Top 10 Guilty Pleasure Movies
#10: “Magic Mike XXL” (2015)
The title promised that this sequel was going to be bigger and better than the original, but critics disagreed. However, audiences still love this second installment of the Channing Tatum-driven film franchise about male strippers. Seeing how Hollywood has a long and sordid history with over-sexualizing women in movies, ladies shouldn’t feel quite so guilty about indulging in watching a group of six packed men strip down in an impeccably choreographed, climactic showcase – one that’ll send you home with a big, goofy grin on your face.
#9: “Space Jam” (1996)
This classic ‘90s flick combines the real world with the toon world when Bugs Bunny calls on basketball legend Michael Jordan to help him and his toon friends win a high-stakes basketball game. The Looney Tunes, Michael Jordan, and evil aliens all wrapped up into a basketball game… what's not to like? Everything you loved about this movie as a kid still holds up when you rewatch it as an adult, assuming you don’t take the story that seriously. Don’t let any jaded critics tell you differently.
#8: “Deep Blue Sea” (1999)
Most monster flicks are either great or terrible. This one is so bad, it’s good. A group of scientists are tormented by one of the world’s deadliest predators when their super smart experimental sharks get loose. As their underwater lab is sinking, they race to the surface to escape. The dialogue is absolutely cheesy, and the plot is full of holes, but this movie is a seriously fun ride from beginning to end. LL Cool J battling a super intelligent shark with his cross, chef skills, and parrot is just about the most badass thing ever!
#7: “What a Girl Wants” (2003)
If you grew up watching “All That” and “The Amanda Show,” you probably still love this funny Amanda Bynes flick. Critics might not have been fans of the campy dialogue, or Daphne’s over-dramatic antics as she tries to reunite with her long-lost father, but audiences have a soft spot in their hearts for this one. The nostalgia alone is enough to keep you captivated. If you’re feeling a little down and want to watch a happily-ever-after fairy tale with a contemporary twist, this is the movie for you!
#6: “Twilight” (2008)
High school, vampires, forbidden love – it’s like every guilty pleasure rolled up into one movie, and you’re not alone in enjoying “Twilight.” This vampire romance adapted from the young adult book series was widely adored by fans in spite of its uneven critical response. This movie is admittedly chock-full of stale acting and contrived dialogue, but viewers fell irrevocably in love with “Twilight” nonetheless. The film raked in so much money that the rest of the book series was inevitably adapted to the screen, making for a whole film franchise of guilty pleasures.
#5: “Hook” (1991)
We’re not sure why you’d feel guilty about liking this one, as it’s a Robin Williams classic. But with only 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, clearly the critics didn’t love it as much as we did. This unique take on the tale of Peter Pan tells the story of a grown-up Peter returning to Neverland. Ironically, all the kids who watched the original Disney flick in 1953 were fully grown adults by the time this incarnation of the story came out. Much like how Peter grows up and forgets what it was like to be a kid, this movie allows audiences to reconnect with their youth and have one more adventure.
#4: “The Hot Chick” (2002)
Not every film is a revolutionary work of art that makes you think about the meaning of life. Some are just pure escapism, and there’s nothing wrong with that. “The Hot Chick” is a teen comedy crossed with a body swap flick. When mean girl Jessica Spencer, played by Rachel McAdams, gets her hands on some cursed earrings, she finds herself trapped in Rob Schneider’s body. It may not be a cinematic masterpiece, but if you’re looking for some immature, stupid humor to give you a few laughs, this film is perfect.
#3: “White Chicks” (2004)
This film is a classic millennial guilty pleasure. The younger Wayans brothers are at their finest with this over-the-top cross-dressing comedy. Granted, the disguises are ridiculous and the plot is completely farfetched, but we’d be lying if we said the film didn’t have its fair share of hilarious gags. Who could forget the amazing, out of nowhere dance-off, or Terry Crews singing “A Thousand Miles?” The critics might have thought that this movie was a lowbrow waste of time, but an entire generation of viewers begs to differ.
#2: “Spice World” (1997)
We think the musical director put it best when he said, "Okay, girls, that was absolutely perfect without... really being any good at all." That quote sums up this movie pretty succinctly. This film is reminiscent of the Beatles’ movies, with the Spice Girls finding themselves facing hilarious obstacles and wild adventures on their way to perform a big concert in London's Royal Albert Hall. The changing room montage where they swap outfits – and even personas – is unforgettable. This wonderfully silly movie is a guilty pleasure for any Spice Girls fan.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
“Leprechaun” (1993)
“Batman Forever” (1995)
“The Sweetest Thing” (2002)
#1: “The Room” (2003)
Written, directed, produced by, and starring Tommy Wiseau, this film is widely acknowledged as one of the worst ever made. And yet, it has a cult following unlike any other. It’s incredibly entertaining to watch how poorly written, acted, and executed this train wreck is. This film is so infamous, it even inspired a book written by one of its actors, appropriately named “The Disaster Artist,” which in turn inspired a film of the same name. Both the book and that film are award-winning works.
