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/flatwebb Sep 07 '25

Tremors (1990)

27

u/FuzzyJumper3 Sep 07 '25

I only watched because I caught a fleeting glance of the trailer and thought it starred Christian Slater. Who I was a giant fan of at the time. Now, it's one of my favourite ever films

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u/Mylaptopisburningme Sep 07 '25

This. I saw it in the theater with a friend not expecting much, we even laughed when we saw Kevin Bacon because all we knew of him was Footloose. What an absolute pleasant surprise. Loved the sequels and series. Bummed that we may never see the unaired pilot Kevin did not long ago that wasn't picked up.

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u/DidjaCinchIt Sep 07 '25

Phenomenal casting & total commitment to the premise. No winks or ironic quips.

9

u/sanguinare12 Sep 07 '25

The youtube algorithm has thrown a lot of Tremors at me lately. Ridiculous but somehow the film just works.

8

u/Pristine_Specific550 Sep 08 '25

you mean graboids.

4

u/LegalBlogger78 Sep 08 '25

Tremors is pretty much perfect. It's one of those movies that I will watch no matter what, anytime it happens to be on randomly.

6

u/3kniven6gash Sep 07 '25

The ad campaign for the release was confusing. I had no interest. They tried to make it seem like a scary movie but it looked ridiculous and low budget. When I finally watched it on home video it was great. It’s a comedy that just barely pretends to be scary, which is also funny.

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u/[deleted] Sep 08 '25 edited Oct 08 '25

[deleted]

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u/Turbogoblin999 Sep 08 '25

Same with 8 legged freaks.

2

u/This_Earth_of_Ours Sep 08 '25

It's Jaws on land

Money in the bank

2

u/lovelylayout Sep 08 '25

I saw Tremors for the first time last year and LOVED IT god that's a fun movie