Never judge a book by its cover. You can say the same about movies. Some of our favorite films are the ones we went into with no expectations. Despite this, they blew us away from start to finish.
Megamind
On the surface, Megamind is just another computer-animated film for kids. It still resonates with the older crowd, however. The film has a surprisingly mature message of a bullied kid finally coming into his own.
The Lego Movie
What should have been a complete fumble is instead a huge success. The Lego Movie succeeds because of its strong story and great character development. It’s also pretty darn funny, too.
The Lego Batman Movie
Surely lightning couldn’t strike twice, right? You’d think wrong. What many initially viewed as a selfish spin-off was a movie just as enjoyable as the original.
Blast From The Past
Despite its utterly ridiculous premise, 1999’s Blast From The Past is better than it has any right to be. It helps that Brendan Fraser is a national treasure, helping to make this “fish out of water” romantic comedy enjoyable.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Eli Craig’s black comedy horror film may not have the mainstream recognition of over movies on this list, but it’s still better than expected. The titular characters are two hillbillies who get caught up in the circumstances straight out of a classic horror film.
The Emperor’s New Groove
2000’s The Emperor’s New Groove was released when Disney was in a creative rut. Add a troubled development history, and you have the recipe for an absolute disaster. Despite all the odds, this is one of the funniest animated movies ever.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Another Disney classic that defies the odds, 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean launched a billion-dollar movie franchise. Based on the ride at Walt Disney World, many scoffed at the idea of a successful Pirates movie.
Galaxy Quest
A spoof on Star Trek? Surely that would never work, right? Wrong. Not only does Galaxy Quest feature intelligent writing, but it’s also one of the best Star Trek movies ever made.
Zombieland
You could argue that by the 2009 release of Zombieland, the genre was starting to feel tired and worn out. Yet the movie’s novel concept helps elevate it over similar movies that otherwise failed.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
A good movie in the Shrek universe in 2022? It’s true. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish breathes life into a franchise that has been dormant for a decade. It’s one of the best movies released last year.
The Fugitive
It’s hard to believe that there was a world where 1993’s The Fugitive had no expectations of it. Many expected a ho-hum and generic action movie based on the 1960s television show of the same name. Instead, what they got was a film that redefined the action genre.
Clue
How good can a movie based on a board game be? Pretty good when you provide it with witty writing and a memorable performance from an ensemble cast. Clue is a comedy classic that has earned its cult following.
Tropic Thunder
On the surface, Tropic Thunder is a dumb summer popcorn comedy. In reality, it’s a clever, satirical take on the movie industry. Despite being one of the more controversial comedies in recent memory, it’s also one of the funniest films ever made.
21 Jump Street
There’s a common thread on this list of movies that are better than we ever expected. 21 Jump Street and its sequel, 22 Jump Street, defy the odds and provide some of the biggest laughs you’ll ever experience.
John Wick
Keanu Reeves proudly proclaims he’s back in John Wick. It turns out he was underselling himself. John Wick is one of the greatest action movies ever made, and each sequel finds a way to top itself.
The Princess Bride
If I told you that a movie about a grandfather telling a story to his son is one of the most beloved films of all time, you’d think I’m crazy. As it turns out, that’s what The Princess Bride is. A film that, from the outside, seems generic but contains an impressive amount of charm and magic.
Legally Blonde
Forget everything you thought you knew about Legally Blonde. The 2001 Reese Weatherspoon comedy looks generic but has clever writing and sharp dialogue.
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