No matter how bad it is, everyone has a guilty pleasure movie they can’t resist. These films might be critically panned, poorly acted, or just plain ridiculous, but something about them keeps us coming back for more. They often provide a level of comfort to people, whether that’s because they watched them as children or because they viewed them so many times. Putting them on can provide warmth and relaxation, regardless of what the outside world thinks.
The Room
The Room often falls into the so-bad-it’s-good cinema, making it a perfect guilty pleasure. Some people might find the bizarre plot and over-the-top acting too much to enjoy, but others will find comfort. Being able to unwind into the madness is what The Room provides its viewers.
Showgirls
Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls is infamous for its over-the-top performances and explicit content. Despite receiving negative critical reviews, it has become a cult classic, celebrated for its campy appeal and memorable one-liners.
Cats
Cats was a box office disaster and a movie that damaged the reputations of many A-list actors. It features some of the worst CGI in modern cinema, and the ridiculousness is too much for many. But the musical that inspired it is very popular, and that’s one of the reasons people secretly enjoyed it. The songs are catchy, and the characters are eccentric, while the poor moments often lead to audiences being unable to look away.
Twilight Series
The Twilight Saga targeted a specific teenage audience, and the movies were marketed perfectly for that. This led to their massive success despite questionable acting and a plot that can jump around dramatically. But because it connected with so many people, they have watched this as a guilty pleasure even as they’ve gotten older.
Batman & Robin
Many great Batman movies have been award-winning and critically praised. But Batman & Robin isn’t one of them. Despite that, it’s a guilty pleasure for many, with lots of people enjoying the fact that it’s quite cheesy. It feels like it’s jumped out of the comic with its colorfulness and silly aspects, which is why people enjoy it so much.
The Wicker Man
Many of Nicolas Cage’s performances wind up in guilty pleasure movies because they’re so niche. He’s one of the most eccentric actors in cinematic history, and his style isn’t to everyone’s taste. That’s particularly true in The Wicker Man remake, which was legendary because of how ridiculous and foolish it is.
Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon is a terrible movie that winds up being good because of that. The special effects are campy and don’t hold up, while the performances are sometimes silly. But people enjoy that, especially with an amazing Queen soundtrack in the background.
Grease 2
Many iconic movies didn’t need sequels; Grease is a great example. The fact that the follow-up did so poorly proves it wasn’t needed, but it does feature some catchy songs, and diving back into this world is something that many people are guilty of doing with the sequel.
Krampus
The legend of Krampus is well known worldwide, bringing a little horror to the Christmas holiday season. The movie makes Krampus scary, but the additional horror characters are so ridiculous that it has to be laughed at. Seeing that take place makes for a perfect guilty pleasure during the festive season to watch with friends.
Spice World
There was a time when the Spice Girls took over the musical world, and those around to experience it likely found Spice World to be a great guilty pleasure movie. Watching it transports audiences back to that time, as it’s a perfect passport to the 90s pop culture that many like to jump back into.
Coyote Ugly
Coyote Ugly tells the story of a young woman chasing her dreams in the big city, with plenty of bar dancing along the way. Its feel-good energy and catchy soundtrack balance its predictable plot and cheesy moments.
Con Air
Con Air is an action-packed, over-the-top thriller featuring Nicolas Cage as a wrongly convicted man on a plane full of convicts. Its absurd plot and memorable one-liners make it a favorite for those who love a good action flick with a touch of insanity.
Howard the Duck
This is often seen as one of the worst movies ever made, but that’s part of Howard the Duck’s charm. It’s an 80s nostalgia trip, and although many aspects aren’t enjoyable, it’s one that people can laugh their way through and not take too seriously.
Mac and Me
Mac and Me is notorious for its blatant product placement and poor special effects. Often compared to E.T., it has found a place in the hearts of those who love to laugh at its ridiculousness.
Deep Blue Sea
Any movie that blends horror and humor can be a great guilty pleasure, as people don’t have to take it seriously. That’s what Deep Blue Sea does well with this featuring crazy shark attacks and a monologue from Samuel L. Jackson, which must be seen and heard to truly appreciate.
The Happening
M. Night Shyamalan can be hit and miss, but his films become guilty pleasures even when it’s the latter. That’s because he has no problem pushing things to their boundaries, and The Happening is a great example of that as it grips people.
Road House
Road House stars Patrick Swayze as a tough bouncer in a small-town bar. Its over-the-top fight scenes and cheesy dialogue have made it a beloved cult classic among fans of 80s action movies.
Super Mario Bros.
The live-action Super Mario Bros. film is infamous for not staying true to the beloved video game series. It has a wild storyline and performances that aren’t good enough, but it’s become a great guilty pleasure for many.
The Covenant
Teenage dramas often make for the perfect guilty pleasure films because they’re ones people watch when they’re younger and don’t see the problems. Then, as they grow up, they continue to dive into that world regardless of how bad the movie might be, and The Covenant is an example of that.
Battlefield Earth
When people want to watch a science fiction film, they dive into one that has been given lots of praise. Battlefield Earth doesn’t fit that category, as it’s filled with poor acting and a plot that’s far too complex for no good reason. But it’s ended up becoming a cult classic that people secretly enjoy.
