Do you just want to be entertained when you throw on a flick rather than being lectured? Here are the best movies before Hollywood went “woke”!
If you’re like me, you love nothing more than kicking back with a good movie and a pile of snacks. The only problem is Hollywood has become obsessed with identity politics and “woke culture.”
Rather than producing movies that are intended purely for the purpose of entertaining audiences with immersive storylines and well-structured character development, they now just want to lecture you or shove politics down your throat.
Luckily, there is a whole back catalog of incredible movies that came out before woke directors and cancel culture ruined things. If you’re ready to be wowed by true cinematic brilliance, grab some popcorn and get ready to read my top picks from each of the major genres!
Comedy Classics That Will Send You:
1. The Waterboy (1998)
Adam Sandler churned out plenty of comedy classics that had entire generations of kids quoting them at every opportunity. While his movies were a bit crude, they never tried to lecture you with anything more than simple messages, like being a good person and valuing your friends.
The Waterboy hits right in the sweet spot between being a comedy movie and a sports movie. It’s about a socially awkward boy who rises from a college football team’s water boy to their star player. Anticipate plenty of hilarious one-liners, quirky characters, and the type of humor that wouldn’t fly in Hollywood today!
The Waterboy – Official Trailer (HD)
2. Superbad (2007)
Seth Rogen may have gone a bit woke in recent years, but his earliest comedies were pure gold. Superbad is a classic coming-of-age high school comedy about two kids looking to have a wild night before going off to college.
With plenty of cringey humor and one-liners that are balanced out with a few heartfelt moments, Superbad is a must-watch for any comedy fan.
Superbad – Official Trailer (HD)
3. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
This classic comedy is about a couple of stoners who embark on a wild road trip all for the purpose of, you guessed it, getting White Castle burgers.
The outrageous scenarios and witty lines from the two leads will have you rolling. The best part, Harold & Kumar manages to have a diverse cast without ramming it down your throat. It’s a truly memorable comedy that is totally re-watchable.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle – Original Theatrical Trailer
Mind-Blowing Sci-Fi Flicks:
4. Jurassic Park (1993)
Unlike the recent additions to the franchise (big yikes), the OG Jurassic Park stands up as a true classic. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of adventure, science fiction, heart-stopping suspense, and memorable characters, throw it on.
The visual effects were so ground-breaking for the time that you’ll completely forget this movie was from the ‘90s!
Jurassic Park – Original Theatrical Trailer
5. Star Wars Prequel Trilogy (1999 – 2005)
- Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode II – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Before Disney started cramming woke messaging into Star Wars movies, George Lucas returned to the galaxy far, far away with a hugely successful blockbuster trilogy. While they were largely considered inferior to the original trilogy at the time they were released, they’ve since gained a cult following.
These three films are packed with epic action scenes and plenty of new environments. They also have a surprisingly intricate plot, which will have you re-watching these epic movies. By watching, you’ll also understand why scenes from these three movies have been meme’d so many times!
Star Wars: Prequel Trilogy Modern Trilogy (4K)
Classic Superhero Spectacles
6. Tim Burton’s Batman Trilogy – (1989 – 1995)
- Batman (1989)
- Batman Returns (1992)
- Batman Forever (1995)
This hugely successful take on the darkest superhero acts as a time capsule of the late ‘80s and mid-’90s. With some of Hollywood’s biggest names and epic sets, these films showcased Gotham City in a unique and dark way that has never been replicated.
With all of the classic Batman villains and plenty of mind-blowing storylines, you don’t want to miss these movies. Plus, they also have plenty of that uniquely ‘90s cheesiness that will have you laughing.
Check out the trailer below to get a feel for what I’m talking about:
Batman (1989) – Original Theatrical Trailer
Serious Action Movies:
7. Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard completely changed the game for action movies. Starring Bruce Willis, this no-nonsense action movie is packed with one-liners you’ve probably already heard, a suspenseful storyline, and just enough action to have you clinging to your seat.
The best part? You can throw this action-packed, testosterone-filled classic on during your next Christmas movie binge!
Die Hard – 30th Anniversary Edition Trailer
8. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
You can’t talk about action movies without mentioning the GOAT action star – Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In this sequel to the original Terminator movie, you get CGI that was truly ground-breaking for its time, larger-than-life action scenes, and a storyline that will pull you in. This no-nonsense action flick is about as far as you can get from the woke movies of today. Best of all, it still stands up as a genre-defining classic movie.
The movie’s themes revolving around the apocalyptic rise of machines might also have you second-guessing using AI to tackle your next homework project!
Terminator 2: Judgment Day – Original Theatrical Trailer
Final Words
There you have it, some killer classics that won’t have you feeling like you just sat through a lecture.
When watching these iconic movies, try to put yourself in the mindset of audiences at the time. While the special effects may seem a little bit corny by today’s standards, they were true technical achievements of their times.
Luckily, most of these movies are readily available on major streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video!
So, grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to watch movies that are fun and exciting rather than overly artsy and condescending.
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