Regular cinema-goers always have a handy list of cinematic masterpieces that they flaunt when asked about their favorite films. These are the films well-known for either their compelling narratives, directorial visions, or scintillating performances. But along with a catalog of great films, most cinephiles also have a secret list of guilty pleasure movies which they know most critics despise, but they can't help but love.
That's probably the reason why, time and again, Netflix does not hold itself back from either reviving some old terribly good action movies or releasing new ones. In the list below, there are some similar purposefully bad and unintentionally funny Netflix action films that have the potential to be enjoyable in ways viewers just cannot explain.
Doom
Loosely adapted from a video game series of the same name, Doom unfolds in a research facility on Mars where a team of space marines investigates a disaster. Within no time, they realize that they aren't alone and what started as an investigation soon turns into a war for survival against mysterious creatures.
Like most video game adaptations, Doom solely relies on dry action scenes to harp on the original game's brand name and scintillate only those who are well-versed with the source. But despite some viewers feeling that the movie has little narrative depth, it still manages to be mildly entertaining with its shoot-em-up action scenes that are better when played in the game, but fun to watch nonetheless.
The Do-Over
Love him or hate him, Adam Sandler has proved in recent years that he's as good of an actor in serious dramatic roles as he is in comedy. But although his performances in Uncut Gems and The Meyerowitz Stories will always be ranked among his best, even his comic roles in films like Happy Gilmore and The Do-Over won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Riddled with the same slapstick absurdities and hit-or-miss punchlines that his fans love, The Do-Over proves to be a fun ride for those who are into Sandler's good old schtick.
True Memoirs Of An International Assassin
In the same vein as almost every other Kevin James film, True Memoirs Of An International Assassin has an intriguing premise in which an author gets mistaken for an assassin because of a publication snafu. Unfortunately, the film fails to reach its true potential and is only occasionally funny with its tongue-in-cheek humor.
Not to mention, it has a lot less action than one would expect from a spy comedy. Even so, those who walk into it looking for a typical Kevin James romp surely won't be disappointed.
Rim Of The World
The problem with Rim of the World is that it tries too hard to be another genre-defining kids-centric movie, like Super 8 and E.T. But in an attempt to be ranked among Spielberg's classics, critics felt that the film is bogged down by mindless plot points, stereotypical alien-saving minor characters, and formulaic storytelling.
Still, it deserves some brownie points for its nostalgic '80s references and decent production that could keep a viewer around until its climax.
The Green Hornet
Playing slacker turned crime-fighting superhero, Seth Rogen is right in his zone The Green Hornet. It's his charismatic on-screen presence and the film's well-executed intro that makes it a worthy one-time watch. But beyond its goofy humor and martial arts-centric action, critics felt that there wasn't much to it.
That said, viewers who are done with the regular slate of superhero films that are coming out these days might find an escape in The Green Hornet's comical spin to the genre.
The Ridiculous 6
For a movie that has "ridiculous" in its title itself, The Ridiculous 6 certainly does not disappoint. Replete with a ton of cheesy laughs and intentionally goofy action, it offers everything that comedy fans would expect from a Happy Madison film.
That said, other than its Western setting, it isn't that different from other corny creations to come out of Sandler's production house and viewers looking for an hour and half of Sandler's well-known gimmicks and gags might rank this one among his best.
The Spy Next Door
The Spy Next Door has all the right ingredients to please a younger audience. It has evil Russian mobsters, badass kids who can wield dangerous weapons better than the CIA, food fights, and most of all, Jackie Chan doing his own wild stunts. What more can a kid ask for in a spy movie?
And as absurd and predictable as its premise may seem, The Spy Next Door never takes itself too seriously. For the most part, it delivers what it promises: visually pleasing stunts but somewhat generic characters and child-friendly punchlines.
Beverly Hills Ninja
Even after all these years, Beverly Hills Ninja still seems to have a cult following of sorts, and it's understandable why. Not only does the film offer a hilarious yet respectful look at Japanese martial arts, but it also has a nostalgic appeal to it that allows viewers to embrace cinema of the late '90s.
Despite being thrashed by critics, the film manages to bring enough heart and soul to the table with its fable of a wannabe ninja. Its plot may seem paper-thin at times, but its quick pacing and addictive music score make up for most of its flaws. It is the kind of action-comedy that strives to be so-bad-that-it's-good and it clearly acheives that.
Killers
Starring Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl, Killers is a fairly standard action rom-com. It focuses on Jen, an ordinary computer tech, who finds the man of her dreams, Spencer Aimes. But little does she realize that he has a dark secret: he's an undercover assassin.
Despite its archetypal approach, the film still could have worked well because of its star appeal, but many critics felt that the onscreen chemistry between Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl fell flat. That said, this is a film that is wildly implausible but still somehow ridiculously fun.
6 Underground
Michael Bay movies have the reputation of being spectacularly slam-bang when it comes to their visuals but somewhat subpar from a narrative standpoint. Treading a similar path, 6 Underground includes all of the director's trademarks. There are high-octane fight scenes, expensive cars, and a whole lot of explosions.
With that in mind, the film's "Bayhem" does offer a thrilling one-time experience to action lovers, despite the critical opinion that it lacks logic, narrative consistency, and cinematic semblance.