# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/61 "2026-01-02T16:51:30Z")
The godfather? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/62 "2026-01-02T16:51:41Z")
I recognize this puts me in a vast minority (although that’s the point of the thread), but _Back to the Future_ for me is a huge mixed bag. There’s a lot about it that’s clever and fun, and structurally speaking it’s one of the best wind-up-toy scripts ever written, but it’s got some wildly uncomfortable blind spots that make it a tough sit for me. Marty’s mom is being sexually assaulted in that car, and the movie just sort of glances past it so she and Marty’s dad can have their heroically romantic reunion. And then she’s okay having her attempted rapist hanging around the house for the next couple of decades? Really? I fully understand none of this is a problem for most people and my reaction is a significant outlier, but again, that’s what the thread is about. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/63 "2026-01-02T16:54:18Z")
Nobody said **Citizen Kane**? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/64 "2026-01-02T16:54:56Z")
I thought Back To The Future was boring in places, too. It definitely would make my list ---
**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 2, 2026, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/65 "2026-01-02T16:55:13Z")
Regarding To Be or Not To Be, I actually prefer Mel Brooks’ remake over Ernst Lubitsch’s original film. ---
**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 2, 2026, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/66 "2026-01-02T16:55:27Z")
Another black&white one I would agree with. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I actually prefer Mel Brooks’ remake Sorry, never saw the remake. Knowing Mel Brooks it was surely no shame. ---
**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 2, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/67 "2026-01-02T16:56:22Z")
No I don’t believe there is any movie everyone agrees on. You could try a movie poll ala MMM music poll ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/68 "2026-01-02T16:57:38Z")
Movies aren’t my thing but _even I_ enjoy Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters, BTTF. **E.T.** has few detractors ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/69 "2026-01-02T17:03:15Z")
For your consideration: A Hard Day’s Night ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/70 "2026-01-02T17:03:19Z")
Another vote against _The Wizard of Oz_, for the oft-observed reason that Glinda comes across as a manipulative schemer pitting Dorothy against the WWotW. It’s one of those “can’t unsee” interpretations. > [@Chronos](#): > > [Here’s a list of movies with a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_with_a_100%25_rating_on_Rotten_Tomatoes), though I think the audience score would be more relevant here, and I’m not easily finding that list. I’ve not even heard of the vast majority of recent films. Ironically the only one in the 2020-2024 period I’ve actually seen apart from the Wallace & Grommit one is _[Is That Black Enough for You?!?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is_That_Black_Enough_for_You%3F!%3F)_ and I found it a hot mess, which made me quite angry as the subject matter deserved a lot better. But maybe that’s just me, and everyone else has seen _[Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_Dogg_Gets_His_Pool_Painted)_, _[Milli Vanilli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milli_Vanilli_(film))_, _[Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_Zim:_Enter_the_Florpus)_, and _[Wolfman’s Got Nards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfman%27s_Got_Nards)_. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/71 "2026-01-02T17:03:57Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Jurassic Park Read the book when it was new, thought it was mediocre, found the movie more mediocre than the book. Good fx? Yes. Good writing? Not so much. (I have never been much impressed with Crichton.) ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/72 "2026-01-02T17:07:52Z")
> [@Gordon\_G](#): > > May I ask how old you two are, and what movies from the 1930’s or '40’s you do like? 55; Gaslight’s a good one. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/73 "2026-01-02T17:10:07Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone bash **Groundhog Day**. Oh gosh–that’s because you’ve never talked to me about it. I didn’t see it when it came out, but because of its fame, finally decided to watch it about twenty years ago. I almost never quit a movie halfway through. I quit Groundhog Day. 100% of the reason was Andie McDowell, whose acting I found insufferably bad. Otherwise, the movie was fine–nothing remarkable, but fine. But Andie McDowell? Oh my god, who told her she knew how to act? That said, I’ll throw out what I consider to be a perfect movie: the 2010 _True Grit_. Does anyone dislike this movie? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/74 "2026-01-02T17:11:52Z")
I’ve been trying to think of non-obvious films to nominate. Concert films like **The Last Waltz**. Kid’s films from our childhoods, like **A Boy Named Charlie Brown**. For more conventional choices: **Dr. Strangelove** **The General** (Now that I think about it, those last two might have viewers who can’t get past their settings and circumstances.) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/75 "2026-01-02T17:14:33Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > People thinking it’s just “okay” meets the criteria of the title, i think. As noted, **Dung** crapped all over Casablanca up thread. I realize that as unlikely it is that we will all agree on a “good” movie, it is likely more unlikely that we will agree on what “good” movie means. I think I was hoping for something more than “OK.” (I recall MANY years ago discussing with friends how often people describe just about any experience as “It wasn’t that bad!” Seemed faint praise indeed.) So a little more than, “That wasn’t a complete waste of time,” or “Better than jabbing icepicks into my eyes.” Probably closer to, “That was a pleasant/enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours,” or “Certainly better than average.” > [@Cervaise](#): > > _Back to the Future_ for me is a huge mixed bag. So, is that a thumb up or thumb down? Again, the standard isn’t greatness. Similarly: > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > found the movie more mediocre than the book. Good fx? Yes. Good writing? Not so much. (I have never been much impressed with Crichton.) Does “more mediocre = “not good” for purposes of this thread? Added to the list (until e hear back from **DG** ): Jurassic Park Ghostbusters ET A Hard Day’s Night I’m nixing Citizen Kane. Boring. Groundhog Day nixed So, I think the current list is: Back to the Future Groundhog Day Ratatoulle Apollo 13 Star Wars - A New Hope The Awful Truth The Godfather To Be and Not Be The Great Dictator Galaxy Quest Jurassic Park Ghostbusters ET A Hard Day’s Night Did I miss any nominations/rejections? And folk, for the last time (until I personally give up on keeping track of this exercise), can we please be clear about nominations/rejections? Just clear statements, rather than, “I imagine some people…” Feel free to discuss however youu want. But I’d prefer the suggestions/objections be stated clearly and unambiguously. ---
**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 2, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/76 "2026-01-02T17:15:23Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > _True Grit_. Does anyone dislike this movie? I like it. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > **Dr. Strangelove** > > **The General** It will seem that I have a black&white bias, but I agree on those two too. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/77 "2026-01-02T17:15:57Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > With **Star Wars** , I could imagine at least some folk dismissing it simply saying that they “don’t like SciFi.” My recollection is that another group which didn’t like it (or any of its sequels/prequels) was serious science fiction fans, whose complaint was that “it’s not _really_ science fiction.” It’s “space opera,” or “a fantasy movie with spaceships and laser swords” – and honestly, they aren’t wrong. And, with all respect to @Dinsdale and this thread, my answer is, “I don’t think that you can find _any_ movie which _everyone_ feels is ‘good,’ if not ‘great.’” Tastes vary too much, and as we’re already seeing here, for any movie, even one which is widely respected, you’ll have people who feel, “it’s boring,” “it’s stupid,” “I don’t like black-and-white movies,” “I don’t like westerns,” etc. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/78 "2026-01-02T17:17:41Z")
Do i have to enjoy the movie, or just agree that “it’s objectively a good movie”. I didn’t personally love “the godfather”, but i watched it and thought, “oh wow, i see why it’s so highly rated. Fabulous cinematography, good acting…” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/79 "2026-01-02T17:17:43Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Kid’s films from our childhoods, like **A Boy Named Charlie Brown**. I’d put **A Charlie Brown Christmas** above that. I dunno how those who don’t celebrate Christmas feel about it but it’s my favorite Christmas film and the soundtrack is legendary. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271/80 "2026-01-02T17:18:16Z")
I think Groundhog Day is probably the answer – it even changed the meaning of Groundhog Day. ETA: Having read to the end of the thread, I guess I’ll withdraw GD. That said, I nominate the Blues Brothers. ETA 2: Charlie Brown Christmas is not a movie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271.md?page=5)