14 Good Movies Made By Otherwise Notoriously Bad Directors
It’s a strange thing when a director who is, let’s be honest, not known for quality work, somehow manages to create a genuinely great movie. Is it a fluke? A happy accident? Did all the stars align just right with the script, the cast, and the studio? Whatever the reason, these films exist as shiny apples on otherwise pretty barren trees.
Today, we’re looking at some of those surprising gems. You’ll see the action director known for non-stop explosions who made one of the tightest thrillers of the ’90s, and the horror director whose career nosedived after one spectacular, mind-bending hit. These are, after all, the exceptions that prove the rule.
The Rock by Michael Bay
Michael Bay is the king of explosions, but in 1996, he funneled that energy into a near-perfect action movie. The Rock is a tight, thrilling adventure that easily outshines his later, more chaotic work like the Transformers franchise.
The Sixth Sense by M. Night Shyamalan
Before his name became a punchline for forced twist endings, M. Night Shyamalan delivered this 1999 masterpiece. It was a cultural phenomenon that reminds us of his talent before films like The Last Airbender and After Earth.
The Lost Boys by Joel Schumacher
Joel Schumacher is often blamed for his flashy, critically-panned Batman films in the mid-’90s. But a decade earlier, in 1987, he directed this stylish and iconic vampire film that remains a beloved cult classic to this day.
Rampage by Uwe Boll
The name Uwe Boll is synonymous with notoriously bad video game movies like House of the Dead. It’s shocking, then, that his 2009 film Rampage is a competent and brutally effective thriller that stands apart from his usual work.
Happy Gilmore by Dennis Dugan
Dennis Dugan directed some of Adam Sandler’s most disliked films, including Jack and Jill. In 1996, however, their partnership gave us this endlessly quotable golf comedy that remains an absolute classic and a high point for both of them.
Cliffhanger by Renny Harlin
Director Renny Harlin was responsible for the infamous 1995 box office bomb Cutthroat Island. But just two years earlier, he directed Sylvester Stallone in this perfectly over-the-top and incredibly fun mountain-climbing action movie from 1993.
Event Horizon by Paul W.S. Anderson
Paul W.S. Anderson’s filmography is mostly forgettable action, except at least for his 1997 sci-fi horror film, Event Horizon. It’s a genuinely terrifying trip into cosmic dread that has developed a massive and well-deserved cult following over the years.
Independence Day by Roland Emmerich
Roland Emmerich loves destroying the world, sometimes with better results than others (like 1998’s Godzilla). His 1996 alien invasion epic, however, is the perfect summer blockbuster and a defining special effects extravaganza of the ’90s.
But I’m a Cheerleader by Jamie Babbit
While Jamie Babbit has found success on TV, her 1999 feature film is the one time that translates to film. This sharp, satirical teen comedy was ahead of its time and has grown into a beloved cult classic and a landmark LGBTQ+ film.
Con Air by Simon West
Simon West’s career includes action films like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, but nothing tops his 1997 debut. Con Air is a perfect storm of ’90s action absurdity, featuring a wild Nicolas Cage and an unforgettable cast of characters.
We Are Marshall by McG
McG is known for stylish, fast-paced action like Charlie’s Angels and Terminator Salvation. That’s why his 2006 drama We Are Marshall is such a pleasant surprise; a genuinely heartfelt and inspiring sports story that shows his range.
Red Dragon by Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner is mainly known for action-comedies like the Rush Hour series. But in 2002, he stepped into Hannibal Lecter’s world and delivered a taut, effective thriller that served as a worthy prequel to The Silence of the Lambs.
The Mummy by Stephen Sommers
Stephen Sommers’ later films like Van Helsing and G.I. Joe were messy CGI-fests. His 1999 reboot of The Mummy, however, struck the perfect chord between adventure, comedy, and scares, creating an endlessly rewatchable modern classic.
The Fast and the Furious by Rob Cohen
Before the franchise was about saving the world, director Rob Cohen kicked it all off in 2001. While he also made duds like Stealth, his original street-racing crime drama was a gritty, thrilling hit that launched a global phenomenon.