The “Bad” Movies We Shouldn’t Love (But Do Anyway)

With the trending topic two days ago on Twitter, #7favfilms, we got to thinking about listing favorite movies, and in particular, movies we don’t like admitting we love because they’re considered to be bad. If you scroll through the lists you’ll see tons of Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, and Empire Strikes Back. While we don’t argue the quality of those movies, we have to wonder if they’re really just safe choices. No one judges if you say you love Schindler’s List but admit to watching Pearl Harbor every time it’s on TV and suddenly you don’t know a thing about “good” movies.

So let’s talk about those “bad” movies, the ones we’ll never include in a list like #7favfilms because we have street cred to maintain but love all the same.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

As a lifelong fan of the franchise, it’s probably no surprise that I LOVE Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. I know most people consider it another in a long line of bad video game movies, but for me, a main female character, good music, and a sci-fi setting sold me on it’s beauty. It’s cliched and the romance is oh-so-forced, but a teenage Jen fell desperately in love with it and now there’s no stopping my emotions. I watch it at least twice a year. — Jen (@jenstayrook)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)

The TV Series premiered in 1993. I was 11 and completely invested. I rushed home from school to watch the show. I did extra chores to earn money to buy toys. I even drew a Zordon and stuffed it into a 2-liter bottle and talked to it daily. When the movie was released in 1995, 13 at the time, I was there opening day. MMPR was my Star Wars as a kid. To this day, I will still watch the movie a few times a year and honestly still enjoy it to this day! PS: I still own the soundrack!! — Chris (@neolego)

Resident Evil Series (2002-2016)

Every time any of the Resident Evil films pop up on TV, I end up watching. I’ve invested far too much time into this franchise since the first one came out in 2002 and now its a matter of principle that I finish it out to the bitter end. There is something about having a super powerful female character against a big bad evil corporation using science for villainy that just hooked me. — Nicole C. (@niixc)

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Sure, it’s a romantic comedy, but it’s also a re-telling of Shakespeare’s, “The Taming of the Shrew” (yes, it’s supposed to be phonetically reminiscent). You can catch all the Shakespeare references, and get the charm of a young JGL, Heath Ledger, and Julia Stiles. Also, “I want you, I need you, oh baby, oh baby.” And that cover of ‘I Want You to Want Me’. — Terence (@ErrantBachelor)

Love, Actually (2003)

Holy shit Love, Actually is pandering, cloying, terribly stupid (Christ on a crutch, the story about the dumb, toothy British dude somehow roping in three different women in one night…wow…no, that doesn’t happen on this planet or in any dimension), and has some incredibly unbelievable stories. A woman sacrifices a relationship with the man she’s been obsessing over for YEARS in order to take care of her mentally ill brother? C’mon. But Love, Actually also has charm and some believable and heartwarming stories. (The story of a guy secretly pining for a woman who thinks he can’t stand her; a man who lost his wife helps his young son get the girl he has a crush on both hit home.) And, to top it all off, it has good intentions. — Matt P. (@PerritheSmark)

How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days (2003)

I don’t know if I am technically embarrassed to love any of the movies I love, but I love How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Not only do I own it but I will literally watch it every time it comes on TV. — Alyssa (@tvwithapb)

Daredevil (2003)

I have a soft spot for Ben Affleck and let’s be honest, Daredevil may be bad, but it is pretty darn watchable. Sure, it’s over-the-top and cheesy beyond belief but it came out before all the other good comic book movies and it was all we had for a while. Besides, Colin Farrell’s Bullseye is batshit bonkers. — Rob (@Sunnyvice20)

After Earth (2013)

I love Will Smith and I love M. Night Shyamalan. Put the two together and, sadly, you get a pretty “Meh” sci-fi movie, but I still enjoy it from time to time! — James (@jamester0722)

Charlie’s Angels (2000)

Though it could be argued that a movie this self-aware isn’t technically “bad”, this ridiculous romp of bright colors, great music, and ludicrous action never fails to bring a big stupid smile to my face. I dare you to watch this and not want to be an ass-kicking lady detective. — Matt D. (@mattdegroot)

National Treasure series (2004 – ?)

Nic Cage on a treasure hunt to uncover the nation’s biggest secrets while actually making archaeological breakthroughs is more fun than it has a right to be. Plus he has lines like, “We need to steal the Declaration of Independence” and “we need to kidnap the president.” (Spoiler alert: he accomplishes both.) — Bilal (@bilal_mian)

Now it’s your turn. Tell us the “bad” movies you love but are too afraid to put into a list like #7favfilms. We won’t judge you, we promise. (Jen owns a collector’s edition blu-ray copy of Pearl Harbor. She has no right to judge anyone.)