Our culture has an interesting way of falling in love with movies that either bombed in their heyday or had an offbeat plot that just didn’t go over too well. We have a healthy appreciation for all things ridiculous. We love Saturday Night Live’s crazy sketches and Judd Apatow’s raunchy comedy. It gives us a much needed and well-deserved break from the hectic seriousness of our day to day routines. We get to enter a little world where not everything needs to make sense and we love the movie makers for it.
Here are 10 totally ridiculous, yet ultimately amazing, movies to help you unwind:
- My Boyfriend’s Back (1993)
This movie borrowed a title from the classic song of the same name. However, it took a very different, twisted take on it. Instead of a boyfriend returning from a trip, he’s coming back from the dead. It was sort of the original zombie movie. Oh except that the zombie is non-violent, totally himself, and apparently more sexually attractive to women because he’s dead. Also, nobody has any concerns about his returning from the dead. It’s an odd idea but truthfully a fun watch.
Plot: A teenage guy has been in love with the hottest girl in school forever. He winds up dying one night while he was trying to win her affection. Naturally, he comes back from the dead and manages to get the girl post-mortem.
Cast: Libby Villari (Boyhood, Friday Night Lights), Matthew Fox (Lost, World War Z), Phillip Seymour Hoffman (The Hunger Games, Moneyball), Matthew McConaughey (Magic Mike, The Wolf of Wall Street)
- Friday (1995)
I’m sure you’ve uttered the famous line, “Bye Felicia” a time or two. But if you didn’t know, it’s brought to us by the film Friday (and later used by Ice Cubes son in Straight Outta Compton while portraying him.) Quite possibly one of the most pointless films ever made but it’s pretty funny.
Plot: Two guys smoke a lot of marijuana that happened to belong to a drug dealer and have to find a way to pay the dealer for it by the end of the night. Along the way they find themselves in a lot of trouble (I mean, even more than pissing off a sketchy drug dealer) and of course, smoke more weed.
Cast: Ice Cube (Are We There Yet?, 21 Jump Street), Chris Tucker (Rush Hour), Nia Long (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Big Momma’s House), Regina King (Daddy Daycare, The Boondocks)
- Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Ironically enough, the 8th spot goes to Eight Legged Freaks. I think it was supposed to be a horror movie that preyed on people’s fear of spiders. But as many horror flicks, it failed miserably and mostly just makes you laugh at how outrageous it is. I mean honestly, they play “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” whenever a spider attack occurs in the film. The movie is still worth watching because it’s a classic and you can appreciate the attempt a young Scarlett Johansson made to make the movie somewhat enjoyable.
Plot: Essentially, a bunch of poisonous, deadly spiders get exposed to a chemical and it makes them grow to massive sizes. Then, naturally, they attack a small town and terrorize the citizens. Honestly, have you heard of anything more ridiculous?
Cast: David Arquette (Scream, Never Been Kissed), Scarlett Johansson (Avengers, Don Jon), Matt Czuchry (The Good Wife, Gilmore Girls)
- Sharknado (2013)
Once again a film that wanted to scare us, but was just too ridiculous to have any effect other than making us laugh hysterically. I think it’s possible that horror movie directors secretly just want to make comedy films. This movie was not exactly bound for greatness. The lead actor didn’t even want to do it but had to get some work since he had a baby on the way. To the film’s credit, it’s become a cult-hit and actors who turned down roles have admitted they regret it now.
Plot: It’s pretty self-explanatory. There was a sharknado. A hurricane came to LA and basically covered the land with so much water that sharks were just swimming around the streets. But apparently something tornado like also came and it picked up sharks and threw them at people? I really don’t know.
Cast: Ian Ziering (Beverly Hills: 90210, That’s My Boy), Tara Reid (American Pie, Scrubs), John Heard (Home Alone, The Sopranos), Cassie Scerbo (Bring it on: In It to Win It, Make It or Break It)
- The Happening (2008)
This is one movie that was definitely meant to be taken seriously. It was well marketed, well cast, and honestly expected to be pretty good. However, every single actor in the film somehow managed to give the worst performances of their careers and the film totally fell flat. I guess if someone could find any proof that what happened in this film is even remotely possible, it would be a little bit scary but it would not change the fact that Mark Wahlberg delivered every line as if he were reading the morning announcements in high school. I think the biggest reason to watch this film is the amazing source it is for jokes with friends.
Plot: There seems to be some kind of neurotoxin spreading around the world that is causing people to commit suicide against their will. It could be an act of terrorism or something nature related but no one knows how to make it stop. A science teacher, his estranged wife, and their best friends’ daughter must fight to survive.
Cast: Mark Wahlberg (Ted, The Lovely Bones), Zooey Deschanel (New Girl, Elf), John Leguizamo (Romeo + Juliet, Ice Age)
- Hairspray (1988)
Nope, we’re not talking about the Zac Efron one here, guys. Before there was the hit movie- musical, in fact, before there was even the musical, there was THIS. The movie that started it all. The movie wasn’t that great compared to it’s remake (wow, you don’t hear that often), but the concept was amazing so it’s no shocker that it became a hit franchise once Broadway stepped in. This movie is a bit weird. It’s music centered but no one sings a single song and a lot of the dialogue is awkward. It is however, super funny and promotes girl-power. It’s a great watch for a girl’s night in.
Plot: Unless you have lived under a rock your entire life, you know how the story goes. In the 60’s, a teenage girl who has been branded as fat, earns herself a spot on her favorite dance TV show. She uses her new fame to make a difference about issues she believes in. That includes setting an example for those who are different and making changes when it comes to show’s unjust policies on integration.
Cast: Sonny Bono (The Love Boat, The Sonny and Cher Show), Ricki Lake (The Ricki Lake Show, Entertainment Tonight), Jerry Stiller (The King of Queens, Fishhooks), Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick AKA Vitamin C (Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Scary Movie 2)
- Encino Man (1992)
This kind of goes for all Pauly Shore movies to be honest. We were supposed to take this one as a joke and it’s a damn good one. The 90’s were a fantastic time for feel-good films and this is one of the greatest. The idea of a “blast from the past” has been a little overdone in Hollywood but what makes this film a winner is how original their take was on it. No time-machines and no time travelling wishes.
Plot: Two high school students find the body of a frozen caveman while digging a hole in their backyard. They decide to do the only thing that makes sense: thaw him out and teach him how to live in the 20th century (because what else would be your first response in a situation like that?)
Cast: Sean Astin (The Goonies, Lord of the Rings), Pauly Shore (Son in Law, Entourage), Brendan Fraser (Crash, The Mummy)
- I Love You to Death (1990)
This movie is one of the most unique movies ever and it’s really great. The plot is itself is the ridiculous part and it definitely could’ve turned out badly. But it was executed so well that it turned out to be an odd but awesome flick. The characters are actually really relatable, even if their actions aren’t. It’s the perfect movie to watch if you appreciate ridiculousness but not awfulness.
Plot: This guy owns a pizza parlor with his wife, who is extremely proud of how hard he works, but in reality he’s really just sleeping around behind her back. A young guy who seems to be their only employee adores the wife and wants her to know the truth. When she finds out, she feels that divorce is not an option so she, the young guy, and her mom, decide to kill him (because talking about our feelings is overrated, you know.) It’s just not as easy as they expected.
Cast: Kevin Kline (Bob’s Burgers, No Strings Attached), Tracey Ullman (Into the Woods, The Corpse Bride), Joan Plowright (Driving Miss Daisy, Dennis the Menace), River Phoenix (Stand By Me, My Own Private Idaho), Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, Constantine)
- From Justin to Kelly (2003)
When the first season of American Idol wrapped, the show felt things couldn’t just end there. They decided to make a movie-musical with the 2 finalists. And there is a reason they never did it again. It was an absolute FAIL. The “actors” were forced to make the film because of their American Idol contracts. So why should you bother watching it? Well, the songs are pretty catchy and it’s cool to where it all began for Kelly Clarkson. Yes it’s terrible but it’s kind of cute and I will openly admit, I had a good time watching it.
Plot: It’s Spring Break in Florida. A waitress from Texas and a Pennsylvania college student are brought together by a shared passion for singing. Many songs and dances ensue.
Cast: Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini
- Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion (1997)
Taking the number one spot, without question, are Romy and Michelle. This one is a favorite movie in general for me. Although it is ridiculous, it’s relatable and heartwarming. It makes you laugh and it’s one of the most loved movies on this list. Plus, anything with Phoebe from Friends is bound to be a good watch. It’s meant to be funny, it’s meant to be silly, and it’s an excellent reminder not to ourselves too seriously.
Plot: Two women who have been inseparable for years decide to embellish a little when it comes to sharing their stories at their 10 year high school reunion.
Cast: Mia Sorvino (Stalker), Lisa Kudrow (Friends, Web Therapy), Jeneane Garofalo (Wet Hot American Summer, 24), Alan Cumming (Spy Kids, The Good Wife), Elaine Hendrix (The Parent Trap, 90210)
Entertainment is about having fun so why not choose something utterly ridiculous next time around? One of the keys to enjoying life is not taking every moment super seriously. These movies are your escape from it all! Laughter is good for you, after all.
Featured image via Sharknado on Netflix
Adding all these movies to my bucket list!