18 Actors Who Can Make Bad Movies Worth Watching

Movies can be a mixed bag of entertainment, with some being instant classics and others ending up in the “so bad it's good” category. The worst of the worst can be universally panned by critics and audiences alike, but with the right cast, even bad movies can be worth watching. We have put together a list of some of the worst movies, with the best actors that make the films loveable!

1. Nicolas Cage

Cage is a real mystery. He catches our hearts and piques our curiosity despite having a reputation for doing awful movies. This passionate and brilliant actor manages to be the saving grace for films destroyed by critics.

2. Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken is a fascinating actor with such a unique persona that he is entertaining to watch in any role he plays. Although he possesses extraordinary talent, he pops up in the most random films.

3. Robert DeNiro

When you think of Robert DeNiro’s career, it’s tough not to immediately go to classics like Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, and The Godfather Part II. Interspersed between some of his best movies are also films that no one would watch if not for him. The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Meet the Fockers, and Little Fockers are just a few examples of poorly received movies that we’ll gladly sit through just to catch another fantastic DeNiro performance.

4. Charles Dance

Charles Dance carries himself like a no-nonsense, very traditional actor. However, his career paints a different picture. Yes, he may be known for his dramatic roles, but we also can’t overlook his appearances in movies like Alien 3, Last Action Hero, Dracula Untold, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, all of which are marginally better than mediocre because of his presence.

5. Rebel Wilson

Every single film that Rebel Wilson is in features her hilarious antics. Her delivery is spot-on, and there's something about her Australian accent that enhances her appeal even more. The Hustle may not have amused many, but her entertaining performance in the picture can't be rebuffed.

6. Samuel L. Jackson

It's difficult to picture Jackson being dull in any capacity. Critics point to Snakes on a Plane as one example of Jackson bringing life to an otherwise stale motion picture.

7. John Goodman

John Goodman has demonstrated his abilities in various roles throughout his career. Vanity Fair calls him “among our very own finest actors.” A review website feels his skill merits an Academy Award nomination. However, his upbeat performances are still a joy, even in critically panned movies.

8. Morgan Freeman

The soothing quality of his unique baritone brings about the calm and patience required to sit through some of his below-par movies. Yet his many acclaimed films keep his reputation within the industry well above water.

9. Melissa McCarthy

Two Primetime Emmy Awards, nominations for two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards, and you know why she can afford to infuse fresh air into an otherwise tiresome script.

10. Jennifer Coolidge

Not a stranger to accolades (23 nominations, 14 wins, and one honorary award), Coolidge's fans can always look at her trophy shelf and be confident that she will always pull off a beautiful performance, even in an average-low-rated movie.

11. Tom Hardy

A stellar perennial in the industry, Hardy is one of the most versatile and gifted performers that Hollywood currently has to offer. He has been in a wide variety of films and played many characters, including villains, heroes, and everyone in between. You can always count on Hardy to give stellar performances — even in bad movies.

12. Donald Pleasence

In the course of his career, Pleasence has appeared in several films that are widely considered to be among the worst ever made. Still, he always manages to give the best performance possible.

13. Adam Driver

Adam Driver doesn't stop turning in good work. Even though the force is not very strong in certain movies he appears in, Driver has been able to walk away from the carnage with his reputation in pristine condition.

14. Michael Caine

Unbelievably, Michael Caine has the misfortune of starring in movies that are so terrible and should be included on the list of embarrassingly poor movies. Even in these films considered to be of weakest efforts, Michael Caine has delivered a consistently strong performance.

15. Al Pacino

Al Pacino is known for so many wonderful movies in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but while he has blockbuster titles like The Godfather trilogy and Scarface under his belt, he also has flops like Jack and Jill. It's safe to say he is the best part of those movies.

16. Amy Adams

Amy Adams has been nominated for six Oscars in her career, but she also has made appearances in the failed adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen and a lot of other lower-budget movies, especially early in her career.

17. Chloë Grace Moretz

For the longest time, it felt like every movie you watched had the young Chloe Grace Moretz. She was the star of the Carrie remake but also did several low-budget films as well during this time. Though many of her starring roles were in subpar films, Moretz still delivered a distinct quality we kept turning up for.

18. Zendaya 

This former Disney star has had some major hits, including HBO's controversial Euphoria and Marvel's Spider-Man series. She's also graced the screen with her presence in some films that weren't widely accepted by critics or fans (have you ever heard of Smallfoot? Didn't think so). Regardless of the script or performances of her costars, you can count on Zendaya to bring her A game.