Top 20 Movies That Were Surprisingly AWESOME

#20: “Game Night” (2018)

Don’t let the name fool you because this movie’s not all fun and games. Sure it starts out as a simple night of playing games between friends. But it soon ends up as a race against the clock to defeat some criminals and stop a kidnapping. “Game Night” has twists and turns and it never lets up on the action or the laughs. A lot of comedies in the past decade have had problems with feeling generic and also flopping at the box office. “Game Night” however didn’t have any of those problems. It performed well at the box office and was a critical success too. The film has an entertaining plot, impressive cast, and all around fun vibes, which makes it a solid watch!

#19: “The Other Guys” (2010)

When the same old boring muscle-headed action stars just aren’t cutting it, you need “The Other Guys”. It’s all about proving people wrong. In fact, the whole movie is just subverting expectations. It follows two desk jockeys who end up having to prove their mettle in a high-stakes investigation. “The Other Guys” challenges the conventional action-hero/buddy cop tropes and makes you laugh out loud while doing so. Mark Wahlberg’s character is in trouble for shooting Derek Jeter. Will Ferrel’s character is a neglectful husband to Eva Mendes, and Michael Keaton’s character is just trying to provide for his bisexual son to become a dj. There’s so many entertaining bits that the moral of this story is don’t count these guys out!

#18: “Aquaman” (2018)

For an embarrassingly long time Aquaman was the butt of jokes. He was king of the seas but people only knew him as the guy who talked to fish. Even when we got glimpses of Jason Momoa as a badass Aquaman, fans still had reservations about if a solo movie could work. Thankfully it did. Actually that’s an understatement. James Wan’s film made a huge splash, earning over a billion dollars at the box office. The movie pulled elements from the Peter David and Geoff Johns comics, and Wan’s horror film background also translated well to the superhero. The director gave us amazing visuals and breathtaking action sequences. Who could have predicted that DC’s highest-grossing movie ever would be Aquaman?!? He’s not a joke anymore!

#17: “Transformers One” (2024)

This movie’s entire existence was an uphill battle. Due to poor marketing, most people assumed this was just a generic kids movie, but it’s actually anything but. The animated film explores the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron and how they became the robots we know today. It’s arguably one of the greatest “Transformers” movies out there. It doesn’t pull its punches, dives into some very complex ideas, and shows us how Cybertron desperately needed to change. It also masterfully portrays the relationship between Optimus and Megatron and how it fell apart. Besides “Bumblebee”, another hidden “Transformers” gem nothing from this IP has come close to the critical acclaim that “Transformers One” received. There was definitely more than meets the eye with this movie!

#16: “21 Jump Street” (2012)

Once a serious drama on television, this franchise was rebooted and brought to the big screen for several movies. Except when the “21 Jump Street” film made waves, it switched everything up and became a comedy. It revolved around Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum who play two rookie cops who go undercover as high-schoolers. The laugh-out-loud action comedy lovingly poked fun at the inherently crazy premise of the original show. The dynamic directing duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller delivered an insanely funny story that reinvigorated the entire IP. Rebooting old properties is difficult enough, so successfully swapping genres too means that Lord and Miller deserve a ton of cred! Going back to school has never looked this hilarious!

#15: “District 9” (2009)

This Academy Award-nominated movie revolves around aliens taking refuge on Earth and deals with the cultural and political fallout to come from it. It explores how humanity treats those different to them and uses the aliens to portray issues like discrimination. What makes it so visually interesting too is the documentary-style in which it was shot. Everything has a grimy look to it which helps blur the lines. You also can’t ignore the interesting behind-the-scenes details. “District 9” was actually born from the ashes of a failed “Halo” movie that director Neill Blomkamp was originally going to do. As a result, many of the old props and materials were essentially repurposed for this. “District 9” set out to prove itself and it absolutely achieved that.

#14: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (2022)

The swashbuckling cat from the “Shrek” movies was entertaining, but did anybody really think Puss would get his own spinoff? And did anybody think his spinoff would get a sequel? Nevertheless when “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” released it took fans by storm. It’s about our favorite feline extending his lives while running from the literal embodiment of death! We see Puss in all sorts of epic action but we also peel back the curtain and see a more vulnerable side. “Last Wish” gained praise for its depictions of anxiety, which not only made Puss more sympathetic but also more relatable. This movie would’ve had fans regardless, but the way it dives into some pretty complex issues makes it another level of enjoyable.

#13: “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003)

Speaking of swashbucklers, the very first “Pirates of the Caribbean" movie brought pirate-mania everywhere in 2003. In “Curse of the Black Pearl,” we’re introduced to the iconic Jack Sparrow who embarks on a massive adventure and even battles the undead in the process. Though this franchise has experienced some turbulent waters, the first in the installment holds up pretty well. It delivers on some incredible thrills while still adhering to a PG-13 rating. This didn’t just bolster the popularity of pirates either. It also gave Johnny Depp his first ever Academy Award nomination. Regardless of how you feel about Depp, you can’t deny that this movie helped his career soar to new heights. This pirate movie ultimately found a treasure trove of success!

#12: “Tropic Thunder” (2008)

There’s high-intensity war dramas and then there’s…whatever the heck this is! When some actors who are filming a war movie accidentally trek into real danger, they get a taste of reality. “Tropic Thunder” has a pretty wild amount of talented stars who are crazily committed to the bit. Tom Cruise, Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, and Robert Downey Jr. are just some of the big names here who play seriously larger-than-life characters. The movie is a belly-aching good time with plenty of action while also poking fun at big-budget film-making. These guys make being stuck in a war zone look like a fun time. Obviously it’s not, but you get what we mean! “Tropic Thunder” is a must-watch comedy!

#11: “Godzilla Minus One” (2023)

Godzilla has always been a monumental figure, literally! But the cinematic titan had a new wave of popularity when “Minus One” came out. It turned the kaiju bad and told a deeply compelling tale about the human condition. As a result it far exceeded all expectations. The limited theatrical release it had in the US was extended numerous times. Plus, critics and fans couldn’t praise the movie enough. The film also caught attention across the awards circuit. In fact it broke barriers and won the Oscar for “Best VFX”. Did anybody expect that “Minus One” would turn the character into an Academy-Award winning IP? Probably not, so the fact that it achieved what it has is a true testament to the quality of this movie.

#10: “Galaxy Quest” (1999)

If you’ve ever wanted to see Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver in comedic roles, “Galaxy Quest” is the perfect pick. The film follows a whimsical premise where the actors of the fictional titular sci-fi show get zapped into the Galaxy Quest universe and must play their roles for real. Before it hit theaters,“Galaxy Quest” might have had skeptics thinking it’d be a lazy sci-fi spoof destined for B-movie obscurity. Instead, the satirical comedy turned out to be a clever, heartwarming letter to Star Trek and sci-fi fandom in general. It balanced sharp humor with thrilling space action, making science fiction fans and casual viewers alike cheer. While it didn’t break any box office records, it did become a cult favorite.

#9: “American Psycho” (2000)

Before Mary Harron’s satirical horror became a cult classic often commended for its storytelling and thought-provoking themes, many didn’t think it’d work. This mostly stemmed from the fact that critics believed its source material was unfilmable. Even Bret Easton Ellis felt his controversial novel didn’t need to be adapted to the big screen. However, Harron delivered a stylish, biting critique of the 1980s consumer culture that silenced the doubters. Her film ended up striking just the right balance between horror and satire. And Christian Bale? He didn’t just play Patrick Bateman, he became him with that career-defining performance. Some would even say he and the film deserved award recognition.

#8: “The Lego Movie” (2014)

This animated adventure had plenty of doubting Thomases before its release. Some fans expected an unoriginal, forgettable cash grab based on yet another franchise of toys. After all, how could a movie about plastic blocks work? Well, turns out, they were way off. “The Lego Movie” shocked many by being an imaginative and heartfelt motion picture. Packed with humor, goofy characters and a subtly deep message about creativity and conformity, it captivated audiences of all ages. The stunning animation, intelligent storytelling, and even the catchy “Everything Is Awesome” theme tune won the hearts of both critics and audiences. Honestly, it’s a fantastic movie that proves that even a film about toys can be truly special.

#7: “Ant-Man” (2015)

Following a down-on-his-luck thief who steals a suit that shrinks him down to the size of the titular insect, this Marvel superhero movie panned out way better than expected. Compared to the MCU’s earlier hits like “Iron Man” and “Thor”, this narrative about a hero who can talk to ants and hold his own in a fight might have seemed downright ridiculous - like that perhaps Marvel was scraping the bottom of the barrel. But against all odds, they pulled off a hit. Paul Rudd’s charming performance, the clever humor and creative action sequences - like epic battles fought in toy train sets - won over many. Meanwhile, the film’s delightful, heist vibe gave it a fresh edge within the MCU, soon becoming a quirky fan-favorite that spawned successful sequels.

#6: “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014)

The trailers of this sci-fi spectacle may have had many believing it was yet another bleak alien invasion flick. With Tom Cruise starring as a soldier battling extraterrestrial forces, some probably even assumed it’d be a generic war narrative drenched in CGI chaos. But “Edge of Tomorrow” defied expectations. It emerged as this thrilling action flick with unanticipated moments of humor and a clever time-loop concept, elevated by stellar performances. Who could forget Emily Blunt as the ultimate “Full Metal B-” or Cruise in a totally unexpected role as a cowardly public affairs guy? It was indeed a refreshing sight. Today, “Edge of Tomorrow” stands tall as one of the most inventive sci-fi films of its decade.

#5: “Deadpool” (2016)

Tim Miller’s 2016 superhero film isn’t like the others and that’s exactly why it stands out. It may not be the pinnacle of all comic book movies, but it certainly gave the fans (and Ryan Reynolds) what they wanted. After the Deadpool character was… should we say ruined in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”, not too many people had high hopes for his own solo film. Yet die-hard fans stayed loyal and it paid off big time. “Deadpool” proved to be a witty, violent, and entertaining flick that gave the superhero genre a clever spin. Ryan Reynolds embodied the character as if he were born for the role. No wonder “Deadpool” ended up becoming a massive success, ranking as the ninth-highest-grossing film of the year.

#4: “John Wick” (2014)

Chad Stahelski’s action film is a simple revenge story about an unstoppable hitman, played by Keanu Reeves. At just 1 hour and 41 minutes, it’s all thrills, no filler. But before its release, some dismissed it as another rehash of tired action movie tropes - and Reeves’ fame at the time was nowhere near where it had been in the ‘90s. The film’s premise of a retired assassin avenging his dog sounded almost laughable. Turns out though that those non-believers couldn't have been more mistaken. While it did take time before people realized it, “John Wick” was actually a sleek, heart-pounding action thriller with meticulously choreographed fight sequences. Reeves’ commitment to the role and the intense stunt work made it unforgettable. It didn’t even need a complex story to succeed. What many may have initially written off eventually became a sleeper hit. It also went on to reignite Keanu’s popularity and spawn several sequels and spin-offs.

#3: “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)

George Miller conceived the idea for the fourth “Mad Max” film back in 1987, but it took almost three decades for it to get on cinema screens. Despite a series of issues delaying its arrival, when it finally came, the dystopian tale carved its name in history as one of the most electrifying action films ever made. With Tom Hardy as Max and Charlize Theron as Furiosa, Miller managed to bring back what made people love the original. Meanwhile, its acting, solid narrative with emotional moments and refreshing twist on the action genre made the post-apocalyptic sequel unforgettable. It’s total chaos, beautifully shot, with awe-inspiring practical effects. It went on to become the highest-grossing “Mad Max” movie and won six Academy awards, among other accolades.

#2:“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022)

Greenlighting a sequel to an older classic is a tough call to make. There are always gonna be naysayers who think nothing can top the magic of the original. Yet, “Top Gun: Maverick” proved to be an exception. Right from its opening moments, it commands your attention and keeps you glued to your seat. Aside from the adrenaline-pumping action, the story has plenty of heart and nostalgic callbacks to the original. Tom Cruise, Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly all brought their A-game, taking the movie to new heights. And let’s not forget the dog fights - so real they make you feel like you were in the cockpit yourself. Though some would even say “Top Gun: Maverick” TOPs its predecessor, we’re more keen to say that it certainly is worthy of it.

#1: “Iron Man” (2008)

Before Steve Rogers became Captain America, before Thor fought monsters on our screens, there was this “genius, billionaire, playboy, [and] philanthropist” in the high-tech suit. Yes indeed, it was “Iron Man” that kickstarted the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, setting the stage for other legendary sagas of heroism, such as the surprisingly awesome, “Guardians of the Galaxy.” 2008 was a different time and banking on this superhero film to be a box-office hit was a gamble. MCU wasn’t the powerhouse it is today and “Iron Man” wasn’t yet a household name, like “Spider Man” or “X-Men”. On top of that, Robert Downey Jr.’s casting was controversial due to his past troubles and Jon Favreau wasn’t known for directing blockbuster action films. Despite all that, “Iron Man” defied all expectations and launched the MCU into the cinematic phenomenon we know today.

Are there any surprisingly awesome movies that we missed? Share your recommendations in the comments!