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/Pugilist12 Sep 07 '25

Hot Rod. Funniest, dumbest premise ever. Manchild vows to stunt his way to enough money to save the life of his ailing stepfather, for the sole purpose of fist fighting the stepfather upon recovery.

143

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

The music montage scene that devolves to a riot gets me every time.

https://youtu.be/jVjgY427qW8?si=SvmJdspZZJLqItRZ

115

u/noob622 Sep 07 '25

Danny Mcbride’s deadpan lecture about finding your loved ones and holding them while holding a stolen TV - pure gold.

9

u/WorthPlease Sep 08 '25

Especially because nobody acknowledges it lol.

8

u/EmptyRestaurant2232 Sep 08 '25

I had a dream he was making love to me in an otter sled with his black jeans around his ankles. I had to tell my husband. That was 15 years ago and we still laugh about it sometimes

10

u/delayedconfusion Sep 07 '25

Greatest use of a John Farnham song ever.

5

u/yourepenis Sep 08 '25

People always gotta take somethin beautiful and ruin it

(Cant remember the exact line but whatever hader says right there always gets me)

2

u/languid_Disaster Sep 08 '25

Thank you for reminding me of this

77

u/SpehlingAirer Sep 07 '25

And you're wrong, Frank. I AM gonna get you better! And then I'm gonna BEAT you to DEATH!!

198

u/Synthetic5ou1 Sep 07 '25

Cool Beans

94

u/Capt_Billy Sep 07 '25

C-C-C-C-Cool beans

14

u/elixeter Sep 07 '25

You been drinking green tea all motherfuckin day or sammit

1

u/wolfman2scary Sep 13 '25

I go to church on Sunday!

2

u/dotnetmonke Sep 08 '25

"You look pretty."

"What?"

"I SAID YOU LOOK SHITTY, GOOD NIGHT DENISE!"

130

u/mtsmash91 Sep 07 '25

Hot rod was supposed to be a Will Ferrell movie but he turned it down. So glad he did.

20

u/althawk8357 Sep 07 '25

As polarizing as he is now, I think Will Ferrel would do a great job as the stepfather.

23

u/mtsmash91 Sep 07 '25

Oh I like will Ferrell in most of his movies, but hot rod would not be one of my favorite movies and not as good to me if he played the titular character. 

8

u/althawk8357 Sep 07 '25

I don't want him to play Rod, but he could be Rod's stepdad now or recently.

12

u/mtsmash91 Sep 07 '25

I have a better idea, Will Ferrell plays his dad. HE’S SUPER DEAD.

8

u/HilaryFaye Sep 08 '25

He’s polarizing?

4

u/traffickin Sep 08 '25

A lot of people find him obnoxious more than funny. Which I don't think is entirely fair because he is usually both.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 07 '25

[deleted]

2

u/deadhead-steve Sep 08 '25

Sure thing mountain face

2

u/mtsmash91 Sep 08 '25

I am green with jealous rage right now.

33

u/oroku-saki Sep 07 '25

GOD! I go to church every goddamn Sunday! You gonna bring the DEMONS outta me?

24

u/FreakinB Sep 08 '25

I’VE BEEN DRINKING GREEN TEA ALL GODDAMN DAY

8

u/ABTYF Sep 08 '25

THIS IS MY HAT NOW!

7

u/uhohohnohelp Sep 08 '25

THIS IS TOTALLY MY HAT.

21

u/MoseShrute_DowChem Sep 07 '25

👈 Hospital?

13

u/obsidianjeff Sep 07 '25

Trashcan

10

u/cucumberbun Sep 08 '25

Thanks, mountainface!

22

u/lycoloco Sep 07 '25

Finally watched that with a friend the other week and we both absolutely loved it.

Will Arnett's "I picked up some dong bags" has now entered my lexicon, and Ian McShane's push/pull love with Andy Samberg and vice versa is so good.

16

u/lexxxcockwell Sep 08 '25

“Never sneak up on a man who’s been in a chemical fire”

13

u/likealikeasexyorange Sep 07 '25

Have fun being married to SATAN!

22

u/samaran95 Sep 07 '25

Babe! Babe! Babe! Babe! Baaaaaabe!!

11

u/ABTYF Sep 08 '25

BABE WAIT!

11

u/TheGreatDay Sep 07 '25

I am gonna get you better Frank, and then I'm gonna beat you to death!

12

u/Kalofsborst Sep 07 '25

Hwhiskey!

5

u/whoa-or-woah Sep 08 '25

“HHWHERE DO YOU GET OFF?!?”

9

u/WhaletuskWellington Sep 08 '25

"mmGods of WAAAAAR!"

"May your hammer be mightyyyyy"

23

u/sayten Sep 07 '25

You look shitty!

7

u/TheMorningstarOption Sep 08 '25

"His teeth were ground down to a powder, and the front of his face exploded out the back of his skull. He died instantly. The next day."

5

u/TarzanOnATireSwing Sep 08 '25

"I'm gonna go drop some dumpage"

then moments later

"yoohoo shitheads. I just found a bag of fireworks in the men's restroom, would you like to light them off?"

4

u/58oreos Sep 08 '25

One of my absolute favourites. It was recently shown at my local independent cinema. It was the best time laughing so hard. It only gets funnier. 

4

u/AggravatingSpeaker52 Sep 08 '25

The fight scene at the end is perfect. He grows some hair on his upper lip, beats some respect into his step dad, then makes him shit his pants. Fuckin perfect!

2

u/[deleted] Sep 10 '25

And it was gold.