10 Of The Greatest Guilty Pleasure Movies, According To Ranker

Everyone has a list of guilty pleasure movies that they enjoy, but most of the time they are special because they are emotionally personal to each individual. Some of the best movies to watch on television are those that don’t receive a lot of praise from critics; the best guilty pleasure movie doesn’t always win prizes but instead wins the hearts of the viewers.

Something about a silly comedy or cheesy action film makes it so delightful to watch over and over. Serious films can be entertaining as well, but they don’t have the same rewatch value as a guilty pleasure movie. Users on Ranker made their calls on which guilty pleasure films are their favorites.

10 The Mummy (1999) – Stream On HBO Max

The Mummy kind of marked the end of the action-adventure period of blockbuster movies, which gave life to many classics such as Indiana Jones. With action, adventure, romance, and comedy, this film has everything a fan could want. There is just utter mayhem around every corner.

Although CGI was not as good in 1999, it contributes to the fun factor of the movie because not every film requires perfect effects to be enjoyable. The Mummy is filled with memorable scenes that fans will always love to watch.

9 Independence Day (1996) – Stream On HBO Max

1996’s Independence Day, with its spectacular action sequences and devastating deaths, tugs at all viewers’ heartstrings, making fans want to watch it again and again. Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith may appear to be an unlikely pair, but they work brilliantly together.

This film may contain some silly scenes at times, but it is enjoyable from start to finish, which is what makes it a terrific rewatchable movie. Even in a dreadful situation like an alien invasion, having Bill Pullman as president is pretty awesome.

8 Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) – Stream On HBO Max

The iconic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a truly great piece of cinema, thanks to Gene Wilder, who elevates it to the level of a timeless classic. Regardless of the time period in which this movie was produced, all of the ideas that Roald Dahl put into his novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are reflected in this film through creative visuals.

Every child dreams of being let loose in a candy factory with huge gummy bears, but as fascinating as this film is for children, it is also entertaining for adults when watched on television. That makes it the perfect guilty pleasure.

7 Alita: Battle Angel (2019) – Stream On FXNow

2019’s Alita: Battle Angel is the most recent film considered a true guilty pleasure, thanks to its big ambitious plot that had fans praising it even though the reviews weren’t great at the time of release. Though certain aspects in the film didn’t make sense, that didn’t matter because it was entertaining to watch and had a very unique premise.

This cyberpunk sci-fi adventure featured thrilling action scenes that brought comic book concepts to life for viewers. Watching a film with a brand new world to gaze at is always exciting, especially when it potentially shows the future of the Earth in years and years to come.

6 Home Alone (1990) – Stream On Disney+

It is easy to say that almost everyone knows the Home Alone franchise due to the timeless effect these movies have whether it is Christmas time or not. Home Alone creates lasting memories when watching with the entire family and it will continue to do that for generations to come.

Due to the overwhelming success of this movie, there is going to be a remake coming out later this year entitled Home Sweet Home Alone, which could perhaps be good. Of course, the original Home Alone will always remain a classic for the audience no matter how many times it has been remade.

5 Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981) – Stream On Paramount+

While four decades may have passed since viewers saw Indiana Jones in his prime, Raiders of the Lost Ark defies its old age and is still highly enjoyable to watch even today. This is largely considered the best entry in the Indiana Jones film franchise and treats fans to one of Harrison Ford’s best adventures yet.

Featuring some of the most iconic traps in film history such as the idol pedestal and enormous rolling boulder, it’s easy to see why this movie is still referenced so often even today. While spike traps, snake pits, and dart guns are standard for these movies, the idea of an ancient civilization rolling a boulder up the temple to crush any futuristic thieves always makes for a good laugh.

4 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – Stream On HBO Max

This film is a feel-good holiday gem that children and adults love to watch every Christmas time, due to its excellent comedic value and the cozy holiday vibe that it presents. It highlights that, while the holiday season might be hectic, it is all about who you spend it with and the joy of spending these moments with family.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a relatable film because it portrays the sheer chaos of having to prepare the entire family for Christmas, including decorating the house. This is a great family movie any time of the year but hits the spot during the holidays as the perfect cheesy family film.

3 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) – Stream On Disney+

Robin Williams’ charismatic and friendly personality, which he radiated in every role, could make any movie that he was in a guilty pleasure. Mrs. Doubtfire was one of Williams’ best comedic characters, and this movie will always be a joy to watch.

The best thing about this film is how silly and comedic it is, which contributes to its charm and makes it compelling to watch. It is easy to see that everyone who was involved in making this movie was simply having a great time doing so.

2 Ghostbusters (1984) – Stream On AMC+

These graphics may be a little cheesy now but back in 1984, they were what made the audience fall in love with the movie. Ghostbusters is what established the unforgettable “Who ya gonna call?” quip that many people still say today because this film is simply iconic.

Ghostbusters could be named the most memorable movie of the ’80s because it is such a classic. With the hilarious lines and everything else that makes the film excellent, it’s difficult not to feel nostalgic when watching.

1 Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003) – Stream On Disney+

As the first installment in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl immediately sets the standard for the franchise and is still considered the best film in the series to this day. While these movies have always been big on spectacle, this installment tells a more grounded love story set on the high seas that’s hasn’t grown worse for wear over the years.

This movie also marks Johnny Depp’s first time playing the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow, a character that would go on to become arguably the most iconic role in his already prolific career. Sparrow starts out as a side character in this movie, which allows fans to appreciate every second he spends on the screen as opposed to the larger role he takes later in the series.