# Is there any movie we ALL would agree is good (if not great)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [January 2, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271 "2026-01-02T14:18:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/261 "2026-01-04T01:33:03Z")
My cousin Vinny I saw it once that was enough of the accents wisecracks and gum snaps for me. So pass. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/262 "2026-01-04T01:37:36Z")
Airplane. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/263 "2026-01-04T02:35:56Z")
I don’t think anyone has mentioned Raiders of the Lost Ark. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/264 "2026-01-04T03:14:15Z")
I was just going to suggest Raiders. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/265 "2026-01-04T03:23:29Z")
**Suntan** , you can’t be serious. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/266 "2026-01-04T03:48:21Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > The Rocky Horror Picture Show Are you trying to do the opposite of what the thread asks? That movie would be extremely divisive. It’s the sort of thing where like 20% of people love it and 80% of people range from “what the fuck is up with that movie” to hating it. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/267 "2026-01-04T03:50:03Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > > [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > > > I think we have some candidates that haven’t washed out yet. > > I don’t believe I’ve heard a negative vote on _Shawshank Redemption_. It’s biggest flaw is that it’s over played. It’s incredibly depressing. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/268 "2026-01-04T05:17:08Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Geez, that wouldn’t turn up very many movies, would it? Even _Apocalypse Now_ has just 750K ratings. I could imagine criticisms of Apocalypse Now. I’m betting young women would either fall asleep or die of boredom. But yeah, scaling back to 100,000 reviews could also do the job. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/269 "2026-01-04T05:19:27Z")
One thing I’ve noticed over the decades on the internet is that there are always contrarian sorts who will come into a thread and claim that some movie that 99.99% of people like is just mid or whatever. There’s no accounting for taste. I wouldn’t worry about it… you’re not going to get a movie that everyone agrees is good, much less great. Someone’s going to come in and piss on the parade. See @What_Exit’s commentary about the Star Wars movies. Bad? Hardly. They aren’t fantastic pieces of cinema, but that doesn’t make them bad movies unless you’re one of those pissy art film people or something. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/270 "2026-01-04T05:20:18Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The first film is accessible to almost any audience. Before my octogenarian parents passed a couple years ago I would always try and recommend movies for them that they would enjoy. One such recommendation was Princess Bride, which they loved. They would have turned any Harry Potter film off within a half an hour muttering something about “What was that garbage?!” ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/271 "2026-01-04T05:23:59Z")
> [@bump](#): > > One thing I’ve noticed over the decades on the internet is that there are always contrarian sorts who will come into a thread and claim that some movie that 99.99% of people like is just mid or whatever. Oh yes. I know I dislike some _ **very** _ beloved movies. I haven’t mentioned them yet, but if any of them get narrowed down into a top ten, I’ll speak out then. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/272 "2026-01-04T05:49:31Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I could imagine criticisms of Apocalypse Now. The “Director’s Cut” (or whatever) is nearly unwatchable. And to me, the original is a great film right up to when they encounter Kurtz. Then it plows to a stop. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/273 "2026-01-04T08:14:12Z")
I agree that the Harry Potter movies are nice to watch, simple clean entertainment. The only thing that makes me turn away (or fast forward when in DVD or Netflix) are the quidditch scenes. Oh boy, the author knows nothing about sports, it’s painful to watch her pretend! This is not a vote against, as long as there is a fast forward option. Does not work in movie theaters. ---
**Author:** ![PlaceboTarget](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/placebotarget/32/1073_2.png) [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/274 "2026-01-04T09:07:27Z")
“Doubt” with Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman just blows me away every time. It’s such a tight, beautifully crafted film. Every scene feels intentional, nothing extra, nothing missing. The themes and emotions land perfectly, and I’m always completely pulled in whenever I rewatch it. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/275 "2026-01-04T13:40:15Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I’m betting young women would either fall asleep or die of boredom. That wasn’t my experience when it was released. I don’t know about today’s young women. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/276 "2026-01-04T13:46:47Z")
BTW, I watch many movies at home. The computer is nearby as is the kitchen and other distractions. So it’s easy to only semi-watch. I think this is true for many people. But I think some movies deserve and demand one’s full attention to appreciate them. So if one is seeing a movie for the first time, it really should be in a theater setting. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/277 "2026-01-04T15:49:16Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > > [@robby](#): > > > > I still think _ **Apollo 13** _ should be a contender. One person upthread said he didn’t like it because he doesn’t like Tom Hanks, but c’mon, that like saying you don’t like puppies. 😉 > > That was me and it’s more like I don’t like inane actors that pander to their audiences. Was Apollo 13 the one where Hanks played the quietly decent man trying to conquer his fear for the greater good, or was that every other movie he churns out at the pablum factory? Yes, it was that one. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/278 "2026-01-04T16:12:57Z")
Do documentaries count? Who didn’t like Hoop Dreams, 20 Feet From Stardom, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, or The Thin Blue Line? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/279 "2026-01-04T16:14:08Z")
Featuring Tom Hanks as Tom Hanks in that one movie your father in law won’t shut up about. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/280 "2026-01-04T16:18:21Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > > [@Moriarty](#): > > > > I don’t believe I’ve heard a negative vote on _Shawshank Redemption_. > > It was nixed in the OP. To be fair, I was the one who mentioned _The Shawshank Redemption_ in the thread on _The Princess Bride_. My point was not that I hated it (I thought it was okay), but that I’m kind of mystified why some people think it’s amazing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271.md?page=15)