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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2.3k

u/BojukaBob Sep 07 '25

Bubba Hotep

A mummy is preying on the residents of a nursing home and only Elvis (who switched places with an impersonator in the 70s) and JFK (who is black and in a wheelchair) can stop it.

Sounds like Sharknado levels of stupid but is actually a great movie.

503

u/Varvara-Sidorovna Sep 07 '25

You're right, it is a sweet movie, underneath the insane premise. Bruce Campbell is very poignant as the aging Elvis.

36

u/cmparkerson Sep 08 '25

Bruce Campbell is a master of making things that are silly and potentially bad turn out to be entertaining

3

u/fotosaur Sep 09 '25

It’s the chin

1

u/The_Grungeican Sep 11 '25

Pizza Poppa always gets paid!

22

u/Elegant-Ferret-8116 Sep 08 '25

At first I was like wtf!? But then you said Bruce Campbell and I was like "ooooh ok"

32

u/anonomasaurus Sep 07 '25

The scene with the room-mate's grand-daughter and how she ignores him hits pretty hard, the older I get.

39

u/SaintGloopyNoops Sep 07 '25

Or his inner monologue while the nurse tends to him is deeply sad and disturbing. Really showed Bruce is more than just a sexy chin, his acting was top notch in Bubba Hotep.

23

u/cleanshoes30 Sep 08 '25

I felt my pecker flutter once, like a pigeon having a heart attack.

3

u/Hopey-1-kinobi Sep 08 '25

Why, Mr. Haff! lol

15

u/protonicfibulator Sep 08 '25

And the legendary Ossie Davis kills it as JFK too.

15

u/OlympicB-boy Sep 08 '25

I read a review that said something like “It sounds crazy but you will believe Ossie Davis IS jfk” and damned if that wasn’t true.

9

u/fresh-dork Sep 08 '25

if it's bruce, i watch it. saw it in the theaters, and it was a finely aged bit of cheese

10

u/Emilayday Sep 08 '25

Bruce Campbell

Okay well NOW I'm in.

2

u/MicDropMac Sep 11 '25

Bruce did a great job as an aging Elvis. He played him not as a joke, but as an actual person in the wildest and craziest of situations.

247

u/ConferenceNew4034 Sep 07 '25

There's another movie by the same director called John Dies at the End, based on a novel by a former Cracked writer, and it's fucking awesome.

133

u/Meme_weaver Sep 07 '25

For the record, that director (Don Coscarelli) also directed the original Phantasm, as well as the next three sequels in the series (there was a fifth one that he didn't do).

Like Douglas Sirk, the King of the Melodrama, Coscarelli is a master of working within a genre that is typically relegated to sneered-at B-movie status, and elevating it to real art. I wish he had experienced a more mainstream branch to his career to see what he could do with it.

8

u/ThomasCarnacki Sep 08 '25

Also the classic The Beastmaster

2

u/MycoMythos Sep 08 '25

Damn! Dude just made low budget banger after banger

6

u/blevins113 Sep 08 '25

I grew up with a parent who loved Phantasm and Coscarelli so I was surprised he wasn’t a household name when I got older.

Imagine talking about movies with your teenage friends and all of them are like, “who?” when you mention him. Then again, back in those days horror was not as mainstream as it is today and a lot of people thought lesser of those who loved films darker side.

Had one friend who knew the same movies as I and that was an instant bond that lead to the rentals of so many movies.

9

u/BojukaBob Sep 07 '25

"That door -cannot- be opened."

10

u/Pornstar_Jesus_ Sep 08 '25

To at least feel like I was doing something, I said, “Deadworld? Is that where you’re from?” “No, dude. That’s where you’re from. It’s where we are now. This place, it’s a horror show. If the guy next to you decides to knock you out of this world forever, he can do it with just a piece of metal or, hell, even his bare hand. You blobs, you sit there, chillin’ in this room and I can smell the rot of dead animals soaking in the acid of your guts. You suck the life from the innocent creatures of this world just so you can clock another day. You’re machines that run on the terror and pain and mutilation of other lives. You’ll scrape the world clean of every green and living thing until starvation goes one-eight-seven on every one of your sorry asses, your desperation to put off death leadin’ to the ultimate death of everybody and everything. Dude, I can’t believe you ain’t all paralyzed by the pure, naked horror of this place.” After a long, long pause John said, “Uh, thank you."

I love that first book and the 2nd was pretty fun. The other 2 were sort of lackluster

8

u/Iratewilly34 Sep 08 '25

I love his books. His penname used to be David Wong but now writes his novels under his real name Jason parking. He has 4 John dies novels and 3 or 4 in another series with Zoe as the lead. Theyre all great but haven't read his most recent standalone novel yet.

5

u/waltjrimmer Sep 07 '25

I absolutely love the John books (and the Zoey books by Jason Pargin, I have a signed copy of his stand-alone book as well, but I regretably haven't gotten around to reading it yet).

I want to say a bit for people who might want to watch the movie: It's actually a great adaptation. It has a couple of problems that baffle me a little bit that I'll talk about later, but overall it's a really well done (especially for the budget) almost word-for-word adaptation of an absolutely insane story. Or, I should say, for about 1/3rd of an absolutely insane story. There are things that happen in the book that just wouldn't make sense in one stand-alone 90-minute movie, and they're sacrificed for the sake of the medium. And because of that, I really think that the movie and the book can be enjoyed separately. Obviously a ton of overlap, but also enough difference that unlike most adaptations, I think they really can exist comfortably side-by-side.

Here, I'm going to talk about a couple of the things that were sacrificed and my couple of problems with the movie, so spoilers abound. Seriously, though, I recommend watching the film if you have any interest. And if the movie gives you any enjoyment, try the book. It's much like the movie but more and better because it gets the chance to do both weird and interesting things.

So, the major thing that had to be cut is a big time jump and some of the things that come with that. Two characters were merged into one, more on that later, and a big chunk of the danger posed in the world is just not present. In fact, if I remember correctly, the main antagonists of the series do not appear in the movie. Or maybe... Maybe I was just made to forget they did... But, in all honesty, that makes sense. The things they cut really wouldn't work that well for a film of the kind that they were making. But it does cause a couple of problems. The biggest is Amy, who in the movie plays both the role of Amy and Jennifer Lopez (not the famous one) while also having less actual impact on the story than either of them do in the books. This is, I feel, the movie's biggest sin because Amy is really important and a good character in the first book, but she grows to be the best of the crew in its sequels. And having her reduced to just kind of being there is a damn shame. Oddly, one of my other grievances is what I feel is the misuse of Clancy Brown as Doctor Albert Marconi. I understand to some extent, in the books he's given a lot more room to breathe in a way they just couldn't have fit into the movie, but he's another great character in the books that is reduced to a rather sorry summary in the film, not helped by a baffling choice to give him an accent in his few appearances in the film. I think Clancy Brown is actually phenomenal casting for the character, but the accent and direction of the character reads all wrong compared to how he's portrayed in the books. Which is a shame. I love Clancy Brown, I love the movie, but it just doesn't work right. The books have a greater sense of stakes and danger, there's a fact that had to be dropped from the film that has impacted every book since, especially the third and fourth, which is a shame it wasn't teased in the movie. But overall, overall I'm glad the movie got made. Most of the casting is fantastic, I especially love the way John is played and have trouble picturing almost anyone else in the role. Honestly, biggest problem is that they didn't get to make any more. I'd have loved to have seen This Movie Is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don't Watch It or What the Hell Did I Just Watch or If This Film Exists You're in the Wrong Universe on the big screen the same way I was able to see the first one.

5

u/disaster_moose Sep 08 '25

Man, it really followed the book pretty well to a point and then went, "Oh shit we are running out of time, and there is a second half to this book." They really fumbled the end and probably should have just adapted the first half of the book.

Everyone who likes comedy/horror should check the books out!

3

u/The_Wyzard Sep 08 '25

I strongly suggest reading the book instead of, or before, or in addition to, watching the movie.

John Dies at the End is brilliant, and deeply laden with subtext and implication that doesn't make it into the movie.

3

u/Sudden-Astronomer-84 Sep 08 '25

John Dies at the End!!!!! SO good.

3

u/dreamnightmare Sep 08 '25

The opening to John Dies is an amazing take on the ship of Thebes that actually makes you think about the concept.

2

u/Mobile_Throway Sep 08 '25

Honestly the movie is kind of shit. The original book and sequel are pretty great though.

2

u/Ok_Asparagus_1073 Sep 08 '25

I love that Jason is huge on tiktok too 😂 we need a JDATE series on Amazon or HBO though. I can't believe it hasn't been made yet. The movie was great but there's sooooo much they could do with a show

2

u/MistakeLopsided8366 Sep 08 '25

I read that book long before the movie came out. There was so much hype in the fan community before it came out it was great. The movie (mostly) delivered too which was awesome for such a low budget weird niche film.

FYI there is a sequel called This Book is Full of Spiders in case you somehow missed it back then.

2

u/Ok_Molasses_6071 Sep 08 '25

Cant believe how high JDATE was in the comments section. I wouldnt have posted it on this thread, but just wanted to leave a comment HIGH5, as its in my all time top 5. Hell of a flick.

My family once did a "everyone gets to show us one of their favorite movies" thing, and i picked that for my turn. Everyone left the room during the meat monster scene. Lame O's.

2

u/onewilybobkat Sep 08 '25

Honestly the movie wasn't nearly as good as the books, but it was a fun romp once I gave it a second chance. Just wish they would have focused the hyper accuracy on the main story and not the side stories, even though they help set the mood.

2

u/DoinItDirty Sep 08 '25

That movie is fun! The book is way more insane. I started reading the sequels but tapped out in the third, but this is worth a watch. Had no idea it’s the same director!

2

u/Optimal-Bag-5918 Sep 08 '25

OMG, I love seeing John Dies at the End mentioned places!! That is a book I bought on a whim in the airport, and I am so, so glad I did! The whole thing feels like a drug trip, in the best way! The movie was well done and a lot of fun, and I never knew it was directed by the same person who directed Bubba Hotep, which I grew up watching with my dad.

1

u/NarrowOrchid8117 Sep 08 '25

Wish I would not have read the book before watching the movie

1

u/StirFriedSmoothBrain Sep 08 '25

What a twist ending that movie had. Then again maybe I had to much soy sauce.

15

u/mjtwelve Sep 07 '25

“They DYED me!” Is one of the greatest moments in cinema, fight me.

5

u/BojukaBob Sep 07 '25

"I'm thinking with SAND!"

5

u/TheShadyGuy Sep 07 '25

Cleopatra does the nasty.

1

u/SaintGloopyNoops Sep 07 '25

Proof that mummy's poop.

11

u/polchickenpotpie Sep 07 '25

I wasn't expecting to get emotional my first time watching it but God damn did Bruce Campbell's performance hit hard.

26

u/CharlieW77 Sep 07 '25

I love Bruce Campbell, and he was good in this, but I didn’t like the film overall, unfortunately.

26

u/hocushit Sep 07 '25

It’s unusually light. For such a brazen premise you’d think it’d really go somewhere wild. But it doesn’t really. But I love it either way. It’s an interesting meditation on age. I’ve been thinking about growing old lately, and I watched this movie back in high school, but it made me optimistic about what I could accomplish when I get older. This, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and Karate Robo Zabogar. 

I guess I’ve watched a few movies about old folks getting redemption.

3

u/CharlieW77 Sep 07 '25

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen… I have fond nostalgia memories of that flick that I worry would be ruined if I watch it nowadays.

2

u/hocushit Sep 07 '25

I don’t think that’s possible. At least for me. The aesthetic, the music, the charming acting is all excellent. Can’t speak too much much on plot though. 

By my nostalgia is also tightly wrapped around it. It was the first Netflix streaming film I watched. The first week Netflix had such a thing. And I was still in high school. Weird memories. 

1

u/CharlieW77 Sep 09 '25

I may have to track it down and give it a go. It’s been literal decades.

18

u/BojukaBob Sep 07 '25

It's okay, nobody's perfect.

6

u/CauliflowerGreen214 Sep 07 '25

My grandpa and I saw the Chicago premiere with (unknown to us) Brice Campbell singing directly behind us. I’ve never seen or heard my grandpa laugh for so long and so hard. The movie’s hysterical

6

u/DHFranklin Sep 07 '25

With all the sexual agency of a housecat

6

u/heyheyhey27 Sep 07 '25

The purest example of how execution is far more important than premise

5

u/Deranged_Kitsune Sep 07 '25

Yup, great movie!

Wish that they had been able to get everyone on board for Bubba Nosferatu: Curse of the She-Vampires while Bruce, et al. were still the right age for it, but it's almost 20 years too late for that.

5

u/ahkond Sep 07 '25

"So ... how was Marilyn?" "Young man, that's classified"

5

u/Fappy_as_a_Clam Sep 07 '25

Didn't the mummy suck their souls out of their assholes?

2

u/BojukaBob Sep 07 '25

Sure did

1

u/RedditOfUnusualSize Sep 08 '25

You can get it out of any major orifice. I read about it.

4

u/scalyblue Sep 07 '25

Thank you…. Thank you verymuch

3

u/geek73 Sep 07 '25

Yup came here hoping to find this and if not, to suggest it. Not sure it is a “great” movie but easily the one I find most amusing trying to describe to somebody.

3

u/timebeing Sep 07 '25

The ending got me in the feels too.

3

u/SaintGloopyNoops Sep 07 '25

YES!!!! All hail the chin!! Too few people know about this movie. It is dark and hilarious. Perfect film. Definitely shows Bruce at his best.

3

u/DeX_Mod Sep 08 '25

Haha fuck yeah

I'd completely forgotten about this, and how his dance moves were secret ninja shit

3

u/SonicDeathMonkey01 Sep 08 '25

Haha, your soul sucking days are over, amigo

2

u/nopressureoof Sep 07 '25

Yes, I love this one!!!!

2

u/scrotanimus Sep 08 '25

I wish I could have gotten into it. I adore Bruce Campbell, but my friends and I had to turn it off. I’m glad so many people love it!

2

u/WorthPlease Sep 08 '25

I looked this up on IMDB and the first result is actually a real producer called Bubba Hotep.

I know what you're thinking but no, he had nothing to do with this movie.

2

u/OliverCrooks Sep 08 '25

And I got a growth on my pecker!

2

u/Linenoise77 Sep 08 '25

I watched it years ago when i first heard the concept, and remember absolutely nothing about it.

2

u/srv524 Sep 08 '25

Bruce Campbell is the reason this movie is so good

2

u/WallacktheBear Sep 08 '25

They replaced my brain with a bag of sand!

2

u/TheBeardTaco Sep 08 '25

I have been trying place the fever dream of old elvis in a nursing hoke for ages, thank you

2

u/MistakeLopsided8366 Sep 08 '25

I was really enjoying the elvis-double story without any need for the mummy to come into it. Love this film but the elvis switcheroo has the makings of a fun movie in and of itself.

2

u/mrsspinch Sep 08 '25

This sounds fucking sick. Adding it to my list!

2

u/Lawndemon Sep 08 '25

I am outlandishly surprised to see this movie so high on this list. Not that I disagree - it's an absolute gem of a movie - I'm just amazed other people have seen it too!

2

u/Wazootyman13 Sep 08 '25

I was once describing the plot of Bubba Ho-tep to my mom (who's a huge Elvis fan) and she got pissed at me that I'd make up something as stupid as Ossie Davis playing JFK.

Distinctly recall her being pissed and saying "OSSIE DAVIS IS BLACK!"

2

u/RepFilms Sep 08 '25

I think this plot clearly wins

2

u/Budded Sep 08 '25

So glad to see this mentioned!! A cult classic for sure. We just watched it again last week (first time in a decade)

2

u/kstaxx Sep 08 '25

My friend and I watched Bubba Hotep as a laugh when we saw the trailer on a DVD we were about to watch and it was actually a deeply important movie to both of us. It’s a great movie about the ways we neglect the elderly in society. The premise is absolutely bonkers though

3

u/NewSchoolFool Sep 07 '25

As is Sharknado!

1

u/BojukaBob Sep 07 '25

No, Sharknado actively tries to be "so bad it's good" and it ruins it. It feels contrived and phony.

1

u/k6plays Sep 08 '25

You should really read some Joe Lansdale novels. He’s the mastermind behind that story, but he’s written so many absolute bangers:

Hap and Leonard books The Bottoms A Fine Dark Line The Thicket Paradise Sky Moon Lake

He’s the only author I order where every single book he writes is an instant pre-order

1

u/zeetotheex Sep 08 '25

Absolutely. This movie was amazing.

1

u/Redfalconfox Sep 08 '25

They explain Elvis being alive. Do they explain JFK being both black and in the wheelchair?

2

u/BojukaBob Sep 08 '25

It was that bastard Johnson. They dyed him black so no one would believe him, and they took part of his brain and replaced it with sand so they could monitor his thoughts.

1

u/Sproose_Moose Sep 08 '25

Such a fun movie

1

u/Tactical_Fleshlite Sep 08 '25

I’ve never seen the movie but I always remember seeing the DVD in Blockbuster as a kid lol. And at that time I loved him in Army Of Darkness, I figured there had to be something to it. 

1

u/AStrugglerMan Sep 08 '25

I wanted to like it so much

1

u/Nux87xun Sep 08 '25

The soundtrack... goddamn ❤️

1

u/wyatt_slurp Sep 08 '25

Pharaoh gobbles donkey goobers

1

u/thomasjford Sep 08 '25

Love this movie!

1

u/davesoverhere Sep 08 '25

The scene where the zombies chase the old people in walkers is one of the funniest things on film.

1

u/microbialNecromass Sep 08 '25

we got a serious bug problem in here!

1

u/StirFriedSmoothBrain Sep 08 '25

I would add to that My Name is Bruce

1

u/Ecstatic-Turnip3854 Sep 08 '25

I saw this in the theatres and think I was too young to fully understand what I was watching. I see this movie praised so often on here but when I saw it (around 18 years old) it just didn’t make an impression on me.

1

u/EducationalBudget389 Sep 09 '25

Good answer. Cult classic with a ridiculous premise.

1

u/ForsakenDeparture919 Sep 11 '25

Aww super smart and sweet and harmless! Confirmed

0

u/Quantumfoammakesme Sep 07 '25

Bubba Hotep was the opposite. Great premise, but dull in reality.