Top 10 Movies No One Will Let You Criticize

The first “Indiana Jones” is the quintessential adventure movie. The locales are exotic, the action is rollicking and fast-paced, and there’s mystery and history thrown in the mix. There are so many iconic scenes and moments that have been embedded into pop culture that it’s impossible to escape its influence. While some have argued that it’s too cheesy, it’s a throwback to old adventure serials – those were cheesy. Others have pointed out Indy’s lack of effect on the movie’s outcome. Look – even if he’s just along for the ride, it’s still an incredibly fun ride!

“Ghostbusters” as a franchise has had plenty of ups and downs, and the original film started on such a high note that it seems inconceivable to find fault in it for many fans. The effects are dated now, as is some of its content. But it’s been beloved for decades for more than just nostalgia. It’s a hilarious supernatural comedy, with tight pacing, a great cast, and even if the effects don’t look up to today’s standards, they’re still creative. “Ghostbusters” fans should be confident that the movie can take a little criticism along with its praise – sometimes crossing the streams can be good.

A cult favorite, “Fight Club” has a fanbase nearly as fanatical as the participants in the titular underground fighting/anarchist organization. While there are certainly toxic fans out there, especially those who imitate the violent acts in the film, “Fight Club”’s quality is still worthy of praise. Edward Norton and Brad Pitt are at the top of their game here and the movie’s themes about topics like consumerism remain relevant even today. It’s just a shame that some fans take the first two rules of “Fight Club” a little too literally – it’s okay to talk about “Fight Club.” Not everyone is going to have nice things to say about it, but who cares?

The ‘80s are beloved for many people, and one film that defined the decade was “Back to the Future”… which is kind of ironic since a large part of it is set in the ‘50s! Doc Brown and Marty McFly’s first adventure with a time-traveling DeLorean is as timeless as the vehicle itself and has become as prevalent in pop culture as Huey Lewis and the News are in the movie. Everything, from the music to the humor, is 1.21 “jiga”-watts of amazing! But some fans of the movie can take after Biff, rather than Marty when it comes to their defense of the film. We can all agree that Marty’s whole situation with his mom is kinda’ creepy though, right?

Quentin Tarantino is a director with a very particular style and “Pulp Fiction” is often considered, if not his best film, then certainly the one most emblematic of his work. There’s crime, a non-linear narrative structure, violence, profanity, a hip soundtrack, and amazing, quotable dialogue. It’s a masterpiece that oozes style in every frame, plain and simple. You can find something new about it every time you watch it. But like all things, “Pulp Fiction” isn’t for everyone. Some people can’t handle the level of brutality or follow the story that’s been jumbled up like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle. And that’s fine… even if it does make them: [Mia making a square motion]

“The Matrix” changed everything! It revitalized the cyberpunk genre. It took visual effects to new and creative places. It single-handedly led to an increase in the sale of leather clothing and sunglasses… probably. At its core, “The Matrix” tapped into some very real concerns people have about digital life, A.I., and the need to break free of societal norms, which most of us have felt at some point or another. Plus, it’s just so freaking cool! So what if it draws on familiar influences? Have you watched that lobby shootout lately?! If some people want to take the wrong pill and stay in Wonderland, that’s their business.

It would have been a “snap” to choose “Avengers: Infinity War” instead, but we think “Endgame” is a bit more beloved. Too soon? The finale of the first arc in the massive Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Avengers: Endgame” somehow manages to be both a somber reflection on grief, loss, and death, as well as a wacky time heist that revisits the greatest hits of the movies that came before it with a ton of callbacks and humor. The final battle scene alone would make it untouchable, but everything that came before and after? Spectacular. Is it a perfect climax to the Infinity Saga? Maybe not – Professor Hulk did come out of nowhere. But it’s better than anyone could have imagined it would be.

“Star Wars” fans have a lot of differing opinions, but there’s one thing almost all of them can agree on – “The Empire Strikes Back” rules. Upon its initial release, reviews were actually divided on whether it was good or not. “That’s not true! That’s impossible!” Search your feelings, you know it to be true. In the years since though, “Empire” has become regarded as the gold standard for not only “Star Wars” movies, but sequels in general. It’s the darker middle chapter that every other darker middle chapter is compared to. It expanded on everything great about the original film, raised the stakes, introduced iconic new characters, and has one of the greatest plot reveals of all time. It doesn’t even need defending – its legacy is already established.

“The Lord of the Rings” is one of the most popular film trilogies ever made and “The Return of the King” is the culmination of the epic fantasy tale. The battles are amazing in scale and in detail, with revolutionary effects for the time. The performances are emotional and moving. It’s the end of a journey years in the making that many considered impossible to translate to the big screen. Nitpickers cite things like there being “too many endings” as marks against it. But, even leaving aside how easily criticism like this can be refuted (they already cut out the Scouring of the Shire!)… ahem… fans needn’t worry anyway. “Return of the King,” and many other films on this list, bow to no one. “You bow to no one.”

We’d be surprised if you were surprised. “The Dark Knight” was a smash hit when it was released and it has only become more beloved with time. It’s one of the best superhero films ever made. The action and stunts are fantastic. The performances, particularly the now legendary turn by Heath Ledger as the Joker, are magnetic. Its soundtrack is great, and its gritty tone has been imitated countless times by other films. Does it have flaws? Probably… somewhere. But compared to the greatness that is the rest of the film, they’re hard to spot. And if anyone does get angry at someone pointing them out, we’ve got just one question for you: “WHY SO SERIOUS?!”