Though Jurassic World: Dominion has been a bit of a failure with critics (with a 30% score at Rotten Tomatoes), it has proven to be a hit with audiences, with an approval in the high 70% range. Clearly, this is a very good example of a familiar cinematic phenomenon: movies that are supposed to be bad but, despite all of the odds against them, actually end up being good.

In fact, the users of Reddit have helpfully identified a number of supposedly bad movies that, contrary to what the critics and some audiences thought, actually turned out to be good, thus demonstrating the value of not letting one’s preconceptions overdetermine one’s appreciation of a given movie.

The Meg (2018)

Streaming On Hulu

The Meg's big shark chasing some underwater vehicles

The creature feature is one of the most enduringly popular genres in Hollywood cinema, and The Meg helps to illustrate why. With its story about a group of scientists who encounter a giant shark, it has all of the mammoth CGI one would expect of such a movie.

Though it underwhelmed critics, some Reddit users, such as GO-KARRT, spoke of their unexpected pleasure, writing of how they put off their plans “because I wanted to see just how out there it could get. Was not disappointed and am looking forward to the sequel.” This is a testament to its unexpected appeal to its audience.

The Lost City (2022)

Streaming On Paramount+

Loretta and Alan standing by a waterfall in The Lost City

Sandra Bullock is one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood, and she has been in a number of great roles. One of her best recent offerings is The Lost City, in which she plays a romance author who is unexpectedly kidnapped by a wealthy mogul and tasked with discovering a lost city.

It is a mix of romantic comedy and adventure movie, and it uses Bullock’s comedic talents to great effect. It certainly impressed Melk-boy, who wrote that “really gave me some good laughs”. This is a testament to the movie’s ultimate success and awareness of its central function.

The Lego Movie (2014)

Not Available For Streaming

Emmet smiling and standing still in The Lego Movie

Few animated movies have received quite the level of acclaim as The Lego Movie. With its clever writing, its whip smart sense of humor, and its ability to lampoon various pop culture franchises, it soon demonstrated that it deserved far more credit than might have originally appeared to be the case.

This is the point made by agentdoubleohio, who writes: “The Lego movie, it didn’t look good in the original trailers and the idea was not really tickling my fancy. But man was I wrong, it was so good and I loved every minute of it.”

Evan Almighty (2007)

Streaming On Hulu

A crop of the poster for Evan Almighty

Steve Carell has been in many great roles, and while Evan Almighty might not often be seen as one, it nevertheless demonstrates his considerable talents. Indeed, one of the movie’s better creative choices is choosing Carell to play its lead character, because he brings his considerable charm and charisma to the role.

As Zealousideal_Way_165 says: “Evan Almighty, I barely even remembered Steve Carell was even in the original movie.” The fact that the filmmakers succeeded in expanding what was a relatively minor role into a starring one is a testament to how even a subpar movie can become an enjoyable one.

Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

Streaming On Netflix

Gerard Butler and Aaron Eckhart in Olympus Has Fallen

There have been a number of notable and quite enjoyable political thrillers, and the various entries in the Has Fallen series are a testament to the genre’s enduring popularity. The first one is a particularly strong entry, starring Gerard Butler, who brings his own action hero charisma to his role as a Secret Service agent.

It is also accrued praise from the users of Reddit, who have remarked on its surprisingly strong quality. As Melk-boy simply puts it: “I love those movies. Did not plan on it..”

300: Rise Of An Empire (2014)

Streaming On HBO Max

Dilios standing with Spartan soldiers in 300

There are many great movies set in the ancient world, and the original 300 was one of those. 300: Rise of an Empire is something of a prequel to that movie, showing the sequence of events that led up to Xerxes becoming the semi-divine being he was.

It is a stylish and brutal movie, with a number of great performances, including one from Eva Green. G_Town_Wulf says that they “dad an absolute blast in the theatre.” It is certainly a movie that rewards the theater-going experience, full of adrenaline and pulse-pounding adventure.

The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent (2022)

Not Available For Streaming

Nicolas Cage as Nicky Cage in Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Nicholas Cage is the type of actor who doesn’t take himself too seriously. In fact, as The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent demonstrates, he is actually someone who has a keen understanding of his own star persona and the role that he plays in the cultural imagination. The movie is very self-reflexive in that regard, and there is a great deal of chemistry between Cage and Pedro Pascal.

Jesternarf puts their enjoyment of the movie this way: “I came out of the theater actually pretty pleasantly surprised by it. Pretty hokey, but I wasn't bored and I was laughing at some of the jokes. Pretty entertained by it.” Given how easily the movie could have become a mockery, this comes as high praise.

Battleship (2012)

Streaming On Prime Video

Battleship gets attacked by an alien ship

There have been many movies based on games, but even so Battleship looked like an odd choice, since it is not a board game driven by a typical narrative. Nevertheless, the movie succeeds in large part because it leans into the absurdity of its own premise, becoming a feast for the sensations.

As Successful-Plan114 bluntly puts it: “Just turn your brain off and enjoy the ride.” Some movies succeed precisely because they do not aim to be something that they are not but instead embrace the kinetic pleasures of the movies.

Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief (2010)

Streaming On Disney+

Logan Lerman in Percy Jackson movies

Greek mythology has been the inspiration for many movies, and it is particularly notable for inspiring both the books and the movies focusing on Percy Jackson. Though at first glance the movies appear to be little more than a retread of the traditional hero’s journey story, they soon become something extraordinary, updating the myths of the ancient world for a modern audience.

As Iravensfan says: “I watch them sometimes to get a laugh and Logan Lerman is cute. But I really didn’t expect much from them.”

Oscar (1991)

Streaming On Prime Video

Stallone in Oscar.

Though Stallone is most often associated with the action genre (in which he has been in many great roles), he has made rare forays into the world of comedy. One of the most notable of these is Oscar, in which he plays the son of a mobster who decides to try to become a legitimate businessman.

It is very much a screwball comedy, and Stallone proves that he is a surprisingly versatile performer. As SatansMoisture sums it up: “Turned out it was pretty funny.”

NEXT: 10 TV And Film Franchises That Feature Clones