Top 30 Movies That Were Surprisingly Awesome

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]Wow, you were great. I WAS GREAT. Are you KIDDING ME? YOU WERE GREAT.

[00:00:05]>> Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the top 30 movies that were leagues better THAN AUDIENCES EXPECTED. DON'T.

[00:00:13]ANOTHER UNMISTAKABLE SIGN OF THE HEEBIE-JEEBIES.

[00:00:19]Number 30, Rocky. A struggling unknown actor refused to sell his script unless the studio let him play the lead role.

[00:00:27]It is the ultimate meta underdog story.

[00:00:29]Well, next to Rocky, of course. You believe that America is the land of opportunity?

[00:00:35]Yeah.

[00:00:38]Apollo Creed does.

[00:00:39]And he's going to prove it to the whole world by giving an unknown a shot at the title.

[00:00:45]And that unknown is you. Executives aggressively fought against casting Sylvester Stallone, convinced a low-budget sports film would crash and burn without a bankable A-list star.

[00:00:55]>> [music] >> But then the movie came out and scored a total knockout with critics and audiences. Most of which singled out Stallone.

[00:01:03]Apollo unloading a left, he really taking him up against the ropes.

[00:01:10]It's incredible when you remember the behind-the-scenes pressure and the fact that the whole thing was shot in under a month for roughly a million dollars. I didn't have no problem. I didn't have nothing. Legs are going, everything is going. Nobody's getting no nothing. Guy comes up, offers me a fight. Big deal.

[00:01:25]Want to fight the fight. Yeah, I'll fight the big fight.

[00:01:28]I wouldn't want to FIGHT THAT BIG FIGHT.

[00:01:29]WHO'S GOING TO I'M GOING TO GET THAT. NUMBER 29, SAW.

[00:01:33]18 days with two unknown filmmakers in a dilapidated bathroom doesn't exactly scream billion-dollar franchise starter or really something worth seeing at all.

[00:01:42]>> Look around, Amanda. Know that I'm not lying.

[00:01:46]You better hurry up.

[00:01:48]Live or die.

[00:01:50]Make your choice. The premise of Saw, a micro-budget horror film almost entirely taking place in one room, sounded like a student film, not a theater-worthy experience. Driven by a wildly inventive premise, terrifying moral dilemmas, and one of the most jaw-dropping twist [music] endings in cinematic history, the grizzly indie exploded at the box office. Lawrence!

[00:02:14]Oh, what are you doing?

[00:02:19]It bypassed all expectations, reshaping the modern horror landscape for years to come. Not too bad for a movie that looked like it should have been straight-to-DVD.

[00:02:31]>> [screaming] >> Game over.

[00:02:34]Number 28, Mean Girls. By 2004, classic teen comedies were not quite as fetch as they used to be. Gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen. It's not going to happen. Throw in the fact that it was based on a self-help book for parents, and it's easy to see why audiences expected another brainless cliche-filled drama. But, this is Tina Fey, and she turned those well-worn tropes into a cultural phenomenon. Blending razor-sharp satirical wit with a shockingly accurate portrayal of teenage psychological warfare, Mean Girls elevated the high school genre to an art form.

[00:03:07]I wish that I could bake a cake made out of rainbows and smiles, and we'd all eat it and be happy. She doesn't even go here.

[00:03:16]The incredibly quotable dialogue, combined with a star-making performance by Rachel McAdams, cemented its legacy as the seminal teen movie. Shut up.

[00:03:26]I didn't say anything. Home-schooled.

[00:03:29]That's really interesting.

[00:03:30]Thanks. You're like really pretty.

[00:03:33]Thank you. So, you agree?

[00:03:35]What? You think you're really pretty?

[00:03:37]Number 27, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. How do you stretch a beloved 22-minute animated TV special into a Hollywood blockbuster? Follow up, how do you do it without completely wrecking the spirit of Dr. Seuss's story? You're the the the the the Grinch.

[00:03:55]>> [screaming] >> Yeah, you can see why audiences approach this live-action retelling with some heavy trepidation. Thankfully, the answer was simple. You hand the keys to Whoville over to Jim Carrey and let him do what Jim Carrey does best.

[00:04:08]>> Oh, that's really mature saying exactly what I did.

[00:04:17]I'm an idiot.

[00:04:19]You're an idiot.

[00:04:22]By expanding the lore, adding some adult-friendly humor, and covering it all with just enough twinkling lights, this holiday gamble was the opposite of coal under the tree. So, he brought back the toys and the food for the feast. And he, he himself, the Grinch, carved the roast beast. Yeah.

[00:04:42]Number 26, Blockers. If you told us a raunchy teen comedy in 2018 would end up as something of a feminist triumph, we probably would have laughed. After all, the concept of Blockers is definitely sketchy. You know your daughter's in this stupid sex pact, too.

[00:04:57]>> Yeah, and she's not going to do anything about it, okay?

[00:04:59]>> Oh, like you would know what your daughter's going to do.

[00:05:02]Okay, first of all, ouch. Parents trying to stop their kids from bumping uglies on prom night? We all expected a parade of outdated, misogynistic, gross-out gags. What a relief to be completely wrong.

[00:05:14]Where are my chuggers at? You ready? All right, here. Let's go.

[00:05:18]All right. Director Kay Cannon crafted an emotionally grounded, side-splittingly funny exploration of female adolescence and parental anxiety.

[00:05:26]Blockers subverted every tired genre trope, delivering a surprisingly progressive and relentlessly hilarious high school classic. But absolutely perfect. Aw.

[00:05:36]>> [laughter] >> Guys, so much so much went down tonight.

[00:05:41]>> Number 25, Paranormal Activity. The legacy of this legendary found-footage movie can be summed up in three little words, return on investment. A bulky camcorder and $15,000 should in no way have led to a genre-making smash hit.

[00:05:55]Dealing with demons is not my area. I'm very uncomfortable with it.

[00:06:00]And I'll tell you quite frankly, I sense that there is something going on in this house. You cannot run from this. It will follow you. Paranormal Activity truly had everything going against it. It lacked a list stars, a proper crew, or even a real script. But, by relying on the authenticity of showing real people with a camera, this little indie turned found footage into the next big thing.

[00:06:21]So, what did you have from this? Like, you I don't remember anything. I remember I remember standing in the doorway and you pointing a camera at me. The homemade quality that originally turned audiences away ended up being Paranormal Activity's franchise-spawning calling card.

[00:06:43]Number 24, Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

[00:06:46]James Cameron is a madman. A brilliant madman, but still. The director took the terrifying, relentless villain of his best work and turned him into an unlikely father figure. Come with me if you want to live. On paper, it sounded like a complete betrayal of the original film. Instead, Judgment Day ended up one of the greatest sequels in cinematic history. Scratch that. One of the greatest films, period.

[00:07:17]With cutting-edge special effects and a surprisingly powerful emotional through-line, T2 eclipsed every hesitancy and expectation thrown its way. Combined with box office success and four Oscars, we'd say Cameron's gamble paid off.

[00:07:35]Number 23, The Super Mario Brothers Movie. For decades, Hollywood just couldn't figure out how to successfully adapt beloved video games and they definitely tried a lot with very meager results. Don't listen to them. The world laughed at Da Vinci, too. I'm not sure they did, Ma. Dad, what did you think?

[00:07:56]I think you're nuts. So, when a new animated Mario film was announced, fans were incredibly cautious. The A-list voice cast did little to assuage audience fears, especially when critic reviews ended up less than stellar. But, against all odds, the people who did go out to see the Super Mario Brothers movie were quick to sing its praises.

[00:08:19]They're all counting on us.

[00:08:22]No pressure.

[00:08:23]Filled to the brim with bright colors, [music] whimsical characters, and more Easter eggs than die-hard gamers could ever want, this movie ended up being exactly what fans were looking for. Not bad mustache. Number 22, Warm Bodies.

[00:08:36]Vampires, witches, werewolves, take In the early 2010s, Hollywood was pumping supernatural romances for all of them, hoping to capitalize on the insane YA craze. Are there others like you?

[00:08:53]I mean, I I've never ever heard a corpse talk before. However, it had the opposite effect and when Warm Bodies pitched itself as a love story between a human and a zombie, the world gave a collective eye roll. And yet, this undead rom-com injected surprisingly fresh blood into the decaying genre. Oh my god.

[00:09:13]Is that him?

[00:09:15]Yeah.

[00:09:21]Except told from the witty perspective of the zombified R, the movie masterfully balanced genuine thrills with a surprisingly heartfelt love story. Even though many felt the young adult genre was long gone, Warm Bodies single-handedly proved that young love [music] never dies.

[00:09:39]>> [music] [music] >> Number 21, Magic Mike. Let's be honest here. Most people who bought a ticket to Magic Mike expected 2 hours of plotless oiled up beefcake on the big screen. But while it certainly delivered more than its fair share of shirtless men, there was a surprising amount of depth behind the tearaway pants. I got a couple of loopholes I got to get through with the real estate attorney down there, but after that it's going to be all green lights, brother. Loosely based on star Channing Tatum's own past, the glitzy dance numbers underscored a genuinely compelling character study about the harsh realities of life on the stage.

[00:10:22]People came expecting empty calories and eye candy and walked away with one of the year's best dramas. Forgive the pun, but it was magic. Uh you don't want to know what I have to do for 20s. You know what? I don't.

[00:10:33]>> what? Let's drink these and I'll show you what I do. That's That's okay.

[00:10:36]Number 20, Game Night. Any plans for this evening? No.

[00:10:41]Perhaps a game night?

[00:10:43]We're just going to stay in, just the two of us. Mhm. Boring. Mhm.

[00:10:47]I see.

[00:10:49]Don't let the name fool you because this movie is not all fun and games. Sure, it starts out as a simple night of playing games between friends, but it soon ends up as a race against the clock to defeat some criminals and stop a kidnapping.

[00:11:01]Game Night has twists and turns and it never lets up on the action or the laughs. No, I'm telling you this is all real. The shitty actors are real? Come on. How about that ridiculous fight? Was that real?

[00:11:11]>> Is this gun real?

[00:11:13]>> Oh, oh, no, Annie. Oh, no, no, NO. BANG, BANG.

[00:11:16]>> [screaming] >> A LOT OF COMEDIES IN THE PAST DECADE HAVE HAD problems with feeling generic and also flopping at the box office.

[00:11:26]Game Night, however, did not have any of those problems. It performed well at the box office and was a critical success, too. The film has an entertaining plot, impressive cast, and all around fun vibes, which makes it a solid watch.

[00:11:42][ __ ] Yes!

[00:11:47]Oh, no, he died. Number 19, The Other Guys. When the same old boring muscle-headed action stars just aren't cutting it, you need The Other Guys.

[00:11:55]That should be case scaffolding permits?

[00:11:58]Yeah.

[00:12:00]Guess what?

[00:12:01]You're coming with me.

[00:12:03]That's a wooden gun.

[00:12:05]Oh!

[00:12:07]That hurts, man.

[00:12:09]It's all about proving people wrong. In fact, the whole movie is just subverting expectations. It follows two desk jockeys who end up having to prove their metal in a high-stakes investigation.

[00:12:20]The Other Guys challenges the conventional action hero buddy cop tropes and makes you laugh out loud while doing so. First off, I missed you.

[00:12:29]What's going on?

[00:12:30]Did you hear what I said?

[00:12:32]Fine. I kind of missed you, too.

[00:12:34]Thank you.

[00:12:36]Mark Wahlberg's character is in trouble for shooting Derek Jeter. Will Ferrell's character is a neglectful husband to Eva Mendes, and Michael Keaton's character is just trying to provide for his bisexual son to become a DJ. There are so many entertaining bits that the moral of this story is don't count these guys [music] out.

[00:13:01]Number 18, Aquaman.

[00:13:03]What do you want?

[00:13:05]I'll tell you what I want.

[00:13:10]Can we get a picture with you?

[00:13:12]You're like our local hero, man.

[00:13:15]It would mean a lot. For an embarrassingly long time, Aquaman was the butt of jokes. He was the king of the seas, but people only knew him as the guy who talked to fish.

[00:13:26]>> [laughter] >> I've said this before and I'll say it again.

[00:13:29]Aquaman sucks.

[00:13:32]Even when we got glimpses of Jason Momoa as a badass Aquaman, fans still had reservations about if a solo movie could work. Thankfully, it did.

[00:13:40]>> I suppose you want to talk about this, do you?

[00:13:47]Neither do I. Actually, that's an understatement. James Wan's film made a huge splash, earning over a billion dollars at the box office. The movie pulled elements from the Peter David and Geoff Johns comics, and Wan's horror film background also translated well to the superhero.

[00:14:03]If you seek my power, you must prove your worth.

[00:14:08]Journey beyond the edge of the world to the hidden sea.

[00:14:11]Look inside the bottle for the charted path.

[00:14:15]Only in the hands of the true king. The director gave us amazing visuals and breathtaking action sequences. Who could have predicted that DC's highest-grossing movie ever would be Aquaman? He's not a joke anymore.

[00:14:28]If gods make known their will, Number 17, Transformers 1. It's time to show them we are more than meets the eye. Oh, no.

[00:14:45]This movie's entire existence was an uphill battle. Due to poor marketing, most people assumed this was just a generic kids movie, but it's actually anything but. The animated film explores the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron and how they became the robots we know today. IF WE SURVIVE THIS, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU. I ACCEPT those terms.

[00:15:07]It's arguably one of the greatest Transformers movies out there. It doesn't pull its punches, dives into some very complex ideas, and shows us how Cybertron desperately needed to change. It also masterfully portrays the relationship between Optimus and Megatron and how it fell [music] apart.

[00:15:23]Besides Bumblebee, another hidden Transformers gem, nothing from this IP has come close to the critical acclaim that Transformers 1 received. There was definitely more than meets the eye with THIS MOVIE. GO. GO. LEAVE ME. NO. We do this together. One minor is now carrying the other. Number 16, 21 Jump Street.

[00:15:43]They put this on the internet for everybody to see? The teenagers, man.

[00:15:46]They're really stupid. So, you should blend right in. Once a serious drama on television, this franchise was rebooted and brought to the big screen for several movies. Except when the 21 Jump Street film made waves, it switched everything up and became a comedy. You look really old.

[00:16:03]Were you held back or something?

[00:16:04]>> No.

[00:16:05]Super young. Were you held forward? It revolved around Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, who play two rookie cops who go undercover as high schoolers. The laugh-out-loud action comedy lovingly poked fun at the inherently crazy premise of the original show. The dynamic directing duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller delivered an insanely funny story that reinvigorated the entire IP.

[00:16:31]Is this funny to you guys?

[00:16:39]So, you're done. You're done. Rebooting old properties is difficult enough. So, successfully swapping genres too means that Lord and Miller deserve a ton of cred. Going back to school has never looked this hilarious. You either find a supplier or I'MMA JUMP YOUR ASSES OFF JUMP STREET. I totally understand where you're coming from, sir. But, look, I heard Eric talking on the phone yesterday up with somebody that sounded very suspect about meeting up with a stuffed piñata.

[00:17:08]Is that a code for sex?

[00:17:10]Number 15, District 9. They can't let me They say how's it going, man? Here's a shake. Be nice for you. I'm not what he did was right, but he took the choices that were given to him.

[00:17:22]There's your strength. From this way, strength. Strength from this way. This Academy Award nominated movie revolves around aliens taking refuge on Earth and deals with the cultural and political fallout to come from it. It explores how humanity treats those different to them and uses the aliens to portray issues like discrimination. We're from MNU.

[00:17:42]We require your scroll on this eviction notification.

[00:17:47]What makes it so visually interesting, too, is the documentary style in which it was shot. Everything has a grimy look to it, which helps blur the lines. You also [music] can't ignore the interesting behind-the-scenes details.

[00:17:59]District 9 was actually born from the ashes of a failed Halo movie that director Neill Blomkamp was originally going to do. So just to be clear, this is going to go back.

[00:18:10]This is going to This is going to go back to a human like this.

[00:18:14]I can go home.

[00:18:16]And then you can go home. You can take your boy, you can take all the prawns.

[00:18:20]If if I could get you that fluid, right?

[00:18:23]As a result, many of the old props and materials were essentially repurposed for this. District 9 set out to prove itself and it absolutely achieved that.

[00:18:32]You can make it. I'm going to just hold him off here and I'll join you soon.

[00:18:42]Take your boy and go home.

[00:18:44]You have to make it. Don't make me go through all of this and not make it.

[00:18:47]Number 14, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

[00:18:50]Okay, just get in and get out. Easy peasy. Lemon squeezy.

[00:18:55]The swashbuckling cat from the Shrek movies was entertaining, but did anybody really think Puss would get his own spin-off? And did anybody think his spin-off would get a sequel?

[00:19:04]Nevertheless, when Puss in Boots: The Last Wish released, it took fans by storm.

[00:19:10]RUN, [ __ ] BOOTS. MAKE THE [screaming] WISH.

[00:19:13]GO AHEAD. RUN. Firing makes it more fun for me.

[00:19:18]It's about our favorite feline extending his lives while running from the literal embodiment of death. We see Puss in all sorts of epic action, but we also peel back the curtain [music] and see a more vulnerable side. Last Wish gained praise for its depictions of anxiety, which not only made Puss more sympathetic, but also more relatable. You know, I've only ever had one life, but sharing it with you and Kitty has made it pretty special. Maybe one life is enough.

[00:19:51]This movie would have had fans regardless, but the way it dives into some pretty complex issues makes it another level of enjoyable. I know I can never defeat you, Lobo, but I will never stop fighting for this life.

[00:20:06]Number 13, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. What's your purpose in Port Royal, Mr. Smith? And no lies. All right, then.

[00:20:16]I confess.

[00:20:18]It is my intention to commandeer one of these ships, pick up a crew, and torture and raid, pillage, plunder, and otherwise bill for my weaselly black guts out.

[00:20:25]I said no lies. Speaking of swashbucklers, the very first Pirates of the Caribbean movie brought pirate mania everywhere in 2003. In Curse of the Black Pearl, we're introduced to the iconic Jack Sparrow, who embarks on a massive adventure and even battles the undead in the process.

[00:20:42]I hardly believe in ghost stories anymore, Captain Barbossa. Aye.

[00:20:48]That's exactly what I thought when we were first told the tale. Buried on an island that they would not be found except for those who know where it is.

[00:20:56]Though this franchise has experienced some turbulent waters, the first installment holds up pretty well. It delivers on some incredible thrills while still adhering to a PG-13 rating.

[00:21:07]This did not just bolster the popularity of Pirates either. It also gave Johnny Depp his first ever Academy Award nomination. They done what's right by them.

[00:21:17]Can't expect more than that.

[00:21:20]Regardless of how you feel about Depp, you cannot deny that this movie helped his career soar to new heights. This pirate movie ultimately found a treasure trove of success.

[00:21:38]But you were supposed to keep to the code.

[00:21:41]We figured they [music] were more actual guidelines.

[00:21:47]Number 12, Tropic Thunder.

[00:21:49]Hold my hands.

[00:21:51]Cuz I got something to say.

[00:21:53]I got something to say.

[00:21:57]There's high-intensity war dramas, and then there's whatever the heck this is.

[00:22:01]When some actors who are filming a war movie accidentally trek into real danger, they get a taste of reality.

[00:22:07]Tropic Thunder has a pretty wild amount of talented stars who are crazily committed to the bit.

[00:22:12]>> Believe me, gentlemen, it will be glorious.

[00:22:15]If it looks real, chances are it probably is. Tom Cruise, Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, and Robert Downey Jr. are just some of the big names here who play seriously larger-than-life characters. The movie is a belly-aching good time with plenty of action, while also poking fun at big-budget filmmaking.

[00:22:32]Recently, Speedman opened up to Tyra.

[00:22:35]You have no real family.

[00:22:37]>> [music] >> You're on the wrong side of 40. You're childless and alone.

[00:22:41]Somebody close to you said, "One more flop and it's over."

[00:22:47]These guys make being stuck in a war zone look like a fun time. Obviously, it's not, but you get what we mean.

[00:22:53]Tropic Thunder is a must-watch comedy.

[00:22:56]You tell the world what happened here.

[00:22:58]What happened here?

[00:23:00]I don't know. You need [music] to tell them.

[00:23:05]They got me.

[00:23:07]Talk.

[00:23:08]>> [music] >> You take care of the boys.

[00:23:11]I'll deal with these guys.

[00:23:13]Number 11, Godzilla minus one.

[00:23:38]Godzilla has always been a monumental figure, literally. But, the cinematic titan had a new wave of popularity when minus one came out. It turned the kaiju bad and told a deeply compelling tale about the human condition. As a result, it far exceeded all expectations.

[00:24:19]The limited theatrical release it had in the US was extended numerous times.

[00:24:24]Plus, critics and fans could not [music] praise the movie enough. The film also caught attention across the award circuit. In fact, it broke barriers and won the Oscar for best VFX. [music] Did anybody expect that minus one would turn the character into an Academy Award-winning IP?

[00:25:02]>> Probably not. So, the fact that it achieved what it has is a true testament to the quality of this movie.

[00:25:17]Number 10, Galaxy Quest. If you've ever wanted to see Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver in comedic roles, Galaxy Quest is the perfect pick. The film follows a whimsical premise where the actors of the fictional titular sci-fi show get zapped into the Galaxy Quest universe and must play their roles for real.

[00:25:33]>> Kill it. Kill what?

[00:25:36]You know I'm open TO ANY SUGGESTIONS.

[00:25:38]NOBODY DIES LIKE IN EPISODE 22. Before it hit theaters, Galaxy Quest might have had skeptics thinking it'd be a lazy sci-fi spoof destined for B-movie obscurity. Instead, the satirical comedy turned out to be a clever, heartwarming letter to Star Trek and sci-fi fandom in general.

[00:25:53]>> All right, Tommy, see if [music] you can lose him in THAT MINEFIELD. THE MINEFIELD? PEDAL TO THE METAL, RIGHT NOW. It balanced sharp humor with thrilling space action, making science fiction fans and casual viewers alike cheer. While it didn't break any box office records, it did become a cult favorite.

[00:26:09]>> You shall be avenged.

[00:26:13]Number nine, American Psycho. Before Mary Harron's satirical horror became a cult classic often commended for its storytelling and thought-provoking themes, many didn't think it would work.

[00:26:23]>> Did you know I'm utterly insane?

[00:26:25]>> [clears throat] >> Great tan, Marcus. I mean, really impressive. This mostly stemmed from the fact that critics believed its source material was unfilmable. Even Bret Easton Ellis felt his controversial novel didn't need to be adapted to the big screen. I think [snorts] if you stay, something bad will happen. However, Harron delivered a stylish, [music] biting critique of the 1980s consumer culture that silenced the doubters. Her film ended up striking just the right balance between horror and satire. And Christian Bale? He didn't just play Patrick Bateman, he became him with that career-defining performance.

[00:26:59]>> And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours, and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles [music] are probably comparable. Some would even say he and the film deserved award recognition. Number eight, The Lego Movie. This animated adventure had plenty of doubting Thomases before its release. Some fans expected an unoriginal, forgettable cash grab based on yet another franchise of toys.

[00:27:23]>> Back from the dead, Bricksburg-sky?

[00:27:25]After all, how could a movie about plastic blocks work? Well, turns out they were way off. The Lego Movie shocked many by being an imaginative and heartfelt motion picture.

[00:27:34]>> You don't have to be the bad guy. Packed with humor, goofy characters, and a subtly deep message about creativity and conformity, it captivated audiences of all ages. The stunning animation, intelligent storytelling, and even the catchy Everything is Awesome theme tune won the hearts of both critics and audiences.

[00:27:56]>> Oh my gosh, I LOVE THIS SONG.

[00:27:58]>> EVERYTHING IS AWESOME.

[00:28:02]>> [music] >> HONESTLY, it's a fantastic movie that proves that even a film about toys can be truly special. Number seven, Ant-Man.

[00:28:11]Following a down on his luck thief who steals a suit that shrinks him down [music] to the size of the titular insect, this Marvel superhero movie panned out way better than expected.

[00:28:19]>> World sure seems different from down here, doesn't it, Scott?

[00:28:23]>> Compared to the MCU's earlier hits like Iron Man and Thor, this narrative about a hero who can talk to ants and hold his own in a fight might have seemed downright ridiculous, like that perhaps Marvel was scraping the bottom of the barrel. You can do it, Scott. Come on.

[00:28:40]You're not listening to me. But, against all odds, they pulled off a hit. Paul Rudd's charming performance, the clever humor, and creative action sequences like epic battles fought in toy train sets won over many.

[00:28:52]>> Now, where did you go, little guy?

[00:29:00]There you are.

[00:29:02]Meanwhile, the film's delightful heist vibe gave it a fresh edge within the MCU, soon becoming a quirky fan favorite that spawned successful sequels. Number six, Edge of Tomorrow. The trailers of this sci-fi spectacle may have had many believing it was yet another bleak alien invasion flick. How many times have we been here?

[00:29:26]How many times? With Tom Cruise starring as a soldier battling extraterrestrial forces, some probably even assumed it would be a generic war narrative drenched in CGI chaos. But, Edge of Tomorrow defied expectations. It emerged as this thrilling action flick with unanticipated moments of humor and a clever time loop concept elevated by stellar performances. What are you doing?

[00:29:48]Find me when you wake up.

[00:29:50]>> Who could forget Emily Blunt as the ultimate full metal B, or Cruise in a totally unexpected role [music] as a cowardly public affairs guy? I'm sorry, the first wave to beach, you mean the front?

[00:30:01]>> It was indeed a refreshing sight. Today, Edge of Tomorrow stands tall as one of the most inventive sci-fi films of its decade. Number five, Deadpool. Tim Miller's 2016 superhero film isn't like the others, and that's exactly why it stands out. It may not be the pinnacle of all comic book movies, but it certainly gave the fans and Ryan Reynolds what they wanted.

[00:30:21]>> Fourth wall break inside of fourth wall break. That's like 16 walls. After the Deadpool character was, should we say, ruined in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, not too many people had high hopes for his own solo film.

[00:30:34]Yet, die-hard fans stayed loyal, and it paid off big time. Deadpool proved to be a witty, violent, and entertaining flick that gave the superhero genre a clever spin. [music] Oh, hello. Hi. I know, right? Whose did I have to fondle to get my very own movie? I can't tell you, but it does rhyme with Wolverine. Ryan Reynolds embodied the character as if he were born for the role. No wonder Deadpool ended up becoming a massive success, ranking as the ninth highest grossing film of the year. Deadpool.

[00:31:08]Captain Deadpool.

[00:31:12]No, just Just Deadpool, yeah. Number four, John Wick. Chad Stahelski's action flick is a simple revenge story about an unstoppable hitman played by Keanu Reeves. [music] At just 1 hour and 41 minutes, it's all thrills, no filler.

[00:31:27]>> Would you kill John Wick for $2 million?

[00:31:30]But before its release, some dismissed it as another rehash of tired action movie tropes. And Reeves's fame at the time was nowhere near where it had been in the '90s. The film's premise of a retired assassin avenging his dog sounded almost laughable. Turns out though that those non-believers couldn't have been more mistaken. It's okay.

[00:31:49]Let's go.

[00:31:58]While it did take time before people realized it, John Wick was actually a sleek heart-pounding action thriller with meticulously choreographed fight sequences. Reeves's commitment to the role and the intense stunt work made it unforgettable. It didn't even need a complex story to succeed.

[00:32:13]>> You working again?

[00:32:14]No, I'm just sorting some stuff out.

[00:32:16]What many may have initially written off eventually became a sleeper hit. It also went on to reignite Keanu's popularity and spawned several sequels and spin-offs. Number three, Mad Max: Fury Road. George Miller conceived the idea for a fourth Mad Max film back in 1987, but it took almost three decades for it to get on cinema screens. Despite a series of issues delaying its arrival, when it finally came, the dystopian tale carved its name in history as one of the most electrifying action films ever made. So, um where is this this green place?

[00:32:53]It's a long night's run heading east.

[00:32:55]With Tom Hardy as Max and Charlize Theron as Furiosa, Miller managed to bring back what made people love the original. Meanwhile, its acting, solid narrative with emotional moments, and refreshing [music] twist on the action genre made the post-apocalyptic sequel unforgettable. Three times the gates were opened today.

[00:33:11]What gates?

[00:33:13]I was awaited in Valhalla.

[00:33:15]They were calling my name. It's total chaos, beautifully shot with awe-inspiring practical effects. It went on to become the highest-grossing Mad Max movie and won six Academy Awards among other accolades. You know, hope is a mistake.

[00:33:36]If you can't fix what's broken, you'll um you'll go insane. Number two, Top Gun: Maverick. Green-lighting a sequel to an older classic is a tough call to make.

[00:33:48]There are always going to be naysayers who think nothing can top the magic of the original. Yet, Top Gun: Maverick proved to be an exception. Thank you for saving my life.

[00:33:57]It's what my dad would have done.

[00:33:59]Right from its opening moments, it commands your attention and keeps you glued to your seat. Aside from the adrenaline-pumping action, the story has plenty of heart [music] and nostalgic callbacks to the original.

[00:34:09]>> Must admit, I wasn't expecting an invitation back. They're called orders, Mav. Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Connelly all brought their A-game, taking the movie to new heights.

[00:34:19]And let's not forget the dogfights, so real they make you feel like you were in the cockpit [music] yourself. You see me now?

[00:34:26]Come on, let's get it over with.

[00:34:28]Fights on. Though some would even say Top Gun: Maverick tops its predecessor.

[00:34:33]We're more keen to say that it certainly is worthy of it.

[00:34:45]Before we continue, check out this single from Sound Mojo's album Current EDM Transformed. Check out the full track and album below.

[00:34:56]>> [music] [music] >> Number one, Iron Man. Before Steve Rogers became Captain America, before Thor fought monsters on our screens, there was this genius billionaire playboy philanthropist in the high-tech suit.

[00:35:18]>> Is it better to be feared or respected? And I say, is it too much to ask for both? Yes, indeed. It was Iron Man that kick-started the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, setting the stage for other legendary sagas of heroism, such as the surprisingly awesome Guardians of the Galaxy. I AM >> [screaming] >> GROOT.

[00:35:39]2008 WAS A DIFFERENT TIME, and banking on this superhero film to be a box office hit was a gamble. The MCU wasn't the powerhouse it is today, and Iron Man wasn't yet a household name, like Spider-Man or the X-Men. On top of that, Robert Downey Jr.'s casting was controversial due to his past troubles, and Jon Favreau wasn't known for directing blockbuster action flicks.

[00:35:59]Despite all that, Iron Man defied all expectations and launched the MCU into the cinematic phenomenon we know today.

[00:36:06]Truth is, I am Iron Man. Are there any surprisingly awesome movies we missed?

[00:36:18]Share your recommendations in the comments.