People often approach new movies with some doubt. Films like those in the Star Wars or Marvel universes are generally safe bets because audiences already know and enjoy them. However, even movies based on popular properties can be risky – and even those big franchises aren’t always perfect. Sometimes a movie struggles because the original source material isn’t currently popular, the trailers didn’t create enough excitement, or the casting choices seemed unusual.
These movies weren’t instant hits, but viewers who decided to watch them quickly became fans and told their friends. Over time, both during their initial release and afterward, they’ve become surprisingly enjoyable – and they could have easily been much worse.
10) Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
This description works well for either Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle or Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Both movies are updated versions of classic stories, blending comedy, exciting adventures, and genuine emotional connections.
Despite past criticisms of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, the movie managed to win over even its skeptics. It’s an enjoyable and rewatchable film, featuring a strong cast with believable characters who experience meaningful growth. While it wasn’t a massive hit in theaters, it’s found a dedicated audience through streaming services, attracting viewers who were willing to give it a chance.
Stream Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves on Paramount+.
9) Guardians of the Galaxy
We’ll talk about Iron Man shortly, remembering he wasn’t a huge name back in 2008. But even he was more well-known than the Guardians of the Galaxy were in 2014.
This film had a huge budget and a lot of strange ingredients – a tree and a raccoon are main characters, the director is known for a quirky horror movie, and one of the leads is a comedic actor from a popular TV show. It seemed like a risky combination that wouldn’t appeal to a broad audience, but it all came together brilliantly. The result was the most fun and uplifting movie of the summer, and audiences kept coming back week after week.
Stream Guardians of the Galaxy on Disney+.
8) Prey
While often overlooked, Predator 2 is actually a solid film, and its reputation has improved over time because the sequels were so disappointing. The Alien vs. Predator movies are almost unwatchable, Predators isn’t much better than Predator 2, and The Predator is widely considered the weakest entry in the series.
You know, after The Predator, it felt like the Predator franchise was in the same spot the Terminator series was with Dark Fate. Everyone felt like maybe, just maybe, they’d finally gotten it right, but no one was willing to actually watch it and see. Looking back, releasing Prey on Hulu was genius. People already paying for the service had nothing to lose by checking it out, and if they liked it – which a lot of us did! – they could spread the word. It turns out the Predator movies didn’t need to lean into what made the original great, they needed to do something totally different. Dan Trachtenberg figured that out, and thankfully, so did the audience after they actually watched it.
Stream Prey on Hulu.
7) John Wick
Keanu Reeves’ career has seen both great successes and difficult periods. He consistently bounces back thanks to popular action movies. Films like Speed helped revitalize his career in the early 1990s, The Matrix did the same thing in the late ’90s, and John Wick brought him back to prominence in 2014.
The movie didn’t initially succeed in theaters, but viewers who saw it quickly told their friends. It then became incredibly popular when released for home viewing and on streaming services, captivating those who hadn’t seen it in cinemas. This initial audience enthusiastically supported the subsequent movies, as evidenced by their strong performance.
Stream John Wick on HBO Max.
6) Edge of Tomorrow
Despite a large budget of $178 million, Edge of Tomorrow didn’t become a massive blockbuster. However, it could have performed much worse, and it’s a good example of a film that gained popularity through positive reviews and recommendations.
After last year’s Oblivion, many wondered if audiences really needed another action movie starring Tom Cruise. However, the film felt surprisingly new because Cruise played a character who was a coward, which was a departure for him. Moviegoers appreciated this fresh take and spread the word, and they also raved about Emily Blunt’s impressive performance as an action star.
5) 21 Jump Street
Similar to how Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves revitalized a well-known but somewhat limited franchise, 21 Jump Street successfully reimagined an older property. The key difference is that Dungeons & Dragons remains popular within a specific fantasy-loving audience, while 21 Jump Street was largely overlooked by the time the movie came out in 2012.
Similar to another film on this list, 21 Jump Street really took off thanks to the directing duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. They excel at both comedic timing and telling stories centered around relatable characters. This combination led to a genuinely funny and surprisingly sweet movie, with fantastic chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, ultimately making it one of the best comedies of the 2010s.
Stream 21 Jump Street on TBS.
4) The Lego Movie
The announcement of The Lego Movie was met with skepticism. Many people worried it would be another disappointing video game adaptation like Battleship. Those initial concerns were understandable, but the film’s trailers and promotional materials quickly changed people’s minds.
Similar to Barbie, The Lego Movie was successful because it went beyond simply being a movie based on a toy line. While its beautiful animation and famous actors drew audiences, especially younger viewers, the film truly resonated with people due to its heartfelt story about the importance of imagination and how easily it can fade as we grow older.
3) Iron Man
In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. hadn’t consistently proven his ability to bring audiences to theaters. While he had a dedicated fanbase from his earlier roles in the 80s and 90s, he hadn’t been a major movie star for some time. Similarly, the character of Iron Man wasn’t as widely popular as superheroes like Spider-Man or Batman.
Positive reviews started appearing, and they proved the film’s fantastic promotional materials were right – it really was a fun summer movie. The film felt fresh and energetic, but audiences were even more captivated by Robert Downey Jr.’s performance in the lead role.
Stream Iron Man on Disney+.
2) Mad Max: Fury Road
Despite having three movies released by the time Mad Max: Fury Road came out, the series wasn’t generally considered a major blockbuster franchise. While the original Mad Max was very successful and The Road Warrior was a critical and commercial success, both films appealed to a fairly specific audience and didn’t quite reach the level of mainstream blockbuster entertainment.
Considering how difficult Fury Road was to make, its success at the box office was surprisingly strong – Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga seems likely to find its audience as a cult classic, but Fury Road really connected with action movie fans. They praised its fast pace and skillful editing, and it was quickly hailed as one of the best action films of the 2010s. Now, with time passing, that reputation is firmly established.
1) Top Gun: Maverick
Okay, let’s be real. Everyone remembers Top Gun being huge back in ’86, right? But 36 years is a lifetime in Hollywood. So, while Top Gun: Maverick feels like a slam dunk now, trust me, it wasn’t a guaranteed hit going in. There was a lot of risk involved, even with the original’s legacy.
The movie debuted with $126 million in domestic earnings, which was a good start. However, its real success came from how consistently well it performed over several weeks. It felt like a worthy sequel because the main character’s story naturally evolved to fit a modern setting. Plus, the stunning aerial scenes, filmed in the air, made it a must-see in IMAX. Word of mouth spread about how amazing it was and how it demanded the biggest screen available – a winning combination for box office success.
Stream Top Gun: Maverick on Paramount+
What surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-02-28 23:44