10 Movies That Exceeded Viewers’ Expectations

One of the best cinematic experiences is when a movie truly surprises viewers by exceeding their expectations and leaves them dumbfounded by how much better the film was than they expected. This can happen with underestimated standalone films, long-awaited sequels that have built up so much anticipation that it is difficult to live up to, or blockbusters that ended up being far more creatively fulfilling than viewers have come to expect from major studios. Being a film fan can often lead to a lot of disappointment, so it’s important to highlight the instances where movies just got everything right.

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Some of the best movies ever made exceeded viewers’ expectations and went on to become all-time classics of modern cinema. While it’s always frustrating when a movie doesn’t live up to what audiences were hoping for, there’s just something so spectacular about leaving a theater with a newfound favorite film that the viewer was expecting just to be okay. These kinds of experiences are what keep the movie industry interesting, as for every lackluster legacy sequel, there’s a surprising hidden gem just waiting to be discovered.

10 Jaws (1975)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

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22 9.2/10 Jaws PG-13AdventureHorrorThriller

Steven Spielberg’s legendary tale of one man’s desperate battle with a killer Great White shark on his small seaside community. Faced with a mounting list of victims and a local authority dead-set against causing panic or destroying the tourist economy, he assembles a team to tackle the shark head-on.

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*Availability in US Director Steven Spielberg Release Date June 18, 1975 Writers Peter Benchley , Carl Gottlieb , John Milius , Howard Sackler , Robert Shaw Cast Roy Scheider , Robert Shaw , Richard Dreyfuss , Lorraine Gary , Murray Hamilton , Carl Gottlieb Runtime 124 minutes Budget $7 million Main Genre Adventure Expand

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Jaws truly surprised audiences in 1975 because it was not only the breakthrough movie of Hollywood icon Steven Spielberg, but also a watershed moment in motion picture history. From its iconic score to its tense and terrifying narrative, Jaws quickly became the then-highest-grossing movie of all time and kickstarted the era of the summer blockbuster. With a story that tapped into viewers’ deepest, darkest fears, the idea of an unstoppable shark who terrorized beachgoers was so scary that it led to emotional responses from the audience, causing sleep disturbances, anxiety, and even a case of cinematic neurosis (via Psychiatric Times.)

Jaws surprised audiences so much because there had never been a movie as impactful before. Along with Star Wars two years later, Jaws helped change how movies were marketed as they shifted toward more high-concept style releases. In the same way that Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho made viewers afraid to go into the shower, Jaws even propagated a fear of the ocean. As a landmark horror movie and the very first summer blockbuster, Jaws has earned its iconic spot in film history.

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9 Barbie (2023)

Directed by Greta Gerwig

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9.1/10 Barbie PG-13ComedyAdventureFantasy

Barbie is a film adaptation of the generational iconic toy directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach. The film centers on Margot Robbie’s Barbie who is expelled from Barbieland and travels with Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world in search of happiness. The film also stars Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and several other famous celebrities in cameo roles.

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*Availability in US Director Greta Gerwig Release Date July 21, 2023 Studio(s) LuckyChap Entertainment , Mattel Films , Heyday Films Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Noah Baumbach , Greta Gerwig Cast Margot Robbie , Ryan Gosling , Simu Liu , Ariana Greenblatt , Helen Mirren , Nicola Coughlan , John Cena , Will Ferrell , Ritu Arya , Michael Cera , America Ferrera , Alexandra Shipp , Kate McKinnon Runtime 114 Minutes Franchise(s) Barbie Budget $100 Million Main Genre Adventure Where To Stream Max Expand

Barbie feature films are nothing new, and since 2001, there have been no less than 52 animated movies based on the Mattel fashion doll. That’s why it was so surprising that Greta Gerwig’s live-action adaptation was not only a success at the box office but also became the highest-grossing film of the year and earned a staggering $1.446 billion worldwide (via Box Office Mojo.) This level of success and engagement from viewers not only exceeded audiences’ expectations but also far surpassed even the most optimistic studio predictions for a children’s toy IP first introduced in 1959.

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The success of Barbie was the result of pure happenstance as it aligned with the cultural phenomenon of Barbenheimer, an internet response to the sheer polar opposite nature of Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. This fan-led social media campaign bolstered the box office takings of both movies, yet it wouldn’t have been possible if Barbie wasn’t already an excellent movie in its own right. With a career-defining performance from Margot Robbie as the titular toy, Barbie was the perfect example of the right place, at the right time, with the right movie.

8 Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Directed by Joel Crawford

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10/10 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish PGAdventureAnimationComedy

In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Puss learns he has reached the end of his nine lives. To restore his lives and continue his journeys, he will set forth on a quest to the Black Forest to find a Wishing Star that can bring them all back. To succeed, he enlists help from his former partner/rival, Kitty Softpaws, and a chatty canine friend, Perrito. Unfortunately, they’re in a race against many other fairytale characters and villains, including the bounty hunter looking to collect on Puss, The Big Bad Wolf.

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*Availability in US Director Joel Crawford Release Date December 21, 2022 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Paul Fisher Cast Antonio Banderas , Salma Hayek Pinault , Olivia Colman , Harvey Guillen , Samson Kayo , Wagner Moura , Anthony Mendez , John Mulaney , Florence Pugh Runtime 102 minutes Franchise(s) Puss in Boots prequel(s) Puss in Boots Budget $130 million Expand
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The first Shrek movie was a breath of fresh air when it was released in 2001, although the franchise slowly started to run out of steam, and by Puss in Boots in 2011, much of the magic had been lost. While Puss in Boots was a perfectly acceptable kids’ movie, it wasn’t profound, groundbreaking, or surprising for audiences. Considering this, the release of the long-festering sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022 came as a complete surprise, as it was not only a welcome return to the land of Far Far Away but also a disarmingly emotional movie.

With mature themes and the best animation in the franchise, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of morality as the feisty feline voiced by Antonio Banderas was forced to reckon with death as he burned through eight of his nine lives. As a film that was plagued by delays and lay dormant in development hell for ten years, The Last Wish showcased there was still life in the Shrek franchise and helped revitalize the series, with the upcoming release of Shrek 5 even being teased in the mid-credits scene.

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7 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Directed by George Miller

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18 9.3/10 Mad Max: Fury Road RActionAdventureThrillerFantasy

Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth film in George Miller’s long-running sci-fi franchise, with Tom Hardy starring as Max Rockstansky, a vagabond who lives on the road in an apocalyptic wasteland. When Max comes across a cult group that keeps its people in fear and under control with a monopoly on water and other crucial supplies, he joins up with Imperator Furiosa, a warrior woman leading a rebellion against the cult’s leader, Immortan Joe.

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*Availability in US Director George Miller Release Date May 14, 2015 Studio(s) Village Roadshow Pictures , RatPac-Dune Entertainment , Kennedy Miller Mitchell Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers George Miller , Brendan McCarthy , Nick Lathouris Cast Tom Hardy , Charlize Theron , Nicholas Hoult , Zoë Kravitz , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Riley Keough , Courtney Eaton , Abbey Lee , Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Runtime 120 Minutes Franchise(s) Mad Max Sequel(s) Mad Max: The Wasteland prequel(s) Mad Max , Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior , Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome , Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Budget $154-185 Million Expand

Australian filmmaker George Miller truly surprised audiences with his debut, Mad Max, in 1979, a dystopian action adventure that showcased a barren landscape and a world ravaged by drought. While this franchise continued to delve ever further into its world with richly imagined sequels during the 1980s, by the 21st century, Miller was more associated with directing the dancing penguin in Happy Feet than he was with the violent excesses of The Wasteland. That was until Miller surprised everybody in 2015 with the release of his highly anticipated sequel, Mad Max: Fury Road.

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With Tom Hardy replacing Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, Mad Max: Fury Road leaned into its themes of survival, endurance, and feminism as Max joined forces with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) to take on the ruthless warlord Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) in a visual spectacular showcase of pure cinematic carnage. Fury Road proved that Miller was far from out of steam as his post-apocalyptic franchise came roaring vigorously back to life. The creative surprise of Fury Road was reflected in its box office and even led to the prequel movie Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

6 21 Jump Street (2012)

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

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7.7/10 21 Jump Street RActionComedyCrime

An adaptation of the TV series of the same name, 21 Jump Street stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as two police officers (and best friends) who are sent into a high school undercover in order to bust a drug ring. Learning that high school has changed considerably since they were teenagers, the pair are forced to adapt in order to maintain their cover, threatening their friendship in the process.

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*Availability in US Director Phil Lord , Christopher Miller Release Date March 14, 2012 Writers Michael Bacall Cast Jonah Hill , Channing Tatum , Brie Larson , Dave Franco , Rob Riggle , DeRay Davis Runtime 109 minutes Franchise(s) 21 Jump Street Sequel(s) 22 Jump Street Budget $42 million Expand
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It was hard to see the creative vision when a film adaptation of the 1980s police procedural series 21 Jump Street was announced, as this seemed like yet another attempt to cash in on an old property that people had stopped caring about long ago. However, 21 Jump Street exceeded all expectations and was actually one of the funniest comedies of the 2010s. With a surprisingly effective comedic duo of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as cops going undercover as high school students, everything about 21 Jump Street just worked.

As an affectionate satire of the 1980s and teen movie tropes, 21 Jump Street leaned into its identity as a throwback to an earlier era of storytelling and managed to become an effective metacommentary in the process. With Johnny Depp even returning to reprise his role from the original TV series, 21 Jump Street was a success both for those watching it through a nostalgic lens and those coming to the series for the first time. With a successful sequel titled 22 Jump Street, the only disappointing thing about this series was there weren’t more installments.

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5 John Wick (2014)

Directed by Chad Stahelski

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20 9.5/10 John Wick RThrillerAction

John Wick is the first entry in the action-thriller franchise directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves. Retired hitman John is brought back into the field when the dog his recently deceased life left him is murdered. Full of rage and equipped with unparalleled combat skills, John begins to track down the ones responsible for the act of violence and lays waste to any who dare to cross his path, sending panic throughout the criminal underworld.

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*Availability in US Director David Leitch , Chad Stahelski Release Date October 24, 2014 Studio(s) Thunder Road Pictures , 87Eleven Productions Distributor(s) Summit Entertainment Writers Derek Kolstad Cast Keanu Reeves , Adrianne Palicki , Willem Dafoe , Bridget Moynahan , Jason Isaacs , Alfie Allen Runtime 101 Minutes Franchise(s) John Wick Sequel(s) John Wick: Chapter 2 , John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum , John Wick: Chapter 4 Budget $20-30 Million Main Genre Thriller Expand

Following the release of Taken with Liam Neeson in 2008, it felt like every older male movie star was required to lead their own revenge-based action movie franchise. With this in mind, the release of the Keanu Reeves vehicle John Wick looked like it could be just one more in a long list of disposable action movies. However, John Wick turned out to be a surprising blend of action, noir, and martial arts tropes, all wrapped in an intriguing criminal underworld of assassins with deeply entrenched rituals and rules.

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What began with the story of a former hitman mourning the death of his wife soon turned into a violent quest for revenge after a group of Russian gangsters murdered the one thing helping John cope with his loss, a beagle puppy. This set in motion a series of events that led to the development of the entire John Wick franchise, a sprawling world populated by skilled martial artists and deadly assassins portrayed by legends like Mark Dacascos and Donnie Yen. As one of the best action franchises of all time, John Wick was truly a welcome surprise.

4 Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

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6.4/10 Kingsman: The Secret Service RActionAdventureThriller

Based on the comic book series of the same name, Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of rebellious teen Eggsy (Taron Egerton) as he’s inducted into a top-secret spy agency by a man codenamed Galahad (Colin Firth). After learning that billionaire Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) plans to destroy the world, Eggsy and Galahad set out to avert international disaster and uncover widespread corruption that threatens to consume the Kingsman agency itself. 

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*Availability in US Director Matthew Vaughn Release Date February 13, 2015 Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Matthew Vaughn , Jane Goldman Cast Michael Caine , Taron Egerton , Colin Firth , Mark Hamill , Samuel L. Jackson , Mark Strong Runtime 2h 10m Franchise(s) Kingsman Sequel(s) Kingsman: The Golden Circle , The King’s Man Budget 81–94 million Expand
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On first look, Kingsman: The Secret Service seemed like it was going to be yet another spy spoof that took lighthearted aim at franchises like James Bond. While this was an idea that had been effectively done in series like Rowan Atkinson’s Johnny English, it seemed like spy comedy pastiches already felt cliched by the time the first Austin Powers was released in 1997. However, Kingsman surprised audiences with genuinely engaging action sequences and an over-the-top sense of violence that made the stakes feel high in a way they generally don’t in comedy movies.

The most surprising thing about Kingsman: The Secret Service was how genuinely fun it was, and although it owed a lot to Bond, it also carved out its own identity. The movie was so successful that it led to the development of an entire Kingsman extended universe, complete with a sequel, prequel, spin-off, and a television show in the works. What started as a lighthearted parody of spy franchises ended up being so compelling it turned into a major franchise in its own right.

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3 The Social Network (2010)

Directed by David Fincher

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8.4/10 The Social Network PG-13BiographyDrama

David Fincher’s The Social Network chronicles the birth of Facebook and the rise of tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg. Following Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) as he creates his famous social network along with his friend and investor Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). As Facebook’s popularity grows, Zuckerberg faces legal action from former friends, with The Social Network following his journey from an innovative young student to a titan of industry.

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*Availability in US Director David Fincher Release Date October 1, 2010 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Relativity Media , Scott Rudin Productions , Michael De Luca Productions , Trigger Street Productions Distributor(s) Sony Pictures Releasing Writers Aaron Sorkin Cast Jesse Eisenberg , Rooney Mara , Andrew Garfield , Justin Timberlake , Armie Hammer Runtime 120 minutes Budget $40 Million Expand

News about the development of a Mark Zuckerberg biopic would have led to groans from audiences when it was first announced, as it felt inevitable that this tech success story would endeavor to deify the Facebook founder with the same level of enigmatic zeal Steve Jobs received. However, rather than showcase the merits of Zuckerberg’s billionaire journey, The Social Network defied expectations by being a rich character study filled with betrayal, ambition, and moral complexity. From screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and director David Fincher, The Social Network felt like a timely encapsulation of the ruthless nature of modern times.

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The Social Network was not a typical biopic, as even its tagline, “You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies,” hinted at the dark undercurrents of its story. With a career-defining performance from Jesse Eisenberg, the characterization of Zuckerberg showcased a deeply flawed human who was both a visionary and a ruthless narcissist. By taking the story of Facebook’s creation and blending it with the dark sensibilities of the Se7en director Fincher and the sharp dialogue of The West Wing creator Sorkin, The Social Network became a biopic like no other.

2 Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)

Directed by Gore Verbinski

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8/10 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl PG-13ActionAdventureFantasy

The Curse of the Black Pearl is the film that kickstarted the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, a series of supernatural swashbuckling adventures. In 1720, blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor’s daughter Elizabeth Swann, from Jack’s former pirate allies, who are now undead.

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*Availability in US Director Gore Verbinski Release Date July 9, 2003 Studio(s) Jerry Bruckheimer Films , Disney Distributor(s) Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Writers Ted Elliott , Terry Rossio , Stuart Beattie , Jay Wolpert Cast Johnny Depp , Geoffrey Rush , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , Jack Davenport , Jonathan Pryce Runtime 143 Minutes Franchise(s) Pirates of the Caribbean Sequel(s) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest , Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End , Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides , Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Budget $140 Million Main Genre Adventure Expand
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As a Disney movie based on a theme park attraction, it would have been easy to dismiss Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl as a quick cash grab designed to bring more people to Disney World. However, the appeal of this swashbuckling franchise was truly undeniable, as the first film blew audiences away with its spectacular visuals, incredible performances, and truly iconic musical score. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow was truly a revelation, and even his sternest critics had to admit that he had found the role of his lifetime.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl represented the very best of what a family-friendly summer blockbuster could achieve and did so in such an engaging and entertaining way it’s not surprising it became one of the biggest franchises of all time. With a richly imagined world with enticing fantasy elements, all the characters in Pirates felt fully developed, and Depp, along with Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, made for an engaging all-star trio.

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1 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Directed by Joseph Kosinski

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10 9.3/10 Top Gun: Maverick PG-13ActionDramaWar

Top Gun: Maverick is the sequel to the 1986 original film starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a top-tier pilot in the Navy. Thirty years after the original film’s events, Maverick is asked to head up a section of the TOP GUN program to embark on a dangerous mission. Things become personal when the program includes the son of Maverick’s late friend, forcing him to confront his past.

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*Availability in US Director Joseph Kosinski Release Date May 27, 2022 Writers Ashley Miller , Justin Marks , Peter Craig , Zack Stentz Cast Tom Cruise , Miles Teller , Jennifer Connelly , Val Kilmer , Jay Ellis , Jon Hamm , Bashir Salahuddin , Charles Parnell , Lewis Pullman , Glen Powell , Monica Barbaro , Ed Harris Runtime 130 Minutes Franchise(s) Top Gun prequel(s) Top Gun Budget $170 Million Main Genre Action Expand

Viewers have learned to be wary of legacy sequels because often, at best, they lean into audiences’ nostalgia for the movies of their youth, or at worst, they hurt the legacy of the original. There have been so many disappointing releases, like Zoolander 2 or Space Jam: A New Legacy, that most know it’s wise to arrive at the theater with low expectations. That’s why the release of Top Gun: Maverick was such a revelation, as this Tom Cruise sequel, coming more than 35 years after the original, not only succeeded but was arguably even better than its predecessor.

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Top Gun: Maverick was a wildly entertaining film that perfectly achieved everything viewers could have wanted from a long-festering legacy sequel. With Cruise back as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and an emotional story that cast Miles Teller as Rooster, the son of Maverick’s late best friend Goose, Top Gun: Maverick managed to pay homage to the legacy of the original while showcasing its relevance in modern times. With a sequel in development, audiences can only hope that Top Gun can keep its quality high and enter the elite club of trilogies without a single poor entry.

Sources: Psychiatric Times, Box Office Mojo

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