5 Bad Movies That We Only Love Because of Nostalgia

We get it, some movies are just downright bad. And we don't need to overanalyze them to come to this conclusion. Yet amongst them, there are the ones that we somehow forgive despite how hideous and weird they are. And that's nostalgia talking.

These movies are the equivalent of that old, worn-out teddy bear from your childhood. It's objectively shabby but immensely precious.

We all have them and defend passionately while our friends roll their eyes. Maybe you watched them during sleepovers lying on the floor of our best friend's bedroom. Or perhaps they were playing in the background when you were home back from school. It doesn't really matter. What truly important is that right now they are your comfort watch and a trip back to the good old days.

So today, we're diving into five films that, despite their obvious flaws, we'll always cherish. These aren't just bad movies, they're our bad movies, and we wouldn't have them any other way.

Bio-Dome (1996): The '90s Stoner Comedy

In the 90s, Pauly Shore was everywhere. This 1996 gem (and we use that term loosely) might be his magnum opus of mayhem.

The plot is exactly what you'd expect from a '90s comedy: two loveable idiots accidentally lock themselves inside a year-long scientific experiment. And sure, it's got a ridiculous 4% on Rotten Tomatoes, but who needs critical acclaim when you've got Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin being completely unhinged?

It's the perfect blend of '90s absurdity and carefree humor. It's the kind of movie that knows exactly what it is: a goofy stoner comedy that doesn't pretend to be anything else.

As one Redditor said:

“I still quote this movie at least once a week.”

You can revisit Bio-Dome on Hoopla for free. But hurry up! It leaves in 20 days. You can also rent in on Apple TV+.

Armageddon (1998): Oil Drillers Saved the World

Michael Bay's disastrous epic is the definition of “they don't make 'em like this anymore” (and maybe that's for the best, but we love it anyway).

NASA discovers a massive asteroid on a collision course with Earth, and their best solution is to recruit a team of deep-core drillers to save our planet. Led by Bruce Willis at his Bruce Willis-iest this adventure is accompanied by the top-tier Aerosmith's soundtrack.

Between Ben Affleck 's puppy-dog eyes and enough explosions to light up a small country, Armageddon is a peak summer blockbuster.

BionicWoahMan on Reddit gets it, writing:

“It is a fun movie. I don't look at the screen half the time when I'm watching movies because I get bored and do something else while I listen but this is one I always look at. As cheesy as some of the parts are, it works.”

Rewatch Armageddon on Fubo, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.

The Twilight Saga (2008-2012): Vampires Forever

Team Edward versus Team Jacob still remains the heated discussion in 2025. Twilight sure did not get awarded by critics, but did something magical for an entire generation.

This story of a clumsy girl falling in love with a sparkly vampire while friendzoning a werewolf became a cultural phenomenon. The movies gave us brooding looks, awkward dialogue, and enough teen angst to fuel a thousand Hot Topics.

Despite the wooden acting and questionable special effects, there's something undeniably captivating about these films. And at this point, we can't tell if that's nostalgia talking or there's really something. But we guess the truth is in the middle with this one.

As llottiecat on Reddit shared:

“Twilight is totally my guilty pleasure too. If I’m having a bad day I can always just watch the saga (or read the books). And completely lose myself in Bella’s and Edward’s love story.”

You can find movies on Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.

Night of the Comet (1984): The '80s Apocalypse

Before The Walking Dead made zombies mainstream, we had valley girls fighting the apocalypse.

Night of the Comet is perhaps the most '80s movie ever made about the end of the world. A comet passes by Earth, turning most people to dust and others into zombies. Our only hope is two valley girls.

This movie is pure unfiltered '80s nostalgia, complete with mall sequences, surprisingly decent special effects, and enough hairspray to make another hole in the ozone layer.

JaredSeth on Reddit nailed it, saying:

“This movie's always been a guilty pleasure of mine and I have seen it more times than I care to admit. It inhabits the same headspace as Escape from New York or The Last Starfighter (which someone mentions in the comments) for me.”

It's the kind of movie that makes you wish you'd been a teenager in 1984, even if you already were. Watch Night of the Comet on Hoopla for free, but be quick! It leaves in 20 days.

Godzilla ( 1998): King of the Monsters

Yes, the '90s Godzilla or some call it “The One We Don't Talk About.” But we're talking about it today!

This very American take on Japan's favorite kaiju sees a mutated iguana (yes, really) terrorizing New York City while Matthew Broderick tries his best to look concerned.

Is it a good Godzilla movie? Debatable. Is it a fun movie about a giant lizard wreaking havoc in the Big Apple? Absolutely.

As eddieswiss on Reddit confessed:

“For some reason, I just like the film. It's a guilty pleasure of mine, and I watch it about once every couple of years.”

And we know the reason already–nostalgia, duh!

Watch Godzilla on Spectrum, Plex, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.