Though these movies aren’t necessarily controversial, they have garnered quite a reputation among critics and audiences alike. Taste in film is subjective, but it can be hard to argue against the opinions of many viewers who have agreed that these projects aren’t worth remembering. It’s true that there are plenty of unpopular movies that critics love and vice versa. However, sometimes it feels as if I’m the only one who enjoys these films. Some have achieved cult classic status in recent years, but there’s still plenty of opposition toward them.

Movies like David Lynch’s Dune are considered so bad that they’ve remained in the cultural conversation because of the negative reception. When a film takes big swings, whether this is in terms of style or storytelling, the results can be polarizing. Even though I’m often the only voice arguing in favor of their quality, this doesn’t mean I can’t see why they might have sparked arguments and dissent. However, even though they’re not perfect movies, it’s impossible for me to forget or stop rewatching these classic films.

10

Dune (1984)

Directed by David Lynch

The 1984 iteration of Dune is rarely ranked among David Lynch’s best movies, as the project almost sunk his career before the filmmaker put out some of his best work. Though there are undoubtedly issues with Dune, and it’s a sharp contrast to the recent adaptations by Denis Villeneuve that star Timothée Chalamet, there’s something nostalgic and subversive about the 1984 version. Lynch’s creative choices are unorthodox, but I appreciate the risks he’s taking.

Dune has gotten a lot of hate over the years, but the physical sets and visceral practical effects are refreshing when compared to some of the sci-fi action movies of today.

Additionally, Kyle MacLachlan is just as charming here as he is in every other project he collaborated on with Lynch. Alongside MacLachlan, iconic stars like Patrick Stewart and even Sting are part of the cast, and it’s interesting to see so many great performers outside their comfort zone in the sci-fi genre. Dune has gotten a lot of hate over the years, but the physical sets and visceral practical effects are refreshing when compared to some of the sci-fi action movies of today.

9

80 For Brady (2023)

Directed by Kyle Marvin

With a cast that includes Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Sally Field, and Lily Tomlin, there’s so much joy and heartfelt fun in 80 For Brady​​​​​​ it’s impossible not to have a good time while watching it. Of course, there are objective elements in 80 For Brady that made critics balk at the feel-good film, but sometimes, it’s nice to engage with a movie that’s easy to watch. Even the corny jokes peppered throughout the script make me laugh.

Seeing these iconic stars come together is reason enough to watch 80 For Brady​​​​​, and this is helped by the fact that the message at the heart of the story is enduring and true. There are no unnecessary dramas or convoluted plot elements that make you roll your eyes, only a group of friends enjoying their time together. No matter how old you are, 80 For Brady will tug at the heartstrings while still leaving you with a smile on your face.

8

Showgirls (1995)

Directed by Paul Verhoeven

The word campy gets thrown around a lot these days, especially when discussing cult classics like Showgirls, but this 1995 film fits the bill. With over-the-top performances and scenes that are pretty explicit even by today’s standards, Showgirls can be pretty shocking the first time audiences see it. There’s one especially violent scene at the end of the film that results in an intense tone shift, and this is the movie’s weakest moment, but I still appreciate Showgirls for the moments when the stylization comes through.

It’s not just used in the flashing lights and sparkling costumes but in the exteriors and quiet moments when we get to know Nomi.

Like all the best movies set in Las Vegas, Showgirls uses the light and atmosphere of the city to its advantage, as the visuals in the film are one of the strongest elements. Color is an enormous part of Showgirls​​​​​​. It’s not just used in the flashing lights and sparkling costumes but in the exteriors and quiet moments when we get to know Nomi (Elizabeth Berkley). It’s an incredible time capsule of a cultural microcosm.

7

Death Proof (2007)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

One of Quentin Tarantino’s least-known and worst-received movies, Death Proof, isn’t that much of a departure from the director’s typically violent and bombastic works. However, it’s unapologetically disjointed, plotless, and firmly among the ranks of exploitation films. While Tarantino has never shied away from expressing his interest in gore and the exploitation genre, Death Proof took things even further, showing incredibly gruesome deaths and terrifying action. However, there’s a reason why exploitation films rose to prominence in the first place as they do scratch a specific itch.

The style, one of Tarantino’s biggest ᴀssets, is what keeps drawing me back to Death Proof. Split into two parts, each in conversation with different eras of the exploitation flick, Death Proof plays with the cinematography and archetypes that appear across the genre. The stunts in Death Proof​​​​​, particularly in the second half, are astounding, and the film boasts some of the modern car chase scenes in contemporary cinema. While not everyone will connect with the sudden tonal shifts and graphic imagery, it will appeal to diehard Tarantino fans.

6

Drive-Away Dolls (2024)

Directed by Ethan Coen

Ethan Coen’s solo project Drive-Away Dolls, co-written with Tricia Cooke, is a movie made for audiences who love a good reference. Modeled after the style of classic B movies and a celebration of the classic crime road film, Drive-Away Dolls cares less for narrative cohesion than it does for great moments, and there are many in the movie. The film is anchored by Margaret Qualley, whose dedication to working on experimental and indie projects never fails to amaze me.

Going into Drive-Away Dolls with the right expectations is critical to appreciating and understanding the project.

Drive-Away Dolls will likely have a resurgence in the coming years as people start to meet the film where it’s at instead of trying to make it something it’s not. Going into Drive-Away Dolls with the right expectations is critical to appreciating and understanding the project. The movie isn’t meant to have the taught tension of a Coen Brothers movie or the happy-go-lucky energy of a rom-com. It’s a unique blend of genres and a tribute to film history that is unapologetically itself.

5

She’s All That (1999)

Directed by Robert Iscove

Perhaps it’s nostalgia that fuels my enduring love for the teen rom-com She’s All That, but rewatching it today makes me certain it’s something more. Though it’s packed with tropes that have been heavily satirized as the years have progressed, and the misogynistic overtones are very apparent, there’s something compelling about She’s All That, and its cast might be one of the biggest draws for me.

One of the most unforgettable teen romance movies of the ’90s, She’s All That features Freddie Prinze Jr., Rachael Leigh Cook, Paul Walker, and a young Kieran Culkin, to name just a few of the all-star cast. As in all the best teen com-coms, the ensemble seems like they’re having a lot of fun together, and it’s hard not to want to join in. Watching Laney and Zack make their first fumbling steps toward a real connection never gets old.

4

The Giver (2014)

Directed by Phillip Noyce

Released during the height of the YA dystopian genre’s popularity, The Giver never reached the heights of movies like The Hunger Games or Divergent​​​​​​. Even though the book it’s based on by Lois Lowry is a classic, The Giver wasn’t well-received. It was quickly forgotten as other, more successful films rose to fame. However, The Giver shouldn’t be counted out yet, as it boasts some interesting creative choices. Jeff Bridges lends his talents to the project, and he’s joined by Meryl Streep and Alexander Skarsgård in the cast.

There were many parts of The Giver that should add up to an iconic movie, as the actors are all dedicated to investing in the timeless story of the right against suppression. It’s the story that moves me when I watch The Giver today, even if some of the visual effects haven’t aged as well. The intensity of the feelings displayed onscreen and the thematic implications of the narrative provide The Giver with an edge that many YA films don’t have.

3

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (2013)

Directed by Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller first demonstrated his abilities as a director in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty long before he became one of the biggest creative names behind the hit TV show Severance​​​​​​. However, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty did not receive the universal praise that the Apple TV series has garnered. Despite this, from the first time I watched the movie, I was swept away by the magical realism of the narrative and the heartfelt performance given by Stiller as Walter Mitty.

Walter is a stand-in for the audience, as we are desperate to escape our ordinary lives and have an adventure as much as he is. However, this is the jumping-off point for many classic films and might not immediately capture the audience’s attention. What sets The Secret Life of Walter Mitty apart is the fact that it doesn’t shy away from showing how uncertain and scared Walter is during his most heroic moments. Due to this, it’s easy to feel as if you really could go on an unforgettable journey like him.

2

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Directed by Karyn Kusama

Though many people have turned the corner on Jennifer’s Body, it’s become something of a cult classic. However, there are still many viewers and critics who don’t see its merit. This is shocking to me, as I started loving Jennifer’s Body the first time I saw it, and it was a jumping-off point to make me more interested in the horror genre. The script by Diablo Cody, who wrote Juno, another favorite of mine, is whip-smart and demonstrates the best understanding of the complex friendships between young women I’ve seen onscreen.

This is why so many people have returned to Jennifer’s Body and felt seen and understood by its narrative.

When it first premiered, many people went to see Jennifer’s Body thinking they were going to watch an exploitation flick that treated Megan Fox similarly to the way she was objectified in Transformers. While there’s no shortage of objectification going on in Jennifer’s Body​​​​​​, the movie successfully flips the story and subverts our expectations about who’s got the power in the film. This is why so many people have returned to Jennifer’s Body and felt seen and understood by its narrative.

1

Knight And Day (2010)

Directed by James Mangold

Though Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz should’ve been a box-office-breaking duo back in 2010 when they teamed up on the action comedy Knight and Day, it wasn’t a blockbuster hit. While it made a decent amount in theaters, it wasn’t the smash hit the actors were used to, and the film received plenty of criticism for its issues. However, even if it’s formulaic, Cruise and Diaz make a compelling pair in Knight and Day, and I love the fast-paced action sequences.

Some of the comedy is a little over-the-line by today’s standards, but it’s clear that Knight and Day is poking fun at the tropes and pitfalls of the spy genre. It moves at a propulsive pace and never lets up, keeping the viewer engaged as the characters swiftly change locations and learn to work as a team. The romance angle takes a back seat in Knight and Day, but that doesn’t make Diaz and Cruise any less fun to watch work onscreen.