One does not have to create a great film to make a lucrative blockbuster. Most blockbusters only have one objective: to entertain the masses. Whether it’s an over-the-top spectacle or just a nostalgic throwback to a different era of filmmaking, these movies just want the audiences to have a good time at the movies. They captured viewers with their sheer entertainment value, wild premises, or significance to a larger story. They might not have the critics' approval, but some manage to carve out a place in pop culture despite their flaws.
, whether it’s a radical reimagination of a classic character or an over-the-top spectacle involving warring alien robots. These blockbuster movies, which have a combined total of over five billion dollars in worldwide gross and two Oscar wins, have at least one redeeming quality that makes them a must-watch for anyone. Because even when they don’t quite work, these blockbusters remind us why we go to the movies in the first place: for entertainment, escapism, and sometimes, just to enjoy the mayhem without thinking too much.

delivers what it promised, pitting two of cinema's most iconic creatures against each other in their first crossover film. The story is put in motion when billionaire Charles Bishop Weyland () funds an expedition to uncover a mysterious ancient pyramid beneath Antarctica. The team of scientists and mercenaries, including Alexa Woods (), quickly discovers they’re caught in the middle of a deadly ritual. The Predators use the hidden temple as a training ground, breeding Xenomorphs to hunt as part of their coming-of-age trials.
It is already notorious that Alien vs. Predator was not well-received by fans of either series or critics. The PG-13 rating hinders its potential, and the plot is too simplistic. However, it's still . It adds to both of the series' mythologies and is actually quite respectful to the franchises. The action sequences are stylishly well-choreographed, and the film has in Lathan's Alexa Woods, continuing 's Ripley's legacy. It is one of the rare franchise crossovers in Hollywood, making it part of a small group that also includes and . For fans of either franchise, or just fans of sci-fi action horror, Alien vs. Predator is .

Alien vs. Predator
- August 13, 2004
- 101 minutes
- Paul W.S. Anderson

follows the Wolfpack — Phil (), Stu (), and Alan () — as they travel to Thailand for Stu’s wedding. To avoid another misadventure, they opt for a quiet pre-wedding brunch, only to wake up the next morning in a dodgy Bangkok hotel room, completely disoriented and missing Stu’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. With Stu now sporting a face tattoo and Alan completely bald, they retrace their steps to find their way back to the wedding.
The Hangover Part II was criticized for being , but that's exactly . The sequel ups the ante with darker humor and crazier scenarios that make their night in Las Vegas look tame in comparison. The chemistry between Cooper, Helms, and Galifianakis remains the film’s biggest strength. It delivers the raunchy, over-the-top fun that should have. opted for a new formula but lacked the familiar yet unpredictable storyline that this sequel has. It’s a reminder of a time when comedies could be wild and unfiltered and still make a lot of money at the box office.

’s reimagines the King of the Monsters for the Hollywood crowd with a sleeker, more reptilian creature rampaging through New York City. The film follows scientist Nick Tatopoulos (), who is called in to investigate a series of mysterious attacks that turn out to be the work of a massive mutated lizard. As the creature nests in the city, the military scrambles to contain the destruction while a group of reporters and a French secret agent attempt to uncover the truth behind the monster’s origins.
Even though the film is packed with Emmerich's entertaining disaster movie sensibilities, the film was criticized for lacking the depth of its original Japanese tale. However, it remains a must-watch as probably . The 1998 Godzilla design deviated the most from the Toho depiction, something that is not going to happen anytime soon as more adaptations are choosing to be more accurate with their source material. Purists may still avoid this film, but Godzilla is .

Godzilla
- May 20, 1998
- 139 Minutes
- Roland Emmerich

Directed by the purveyor of mayhem, , follows best friends and pilots Rafe () and Danny (), whose bond is tested when Rafe volunteers to fight with the British in Europe, leaving behind his love, nurse Evelyn Johnson (). When news arrives that Rafe has been shot down and presumed dead, Evelyn and Danny find solace in each other, only for Rafe to return unexpectedly. As their romantic drama unfolds, the Japanese launch their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor follows the formula of blending romance with tragedy like , but not with the same success. While it's criticized for its melodramatic romance and bloated runtime, Pearl Harbor is still . Michael Bay brings his signature explosive action to the infamous attack sequence, which remains one of the most intense and technically impressive war scenes ever put on film. While the film , the spectacle is Bay at his biggest and most earnest, offering both high-stakes action and old-school romance.

Premiering three years before the start of the , follows scientist Reed Richards (), his best friend Ben Grimm (), Sue Storm (), her hotheaded brother Johnny Storm (), and billionaire Victor Von Doom () as they embark on a space mission that goes wrong. A cosmic storm alters their DNA, granting them unique abilities. As they try to get used to their powers, they need to stop the power-hungry Victor, as he sets out to bring doom to the city.
Released in the same year as the gritty and serious , the First Family's adventure offers a . It may have received mixed reviews, but the film captures the comic book's campy spirit, with an engaging team dynamic at its center. Fantastic Four also employs a lot of practical effects, particularly with , which adds to its charm. It may not be as memorable as other notable pre-MCU Marvel films like , but it definitely . With releasing soon, this nostalgic adaptation is a must-watch for fans.

Fantastic Four
- June 29, 2005
- 106 minutes
- Tim Story
- Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon, Hamish Linklater, Kerry Washington, Laurie Holden, David Parker, Kevin McNulty, Maria Menounos, Michael Kopsa, Andrew Airlie, Pascale Hutton, G. Michael Gray, David Richmond-Peck, Penelope Parkes, Aonika Laurent, Jason Schombing, Jason Diablo, Colin Lawrence, Paul Belsito, Dee Jay Jackson, Morgan Reynolds, Gina Holden
- Mark Frost, Michael France

brings the Mystery Inc. to live-action as Fred (), Daphne (), Velma (), Shaggy (), and their talking Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, reunite after a two-year breakup. They’re called to investigate eerie happenings at Spooky Island, a popular horror-themed amusement park owned by Emile Mondavarious (), where visitors leave behaving like mindless zombies.
Though Scooby-Doo wasn’t a critical darling, it , and that alone makes it a must-watch. From real-life couple Freddie Prinze Jr and Sarah Michelle Gellar to the pitch-perfect Linda Cardellini and Matthew Lillard as Velma and Shaggy, the main cast is so perfect that viewers can tolerate the CGI Scooby. The film also that also pokes fun at the franchise. Scooby-Doo's playful energy is unmatched by any other recent films, making it , especially for fans of the classic cartoon.
Scooby Doo
- June 14, 2002
- 88
- James Gunn, Craig Titley, William Hanna, Joseph Barbera

Based on ’s controversial best-selling novel, follows symbologist Robert Langdon () as he gets involved in a mystery after being implicated in the murder of a Louvre curator. Teaming up with Sophie Neveu (), he deciphers a series of cryptic clues hidden in famous artworks and religious texts. As they uncover secrets tied to the Holy Grail and a centuries-old conspiracy, they must evade both the authorities and the group that protects the secret.
Puzzle and mystery-solving movies like The Da Vinci Code are a dying breed. Practically, only the films and 's Poirot series have remained in recent years. The film was panned upon its release, but thanks to the novel's notoriety and the intriguing narrative, it became a global box office sensation. The film , giving the audiences' mystery after mystery until it builds towards the twisty climax. For viewers who crave , The Da Vinci Code should be the go-to film to embrace.

In , a group of dangerous criminals is recruited by government official Amanda Waller () to form Task Force X, a black-ops team assigned to high-risk missions in exchange for reduced prison sentences. The squad includes the unhinged Harley Quinn (), expert marksman Deadshot (), and fire-wielding El Diablo (z), among others. Their mission goes wrong when the ancient witch Enchantress () goes rogue, unleashing chaos in the city.
Despite its messy plot, choppy editing, and heavy studio interference, Suicide Squad remains a fascinating blockbuster, largely due to that resulted in over $740 million worldwide in tickets. Margot Robbie’s , capturing her manic energy and twisted charm. Her costume alone inspired a lot of lookalikes during Halloween, enduring to this day. The film also stands out for its gritty, vibrant aesthetic, giving the newly-formed DC Extended Universe a unique, punk-rock edge. Love it or hate it, Suicide Squad is a ride that’s worth revisiting just for its offbeat approach to the genre.

In , Sam Witwicky () is once again caught in the war between the Autobots and Decepticons after receiving knowledge of ancient Cybertronian symbols. As Optimus Prime and his team continue protecting Earth, a resurrected Megatron and his master, the ancient Decepticon known as The Fallen, seek to harvest energy from the Sun using a device that was hidden thousands of years ago on Earth.
The sequel was widely criticized for its convoluted plot and excessive humor, but its for fans of blockbuster mayhem. Michael Bay doubled down on his explosions, delivering some of the visually jaw-dropping battles of the franchise. In a landscape where blockbuster films are shot against a green screen inside a studio, Bay delivered his action on location, including Optimus Prime's incredible, brutal forest fight and the thrilling desert battle in the climax. Revenge of the Fallen's and is even better than recent tentpole films.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
- June 19, 2009
- 150 minutes
- Director
- Michael Bay
- Cast
- Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen, Hugo Weaving, Tony Todd, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Ramón Rodríguez, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, Isabel Lucas, John Benjamin Hickey, Matthew Marsden, Andrew Howard, Michael Papajohn, Glenn Morshower, John Eric Bentley, Erin Naas, Rainn Wilson, Katie Lowes, Jonathon Trent, Walker Howard, America Olivo, Aaron Hill
- Writers
- Ehren Kruger, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci

The Twilight Saga: New Moon finds Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) heartbroken after Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) abruptly leaves Forks to protect her from the dangers of his world. In her grief, Bella develops a reckless streak that brings her closer to her childhood friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). It turns out that Jacob belongs to a bloodline of werewolves, and his pack is sworn to hunt vampires. But even as Bella and Jacob grow closer, she still longs for Edward to return to her.
New Moon is often dubbed as one of the weakest films in the franchise due to its slower pacing and nonsensical central plot. Nevertheless, it introduces audiences to the universe's deeper mythology with the Volturi and the vampire-werewolf's complicated history. Most importantly, it delivers pop culture's most famous camps: Team Edward and Team Jacob, as Jacob Black forces himself into a love triangle. The film's success is a reminder of a strange box office landscape where a supernatural love story can easily rule the charts. While not the most action-packed installment, the film is an essential chapter in the infamous Twilight Saga.
NEXT: The 10 Most Entertaining Blockbusters of the Last 5 Years, Ranked