50 Movies That Turned Out Way Better Than Anyone Expected

#50: “KPop Demon Hunters” (2025)

Despite the musical genre’s very passionate fanbase, outside of the core demographic of Korean Pop fans, this animated film didn’t appear to have widespread appeal. As the title would suggest, it's a mashup of that genre with a fantasy story involving battling demonic denizens. That didn't inspire confidence with Sony, who, despite initially planning to release it theatrically, exercised a deal with Netflix, sending it straight to streaming. Once it dropped on the platform, it took the world by storm, even with many who had never even listened to K-pop championing the film. It didn’t take long before “KPop Demon Hunters” became the most viewed title of any kind in Netflix history, thanks to a compelling story, amazing music, and fantastic characters.

#49: “The Princess Bride” (1987)

Novelist and legendary screenwriter William Goldman had tried in vain for years to adapt his satirical fantasy novel, “The Princess Bride,” for the big screen. After more than a decade of developmental hell, multiple attached directors, and Goldman having to buy back the film rights with his own money, rising filmmaker Rob Reiner finally got the green light to adapt the book. The finished product, a mix of comedy, romance, and swashbuckling action, baffled distributor 20th Century Fox, leading to a somewhat underwhelming box office return. Nevertheless, over the years, thanks to VHS sales and airings on TV, it slowly became one of the most beloved films ever made, even being deemed significant enough to be preserved by Congress in 2016.

#48: “Mean Girls” (2004)

The late nineties and early aughts were so filled with films about teen drama and high school politics that one of the most popular films of the time was a parody of the genre. So when “Mean Girls” rolled around, it seemed to simply be more of the same. Screenwriter Tina Fey’s only major credit to that point had been “Saturday Night Live” sketches. However, doubters were silenced when the film was released. It proved to have much more to say about the trials and tribulations of high school than any of its contemporaries. It was a huge financial success and won immediate critical acclaim, remaining beloved and frequently quoted decades later.

#47: “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (2023)

Honoring the freedom of choice and near-endless lore of the world’s most popular role-playing game was sure to be a monumental task for any filmmaker. This had proved to be the case with the prior attempt at a “D&D” film, released in 2000, and its two direct-to-video sequels receiving near universal disdain. After a rights battle held up production for years, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley were finally chosen to direct the reboot. The pair adhered closely to the lore of the tabletop game, incorporating spells and locations that would be familiar to players. At the same time, a heist plot and flawed but likable characters gave the film universal appeal, with “D&D” fans and newcomers alike loving the movie.

#46: “Kung Fu Panda” (2008)

Often seen as the competition for fellow computer animation studio Pixar, DreamWorks had a very mixed record in the 2000s. For every acclaimed film they released, like “Shrek,” they would release a reviled one like “Shark Tale.” When trailers dropped for the seemingly zany wuxia-inspired film starring Jack Black as an anthropomorphic panda, audiences were unsure which way the film would go. Further complicating the problem was Pixar’s release of the sure hit “WALL-E” in the same month. The film then surprised everyone by becoming DreamWorks' highest-grossing film outside the “Shrek” franchise upon release and defeating “WALL-E” at the box office worldwide. Since then, the film has spawned sequels, shows, multiple short films, and even theme park attractions.

#45: “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021)

Despite two solid outings for Spider-Man’s solo films starring Tom Holland, initially, things did not appear good for a third entry. Due to a deal deteriorating between Marvel and Sony, it looked like the guiding hand of Kevin Feige and the creatives at Marvel wouldn’t be involved in future Spider-Man flicks. Given Sony’s recent track record of making Spider-Man adjacent films without Marvel’s involvement, many doubted the film would pass muster. More troubling was that twice Sony had aborted future Spider-Man films, with both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield never getting proper send-offs. However, due in large part to fan outcry and Holland’s efforts, a deal between the studios was struck. The resulting film was spectacular, even providing closure for Maguire and Garfield.

#44: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)

Walt Disney’s animation studio had been making popular animated shorts for years with his popular “Silly Symphonies,” but the famed animator had desires for something more long-form. After considering various ideas for his first feature film, Disney landed on adapting the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, “Snow White.” However, many, even some on Disney’s own animation team, had their doubts that his style could captivate audiences for more than a few minutes. Walt’s faith was rewarded as his film was a hit, with kids and adults alike, so much so that upon release, it was the best-selling sound film to that point in history. “Snow White” would be beloved for generations while establishing animation as a major style of filmmaking.

#43: “The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)

After the phenomenal success of Disney’s animated epic musical, “The Lion King,” director Roger Allers began work on another planned animated epic, “Kingdom of the Sun.” Unfortunately, production was troubled from the start, and confidence in the film waned. Co-director Mark Dindal was brought in to give it a more comedic tone, with the film on the verge of being shut down. Dindal and Allers created competing pitches on how to move forward, with Dindal winning out and Allers departing the film. This meant that the film was to be essentially started over, despite being a quarter complete, with a new plot and tone, rushing to a release date. And miraculously, it worked, remaining one of the most beloved Disney films of the 21st century.

#42: “Titanic” (1997)

Going massively over budget and overproduction, many in the film industry suspected that James Cameron’s film about the infamous naval tragedy would be a disaster in its own right. The mounting costs eventually propelled it to become the most expensive film ever made at the time. With critics predicting a huge box office bomb, 20th Century Fox, which produced the film, sold domestic distribution rights and asked Cameron to cut down the film’s colossal three-hour runtime. However, the director refused. With the extended production and post-production, the release was delayed for months, seemingly further spelling doom. When it arrived that winter, it became an unprecedented hit, setting the record for the highest-grossing film to date and earning eleven Oscars, including Best Picture.

#41: “Deadpool” (2016)

Ryan Reynolds initially appeared in arguably the lowest point of the “X-Men” franchise, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” as Deadpool, with the promise of receiving his own spinoff. Despite hiring first-time director Tim Miller, 20th Century Fox had doubts about a Deadpool film being profitable, due to it necessitating an R rating. To kickstart production, Miller created test footage to convince Fox, but the studio was unimpressed. That was until the footage leaked, receiving positive feedback, and the film was finally given the green light. Fox was still skeptical about the film, giving it an extremely limited marketing budget. Even so, it became a sensation, staying true to the comics, with many praising Reynolds’ performance, becoming both the highest-grossing rated R and “X-Men” movie upon release.

#40: “Sinners” (2025)

The modern film landscape is dominated by projects based on existing properties, with big-budget wholly original films essentially having disappeared. That's why when WB won a bidding war for a new film for Ryan Coogler’s upcoming vampire film, which carried a $100 million price tag, many were skeptical the film would be able to break even. Conventional wisdom was quickly proven wrong as “Sinners” had the best opening weekend for an original film in six years. It didn’t stop there, as both audiences and critics praised it, becoming one of the year’s most successful films. This was due to its Southern Gothic tone, poignant racial themes, well-done action and horror, and a great dual performance from Michael B. Jordan.

#39: “Coraline” (2009)

As Laika released their first film, few knew what to expect out of the new studio in an age where stop-motion was becoming increasingly less relevant. Heavily promoted as coming from the director of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” many wrongly assumed that “Coraline” had been directed by Tim Burton, rather than Henry Selick. While he was certainly a pioneering and talented director, Sellick had much less name recognition amongst average filmgoers. Nevertheless, the film was a hit upon release and has only grown in renown, getting a number of rereleases over the years. Thanks to its success, “Coraline” helped establish Laika as a beloved studio producing unique and interesting films.

#38: “Paddington” (2014)

A film based on Michael Bond’s beloved character Paddington Bear would have a lot of certainly have a lot of appeal for children if done right, particularly in the United Kingdom. But that a film with such brief source material would be one of the best-reviewed films in years, and loved by not just kids but adults across the world, hardly seemed possible. Thanks to the heart of the script, along with great direction from Paul King, and an incredible voice performance from Ben Whishaw, it did just that. It, along with the arguably even better second film, has been considered by some to be among the best films ever made by critics across the globe.

#37: “Sonic the Hedgehog” (2020)

Video game film adaptations have always been a mixed bag, with game fans often getting absolutely abysmal interpretations of their favorite characters on the big screen. When the first trailer for the “Sonic” film dropped, revealing a version of the strangely humanoid hedgehog, the internet was disappointed and disgusted. With the outcry growing deafening, the film was delayed for several months to provide a less nightmare-inducing version. The final results were surprisingly great. Listening to fan concerns, the redesign closely resembled Sonic’s video game counterpart. In subsequent “Sonic” films, his friends and allies, such as Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow, were also introduced with stellar designs. Even Ugly Sonic lived on, appearing in “Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.”

#36: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023)

The first attempt at a theatrical adaptation of Nintendo’s flagship franchise, 1993’s live-action “Super Mario Bros.,” was a massive critical and financial disappointment. Barely resembling the source material, the film scared Nintendo away from another “Mario” adaptation for decades. It would take thirty years for Mario, his brother Luigi, and the other inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom to appear on the big screen again. This time, fans were delighted to see a film that paid tribute to the games they knew and loved. Full of characters, locations, and easter eggs from the games, the animated feature delighted audiences, redefining what was possible with a video game film. It became the highest-grossing video game film ever made when released, earning over a billion dollars.

#35: “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017)

With the first “Thor” film, from director Kenneth Branagh, Marvel had a moderate hit that fans received in a lukewarm manner. However, he wouldn't return for the sequel, and while Patty Jenkins was hired, she quickly departed the project, replaced by Alan Taylor. The result was, at the time, Marvel Studios’ worst-received film. When the time came for a third film, there was once again a new person in the director’s chair, Taika Waititi, best known for his comedies. Few were expecting Waititi to reinvent the franchise, imbuing it with a new sense of life. While it had much of Waititi’s signature humor, with Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, finally able to show off his improv chops, it also had real heart and thrilling action.

#34: “The Matrix” (1999)

Aspiring filmmakers, the Wachowskis sold their script for their ambitious sci-fi project “The Matrix” before ever having directed a film. After the success of their debut film, the small-budget thriller “Bound,” they were cautiously given the go-ahead to work on their opus. That is, after a lengthy storyboard was created to calm studio executives’ concerns. With philosophical ideas, Hong Kong-style action, and extensive and innovative visual effects, many were unsure what to make of the film, as multiple big-name actors famously passed on now iconic roles. Ultimately, the film was a phenomenon, beloved by action junkies, philosophy majors, and everyone in between. It spawned sequels, spinoffs, video games, and countless imitators, forever changing the film landscape.

#33: “Avatar” (2009)

Spending over a decade developing the technology and an alien language for the film, James Cameron once again had trouble securing funding for his massively ambitious project. In fact, Fox only agreed to produce after Cameron almost agreed to make the film with Disney. Thanks to its huge special effects budget, shooting and delays, the film became one of the most expensive ever produced, and many doubted it would be able to break even. It did much more than that, however. With a strong opening, then a stay at the number one box office spot for weeks, it rocketed past $2 billion on its way to becoming the highest-grossing film ever made.

#32: “The Social Network” (2010)

Who wants to watch a movie about Facebook? Chronicling the early years of the company and some legal proceedings involving its founders hardly seemed like the stuff of blockbuster cinema. Yet, the creative pairing of writer Aaron Sorkin and director David Fincher tapped into something universally appealing about greed, friendship, ambition, and betrayal with the film. On a $40 million budget, “The Social Network” earned over $220 million at the box office alongside near-universal acclaim. Far from being a flash in the pan, the film remains relevant even as Facebook itself has become less so in the intervening decades, making its way onto multiple best of the decade lists and drawing comparisons to “Citizen Kane.”

#31: “The Lion King” (1994)

After earning the first-ever Best Picture nomination for an animated film, Disney was keen to repeat their success with another historical romantic epic. The project, “Pocahontas,” caught the eye of most of the studio's top animators and story artists, while less experienced crew were assigned what was deemed the less desirable project, “The Lion King.” High-ups at the company saw it as being the smaller project, but that didn’t deter the animation team. After studying the way real lions move, they created a sweeping Shakespearean epic with memorable characters and a great Elton John soundtrack. “The Lion King” would vastly outperform “Pocahontas,” both in terms of its record-setting box office return and with critics across the globe.

#30: “Black Panther” (2018)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has featured many surprising successes. “Black Panther” is arguably the most successful of them all. Black-led superhero films had largely been misses with critics and at the box office, at least since “Blade.” Yet, “Black Panther” delivered on all fronts! The film about the struggle for Wakanda’s throne features a breathtaking afro-futuristic setting, a compelling villain, and one of Marvel’s best supporting casts. It also addresses real issues such as colonialism, the African diaspora, and inequality. Not only that, but it became one of the highest grossing movies of all time, and secured the first Best Picture Oscar nomination for a superhero movie!

#29: “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)

Before this delightful Steven Spielberg film, alien movies were usually about scary or at least mysterious beings. That all changed in this timeless tale of an extraterrestrial lifeform befriending a young boy. It’s because “E.T.” was such a game changer that it’s understandable why no one thought it would succeed. It was rejected by Columbia Pictures, and even after Universal went ahead with it, they still released another alien movie, “The Thing,” at around the same time just in case it flopped. However, “E.T.” went on to become the highest grossing movie ever at the time, breaking box office records and inspiring a generation with its optimistic view of life from the stars.

#28: “RRR” (2022)

Although films from India have seen some success around the world, few of them have approached this kind of global mega-hit status. Enter “RRR.” Reimagining the lives of two Indian revolutionaries and turning them into an epic buddy action movie may sound niche in concept. But in reality, it turned out to have universal appeal. The action is gloriously over-the-top. The musical and dance sequences are incredibly catchy and memorable. And Ram and Bheem’s bromance is one for the ages. It’s little wonder why “RRR” struck a chord with so many people.

#27: “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022)

These days, it’s all the rage to bring back old properties decades later with older stars. While the success of these films usually ends at the box office, “Top Gun: Maverick” proved a hit with both audiences and critics. The story of Maverick training new pilots is filled with great stunts, excellent performances, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. The crowd-pleasing spectacle was bound to make money, but it managed to become one of the highest grossing films at the domestic box office. It was also the first in Tom Cruise’s long career of blockbusters to pass the billion dollar mark. “Top Gun: Maverick” took the “highway to the danger zone” and never once looked for an offramp!

#26: “Paranormal Activity” (2007)

While not the first horror movie to popularize the found footage format, “Paranormal Activity” still surpassed all expectations, and a few records. The film follows a family whose house is haunted, leading them to record the events on cameras set up all over their house. Originally shot with a budget less than the cost of a mid-sized sedan, the film saw enough success at screenings that Paramount bought it. The studio shot a new ending and released it to a wider audience and even greater profit. So much profit in fact, that “Paranormal Activity” is by some metrics considered the most profitable film ever made. Its particular brand of scares also spawned its own franchise.

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

Given that it’s a sequel to a “Shrek” spin-off that pretty much no one was asking for, expectations were low going in for this movie. But “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” blew us all away. The animation is gorgeous and dripping with style. There are multiple incredible villains, and it’s heartwarming and laugh-out-loud hilarious. And far from being a movie just for kids, “The Last Wish” tackles adult themes, like panic attacks and the inevitability of death. It’s one of the best animated films of the last decade, and our greatest wish is for a sequel yesterday!

#24: “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)

It can be hard to imagine today, but this film based on a Stephen King story wasn’t a success at the box office when it was first released. To be fair, it had some tough competition. But strong word of mouth, video rentals, and the fact that it’s literally always playing on TV has helped make the story of Andy Dufresne’s time in Shawshank prison one of the most beloved films of all time. Its universal themes of hope in the face of despair, the stellar performances, and Morgan Freeman’s legendary narration are all ingrained in our collective consciousness. If you haven’t seen “The Shawshank Redemption,” you need to get busy living!

#23: “John Wick” (2014)

At the time of this film’s release, star Keanu Reeves had been in a bit of a career slump. Additionally, the directors of “John Wick” were inexperienced with directing a feature film. However, this simple yet satisfying action flick surpassed all of the industry’s assumptions about it. The titular ex-assassin’s quest for revenge seems deceptively straightforward, though the movie hints at a complex shadow world of killers beneath its surface. Meanwhile, the action perfectly toes the line between stylization and grounded choreography. “John Wick” not only helped revive Keanu Reeves’ career, it also launched an incredibly successful franchise and raised the bar for action movies going forward.

#22: “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014)

Sci-fi movies starring Tom Cruise tend to blend together for some people. This phenomenon, along with “Edge of Tomorrow”’s admittedly not-so-great title probably hindered its success upon its release in theaters. However, the time loop war film has since developed a devoted following. The action is spectacular throughout, naturally, but the character development and plot are also surprisingly great, with both deepening as events repeat. Much like its protagonist Bill Cage, “Edge of Tomorrow” improves over time, though how much you rewatch is up to you. Sci-fi movies starring Tom Cruise tend to blend-...wait a second…

#21: “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)

We can see how this movie might have been a tough sell to the folks at Marvel. A space opera action comedy about characters most Marvel fans have never heard of probably didn’t seem like an obvious choice for the MCU. Regardless, it got greenlit, and we’re eternally glad it did. Audiences loved seeing this gang of space misfits reluctantly come together to be our heroes. The characters are all instantly memorable and play off each other wonderfully. The soundtrack is iconic, and the action and effects are still some of Marvel’s most impressive. Fans loved it so much that “Guardians” outgrossed many more well-known superhero properties.

#20: “Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014)

Spy movies are usually pretty entertaining, but “Kingsman” surprised everyone with how unique it was. The film follows a foul-mouthed criminal teen who trains to become an organization’s next secret agent. Marketing couldn’t show just how vibrantly violent and darkly comedic the movie was. But word-of-mouth helped spread its hilarious brutality. The film was praised for its stylish action sequences, as was newcomer Taron Egerton’s performance. It became director Matthew Vaughn’s highest-grossing movie, which is pretty impressive considering his previous was part of Fox’s “X-Men” franchise. It was successful enough to spark a film franchise, earning a sequel and even a prequel.

#19: “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008)

An underdog story through and through, Danny Boyle’s masterpiece did far better than anyone could have guessed. The film follows Jamal Malik, a “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” contestant accused of cheating who tells his life story to show how he knows each answer. It’s a feel-good rags-to-riches story that earned $378 million worldwide on a budget of only $15 million. It also won 8 Oscars, including Best Picture. But all of its future success was put into jeopardy when Warner Bros. closed U.S. distributor Warner Independent Pictures just as filming wrapped. Warner Bros. clearly didn’t know what it had on its hands as a straight-to-DVD release was considered. Luckily, Fox Searchlight came on to co-distribute and the rest is history.

#18: “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)

There are plenty of indie movies that became box office giants, though not many are as big of a cultural phenomenon as “Napoleon Dynamite” was. The comedy follows an exceptionally odd teen who attempts to help his friend win the school class presidency. Featuring an incredibly unique sense of humor, the film was made for a mere $400,000. Only $1,000 of it went to star Jon Heder. However, a successful showing at Sundance led to Fox Searchlight’s purchase, which led to a limited theatrical run followed by a wide release and a worldwide pull of $46 million. Heder was able to renegotiate his contract to earn more and you couldn’t go to a department store without seeing “Vote for Pedro” t-shirts everywhere.

#17: “Saw” (2004)

The “Saw” franchise is one of the most successful of all time, but it has a very humble origin. It began as a low-budget short film so that writers James Wan and Leigh Whannell could receive funding. That funding was only around $1.2 million and the production only lasted 18 days. Directed by Wan and co-starring Whannell, “Saw” was a monster hit at Sundance and TIFF. In theaters, it pulled in $103 million, making it one of the most profitable horror movies of all time. It ushered in a new horror trend that Hollywood would be obsessed with throughout the 2000s, itself receiving several sequels. More importantly, it jumpstarted Wan and Whannell’s careers as modern horror icons.

#16: “Star Trek” (2009)

Although J. J. Abrams had made a name for himself in TV, this 2009 reboot of the beloved sci-fi series was only his second feature directorial effort after “Mission: Impossible III.” Not only that, but there hadn’t been a new movie in 7 years. And with the franchise’s reputation for odd-numbered entries being less than great, the 11th overall film had fate stacked against it. However, the back-to-basics plot, fantastic cast, and incredible effects made “Star Trek” a hit. It earned a couple of sequels, helped begin an era of new TV shows, and led to Abrams jumping into another cherished sci-fi film series.

#15: “The Hangover” (2009)

You’d have been forgiven for writing this one off as just another raunchy comedy from the director of “Old School.” And while it featured plenty of risqué jokes, it was also much more clever than anyone could have guessed. Following an especially wild bachelor party, three friends awaken to find the groom missing and must piece together the previous night. It’s hard not to get sucked in by the mystery as every scene adds another piece to the absurd puzzle. And every hilarious encounter is navigated by rising stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis. With a budget of $35 million, it brought in $469 million worldwide and spawned two sequels, for better or for worse.

#14: “Casino Royale” (2006)

There were plenty of good reasons to not be excited about a new “Bond” in the mid-2000s. A big part of the fandom insisted that Daniel Craig wouldn’t work simply because he’s blond, which sounds ridiculous in retrospect. A more understandable reason was that the franchise’s formula had gotten stale, especially in 2002’s schlocky, CGI-heavy “Die Another Day.” “Casino Royale” took the character back to his roots, literally, by showing him earn his Double-O license. The grittier take from “GoldenEye” director Martin Campbell and Craig’s grounded, brutal portrayal breathed life into the tired series. Thrilling stunts and a fantastic villain also helped to make it a franchise high.

#13: “Get Out” (2017)

It’s not unheard of for a comedic actor to transition to something serious. But Jordan Peele’s move to horror, behind the camera no less, surprised everyone. Known mostly for his work on sketch comedy shows “Mad TV” and “Key & Peele,” Peele’s directorial debut came out of nowhere. Trailers for “Get Out” couldn’t give too much away, but that means no one knew what to expect from it. It ended up being an incredibly clever and chilling tale about institutional racism, as well as one of the most important horror films in recent memory. On a budget of $4.5 million, it brought in $272 million worldwide. It also earned four Oscar nominations with one win to Peele’s screenplay, which is incredibly rare for the genre.

#12: “The Lego Movie” (2014)

At first glance, or maybe even the second and third, “The Lego Movie” seemed like a cash grab feature meant only to sell more of the iconic bricks to kids. How wrong that assumption was. Following an ordinary construction worker prophesied as special, the movie told an interesting story about conformity. It featured incredible voiceover work from the likes of Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Liam Neeson, and Will Arnett as the scene-stealing Batman. The animation was surprisingly fantastic and the jokes were often hilarious. Its worldwide pull of $468 million on a $60 million budget led to a sequel and two spin-offs. Not too shabby for a tie-in movie about toys.

#11: “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010)

This adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s book has turned into one of DreamWorks’ most successful franchises, though you wouldn’t have guessed it back in 2010. Marketing didn’t make it look very original or special from DreamWorks’ other works like “Shrek” and “Madagascar.” But the story of the misunderstood creatures and the boy who sought to redeem them was extraordinarily heartwarming. Beautifully animated flight sequences made great use of 3D. And although it had a hefty budget of $165 million, it brought in close to half a billion worldwide. Two Oscar nominations, two sequels, and numerous TV spin-offs later, “How to Train Your Dragon” stands as the gold standard for the studio’s animation capabilities.

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

While the franchise has definitely fallen from grace, the first entry was a stellar adventure movie. But it was the family-friendly Disney’s first PG-13 film and it didn’t exactly draw positive word of mouth for being based on a theme park ride. However, the PG-13 rating ended up being entirely necessary. The explosive action and spooky effects for the Black Pearl’s cursed crew made it thrilling and captivating. It also earned Johnny Depp his first Oscar nomination and led to him, as well as pirates in general, finding massive mainstream success. On a budget of $140 million, it brought in over $650 million worldwide.

#9: “Batman Begins” (2005)

Christopher Nolan is one of the biggest directors working today. But at the time he signed on to “Batman Begins,” he was yet unproven with big-budget productions. Not only that, but the caped crusader’s reputation had taken a hit thanks to 1997’s overly cheesy “Batman & Robin.” And many fans were probably fine leaving him on the page or in animation. Nolan’s more realistic interpretation turned out to be just what the character needed. Darker visuals and more insight into Bruce’s training gave a better understanding of the hero who strikes fear into the thugs of Gotham. And it gave us what many consider one of the best trilogies of all time.

#8: “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011)

Rebooting a beloved sci-fi film series is always hard. But it’s especially difficult to garner excitement when the previous reboot is as maligned as Tim Burton’s 2001 film was. Add on the fact that this movie was swapping out practical effects for CGI, and it left some moviegoers scratching their heads. However, said CGI effects were astonishing, earning several prestigious awards and an Oscar nomination. Andy Serkis’ layered mo-cap performance as Caesar was heart-wrenching, carrying the fascinating origin of the hyper-intelligent apes. As a result, “Rise” became the highest-grossing film in the series at $481 million worldwide. That is, until the sequel was released in 2014.

#7: “21 Jump Street” (2012)

When Hollywood adapts a TV show into a feature film, it usually doesn’t go well. However, turning the Johnny Depp-led cop show into an action-comedy with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum was a genius idea. The film follows two younger-looking cops going undercover as high schoolers to stop the spread of a new drug. The comedic chemistry between Hill and Tatum resulted in one of the best buddy cop movies in some time. Not only did it pull in $201 million on a $42 million budget, but its sequel was even more successful. This could have easily been a serious slog of a movie given its source material. But it was a delightful and hilarious surprise. Now if only we could get that third movie.

#6: “District 9” (2009)

From a failed adaptation of the video game “Halo” rose this groundbreaking sci-fi film from producer Peter Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp. Although its original incarnation was a failure and the filmmakers were forced to recycle props and set pieces, the film soared past any expectations. The film’s grimy set design fit splendidly with the documentary aesthetic and story of xenophobia. That’s not to mention its terrific visual effects, which earned it one of four Oscar nominations. Worldwide, “District 9” earned seven times its $30 million budget. That’s insanely impressive considering it mostly relied on viral marketing and stylistic “Humans Only” ads.

#5: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018)

It’s no secret that Sony’s handling of Spider-Man has let down fans on several occasions. With low reviews for “Venom” released a few months prior, the fact this was animated instead of live-action, and that it was anything but a traditional Spider-Man story were all signals to not get our hopes up. However, “Spider-Verse” blew all expectations out of the water. The revolutionary animation was unlike anything we had ever seen and made it feel like we were watching a comic book. Miles Morales’ journey to discover that anyone can wear the mask was at times heartwarming and at others downright tragic. It surprisingly beat Disney and Pixar for the Best Animated Feature Oscar.

#4: “Iron Man” (2008)

Despite the MCU now being the biggest film franchise in existence, it began on the backs of an actor and character who weren’t exactly popular. Iron Man was far from a Marvel A-lister at the time. And Robert Downey, Jr.’s career was only beginning to reform after drug arrests in the early 2000s. With Marvel movies dropping in quality in the mid-00s with the likes of “Fantastic Four” and “Spider-Man 3,” the newly formed Marvel Studios needed to reassure moviegoers. Although picking the director of “Elf” was a strange choice, Jon Favreau proved himself a capable action filmmaker. “Iron Man” earned $585 million worldwide on a $140 million budget. More importantly, it ushered in a new and exciting era of superhero films.

#3: “Rocky” (1976)

The original “Rocky” was written in just over three days, filmed in 28 days, and only given a budget of around $960,000 because then-newcomer Sylvester Stallone refused to sell the script unless he could star. So, the bar for its monetary expectations was probably already low. But its underdog production and story acted as signs for its future performance. The film would go on to become a resounding success, earning a whopping $117 million at the box office and winning three out of ten Oscar nominations. It turned Sylvester Stallone into a bonafide movie star. It also kickstarted a decades-lasting series that spawned another franchise.

#2: “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)

People may have been surprised to see George Miller return to this post-apocalyptic franchise 30 years after the last entry. And multiple problems behind the scenes surely didn’t help the morale of cast and crew members. However, what was achieved is now considered one of the best action films of all time. A simple plot and high-octane thrills meant any general moviegoer could be entertained. The film was praised for Charlize Theron’s intense performance. And the use of practical effects and real, modified death cars bolstered the film’s extreme chase sequences. While it didn’t necessarily wow at the box office, it did win six Oscars out of ten nominations, an unheard-of feat for action movies.

#1: “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope” (1977)

It might be strange to think about now, but “Star Wars” did not have a strong start. George Lucas and 20th Century Fox were initially convinced it wouldn’t perform well among other blockbusters that summer. Apparently, many theater chains held the same belief as the film only received a limited release in around 40 theaters. But swarms of crowds wanting to see the movie led to a much wider release, pulling in $503 million on an $11 million budget. “Star Wars” earned seven Oscars and its cast were made superstars overnight. The little movie that could built an empire of sequels, TV shows, video games, and, of course, toys.

Which film exceeded your preconceived notions? Let us know in the comments below