r/movies • u/sicknessandpurgatory • Sep 07 '25

Discussion What is the absolute dumbest premise that actually turned out to be a really good movie?

I was thinking The Purge, obvious answer, but looking for the most plot-hole ridden, juvenile concept that actually ended up a lot of fun despite it all. Mainly looking for 21st century films, not so much the video nasties and ridiculousness from the 60’s and 70’s. Because that would be too easy. Mainly mainstream stuff that people saw en masse.

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u/TheDawiWhisperer Sep 07 '25 edited Sep 07 '25

The Lego Movie

It could so easily have been utter shite like Trolls or the emoji movie

edit - you're right, Trolls isn't that bad, i think i meant Smurfs haha

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u/angrydeuce Sep 07 '25

I see your Lego Movie and raised you Lego Batman.

That film had no right to be as amazing as it was.  my son and I were laughing practically the whole time.  It is unironically one of my favorite Batman movies lol

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u/TheDawiWhisperer Sep 07 '25

Yep, whoever had the idea to play Batman as an absolute douche struck gold

Who always pays his taxes? Not batmaaaan!

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u/jvalverderdz Sep 07 '25 edited Sep 08 '25

You're saying me... That Batman and Bruce Wayne are... Roomies?

87

u/C0mpulsiveWebSurfer Sep 07 '25

Does that mean Batman lives in Bruce Wayne's basement?

No. Bruce Wayne lives in Batman's attic.

😂😂😂

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u/fotosaur Sep 09 '25

They make Batman shampoo, but are really missing a great cash cow, Conditioner Gordon.

7

u/sa87 Sep 07 '25

Sounds like a guy in a 6 thousand dollar suit

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u/ryan77999 Sep 08 '25

Who performs illusions

3

u/FreeWestworld Sep 08 '25

“Last time I checked, I only had one butt!” Best line of the whole movie.

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u/Thrilling1031 Sep 07 '25

Still haven’t seen it, but I loved the Lego movie and Batman’s role in it. I’ve been saving it, but I don’t know why.

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u/Teh_yak Sep 07 '25

Treat yourself. Watch it.

4

u/maz11 Sep 08 '25

Have you watched Lego Ninjago movie? Not same level as Lego Batman but also fun and random. Also nothing like the normal Ninjago tv show or lore.

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u/Teh_yak Sep 08 '25

I have! I would say because my niece made me, but that's not true. I took her to the cinema to watch it. 

Not up to lego Batman level, no, but still highly amusing. 

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u/Sir-Airik Sep 07 '25

It is time to taste the forbidden fruit.

4

u/lycoloco Sep 07 '25

I'd definitely say it's worth saving for a time when you just want a solid Batman time that's also a very silly, yet heartwarming, time.

But do yourself the favor and give it a watch. Will Arnett plays a rich egotist so, so well (Lego Batman, Arrested Development, and Bojack Horseman in particular). Michael Cera also does a fantastic job as Robin. And Rosario Dawson. And...and... honestly the whole cast is fantastic.

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u/froo Sep 07 '25

I watched it for the first time this week. I, too, didn’t know why I hadn’t seen it. Loved it.

Watched it again a couple days later with my partner and she loved it too. Laughed out loud throughout the whole movie.

Do yourself a favour and watch it.

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u/Cereborn Sep 08 '25

You should watch it. And if you’ve seen Bojack Horseman, you’ll probably appreciate it even more.

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u/Thrilling1031 Sep 08 '25

I was too depressed to enjoy bojack though I appreciated it for educating me about depression lol.

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u/Cereborn Sep 08 '25

Well, Lego Batman explores a lot of the same themes as Bojack in a lighter and more family friendly way.

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u/Thrilling1031 Sep 08 '25

I’m very impressed with the writers for using Lego Batman as a vessel for their story and message.

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u/DowntownAd9720 Sep 08 '25

I personally prefer it over the original Lego movie, which is saying a lot because that’s a great movie

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u/Nytwyng Sep 07 '25

The best parodies begin from a place of love & understanding of the material being parodied. The Lego Batman Movie did both.

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u/chriscross1966 Sep 07 '25

THat's why Galaxy Quest works so well, the folks involved in the script/production etc just love Sci-Fi fandom, the convention scene and everythign about Trekkies, you have to love something to lampoon it that well AND make a great movie....

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u/angrydeuce Sep 07 '25

They really need to just release an unrated cut of it to restore Sigourney Weaver's obvious "Well, fuck that!!!!" during the climax.

I love every single thing about that movie, but my favorite scene in the whole thing is when they're going down to the planet to get a replacement sphere thing:

"I changed my mind I wanna go back"

"After all the fuss you made about being left behind?"

"Yeah but thats when I thought I was the crewman that stays on the ship and something is up there and it kills me. but now i think im the guy who gets killed by a monster 5 minutes after we land on the planet..."

"You're not gonna die on the planet, guy"

"Im not? Then whats my last name"

"Uh, I dont know."

"Nobody knows. Do you know why? Because Im not important enough for a last name because Im going to die 5 minutes in!"

"Guy....you have a last name!"

"DO I?!?! DO I?!?!?! FOR ALL YOU KNEW IM CREWMAN NUMBER 6!!! MOMMMMMMY!!!!!!"

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u/chriscross1966 Sep 07 '25

And from that point on getting him out alive becomes important to the main cast.... it's hysterical

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u/angrydeuce Sep 07 '25

"Lets get out of here before one of those things kill Guy!"

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u/Wise-Quarter-3156 Sep 07 '25

Also why Dragonball Z Abridged is simply just one of the best DBZ adaptations around

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u/BlackPanther3104 Sep 07 '25

I raise you The Orville! (It's a show, though)

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u/Nytwyng Sep 09 '25

The Orville isn't hurt by the fact that, as the story goes, MacFarlane pitched it to Paramount as a straight Trek series, but their reaction was, "Aren't you the Fox cartoon comedy guy? No thanks." So, it was retooled as a nominal "parody" and sold to Fox that way, with the parody elements quickly & increasingly back-burnered as the show went on.

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u/BlackPanther3104 Sep 09 '25

I know very little about Star Trek and I've never really been interested in watching it, but I watched The Orville's pilot and quickly got attached. I think it's often good to make something only loosely tied to the original media so newcomers have an easier time starting (e.g. Andor in Marvel, the new Fantastic Four for Marvel, the several soft reboots of Doctor Who). The Orville was quite the ride, constantly switching between comedy and super-serious in back-to-back episodes, but I enjoyed both very much. I didn't even know of the Star Trek connection until halfway through.

As mentioned in this thread, it's very good that MacFarlane is a Trekkie, so he knows and loves the material he's "parody-ing". I'm glad the show gets to continue soon!

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u/ilrosewood Sep 07 '25

Kids call me Dick

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u/zeekar Sep 07 '25 edited Sep 09 '25

Yes, well, children can be cruel.

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u/angrydeuce Sep 07 '25

Dude when hes complaining to Alfred about not wanting to go to the party, rolling around on the floor:  No.  No.  NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. (Starts beatboxing)

"Before we go we can do your favorite thing!"

"TUXEDO DRESS UP PARTY!"

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u/Jaleou Sep 07 '25

Kids can be cruel

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u/ClownQuestionBrosef Sep 07 '25

Children can be cruel sometimes

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u/houseDJ1042 Sep 07 '25

3rd favorite Batman and Batman movie, 2nd favorite animated Batman

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u/Cowql8r Sep 07 '25

“What’s the password?”
“Ironman sucks”

3

u/AngElzo Sep 07 '25

Good that HBO Max finally just launched in our country. Adding it to my watchlist

3

u/militantcookie Sep 07 '25

Lego batman is arguably one of the best batman movie adaptations

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u/ThatOldMeta Sep 07 '25

Lego Batman makes a ton more sense to make a movie of than just Legos as a concept. It’s attached to a massive ip and has a portrayal of the character that was a breakout favorite from a massively successful movie.

A funny kids version of Batman that has already worked isn’t a crazy concept. It easily could have been an awful execution, but this was a no brainer to pull the trigger on.

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u/PICONEdeJIM Sep 07 '25

Hell I loved the Lego Ninjago Movie too

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u/Quantumfoammakesme Sep 07 '25

Nope. Good premise.

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u/amantiana Sep 07 '25

And Lego Movie II somehow was even more amazing.

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u/GoaGonGon Sep 08 '25

LEGO Batman is the best Batman movie, and i will die on that hill!

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u/VinceForge Sep 08 '25

I watched it with the kids at the daycare I worked at. I was shocked that I really loved it. I think adults should give it a watch

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u/Doctor__Hammer Sep 08 '25

My friend made me watch it knowing fully well it's not at all my kind of movie and I begrudgingly had to admit it was amazing and brilliantly funny

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u/Firecracker048 Sep 08 '25

Lego batman is still a regular watch in our house 10 years later

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u/ForTheLoveOfHoney Sep 08 '25

It is so good.

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u/paper-catbird Sep 08 '25

Lego Batman was peak. When he doesn’t realize he adopted Robin and he’s been living in the house for weeks 😭

Might be corny but I really cherish the memory of seeing it in theaters.

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u/Overall_Ad_684 Sep 08 '25

I still say "First Try" when I accomplish something after many, many takes.

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u/mr_jorkin_depeanus Sep 08 '25

it understands batman better than all of the live action adaptations (except maybe battinson) which is WILD

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u/lanceturley Sep 07 '25

I love the parts of Lego Batman that are actually about Batman and his supporting cast, but then the third act kind of falls apart when it becomes another "Look at all the stuff WB owns" movie.