12 Definitive Films That Surprisingly Exceeded the Viewer’s Expectations

It’s always nice when a movie exceeds your expectations. Recently, a popular entertainment community had an online discussion about films that exceeded theirs. Here are their top picks.

1. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

Pinocchio 2022
Image Credit: Netflix.

“Del Toro actually managed to bring a new story to a tale that was seemingly run into the ground by changing the moral from ‘Be a good boy and do what you are told’ to ‘Find the balance between being a good person and knowing when to question authority’ as well as giving it a new setting (World War 1-era Italy) and helping to flesh out some of the characters (For instance focusing more on Geppeto’s past than other iterations I’ve seen have),” one film buff ranted.

2. I, Tonya (2017)

I, Tonya 2017 Margot Robbie
Image Credit: Neon.

Another admitted they ‘Had low expectations for I Tonya, but it was surprisingly well directed, and Margot was so unbelievable in that movie. Also, I remember watching City Lights for the first time, thinking I’d be bored out of my skull at a silent comedy. Now Chaplins one of my favorites.”

3. City Lights (1931)

City Lights 1931
Image Credit: United Artists.

Speaking of Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights, the next person mentioned, “I remember studying City Lights in college for a course. It’s a fantastic case study in story/filmmaking since Chaplin re-wrote and re-shot the first meeting between the vagrant and his lady love over a hundred times, just because he understood how pivotal that shot was to the entire movie. Helped that it was actually a pretty fun movie, as well.

4. Babylon (2022)

Babylon 2022
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

The next person confessed they “Went into Babylon expecting a mess and only watched it cause I just wanted to catch a movie on a day I had off, but everyone else I hang with had work. Did not expect to see something that incredible.”

5. National Treasure (2004)

National Treasure 2004
Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

“National Treasure looked like another missable Nic Cage movie based on the trailers, and I didn’t catch it when it came out.” One film buff concedes, “Nic is awesome, but he was making some questionable stuff around then. I saw it on a streaming service a few years later, and it was great fun.

6. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

maverick 2022
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

“I only went because I got a free pass and expected I’d at least see some neat jet stuff, but overall it would be a cash grab trash heap, but I ended up paying to see it in theatre a second time because it’s just so entertaining,” an individual unapologetically writes.

7. Bullet Train (2022)

Bullet Train 2022
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures.

Several commenters agreed, ‘Wasn’t really that excited to see it, but I just thought it can’t be that bad, turns out it was probably the most fun I had watching a movie last year. I would like to see a spin-off involving Tangerine and Lemon.”

8. Elvis (2022)

Elvis
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures.

According to a forum member, “Just watched the Elvis biopic; I went in with zero expectations but was pleasantly surprised. Tom Hanks wasn’t too bad, but the modern music shoehorned into the movie was in poor taste. The guy who plays Elvis, Austin Butler, did a phenomenal job. The movie is worth watching just to see his performance.”

9. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Fury Road 2015
Image Credit: Village Roadshow Pictures.

“I was pumped up after watching Fury Road like YOWZAAAA! And there was nothing that could be cooler than a clowned-up mutant wailing on a guitar while being bungee-d to a souped-up vehicle racing through the desert.” A cinephile continued, “Or boys on 15 ft bendy poles.”

10. Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Bad Times at the El Royale 2018
Image Credit: TSG Entertainment.

“I went into that movie expecting it to be good because it literally has the most cinematic, gorgeous, epic trailer ever made.” Several film lovers noted, “That movie was absolutely the best movie of the year, and time has proven it to be a true classic.”

11. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)

Weird The Al Yankovic Story 2022
Image Credit: Funny or Die.

“The new Weird Al movie with Daniel Radcliffe. I went in thinking it was just going to be a normal comedic biopic. It ended up being just as the title described, Weird, but in the best way possible.” The contributor compared it to “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, which I also loved.”

12. Blade (1998)

Blade 1998
Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

Someone added, “The trailer looked terrible, with every cheesy-sounding line cut together. I think I only agreed to go see it because I thought it would be funny. 10 minutes in, and holy smokes! It’s brilliant. Shame about the sequels, but the original is a blinder.”

26 Once Hilarious Comedy Films That You’re Not Allowed To Laugh at Today

Revenge of the Nerds
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Although comedy movies have always been a source of amusement and laughter, society’s expectations and sensibilities have changed over time. What was previously seen as hilarious and acceptable may be viewed as improper or offensive today. Let’s look at some once brilliant comedy movies that are unlikely to be produced or laughed at in the current cultural climate (unless you grew up watching them).

25 Fan Voted Greatest Television Episodes of All Time, Do You Agree?

The Twilight Zone
Image Credit: United Paramount Network.

With thousands upon thousands of television episodes over the decades, it is difficult to narrow down the best. However, one entertainment forum tried to do just that. Do you agree with their picks?

15 of the Worst Series Finales of Your Favorite Shows on Television

How I Met Your Mother
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox Television.

Have you ever been disappointed with a TV series finale? You’re not alone. After someone asked a popular online entertainment forum what the worst series finales are, here is what they had to say. Do you agree?

15 Beloved Fictional Characters Who Are Terrible and Have No Business Being Glorified

Indiana Jones
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Are there any fictional characters people love and revere that you can’t stand? I think you can rip apart just about any cast on a sitcom. I’m looking at you How I Met Your MotherSeinfeld, and The Big Bang Theory. After someone asked an online forum for examples of terrible fictional characters that people love, here are their most interesting responses.

10 Magnificent Performances That Tricked Us Into Loving Terrible Movies

Tombstone
Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures.

Ready for some controversy? First, let me preface that I do NOT agree with several of the films listed on this list. Recently, an online film forum member asked about amazing performances in terrible films. Again, don’t hate the reporter. These are not my picks.

Source: Reddit.