There is only one thing worse than watching a bad movie… watching a good movie that ends badly. Forgettable movie endings have become commonplace in the movies released today, usually, they consist of CGI explosions or a happy Hollywood ending. A bad ending can detract and in some cases, completely ruin an entire viewing experience for an audience. The disappointment that comes from watching a movie that has a strong start and a terrible finish is crushing because of the potential that the movie had. In this blog post, we are going to go through 5 good movies with bad endings, and don’t worry about spoilers. We’ll keep our list spoiler-free.

 

5. Man of Steel

Man of Steel was a highly anticipated movie when it first came out in 2013. It was the first Superman movie in 7 years and showed a very different Superman from the Christopher Reeves depiction we all know. On top of that, it came out a year after The Dark Knight Trilogy ended, building on the excitement of The Dark Knight Rises. The eventual director of Justice League, Zack Snyder, directed the movie and was still an up-and-coming director at the time. Snyder’s Superman wasn’t smiley or campy. He was depressed and burdened with responsibility. The movie was an interesting take on a classic character. But, the ending had Superman do something historically out of character and Snyder couldn’t quite capture the balance between Superman’s uplifting persona and the bleak world he created. Not to mention there was an extremely drawn-out ending fight scene. All of these elements contributed to Man of Steel’s lackluster ending.

 

Where To Watch Man of Steel

HBO Max

 

4. Now You See Me

When you look back on Now You See Me, you realize that a lot of things don’t make sense. For one, their magic tricks seem less like tricks and more like magic. Two, Jesse Eisenberg is playing someone who is supposed to be charismatic, and lastly, the ending. The ending came so far out of left field I don’t think the writer saw it coming. Now You See Me is about an FBI agent and a detective who track a team of illusionists as they pull off bank heists during their performances. The movie is an enjoyable ride with a stellar cast of actors including Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Common, and Isla Fisher. However, the ending twist took many viewers by surprise because there is no lead-up to it. It came off as an ending made for shock value rather than authenticity.

 

Where To Watch Now You See Me For $3.99

Youtube
Prime Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies and TV
Vudu

 

3. Sunshine

Sunshine is a hidden gem of the 2000s. It is an interesting sci-fi film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. The movie is about a team of astronauts that are sent to use a nuclear bomb to reignite our dying sun in the year 2057. It has a star-studded cast of Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, Cillian Murphy, and Cliff Curtis. Like most space movies, the story is at its best when things go wrong and a lot of things go wrong in Sunshine. The first half of Sunshine is gripping and engaging but the second half has an unexpected genre shift. It goes from sci-fi to more of a thriller. The shift turned many audiences off to the movie. There may have been thematic reasonings behind the genre shift but the poor execution of it is why Sunshine is #3 on our list of good movies with bad endings.

 

Where To Watch Sunshine For $3.99

Youtube
Prime Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies and TV
Vudu

 

2. High Tension

High Tension is a French horror film that came out in 2003. The film is about two young women, named Alex and Marie, who have to survive the night when a psychotic killer mercilessly attacks them and Alex’s entire family. The movie is a straight slasher with plenty of violent deaths. The movie is also extremely entertaining to watch. The film stood out amongst horror films because of its relatable main character. Marie, played by Cécile de France, was smarter than your average horror character and she kept the film engaging… until the end. The ending twist completely detracts from the movie and ruins any re-watchability value. High Tension is the perfect example of a great film that was completely ruined by a bad ending.

 

Where To Watch High Tension

Tubi
Pluto TV

 

1. Law Abiding Citizen

Law Abiding Citizen is about a family man who exacts revenge against the District Attorney’s office after they cut a deal with the killer that murdered his family. Gerard Butler plays the frustrated family man and Jamie Foxx plays the lead prosecutor on the killer’s case. The movie was a fun thrill ride that makes you ask how will this movie end? Unfortunately, how the movie does end infuriates audiences, leaving viewers feeling like they were completely cheated. It’s an interesting phenomenon. It seems the screenwriter wrote the script thinking the audience would be against Butler’s character but the audience was actually rooting for his character. This disparity led to audiences feeling cheated by the way the movie ended and is why Law Abiding Citizen is at the top of our list of good movies with bad endings.

 

Where To Watch Law Abiding Citizen

HBO Max

 

What Is A Movie With A Bad Ending?

A lot of opinions can be thrown around about a movie’s ending. It’s almost impossible to end a movie in a way that satisfies all audiences. Most of the time, the ending is what filmmakers struggle with the most. Many people believe that sad endings are terrible. Others believe that open endings are lazy. Personally, the ending itself has never mattered as much as the execution of it. An “it was all a dream” ending can still be well received if it’s properly executed. These movies have terrible execution but only in their second half, which is why they all made it on our list of great movies with bad endings.

Published on June 25th, 2021, updated on March 23rd, 2022

 

It’s impossible to know what art will become when it’s first released into the world. Filmmakers have ideas of what audiences they are going to target and how well their films will do at the box office, but there is no telling how people will see what you’ve created in the decades to come. Cult classic movies are typically movies that do not reach the mainstream audience on initial release but instead reach/create a sub-community of people that become dedicated fans to the film. These movies tend to be unconventional and obscure. Although the definition of cult classic is still somewhat undefined, we will be using the above definition for our list of cult classic movies. 

Here are the 10 best cult classic movies to watch if you are looking for something a little different.

10. Twin Peaks Series/Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

David Lynch himself could be classified as having a cult following. All of his work is unconventional, obscure, and not exactly mainstream. Twin Peaks is the most popular of his creations. The series is about FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper who is called in to investigate the murder of Laura Palmer in the strange town of Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks revolutionized television with its quirky and eccentric tone. Off the show’s success, Lynch decided to create a spinoff feature film called Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. However, Fire Walk With Me was hated by audiences and especially by critics. It was so hated in fact that it got booed at a Cannes Film Festival screening. Fire Walk With Me is a prequel to Twin Peaks that chronicles the last days of Laura Palmer. It is a lot darker than the TV show which caught fans off guard. Over time, fans have come around to the movie and see it as one of Lynch’s greatest creations. If you plan on watching the movie make sure to check out the Twin Peaks series first as there are major spoilers in the movie.

 

Where To Watch Twin Peaks

Netflix

 

Where To Watch Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

HBO Max

 

9. Oldboy

 

Oldboy is a South Korean action thriller directed by Park Chan-wook. It was based on a manga with the same name. Oldboy is a vengeance story about a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years. When he is released, he seeks out his captor for revenge. The film is not for the faint of heart. Reminiscent to John Wick, Oldboy is known for its violent one-shot action sequences. It is also known for its unexpected twist ending. The gripping story and stylish action sequences are some of what fans love about Oldboy. If you’re looking for a unique action movie to watch, Oldboy should be at the top of your list.

 

Where To Watch Oldboy

Oldboy is not available on any popular streaming service currently but is available through Netflix’s DVD by mail service (yes, that still exists).

 

8. Akira

Akira is one of the first Japanese anime films to gain a global audience. The film has a huge fan base in Japan but globally the film has developed a cult following. Akira is said to have paved the way for popular animes such as Dragon Ball Z and Naruto. The gore and extremely dark tone were surprising to see in an animation at the time. With adult animations like Invincible coming out today, it’s clear that Akira helped standardize the modern adult animation format. Akira is about a secret military project that endangers Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a raging super-powered monster. The premise may seem strange, but the beautiful animation paired with Katsuhiro Ohtomo’s creativity allows Akira to be a cult classic unlike any other.

 

Where To Watch Akira

Hulu
Tubi

 

7. Repo Man

Certain movies can strike a chord inside of you or leave you feeling nothing at all. Repo Man is one of these movies and begins our list of cult classics. Repo Man is about a young punk who is recruited by a car repossession agency and finds himself in pursuit of a car that is wanted for a $20,000 bounty. Repo Man had high critical praise when it was released, some noting it was the funniest movie of the year. At the box office, however, it barely made a splash. Over the years Repo Man gained cult status and garnered a following of dedicated fans. Repo Man is a bizarre science fiction black comedy that is not for everybody but if it is for you, it will stick with you till the day you die.

 

Where To Watch Repo Man For $3.99

YouTube
Prime Video
Vudu
Apple TV
Google Play Movies and TV

 

6. Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko is the first cult classic of the 21st century. The film left audiences bewildered by its strange script, but as Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal have gained popularity, the film has gained more relevance in the eyes of the modern audience. Donnie Darko is about a troubled teenager who is plagued by hallucinations of a manipulative man in a bunny suit. The story is as weird as it sounds. Donnie Darko gained a cult following after it ran into issues with marketing. The film was released a month after 9/11 and features a scene of a plane crashing into a house. The film also contains a scene with a teen using a gun, which was associated with a traumatic real-life event that transpired just 2 years earlier. Darko may not have had a successful box office run but its cult following would keep the film relevant for decades to come. 

 

Where To Watch Donnie Darko

HBO Max

 

5. The Warriors

When The Warriors was first released, critics found the movie to be unrealistic and lacking depth. Years later, The Warriors gained a following of devoted fans who found the movie to be fun, stylish, and unique. The movie is about a street gang who is falsely accused of murder and now must fight their way home while being hunted by every gang in the city. The cult following has kept the film alive and relevant amongst modern audiences. Critics have since changed their thoughts about the movie and The Warriors now has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s considered to be one of the best cult classics.

 

Where To Watch The Warriors

Paramount Plus
Hulu

 

4. Showgirls

Not all of the movies that are considered cult classics are good movies. Bad movies can also develop a cult following with rabid fans. We created an entire list of “great” bad movies that proves that and Showgirls is the best of the bad. Showgirls was released in 1995 and is the only film with an NC-17 rating to be widely released in mainstream theaters. Many believe that is what led to its initial failure. The NC-17 rating gave the impression that the film was extremely sexually explicit. Showgirls was also destroyed by critics because of its terrible acting, script, and direction. The poor quality, however, led the film to develop a following of fans who found the film to be entertaining to watch. Now, Showgirls is praised as a satire about the strange and absurd world of Las Vegas. Paul Verhoeven, the director, has embraced this newfound love for Showgirls. Whether or not that was the director’s original intention remains unclear.

 

Where To Watch Showgirls

Tubi
Pluto TV

3. Suspiria

Suspiria is an Italian horror film directed by Dario Argento. Released in 1977, Suspiria took viewers by surprise with its vivid imagery and unsettling atmosphere. While Suspiria had great cinematography, suspense, and score, the dialogue was awkward. Argento took a different approach to dialogue. Instead of actors speaking in one language, the actors spoke in their native language. A few spoke in Italian, in English, and in German. Then, Argento had the actors voiced over to the specific language he wanted. For example, for an American market, he dubbed the dialogue all in English. This led to the dialogue feeling awkward and out of place. Some say it even detracts from the seriousness of the movie but the awkward dialogue only bolstered Suspiria’s cult following and helped reserve its spot on our list of cult classics.

 

Where To Watch Suspiria

Tubi

 

2. Heathers

Much like many films on this list, Heathers did not do well at the box office in 1989. It was a film that did not make a lot of headlines and that critics found to be a depressing reflection of teen culture. Of course, this led to Heathers gaining a following of fans that recognized Heathers for what it was — a black comedy about high school. Heathers takes place in a quintessential high school with jocks, cliques, and popular girls who all go by the name of Heather. One of the Heathers disapproves of her lifestyle and finds an attraction to a boy who intends to kill the popular kids he doesn’t like. Heathers is about a popular girl named Veronica who disapproves of her lifestyle and finds an attraction with a boy that has hidden intentions to kill the popular kids. The subject matter is dark and Heathers probably couldn’t be made today, but the film touches on a variety of topics that resonate with teenagers even now. Heathers and their take on high school hierarchy helped create the standard teen comedy format. If you liked Mean Girls, Easy A, or Clueless, you can thank Heathers for that.

 

Where To Watch Heathers

Hulu
Tubi
Pluto TV

 

1. Rocky Horror Picture Show

It would be a crime to have a list of cult classics without having the most iconic cult classic of them all. Rocky Horror Picture Show is in many ways the definition of a cult classic. Rocky Horror has transcended being just a movie and has become an experience. During showings of the movie at theaters, audiences regularly will interact with each other and the screen. They will dress as certain characters, sing along, bring props to throw, reenact scenes, and even perform rituals. Rocky Horror has become a cultural phenomenon and influential to many communities for its themes of sexual liberation. There are even annual conventions held in different places all throughout the world. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the ultimate cult movie and that’s why it is at the top of our list.

 

Where To Watch Rocky Horror Picture Show For $3.99

YouTube
Prime Video
Google Play Movies & TV
Vudu
Apple TV

 

The Future of Cult Classics

We have only scratched the surface when it comes to the number of films out there that have reached cult status. It seems like every day a new movie is being released with an entirely different tone of voice and as time goes on, some of those movies will develop cult followings in the future. There is no telling what films today that are overlooked now will grab the hearts of future generations but there is something inspiring about the idea that art will always evolve, even after we’re gone.

Everyone loves to watch a great movie. We hope to leave the movie theater feeling inspired by the enjoyable movie experience. Sometimes though, instead of watching something award-winning, it’s more entertaining for us to watch something bad. A “good” bad movie can sometimes be more entertaining than the most critically acclaimed movies. To be more specific, a “good” bad movie is a movie that is unintentionally bad yet hilarious to watch. The Room is one such example of this cinematic gem. The romance drama is seen as a comedy because of the terrible dialogue, acting, writing, and everything in between. Today, we are going to go through 8 movies that are so bad… they are good.

 

8. The Wicker Man

Nicolas Cage is a lightning rod for movies that are so bad they’re good. His tendency for over-the-top acting along with the bizarre scripts he receives makes his performances extremely memorable. The Wicker Man is one of the best examples of Cage elevating a movie to new heights. The movie was written as a horror but comes off as a complete comedy. The terrible writing, badly delivered lines, and Cage’s explosive anger combine to make a movie worth watching repeatedly. If you’re looking for a fun movie to watch, this should be at the top of your list.

Where To Watch The Wicker Man From $2.99

Prime Video
Google Play Movies & TV
Vudu
YouTube
Apple TV

 

7. Batman and Robin

When you look at the superhero movies coming out today, it’s strange to look back at the Batman movies that were coming out of the 90s. The difference in tone is like night and day. The Joel Schumacher Batman movies were known to be campy and over the top, but Batman and Robin took it to a whole new level. The colorful art direction, ridiculous lines, and exaggerated performances make Batman and Robin feel less like a movie and more like a Broadway play. I mean that in the best possible way. Batman and Robin is terrible in all of the right ways. 

 

Where To Watch Batman and Robin

Hulu

 

6. The Twilight Saga

The Twilight movies were an interesting phenomenon. They were some of the most divisive movies of the 2010s. Critics hated them and audiences, young girls specifically, loved them. Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 actually broke box office records when it was first released. Over time, the Twilight movies have become less known for their stellar quality and more known for their entertainment value. The movies are full of nonsensical lines and awkward acting. The best part about the movies is that they take themselves completely seriously. The Twilight series is one of the best “good” bad movies to watch. Whether you have the time to watch all five movies or just one.

 

Where To Watch The Twilight Saga

Pluto TV

 

5. Troll 2

Troll 2 is a classic 20th-century creature feature. It is largely recognized as the worst movie ever made. The plot is nonsensical and the acting is awful but that’s what makes Troll 2 so great. Troll 2 is about a family that goes on vacation in a town that is secretly inhabited by goblins. There’s really not a lot to say about Troll 2. It’s just bad in every aspect but in a way that is very enjoyable. Troll 2 is the perfect movie to watch if you’re looking for a so bad they’re good movie. Make sure to watch it with friends because the entertaining movie experience is something you’ll want to share with others.

 

Where To Watch Troll 2

Pluto TV
Tubi

 

4. Howard The Duck

Howard The Duck was actually the first live-action movie adapted from Marvel comics. Although the movie is inspired by Marvel comics, Howard The Duck is not a movie for children. Released in 1986, the movie is about a duck who is inexplicably transported from his world full of intelligent ducks to our world and follows his quest to return to where he came from. Howard The Duck received a lot of criticism when it was first released, but the movie has developed a cult following that appreciates the movie for what it is – a dumb fun movie that is completely ridiculous. This is a movie that you turn your brain off to watch. It’s more fun that way.

 

Where To Watch Howard The Duck

Peacock (Free)

 

3. Battlefield Earth

Battlefield Earth is a movie adaptation of a fictional book written by Ron L. Hubbard, the leader of the church of Scientology. John Travolta is a member of the church of Scientology and was one of Battlefield Earth’s biggest cheerleaders before the movie’s release. Travolta plays the antagonist and is also the one who spearheaded the creation of the movie. He has been quoted saying Battlefield Earth would be better than Star Wars IV: A New Hope and will be the Schindler’s List of Sci-Fi. Unfortunately, Battlefield Earth did not live up to Travolta’s hype. With a 3% on Rotten Tomatoes, Battlefield Earth proved to be a huge disappointment. The movie, however, has gained a new reputation over the years as one of the greatest so bad they’re good movies ever made. The terrible CGI and unbelievable art direction resemble a Syfy TV movie rather than a cinematic blockbuster. You’ll spend most of this movie confused by the directing choices and intrigued by the serious intentions behind this feature.

 

Where To Watch Battlefield Earth

YouTube
Google Play & Movies
Apple TV
Prime Video

 

2. The Happening

The range of quality that comes from M. Night Shyamalan is truly amazing. The Oscar-nominated director can create classics like The Sixth Sense and Split while at the same time creating movies like The Last Airbender and After Earth. The Happening, however, is one of the greatest creations by M. Night Shyamalan. Don’t let critics tell you differently. Intended to be an apocalyptic thriller, The Happening is about a mysterious plague that causes those infected to kill themselves. The premise sounds terrifying and the movie starts with promise, but it quickly devolves into something difficult to take seriously. The badly delivered lines and bizarre writing choices will have you questioning if M. Night Shyamalan was creating a parody — he was not.

 

Where To Watch The Happening

HBO Max

 

1. Showgirls

Showgirls is one of the most glorious calamities to exist in cinema. When Showgirls first came out in 1995, it was violently rejected by critics and audiences alike. The movie was credited with destroying Elizabeth Berkley’s acting career. Now, Showgirls is being looked at as an ingenious movie that was misunderstood by audiences on first release. The movie follows a young drifter as she arrives in Las Vegas and claws her way to the top of the Vegas showgirls. The new fanbase that has emerged for Showgirls in recent years sees the movie as a satire of the over-the-top style that exists in Las Vegas. It’s unclear whether that was Verhoeven’s original intention, but the terrible acting, writing, and dialogue forced us to put Showgirls at the top of our list.

 

Where To Watch Showgirls

Pluto TV
Tubi

 

The Art Behind “Good” Bad Movies

There are 2 types of bad movies. The ones that are forgettable and the ones that are memorable. We’ve all seen bad movies that we forget about minutes after leaving the theater. I’d argue most bad movies are forgettable, but then we have the memorable bad movies. The movies that are bad in all of the right ways. These movies comfort us and give us instant therapy. Most important of all, these movies cannot be made intentionally bad. They are happy accidents and these 8 movies are the best of the bad.

Originally published on June 12th, 2021, updated on March 23rd, 2022