Photo Credit: Universal Studios.

“Awesome film. Just commented on this too. I can’t believe I enjoyed this movie! How can something be ridiculous, cute, and cool at the same time? How awesome were the flight scenes? Every time he went into the flying star move, I could not stop laughing.”

“It had absolutely no right being as good as it was. I watched it the other day; it’s epic.”

How To Train Your Dragon (2010)

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.

“It looked like one of those insipid generic kid’s movies that were churned out by movie studios all the time back then. Oh, it so wasn’t.”

“Such a delightful movie; I’m 31 and just rewatched it for the 5th time. It’s still fantastic.”

Megamind (2010)

Megamind (2010) DreamWorks Pictures
Photo Credit: DreamWorks Pictures.

“Dreamworks’ reputation was all over the place at the time of its release, and the trailers made it look very generic and dumb. I was very happy I was wrong.”

“My thoughts exactly! They even put a fart joke in the trailer that wasn’t in the movie. I shake my big blue head in dismay.”

“I didn’t watch Megamind because I thought it looked poor, but it’s just great.”d by the trailer and avoided the movie. Now I regret not seeing this one in the theater.”

A Knight’s Tale (2001)

A Knight_s Tale (2001) Columbia Pictures
Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.

“The anachronism of the Queen soundtrack combined with the young cast led me to the conclusion that this would be a sappy teenage drama set in the middle ages. A very talented cast with some clever writing elevated a ridiculous and tired premise.”

“It’s such a great movie, but then Paul Bettany has to keep going and being naked. Stupid sexy Chaucer.”

Kubo And The Two Strings (2016)

Kubo And The Two Strings (2016) Universal Studios
Photo Credit: Universal Studios.

“Took the kids to the cinema on a cheap morning showing. The films are usually rubbish. This was fantastic. The animation and storytelling are absolutely beautiful.”

“That’s the thing; I hadn’t even seen a trailer or heard anything about it before. It just completely slipped me by. I’m so glad I still caught it at the cinema. The soundtrack deserved the cinema system alone.”

Zombieland (2009)

Zombieland (2009) Columbia Pictures
Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.

“I knew nothing about it except for the name. This was during the mass focus on everything to do with the living dead. Soon as the movie started flashing CARDIO, I was enjoying myself; soon as Woody stepped out, I was hooked.”

“I actually paid to see it in theaters three times. Thought I’d hate it, but it was so good when people asked me to go see it again, I was like, oh yeah!”

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) MGM Studios
Photo Credit: MGM Studios.

“It has a ridiculous premise but is hilariously done. Great cast!”

“It helps that the movie is completely aware of what it is. Like how they know the hot tub mechanic is clearly telling them how to fix things and that they can do things better and all. It’s ridiculous from the start to the end, but completely self-aware.”

“Probably one of the best time travel movies out there. It is just.. great comedy.”

Eurotrip (2004)

Eurotrip (2004) DreamWorks Pictures
Photo Credit: DreamWorks Pictures.

“Thought it was going to be yet another of a million stupid teen comedies, and it was. But it was actually really, really funny.

“These are Not. Hash. Brownies. We are simply a Dutch bakery! Now put your clothes back on, white boy. One of my all-time favorite movies!”

“Plus, Michelle Trachtenberg is so attractive in that movie that it’s insane.”

Goon (2011)

Goon (2011) Magnolia Pictures
Photo Credit: Magnolia Pictures.

“That movie totally caught me off guard with how funny it was. I saw Sean William Scott in it and thought, “Oh, it’s Stifler; it must be some dumb comedy,” but it was way more than that. Genuinely hilarious and one of my favorite sports movies.”

“I like that the villain isn’t really a villain; it’s just another goon that he wants to fight. What a good movie!”

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Star Wars – Anakin _ Padme Lucasfilm Productions
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm Productions.

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Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

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Photo Credit: Marvel Studios.

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Photo Credit: StudioCanal.

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