Movie fans reveal the films they were dreading – but ended up loving
Moviegoers can be quick to judge, but how often do you go into a movie with low expectations and stumble upon a new favorite?
After a movie lover posed this very question on the popular ‘Ask Reddit’ thread, thousands chimed in to offer movie suggestions they thought would be a nap fest only to end up loving them.
From the controversial comedy Tropic Thunder to Hot Tub Time Machine and Edge of Tomorrow, many classics were far from loved when they first hit the big screen.
And following in the footsteps of iconic kids’ movies like Shrek and Toy Story, parents added that several new animations they feared they’d be dragged into turned out to be heartwarming and even hilarious hidden gems.
So which oft-overlooked movies make Reddit’s list of movie fan favorites?
The controversial comedy Tropic Thunder divided some audiences, but now many insist the movie is a hilarious classic.
Despite the feeling that Hot Tub Time Machine had a ‘ridiculous premise’, fans claim that it is now often overlooked as a comedy hit.
Los Angeles-based film critic ryan coleman he told DailyMail.com that when it comes to unexpected fan favourites, “it can be hard to pin down what it is that draws people in.”
‘It could just be the emotional attachment. But theater is a totalizing medium, it can even be a mystical and immersive experience,” she added.
The critic said that for films that flop after their release, they tend to go one of two ways: “Either they sit in the bargain bin, or they may enjoy a slow renaissance.”
A Reddit commenter recalls that they had to be “dragged” into the controversial sitcom Tropic Thunder before it became one of their favorites.
“Tom Cruise nails his character,” added another, highlighting the Golden Globe-nominated actor’s hilarious performance that wowed audiences.
“I didn’t expect anything and it was legitimate to cry with laughter after that opening scene.”
“Tropic Thunder is in my top 10 movies of all time,” said a third. ‘There’s just something about it, so quotable. Every person in that movie has at least a couple of great quotes.’
As every fan of comedy movies knows, the price is key. And who did it better than Captain Jack Sparrow in the 2003 smash hit Pirates of the Caribbean?
When the film was first released, many had low expectations after realizing that the film was based on a Disneyland family roller coaster that dated back to 1967.
One reviewer admitted that, going into the film, they thought it would be little more than a “Disney kids’ money lame”, before quickly changing their minds and opining that it is “outstanding”.
“The soundtrack alone is legendary,” another fan added.
Tom Cruise, left, won a Golden Globe for his stunning performance in 2008’s Tropic Thunder.
Johnny Depp’s turn as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean won over audiences who had low expectations for the roller coaster-inspired blockbuster.
It’s no secret that blockbusters can rely on big-name actors to draw a crowd, and even Coleman admitted that even as a critic “actively looking for new movies,” you can still be drawn in by a fan favorite.
“It can be like going to a restaurant: sometimes you don’t want to branch out and you feel like having something you know you’ll like,” he added.
Although Tom Cruise has been one of the biggest names in Hollywood for decades, many claim that he is a divisive character who can split audiences down the middle.
The actor’s 2014 sci-fi hit Edge of Tomorrow finally became a fan favorite, currently commanding an impressive 91% approval rating on review site Rotten Tomatoes.
“I don’t like (Cruise),” one fan admitted. “But I gave that movie a chance and had a great time watching it.”
‘I love the edge of tomorrow. It is an excellent movie. Modern Groundhog Day Movie,’ another agreed.
Others pointed to Hot Tub Time Machine, an appropriately named, wacky sci-fi comedy about a hot tub that transports a group of friends back to 1986, as one to give a try.
Despite depicting “the most ridiculous premise” that no doubt put off some potential audiences, critics insist it was “amusingly made” and featured a “great cast.”
“It’s not trying to pretend it’s a serious movie, it’s ridiculous from start to finish, completely self-aware…probably one of the best time travel movies ever,” added one fan.
Other notable additions to the list included the 2001 medieval adventure A Knight’s Tale, starring the late Heath Ledger, and the time travel film About Time, which won over fans despite expectations of simply being a comedy. standard romantic.
The crazy premise of the sci-fi comedy movie Hot Tub Time Machine may have put some moviegoers off, but fans insisted it’s something to watch.
Starring the late Heath Ledger, the 2001 medieval action comedy A Knight’s Tale won over audiences in the years after its release.
The children’s animation Zootopia received several awards from those who recommend it to parents looking for a fun movie that they can enjoy with their children.
The animated sequel to the Puss in Boots franchise was described as an unpredictable “awesome movie”.
When it comes to new releases, Netflix’s 2022 action comedy Bullet Train surprised many who predicted a standard, standard feature.
“I wasn’t expecting much, just another action movie,” said a Reddit reviewer. But it was much better.
“I was incredibly surprised,” others continued. “I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the movie.”
The same could be said for animations aimed at children, with many parents admitting that their children took them to a movie theater just so they would love the movie too.
Classic kids’ movies like Elf and Toy Story have won over fans after their releases in decades past, followed by more recent hits like Wall-E and Inside Out, which have been praised for providing deeper meaning or a fun plot they enjoy. All ages.
Zootopia was cited by several parents as one to watch, with one saying, “I thought it was a cheesy kids’ movie, but it had a deep moral about discrimination and decent adult humor.”
“Zootopia is a movie that I like to think of as having no wasted moments. Like it’s cut perfectly, and it’s a compelling and fun story to watch,” added another.
“It’s a movie that stays with me even if my kids leave the room.”
Another surprising entry to the list was ‘Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish’, with some fans admitting that the animated sequel was a feature they would have easily passed on if they hadn’t stumbled upon it.
“The Last Wish had absolutely no right to be as good as it was,” said one, with another unexpectedly describing it as an “amazing movie.”
“I’m not a big movie buff, let alone an animated movie that I assumed was aimed at kids, but damn if I didn’t love the movie,” said another reviewer, who admitted that they even “ended up buying it so we can watch it again.” new!’
Robert Downey Jr, right, caused controversy in his satirical role as a blackfaced actor, but many have since come to enjoy the raunchy comedy.
The science fiction film The Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, was cited by several critics as a film audiences should return to nearly a decade after its release.
When it comes to giving a forgotten flop a second chance, film critic Ryan Coleman said an often overlooked factor can be the film’s writer.
“Especially in terms of young people, they come back from work and they choose a movie based on certain criteria that they already know,” he said.
“But a lot of people don’t question who wrote the movie — streaming services can drop writer credit, and with a little digging, people would discover all sorts of new movies they might end up enjoying.”