As a child who grew up in the golden era of VHS tapes, I can confidently say that these movies were my lifeline to imagination and adventure. They transported me to worlds where chipmunks could sing like pop stars, spies could be children, and a chocolate factory was both tantalizingly sweet and terrifyingly bizarre.
The great thing about fiction is it allows people to temporarily suspend their disbelief for the sake of entertainment. Many of the most beloved movies of all time have strange and downright ridiculous premises if you try to explain them out loud, but their strangeness is a part of their charm. Here are 32 films with absolutely ridiculous plots.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
The film was both critically acclaimed and financially successful, yet its storyline is incredibly peculiar. A disenchanted laundromat owner embarks on a journey through multiple dimensions, confronts soldiers disguised as IRS employees, and dances with sausage-like digits to rescue her distant, cynical daughter. It’s undeniably one of the most original and offbeat Best Picture winners in recent memory.
21 Jump Street (2012)
At first glance, this film appears rather ordinary – it’s about the familiar storyline of an unassuming nerd and a popular but not-so-smart jock joining forces unexpectedly to tackle high school challenges. However, there’s a twist: they’re undercover cops infiltrating a high school as part of a covert operation to apprehend a dealer peddling a new illegal substance. Not surprisingly, the movie’s visuals mirror the strange nature of its plotline.
Legally Blonde (2001)
As a gamer, I can’t help but appreciate how Legally Blonde broke barriers in its time by challenging harmful stereotypes about overly-feminine women. Even though the plot may still seem a bit zany, it follows the journey of a popular, blonde sorority member who puts in immense effort to gain admission into one of the nation’s top law schools, all to demonstrate her worthiness to an ex-boyfriend who underestimated her. Fortunately for us, the movie concludes with her leaving that jerk behind and discovering a genuine passion for the law instead.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Among the movies with the largest earnings ever, this one boasts a complex narrative. A wealthy former superhero, joined by his team, develop time travel as a means to traverse various timelines and seize multicolored magical gems. The objective is to undo the damage wrought by a villain who, with a snap of his fingers, erased half of all existence in the universe, predominantly purple in color. Fear not, however: you’ll need to watch just 21 films to grasp it.
Poor Things (2023)
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my awe for this vibrant, eccentric sci-fi flick that earned Emma Stone her second Academy Award, and upon hearing its narrative, it’s not hard to understand why. In the movie, Emma gracefully embodies a character whose mind has been swapped with an infant’s, initially struggling even to say the word “blood” correctly. However, by the film’s conclusion, she is pursuing medical studies. The remarkable metamorphosis her character experiences, as she wanders across Europe and delves into philosophy, is at once bizarre and astonishing.
Back To The Future (1985)
In simpler terms, “Back to the Future” is known as the classic time travel film, and its time travel concepts are groundbreaking. A teenager unintentionally journeys 30 years back in time after encountering his strange science friend, finding himself trapped in the past. While there, he unwittingly disrupts the relationship of his parents from his teenage years, which could lead to his own disappearance from history. Now, he must make sure that these parents remain together to secure his existence, all while grappling with the awkward realization that his teenage mother has developed feelings for him.
The Mask (1994)
In the ’90s, Jim Carrey was often hailed as the master of absurd films. His role as Stanley Ipkiss in “The Mask” not only highlighted his exceptional comedic skills but also his impressive facial expressions and physical abilities. In fact, the character transforms into a living cartoon with a vibrant green face after wearing a magical mask. The less-than-perfect CGI effects, such as stretching and morphing, actually enhance the delightful madness of the film.
Happy Death Day (2017)
There is no worse birthday present than death, and this film forces its protagonist to endure it every birthday. The protagonist, a mean sorority girl, dies on her birthday, and she is forced to relive the tragic day every single day until she figures out who the person responsible is. Also, she has limited time to figure out who the person is before she dies for real (as in, she stops coming back to life).
The Boss Baby (2017)
Many animated films are designed primarily for children’s enjoyment, and one of the finest illustrations of this trend is the offbeat film titled “The Boss Baby“. This whimsical movie weaves a story around a preposterous baby-producing company in the clouds, which delivers an unusual baby to a family with a resentful ex-only child. The improbable sibling pair then join forces to thwart a plan that would make puppies the most adored creatures on Earth.
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)
Regarding outlandish animated films featuring sea creatures, the SpongeBob SquarePants series is undeniably peculiar. However, its movie takes things a step further by challenging the realms of plausibility. In this film, Plankton snatches King Neptune’s crown and falsely accuses Mr. Krabs of the crime, with the aim of having Krabs punished and thereby gaining access to his treasured Krabby Patty recipe. He intends to sell these burgers at his restaurant and ultimately seize power as the ruler of Bikini Bottom. It’s SpongeBob and Patrick who are tasked with retrieving the crown while navigating a car crafted from a Krabby Patty to achieve this goal.
Home Alone (1990)
The implausibility of the Home Alone storyline might stem from the fact that in reality, such a situation would be quite tragic. A young boy who often feels neglected by his family is accidentally left behind during their Christmas trip. To make matters worse, this overlooked child must then devise complex and potentially hazardous traps to fend off relentless burglars attempting to break into his home.
Divergent (2014)
The film adaptation of “Divergent” was one of many young adult, dystopian series movies that gained immense popularity in the 2010s, and it stands out for having a particularly puzzling concept. In this future world following a devastating war, what remains of humanity is organized into factions based on basic personality traits like kindness and honesty. However, in this society, being intelligent, truthful, and selfless can make you a dangerous person to be around, and you could face elimination as a result.
Barbie (2023)
In a perpetual fantasy realm designed for idealized women, Barbie has spent her days. This place is ruled by females and resembles a pristine plastic utopia. However, one day she encounters feelings of deep uncertainty about life’s purpose and grapples with the harsh realities of cellulite and flat feet. Leaving behind her flawless Barbie realm, she ventures into the genuine world to explore the essence of womanhood and existence in a society predominantly governed by men. Ken is there too, but he merely serves as Ken.
Cocaine Bear (2023)
The absurdity of this film’s storyline is encapsulated by its title itself. When bags of cocaine drop into the forest, a bear unbelievably develops an addiction to it and starts attacking the inhabitants of a quaint town. Despite sounding like a chilling horror tale, it turns out to be ridiculously funny in the most brainless manner conceivable. This is due to the fact that the characters are presented with numerous chances to evade or subdue the bear, but they consistently opt for foolishness instead.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
The tale of Harry Potter has evolved into such a timeless story, it’s challenging to recall when it was initially perceived as an unusual concept needing global promotion. In the debut film, young Harry Potter is portrayed as an overlooked orphan under the care of his unkind foster family, who then finds himself courteously abducted by a kind giant. This gentle giant informs him that he’s a magician and sends him to enroll in a mystical boarding school. It’s also worth noting that a seasoned wizard has harbored hatred for Harry since his birth, which is rather typical, as the story unfolds.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
In a brand-new relationship, it’s natural not to dwell on or measure oneself against one’s partner’s past lovers. But suppose you had to meet every single one of them and engage in a fierce video game battle to the death against each? That‘s how far Scott Pilgrim goes to win Ramona Flowers’ heart – quite an extraordinary ordeal!
Twilight (2008)
In a classic storyline, a young girl who dislikes the chill and dampness of the Pacific Northwest relocates there to stay with her far-off father, allowing her mother to journey across the country with her new spouse. While in this region, this teenager encounters and develops feelings for an ancient vampire, who has a secret thirst for her blood. Eventually, they seem to live contentedly together, or so the story goes.
The Princess Bride (1987)
“What I enjoy most about ‘The Princess Bride’ is its absurdity. The movie exudes a charming quality because it seems to be unafraid of being over-the-top, as demonstrated by the princess character named “Buttercup,” who pushes the man she initially thought had killed her former lover down a hill, only to discover that he was actually her true love and they end up rolling down together. This occurs after he defeats the three men who abducted her. And this is merely the start of the film’s many whimsical moments!
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The movie with the highest viewership throughout film history boasts an adored, whimsical storyline. A young girl along with her faithful canine companion, are swept up by a tornado, only to find themselves in a distant realm filled with good witches, evil witches, flying monkeys, talking lions, scarecrows and other fantastical creatures. In order for her safe return home, she must traverse a yellow brick road, guided by a pair of ruby red slippers.
Despicable Me (2010)
In this whimsical story, a villain yearns for recognition within his circle, and devises a plan to swipe the moon. To execute this scheme, he takes in three orphaned girls and tasks them with selling cookies at a rival villain’s residence. This allows him to gain access to the rival’s home and eventually steal their shrink ray, which would enable him to achieve his lunar larceny goal. Granted, as depicted in Despicable Me, this convoluted plot may seem sensible to its young audience members.
White Chicks (2004)
Often, we revisit media from past eras with a contemporary viewpoint, questioning if such content would be produced today. This film serves as a striking illustration of a product of its time, not just due to its offensive racial humor, but also because its narrative is baffling: two African-American FBI agents disguise themselves as blonde white women to safeguard two wealthy socialites from abduction. Shenanigans follow, and explicit jokes prevail.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
When Robin Williams, a comedic genius, takes the lead in a movie, it’s often accompanied by an unconventional storyline, and _Mrs. Doubfire_ is no different. In this kid-friendly film, Williams plays an out-of-work voice actor dealing with a tough divorce. Facing limited supervised visitation rights to his children, he ingeniously devises an extraordinary solution: disguising himself as an elderly, female nanny named “Mrs. Doubtfire.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
In the world depicted in this movie, significant commercial holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, etc., peacefully coexist and possess unique realms that can be reached through hidden passages concealed within trees. The King of Halloween Town grows disenchanted with his existence there, discovers a gateway to Christmas Land, and falls in love. He makes every effort to infuse his own dark interpretation of Christmas into his gloomy domain, but achieves only partial success.
The Parent Trap (1998)
In an instance that raises eyebrows regarding parental decisions, a British woman develops feelings for an American man, gets married, and gives birth to twin girls. Unfortunately, the couple separates shortly after the babies’ birth, opting instead for individual custody arrangements where each parent raises one daughter in their respective countries, ignoring the existence of the other. Years later, at summer camp, they accidentally encounter each other, learn about their sibling, and initially engage in competition. However, they eventually team up to reunite their parents.
13 Going On 30 (2004)
This film offers an unusual storyline, hinted at by its intriguing title. A socially awkward 13-year-old yearns to leapfrog the unpopular aspects of life and transform into a successful, 30-year-old woman living in New York City. On her birthday, this wish comes true as she awakens in the body of a wealthy, fashionable magazine editor, albeit one with a less than desirable personality. The most striking aspect of this movie lies in watching Jennifer Garner masterfully portray a 30-year-old woman whose mind is that of a 13-year-old girl attempting to convincingly act her age.
Shazam! (2019)
If you were to ask a child what their favorite superpower might be, growing up instantly likely wouldn’t make the top ten, but Billy Batson from Shazam! makes it seem incredibly appealing. After being selected by an ancient wizard, this foster child can transform into a fully-grown adult whenever he shouts “Shazam!” and gains an array of impressive powers.
Central Intelligence (2016)
As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say there’s no duo quite like Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in Tinseltown. Their electrifying camaraderie shines brightly in this side-splitting buddy cop flick. Johnson plays a once chubby nerd, miraculously transformed into a muscular CIA agent, who enlists Hart’s accounting whiz, despite the fact they haven’t crossed paths since Hart’s days as a celebrated athlete. Naturally, they pull off the impossible, in the cheesiest, laugh-out-loud ways, to save the world.
Spy Kids (2001)
Of course, many children often ponder what life would be like if their ordinary, suburban parents were secret agents. In this film, though, the sibling pair find out that such a lifestyle isn’t as exciting as it seems, especially when they get captured by a villain who has massive thumbs for minions. But wait, it gets stranger.
Matilda (1996)
A bright, forward-thinking girl, despite being overlooked by her family, finds comfort in reading extensively. This early exposure to knowledge unexpectedly develops in her the power of telekinesis at a tender age. She subsequently employs these abilities to bring justice upon her neglectful parents and the cruel principal, Miss Trunchbull.
Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)
In an unusual, quirky chocolate factory, a secretive chocolate maker extends invitations to a small number of children and their caretakers. However, they soon realize that the factory holds frightening surprises at every corner: gum transforming people into giant blueberries and drinks causing floating sensations, which is amusing until one gets perilously near a spinning ceiling fan. The reason this movie is perceived as lighthearted and suitable for children rather than genuinely terrifying, is due to its over-the-top portrayal of the absurdity in the storyline.
Alvin And The Chipmunks (2007)
A film featuring live animals chattering requires a bit of imagination, but when these chattering creatures are singing chipmunks who become global pop sensations, it pushes believability to its limits and any hint of realism is lost. The absurdity of the rodent singers is only surpassed by their manager-turned-adoptive-father Dave’s frequent exclamations of “Alvin!
The Nutty Professor (1996)
In the film, Eddie Murphy stars as a brilliant yet overweight professor who invents an innovative weight-loss solution. Concerned about his size and desperate to win the affection of the woman he adores, the professor decides to experiment with the drug on himself. Remarkably, it works, causing him to lose weight. However, the slimmed-down version of him develops a sinister alter ego intent on seizing control of the professor’s life permanently. The performances in this movie are not only funny and outrageous, with Eddie Murphy playing various roles, but the visual jokes involving the professor switching between his thin and heavy forms are truly captivating.
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2024-12-11 18:38