My Top 3 Guilty Pleasure Movies

If you search on Google, you’ll see that a guilty pleasure is defined as “something, such as a film, a television program, or a piece of music, that one enjoys despite understanding that it is not generally held in high regard, or is seen as unusual or weird.” While I have a lot of them, I’ve chosen just 3 to put on this list, and I tried to pick ones that are super weird. I can’t put into words why I love these movies as much as I do because they aren’t technically good movies. But I mean, that’s kind of the best part about guilty pleasure movies right? They’re low effort movies that you can enjoy while turning your brain off, and you can always rely on them for a good time. If you haven’t seen any of the movies on my list below…do I even want to recommend these if you haven’t seen them? Well, I guess you can use your own judgment for that 🙂

1. 2012 (2009)

2012 is one of those movies that makes absolutely no sense. Meteors falling from the sky? Entire continents washed away? And all because of some myth that the world was going to end in 2012? Yet despite all these dramatic examples, I have rewatched this movie an endless number of times because for some strange reason, I enjoy it more than an average human being should. If you read my recent review for The Gray Man (2022), you might remember me describing that film as mindless cinema. Well, I guess you’re getting two examples in one week because this is another one that fits perfectly under that category. Trust me when I say there is no brain power required to understand this movie. If you want my advice on how to best enjoy the film, just sit back, relax, and don’t even bother looking for any reasonable explanations (none of it is backed up by science anyway). Enjoy it for what it is – a silly, chaotic mess.

I’m actually a big fan of natural disaster movies which is probably why I gravitated towards this movie to begin with. But out of all the disaster movies I’ve seen, I can confidently say that 2012 is the most absurd and exaggerated one. This movie will also teach you how humanity kind of sucks and the rich will abandon and sacrifice everyone when it really comes down to it, but hey, is that really a surprise? Anyway, I love watching this one when I’m bored, want something more action-packed, but don’t really want to think about what I’m watching. If that checks off your list of what you want to watch tonight, maybe give it a go?

2. Soul Surfer (2011)

If you’ve never heard of Soul Surfer before, what you need to know is that it’s actually based on a true story about Bethany Hamilton – a young surfer who loses her arm from a shark attack, but learns to recover and surf again. While that is a truly amazing story, unfortunately, as with many “based on a true story” movies, it was washed out by Hollywood. The movie really doesn’t capture the emotion and heart that a story like this deserves. But do I still love this movie despite the overload of cheesiness? I sure do.

The first time I watched this movie was in my Planning 10 class in high school and all I can remember is being hooked on the movie. We didn’t get a chance to finish it (we only got about halfway), but as soon as I got home, I finished it on my own. I don’t know why this movie has stuck with me all this time or why my love for it is so strong, but that’s just how it is. It’s weird because there’s nothing particularly good about this film besides the fact that it is based on this incredible true story. The writing and acting definitely aren’t anything special so all I can say is that it’s something about the plot that just gets me. I typically treat this one as a feel good movie because I love a comeback story and this one is just that. While it’s a bumpy ride to get to the end, the satisfaction and inspiration I feel when I see Bethany surfing again after overcoming her hardships, it’s immeasurable.

3. Sydney White (2007)

Amanda Bynes was the Queen of Teen Comedies back when I was in elementary school, so it’s no surprise that one of her classics would be on this list. All her movies give me a hit of nostalgia, but I particularly fell in love with Sydney White for its blatant and cheesy references to the Disney classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). This movie is every bit as cliché and formulaic as you’d expect it to be, but it reaches a point where the cheesiness just becomes a good time. It sometimes feels like the movie is making fun of itself so hey, why not join in for a good laugh? Not only does it follow the stereotypical “princess” happily ever after storyline, but throw in some sorority girls and some outcasts in a college setting and you’ve got yourself a great big jumble of cringe. It’s amazing.

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I would love to hear what some of your guilty pleasure movies are – everyone’s got them let’s be honest. Share them in the comments below (I’d love to watch some of them) or let me know what you think of my list. Have you seen any of them? If so, what are your thoughts on them? Thanks so much 🙂