15 Movies Boomers Love Even Though They’re Bad

Boomers grew up with a mix of groundbreaking cinema, B-movie oddities, and films that somehow stuck in the cultural consciousness despite their flaws. Some were melodramatic, some laughably dated, and some just plain bad, but for reasons no one can fully explain, they remain beloved. These are the movies that get revisited at family gatherings, quoted with nostalgic affection, or defended fiercely online, even though any rational rewatch reveals their shortcomings. From over-the-top performances to cheesy effects and implausible plots, these films capture a certain charm that transcends quality, proving that sometimes, enjoyment isn’t about whether a movie is objectively good; it’s about why it resonates.

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)

Aiming for sci-fi epic, but charmingly fails on every level.

Battlefield Earth (2000)

Overlong, overstuffed, and visually confusing—nobody can save it.

Howard the Duck (1986)

Quacks up more laughs for the wrong reasons than for the story itself.

Mac and Me (1988)

A blatant E.T. rip-off with product placement that never ends.

Showgirls (1995)

Excessive, awkward, and melodramatic—but strangely watchable.

Gigli (2003)

Confused plot and zero chemistry; infamous for a reason.

Ishtar (1987)

Intended as comedy adventure, but mostly a stumble through awkward humor.

The Room (2003)

So bad it’s cult; dialogue and acting are gloriously inconsistent.

King Kong Lives (1986)

Kong returns, but with a plot and effects that barely hold up.

Heaven’s Gate (1980)

Visually ambitious, narratively dull, and self-important.

Rocky IV (1985)

Patriotic overdrive with a formulaic story and laughable Cold War villain.

The Apple (1980)

A disco musical disaster that can’t decide what it wants to be.

Mommie Dearest (1981)

Faye Dunaway hamming it up; campy moments memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Cool as Ice (1991)

Vanilla Ice attempts romance and drama; mostly cringe, very ’90s.

The Omega Man (1971)

Charlton Heston fights mutants in a post-apocalyptic world that doesn’t quite convince.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)

Holiday movie gone wildly off-course; charmingly silly and bizarre.

Barbarella (1968)

Visually iconic, narratively incoherent, space adventure meets camp overload.

Flash Gordon (1980)

Energetic and colorful, but the story and acting leave plenty to be desired.

The Blob (1958)

Classic monster fun, but cheesy effects and performances show its age.