Do you recall watching a film some time ago only to forget about it or dismiss it as a waste of time? It turns out that maybe you lost the meaning of the story on account of your youth, or perhaps you weren’t paying attention as much as you should have. There’s an undeniable fact in Hollywood: no one is out there to make bad movies intentionally. No filmmaker likes to be attached to a film regarded as bad by the audience or even his peers.
With that in mind, today we bring you 20 films from the past three decades that were overlooked by everyone when released. Some of them have grown a fandom with time, but many still remain in the halls of oblivion. Since Hollywood is on strike right now, what better way to catch on with great works that were dismissed or overlooked? The worst outcome you can face is realizing you now enjoy a movie you used to hate.
On we go with our ranking!
20 Kuffs (1992)
Revenge flicks have always had their brand of charm in cinema. Kuffs is a small-time drama written by Raynold Gideon and directed by Bruce A. Evans, featuring the talents of a very young Christian Slater alongside Milla Jovovich. Slater plays down on his luck. Kuffs, a man with a pregnant girlfriend and no money, visits his brother in San Francisco to ask for a loan.
Things go sour when Kuff’s brother is killed in a raid while operating an auxiliary police unit. Feeling lost and guilty, Kuffs gets obsessed with bringing his brother’s killer to justice by any means necessary, leading to uncovering an extensive corruption network involving city officers. It’s a solid flick, and young Christian Slater is always great to watch.
19 Knowing (2009)
Alex Proyas was on a roll after making The Crow. Unfortunately, his star power began to dwindle with each new entry in his filmography. Dark City was an atmospheric, Lovecraftian horror story that went unnoticed, and while I, Robot, and Knowing did great numbers, Gods of Egypt was the last feature film we saw by this man. Knowing is the film that brings us back to the untapped potential of the director, as it is a solid sci-fi thriller.
The story written by Ryne Douglas Pearson and Juliet Snowden features the talents of Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne, and Chandler Canterbury. We follow John Koestler’s adventures after receiving an encrypted message buried in a time capsule. The message lists every major catastrophe endured by Earth for the past five decades while predicting three more events. It’s up to John to make the world understand the danger we face.
18 The Last Boy Scout (1991)
Everyone remembers 1991 as the worst year ever for Bruce Willis because Hudson Hawke was released. While that film doesn’t deserve the hate it gets, it overshadowed Bruce’s better efforts of the year. The Last Boy Scout is an absolutely underrated action film you should see if you haven’t had the chance to experience it yet. With a witty screenplay written by Shane Black, the film was directed by Tony Scott and stars Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans, and Halle Berry.
We follow the misadventures of former top Secret Service Agent Joe Hallenbeck, who now works as a private investigator and security detail. When the girl he’s protecting gets killed with him on duty, he must team up with her boyfriend, disgraced quarterback Jimmy Dix. The two men would uncover a massive plot by a team manager bribing politicians by the bulk to pass legislation that legitimizes sports gambling.
17 Krampus (2015)
Toni Collette doing horror? Please sign us up! The actress loves her comedy roles, and we can’t put her at fault for it, but every horror film she does is an absolute banger. Krampus could easily be confused with another offbeat A24 offering. However, this film comes from Universal Studios, specifically from the mind of Michael Dougherty, who writes and directs the feature.
The premise of the film is simple yet effective and quite haunting. A dysfunctional family squabbles on Christmas Eve, causing young Max to lose his festive spirit. His resentment towards his family brings the Krampus to their home, who are looking to punish Max’s family for disrupting the festivities. It’s a great story featuring the talents of Adam Scott, David Koechner, Allison Tolman, Conchata Ferrell, and Emjay Anthony.
16 Jaws 2 (1978)
Jaws is regarded as a franchise, but the only film worth a damn in the eyes of the people is the first one. We are here to tell you that Jaws 2 is as great as the first one. Okay, let’s clear the air first. Plotwise, Jaws 2 makes no sense since, scientifically speaking, a shark can’t have it out for a town as it happens in the world of Jaws, no matter how delicious their meat may be. However, this film is the ultimate invitation to suspend your disbelief and enjoy a slasher film where the killer happens to be a shark.
Jaws 2 went bigger in every regard. The production was as troublesome as the first one. Technology-wise, the shark was vastly improved this time around. However, the behind-the-camera drama was ongoing and unforgiving. John D. Hancock, the writer and director of the film, was fired mid-production. Roy Shcider was contractually obligated to make the film. New director Jeannot Szwarc clashed with him over creative differences frequently. Yet the final product speaks for itself. It’s a well-rounded sequel with a solid story.
15 Spawn (1997)
It may be hard to process, but Spawn was at the top of his game in 1997. The character had the best-selling comic book in print and had its first major motion picture released by a studio only five years after his creation. As Todd McFarlane would say,” Not bad for a kid who grew up in Calgary, Alberta.” The film is an original story written by Alan B. McElroy and directed by first-time director VFX Supervisor Mark A.Z. Dippé. The movie stars John Leguizamo, Michael Jai White, and Martin Sheen.
The story follows the same beats as the comic book. A Black OPS operative named Al Simmons is betrayed and killed by his former boss, Jason Wynn. Simmons’s soul is condemned to hell, where he makes a pact with Malebolgia, one of the eighth rulers of Tartarus; he gets to see Wanda again in exchange for leading the hordes of hell into the earth. While the VXF may look rough on the edges in this one, it’s an early comic book film with a lot of charm.
14 The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
If you want to look for deep meaning behind the message explored in The Matrix, the first film is still your best option. Matrix Reloaded is mindless fun with no pretensions of grandeur. Yes, we know you’ll find one too many YouTubers willing to explain the deeper meaning behind every action taken by every character appearing in this film, but you can take it for what it is at face value and enjoy the ride.
The Wachowski siblings direct the second entry in the Matrix trilogy, which takes place six months after the first film’s events. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss all return to explore the role of the One within The Matrix and the meaning behind Neo’s newfound powers. It also introduces multiple players into the chessboard, all making their moves to save or condemn the human city of Zion.
13 Alien 3 (1992)
We recall some of the criticism aimed at Alien 3 from back in the day. The film was considered pretentious, bloated, and a terrible downgrade from the last one. Yet, we firmly invite you to watch this film with fresh eyes in the present. You’ll find the director’s cut almost everywhere, including many sequences left in the cutting room back in 1992. Keep in mind this is the film that brought David Fincher into Hollywood and also the one that nearly drove him out.
The solid script by David Giler has a back-to-basics approach with a crew of prisoners facing the Xenomorph on a prison planet. We also get some familiar faces, with Sigourney Weaver returning as the original Ellen Ripley, making her last stand alongside Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance, and Lance Henriksen in a great adventure worth revisiting.
12 Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)
Sin City was the breakout hit of 2005; the film was a perfect page-to-screen adaptation that challenged the rules of filmmaking by Hollywood standards. It brought together a rather large ensemble of famous actors, it was made on a small budget of $40 million, and it was a co-directorial effort by Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, and Quentin Tarantino. The film was a resounding hit, earning $160 million at the box office.
Fast forward nine years later, and we finally get the second entry in the franchise with all cast members back for more, a brand new script, and the same creative minds behind the project. Somehow, the film flopped hard, and while it’s easy to point fingers at the reasons behind its failure, today, it’s best to enjoy the movie without the burden of criticism. A Dame to Kill For was a solid entry that came way too late, and that’s the only genuine fault working against it.
11 Superman 2 (1980)
A quick fact here: Superman 1 and 2 were filmed back to back in 1978, and although the first entry was a huge box office success, it brought some concern among Warner Bros executives who wanted the second story to tone down the violence and add a bit more comedy. Richard Donner wasn’t being cooperative since he wanted to tell the story as conceived, so the studio fired him and got Richard Lester to take over production.
Forty years later, we can see both story versions as conceived. The theatrical release of Superman 2 is still considered a solid classic by many, even if it has many inconsistencies and the plot doesn’t make sense by the movie’s end. It still has the charm that calls back the nostalgia you experienced when you watched it for the first time, even if the Donner Cut is far superior.
10 Elysium (2013)
Neill Blomkamp should have more films to his name to date. The man does sci-fi with a lot of heart and speaks about social issues in a way not many filmmakers dare to do. He’s on a comeback tour with Gran Turismo, but we all know his ideas for an Alien revival, and all we see is the greatest missed opportunity ever. Elysium is his second feature film, written and directed by him and starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster as opposites in the social spectrum.
Max Da Costa, a worker for the Armadyne Corporation, is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation. With his days numbered, he must embark on a mission to reach Elysium, a satellite city hovering over Earth where only the ultra-wealthy get to live. Secretary Delacourt is not about letting these peasants get some equality, so she does everything she can to stop him. It’s a great story with solid acting and incredible VFX.
9 Lady in The Water (2006)
Punching down on M. Night Shyamalan was a trend that feels tired now. He may have one thick, but he tries his best to deliver it in the best way possible with each movie he makes. Lady in the Water is one of those films that gets a terrible rap for no particular reason. The story, written and directed by Shyamalan, features the acting talents of Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jeffrey Wright, and many others.
The film is told like a fable, and all the tenants in the building are characters in the bedtime story. They all have to work together to protect the young woman from finding her way back home. Although the film has the usual beats from any Shyamalan film, Lady in the Water was blasted because he decided to cast himself in a central role that helps the plot move forward. Still, the film overall is a joyful experience if you are not bothered by this egocentric bit.
8 Hudson Hawk (1991)
Maybe Bruce Willis wishes he didn’t make this movie, but we are glad he did. Although the credits list Steven E. de Souza as the screenplay writer, Hudson Hawk is Willis Baby, which he produced while handing directing reigns to Michael Lehmann. The cast also features multiple working actors you’re familiar with, such as Danny Aiello, Andie MacDowell, James Coburn, and David Caruso.
The movie tells the story of thief extraordinaire Hudson Hawk, who’s on parole after being released. He only wants to enjoy a nice cup of coffee, but everyone is out to blackmail him into a series of heists he refuses. When people close to him begin to be threatened, he begins to pull the heist while tracking down the mastermind behind these robberies. It’s a little action film that got blown out of proportion after Die Hard 2 proved more successful than the first one.
7 Action Jackson (1988)
No one would give you any flack if you thought Action Jackson was supposed to be a James Bond-like film featuring a black lead just by looking at the poster. The film certainly wasn’t that ambitious, but it still was a solid action film more akin to Shaft than anything else. The story, written by Robert Reneau and directed by Craig R. Baxley, stars Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Denise Matthews, and Sharon Stone.
We follow the misadventures of Detective Lt. Jericho “Action” Jackson, who is demoted after being accused of using excessive force against a sexual predator. It turns out the man he roughed up is the son of a powerful industrialist who makes his personal mission to make Jackson’s life a living hell by framing him for the murder of his wife. It’s a neat action film that has us wondering why Carl Weathers didn’t make more movies like this one.
6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)
The saddest part about the existence of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is that this entry should have been the first film by rights. This movie has everything longtime fans of the IP could ever hope to get, especially those who were children in the 1990s. This Michale Bay-produced sequel is written by Josh Appelbaum with André Nemec and directed by Dave Green.
All original cast members return alongside guys like Gary Anthony Williams, Sheamus, Brad Gerret, and Brian Tee, taking over the antagonists playing fan favorites Bebop, Rocksteady, Krang, and Shredder. On the side of good, we have Stephen Amell as Casey Jones. The plot is simple: the turtles must stop the Shredder/Krang alliance from taking over the world by kicking ass and taking names. It’s the best live-action Turtles flick after the first two in the original trilogy.
5 John Carter (2012)
John Carter is a character that has been around since 1911, yet unlike some of his golden age peers like Flash Gordon and Prince Valiant, he still needs to land a big box office hit. The character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs has been featured in eleven novels, numerous short stories, and multiple comic books for over 100 years. The film John Carter was made to commemorate the centenary of the character, but it was a box office flop.
Sadly, this was a missed opportunity for audiences as the success of this film would have brought a classic character to the big screen with a rich backlog of stories waiting to be adapted into great films. The movie was written and directed by Andrew Stanton, based on the Barsoom Saga told in the book. The solid casting includes the extraordinary talents of Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Dominic West, and Willem Dafoe.
4 Hook (1991)
Only Steven Spielberg would dare to make a sequel to Peter Pan by enriching the story to make a beloved classic that manages to outshine even Disney’s official sequels and further adventures. Sadly, the critics were relentless in their evaluation, calling the work derivative and something that doesn’t really add anything new to the mythos.
It’s been 32 years since its release, and a rewatch of Hook makes it feel fresher than ever, considering the lukewarm offerings made by Disney, with Return to Neverland being forgettable at best and boring at worst. The recent live-action remake doesn’t fare too well, either. This classic, written by Jim V. Hart, features the talents of Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, and Bob Hoskins, and it feels like a breath of fresh air in a sea of soulless follow-ups.
3 Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
The Lethal Weapon films are a quadrilogy of near-perfect films. However, one of them stands out for the wrong reasons. Lethal Weapon 3 brings everyone back together for the supposedly last ride of Riggs and Murtaugh, as the latter is about to retire from active duty. Everything changes when they are roped into an Internal Affairs case. So far, so good, right?
Well, although that is no longer the case, people took issue with the casting of Joe Pesci as the obnoxious, meddlesome informant Leo Getz. The character was a bit annoying, to be honest, and people were used to more stoic performances from the actor who rose to fame by playing shady characters in Martin Scorsese films. Given everything we know about Pesci’s acting sensibilities these days, his role in Lethal Weapon is often considered a great funny bit, next to his role in the Home Alone movies.
2 RoboCop 2 (1990)
The first RoboCop film was a massive hit for Orion Studios; although the studio wasn’t in the red yet, they needed a follow-up to keep the lights open, so they fast-tracked a sequel of the beloved cyborg officer. Paul Verhoeven was the first to say no, and it’s understandable. He had already done the best film he could with the character. So the studio brought in Irvin Kershner, whom Star Wars knows for being the director of the best film in the original trilogy: The Empire Strikes Back.
Peter Weller and Nancy Allen renegotiated their terms to get a pay increase, so everything was set to go. RoboCop 2 was received with mixed reviews, with many critics and fans taking issue with the lighter tone of the story and the disjointed visuals combining stop motion animation and practical effects. A rewatch will indeed show the film’s age, yet this second entry is still a great story, even if its tone is all over the place.
1 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Things have genuinely derailed with the Terminator franchise when Terminator 3 feels like a great movie 20 years after its release (yes, Rise of the Machines turned 20 this year). The film, directed by Jonathan Mostow and written by John Brancato, was made with Cameron’s blessing, and it was the final role Arnold took before diving deep into politics. He was the only returning from the original cast since John Connor was played by Nick Stahl, with Claire Daines playing Ket Brewster.
While the story retcons Terminator 2 by stating Judgment Day cannot be stopped, only postponed, it still manages to do a decent job telling a survivalist story. Long gone is Sarah Connor. John Connor is now in his late 20s and living off the grid when Skynet sends the TX a new model who arrives hours before Judgment Day to kill Connor and all resistance members. Kate Brewster sends a reprogrammed T-800 back in time to save herself and John from being killed in the ensuing chaos.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
